HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-26 - Economic Vitality Board - Agendas & Packet MaterialsA. Call to Order - 6:00 PM
B. Disclosures
C. Changes to the Agenda
D. Approval of Minutes
D.1 Approve the August 5, 2026 and September 2, 2026 Economic Vitality Board Meeting
Minutes(DiTommaso)
E. Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and Jurisdiction of the Board
THE ECONOMIC VITALITY BOARD OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA
EVB AGENDA
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
General information about the Economic Vitality Board is available in our Laserfiche repository.
If you are interested in commenting in writing on items on the agenda please send an email to
comments@bozeman.net or by visiting the Public Comment Page prior to 12:00pm on the day of the
meeting. At the direction of the City Commission, anonymous public comments are not distributed to
the Board or staff.
Public comments will also be accepted in-person and through Video Conference during the appropriate
agenda items.
As always, the meeting will be streamed through the Commission's video page and available in the
City on cable channel 190.
For more information please contact Brit Fontenot, bfontenot@bozeman.net
This meeting will be held both in-person and also using an online videoconferencing system. You
can join this meeting:
Via Video Conference:
Click the Register link, enter the required information, and click submit.
Click Join Now to enter the meeting.
Via Phone: This is for listening only if you cannot watch the stream, channel 190, or attend in-
person
United States Toll
+1 253 205 0468
Access code: 984 4147 6350
This is the time to comment on any non-agenda matter falling within the scope of the Economic
Vitality Board. There will also be time in conjunction with each agenda item for public comment
relating to that item but you may only speak once per topic. Please note, the Board cannot take
action on any item which does not appear on the agenda. All persons addressing the Board shall
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F. FYI/Discussion
F.1 Bozeman Creek Vision Plan - Work Session(Henderson)
G. Adjournment
speak in a civil and courteous manner and members of the audience shall be respectful of others.
Please state your name, and state whether you are a resident of the city or a property owner
within the city in an audible tone of voice for the record and limit your comments to three
minutes.
General public comments to the Board can be found in their Laserfiche repository folder.
This board generally meets the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
City Board meetings are open to all members of the public. If you have a disability and require
assistance, please contact the ADA Coordinator, David Arnado, at 406.582.3232.
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Memorandum
REPORT TO:Economic Vitality Board
FROM:Jesse DiTommaso, Economic Development Specialist
Brit Fontenot, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT:Approve the August 5, 2026 and September 2, 2026 Economic Vitality Board
Meeting Minutes
MEETING DATE:October 7, 2026
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Minutes
RECOMMENDATION:Approve the August 5, 2026 and September 2, 2026 Economic Vitality Board
Meeting Minutes
STRATEGIC PLAN:1.2 Community Engagement: Broaden and deepen engagement of the
community in city government, innovating methods for inviting input from
the community and stakeholders.
BACKGROUND:In accordance with Commission Resolution 5323 and the City of Bozeman's
Citizen Advisory Board Manual, all boards must have minutes taken and
approved. Prepared minutes will be provided for approval by the board at
the next regularly scheduled meeting. Staff will make any corrections
identified to the minutes before submitting to the City Clerk's Office.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None.
ALTERNATIVES:As recommended by the Board.
FISCAL EFFECTS:None.
Attachments:
080526 EVB Minutes.pdf
090226 EVB Minutes.pdf
Report compiled on: June 13, 2025
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Bozeman Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes, August 5, 2026
Page 1 of 3
THE ECONOMIC VITALITY BOARD MEETING OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA
MINUTES
August 5, 2026
General information about the Economic Vitality Board is available in our Laserfiche repository.
Present: Andrew J Hill, Natsuki Nakamura, Albert Jones, Nathan Stein, Brit Fontenot, Kelsey Larson,
Alison Sweeney
Absent: Danielle Rogers, Daisy Romo, Douglas Fischer
A) 00:03:03 Call to Order - 6:00 PM
C) 00:03:35 Changes to the Agenda
• There were no changes to the agenda.
B) 00:03:07 Disclosures
• There were disclosures.
D) 00:03:46 Public Service Announcements
• There were no PSAs.
E) 00:03:50 Approval of Minutes
E.1 00:03:55 Approve the May 6, 2026 and June 3, 2026 Economic Vitality Board
Meeting Minutes
050626 EVB Minutes.pdf
060326 EVB Minutes.pdf
00:04:01 Motion to approve the May 6, 2026 and June 3, 2026 Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes
Kelsey Larson: Motion
Natsuki Nakamura: 2nd
00:04:24 Vote on the Motion to approve the May 6, 2026 and June 3, 2026 Economic Vitality Board
Meeting Minutes The Motion carried 4 - 0.
