Dear Neighbors,
Before I get to my Council meeting preview, I would like to extend to each of you my heartfelt thanks for re-electing me to the City Council. It is an honor to represent this ward in a City that we all love. I am so grateful for your confidence, your support and the trust you have placed in me. I look forward to the next two years and our journey together.
We have two meetings in March which will bring the Council year to an end before we begin anew in April. This coming Monday, the City Council will hold its first of these two meetings.
Following a work session on the Water Resources Rate and Affordability Study which the Council requested to address rising water costs and their impacts on our lower income and most vulnerable, w4 will have a presentation on Net Zero Energy 2030. This includes a progress update as per the Council resolution when we approved the 2030 Roadmap.
Following the work session and this presentation, and two votes on entertainment permits, we have six items on deliberative agenda:
• We will be voting on a resolution to amend our policy on Fair and Impartial Policing. In 2017, the City adopted a formal policy on Fair and Impartial Policing (FIPP). Since that time, Migrant Justice has identified language that leaves residents vulnerable, despite the intent of FIPP. This resolution supports changes to the policy that will protect residents so all are treated fairly and with impartiality, so all residents feel safe and supporting in our community.
• The next item is a resolution regarding the Winooski Avenue Transportation Study. This study has been a process that began in 2017 to enhance the safety of mobility of all modes along this corridor. The Plan, which was approved by a Project Advisory Committee, includes interim improvements in 2020 to include a Parking Management Plan to mitigate the loss of on-street parking, pilots for mini-roundabouts, wayfinding and many other changes to the corridor extending into 2021. There will a loss of on-street parking to accommodate other modes of transportation. This will include the loss of 12 spaces between Main and Maple. As well, from Main to Pearl, the street will go to three lanes to increase safety and accommodate other modes. I would encourage you to read the first few pages of this report or please reach out to me: https://www.ccrpcvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/RSG_Winooski-Avenue_Report_DRAFT_FINAL_20[...]pdf
• 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.
• As I mentioned in my last blue newsletter, we are coming to a turning point in the Shelburne Street roundabout. The Council did a site visit and compensation hearing for the final abutter to the project who was unable to come to a settlement with the State. We will hold the continuation of that hearing Monday evening and vote to close the hearing and direct staff to prepare the draft decision determining compensation for our March 23 meeting. After this, the State will move forward with documents, construction bidding in the fall, and are hoping for a start date in the spring of 2021.
• We will close our deliberative agenda with a first reading on an ordinance on parking plans for rental properties and a second reading on rules of conduct at the Fletcher Free Library.
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 have a wonderful weekend. Please be in touch with your comments, questions and concerns.
My best,
Karen
Dec 16, 2024, 1:15 to 2:15 PM
Community Paddle Park Feedback ForumDec 17, 2024, 5:30 to 6:30 PM
NNE Book Group Meets at BOCA; 6pm; December 19Dec 19, 2024, 6 PM