OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Downtown Urban Renewal District Board Meeting - March 10, 2026

City Commission — Tuesday, March 10, 2026
BodyBozeman, Montana
SessionCity Commission
DateTuesday, March 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 52:24

Transcript — Verbatim
0:19

Yes.

0:20

And I think I don't have any questions.

0:26

Well, I will tell you I also have a meeting at 125 campus.

0:31

If I can get her.

0:34

So we're going to be able to do that.

0:35

I'm sorry, 145.

0:39

Yeah, so I do want to leave some time to discuss the budget, but I will tell you I have it in front of my feet intermediately making changes.

0:52

So I think the concept is to really lean through if we want to allocate any additional or less funds than what is listed in this budget.

1:00

And then before the next meeting, I will take out all the noise and I'll put it in direct category so you guys can clearly be going into approval.

1:10

Okay.

1:11

All righty.

1:13

Can we ready to call the meeting to order?

1:16

I believe.

1:17

All right, let's do it.

1:19

It's calling in order.

1:21

Are there any disclosures from anyone on the board?

1:30

Staff liaison.

1:31

Are there any changes to the agenda?

1:33

There are no changes.

1:35

No.

1:37

Are there any public service announcements?

1:40

Well, I requested maybe Douglas give us a PSA quick, and then I do also have one PSA, and that is our parking vision plan survey is live.

1:54

So you may have all seen my email from this morning.

1:57

We have been working with Indigo West on creating this survey.

2:00

We are doing this in tandem in collaboration with the City of Bosman Parking Division.

2:05

This is funded by the downtown urban renewal district.

2:08

And please take the survey.

2:15

And to us.

2:34

So take a moment to think of Tara Bowman and her family and at some point today I would just ask.

3:03

Just to keep us focused.

3:05

But uh the first one, and they're not really particularly in order, but but we have numbers on them.

3:09

Um is advanced Bozeman is a safe and welcoming place for all.

3:12

Um number two is to engage meaningfully with the community.

3:19

Um number three is to bridge the affordability gap.

3:24

And affordability, just that's both jobs and housing, I think is the way is the way we see it as a commission.

3:30

And then the fourth is protect Bozeman's heritage, neighborhoods, and natural environment.

3:34

And so within there, there are uh a number of different goals.

3:37

And if you do not have this, maybe I can um I'll get the final version.

3:42

We amended it on the floor on the fly.

3:44

I'll get a final version to Ellie, and then she can get it out to you.

3:48

Um I'm kind of proud of it.

3:50

Um there is one component, if to just briefly take your of looking at our UDC.

3:57

We had a huge community, all of you guys know this.

3:59

We had a huge community discussion on rewriting our zoning code, what our how we build this this town.

4:05

There was particularly for B3 a big discussion at the very end, very last minute of this two-year process of whether 70 feet or 90 feet is appropriate for B3.

4:14

Um, we have instructed staff to like, look, just let this thing sit.

4:18

We're not gonna touch this.

4:19

We want to see how it how it rolls out, where the sticky parts are, let this code do its work as we intended.

4:26

Um but at some point we're going to come back in later this spring, May.

4:30

I'm not sure 100% sure, to look at uh what are the sticky points?

4:35

And I'm pretty confident that that B3 height is going to be one of them.

4:40

And so Ellie, I'd love to just sit and talk with you.

4:44

Uh we need some way so that this is not frankly, you know, and this is just me speaking.

4:49

Perhaps out of turn, but I would love to have some way so that this decision is not rolling straight up to the city commission to make because your five commissioners are not qualified to make a decision on B3 height.

5:00

Right.

5:01

I would love the experts in the community to weigh in on what is an appropriate height.

5:08

Do we use setbacks?

5:08

Do we you know uh and so I would love to have some process?

5:12

I don't know whether it goes in front of the BID or the downtown board or the URD, but just to have that kind of a discussion and your input in front of us as a city commission so we could weigh kind of informed you know choices here is as we make that decision.

