HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-25 Public Comment - M. Campanelli - Commission priority ideasFrom:Mark Campanelli
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Natsuki Nakamura; David Fine
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Commission priority ideas
Date:Friday, January 9, 2026 5:59:17 PM
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Greetings Commissioners,
Here are three ideas for the coming year:
1. Please do whatever you can to NOT allow the old firestation to be sold off as
exclusive/luxury housing for the wealthy. Many of us are invested in downtown-adjacent neighborhoods, and I think it is very important to promote our shared sense of
place and economic future by keeping at least some mixed-income folks in newdevelopments right downtown. Get creative on this one, if necessary, so we can all
"walk the talk". See The The Non-capitalist Solution to the Housing Crisis shouldprovide inspiration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKudSeqHSJk).
2. Consider how Bozeman could encourage a more affordable health insurance risk poolfor local small businesses, esp. the trades and local startups (incorporated in Montana!).
At the very least, it would be great to see the Economic Development and EconomicVitality Board investigating more of these "home grown" innovations. Might this be a
bigger bang for our buck towards a "from the ground up" economy, rather than chasingutility upgrades via luxury/hotel TIF investments or community-disconnected Federal
grant money showering us from above via MSU?!?3. Continue to breathe life into the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan (BCVP). For example, we
could:1. Connect resilient/sustainable/affordable housing to homeowner/renters insurance
that takes into account the risk of flooding vs. property at stake. This could evenbe an educational piece for the Tenants Right To Counsel program to be fleshed
out.2. Consider more active, improved, and ecologically sensitive maintenance of
deadfall in the Bozeman Creek watercourse as you reconsider more equitableapportionment of tree maintenance funds across the City's taxpayers. I think this
could be an early win between Parks & Recreation, Stormwater, and Engineering,etc. and neighbors beginning their BCVP engagement journey early this year.
I wish you all good health, cheer, and a trust-building collaborative spirit as you tackle thevery challenging tasks and diverse opinions that lie in front of you.
Warm regards,
Mark Campanelli
Bogert Park ResidentLinkedIn