Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bozeman public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
12 issues in parks rec with medium priority
2026 Park Land Trust Community Grant Cycle
About $200,000 in cash-in-lieu parkland money will fund community park projects in the 2026-27 grant cycle. The board wants tighter criteria focused on lasting investments rather than one-year operations, and a report-back requirement for grantees.
Proposed West Side library branch
The Library Foundation announced it's buying a west side parcel and plans to build a $25–30 million branch library entirely with private donations, then gift it to the city — asking only for an operating levy, likely in 2029.
Snowfill/Bikefill Recreational Use Designation
City code doesn't clearly define shared use paths or keep up with the explosion of e-bikes and e-motos. Staff are working on definitions, where devices belong, and how to enforce rules, with changes possible by spring.
Bozeman Public Library children's room renovation
The library got a big boost: a $609,250 donation from its Friends and Foundation, paired with a construction agreement with Martel Construction to renovate the children's room.
Willson School inclusive ADA-accessible playground
The URD issued an RFP for an ADA-compliant park at Wilson School and received three proposals, including one from Cushing Terrell. Staley will review them with school board representatives.
LA28 Olympic Torch Relay
Bozeman was invited to host a leg of the 2028 Olympic Torch Relay. Commissioners approved the first-step agreement but pressed on costs — police, street closures, staff time — and got assurances of off-ramps and budget transparency. One commenter asked what residents actually get out of it.
NENA Boulevard Beautification Grant
The Northeast Neighborhood Association wants to landscape three boulevards at Cottonwood and Wallace, using donated labor and materials with a city reimbursement of up to $10,000 for the rest. Local businesses committed to ongoing watering and weeding.
Northern Pacific (Depot) Park Reconstruction
A resident flagged that the park at Ida and Aspen is being rebuilt mostly as concrete due to nearby development, replacing grass and mature trees. Mitch Overton explained the final design is a plaza-style park with five red oaks replacing three removed trees, and staff agreed to improve public communication.
Sunset Hills Cemetery operations
The cemetery has 73 acres in use with roughly 55 more developable, does about 145 burials a year, and remains city-subsidized. The Southwest Montana Veterans Cemetery section is growing, and a perpetual care fund is set aside for long-term maintenance.
Disability liaison position
Advocates urged the commission to fund the $6,000 part-time disability liaison position, citing completed projects like Lindley Park trails and the downtown accessibility map, and warning that without a liaison accessibility work stalls.
Splash pad opening and parks department updates
Parks and trails assessments are proposed to rise 15% a year to fund capital projects like playground, skate park, trail, and pickleball improvements — and commissioners got word the Bogert/Farm splash pad is days from opening, with a ribbon cutting planned June 17.
I-Ho Peace Park Construction
Change orders for the Black Avenue Traffic Circles Project and the I-Ho Pomeroy Peace Park construction were on the consent agenda.