Inter-Neighborhood Council Meeting – June 11, 2026

The Inter-Neighborhood Council (INC) held its regular meeting on June 11, 2026, from approximately 4:30 PM to 6:25 PM. Key topics included a motion to support the study commission's draft Article 8 (public engagement), a presentation on the city's engagement framework update, officer elections for the upcoming year, and a commission liaison update covering budget, public safety, and housing priorities. Public comments addressed INC representation, charter language, and neighborhood engagement.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Daniel Cardi (Bozeman resident, Midtown) thanked the INC for its willingness to write a letter supporting Article 8 (Role of Public Engagement and Local Governance). He urged INC officers to attend the study commission's June 18 meeting, noting that some written comments have called for deleting Article 8 or diminishing INC's role. He cited the Montana Constitution Article II, Section 8 on citizen participation.
• Mayor Joey Morrison (speaking in his own capacity) corrected what he called misinformation about his earlier testimony to the study commission. He stated he never advocated for removing or diminishing the INC's authority, but rather for making neighborhood associations more representative (e.g., polling, door-knocking, engaging renters and younger residents). He expressed concern that the INC's current structure does not adequately represent all residents and that the charter review process has missed a robust conversation on improving neighborhood associations.
• Richard Bacher (1470 Boylan Road) expressed upset over a letter from the vice mayor (Commissioner Fisher) to the study commission, which he interpreted as dismissing citizen involvement through structured systems like the INC. He asked how citizens can be involved without such a clearinghouse.
• Angie Koch (Northeast Neighborhood Association) shared examples of neighborhood outreach (newsletters, door-to-door, email lists, new meeting formats) and noted challenges engaging transient populations like college students. She asked the city for help in reaching those groups.
• Noah Tenbrook (INC member) commented on engagement fatigue, emphasizing that reciprocity (seeing input acted upon) is key to sustaining participation. He suggested the city focus on making engaged residents feel heard rather than constantly seeking new participants.

Discussion Items

Motion to Support Study Commission's Draft Article 8

• A member (unidentified) asked whether the subcommittee that worked on charter language had circled back to the study commission. After learning no formal response had been sent, a motion was made for the INC to circle back in support of the study commission's draft Article 8 (as currently proposed). The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
• Mark Campanelli (Bogart Park) volunteered to draft a simple letter stating INC support for the draft language as is. The letter will be reviewed by officers and submitted before the study commission's June 18 meeting. Emily Mason volunteered to attend that meeting to deliver oral comment.
• Discussion clarified that the draft Article 8 includes language on community engagement beyond just neighborhood councils, which members viewed positively.

Engagement Framework Update (Presentation by Takami Clark, Communications & Engagement Manager)

• Takami Clark presented the city's update to the Engaged Bozeman framework, driven by the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA) requirements for public participation. The timeline includes drafting in July, posting for review, and returning to boards/commissions in August for adoption.
• Key questions posed to the INC: what they want to see in the updated draft, how to help residents feel more heard, and improvements to communications/engagement processes.
• INC members provided feedback:
  • Angie Koch suggested a prominent "Engagement" page on the city website with clear, bulleted links to Engaged Bozeman, public meeting info, and how to participate.
  • Noah Tenbrook emphasized the need for reciprocity—residents want to see how their input is used. He also noted that the city's website and Engaged Bozeman platform can be confusing (separate URLs).
  • Emily Mason asked about demographic data of Engaged Bozeman users to help INC broaden its own outreach. Takami confirmed they collect demographics and can share.
  • Douglas Fisher (commission liaison) noted that the city is investing in elevating the communications department to a director level and that the budget includes funding for a new fire station on the west end, which will require voter approval.
  • Several members raised concerns about engagement fatigue and the challenge of keeping up with multiple city projects. Suggestions included a monthly city newsletter and better use of social media/water bill inserts.

Officer Elections

• The INC elected officers for the upcoming year:
  • Chair: Emily Mason (nominated by Dick Bacher, seconded, approved)
  • Vice Chair: Jim Webster (nominated, seconded, approved)
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Dick Bacher (nominated, seconded, approved)
• The vote was unanimous. Outgoing Chair Dick Bacher was thanked for his service.

Commission Liaison Update (Commissioner Douglas Fisher)

• Commissioner Fisher clarified his role as liaison: to present the commission's official actions and bring INC feedback back to the commission. He acknowledged that INC members feel unheard and offered to meet with the new chair to improve communication.
• He provided updates on upcoming commission items:
  • June 23: Vote on a $610 million biannual budget.
  • July (21st or 28th): Discussion on restructuring advisory boards (super boards).
  • August 4: In-depth housing discussion (affordability, potential bonds).
  • August 25: Work session on B3 height transitions.
  • Ongoing questions about public safety (mental health response vs. police) and prioritizing capital projects (fire station, library, pool).
• Fisher emphasized that the commission values INC input and that decisions are made by elected officials accountable to voters.

Other Updates

• Takami Clark (CD liaison) noted that New Highlight View was the first to submit its annual report (due June 30). Upcoming events: MSU strategic plan listening session (July), MSU block party (August 27), and Jant's neighborhood block party (July 25). The INC's bylaw ratification is on the June 16 commission consent calendar.
• Angie Koch proposed a "flood watch symposium" to discuss flood resilience, insurance, and infrastructure, in conjunction with the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan.
• A member requested Robert's Rules of Order training for the INC, which was supported and will be followed up.

Key Outcomes

• Motion passed unanimously: INC will send a letter to the study commission supporting the draft Article 8 language as is, to be submitted before the June 18 meeting. Emily Mason will attend to provide oral comment.
• Officers elected: Emily Mason (Chair), Jim Webster (Vice Chair), Dick Bacher (Secretary/Treasurer).
• Engagement framework feedback: INC members provided input on improving transparency, reciprocity, and outreach; Takami Clark will incorporate into the draft.
• Next steps: The INC will receive Robert's Rules training; the bylaw ratification will be considered by the commission on June 16; the engagement framework draft will be posted for review in July.