5:30

I do think that having potentially a city staff member come and present some of these touchy you know issues to RBID and URD boards specifically in the midst of the discussion would be super helpful.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget Equity Analysis█████████████████████████25%
Economic Development████████████████16%
Land Use Planning█████████████13%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████13%
Procedural███████████11%
Parking██████████10%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Public Engagement█████5%
Youth Programs██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Downtown Urban Renewal District Board Meeting - March 10, 2026

The Downtown Urban Renewal District (URD) Board met on March 10, 2026, to discuss budget priorities, ongoing projects, and future plans, including a potential expansion of the district to accommodate a parking garage. The board approved lengthy minutes covering the past year and received updates on parking, infrastructure grants, and community engagement.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approval: The board approved the minutes of all URD board meetings from the past year (approximately 12 months) via roll call vote. Amy, Tony, Marley, Jake, Sky, and Nicholas voted aye; no opposition.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made in person or online.

Discussion Items

  • City Commission Priorities & UDC Height: Board members discussed the City Commission's four priorities: (1) Bozeman as a safe and welcoming place for all, (2) meaningful community engagement, (3) bridging the affordability gap (jobs and housing), and (4) protecting heritage, neighborhoods, and the natural environment. Commissioner Sky noted that the Unified Development Code (UDC) two-year process included a last-minute debate on whether B3 zoning should allow 70 feet or 90 feet. The commission decided to let the code sit for now but plans to revisit “sticky points” later in spring (May/June). The board expressed a desire for expert community input (e.g., from the BID or URD boards) before the City Commission makes a final decision on B3 height, as commissioners are not qualified to decide alone. Staff will work with the board to schedule a discussion and possibly a decision in May or June. Current code sets B3 height at 90 feet.
  • Executive Director (Ellie) Report:
    • Budget Season: URD, BID, and DBA budgets will be reviewed through March and April, approved in April, and brought to the City Commission in May.
    • Branding Refresh: The “DTN BZN” brand will be refreshed with new colors and materials (banners, annual report, resource guide, newsletter, website).
    • MSU Strategic Plan: Ellie serves on the MSU Strategic Planning Committee, which is conducting listening sessions through summer; a final plan is expected in November during the Board of Regents/Cat Grids football game.
    • Downtown Conference: This year’s Montana Downtown Conference is in Glasgow, with a pre-stop in Lewistown.
    • Engaged Bozeman Projects: The Bozeman Creek vision plan hired consultant Port; meetings with adjacent property owners begin in early April. Mayor Cunningham’s new podcast, “Bozeman Beat,” is now available and will feature parking, Bozeman Creek, and MSU strategic plan.
    • TIFF Infrastructure Grant: The first formal application for a sewer replacement tied to a hotel project will be presented at the next board meeting. Ellie reported three additional informal requests. Grants over $50,000 require board review and approval; funds are for public infrastructure only, not developer-specific.
    • Special Improvement Lighting District (SILD): A preliminary process is underway to create a lighting district, with TDH mapping pedestrian lights.
    • Parking Vision Plan: The community survey is live through March 30th; 18 one-on-one interviews were completed. The City is updating parking dashboards. Regarding the federal building, the board discussed a request for a letter of support to prevent its sale on the open market, aiming instead for public use and potential parking garage development. The board is exploring expanding the URD to include the federal building and possibly other parcels, contingent on establishing blight under state statute. The process is estimated to take nine months.
    • Music on Main: DBA staff are announcing summer bands; new “Walk the Block Mondays” program meets at Baxter Hotel for 30-minute walks visiting local businesses.
  • Downtown Project Updates: Notable progress includes: Claire Building facade work on Babcock; Block B (Salvation Army site) underground electrical work; Baxter Hotel full restoration; new businesses (Trace Toutros in Shredmunt Monk space; Mocha moved; Lux Society moving to Mocha’s old space; Tarantino’s renamed “Pre-Shift” and moved).
  • Finance Report: Final cash balance (interest not yet separated) will be provided later. Minor expenses included Alpine lawn and oak gardens (fence, planters for EHO Park), street furniture, and lighting repairs ($2,000 for Langless – restitution expected for damaged street lamp). Lada Consultants received $24,000 for the parking vision plan.
  • Budget Review (FY27 & FY28): The draft budget assumes an 8% increase in operations and management fees. Key allocations:
    • Infrastructure improvements: $1 million projected (could increase if TIFF grants are encumbered).
    • Park improvements: $100,000 aspirational for Syroitimus Park (planning in FY27, work in FY28).
    • Wayfinding and parking signage: starting FY27, finishing FY28.
    • Alternative transportation: projects on Babcock/Bozeman Creek extension; planning in FY27, implementation in FY28.
    • Street furniture/streetscape: ongoing program with growth.
    • Street lamp project (SILD): planning and infrastructure funds.
    • Art Enhancement and SEPTED grants: slight increase.
    • Utility infrastructure planning: $1.6 million allocated in FY27 expected to be largely spent; FY28 sees $7 million after reallocation from fire station funds and other encumbrances.
    • Downtown Realm Plan: $100,000 aspirational in FY28, critical for planning infrastructure improvements before URD sunset in 2032.
    • Pedlet program: discussion to continue investing; funds may have been accidentally moved but support remains.
    • Daycare support: no formal request yet; Ellie will connect with Britt about potential funding needs.
  • Budget Formatting Discussion: Board members discussed the need to distinguish between encumbered funds, allocated funds, and unallocated cash balance (currently $3.3 million). The unallocated balance is seen as a reserve for projects beyond sunset.

