The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About10-01-25 EV Agenda and PacketA. Call to Order - 6:00 PM B. Disclosures C. Changes to the Agenda D. Approval of Minutes D.1 Approve the August 6, 2025 Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes (DiTommaso) E. Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and Jurisdiction of the Board THE ECONOMIC VITALITY BOARD OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA EVB AGENDA Wednesday, October 1, 2025 General information about the Economic Vitality Board is available in our Laserfiche repository. If you are interested in commenting in writing on items on the agenda please send an email to comments@bozeman.net or by visiting the Public Comment Page prior to 12:00pm on the day of the meeting. At the direction of the City Commission, anonymous public comments are not distributed to the Board or staff. Public comments will also be accepted in-person and through Video Conference during the appropriate agenda items. As always, the meeting will be streamed through the Commission's video page and available in the City on cable channel 190. For more information please contact Brit Fontenot, bfontenot@bozeman.net This meeting will be held both in-person and also using an online videoconferencing system. You can join this meeting: Via Video Conference: Click the Register link, enter the required information, and click submit. Click Join Now to enter the meeting. Via Phone: This is for listening only if you cannot watch the stream, channel 190, or attend in- person United States Toll +1 253 205 0468 Access code: 984 4147 6350 This is the time to comment on any non-agenda matter falling within the scope of the Economic Vitality Board. There will also be time in conjunction with each agenda item for public comment relating to that item but you may only speak once per topic. Please note, the Board cannot take action on any item which does not appear on the agenda. All persons addressing the Board shall speak in a civil and courteous manner and members of the audience shall be respectful of others. Please state your name, and state whether you are a resident of the city or a property owner 1 F. Special Presentations F.1 Water Adequacy for Residential Development (WARD) Ballot Education Presentation (Kohtz, Fine) G. FYI/Discussion H. Adjournment within the city in an audible tone of voice for the record and limit your comments to three minutes. General public comments to the Board can be found in their Laserfiche repository folder. This board generally meets the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. City Board meetings are open to all members of the public. If you have a disability and require assistance, please contact the ADA Coordinator, David Arnado, at 406.582.3232. 2 Memorandum REPORT TO:Economic Vitality Board FROM:Jesse DiTommaso, Economic Development Specialist Brit Fontenot, Economic Development Director SUBJECT:Approve the August 6, 2025 Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes MEETING DATE:October 1, 2025 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Minutes RECOMMENDATION:Approve the August 8, 2025 Economic Vitality Board meeting minutes. STRATEGIC PLAN:1.2 Community Engagement: Broaden and deepen engagement of the community in city government, innovating methods for inviting input from the community and stakeholders. BACKGROUND:In accordance with Commission Resolution 5323 and the City of Bozeman's Citizen Advisory Board Manual, all boards must have minutes taken and approved. Prepared minutes will be provided for approval by the board at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Staff will make any corrections identified to the minutes before submitting to the City Clerk's Office. There are no minutes to approve from the September 2025 meeting as it was a tour of Homeward Point. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None. ALTERNATIVES:As recommended by the Board. FISCAL EFFECTS:None. Attachments: 080625 EVB Minutes.pdf Report compiled on: June 13, 2025 3 Bozeman Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2025 Page 1 of 4 THE ECONOMIC VITALITY BOOARD MEETING OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA MINUTES August 6, 2025 General information about the Economic Vitality Board is available in our Laserfiche repository. Present: Mona Schwartz, Albert Jones, Danielle Rogers, Craig Oglivie, Nathan Stein Absent: Sara Savage A) 00:01:11 Call to Order - 6:00 PM B) 00:01:59 Disclosures 00:02:02 Nathan Stein disclosed his position at Headwaters Community Housing Trust C) 00:02:38 Changes to the Agenda 00:03:52 Jesse DiTommaso noted the change of order in the agenda items. D) 00:04:36 Approval of Minutes D.1 00:04:41 Approve the February 5, 2025, April 2, 2025, May 7, 2025, and June 4, 2025 Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes 02-05-25 EVB Minutes.docx 04-02-25 EVB Minutes.docx 05-07-25 EVB Minutes.docx 06-04-25 EVB Minutes.docx 00:05:04 Motion to approve Mona Schwartz: Motion Albert Jones: 2nd 00:05:20 Vote on the Motion to approve The Motion carried 5 - 0. Approve: Danielle Rogers Mona Schwartz Craig Ogilvie 4 Bozeman Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2025 Page 2 of 4 Albert Jones Nathan Stein Disapprove: None E) 00:05:37 Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and Jurisdiction of the Board • There were no public comments. F) 00:06:50 Action Items F.2 00:06:52 Consider a Community Land Trust Model for the Fowler Housing Project 00:07:05 Michael Brown, founder and partner of Burlington Associates and Community Development, provided the presentation. 