HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-18-23 Public Comment - V. Arkell - Ordinance 2149, Regulations for Camping in Rights of WayFrom:Vince Arkell
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Ordinance 2149, Regulations for Camping in Rights of Way
Date:Monday, September 18, 2023 9:04:07 AM
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As owners/operators of Vince's Repair, we strongly urge the Commission to ADOPT
Ordinance 2149 to regulate camping in the rights of way of the City of Bozeman.
We have been in business at 2017 Gilkerson Drive since 1990. Recent on-street camping inour area has created unease for many of our customers. Folks who would previously leave
their vehicle on the street or in the driveway in the evening for repair the next day, now refuseto do so because they don't think their vehicle will be safe from vandalism. On-street camping
also takes up parking on the street for customers and employees of most businesses in the area.Most disgustingly, we have to clean our yard adjacent to the street of trash and human
waste/tissue weekly if not daily. This is in addition to the $153,000 the City Streets and SolidWaste Divisions spend to clean up these areas. That is NOT what our Arterial/Collector and
Street Maintenance Assessments were meant to be used for.
Police officers have responded to numerous complaints from business owners on GilkersonDrive. We understand their hands are tied, and they do their best to urge the campers to move
on, but the passage of Ordinance 2149 will give them a bit more authority to help the citizensand tax payers of Bozeman take back the streets they pay for. Bozeman used to be a beautiful,
safe city. It is deteriorating quickly.
Ordinance 2149, by restricting parking near businesses and residences will help residents andproperty owners feel more safe and is a step in the right direction, but it could be stronger by
prohibiting camping on any street that has any development.
Please, vote yes to adopt Ordinance 2149.
Vince and Debra Arkell2017 Gilkerson Drive
Bozeman