Dear Ward 6 neighbors,

I hope you are looking forward to a great weekend. On Sunday, we 'spring' forward and the sun will be high in the sky after 6pm. Indeed, longer days are on the way!

On Monday, we have another packed agenda for our Council meeting.

We will begin our evening with an exciting presentation on the city's plans for the SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024! We are 30 days away from this once in a lifetime event. The city has a weekend filled with many events that are sure to interest our community and the many visitors we expect to Burlington. Hotel rooms and short-term rentals have been sold out for over a year as we are set to welcome tens of thousands to the Queen City. Please join us for this presentation if you are able. Many city employees have been working very hard on all the programs and events for the ECLIPSE weekend.

We will also have a presentation on the 2023 evaluation of the Shelburne Street Roundabout. We have good news to report on the roundabout. It has been a safer addition to our neighborhood and city.

We have a busy deliberative agenda:

Our first item is the CHURCH STREET MARKETPLACE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT. We will have the chair of the Commission along with other members to report on their activities over the past year and a look forward to the coming year.

Our next two items are two agreements, one is a redevelopment agreement and the other is a pre-development agreement, for two important and exciting projects in Burlington.

First, we have a resolution in support of the REDEVELOPMENT OF THE MEMORIAL BLOCK THROUGH FURTHER DUE DILIGENCE OF A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. The second is in support of the PREDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR SOUTH END COORDINATED REDEVELOPMENT. These are two transformational initial development agreements that will hopefully set in motion the construction of more housing and mixed use development in both the downtown core and South End of Burlington.

Our next agenda item is a resolution is regarding UPDATING INCLUSIONARY ZONING PAYMENT IN LIEU. This would increase the payment in lieu for inclusionary units, meaning if the units are not built.

We are voting on a FY2024 PROJECT BUDGET AMENDMENT AND CONSULTANT CONTRACT AMENDMENT FOR THE CHAMPLAIN PARKWAY. This item will increase the budget for the Parkway by $735,000 and includes 3 contract amendments for engineering design services, construction inspection and public engagement, as well as project management services. These are considered normal amendments as the project evolves.

Our last two items are regarding grants to our Water Resources Division. One is the acceptance of a $760,000 ARPA grant from the State and the second is the acceptance of an APRA grant for $3.3 million for sewer overflow abatement.

I encourage you to review these and other agenda items at: https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com

PUBLIC FORUM WILL BEGIN AT 7:30. You can sign up for public forum via https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/citycouncil/publicforum or in person.

As always, I welcome your questions, concerns, and comments, so please be in touch. Your voice matters and I am grateful for your input.

My best,
Karen

Apr 29, 2024, 6:30 to 8 PM

May 3, 2024, 6 to 9 PM

May 4, 2024, 9 AM to 1 PM