HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-12-24 Public Comment - N. Nakamura - City Manager conversationFrom:Natsuki Nakamura
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]City Manager conversation
Date:Friday, February 9, 2024 6:25:32 PM
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Dear Commissioners,
Thank you for taking prompt action to address the concerns raised around the City Manager. I
hope the upcoming conversation is an opportunity to reflect on how the City can build a senseof trust with the community.
The City Commission recently evaluated the City Manager’s performance and approved a
raise, which feels like an approval from the Commission about the direction Bozeman hasbeen heading for the last 4 years. The City Manager has celebrated the number of “affordable
housing units” in the pipeline and figured out a way to make the lives of those living on thestreet harder without criminalizing them using non-cop compliance officers. With our system
of a strong City Manager (aka weak mayor), that means someone who is not elected is makingdecisions about the direction of Bozeman.
In considering next steps, I ask the Commission to reflect on how it comes across when
someone making around a quarter million dollars says we are doing a great job addressingaffordable housing and rejects a new idea brought by residents to address our housing crisis.
The City Manager is paid well above the AMI, so perhaps does not feel how much the factthat AMI went up nearly $40,000 within 2 years impacts the definition of “affordable” for yet-
to-be-available developments that were granted incentives and TIF.
I ask you to empathize that when ideas like a pipeline from Canyon Ferry are being pitched as“climate resiliency” for our community by someone who may or may not be here after
becoming vested, it is concerning and it feels like the true anxieties from the communityaround water and what it means to have a sustainable community are not being listened to and
acted upon.
A sense of trust cannot be restored simply by removing one staff member (if that is even onthe table). A deep reflection on how Bozeman should develop needs to be had and should
genuinely involve community members, who I hope will continue to come out of thewoodwork.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Natsuki