HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-24 Public Comment - A. Kneisel - October 08 Meeting Comments to AddFrom:GM-BOBA
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Daryl Schliem; Davis Dathe; Kyle Schock
Subject:[EXTERNAL]October 08 Meeting Comments to Add
Date:Tuesday, October 8, 2024 10:55:01 AM
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I am the General Manager at the Baymont Inn & Suites in Bozeman. Directly across the
street from the HRDC warming center and large homeless encampment in the city.
We have been trying to work with the city ordinance team, but they are overworked
and understaffed leaving issues not resolvedThe current ordinance only requires them to stay away 100 feet from a entrance of a
commercial building – this is not enforced and it is not enough as it allows campingaround our parking lot and across the street.
The ordinance also does prohibit camping across the street form a residential
dwelling or multi households, - this needs to include hotels.
This is directly affecting our business with loss of reputation and business – see
verified reviews for last couple of months
This is causing a safety issue for our guests, and staff, and when they start their fires,
it is a safety issue for Bozeman
This loss of reputation not only affects us but Bozeman as a community – and this
can take years to rebuild
We would be looking for the ordinance to be increased to 250 feet from the property
and no camping within sight of the hotel
We would also like to see no campfires on city sidewalks or easements, and
enforcement of public intoxication laws, and other public safety laws.
-Potential solutions you would like to see – 2 options are feasible 1 increase the
distance allowing camping from 100 feet from a commercial entrance to 250
from the business or 100 feet from the business parking lot. 2 (preferable) – the
ordinance prohibits camping across the street from multi family homes – this
needs to include hotels. And the city needs to actively enforce basic safety
standards with regards to campfires and public intoxication.
– at this time we want to concentrate on solutions to the issues- bring it back to
the reputation, and guests experiences.
A few recent guest comments:
Guest 1:
We have had many nice stays at Wyndham hotels in the past
but I’ve never been prompted to write a review till now.
Good value and the check-in people were very accommodating.
The room had clean beds and towelsOur worst concern was the huge amount
of homeless people nearby.And there were many, many more when we got up and about the next morning
to leave.Old, beat up RV’s were lining the road.
We would not consider staying another night in that area no matter the cost of
rooms.
It is too bad that Bozeman’s homeless have chosen to live in the “hotel” area.
It does not create a good impression of Bozeman at all!
Guest 2:. It is across the parking lot from a homeless shelter, many people outside on
the sidewalk, and some appeared to be high.There were lines of junky RV campers down the street of the hotel, people
sitting all along the road,shopping carts full of people’s stuff, etc. I hardly slept because I was worried
about our truck.
Guest 3:There were a ten of homeless people outside of the hotel.
Walking in the back alley where I parked my car made me feel very unsafe.
The whole area has turned into a s******* in this part of Bozeman.
Total bummer.
I would never never come to this place again because of the homeless
situation.I didn't even feel safe walking to the Mexican restaurant down the street so I
drove. I will never ever stop at this place again.My wife and I have stayed there before as we pass from Colorado to Montana.
The homeless situation around the area made me feel very uncomfortable.
Bozeman has turned into a complete shithole, at least in this area, and I would
never come back because of the situation
AmyJo Kneisel
General Manager
Baymont by Wyndham
2020 Wheat Drive
Bozeman, MT 59715Phone: 406-585-2626Cell: 401-263-4566Email: GM-BOBA@birddoghospitality.com