The InterNeighborhood Council (INC) is a citywide coalition of members of recognized neighborhood associations committed to providing safety, knowledge and guidance for Bozeman's neighborhoods.  It is comprised of delegates from each of Bozeman's seven recognized neighborhoods. 

INC also functions as a support network and advocate for neighborhood issues and fosters a sense of cooperation and understanding between neighborhoods in the City of Bozeman.  INC is a vehicle allowing neighborhoods the chance to exchange ideas, information, and problem-solving techniques.

2008 State of the Neighborhoods Presentation (PowerPoint file, 52 MB)

2008 State of the Neighborhoods Presentation (.pdf file, 15 MB)

 The INC meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the second floor conference room of the Alfred M. Stiff Building, 20 East Olive St.

The next INC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September9, 2008 @ 7pm.

July and August meetings have been cancelled. 

MEETING MINUTES
Inter-Neighborhood Council (INC)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Alfred Stiff Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street
Conference Room, 2nd Floor

Attending:  Dana Huschle (NHVN) facilitator, Bill VandenBos (MarLinN), Paul Schirmer (SCAN), Chris Nixon (NENA), Catherine Byrd (CAN), Bob Wall (SENA) Brit Fontenot, Mary Cloud Ammons, Salal Huber-McGee, Jennifer Smith Mitchell, Gary Gullickson

7:05       Dana called the meeting to order
Motion was made to approve the minutes from the February, March, and April meetings – seconded and passed unanimously
A presentation was made by Salal Huber-McGee on a newly-forming neighborhood association, tentatively called the Tri-Park NA.
The neighborhood lies between SCAN's eastern boundary and the library/Lindley Park/Burke Park, bounded by Main St. on the North.  The southern boundary is still being discussed.
The INC expressed the opinion that it would be beneficial if the neighborhood included houses on the boundaries of SCAN, BCNA, and Burke Park.
We reviewed the requirements for formation:  define boundaries, establish by-laws, schedule an annual meeting, elect officers, decide on means of communication with neighbors.  They must notify neighbors at least seven days prior to first meeting.
The issue moving the formation of the association is the halfway house.
Discussed inclusion of renters in the association – there may be differences in who is allowed to vote.  Current associations have different policies.
Also discussed inclusion of businesses.
Their next steps are to revise their boundaries, send a formal letter requesting recognition to the neighborhood coordinator (Brit), and send notice to INC reps.

7:25     We then decided to re-order our agenda and discuss the halfway house next.
Jennifer Smith-Mitchell provided two copies of a handout / petition that their group had prepared.

Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Gullickson presented background and information about the project from the neighborhood's prospective.
The recovery house is being proposed for 119 S. Church.
The neighborhood has investigated the application, estimated impacts to their neighborhood, and suggested mitigation strategies to Alcohol and Drug Services of Gallatin Valley (ADSGV), who proposed the project.
More information is available at www.119southchurch.com.
The facility has not been licensed with DPHHS – that would mandate 24-hour care.  They are not proposing 24-hour supervision; at night, there will be a video monitoring system.
It was presented as an alcohol addiction recovery house, but the funding sources are restricted to facilities that treat meth addiction.  ADSGV claimed exemption from zoning code for the project.
Per Brit, ADSGV was invited to attend the meeting but had no representative present.
The City Commission will hear the Conditional Use Permit application on June 2.  The application is available on the Web site.
INC's suggested role:
• Review information on Web site
• Communicate to neighborhoods

8:10    Mary Cloud Ammons, the Vice-president of NENA, presented information on the Bozeman Wetlands Preserve

This is a wetland situated near the Village Downtown, south of the Interstate.  Several groups are trying to get the site established as a preserve.
The Audubon Society and others have completed a survey of bird species in the area to establish a baseline.  There are 95 species, with 19 identified as conservation priorities.
The area covers approximately 27 acres - 60 when combined with adjacent parcels that will be maintained by the Village Downtown Homeowners' Association.
There are opportunities to obtain funding based on the conservation and educational opportunities available there.
The supporters have proposed connections to the Main St. to Mountains trail system.

There are a number of endorsements, and the organizers are requesting that INC recognize the project
The land is currently owned by Mike Delaney.  He may attempt to apply for parkland credits if this land is successfully converted to a preserve.
National Audubon Society is not interested in acquiring the land.  GVLT not known to be involved.
May not be suitable for a city park – it is not attractive to the rec. and park board because the area is not an "active" area.
Delaney has suggested possibly developing the land within 5 years if it is not purchased.  He has offered to sell the land at a significant discount from market value.
The city is not obligated to fund the project, but they have voted to support preservation.
INC could vote to endorse the project.
There will be a NENA meeting on Mon., May 19, from 7-9 PM in the large meeting room at the library to discuss this.
We will add an item to the June agenda to discuss this, review the results of the NENA meeting, and vote on whether or not to endorse it.

8:40     Announcements

Next INC leadership training session will be May 17.  Bring copy of association by-laws, newsletter.  Be prepared to discuss methods of communications – press releases, etc.
Catherine will ask Ramona Baden for status of Habitat for Humanity homes in the NENA area.
We will review CAN by-laws at next meeting.

8:45        Motion was made to adjourn.  Seconded and passed unanimously.

Minutes prepared by Mr. Bob Wall (SENA)


Ordinance 1728, the Neighborhood Recognition Ordinance, or NRO, was finally approved by the City Commisson on December 10, 2007.  The ordincnce becomes effective on January 9, 2008.