HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-7-09 Senior Citizen's Advisory BoardMinutes
Minutes of the meeting held October 7, 2009
of Bozeman Senior Citizens' Advisory Board follow.
Members present were: Ken Tiahrt, Milly Gutkowski, Charlotte Kress, Ted Mangun, Patty Phillips, Don
Pierre, and Eric Bryson.
Members absent were: Frank Schledorn.
Meeting convened at 1:15 pm.
There were no members of the public present, so there were no public comments received.
The overall concept of having input related to “senior citizen desires and needs” was discussed.
Generally, most issues are not specific to seniors. Our scheduled meetings will attempt to identify
and prioritize senior specific issues before they become public matters.
We had strong board agreement endorsing the need for and value of Soroptimist Park at Main and
Rouse. As a pocket park, it has many virtues, enhancing these by adding restroom facilities should
be considered. In addition, a second pocket at the western end of the business district should be
kept in mind for any opportunity that might open up.
The addition of public restrooms in business areas and in parks and on trails should be given more
attention for all areas of the community.
The existing one-way streets in downtown Bozeman were endorsed in our discussion; they
eliminate considerable unnecessary Main street traffic.
Agreement on traffic control at Willson and College was not possible. As is true for the general
population, various possible control ideas are held. It is obvious that pedestrians and bicycles are
highly important considerations. A traffic light has both advantages and disadvantages; would a 4-
way stop be better? Could a traffic circle be utilized that was shifted more onto the Story Mansion
grounds and imposed less onto the other corner properties? No agreement was reached.
When a new Director for the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce is identified and on site, our Senior
Citizens Board will make a concentrated effort of gain the Chambers cooperation in providing
greater emphasis on the senior shopping impact, promoting and facilitating this, and specific senior
needs.
Meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be November 4, 2009 at 1:15 pm in the Bozeman City Hall
The agenda will focus on discussion of the issues brought out at the Montana State Council on
Aging Annual Meeting held in the first week of October 2009, in Bozeman.