HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-28-23 Public Comment - M. Kaveney - Commissioner Appointment Comments for CC mtng. 11_28_23From:Marcia Kaveney
To:Agenda; Terry Cunningham; Jennifer Madgic; Christopher Coburn; Cyndy Andrus
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Commissioner Appointment Comments for CC mtng. 11/28/23
Date:Monday, November 27, 2023 1:51:29 PM
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Dear Mayor and City Commissioners-
I am writing to offer comments on your pending appointment of a commissioner to replace I
Ho Pomeroy's seat on the commission.
The voters have expressed a strong interest in maintaining and building Bozeman'sneighborhood characteristics, liveability, environmental stewardship, resource protection
(water, forests, and open spaces), and exploration of solutions to affordable housing both atrecent meetings and in the Bozeman Community Plan of 2020. The voters have also expressed
interest in the city using more restraint with developments that do not support these goals anda desire to be included in any UDC update. Whomever is appointed should also have a strong
interest in these values.
Angie Kociolek is the best candidate to replace I Ho Pomeroy. She has a uniquecombined background in the areas of ecology and health, has demonstrated several years of
dedication to working with the city's advisory boards, and has proven herself to be someonewho can take initiative and lead as with the UPF board. Her years as a downtown Bozeman
homeowner, mother, wife, volunteer, and small business owner give her the perspective toserve Bozeman's diverse community. There are many instances where I have been able to
witness and appreciate her attention to detail, willingness to ask the "hard questions", and toinitiate leadership when needed while maintaining strong working relationships with city staff
and community residents. I think Bozeman's environmental stewardship will be strengthenedwith Angie on the City Commission and the town will be better for it.
I also think John Meyer should be carefully considered. He had a strong second place showing
in the recent mayoral election, illustrating the public's interest in him and the work they thinkhe can accomplish. His background and work as an environmental lawyer demonstrates his
commitment to the environmental stewardship that Bozeman needs to strengthen to meet thegoals in the current growth policy. His background in law will help the commission when
weighing UDC text for strength in courts; a reason given by some current commissioners forstaff not applying some of our environmental or development standard codes. John is not
afraid to offer bold ideas and bold solutions to problems that Bozeman currently faces.
If by some reason your criteria does not find Angie or John at the top of your list, then I wouldsuggest the consideration of Daniel Gaugler- someone I have personally worked with in my
HOA for several years. His strengths include fairness, transparency, financial skills, and issomeone I look to for advice and level-headed thinking. He does not bring a personal agenda
to the table.
Because this position is appointed rather than elected by the public, anyone currently involvedwith real estate, development companies, or who stands to gain financially from continued
market rate or luxury developments should not be appointed at this time based on possible
conflict of interest. They can run during the next election where the voting public can choosewho becomes commissioner.
I also believe that anyone who has lost an election should be eliminated from the list, except in
the case of John Meyer since his total votes also surpassed the incumbent's and would likelyhave won him the position of mayor had there not been three candidates.
In reviewing the memos for this agenda item, I find no suggested criteria by which to judge
the applicants except for the state requirements. I hope you will share the criteria you havebeen using to evaluate the candidates during Tuesday's meeting (11/28/23) so that the public
can be fully informed as to your thinking.
Thank you for your consideration of my comments.
Marcia Kaveney