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Bozeman Commission approves geotechnical contract for Fowler housing site after public questions
Summary
The City Commission voted unanimously to authorize a professional services agreement for geotechnical and environmental testing at the Fowler housing site, after staff answered questions about funding, test‑pit placement and timing; final geotech results are expected in February.
The Bozeman City Commission voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to sign a professional services agreement for geotechnical and environmental services for the Fowler Housing Project, a step staff said is needed to gather site‑specific data before any development decisions.
Director Bruce Fontenot told the commission the work will include test pits and monitoring wells that establish baseline high‑ and low‑groundwater levels "in a low flow period," which staff said is why the work is timed for fall and winter. Fontenot said the results will inform stormwater design and foundation recommendations and will remain useful even if the site’s ultimate use changes. He said a final geotechnical report is expected in late February.
Members of the public raised procedural and funding concerns during the discussion. Heather Higgs of the Harvest Creek Homeowners Association pointed to a 2016 memorandum of agreement tied to the sale of the land that included preservation of trees, open space and an irrigation ditch. Several residents asked whether showing a concept site plan with the PSA packet implied decisions had already been made. Fontenot apologized for using an outdated rendering in the packet and said the test pit locations were selected as generalized, standard locations to establish a complete site baseline regardless of later design choices.
City Manager Winn and finance staff also addressed a question about the use of street impact fee funds. Winn said the original purchase involved a transfer from the general fund with a budgeted repayment to the street impact fee fund; finance staff said they will include the appropriate interest payment in the budget transfer so the impact fee fund is made whole.
Commissioners emphasized the PSA is due diligence, not project approval. Commissioner Madrigg, who moved the motion, said the agreement will "provide some responsible data gathering that anyone would really do on a parcel of this size." The motion passed 5–0 (Deputy Mayor Morrison, Commissioners Fisher, Bodie, Madrigg and Mayor Cunningham voting aye).
Next steps described by staff include drilling, monitoring and preparing the final geotechnical report in February; the commission also directed staff to continue the broader consensus process on project design, zoning and possible annexation, with community outreach to follow.
