HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-20-26 Public Comment - M. Campanelli - Comments on ROLE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN LOCAL GOVERNANCEFrom:Mark Campanelli
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Cc:Bozeman Public Comment; Bogert Park Neighborhood Association
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Comments on ROLE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE
Date:Wednesday, May 20, 2026 8:23:55 AM
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Greetings,
I am the current president of, and INC delegate for, the Bogert Park NeighborhoodAssociation, but I am speaking for myself. Our neighborhood association and INC
participation have been key conduits of information to my neighbors about what is happeningin the City. Much of the feedback I receive from neighbors is thankful for the role the NA and
INC plays in keeping them informed about what is happening in our City and at City Hall.Striking neighborhood associations and INC from the City Charter would be enormously short
sighted and a horrible loss to our community. I agree with and refer you to the earlier publiccomments of Scott Boyd and Mary Bateson for further arguments against removal. We cannot
leave this staple of our community to the whim of politicians via ordinance.
In addition, my neighborhood association is very inclusive to renters, college students, newfamilies, and business owners. There is NOT a problem with some sort of
structured exclusivity of the neighborhood associations, but rather there are larger problems ofeconomic realities and the nomadic nature of college students. Current elected officials and
other residents blaming the neighborhood associations and INC for these independent realitiesis highly misplaced and utterly irresponsible. I commend and thank the Study Commission for
calling for more broad public engagement in the draft Charter, rather than tossing the baby outwith the bath water. Neighborhood associations provide a vital check and balance on local
government, where the City Commission brings to bear executive, legislative, and judicialpowers in a single governing body.
Concerning "ARTICLE VIII: ROLE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN LOCAL
GOVERNANCE", I think "Section 8.02. Governmental structures to support and coordinateengagement." is misplaced. Parts of it should move and the rest eliminated:
1. Move "The city shall formally recognize neighborhood associations, the InterNeighborhood Council and city boards as essential partners in municipal decision-
making." from Section 8.02 to the top of "Section 8.04 Neighborhood Associations".2. Move "The city shall adapt existing governmental structures, establish new
governmental structures, or both, to oversee, support, coordinate, track, and measurepublic engagement." from Section 8.02 to the bottom of "Section 8.01 Public
engagement as an essential part of civic infrastructure".3. Eliminate the itemized list in Section 8.02 following "These governmental structures
may include:" One of the "may include" items (i.e., neighborhood associations) is thenrequired in a subsequent section, which is contradictory. You could consider the
remaining items as more "suggestive collaboration language" for Section 8.01 to follow"The city shall encourage collaboration in public engagement efforts with other
government jurisdictions and authorities, neighborhood associations, city boards,community-based organizations, civic groups, and residents."
4. Having moved parts of Section 8.02 and eliminated the rest, "Section 8.03. Principles of
public engagement." should then directly follow Section 8.01 and precede anyimplementation sections, so make this section come right after 8.01.
Thanks for your attention and all your hard work.
Sincerely,
Mark CampanelliBogert Park Resident
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