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Bozeman Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes, August 5, 2026
Page 2 of 3
Approve:
Andrew J Hill
Natsuki Nakamura
Albert Jones
Kelsey Larson
Disapprove:
None
F) Consent Items
• There were no consent items.
G) 00:04:50 Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and
Jurisdiction of the Board
• There were no public comments.
H) 00:05:46 Special Presentations
• There were no special presentations.
I) 00:05:51 Action Items
I.1 00:05:58 Public Meeting on the CDBG Program Year 3 Annual Action Plan
EVB Memo 8-5-2026 CDBG Action Plan Revised.docx
1 424B_Draft.pdf
2 Non_State_Certifications.pdf
3 CDBG_Annual_Action_Plan_Program_Year_3.pdf
4 SF424.pdf
00:06:08 Community Housing Program Manager Brian Guyer presented the item.
00:14:52 Questions of Staff
00:25:52 Public comment
• There were no public comments.
00:26:14 Motion to approve the CDBG Program Year 3 Annual Action Plan recommendation
Andrew J Hill: Motion
Nathan Stein: 2nd
00:26:52 Vote on the Motion to approve the CDBG Program Year 3 Annual Action Plan recommendation
The Motion carried 5 - 0.
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Bozeman Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes, August 5, 2026
Page 3 of 3
Approve:
Andrew J Hill
Natsuki Nakamura
Albert Jones
Nathan Stein
Kelsey Larson
Disapprove:
None
J) 00:27:04 FYI/Discussion
J.1 00:27:11 Belonging in Bozeman Vendor Contracts Work Session
Vendor Contracts Work Session.pdf
00:27:19 Belonging in Bozeman Coordinator Courtney Smith provided the presentation.
00:34:58 Input from the board.
J.2 00:48:57 Work Session on Green Power Program Lead Community Agreement
with NorthWestern Energy
Lead Community Agreement_FINAL.pdf
Green Power Program Tariff_FINAL.pdf
Notice of Interest_FINAL.pdf
Community Subscription Agreement_FINAL.pdf
CI Subscription Agreement_FINAL.pdf
Residential Enrollment Form_FINAL.pdf
00:49:44 Sustainability Program Manager Natalie Meyer provided the presentation.
01:07:17 Questions of the Board
K) 01:21:03 Adjournment
This board generally meets the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
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Bozeman Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes, September 2, 2026
Page 1 of 2
THE ECONOMIC VITALITY BOARD MEETING OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA
MINUTES
September 2, 2026
General information about the Economic Vitality Board is available in our Laserfiche repository.
Present: Danielle Rogers, Andrew J Hill, Daisy Romo, Natsuki Nakamura, Albert Jones, Kelsey Larson,
Douglas Fischer
Absent: Nathan Stein
A) 00:05:27 Call to Order - 6:00 PM
B) 00:06:07 Disclosures
• There were no disclosures.
C) 00:06:14 Changes to the Agenda
• There were no changes to the agenda.
D) 00:06:19 Public Comments on Non-agenda Items Falling within the Purview and
Jurisdiction of the Board
• There were no public comments.
E) 00:07:23 FYI/Discussion
E.1 00:07:29 Belonging in Bozeman Decision-Making Tool Work Session
Belonging in Bozeman Decision Making Tool.pdf
00:07:46 Communications Coordinator Courtney Smith facilitated the Belonging in Bozeman
Decision-Making Tool Work Session.
00:37:41 Feedback and questions from the Board.
01:00:41 Public Comment
o There were no public comments.
01:01:34 Director Fontenot provided a preview of the October meeting.
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Bozeman Economic Vitality Board Meeting Minutes, September 2, 2026
Page 2 of 2
01:02:01 Chair Rogers requested the board receive the current member terms and directions on
how to reapply.
01:03:07 Commissioner Fischer highlighted the upcoming Ukrainian delegation visit.
F) 01:04:15 Adjournment
This board generally meets the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
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Memorandum
REPORT TO:Economic Vitality Board
FROM:Jon Henderson, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT:Bozeman Creek Vision Plan - Work Session
MEETING DATE:October 7, 2026
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:Plan/Report/Study
RECOMMENDATION:Bozeman Creek Vision Plan - Work Session
STRATEGIC PLAN:6.6 Habitat: Work with partner organizations to identify at-risk,
environmentally sensitive parcels contribute to water quality, wildlife
corridors, and wildlife habitat.
