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Home My WebLink About01-27-26 Public Comment - M. Kaveney - City Comm. Mtng. 1_27_26, agenda item I.1. BCVPFrom:Marcia Kaveney To:Bozeman Public Comment Cc:Alison Sweeney; Joey Morrison; Emma Bode; Douglas Fischer; jhenderson@bozeman.net; Jennifer Madgic Subject:[EXTERNAL]City Comm. Mtng. 1/27/26, agenda item I.1. BCVP Date:Tuesday, January 27, 2026 10:43:11 AM Attachments:Resolutions 5626 - Adopting Commission Priorities for 2024-25.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Commissioners- I am writing to you about Action Item 1. 1. Authorize the City Manager to Sign a Professional Services Agreement with PORT Architectureand Urbanism, LLC for the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan(Henderson) My comments, observations, and concerns stem mainly from review of the RFP, Resolution5626, and the Scope of Work presented by PORT, and a disconnect that has arisen betweenthe original resolution and the final goals of the RFP. I hope you will take the necessary timeto address these issues in your discussion tonight. 1. The Project Background And Description section of the RFP states, "The City Commissionapproved Resolution 5626 on August 6th, 2024 adopting the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan as aCommission priority to increase ecological health, provide better connectivity, celebrate natural heritage, promote economic development?, and mitigate flood hazards withinurbanized sections of Bozeman Creek within city limits (emphasis mine). However, in reality, Resolution 5626, includes nothing on economic development. I've attached it below for your easy reference. I find it concerning that "economic development"has appeared on the list of goals in the RFP while "ecological functioning" has been omitted. How and when did this happen? "Economic development" does not belong in this RFP andshould be deleted from it, and "ecological functioning" should be added to the list of goals. This would be in keeping with the original Sustainable Environment goals of Resolution 5626,and Strategic Plan Goal 6.6. Habitat. 2. The timeline is too tight. While the staff report suggests a November deadline, PORT rightly illustrates the task will take longer and expects to end mid-December. This lands us,the community, in the holiday season again trying to evaluate large plans, not to mention that the UFMP, NCOD, and Landmark Program all intend to wrap up at the same time. 3. The staff memo by Jon Henderson quotes the strategic plan goal being met as "6.6 Habitat:Work with partner organizations to identify at-risk, environmentally sensitive parcels contribute to water quality, wildlife corridors, and wildlife habitat." And the ProjectBackground And Description section of the RFP states, "The City Commission approved Resolution 5626 on August 6th, 2024 adopting the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan as aCommission priority to increase ecological health (emphasis mine) among other things. However, PORT does not appear to be employing an urban ecologist, or ecologist of any kind. While an engineer and geomorphologist are important, an urban ecologist seems equallyessential to address the above goals but is missing from the staff list. Thank you for your time and effort, and the opportunity to comment. Again, I believe theseconcerns and misalignments can be addressed as conditions of approval at your meeting tonight. If not, I hope you will delay the final approval until the details can be worked outwith better community satisfaction before approving the $150K expenditure. Thank you, Marcia Kaveney Bozeman Resident Version April 2020 RESOLUTION 5626 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA, ADOPTING THE BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSION PRIORITIES FOR 2024 AND 2025. WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman adopted its Strategic Plan through Resolution 4852 on April 16, 2018; and WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman adopted three long range plans – the Climate Action Plan, Community Affordable Housing Plan and the Growth Policy, and the Commission and Staff will continue implementing the programs and initiatives contained in those documents; and WHEREAS, in a work session on January 26, 2024, which was open to the public, the Commission discussed its priorities for the next two years; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana, that the Bozeman City Commission Priorities for 2024 and 2025 are incorporated in Exhibit A. PASSED, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana, at a regular session thereof held on the 6th day of August 2024. ___________________________________ TERRY CUNNINGHAM Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________________ MIKE MAAS City Clerk Docusign Envelope ID: A6957A6C-F6A7-42DC-AD43-7EE47499BF55 Version April 2020 APPROVED AS TO FORM: ___________________________________ GREG SULLIVAN City Attorney Docusign Envelope ID: A6957A6C-F6A7-42DC-AD43-7EE47499BF55 About the