Dear Neighbors,
This coming Monday, the City Council will hold its first of two meetings in the month of August. We will begin our meeting at 7pm following a brief Local Control Commission meeting when we will be voting on two liquor licenses and outdoor consumption permits for five downtown establishments.
Following an annual report from the Parks and Recreation commission, several commission appointments and an indoor entertainment permit, we have five remaining items on our deliberative agenda:
• A presentation on the City's reappraisal project that is required by law and one the City has been planning for over the past few years. The goal of the City's reappraisal project is to implement new values for all properties to reflect 100% of the fair market value (defined as the "most probable selling price of a property as of a specific date) as of April 1, 2021 using best professional practices. Data collection will take place from July 2019 to February 2020 with data analysis from September 2019 to June 2020. There will be a valuation review and informal meetings in January 2021.
• A resolution authorizing the City to enter into a contract with Urban Offsets and for the creation of a reserve fund for revenue generated by the sale of carbon offsets to support the City's tree and conservation programming. City trees provide an offset to carbon emissions among other benefits. Planting new trees is a strategic action in fighting climate change. Parks and Rec looked into counting these new trees as carbon offsets and for the City to be compensated for these so as to offset our planting costs and upkeep. Urban Offsets proposes a total value to the City of $135,000 over two years in recognition of the 700 street trees and 2000 seedlings the City would plant over a two-year period as part of a broader offset package. While this program is new, it may help us in getting closer to our goal of being a carbon neutral city.
• A resolution opposing the basing of any nuclear weapon delivery system on the Vermont Air National Guard base at the Burlington Airport. The resolution expresses strong opposition to the basing of such a delivery system and requests that the Mayor, Governor and our Congressional delegation inform the Secretary of Defense of our strong opposition of the same.
• A proposed change to our ordinance regarding rules of conduct at the Fletcher Free Library.
• A resolution regarding an amendment to the rules and regulations of the City Council.
Please keep in mind that you are always welcome to come to a Council meeting and speak on any topic you wish during public forum. This begins at a time certain of 7:30pm at every Council meeting. You may access the Council agenda at http://www.boarddocs.com/vt/burlingtonvt/Board.nsf/Public Please note that all Council meetings are televised live on BT Channel 317 and streamed live to your computer or phone. Please go to youtube and type in "Burlington City Council meetings" and the live stream will come up.
As always, I welcome your questions and concerns. I hope you are enjoying these wonderful summer days.
My best,
Karen
Oct 27, 2024, 7 to 9 PM
Play Pickup Dodgeball!Oct 28, 2024, 7 to 8:15 PM
Singles Mixer at CopperNov 1, 2024, 12 to 10 PM