HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-22-26 Public Comment - M. Kaveney - City Commission- General commentsFrom:Marcia Kaveney
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]City Commission- General comments
Date:Wednesday, January 14, 2026 10:44:18 AM
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Dear Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and City Commissioners-
After reviewing the January 6th, 2026 meeting, I am writing to thank Commissioner Sweeney
for pulling the two consent items and to request a repeal of the UDC and replacement of 70
feet as the height limit in B3 due to the improper procedure.
First, regarding the consent items on January 6th, 2026, I agree with commissioner Sweeney
that a commissioner should not be expected to consent blindly to any staff salary raises
without being privy to the performance evaluation and other necessary information on which
to base a decision. I trust that a change to an earlier decision time in December is in the works
as discussed at the meeting.
I also agree with Commissioner Sweeney that moving forward with funding the consensus
moderator before it is crystal clear that the City can put housing on the property they bought
for the Fowler extension is putting the "cart before the horse" to . I found Mr. Blank's
testimony regarding precedent pretty compelling and was discouraged to see the majority vote
to approve this item without a request for an additional review of contracts and written report
from the city lawyer of a clear path to development.
During the discussion of the second action item, I was disturbed to hear Deputy Mayor Fischer
voice his concern about delaying the former Mayor's outgoing celebration rather than focus on
city business. I felt it was disrespectful to both the commission and to the community
members attending the meeting and making comments. May I suggest future celebration
meetings not be scheduled with ANY agenda items, including Consent Items, nor public
comment periods so as to not cause the commission to be hasty in addressing agenda items or
distracted by the pending celebration.
Secondly, I am writing to request that the height limit in B3 be revisited and returned to 70
feet. Frankly, I was put off by Deputy Mayor Fischer's interpretation of "going slow" to mean
a return to the planner's suggestions of establishing 90 feet rather the City's previous
adoption of 70 feet. According to public comment, the commission's decision to approve this
change in the final adoption meeting may be unlawful. It also weakens one of the main tools
of the AHO.
Finally, Mayor Morrison stated in the Jan 6th, 26 meeting that he wants the community to feel
like the City Commission has it's back and that the community has the commission's back. I
agree this is a worthy goal and look forward to someday feeling that we're there.
Unfortunately, the recent commissioner behaviors and decisions mentioned above do not get
us there. There is more work to be done and I hope the commission will lead the way by
continuing to work towards that end goal.
Thank you for your consideration of these comments,
Marcia Kaveney
Bozeman resident