Read on to find the Agenda for next week's Ward 1/8 NPA meeting. The meeting will be held over Zoom, with an in-person venue to satisfy open meeting law, the Sharon Bushor Room at City Hall. The choice of how to participate is yours, but we encourage you to "join" your neighbors from the comfort of your homes.
We will be appointing members to the Ad Hoc Committee on Redistricting at this meeting. The committee will undertake very important work, and your participation, whether by voting or by being on the committee, is crucial. We are including, below the agenda, some info posted a few days ago. You may also want to read Grace Elletson's VTDigger article: https://vtdigger.org/2021/08/30/2020-census-shows-pockets-of-growth-in-burlington-new-counci[...]ed/.
Agendas are always posted here: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/CEDO/Ward-1-NPA-Agendas
Wards 1 & 8 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA) September 8, 2021 7:00-9:00PM
Zoom – please click the link below to join the webinar
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84036123619
Telephone: US: +1 929 205 6099 Webinar ID: 840 3612 3619
In Person – Sharon Bushor Room, Burlington City Hall
7:00PM Announcements, Introductions
7:05PM Speakout
7:15PM Appointment of Ward Representatives to Ad Hoc Committee on Redistricting
- Overview and Expectations – Tom Derenthal
- 'Self-nominations' and nominations
- Nominee introductions and statements with NPA Q&A
- Election
7:45PM Burlington's Capital Plan, November Ballot Items – Martha Keenan, Capital & Special Projects Director, Clerk & Treasurer's Office
8:10PM Addition, COTS Family Shelter at 278 Main Street – Bob Duncan, Duncan Wisniewski Architecture
8:25PM City Council Reports
8:50PM School Commissioner Reports
9:00PM Adjourn
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An Ad Hoc Committee on Redistricting, independent of the City Council and School Board, is being formed in September. The committee will include eight community members, one member from each ward selected by the NPAs.
The primary responsibility of the Committee will be to review districting history and gather community input concerning the current districting plan: are folks happy with it? what if any changes would the community like to see? The committee will solicit opinions about the number of councilors per ward/district, and consider the current and alternative configurations. CEDO and the City Attorney's office will provide staff support. This committee will likely need to meet 4-6 times between September 16th and October 25th, at which time it will provide feedback and recommendations to the City Council.
As part of the committee's work, it will hold (at least) two public forums where community input will be taken, and it is assumed that each committee member will meet with their NPA to solicit thoughts. City Council will then use this community feedback to offer guidance to a mapping specialist identified by the City Council, considering the preferred council/board structure, ward/district representation versus ward-only or district-only configuration, the number of councilors, wards and/or districts, and whether regard to incumbency will be considered. If the Census results show a population deviation of more than 10% in the existing districts or wards, then the mapping specialist will use the Committee's guidance and the Census figures to redraw ward/district lines if necessary, and report at the City Council's last meeting in November with a proposed map or set of maps for consideration.
The Council will try to place a redistricting plan on the March 2022 ballot. The short 'runway' for this effort is an attempt to avoid the long, drawn-out process that took place last time. This committee requires a not insignificant time commitment for a few weeks, but its value to the community is potentially very large. Your neighbors will appreciate your doing this work on their behalf!If you want to learn more about this committee, take a look at the video of the informational session held on August 18, here (https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/CEDO/All-Wards-NPA) or talk with a Steering Committee member.
If you are interested in representing Ward 1 or 8 on this committee, let one of us on the Steering Committee know, or come to the NPA meeting and raise your hand (or be nominated by a fan). And if you are interested, plan to speak at the NPA and explain why you should be on the committee. Here are some things we think you should consider:
• Understand well enough our ward and the issues that concern residents – understand the needs of the community and what our ward may want from its city councilor(s).
• Know how to reach out to people to get representational attendance at a meeting to give input; understand the perspectives of neighborhoods in the ward;
• Have an open mind in considering options for restructuring;
• Have skills of collaboration and leadership/advocacy, coming in with no definitive agenda;
• Make the time commitment for the committee work.
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