I had the chance to have a conversation with City Council Member Patrick Bageant and find out more about him and about the upcoming Climate Action Plan that the city has been working on. Bageant owns his own law firm, Hollystone Law, is on the board of three nonprofits and still manages to find some time to do pro bono work. In fact he was awarded Washington state’s pro bono award in 2016. A principle that he continues to apply to his legal work today.

Patrick was born here in Idaho and was raised mostly off the grid. He spent four years as an EMT and five years as a fire fighter and helicopter rappeller with the United States Forest Service before attending the University of Idaho where he obtained a degree in both Philosophy and Writing. From there Bageant attended law school at the University of California in Berkeley.

Today Patrick serves on the board of the Idaho Conservation League, on the board of the Conservation Voters for Idaho and the board of the North American Hunting Dogs Association. As for his law firm, Bageant describes his work as mostly federal litigation working on finance, contracts, loans, patents and trademarks.  

He also is passionate about climate and conservation issues and is concerned about what could be referred to as extremists on both sides of the political system and this sense of divisiveness. Another area of concern is the difference between wages and cost of living in Boise.  “As we look at what we can do for housing… continuing to face that issue head on and do whatever we can is also a very high priority for me,” says Bageant.

He feels strongly about zoning issues noting that Boise’s current zoning system is from 1960 and he is hoping that during his time as a city council member that he will be able to make some progress in this area. “The best use of land is the most efficient use of land,” says Bageant. “Both from a climate and environmental perspective but also from an economic one. There are things we can be doing to be using the land inside our city more efficiently.”

When asked if his background has helped prepare him in his role as a city council member he acknowledges that it can benefit him with this type of work, especially having experience making a budget. He also says that the experience he has isn’t necessary to be a city council member and that one of the council’s strengths is the variety of backgrounds of the council members.

As far as plans for the future, “This year I am excited and hopeful and committed to doing whatever I can to get our community past the pandemic.” Patrick wants to be careful when setting goals because when people made plans at the beginning of 2020 there was no way anyone would have predicted how this last year would be.

“Being a good colleague (and) a good representative of the people in Boise” is important to Bageant as well as making  sure that he doesn’t forget to live a good life. He has a great love and appreciation for the outdoors and wants to make sure to continue to take time to enjoy it.  “I like to enjoy the space that I live in and that is a priority that I will be trying to hit for the rest of my life.”

In regards to the Climate Action Plan the mayor has assembled a task force from multiple agencies to bring different perspectives and different solutions. This group has finished the first draft of the Climate Action Plan and now it is being reviewed by the mayor before it will be brought to the City Council and to the general public for input.

Throughout the process of developing the first draft of the Climate Action Plan, Patrick has been reminded what a talented group of people that he works with, particularly the people at the Public Works Department. “Climate is not an issue for our city staff that they show up to work and do for their job. It’s an issue they really care about and think about in their off time and are really into because they are passionate about it.”

According to Bageant the most challenging part in drafting a plan like this is finding the balance between what needs to be done to protect our environment and city and planet and finding what is feasible and realistic. Something that can really be implemented, while at the same time doing all of this as quickly as possible. He points out that implementation is the difference between a plan and a political statement. One way that this can be achieved is by aligning the plan with the Boise city budget. This would create accountability to get the plan executed.

Alternatively, what simplified this job for the Climate Action Team is that the people of Boise value conservation efforts and sustainability. “Everything is easier when what you’re doing reflects the values of your community and Boise does care big picture about climate and more local picture about the quality of life here. “