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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-26 Public Comment - C. Johsnon - NW Bozeman Safety Workshop_ Community Feedback ReportFrom:NW Bozeman Community Group To:Bozeman Public Comment Subject:[EXTERNAL]NW Bozeman Safety Workshop: Community Feedback Report Date:Monday, June 8, 2026 4:51:25 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. Northwest BozemanCommunity Workshop Report May 4th, 2026 Hi All, Thank you again to everyone who attended, participated in, and helped support the Community Safety Workshop held on May 4th. Apologies for any duplicate emails you may have received. This is the first update to the broader group of neighbors, residents, community members, and local partners who have come together following several recent accidents, near-miss incidents, and ongoing concerns involving traffic, pedestrians, students, and neighborhood safety. More than 60 people attended the workshop, more than 50 residents completed the online survey, and this update is now reaching more than 300 community contacts connected to the conversation. Across both the workshop and survey, the message was clear: residents want to work collaboratively toward practical safety improvements that support students, families, pedestrians, cyclists, and neighbors. A Big Thank You A special thank you to Deputy Mayor Douglas Fischer, Commissioner Jennifer Madgic, Director Nick Ross, Police Chief Veltkamp, and Representative Peter Strand for taking the time to attend, listen, and hear community concerns firsthand. Community Safety Workshop Report Please take a few minutes to review the attached Community Safety Workshop Report. The purpose of this resident-led effort was to gather what neighbors are seeing and experiencing, organize the feedback in a constructive format, and share it with the City, School District, law enforcement, and state partners who are best positioned to help move solutions forward. Community Safety Workshop Report We would like to hand this information over as a community resource and support the City and School District in identifying next steps before the next school year begins. This area serves over 3,200 students and young children, along with several parks, trails, sidewalks, crossings, and neighborhood routes used daily by families, pedestrians, and cyclists. Report Highlights 1. This area serves thousands of students and young children. Schools, preschool/childcare uses, parks, and walking/biking routes are all connected in this area, making safe crossings, slower traffic, and protected routes especially important. 2. Traffic safety is affecting daily neighborhood life. Residents raised consistent concerns about speeding, unsafe crossings, poor visibility, near-miss incidents, and drivers failing to yield. 3. Trails and sidewalks are part of the safety network. Residents identified trails, wide sidewalks, and neighborhood pathways as some of the safest and most valued routes for children and families. 4. Parking is also a safety issue. Parking spillover was repeatedly connected to blocked sightlines, narrowed streets, blind turns, driveway conflicts, emergency/service access, litter, and neighborhood disruption. 5. Residents need a clear reporting pathway. A recurring theme was the need to understand who to contact, how concerns should be documented, and how follow- up will occur. We are asking the City for clarification on the best process for reporting speeding, near-miss incidents, unsafe crossings, visibility concerns, parking-related safety issues, and other recurring hazards. Update Shared by Commissioner Jennifer Madgic Commissioner Madgic shared several current City efforts and possible next steps, including: 1. Parking districts are included on this year’s Transportation Advisory Board work plan. This topic is expected to come before the Transportation Advisory Board once scheduled. 2. The Commission is considering additional traffic safety funding during the upcoming budget process. 3. The City has applied for a Lowe’s Community Impact Grant for West Oak Street safety improvements. 4. The City is evaluating potential traffic safety-related updates at both the local and state level. State-Level Support We are also grateful to Representative Peter Strand for meeting with me, discussing the safety concerns directly, and offering his support. One potential state-level conversation is how Montana can better impact the behavior of speeding and distracted drivers, especially in school zones, park zones, and pedestrian-heavy neighborhood areas. This may include exploring stronger tools, higher fines, or other measures that help reinforce safe driving behavior in locations where children, families, pedestrians, and cyclists are most vulnerable. How to Stay Involved Review the Workshop report. Please send any additions comments or clarifications over! Watch for the Transportation Advisory Board meeting. The Board typically meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Participate in public comment. Attend meetings or submit written comments when these topics are discussed. comments@bozemanmt.gov Support traffic safety funding. Consider speaking in support of traffic safety funding during upcoming City budget discussions. 2027 Biennium Recommended Budget Continue documenting concerns. Keep documenting near misses, speeding, unsafe driving, and parking-related safety issues while we work to clarify the best reporting pathway. Keep the conversation solution-focused. This effort is about safety, collaboration, and practical improvements. News Links In case you missed it, here are the news links from KBZK and the Bozeman Chronicle: KBZK - Bozeman Neighborhood Groups Step Up To Improve Street Safety Bozeman Daily Chronicle - Fed up with Bad Drivers Bozeman Dad Proposes Traffic Safety App Bozeman Daily Chronicle - Finding Solutions Residents Share Traffic Safety Concerns After Recent Tragedies KBZK - Residents Express Concern Over Gallatin High Student Parking With Appreciation This came together quickly in response to recent tragic and concerning safety incidents in our community, and it truly would not have been possible without several parents, neighbors, and community partners jumping in to help. A special thank you to: Kim Fauls Richard Smith Breanne Hankins Megan Melief Emily Stebbins Meridith Johnson Thank you again to everyone who participated! We are hopeful this information can now support the City of Bozeman, School District, law enforcement, and state partners as they evaluate improvements before the next school year begins. Thank you, Courtney Johnson, AIA, NCARB On behalf of the NW Bozeman Community Group NW Bozeman Community Group | 4200 Oak Street | Bozeman, MT 59718 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Constant Contact