BACKGROUND:The Bozeman Creek Vision Plan was approved as a City Commission priority
on August 6th, 2024 via Resolution 5626 and further recognized in the 2025-
2026 City Commission Priorities Work Plan adopted on June 23, 2026, in
support of the following goals:
Enhance flood mitigation efforts
Improve water quality & ecological health
Increase access and connectivity to parks & trails
Support economic vitality opportunities
Strengthen community connection to a vital resource
This project builds on previous work such as the 2012 Bozeman Creek
Enhancement Plan, the 2020 Bozeman Creek Analysis Technical Assistance
Grant Report, the 2023 Gallatin Valley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan , and
the 2025 Bozeman Creek Flood Mitigation and Reclamation Preliminary
Engineering Report, among other important efforts.
On December 9th, 2025, the City Commission adopted
a Resolution approving a formal Community Engagement Plan, incorporating
feedback received during an introduction to the project through a Special
Presentation on October 7th, 2025.
PORT Architecture and Urbanism, LLC was selected following a competitive
Request for Proposals and subsequently contracted under a Professional
Services Agreement approved on January 27, 2026.
Furthermore, the City of Bozeman has partnered with SeeBozemanCreek in
an effort to leverage the power of community-led interests towards a
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holistic approach to achieving shared goals among a wide range of
constituents.
A series of work sessions were held in February and April of 2026 with a
wide variety of constituents, including Neighborhood Association
representatives, Downtown Board members, Downtown property &
business owners, Watershed Council leadership, SeeBozemanCreek Advisory
Committee members, City staff, and others to begin exploring a number of
project and policy options. Key takeaways included:
A vision for Bozeman Creek should be in alignment with broader
ecological context
Emphasize quality of life improvements tied to enhanced ecosystem
services
Bozeman is becoming amenitized, which is not always aligned with
community needs/goals
The state and local legislative context is unique and nuanced
A catastrophic flood event is not an 'if', but a 'when'
On June 2, 2026 a public open house was held at Soroptimist Park to give the
community an opportunity to provide feedback on a number of "big ideas"
that were generated through previous engagement, as described above.
On July 14, 2026 the City Commission conducted a Work Session which
provided a summary of efforts completed to date, including a review of the
proposed recommendations, and an opportunity to provide overall
guidance.
On July 20, 2026 the Community Development Citizen Advisory Board
provided input on the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan with a focus on
preliminary zoning and planning policy recommendations.
On August 8, 2026 a public open house was held at Bogert Park to provide
the public will have an opportunity to review a Draft Vision Framework Plan
during the annual SLAM Festival.
On October 7, 2026 the Economic Vitality Citizen Advisory Board will have an
opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback that will help shape a
draft Vision Plan.
A final public event will be held in November to provide an opportunity for
clarification and affirmation prior to the City Commission's consideration of
approval of the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan in December.
Beyond the Vision Plan, several strategies will be considered for
implementation, further described in the attached memo titled "Bozeman
Creek Planning Next Steps Guidance".
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Additional information can be found on the City’s Engage Bozeman website,
where citizens can subscribe to regular updates.
UNRESOLVED ISSUES:None.
ALTERNATIVES:As directed by the City Commission.
FISCAL EFFECTS:Funding for this effort has been allocated in the FY26 approved budget as a
three-way split between the Parks Maintenance District, the Stormwater
Fund, and the Public Works Administration Fund for a total of $150,000.
Attachments:
Bozeman Creek Planning Next Steps Guidance.pdf
Report compiled on: August 7, 2026
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PORT | Philadelphia + Chicago | porturbanism.com 1
June16, 2026
Jon Henderson
Assistant City Manager
City of Bozeman
MEMO: Bozeman Creek Planning Next Steps Guidance
Dear Jon—
This memo outlines potential considerations for next steps related to the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan
following the conclusion of the current scope or work on or around December 15, 2026, and coinciding
with anticipated City Commission approval of the plan’s proposed recommendations. As we are only
roughly halfway through the Vision Plan process/schedule, the exact specificity of next steps is not yet
clear. But given the direction the project is going, we can anticipate work needed in the following areas.
