Inner Neighborhood Council (INC) Meeting – May 14, 2026

The Inner Neighborhood Council (INC) met on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 11:30 AM MT in the City Commission Room. The meeting included a presentation from the Bozeman Neighborhood Connection (BNC), adoption of amended INC bylaws, and a report from the City Commission liaison regarding the INC's request for an interim zoning ordinance addressing downtown height limits. Council members expressed frustration that the City Commission declined to formally consider the request.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the April 9, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered on non-agenda items.
• During the bylaws discussion, a public comment period was called but no one spoke.

Discussion Items

• Bozeman Neighborhood Connection (BNC) Presentation: Representatives Andre Zollers, Virginia McQueen, and Wes Siler presented a grassroots communications infrastructure designed to foster neighbor-to-neighbor connections and mutual aid across Bozeman. They proposed a system of neighborhood coordinators and text-based groups to share resources (e.g., generators, tool sharing, child care). They asked INC to feature them on the city website and help identify neighborhood contacts. Council members asked about the relationship with the city's existing neighborhoods program, data privacy, and potential overlap. BNC emphasized they are volunteer-run, non-political, and intended to complement, not replace, formal neighborhood associations. Several INC members expressed support and offered technical feedback on their sign-up form.
• Update and Adoption of Amended INC Bylaws: The bylaws subcommittee (Kath Crumrine, Zara Osmond, and the presenter) proposed changes after previous discussion. Key revisions: (1) quorum changed from one-third to a majority of recognized neighborhood associations (currently 15 recognized neighborhoods, so quorum = 8); (2) added succession rule: if both chair and vice chair are absent, the secretary or treasurer may preside. The motion to adopt the amended bylaws passed by hand vote. The final draft will be sent to the City Commission for ratification as a consent item.
• City Commission Liaison Update (Douglas Fisher): Fisher reported that the City Commission had considered the INC's April request for an interim zoning ordinance to pause 90-foot building height allowances downtown while the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) guidelines are developed. The Commission majority decided not to place the item on a future agenda, citing reasons of stability, predictability, and the integrity of the recently adopted Unified Development Code (UDC). Commissioners argued that reopening the issue could undermine trust in public processes and divert resources from other priorities. Several INC members expressed disappointment that the Commission did not hold a public discussion, noting that the 90-foot allowance was added late in the UDC process. Fisher noted an August 25 work session is scheduled to discuss B3 height and transitions. INC members reiterated their desire for a formal, public deliberation on the matter.
• Water Conservation Committee Report (Beth): The committee is meeting next Wednesday. A recent survey received 643 responses. They aim to finish a recommendation by year-end and then move into the legislative session.
• Neighborhood Program Updates (Emily Kiley): Annual reports due June 1; officer elections in June (current leadership may continue); consideration of a social event in July/August; the city's engagement framework survey is open until June 15; upcoming events include the Urban Forest Management Plan open house (May 18) and Bozeman Creek Vision Plan Open House (June 2).
• MSU Neighborhood Engagement: A representative from the University Neighborhood Association (UNA) announced that MSU President is hosting a reception for neighborhoods near campus, with his cabinet present, to discuss collaboration. INC members discussed the possibility of having an MSU student representative on the INC, but deferred further discussion.
• Study Commission Charter Language: Emily Kiley noted that the Bozeman Study Commission's draft charter includes articles on the neighborhood program and INC. She encouraged INC members to review and provide feedback, especially regarding provisions that might expand INC's role in neighborhood boundary setting.

Key Outcomes

• Amended INC bylaws were adopted, changing quorum to majority and adding officer succession rules; ratification by City Commission as a consent item is the next step.
• City Commission declined to schedule a formal discussion on the interim zoning ordinance request; the INC's recommendation did not advance. An August work session on height and transitions was noted.
• BNC presentation was received; no formal action taken, but INC members expressed interest and offered to discuss further within their neighborhoods.
• Water conservation committee aims to finalize a recommendation by end of 2026.
• INC will hold officer elections in June; annual reports due June 31st.
• INC encouraged to submit feedback on draft charter language by May 20th.