HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-07-25 Public Comment - S. Nobel - Study CommissionFrom:Stephen Nobel
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Study Commission
Date:Monday, April 7, 2025 9:58:29 AM
Attachments:Bozeman Study Commission.pdf
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Thank you for the opportunity to submit these comments
Steve Nobel
NOBELARTS.DESIGN116 N Bozeman Ave., #407Bozeman MT 59715406 548 1217
I attended the meeting on April 3rd. Thanks again for your service. My comments below relate
exclusively to the process employed by the study commission, not policy considerations.
I observed concern raised repeatedly by the community regarding ‘being heard.’ Of course
that is a universal disappointment, particularly when one’s voice is in the minority. Persuasion is
rarely the purpose of ‘public comment’ these days. Rather, it is made more often to voice a
grievance without offering a constructive remedy. Regrettably, that may be a condition infecting
our political discourse these days.
I admire the study commission’s intent to report back to the community a summary of what
you heard through the public comment process. That step should make it clear what you are
considering as you draft recommendations for improvements to the city’s governance.
In light of that intention, I offer the following three recommendation for your consideration:
1. On matters requiring a vote (beyond the consent agenda), the city commissioners shall
report individually on their understanding of public comments (what they heard), how they
weighed those comments and why they are voting the way they are. In my view, that adds
considerable transparency to the decision-making process and highlights the quality of
judgement that goes into each vote.
2. With respect to draft recommendations likely to be made by the study commission, please
invite or indeed require that those with comments shall state which recommendations they are
in favor of and why, and how any of the recommendations may be improved. The purpose of
this recommendation is to minimize if not eliminate the predictable grievances on matter of
policy.
3. Again, with respect to draft recommendations, would the study commission report on any
constraints (legal, financial or otherwise) that would face any recommendations, and thereby
overturn implementation of any recommendation(s).
Thank you for your consideration.