Priorities Every two years, Bozeman City Commission meets to discuss the priorities process, a list of goals that the elected body directs city staff to complete within a two-year time frame. All goals are important projects that impact our community and are unique activities that staff perform within the designated timeframe. For the 2024-2026 priority cycle, Bozeman City Commission has chosen the following priorities: An Engaged Community o Foster and build public trust, support, and pride in local government. Safe, Welcoming Community o Develop a Tenants Right to Counsel Program. o Develop a comprehensive regional strategy on homelessness. o Implement at least 8 recommendations from the Belonging in Bozeman Plan. A Well-Planned City o Rework and restore a new Historic Preservation Policy - including trees and landmarks. o Encourage the creation of ADUs in our city through an ADU Incentive Program. o Create an Affordable Housing Preservation Policy. o Ramp up the SAFE Plan and become a Gold-level Bike Friendly Community. Sustainable Environment o Create a Bozeman Creek Resiliency Plan. Docusign Envelope ID: A6957A6C-F6A7-42DC-AD43-7EE47499BF55 Bozeman City Commission Two-Year Priorities List 2 An Engaged Community Goal: Foster and build public trust, support, and pride in local government. Safe, Welcoming Community Goal: Develop a Tenants Right to Counsel Program. Goal: Develop a comprehensive regional strategy on homelessness. Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Create opportunities for neighborhood and community-wide outreach events involving City Commissioners. Utilize engagement plans around all major initiatives and ensure broad representation. Communicate achievements through FYI at Commission. 2024 2025 2026 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Research, analyze and develop program options. Funding and program option discussion at Commission pending positive legal review. 2024 2025 2026 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Collaborate with Regional Housing Coalition to develop a plan. Potential plan adoption. 2024 2025 2026 Docusign Envelope ID: A6957A6C-F6A7-42DC-AD43-7EE47499BF55 Bozeman City Commission Two-Year Priorities List 3 Goal: Implement at least 8 recommendations from the Belonging in Bozeman Plan. A Well-Planned City Goal: Rework and restore a new Historic Preservation Policy – including trees and landmarks. Goal: Encourage the creation of ADUs in our city through an ADU Incentive Program. Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Create a new Belonging in Bozeman Coordinator staff position and dedicated budget. Create a full-time position to serve as ADA Coordinator. Hire a part-time Disability Community Liaison and full-time Bozeman PD Community Liaison. Recovene the Belonging in Bozeman interdepartmental committee and update its charter. Continue to convene external partners to implement Belonging in Bozeman Plan. Support partner organizations by funding transitional and emergency housing programs. Develop an equity impacts decision-making tool and train boards, staff, Commission on its use. Implement on-demand interpretation services and train frontline staff on using it. 2024 2025 2026 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Revise the existing Historic Preservation Policy and create a Local Landmark Program. Analyze City's authority in declaring trees on private property as Landmark Trees. Include options in Urban Forestry Management Plan. 2024 2025 2026 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Produce a market analysis of ADUs in Bozeman to inform decisions. Discuss and implement policy around ADU incentives. 2024 2025 2026 Docusign Envelope ID: A6957A6C-F6A7-42DC-AD43-7EE47499BF55 Bozeman City Commission Two-Year Priorities List 4 Goal: Create an Affordable Housing Preservation Policy. Goal: Ramp up the SAFE Plan and become a Gold-level Bike Friendly Community. Sustainable Environment Goal: Create a Bozeman Creek Resiliency Plan. Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Identify opportunities for affordable housing preservation (mobile home parks, etc.). Explore an affordable housing preservation policy. 2024 2025 2026 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Continue work to improve bike safety throughout the community. Establish a community-wide education program for bike/ped safety. Resubmit for Gold-level status. 2024 2025 2026 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sept Oct-Dec Create a project charter. Perform an analysis of Bozeman Creek's ability to handle a 100-year flood. Engage with community and educate around successes cleaning the creek. Conduct an engineering study of creek meander, braiding and re-routing options based on the results of the 100-year flood study. Conduct a study to identify areas where public interaction with Bozeman Creek can be enhanced through future parkland development. Explore funding opportunities for potential improvements and changes. 2024 2025 2026 Docusign Envelope ID: A6957A6C-F6A7-42DC-AD43-7EE47499BF55