HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-26 Public Comment - L. Paul - Resubbing Letter re Public EngagementFrom:lynn paul
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission; lynn paul
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Resubbing Letter re Public Engagement
Date:Tuesday, July 7, 2026 4:44:03 PM
Attachments:L Paul CC Study Report Comments July 7 2026.docx
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.
I spoke about community engagement at the June 18th City Commission Study Groupas well as submitting a letter on June 26, 2026. But upon looking for my submission online, I
found only one sentence available from my submitted document: Thank you for your invitation
to offer comments regarding the Tentative Report. My purpose today is to provide thisinformation to you via resubmission, hopefully the full letter will appear.
-- Lynn C. Paul, EdD, RD
1
TO: Bozeman City Commission Study Group
FROM: Lynn Paul
DATE: June 26, 2026, and resubmitted July 7, 2026
RE: Community engagement
I spoke about community engagement at the June 18th City Commission Study Group as
well as submitting a letter on June 26, 2026. But upon looking for my submission online, I found
only one sentence available from my submitted document: Thank you for your invitation to offer
comments regarding the Tentative Report. My purpose today is to provide this information to you
via resubmission, hopefully the full letter will appear.
I would like to thank the Study Group for their commitment to the thoughtful revisions within
the City Charter resulting in this Tentative Report. The Study Group prioritized public engagement
in their initial work plan and was highly successful in promoting and receiving public input. Their
work serves as an excellent example of how public engagement as defined in the City Charter can
yield significant outcomes.
Comparing the 2006 Charter with the 2026 Draft Report on Article VIII: ROLE OF PUBLIC
ENGAAGEMNT IN LOCAL GOVERANCE, several points were very similar.
For example:
Section 8.01. Public engagement as an essential part of civic infrastructure.
Public engagement shall ensure two-way communication between the city and the
community.
Section 8.03. Principles of public engagement.
The city shall uphold the following principles:
Transparency. Share results and explain how public input affects decisions.
Accountability. Be clear about the purpose, scope, and how input will be used.
In summary, the responsibilities of City Commissioners include:
1. Ensure two-way communication.
2. Explain how public input affects decisions.
3. Be clear about the purpose, scope, and how input will be used.
I provided a portion of this input at the June 18, 2026, City Study Commission meeting and was
requested by Becky Franks to provide more information on specific actions in the three areas.
A web search on Commissioners’ responsibilities and roles in two-way communication yielded:
Commissioners can relay public engagement information by summarizing and documenting
feedback, sharing actionable findings directly with relevant municipal departments or staff,
and “closing the feedback loop” by reporting back to the community via project websites,
social media platforms, or official board and commission meetings.
A systematic approach ensures that community input is transparently integrated into
government decision-making:
2
• Document and Summarize: Consolidate written comments, survey data, and
meeting minutes into concise, readable summaries so stakeholders can clearly see
the consensus.
• Consult with Staff and Elected Officials: Function as a bridge between the
community and city staff . Provide specific, actionable reports to the legislative body
or executive teams to influence policies and budgets.
• Close the Feedback Loop: Report back to the public on how their feedback was
used and how it shaped the final policy or project.
• Leverage Multiple Channels: Distribute updates and engagement summaries
through the official local government websites, email newsletters, or public hearings
to reach broader audiences.
It is imperative that these three areas be addressed with acknowledgment of the Commissions
role and accountability for these tasks. Due to resident’s major concern on Bozeman growth, the
Bozeman community provided significant engagement and input. It was an undeniably powerful
display of engagement which accounted for one aspect of the two-way communications. Bozeman
citizens should be applauded for their interest and input. However, there was scarce if any
communication from the City Commission proving a synopsis of residents input, how input will
be used and how input effected decisions, all essential for trust and successful two-way
communication. If the Commission did not listen and respond to residents, to whom were they
listening? Where were they getting their information that informed their decisions. I would not be
surprised if Bozeman’s citizens show lack trust and be reticent in reengaging with the city.
Whether or not voters approve of the City Charter, it is imperative that the first step in future
public engagement projects would be City Commissioners accept their responsibility for the stated
roles and actions based on the new 2026 Charter.
Thank you for your invitation to offer comments regarding the Tentative Report.
Lynn Paul, EdD, RD