HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions 2026-92 - Revising Urban Parks and Forestry BoardResolution 2026-92 Urban Parks and Forestry Board
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RESOLUTION 2026-92
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA, MODIFYING
THE ORGANIZATION AND DUTIES OF THE URBAN PARKS AND FORESTRY BOARD
WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 4.07 of the Bozeman Charter permits the City Commission
to create boards, commissions, or committees as determined necessary; and
WHEREAS, on April 16, 2018, the Bozeman City Commission formally adopted the
Bozeman Strategic Plan via Resolution 4852; and
WHEREAS, the Strategic Plan Section 1.2 Community Engagement encourages the City
of Bozeman to “[b]roaden and deepen engagement of the community in city government,
innovating methods for inviting input from the community and stakeholders” by “restructure[ing]
or combin[ing] City boards and committees to more effectively advise the City and engage the
public;” and
WHEREAS, on August 10, 2021, the City Commission created an Urban Parks and
Forestry Board via Resolution 5328 to further the stated priority of Community Engagement as
established in Strategic Plan Section 1.2, and to further other goals and objectives of the City;
and
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2026, the Commission passed Resolution 2026-22 establishing
a Montana State University student as an ex officio member of the Urban Parks and Forestry
Board; and
WHEREAS, on March 3, 2026, the Commission passed their priorities, including
“Strengthen advisory board efficacy to ensure alignment with community goals;” and
WHEREAS, on July 16, 2026, under direction from the City Commission, City staff
produced a report, based on a review of the boards that it conducted in spring 2026, that detailed
recommendations to improve advisory board efficacy; and
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WHEREAS, on July 21, 2026, the City Commission held a work session during which it
considered City staff’s recommendations as well as public comment on the City Citizen Advisory
Boards; and
WHEREAS, during the July 21, 2026 work session, the City Commission gave direction
to revise the Citizen Advisory Boards.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman,
Montana, that Resolution 5328 is superseded as follows:
SECTION 1: PURPOSE OF THE URBAN PARKS AND FORESTRY BOARD
The Urban Parks and Forestry Board will promote the use of Bozeman’s trails, open spaces, and
parks not only for improving an individual’s physical and psychological health, but also as a tool
to strengthen and foster the wellbeing of the community-at-large through promoting an outdoor
culture and lifestyle. The Urban Parks and Forestry Board provides advisory recommendations to
the City Commission, and if requested by the City Manager to the City Manager, on issues
pertaining to the City’s urban park system, Sunset Hills Cemetery, and the City’s urban forest. The
Urban Parks and Forestry Board will encourage policies and programs that:
1. Promote the enhancement, preservation, and acquisition of parks, open spaces and
public lands;
2. Incorporate sustainability policies when implementing opportunities across
City functions;
3. Cultivate and foster park systems and environments that break down barriers to
participation in outdoor recreation;
4. Encourage the promotion of urban parks, forests, and community recreation;
5. Provide recommendations about the City cemetery;
6. Advise on the criteria and award of the Parks and Trails Community Grant Program;
7. Advise on applicable Capital Improvement Plan projects; and
8. Consider principles of sustainability and the Bozeman Climate Action Plan in its policy
recommendations.
SECTION 2: FOCUS AREAS OF THE URBAN PARKS AND FORESTRY BOARD
The following areas of focus are hereby assigned to the Urban Parks and Forestry Board:
1. Organize the annual Arbor Day Program;
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2. Review reports pertaining to activity in Bozeman’s urban forests;
3. Assess the equity distribution of access to urban parks and trails, with an
emphasis on traditionally underserved communities and neighborhoods, and
address identified issues of disparity;
4. Evaluate the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Active Transportation Plan from
drafting through adoption;
5. Provide recommendations, when requested, about recreation policy; and
6. Provide recommendations, when requested, about the City’s Sunset Hills Cemetery.
SECTION 3: POWERS/DUTIES, MEMBERS/COMPOSITION, AND ORGANIZATION OF
THE URBAN PARKS AND FORESTRY BOARD
1. Powers and Duties. The Urban Parks and Forestry Board is authorized to exercise the
following powers and duties:
A. Advise the City Commission and City Manager, when requested, as provided
in Sections 1 and 2 of this Resolution.
B. Abide by the Rules of Procedure, as set forth in a resolution to be approved
by the City Commission, for the Board’s operation and conduct of business.
C. The Board may have such other duties and responsibilities as the City Commission
or City Manager, from time to time, may direct.
D. The actions of the Board are advisory only, do not constitute policy of the
City, and are not binding upon the City Commission or the City Manager. The City
Commission or City Manager may adopt all or any part of any recommendation of the
Board.
2. Members: Appointments and Terms.
A. The City Commission will make all appointments to the Urban Parks and Forestry
Board.
B. A non-voting, ex-officio position will be held solely by a current student of Montana
State University as outlined in Resolution 2026-22.
C. The Board will consist of seven members.
D. All members will be appointed to a two-year term. Terms will run on the calendar
year.
E. Board Members must be at least 18 years old and be residents of the City.
F. Board Members will not receive compensation for their service. Board members
are entitled to previously authorized expenses, including travel expenses, incurred
during the discharge of duties.
G. Board Members serve at the pleasure of the Commission and may be removed by
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a majority vote of the Commission for any reason.
3. Office of Agency; Staff Support. The Urban Parks and Forestry Board will maintain
its records in the office of the City department designated by the City Manager to
maintain the records of the Board. The City Manager may assign one or more staff to
assist the Board in its duties and functions. The City Manager may also designate one
or more staff to serve as the liaison to the Board. The City Manager may authorize
the assigned Staff Liaison, in consultation with the Board Chair and Commission
Liaison, to develop and approve agenda items for the Board’s consideration and
assist the Board in all of its functions.
4. Meetings. The Urban Parks and Forestry Board meetings must be open to the public
as provided for in Montana law. Meetings must be held on a regular basis as
necessary and must be in the Bozeman City Commission room unless such room is
unavailable or not sufficient for the nature of the meeting. The Board must comply
with and is subject to all requirements and City policies related to open meetings
and public participation and engagement.
5. Ethics and High Performing Boards. All Urban Parks and Forestry Board activities
and its appointed members must comply with, and are subject to, the State of
Montana and the City Code of Ethics. In addition, the Board and its members must
comply with and are subject to City policies related to the performance, behavior,
and procedures of City boards, as established by the City Commission or City
Manager.
6. Public Information. All written and electronic information created by the Board or
its members in conducting its duties constitutes public information and is subject
to disclosure pursuant to Montana law.
SECTION 4: SAVINGS PROVISION
Section 1 of Resolution 5328 is not superseded by this Resolution shall remain in full force and
effect. Upon adoption of this Resolution, the City Commission confirms the current appointments
of all present board members.
___________________________________
JOEY MORRISON
Mayor
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ATTEST:
___________________________________
MIKE MAAS
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________
GREG SULLIVAN
City Attorney
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