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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-01-06 Minutes, Study CommissionMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA LOCAL GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMISSION November 1, 2006 The Study Commission met in a special meeting in the Commission Room, Municipal Building, at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1, 2006. Present were Chair Loren Olsen, Brian Close, Harold Fryslie, and Marilou Turrentine. Also present was Secretary Celeste Janssen. Bill Hayward was excused. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 5:12 pm. Minutes of Oct. 10, 2006 No changes to the minutes were submitted. It was moved by Brian Close, seconded by Harold Fryslie, to approve the minutes. The motion passed unanimously. Public comment There was no public present to give comment. Discussion regarding scheduling of presentations to various civic groups. Loren Olsen started the report on public education and presentations. He gave a brief summary of all the presentations he has been to, and of the radio shows he has presented the charter on. He reported positive feedback. The rest of the Study Commissioners present also reported on the presentations they had been to. Brian Close and Marilou Turrentine spoke to the Inter Neighborhood Council. Bill Hayward and Brian Close talked to a morning Rotary Club, and it was their response was fairly positive. Yesterday Brian Close spoke to the Empire Lions Club, and again, it was positive. Brian Close had not yet contacted Andrea (CBS) and Amber (KTVM), but he said he would call them and refer them to Loren Olsen. Mr. Close also said the Exchange Club is on the upcoming Monday at noon at the Elk's Club. Tomorrow morning Chair Olsen will be on George Carter's radio show, 7 am to 8 am. The Study Commission's advertisement has run in the Bozeman Chronicle, and everyone thought it looked good. The only negative things heard so far have come from a local attorney, Jennifer Bory, who has a local radio show. Some of her criticisms were not factual, and Loren Olsen agreed to call her and speak to her about the charter. Harold Fryslie explained that he choose not to do an op-ed in support of the charter because he did do an op-ed in support of Conrad Burns. He did not want people to vote for or against the charter because of partisan politics. Also, the Bozeman Chronicle is not allowing more than one op-ed per person before the election. Marilou Turrentine has not yet written a letter to the editor, but because the overall response has been positive, no one thought it was necessary to have her write a letter in support of the charter. Bill Hayward wrote a letter to the editor late last week on the long term capital plan in the charter. Loren Olsen explained that the City of Bozeman controls channel 20 on cable television. Chris Kukulski wanted to do a short infomercial on the charter. It was taped last Friday and it has been broadcast four times a day. The Study Commissioners all agreed that they had worked hard to promote the charter, and at this point they were okay at not pursuing any more speaking engagements. New business If the Charter passes, then the Study Commission's term of office is extended for an additional ninety days. If the charter doesn't pass, then all of the terms expire. The Study Commission will then need to instruct Robin Sullivan to file copies of documents according to state statute. The Local Government Study Commission has been asked to meet with Russian visitors, in Bozeman with the Montana Center for International Visitors program. Celeste Janssen will email details to the Study Commission. Loren Olsen wanted to express a warm thank you to all the individuals who have written or helped with the charter: Bill Hayward, Brian Close, Marilou Turrentine, Harold Fryslie, John Trull, Bill Wise, and Julia Haggerty. He also thanked Celeste Janssen and Robin Sullivan for their work as the Study Commission's secretaries. Setting dates for any future meetings Dates for future meetings will depend on if the charter passes and if the City of Bozeman would like any help in implementing the necessary changes. Brian Close suggested that Loren Olsen speak to Chris Kukulski about setting up a meeting or appointing a liaison from the City Commission. In the meantime, all Study Commissioners should email their final calendars to Celeste Janssen so that she can compile a schedule. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Study Commission at this time, it was moved by Brian Close, seconded by Marilou Turrentine, that the meeting be adjourned at 6:14 pm. The motion carried.