HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter to the Trust for Public Land to enter into non-binding agreement to explore Conservation and Recreation efforts.pdf
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Chris Mehl, Bozeman City Commissioner
SUBJECT: Authorize City Manager to sign Trust for Public Land letter
MEETING DATE: July 18, 2011
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize City Manager to sign the attached letter to the Trust for
Public Land to enter into non-binding agreement to explore future conservation and recreation
efforts.
BACKGROUND: The supply and quality of the city's parks and trails are an important issue
for Bozeman residents. This letter allows the city to enter into a non-binding agreement with the
Trust for Public Land (TPL) to receive technical advice and assistance to review the feasibility
of financing future conservation and recreation efforts such as, but not limited to, trails
acquisition and improvements; parkland and open acquisition and improvements; and a city-
wide parks district. The draft letter, or future working relationship with TPL, can be modified as
the City Commission directs. In addition, this letter allows the exploration of future options
while in no way precluding any future discussion or debate. The letter also in no way limits the
opportunity for public input from any resident or group that may wish to comment or participate
in this exercise.
ALTERNATIVES: As directed by the Commission.
FISCAL EFFECTS: None at this time. The partnership with TPL would allow the city to learn
more about the above conservation and recreation efforts so some staff time may be incurred.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
Attachments:
TPL Letter
Report compiled on: July 6, 2011
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CITY OF BOZEMAN
121 North Rouse
P.O. Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
Phone: (406) 582-2320
Fax: (406) 582-2344
TDD: (406) 582-2301
www.bozeman.net
Mayor
Jeff Krauss
Commissioners
Sean Becker
Cyndy Andrus
Chris Mehl
Carson Taylor
City Manager
Chris A. Kukulski
July 18, 2011
Joshua Alpert
NW Director of Conservation Services
The Trust for Public Land
806 SW Broadway, Suite 300
Portland, Oregon 97205
Dear Joshua:
By this letter, The City of Bozeman officially requests technical advice and
assistance from your organization in connection with our efforts to develop a program
to finance land conservation and recreation and a potential related ballot measure.
As part of your advice and assistance, I understand you may conduct public opinion
research, study local laws and recent elections, and evaluate the feasibility of
acquisition, in fee or through conservation easements, of key properties.
We are interested not only in the factual information that you can provide to
us, but also your organization’s opinions and recommendations on public funding
measures available to us and strategies to enact such measures. That would include
understanding the public’s priorities and attitudes regarding land conservation and
other issues currently facing Bozeman and how the public would respond to different
methods of presenting those issues. Although your submissions will be directed to
our City Manager’s attention, I understand that your responses to this request will be
for the general use of The City of Bozeman.
This request will continue in effect for any advice you offer or presentations
you submit related to such matters. In addition, we would like to take this opportunity
to request that you continue to be available to provide technical advice and
assistance in this area and on related matters in the future.
Thank you for your organization’s contribution to the work of The City of
Bozeman.
Sincerely,
Chris A. Kukulski
Bozeman City Manager
Core Values
Integrity: Be honest, hard-
working, reliable and
accountable to the public.
Leadership: Take
initiative, lead by example, and
be open to innovative ideas.
Service: Work unselfishly
for our community and its
citizens.
Teamwork: Respect
others, welcome citizen
involvement, and work together
to achieve the best result.
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