Key Outcomes

  • No Formal Action Taken on Budget: The board will refine the FY27 and FY28 budget for approval at the April meeting. Staff will clean up formatting to show encumbered, allocated, and unallocated amounts.
  • UDC Height Discussion Timeline: Staff will schedule an agenda item for May or June to discuss B3 height and other UDC issues, with input from expert boards.
  • Infrastructure Grant Process: The first TIFF infrastructure grant (sewer replacement for hotel) will be presented with legal review at the next board meeting; applicants may be invited for questions.
  • Federal Building/Urd Expansion: Ellie will circulate a letter of support for not selling the federal building on the open market. The board endorsed exploring URD expansion to include the federal building and possibly other parcels, contingent on consulting with tax increment professionals (David Fine, Janet Cornish, Brad Archibald) over a nine-month process.
  • Minutes Approved: All minutes from the past year were approved.

Meeting Transcript

Yes. And I think I don't have any questions. Well, I will tell you I also have a meeting at 125 campus. If I can get her. So we're going to be able to do that. I'm sorry, 145. Yeah, so I do want to leave some time to discuss the budget, but I will tell you I have it in front of my feet intermediately making changes. So I think the concept is to really lean through if we want to allocate any additional or less funds than what is listed in this budget. And then before the next meeting, I will take out all the noise and I'll put it in direct category so you guys can clearly be going into approval. Okay. All righty. Can we ready to call the meeting to order? I believe. All right, let's do it. It's calling in order. Are there any disclosures from anyone on the board? Staff liaison. Are there any changes to the agenda? There are no changes. No. Are there any public service announcements? Well, I requested maybe Douglas give us a PSA quick, and then I do also have one PSA, and that is our parking vision plan survey is live. So you may have all seen my email from this morning. We have been working with Indigo West on creating this survey. We are doing this in tandem in collaboration with the City of Bosman Parking Division. This is funded by the downtown urban renewal district. And please take the survey. And to us. So take a moment to think of Tara Bowman and her family and at some point today I would just ask. Just to keep us focused. But uh the first one, and they're not really particularly in order, but but we have numbers on them. Um is advanced Bozeman is a safe and welcoming place for all. Um number two is to engage meaningfully with the community. Um number three is to bridge the affordability gap. And affordability, just that's both jobs and housing, I think is the way is the way we see it as a commission. And then the fourth is protect Bozeman's heritage, neighborhoods, and natural environment. And so within there, there are uh a number of different goals. And if you do not have this, maybe I can um I'll get the final version. We amended it on the floor on the fly. I'll get a final version to Ellie, and then she can get it out to you. Um I'm kind of proud of it. Um there is one component, if to just briefly take your of looking at our UDC. We had a huge community, all of you guys know this. We had a huge community discussion on rewriting our zoning code, what our how we build this this town. There was particularly for B3 a big discussion at the very end, very last minute of this two-year process of whether 70 feet or 90 feet is appropriate for B3. Um, we have instructed staff to like, look, just let this thing sit. We're not gonna touch this. We want to see how it how it rolls out, where the sticky parts are, let this code do its work as we intended. Um but at some point we're going to come back in later this spring, May. I'm not sure 100% sure, to look at uh what are the sticky points?

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