HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-23 Public Comment - T. Holt - Urgent Request to Remove from 10_24_23 Consent Agenda and Publicly Discuss Ordinance 2147 - Urban CampingFrom:Troy Holt
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL][SENDER UNVERIFIED]Urgent Request to Remove from 10/24/23 Consent Agenda and Publicly
Discuss Ordinance 2147 - Urban Camping
Date:Saturday, October 21, 2023 5:16:31 PM
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Dear Members of the Bozeman City Commission,
I strongly urge you to remove Ordinance 2147, commonly known as the Urban
Camping Ordinance, from the Consent Agenda for the City Commission meeting
scheduled for October 24, 2024. According to the Montana Code Annotated, consent
agendas are reserved for non-controversial items. Given the far-reaching impact of
this ordinance, it is critical that it undergo open, public discussion among the CityCommission Members, rather than being quickly passed without thorough debate.
Ordinance 2147 represents a deeply flawed and unrepresentative measure that, if
enacted, will exacerbate existing challenges and place significant burdens onresidents, local businesses, and property owners. It undermines the fabric of our
community by failing to offer a comprehensive, well-considered solution to the issue
of urban camping. While the city might have concerns that it aims to address through
this ordinance, it is imperative to involve public input and consider the adverse effectsit will impose.
The existing parking policy already provides a framework for regulating urban
camping, provided it is enforced appropriately. In contrast, Ordinance 2147 lacks thenuanced language and provisions required to address the complexities of urban
camping in a manner that ensures the safety and well-being of our community. There
are precedents in other Montana cities where hastily enacted ordinances led to
unintended negative consequences, including legal challenges and communitydivision.
Before moving forward with any regulation that will significantly affect the lives of
Bozeman's residents, I implore you to vote down Ordinance 2147. This will give citystaff adequate time to draft a more thoughtful and effective ordinance that can be
widely supported by the community.
I respectfully but firmly request that Ordinance 2147 be removed from the ConsentAgenda and instead be subjected to an open and public discussion and vote. Doing
so will demonstrate the Commission's commitment to transparency, public
engagement, and good governance.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this critical matter.
Sincerely,
Troy Holt
tgholt@post.harvard.edu
2963 Warbler Way #1
Bozeman, MT 59718