Residents press commission for neighborhood councils and more participatory public comment

Public comment at the start of the meeting focused on neighborhood councils and public participation. A speaker representing the Greeley Neighborhood Community Development Corporation and citing a survey urged the commission to implement regular neighborhood listening sessions and officially recognized neighborhood community improvement councils. The speaker said only "21% of respondents" felt commissioners effectively represent constituents and asserted that "79% of the people of Butte Silver Bow" are at least partially dissatisfied with the current system.

Chairwoman Randall acknowledged the email and said the commission is still gathering information and that she intends for future hearings to include more focused public comment on individual ballot issues. "We are not making decisions," she said, adding that the commission will hold additional interactive listening sessions before a formal public hearing and that the public will have an opportunity to speak on specific ballot items.

Another resident, Dan Strzick, said he had raised Superfund recommendations previously and encouraged the commission to move the Superfund issue forward for public consideration. Commissioners noted the neighborhood council working group has material ready to circulate and will consult other city charters for examples.