Aug 2020 - Meeting Request Addressing Retaliation

This meeting request addresses one of BDC's greatest concerns--retaliation. Mr. Matsen has acknowledged our concern and offered a potential solution to that concern, in order to futher a productive meeting.

We thank Marty for his gracious and thoughtful letter.

BDC

Jerry,

Thanks for the call this morning. I look forward meeting with your group in the near future. I am wondering if you could forward the following note to the group in advance of our meeting?

Dear Bozeman Development Consortium Members,

Mr. Pape has agreed to arrange a web-based meeting that will give me the opportunity to update you on some of the changes/improvements we are making in the Community Development Department. This meeting will also give you the chance to let me know of your thoughts and concerns with current City processes and regulations. I hope you can all attend and that you will come with open minds and thoughtful ideas regarding how we can work together toward positive change for the future.

While I am open to, and will value, any criticism and examples of failings on the City’s part, I believe it will be most productive to focus on ideas regarding how we can do things better. I have been told that there is some concern regarding possible retaliation or ‘black listing’ should you attach your name to a certain idea or critique. I want to give you my word that any such action on the part of my staff will not be tolerated and I expect you to let me know of any treatment you feel is retaliatory or punitive. For this meeting I will be the only City staff attending, I will not be attaching names to any comments or discussion and I will not be relating anything but general themes to staff or others following the meeting.

Open and informal communication opportunities such as this one are important to me. With this said, I believe they can be most beneficial, to all sides, if folks are willing to speak up and relay their concerns, ideas and experience. I am looking forward to such dialog.

Best Regards, Marty Matsen