FLOOD MITIGATION
• Additional flood bypass and hydraulic structure modeling
• Development of implementation sequencing and preferred permitting path evaluation
• Coordination with local, state, and federal agencies having jurisdiction
• Exploration of water rights status and pursuit of rights transfer if necessary
• Development of Schematic Design (30%) for Mill Ditch and/or main channel hydraulic structure
renovation or replacement
DOWNTOWN CREEKSIDE PARKS
• Schematic Design (30%) for Downtown Creekside Park(s)
• City Hall, Rouse Parking and Street, and/or Bogert Park
• Adjacent property owner coordination
• URA/Downtown BID coordination
NEW TRAILHEADS/PATHS/CONNECTOR PROJECTS
• Schematic Design (30%) for individual project
• Property Owner coordination
• Neighborhood group coordination
• Adjacent property owner coordination
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PORT | Philadelphia + Chicago | porturbanism.com 2
ENGAGEMENT
• Continued engagement with SeeBozemanCreek Advisory Group
• Ongoing meetings with Downtown Businesses, Neighborhood Groups, Montana State
University, and other stakeholders
• Ongoing Small Group and Open Public Workshops
• Bozeman Creek Vision Plan Website Content
COST ESTIMATION
• Formal Cost Estimation of Phase 1 project components
• Preparation of exhibits in support of costing evaluation
• Estimates would be incorporated into schematic design for projects described above and below
POLICY DEVELOPMENT
• Support for development of precise policy language to be incorporated into City of Bozeman
Unified Development Code, zoning or similar
• Further development of policies related to setback incentivization, right of first refusal upon sale
listing, establishment of city acquisition fund, and/or administration of creek maintenance
GRANT SUPPORT
• Preparation of visual exhibits, technical information, and narrative description for public and
philanthropic grant applications
• Materials above related to both Planning and Capital Construction Grant Pursuit
• Note that provision of schematic design or further development as described above will often be
necessary to secure larger capital construction grants
• Assistance in identifying/vetting and coordinating with new project-focused grant writer (CoB or
SBC hire)
CAPACITY BUILDING
• Development of collaboration structure for establishment of Public Private Partnership between
City of Bozeman and non-profit partner
• Coordination/support for See Bozeman Creek (or similar) being stood up as a registered 501(c)3
in order to function as project administrator (conservancy or friends of group) on behalf of the
City of Bozeman
ADDITIONAL PLANNING/DESIGN STUDIES
• Urban design plans for redevelopment of city-controlled properties not directly touching the
creek
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PORT | Philadelphia + Chicago | porturbanism.com 3
• Examples could include identified considerations including City of Bozeman Public Works sites
(creek-oriented affordable housing) and/or existing City of Bozeman Parks (sponge infrastructure)
We understand that your intent is to include capital costs for Bozeman Creek projects in the FY2028
budget which we agree is an appropriate goal. However, we would caution that there is significant
additional work necessary following completion of the Vision Plan to have a clear sense of what that
capital ask should be, specifically what it will support, and the particularities of the permitting and
construction path necessary to complete the initial phase of work. With this in mind, our
recommendation is that the City of Bozeman look to set aside an amount in FY27 commensurate with
what was identified in the FY26 budget (+/-$150,000) to support development of selected aspects of the
work described above during this next year’s time-frame. Please note that all work described above
cannot be completed in full for this amount alone.
The specifics of what we would recommend undertaking following completion of the Vision Plan will
come into greater focus as our work moves into the fall of this year (Task 5). However, holding this
amount for next year will assure that progress on the Creek’s transformation is able to continue and that
the City of Bozeman will not have to remobilize to continue this work after an extended pause that
would risk loss of momentum.
We anticipate that different aspects of the work described above would be undertaken with different
combinations of subconsultants, with PORT serving as the lead and coordinating entity for the identified
work undertaken on the City of Bozeman’s behalf. Collaborating consultants would likely include
additional engineering, cost estimating, permitting, and restoration ecology beyond the current PORT
and RIO ASE team
We would also point out that setting this amount aside for FY27 would allow these funds to potentially
be identified as matching amounts for future partnerships with local philanthropic support and/or
applications for grants, substantially expanding the impact of this funding. This ongoing buildup of a
network of public-private support will help sustain the necessary work to deliver on the project’s long
term five-part goal set as described in the original RFP.
Please let us know if you have any questions or require any clarification. We would be happy to discuss
these items in further detail at your convenience if that was of use to you.
END OF MEMO
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