Bozeman INC Meeting: Traffic Calming, Bozeman Creek Vision, and Bylaw Revisions – February 12, 2026

The Neighborhoods Inter-Neighborhood Council (INC) met on February 12, 2026, at 4:30 PM in the City Commission Room. The meeting featured presentations on the newly formalized Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program and the C. Bozeman Creek visioning process, followed by an action item to revise the INC bylaws. Public comment included an update on the Historic Preservation Advisory Board's engagement plan. All agenda items were addressed, with votes taken on minutes approval and bylaw revisions.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (January 8, 2026): The minutes were approved unanimously. A correction was noted: the phrase "keepers" in a prior discussion should read "trust" (East Gelaton Watershed Trust). The board agreed to note the change without altering the public record.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Historic Preservation Advisory Board Update: Alison Sweeney, City Commissioner and liaison, reported that a draft community engagement plan for the National Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) is available on the city website. The plan will be discussed at the HPAB meeting next week and is scheduled for City Commission adoption on March 10, 2026. Seven neighborhoods partially or fully within the NCOD are listed as external key partners. Written feedback is welcome via comments@bozeman.net.

Special Presentations

Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program

Danay Gianetti, Transportation and Engineering Division, presented the formalized citizen-initiated program. Key features:

• Eligibility: Local streets only; arterials and collectors excluded but under separate review.
• Application: Web-based, rolling basis with fixed schedule. Requires petition with 50% of addresses within one block or letter of support from HOA/INC rep.
• Screening: Two of three criteria needed—vehicle crash in last 5 years, 1,000+ vehicles per day, or 85th percentile speed >5 mph over limit. Proximity to pedestrian generators (schools, parks) also considered.
• Prioritization: Weighted scoring with speed as highest factor.
• Toolbox: Horizontal deflection treatments (splitter islands, curb extensions, traffic circles, pedestrian refuge islands). Speed tables are under development for future inclusion.
• Timeline: Applications close March 6, 2026, for 2026 installations. Projects are temporary/seasonal, removed before snow. Post-installation data collection in summer.
• Concurrent Effort: Uncontrolled intersection stop-sign installation program starting near MSU, moving outward. No specific timeline yet; communication with neighborhoods planned.
• Questions: Clarified that Highland Boulevard and Third Avenue are collectors and ineligible; Grand Avenue is also a collector under separate review. Neighborhood support can include sweat equity via art stencils. Previously installed projects will be maintained and considered for permanent installation.

C. Bozeman Creek Visioning Process

Jim Madden and Steve Noble introduced the visioning effort for Bozeman Creek. Background includes a flood risk study completed August 2025 and an RFP that selected a consultant team (Port architecture/urban design and Rio ASE water resources). Goals:

• Enhance flood mitigation
• Improve water quality and ecological health
• Increase access and connectivity to parks/trails
• Support economic vitality opportunities
• Strengthen community access

The process will run approximately nine months, with community engagement through an advisory group of subject matter experts (including Gallatin Watershed Council, Trout Unlimited, architects, former Mayor Cunningham). A kickoff meeting for neighborhoods is set for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 12:00–1:00 PM in the Mason Room. Q&A addressed watercourse setbacks: the group affirmed they uphold scientifically backed setbacks and will review current codes. Economic vitality refers to creating an attractive water feature downtown and reducing flood risk. The deviation for a recent hotel did not change the 35-foot setback but allowed encroachment; C. Bozeman Creek supported it with conditions to protect long-term goals.

Action Item: INC Bylaw Revisions

Kath (Marwan Lindley), with Angie and Zara, presented proposed revisions to the INC bylaws, last amended August 8, 2024. Key changes aimed to clarify voting procedures, especially between administrative and representative votes, delegate representation, proxy processes, and majority determination. Discussion led to several amendments:

• Removal notification: When a delegate is removed, the neighborhood association must be notified.
• Representative voting method: Neighborhoods may define their own sufficient representation (e.g., surveys) per their bylaws; the mandatory two-week advance distribution was softened to "when possible."
• Alternate delegates: Changed from one alternate to "at least one alternate" per neighborhood association bylaws.
• Proxy process: Clarified that a proxy is for a specific meeting when neither delegate nor alternate can attend.
• Majority vs. two-thirds: For bylaw amendments, the threshold was changed back to two-thirds vote (from majority) to align with common parliamentary practice.
• Date update: Changed from 12/7/2 to 2/12/26.
• Cleanup: Removed extraneous notes at the end.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Unanimously.
• Traffic Calming Program: Application window remains open until March 6, 2026. Neighborhoods encouraged to apply or reach out with eligibility questions.
• Bozeman Creek Vision: Public meeting scheduled for February 17, 2026. Neighborhoods invited to participate in the nine-month planning process.
• INC Bylaws Revised: The board voted to approve the revised bylaws as amended. The document will proceed to legal review and then to the City Commission for ratification. No vote tally was recorded in the transcript, but the motion carried.