00:26:11 Board Questions of Michael Brown 00:40:26 Public Comment • There were no public comments. 00:41:20 Discussion - there was no discussion • There was no further Board discussion. F.3 00:41:37 Trade-offs to Consider for the Fowler Affordable Housing Project 00:42:04 David Fine, Economic Development Manager, presented items F1 & F3. 01:04:02 Questions of Staff 01:15:26 Public Comment 01:15:42 Public Comment - Nina Harrison 01:19:02 Public Comment - Meredith Center 01:21:49 Public Comment - Mike Rosen 01:23:24 Public Comment - Heather Hicks 01:24:44 Public Comment - Greg Gilpin 01:29:17 Public Comment - Kristin Trip 01:32:19 Public Comment - Walt Francis 01:36:02 Public Comment - Inaudible 01:38:24 Public Comment - Cindy Miller 5 Bozeman Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2025 Page 3 of 4 01:41:43 Public Comment - Daniel Carty 01:43:49 Public Comment - Mary Francis McHugh 01:47:43 Heather Toyne - Public Comment 01:50:15 Emily Barnhardt - Public Comment 01:54:30 Aimee Schrank - Public Comment 01:55:54 Chair extended the meeting until 8:15pm. 01:56:33 Discussion 02:17:38 chair extended the meeting until 8:45pm 02:20:50 Motion to recommend Including 4-story narrow townhomes in the Fowler Community Housing Project limited to portion fronting Fowler Street. Craig Ogilvie: Motion Nathan Stein: 2nd 02:24:00 Vote on the Motion to approve Include 4-story narrow townhomes in the Fowler Community Housing Project limited to portion fronting Fowler Street. The Motion failed 1 - 4. Approve: Craig Ogilvie Disapprove: Danielle Rogers Mona Schwartz Albert Jones Nathan Stein 02:25:18 Motion to approve Move to recommend the City Commission include 4-story narrow townhomes in the Fowler Community Housing Project. Mona Schwartz: Motion Nathan Stein: 2nd 02:25:42 Vote on the Motion to approve Move to recommend the City Commission include 4-story narrow townhomes in the Fowler Community Housing Project. The Motion failed 2 - 3. Approve: Mona Schwartz Nathan Stein Disapprove: 6 Bozeman Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes, August 6, 2025 Page 4 of 4 Danielle Rogers Craig Ogilvie Albert Jones 02:26:01 Discussion 02:33:51 Motion to approve I move to recommend the City Commission limit housing in the Fowler Community Housing Project to 3 stories. Albert Jones: Motion Craig Ogilvie: 2nd 02:34:07 Vote on the Motion to approve I move to recommend the City Commission limit housing in the Fowler Community Housing Project to 3 stories. The Motion carried 3 - 2. Approve: Danielle Rogers Craig Ogilvie Albert Jones Disapprove: Mona Schwartz Nathan Stein 02:34:25 Economic Development Manager David Fine notes unless the board has more specific design feedback than limiting the Fowler Community Housing Project to 3 stories, he has received the direction he needs to move forward with the City Commission. 02:36:01 Additional board feedback. 02:37:38 Economic Development Manager David Fine provides the board with next steps in the Fowler Community Housing Project. G) 02:40:27 FYI/Discussion 02:40:32 Commissioner Bode acknowledged the challenges of Robert's Rules 02:41:14 Chair Rogers noted the board vacancy and thanked Malory Peterson for her service on the board. H) 02:42:47 Adjournment This board generally meets the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 7 Memorandum REPORT TO:Economic Vitality Board FROM:Takami Clark, Communications & Engagement Manager SUBJECT:Water Adequacy for Residential Development (WARD) Ballot Education Presentation MEETING DATE:October 1, 2025 AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Citizen Advisory Board/Commission RECOMMENDATION:Listen to presentation, ask questions STRATEGIC PLAN:1.1 Outreach: Continue to strengthen and innovate in how we deliver information to the community and our partners. BACKGROUND:The City of Bozeman is educating the public on a November 2025 ballot issue called the Water Adequacy for Residential Development (WARD) initiative. This initiative was created by a special-interest group and is not a policy of the City of Bozeman. It could have a significant effect on the City’s ability to provide water for future residents and businesses and may lead to a lower overall production of all types of housing. The City's effort to educate voters on this initiative is not intended to advocate for or against the initiative; rather, the educational effort is to bring to light how the initiative will affect city operations, including how the City works to accommodate the development of new housing in our community and the City’s effort to provide our community with the water it relies on. UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None ALTERNATIVES:N/A FISCAL EFFECTS:N/A Attachments: LivableBozeman Updated.pdf Report compiled on: September 4, 2025 8 9 The WARD Initiative A citizen special interest group initiative that received enough signatures to appear on the 2025 November ballot. This is not a policy created by the City. It seeks to change the city code to require developers who seek to use cash-in- lieu of water rights for development to provide affordable housing. 