Bozeman City Commission Meeting – July 14, 2026

The Bozeman City Commission met on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 12:30 PM. The meeting covered consent agenda approvals, public comments on various topics, two Unified Development Code housekeeping items (parking and short-term rentals), two street name changes (Thomas Drive to North 27th Avenue and Graf Street to East Graf Street), a work session on the Bozeman Creek Vision Plan, and appointments to boards. All votes were unanimous (5-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Items F1 through F22 were approved unanimously (5-0) after public comment.
  • Item F11: Authorizing a professional services agreement with Mediation Help Association for landlord-tenant mediation services was highlighted by the City Manager as part of the tenants' rights to counsel program.
  • Item F3: A donation of nearly $1.5 million from the school district to the city for a sports field (part of an agreement for a TERF sports field at Gallatin High) drew public comment from Emily Kelly (Baxter Meadows), who questioned the source of funds. The City Manager explained it is a long-standing partnership, with the field to be used by students during school and the community afterward, also providing parking to relieve neighborhood congestion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Emily Kelly (Baxter Meadows) – Expressed shock at the school district donating nearly $1.5 million to the city, questioning why those funds were not used to offset school mill levies. The City Manager responded, clarifying the collaboration and cost savings for both entities.
• Mark Campanelli (Bogar Park) – Announced upcoming events: Big Sky DevCon (July 24-25 at MSU) and a Cold Climate Conference (October 12-14 at MSU), promoting housing discussions involving building science.
• Robert Muldowney (Baxter Meadows) – Criticized the city's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, arguing that downtown and 7th Avenue corridor capture growth value without contributing fairly to the general fund, while west side lacks basic traffic safety measures. He cited a $9.7 million surplus in the downtown URD TIF and called for reform.
• Daniel Cardi (Bozeman resident) – Urged the commission to adopt a resolution declaring Bozeman an “ICE-free zone” and to prohibit city police and fire from aiding federal immigration enforcement, citing deaths and disruption caused by ICE nationwide.
• Jeff Ball (Bozeman) – Commented on Bozeman Creek work session, urging consideration of woody debris removal, channelization risks, and learning from flooding in Red Lodge and Gardiner. He suggested re-installing headgates and cleaning the old Mill Ditch to split flows.
• Cindy Smith (Bozeman resident) – Repeatedly requested public records on city funding to the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC). She stated records have not been provided despite prior assurances from the City Manager, and has filed an ethics complaint. She requested immediate release of records, a written explanation for any missing documents, a public explanation of oversight processes, and an independent audit of city funds provided to HRDC.

Discussion Items

Unified Development Code Housekeeping: Parking in B3 District

• Provisional adoption of amendments to Section 38.530.040 to revise parking regulations in the B3 (downtown) district effective October 1, 2026, to comply with new state laws. Staff noted that language for group residential uses was inadvertently omitted and needs to be carried forward. The Community Development Board unanimously recommended approval. No public comment was received. Commissioner Bodie moved approval, stating it is procedural to implement state law. Approved 5-0.

Unified Development Code Housekeeping: Short-Term Rentals in RA District

• Two alternatives were presented:
  • Alternative 1: Grandfather existing type two short-term rentals in RA (62 units) but prohibit new ones.
  • Alternative 2: Allow type two short-term rentals outright in the RA (residential) district as an accessory use.
• Director George explained that the new UDC inadvertently disallowed type two STRs in RA (previously allowed in R2). The Community Development Board recommended Alternative 2, which is easier to administer and expands allowances to areas previously zoned RS and R1. Sixteen public comments were received in April from affected hosts. Staff confirmed that enforcement relies on affidavits of primary residency (70% occupancy), and software tracks bookings. Commissioner Sweeney moved Alternative 2, citing simpler administration and support from homeowners seeking flexibility. Commissioners discussed concerns about enforcement and potential for corporate exploitation, but noted type twos require owner residency, unlike banned type threes. Approved 5-0.

