HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-28-25 Public Comment - J. Webster - RE Public Comment on Consent Item F.6 from the City Commission Meeting Agenda for Tuesday October 28th, 2025From:jwebster587@gmail.com
To:Bozeman Public Comment; Terry Cunningham; Joey Morrison; Douglas Fischer; Jennifer Madgic; Emma Bode;Chuck Winn; Erin George
Subject:[EXTERNAL]RE Public Comment on Consent Item F.6 from the City Commission Meeting Agenda for Tuesday
October 28th, 2025
Date:Tuesday, October 28, 2025 11:05:23 AM
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Honorable Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Commission Members and City Staff,
This public comment is with regard to item F.6 on the consent agenda that sparked two
public comments received by email by the city, Sunday afternoon, 10/26/25 and perhaps
quite a few more since. I was also included on these emails, so I knew first-hand, what
the issues were. The subject of Consent Item F.6, was the hiring of The Lakota Group of
Chicago, IL to provide professional services for the guidelines update for the Bozeman
Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District. In question, were the perceived
professional credentials of The Lakota Group to carry out the objectives of the project
and the perceived lack of involvement of the city’s Historic Preservation Advisory Board
(HPAB) in the process of evaluating the three proposals that were received. Although an
email received late yesterday from City Manager Winn and Community Director George,
starts to address these shortcomings, it is recommended that this item F.6, be removed
from this week’s Consent Agenda, pending further discussion. For disclosure, I am a
member of the HPAB, but only speak for myself here.
I will speak with Commissioner Madgic by phone at noon today, so new information
could surface. In closing, I feel it reasonable to “pump the brakes” on consent item F.6
tonight to allow time for a more comprehensive discussion to take place, prior to
granting authority to City Manager Winn to sign a Professional Services Contract for
approximately $30,000 with The Lakota Group of Chicago. Thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Jim
Jim Webster
Bozeman, MT