10 Today, in Bozeman 11 ●Since 2022, we have 1777 affordable units built, under construction or in the pipeline ●Over $120M has been spent in subsidies on those projects ●Vacancy rates have been quoted at 12%; rent increases have slowed Growth has slowed to 1.4% after an average of 3.7% from 2013-2023 12 Building on existing programs rooted in local engagement, sustainable planning, and housing data/analysis. Our goal is to ensure that our solutions balance affordabilitywith sustainable growth tactics that support the integrity of our existing neighborhoods. A livable Bozeman for all. Developing flexible, place-based policies that make the most of available tools. 13 Background: Current Water Adequacy Policy ●Current Policy went into effect in 1984 ●Requires that projected water demand of new development be offset by one or more of these options: ○Reduce demand with water conservation systems and techniques ○Pay cash-in-lieu of water rights and City acquires the water rights ○Bring useable water rights to the City ●99% of development utilizes cash-in-lieu and is highly efficient due to being able to connect to existing city infrastructure 14 What WARD Means for Future Housing Development Allows developers to pay cash-in-lieu of water rights to the city only if the development provides 33% or more affordable housing units. If the development does not include 33% affordable units, the developer is responsible for securing water rights. 15 Alternatives if proposed ballot initiative is approved by voters 1.Access to cash-in-lieu of water rights tool becomes restricted requiring 33% of housing product be provided as affordable housing 2.Developers work to secure their own water rights,which can take anywhere from 5 to 8 years. 3.Developers can implement only on-site water efficiency or conservation measures to limit impact, with the remaining water demand coming from #1 or 2.Off-site water conservation measures option would be removed under WARD. 16 Water Facts 17 Current Water Supply Snapshot Hyalite Creek Watershed 40%Bozeman CreekWatershed 40% Lyman Spring 20% 18 Facts about Water Adequacy in Bozeman, Montana ●Bozeman is not at risk of running out of water.When a developer proposes new housing,the city must ensure there is adequate water. ●In a normal water year, Bozeman only uses 43% of its current water supply, in a significant drought year, it increases to 60%. ●Bozeman proactively manages water usage through our conservation program. ●Bozeman continues to develop and implement new water conservation measures and water supplies according to our long-term water supply plan (Integrated Water Resources Plan) 19 Development within Bozeman is Most Water Sustainable Gallons per Capita Day Water Use Bozeman = 114 GPCD Others in Montana = 163 GPCD (average) Comparable Cities = Boulder, CO: 133 GPCD Denver, CO: 140 GPCD Bend, OR: 157 GPCD Gallons per Household Day Water Use Bozeman: 188 GPHD National average: 254 GPHD Arid Western states: 314 GPHD City has the experts to efficiently develop water supply, water rights, and conservation to stay in front of development demands 20 Housing Facts 21 Facts About Affordable Housing in Bozeman ●Area Median Income (AMI) Definitions ●Past affordable housing projects required subsidies. The lower the AMI thresholds, the more subsidies are necessary ●Affordable housing is expensive to build due to rising costs of land, labor, materials, and lending ●A study we have done through the Affordable Housing Ordinance showed that developers could only designate 5% of their units as affordable –anything beyond that does not pencil out. ●The city is working with public, private, and nonprofit partners to make affordable housing a reality ●Policies are based on local data and community input, with the goal of balancing affordability, smart growth, and neighborhood character 22 WARD Impact on Housing The Initiative's requirement that 33% of housing units in new developments must be affordable housing to have access to the city’s cash-in-lieu of water rights could limit housing supply because: ○Housing developers rely on a mix of market-rate units and affordable housing units to cover the cost of building. Requiring a high number of affordable housing units will make it difficult for projects to secure financing or cover construction costs. ○If developers are not coming to Bozeman to build additional housing, the demand for housing will increase, causing prices to increase. ○Developers may look to other areas to build instead, such as the County, which may increase commuting and negatively impact the environment 23 What We Can Do Together 24 All Hands A collective solution to a sustainable future. A true partnership to address the various pressure points of housing in the city means bringing everyone to the table. Join us as we work on the Community Housing Action Plan and Integrated Water Resources Plan to plan for our future water supply and affordable housing. 25 The November 4 election Considerations 26 Remember to Vote by November 4 ●Ballots will be mailed by Oct. 17 ●Ballots should be returned by mail or dropped off at an official drop- off location ●Residents can check their registration status by visiting voterportal.mt.gov 27 Remember to Get the Facts on the WARD Initiative ●It is unlikely that this initiative will result in more affordable housing due to the high costs and 33% requirement. ●At this time, Bozeman is not at risk for running out of water, we proactively plan our water supply and emphasize water conservation to ensure current and future resident have access to water. ●There is no “silver bullet”to make housing more affordable.Another regulatory barrier creates barriers to comprehensive solutions. 28 Questions? For more information, go to engage.bozeman.net/ward 29