Neighbors,
Happy new year. Wishing a safe and post-pandemic 2021 to all.
The City Council is scheduled to meet on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be entirely remote and can be accessed via zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82809940030, or by phone at (312) 626-6799, Webinar ID: 828 0994 0030, or on BT Channel 317 or finally via CCTV link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLljLFn4BZd2PwCge7lNoKug676jIf_iUA.
Anyone interested in speaking may sign up for public forum which begins at 7:30pm at: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/citycouncil/publicforum.
The deliberative agenda includes four items. A first reading on a proposed ordinance change that would require all construction contractors who have agreements/contracts with the City, work in the City for a government-funded project or subcontractors to be a "responsible employer". The changes would add criteria to the responsible employer definition regarding wages paid and benefits extended as well as certifications so the City knows employees are being fairly provided.
Second, we will take up an advisory ballot item regarding climate justice in building carbonization. This is in response to the thermal energy charter change that the Council passed in December that will go on the ballot on town meeting day. There has been some confusion that the thermal charter change will mean additional costs for fighting climate change will fall most heavily on those least able to absorb such costs. The proposed charter change on thermal regulations would create an opportunity for the City to create ordinances, regulations, programs and policies that build a just and fair transition into the climate change work to decarbonize our residential and commercial building thermal systems. Support from the voters will be important in making sure that the Council and Administration continue to create climate change policies that foster a just transition to a clean energy economy.
Third, we will be voting on at least one resolution regarding Act 164, which provides for the operation of legal retail sales of cannabis. Act 164 provided an opt in, which means that before a cannabis retailer or integrated licensee (person licensed to be a cannabis cultivator, wholesaler, product manufacturer, retailer, and testing laboratory) may operate within a municipality, a majority of the voters present and voting must affirmatively permit their operation. Due in part to some confusion as to the wording of the ballot item to allow for retail sales, there are currently two resolutions on our agenda to address this issue. The sponsors of the two competing resolutions were speaking over the weekend to attempt to find consensus.
Our final agenda items relates to the Mayor's veto of the Police Control Board Charter Change the Council voted to place on the ballot last December. The Mayor has requested that the sponsors of the charter change work with him to collaborate on a charter change that addresses concerns he has made known to the councilors. Should that not be possible, the Mayor has indicated he will veto the resolution that contains the charter change. The Mayor's letter can be found at: https://go.boarddocs.com/vt/burlingtonvt/Board.nsf/files/BWTUGL7C01E6/$file/12-31-20%20Polic[...]pdf
The Police Control Board Charter Change can be found at: https://go.boarddocs.com/vt/burlingtonvt/Board.nsf/files/BW4KQ251FA17/$file/Charter%20Change[...]pdf
https://go.boarddocs.com/vt/burlingtonvt/Board.nsf/Public
Finally, in case you missed it, the City Council and Administration took a big step toward securing funding for the railyard enterprise project at our meeting in December. An article explaining the project and steps can be found at the Burlington Free Press at:
https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2020/12/31/fix-downtown-traffic-jams-burlingt[...]01/.
Thank you,
Chip Mason
Oct 26, 2024, 9:30 to 11 AM
Vermont Symphonic Winds ConcertOct 26, 2024, 7 to 8:15 PM
October Clothing Drive - North End Food PantryOct 27, 2024, 9 to 11 AM