Government
**The Bozeman Brief – Mark Egge**

Your shortcut to Bozeman city government — AI-powered recaps of every commission and advisory board meeting. The easiest way to keep up with what’s happening in Bozeman city government.

Latest Episodes:

Transportation Board — February 25, 2026 Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

Transportation Board — February 25, 2026

The Bozeman Transportation Board met on February 25th without a quorum, but Director Nick Ross delivered substantial updates on major upcoming projects including street maintenance, the North 27th Avenue project, and the new neighborhood traffic calming program. Commissioner Jenn Madgic was introduced as the board's new commission liaison, and the board got a preview of the Transportation Master Plan process coming in March.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:58 – No Quorum Explained
00:01:35 – Safety Plan & North 27th Project
00:02:37 – Street Maintenance & Paving Plans
00:03:45 – Traffic Calming Contracting Strategy
00:04:15 – Traffic Calming Program Uptake
00:05:28 – Bicycle Boulevard & College Avenue
00:06:39 – New Commission Liaison Introduced
00:07:39 – Transportation Master Plan Ahead

City Commission — February 24, 2026 Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

City Commission — February 24, 2026

The Bozeman City Commission holds a nearly five-hour hearing on a controversial commercial development in the Sundance Springs neighborhood. After extensive debate over PUD documents, zoning code interpretation, and design standards, commissioners close the record and continue deliberations to March 24th. Also covered: commissioner updates on design guidelines and TIF boards, plus a sobering presentation from the Police Department's Special Victims Unit.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:43 – Commissioner Updates & FYIs
00:01:58 – Police Special Victims Unit
00:03:01 – Sundance Springs Appeal Overview
00:04:16 – Master Plan & Binding Documents
00:05:50 – Code Versions & PUD Constraints
00:06:53 – Block Frontage & Lighting Issues
00:07:48 – Public Comment & Concerns
00:08:31 – Decision to Defer & Next Steps

Community Development Board — February 23, 2026 Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

Community Development Board — February 23, 2026

The Bozeman Community Development Board receives comprehensive training on how they'll evaluate zone map amendments and hear appeals under Montana's new land use law, MLUPA. City planner Chris Saunders and city attorney Greg Sullivan walk the board through the procedural changes, decision standards, and the critical importance of public engagement and robust written findings.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:32 – Agenda & Housekeeping
00:01:15 – MLUPA & New Framework
00:01:57 – Zone Map Amendments Explained
00:03:31 – Substantial Compliance Standard
00:04:30 – Public Comment & Findings
00:05:11 – Appeals as Judicial Review
00:06:03 – Ex Parte & Judicial Mindset
00:06:22 – Appeal Standards & De Novo Review
00:07:46 – Key Takeaways

Tax Increment Finance Advisory Board — February 19, 2026 Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Tax Increment Finance Advisory Board — February 19, 2026

The Tax Increment Finance Advisory Board meets for the first time to review their inaugural TIF assistance request from Light Conversion USA, a growing photonics company. The board also discusses proposed budgets for the Midtown and Northeast urban renewal districts, shaped by neighborhood input and ongoing concerns about conflicts of interest.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:45 – Conflicts of Interest Concerns
00:01:52 – Light Conversion USA TIF Request
00:03:02 – Board Questions and Analysis
00:04:08 – Midtown District Budget Highlights
00:05:18 – Public Engagement and Timeline
00:05:36 – Northeast District Projects
00:06:57 – Bozeman Yards and Quiet Zone
00:08:00 – Next Steps and Recap

Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board — February 18, 2026 Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board — February 18, 2026

The Historic Preservation Advisory Board heard passionate public testimony about tall buildings, developer pressure, and enforcement of historic preservation rules, then welcomed the Lakota Group consulting firm to present their approach to updating Bozeman's neighborhood design guidelines. The board voted to adopt a community engagement plan with amendments prioritizing walking tours and surveys.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:54 – Public Comment: Development Concerns
00:01:56 – Are Guidelines Enforceable or Optional?
00:03:40 – Meet the Lakota Group Consultants
00:04:31 – Preservation and Economic Growth
00:05:23 – Advisory Board Power and Authority
00:06:03 – Community Engagement Plan Vote
00:07:32 – Height Limits and Next Steps

