City INC Meeting: MSU Strategic Plan, Bike Rodeo, and City Updates (July 9, 2026)
Inter-Neighborhood Council (INC) Meeting – July 9, 2026
The INC met on July 9, 2026, and received presentations on Montana State University’s strategic plan, a proposed neighborhood bike rodeo program, and an update from Deputy Mayor Douglas Fisher on upcoming city commission items. Neighborhood representatives provided feedback on housing, transportation, pedestrian safety, and community engagement.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes from the previous meeting were approved by motion and second.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments on non-agenda items were offered.
Discussion Items
- MSU Strategic Plan: James Tobin, executive assistant to the MSU president, described the university’s effort to create a new “living” strategic plan with 3–4 themes and 3–4 projects each. Since January 2026, MSU has collected 2,400 completed surveys and met with over 1,000 people. A final public listening session will be held July 30 at 6:00 p.m. at the Bozeman Library. The plan will be announced November 19–20. Neighborhood representatives raised concerns about housing (MSU grew 27% since 2010, adding 3,600 students but only 1,000 housing units), transportation (11th Avenue jaywalking, College Street disrepair), and pedestrian/trail connectivity. Mark Campanelli questioned research spending and pay for non-tenure-track instructors. Kathy Rich provided a list of concerns from the University Neighborhood Association.
- Safe Routes to School – Bike Rodeo Program: Candice Mastel (City TDM Coordinator) and Jen McMackFarlane (WTI) presented a proposal to bring bike rodeo events to neighborhoods. The program, operating since 2009, recently won a $60,000 federal grant for expanded programming. The rodeo teaches cycling skills and safety. The city seeks neighborhood partners to host events; the city will provide the course layout, staffing, and supplies. Discussion included concerns about arterial street safety, distracted driving, e-bike safety, and the need for adult education. Dick Mocker noted the challenge of Hawthorne School children biking three miles on busy streets. Noah Tembrock expressed fear for his daughter’s safety biking in Bozeman and suggested a systems approach.
- City Commission Update: Deputy Mayor Douglas Fisher reported the city approved a $610 million two-year budget, adding 18 full-time positions, 9.5 of which are for police traffic safety units. Upcoming commission items: July 21 – advisory board restructuring and Kagy Boulevard 30% design update; August 4 – housing work session on affordable housing tools; August 25 – B3 height and transition discussion; October 6 – community ballot issues (fire station, library, swim center, mental health response). A future pedestrian safety discussion will be scheduled. Fisher encouraged INC input on these topics, especially the B3 height discussion.
Key Outcomes
- The INC received information and will consider sharing feedback with the city on the MSU strategic plan and the B3 height issue.
- No formal votes were taken; the meeting adjourned by motion and second.
Meeting Transcript
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