INC Meeting May 14, 2026: Bylaws Approved, Commission Rejects Interim Zoning Request
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.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Thanks for joining us. I will call this meeting of the inner neighborhood council to order. I'd like to share a few reminders to help you follow along and participate in public comment. You can attend or watch this meeting and future Inc. meetings in several ways. Impu in person here in the city commission room, live streamed on your computer via the meetings video page at Bozeman.net on cable TV channel one nine one nine zero or by joining via via video conference using the link in the meeting calendars event on Bozeman's main web page where ink agendas are posted. You may also call in using the phone number and access code listed on the agenda. Please note this option is listen only and does not allow for public comment. To provide public comment, you may comment in person here in the commission room. Use the raise hand feature if you're joining by video conference. When it's your turn, Emily Kiley will call you by name or submit written comments by emailing comments at Bozeman.net. Written comments received by noon on the day of the meeting will be distributed and read by the Inc. Now let's start with some introductions. I maybe neverone isn't new, but some new faces for me since I haven't been here for the last two we uh two meetings. So if we could start at the end, hi Linda Simonis, I'm subbing for Mark Campanelli for the Bogert Park Neighborhood Association. Patrick Moore Valley Unit Neighborhood Association, Juliet Osman, Jan Neighborhood. Beth Boyson, New Highlight View Neighborhood. Emily Tlego, submitting for uh Michelle Osman, Midtown Neighborhood Association. Kathy Rich, the University Neighborhood Association. Ed Boginae Cooper Park. Dick Parker, B Cann, Bridge and Creek Lands Area of Neighborhoods. And the Guerra, Valley West of the Lakes Neighborhood Association. Paul Burns, Marvin Linda, Lily. Uh substituting for scan for Jim Webster. Josie McCullough, Kirk Park Neighborhood. Hi, I'm Takami Clark. I'm the city's communications and engagement manager. And I'm here just to say hello and refamiliarize myself with Inc. I'll be overseeing you guys and helping you guys from the staff perspective while Emily's out on certain media leave. So nice to see you guys again. Hi everyone, Emily Kylie, Kaney Engagement Coordinator. And Douglas is in the audience. And I'm Douglas Fisher, your city liaison uh city commission liaison. And I don't mind sitting out here, but I'm I am definitely paying attention. Are there any disclosures? I have a disclosure in mirror to a member of the legislature. His name is Brian Close. Any changes to the agenda? Okay, we'll move on to approval of the minutes from the April 9th, 2026 meeting. I move to approve the rigor meeting minutes as submitted. I second. Any opposed? To show hands. Yes. Approved. Okay, public comments on non-agenda items falling within the purview and jurisdiction of the board. This is a time to comment on any non-agenda matter falling within the scope of the other neighborhood council. There will also be time in conjunction with each agenda item for public comment relating to that item, but you can only speak once per topic. Please note the board cannot take action on any item which does not appear on the agenda.
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