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Home My WebLink About05-18-26 Public Comment - K. Powell - - CIty Study Committee- Public ParticipationFrom:KPowell & S Griswold To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission Subject:[EXTERNAL]CIty Study Committee- Public Participation Date:Monday, May 18, 2026 9:31:29 PM 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. May 18, 2026 To: City of Bozeman Study Committee Carson Taylor, Deanna Campbell, Barb Cestero, Becky Franks & Jan Strout From: Kathy Powell, Member of University Neighborhood Assoc powelgriz@icloud.com I very much appreciate you giving your time to gather community input about the full city charter and citizen participation in local government, especially in neighborhoods. The current charter includes Article VII - Role of public Engagement in Local Governance. Part of Article VII includes the rules and structure for Neighborhood Assocs. Neighborhood Associations have been helpful in giving community perspective that would be difficult to get any other way. Several other cities in MT have long standing Neighborhood Assocs, that have made their communities stronger. In Bozeman Neighborhood Assocs and the Inter Neighborhood Council have given input on revising the Unified development Code, neighborhood parking, locations for new or relocating fraternities and sororities, helping city departments get the word out about snow removal, and more. Neighborhood meetings are a way for neighbors to meet city staff and share concerns and praises for them. Neighborhood Associations and the Inter Neighborhood Council “officialy” bring people together within their neighborhood and with other neighborhoods that would not happen if these were not included in the City Charter. Defining the rules for a Neighborhood Asssoc and the Inter Neighborhood Council should remain in the city Charter for current and future consistency. Leaving citizen participation from neighborhoods to the choices of future city commissions is confusing and will not be effective. Keep Neighborhood Assoc and Inter Neighborhood Counsil within Article VII in the City Charter. Thank you again for your time and careful thought is reviewing and making recommendations to Bozeman citizens city charter.