Street Name Change: Thomas Drive to North 27th Avenue

• Petition from city engineering staff to rename Thomas Drive (33 addresses) to North 27th Avenue for continuity with existing North 27th to the north and south, improving emergency response and navigability. A capital project is already under construction to connect the segment. One public comment opposed the change (sentimental value), and one official protest was received. Commissioner Magic moved approval, citing safety benefits. Commissioners acknowledged the burden of address changes on residents. Approved 5-0.

Street Name Change: Graf Street to East Graf Street (east of Tracy Avenue)

• Petition from South Meadows Condominium Association (representing 100 units) to rename the section east of Tracy Avenue to East Graf Street, aligning with common usage and city addressing grid. 160 addresses would be affected. One official protest was received. Staff noted that official plat names are Graf Street, but city records and street signs already use East Graf Street; the change brings consistency. Deputy Mayor Fisher moved approval, noting it reduces confusion for deliveries and emergency services. Approved 5-0.

Work Session: Bozeman Creek Vision Plan – Engagement Summary and Community Priorities

• Presentation by Chris Marks (Port Urbanism) on mid-project progress. The plan aims to address flood mitigation, water quality, ecological health, access, connectivity, economic vitality, and community connection to the creek. Four priority buckets emerged: flood mitigation, downtown creekside parks (Beall Park, Rouse/Seraphimus, City Hall), zoning/policy recommendations (acquisition, setbacks, incentives), and incremental access/connectivity (right-of-ways, bridges). Key questions for commissioners: level of service (100-year flood, 100-year plus climate change, or 500-year), trade-offs between parking, ecological health, and community needs. Commissioner discussion:
  • Commissioner Bodie supported using Mill Ditch as a bypass, was cautious about removing the Bogart Park Hockey Pavilion, supported closing Rouse between Olive and Maine (with access maintained), and supported converting City Hall parking lot to park. He suggested a 100-year-plus flood target and prioritized ecological health over parking.
  • Commissioner Sweeney supported Mill Ditch, wanted to keep the hockey pavilion (possibly relocate), expressed interest in the parking garage concept, and prioritized flood mitigation above all. She favored the 100-year-plus target.
  • Commissioner Magic supported all ideas and urged boldness, recommending removal of the hockey rink, closure of Rouse, and elimination of parking at City Hall. He preferred 100-year-plus (not 500-year) and saw ecological health as synonymous with community health.
  • Deputy Mayor Fisher and Mayor Morrison echoed similar support for bold vision, with Morrison highlighting the generational opportunity and prioritizing flood mitigation and creek health.
  • Comments from the public (Mark Campanelli) urged consideration of 3D models, TIFF funding for flood infrastructure, and ice management.
• Staff will use input to refine recommendations and present final plan in December 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (F1-F22) approved 5-0.
• UDC Parking Amendment provisionally adopted 5-0 (final adoption July 28).
• UDC Short-Term Rental Amendment (Alternative 2) provisionally adopted 5-0 (final adoption July 28).
• Thomas Drive renamed to North 27th Avenue – approved 5-0.
• Graf Street (east of Tracy) renamed to East Graf Street – approved 5-0.
• Appointments:
  • Danica Comey to City-County Board of Health (term ending June 2029) – approved 5-0.
  • Gary Limison (at-large), Alison Breckey and Lisa Weilbacher (professional) to Historic Preservation Advisory Board, with Michael Wiseman as chair and Ashley Harville as vice chair – approved 5-0.
  • Mike Waterman as Bozeman School District 7 representative to Downtown Urban Renewal Board – approved 5-0.
• City Manager confirmed that Cindy Smith’s public records request (July 5) is in progress and staff will reach out to her; Commissioner Bodie requested a status update be communicated.
• Work session direction: Commission generally supports 100-year-plus flood target, prioritizes flood mitigation and ecological health over parking, and encourages bold vision including potential reconfiguration of downtown streets and parks. Staff will continue community engagement in August.