Bozeman City Study Commission — February 18, 2026 Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Study Commission — February 18, 2026

The Bozeman Study Commission revised its timeline for putting charter amendments on the November ballot, approved hiring a ballot education firm, and decisively rejected special elections as a method for filling city commissioner vacancies. County elections officials explained the legal and logistical barriers, while commissioners debated whether the current appointment process adequately serves the public.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:26 – Revised Charter Timeline
00:01:23 – Ballot Language vs. Charter Text
00:02:27 – Hiring a Ballot Education Firm
00:03:50 – Can Montana Allow Special Elections?
00:04:36 – Election Office Logistics
00:05:17 – Option A: Improved Appointments
00:06:00 – Incumbency and Representation
00:06:52 – Public Comment and Next Steps

Bozeman Downtown Business Improvement District Board — February 18, 2026 Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Bozeman Downtown Business Improvement District Board — February 18, 2026

The Bozeman BID Board discusses a proposed 5% budget increase for fiscal year 2027 while grappling with bigger strategic questions about the district's future as the Tax Increment Financing sunsets in seven years. Updates include holiday light repairs, flower basket solutions, and significant progress on Bozeman Creek, downtown parking, and the federal building site.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:42 – Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Proposal
00:01:57 – New Line Items and Safety Programs
00:03:19 – Strategic Vision Beyond the Budget
00:04:23 – TIF Sunset and Long-Term Planning
00:05:11 – Holiday Spiders and Flower Baskets
00:06:37 – Major Project Updates
00:07:19 – Downtown Parking and Federal Building
00:08:14 – Next Steps and Closing

GVMPO Transportation Technical Advisory Committee — February 11, 2026 Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Gallatin Valley Mpo Ttac Meeting Minutes — February 11, 2026

The Gallatin Valley MPO Technical Advisory Committee unanimously recommended the vision, goals, and objectives for the region's Long Range Transportation Plan. But first, there was an interesting debate about Vision Zero safety language—is it realistic to promise zero traffic deaths? Plus, an announcement about next month's in-person meeting in Belgrade.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:49 – What is the MPO?
00:01:50 – Document Revision Process
00:02:16 – Key Changes to Plan
00:02:55 – Vision Zero Safety Debate
00:04:00 – Alternative Language Proposal
00:05:14 – Land Use and Transportation
00:06:35 – March Belgrade Meeting Announcement
00:07:07 – Wrapping Up and Next Steps

City Commission — February 10, 2026 Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

City Commission — February 10, 2026

The Bozeman City Commission delivers a clean financial audit, approves a small annexation near Bridger Creek Golf Course, and appoints a new member to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board. Deputy Mayor Fischer uses the annual report as a forward-looking tool for city growth, while commissioners debate the timing of discussions on B-3 zone height limits.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:27 – Meeting Agenda Overview
00:00:51 – FYIs and Disclosures
00:01:55 – Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
00:02:48 – City's Financial Position
00:03:52 – Program Revenues and Growth Trends
00:05:02 – Deputy Mayor's Forward-Looking Vision
00:05:40 – Annexation and Zoning Amendment
00:06:51 – B-3 Height Limits Discussion
00:07:57 – Closing Items and Next Meeting

City Commission — February 3, 2026 Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

City Commission — February 3, 2026

The Bozeman City Commission meeting from February 3rd, 2026 focuses on planning for the city's western growth. The commission unanimously approved the Gooch Hill Sub Area Plan, a major step in proactive planning before development happens. Plus, the mayor announces a new city podcast, and Bozeman's first splash pad is coming to Story Mill Park this spring.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:59 – Mayor's Podcast Launch
00:01:43 – Traffic Calming & Police Academy
00:02:15 – Consent Agenda: Splash Pad
00:02:46 – Public Comment: B3 Zoning Height
00:03:32 – Gooch Hill Sub Area Plan Overview
00:05:22 – Environmental & Planning Approach
00:06:49 – Growth & Inter-City Planning
00:07:21 – Community Engagement Timeline
00:07:43 – Key Takeaways & Next Steps