Dear Neighbors,

This coming Tuesday (NOTE: Change of Day due to President's Day), the City Council will hold its second of two meetings in the month of February.

We will be holding a Local Control Commission meeting, a Board of Abatement of Taxes and a Board of Civil Authority meetings. All three are fairly procedural with most items on a consent agenda.

Following votes on a few entertainment permits, we have six items on deliberative agenda:

• We will hear a report by the Special Committee to Review Community Policing Practices. The report includes specific recommendations with regard to Use of Force, community oversight structures, other policy suggestions and future steps.

• We will hold a second public hearing on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and then vote on the ordinance change. I posted about this a few weeks ago. If you have questions, please reach out to me.

• The Council will be debating and voting on whether the City should use some of the proceeds from the sale of Burlington Telecom to purchase an interest in the new BT owned by Champlain Broadband. According to our Asset Purchase Agreement, we have the right to use all or any portion of our proceeds. A purchase of $2.4 million or 7.5% of the new BT would entitle the City to one seat (out of 7) on the Management Board of BT. There are a number of documents available online discussing this investment. I would be very interested in hearing from you on this issue over the weekend and on Tuesday.

• Following an update in Executive Session on the Moran FRAME project, we will be voting on whether to continue with a new more incremental approach to the project. The phase we would approve would demolish a portion of the existing building, activate and stabilize this derelict site, improve public access and create a unique gathering space on the waterfront. Additional funding, on top of what we have in TIF funds is necessary. This money will come from the original owner of the site, Burlington Electric, who will fund the gap in such a way as to not increase rates to ratepayers.

• We will hear an update on our progress with the Net Zero Energy 2030 roadmap. As per the resolution the Council passed a few months ago, in order to address our climate emergency, we requested quarterly updates on the progress the City is making to achieving our roadmap milestones and goal of Net Zero Energy by 2030.

You are always welcome to come to a Council meeting and speak on any topic you wish during public forum which begins at 7:30pm. You may access the Council agenda at http://www.boarddocs.com/vt/burlingtonvt/Board.nsf/Public All Council meetings are televised live on BT Channel 317 and can be streamed to your computer or phone via youtube.

I hope you enjoy a wonderful President's Day weekend. Please be in touch with your comments, questions and concerns.

My best,
Karen

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