Hello Neighbors,

We'll begin City Council tonight at 6:00 PM, with the Public Forum starting at 6:15 PM. You can join and sign up to speak in person at City Hall's Contois Auditorium OR you can join virtually here: https://zoom.us/j/99238679091 Webinar ID: 992 3867 9091 and sign up to speak here: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/citycouncil/publicforum. View the full agenda here: https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/event/7001/files/agenda/10617

Here are some highlights from the agenda:

6.2. Lease Agreement for the Community Justice Center (CJC) at Post Apartments
This proposal asks for authorization to relocate the CJC to a new office space in the Post Apartments mixed-use building developed by Champlain Housing Trust (CHT). The current space at 200 Church St. is described by the CJC as being inadequate for their needs. The proposal details the timing of the lease execution, financial considerations, and protections for the City in case of insufficient funding.

6.3. Potential Sale of 200 Church Street
At our initial working council meeting on April 15th, we delved into the potential sale of the city-owned property situated at 200 Church Street. Acquired in 2005 with the intention of housing Burlington Telecom's (BT) Network Operations Center, the building currently accommodates both the Community Justice Center and the Human Resources Department. Members of our Progressive caucus expressed discomfort at the prospect of transferring public property to a private company and asked that alternatives such as leveraging federal grants or climate-focused funds for upgrading municipal buildings be explored. Part of the discomfort stems from a belief that holding onto the property could yield significant appreciation over time, particularly considering the substantial ongoing and proposed investments in the downtown area, notably at City Place and the 'Memorial block'. We are looking for an update on the federal grant potential, the status of finding new offices for the HR department, and the potential for negotiating a long-term ground lease/building-only sale instead of a full sale of the land and building before we vote on whether or not to approve a sale. Right now, the proposal is to sell the property (building and land) for $1,571,575.

6.4. BED Heat Pump Bill Credit Program and Commercial Demand Response Program - BED
The Burlington Electric Department (BED) is requesting City Council approval for a program aimed at reducing energy consumption during peak demand times of the year and reducing the cost of operating heat pumps and other electric heating technologies. This includes heat pumps and other electric heating technologies among residential and commercial customers. The proposed pilot program includes an 18-month trial period.

6.6. Resolution Relating to The Relationship Between City Officials and The Neighborhood Planning Assemblies City of Burlington - passed by the Ward 1 NPA at their March 2024 meeting (15 mins
The resolution requests a formal process for how officials consult NPAs on issues that affect them. There is an acknowledgment of instances where City Council resolutions are discussed and voted on before NPAs have a chance to weigh in, which may be reducing turnout at NPA meetings. This resolution asks to further the engagement efforts of NPAs from councilors and the city, and will likely be referred to the Community Development and Neighborhood Revitalization Committee (CDNR) for further consideration before being brought back to the full council at a later date.

6.7. Resolution: Negotiations Between The Vermont Federation Of Nurses And Health Professionals And The University Of Vermont Medical Center. This is a resolution supporting the nurses and their union in their contract negotiations with the Medical Center. It calls for an increase in compensation for UVM nurses, who are paid far less than nurses working at other academic hospitals in areas with a similar cost of living. A representative from the union will be present at the meeting to answer councilor questions.

6.8 Neighborhood Code Update (moved from the Consent Agenda)

Hope to see you there. Town Meeting TV has it covered: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeyImuNMua8. Please keep in mind that the Town Meeting TV YouTube page is also a great place to catch up on the Board of Finance, NPA, and other important meetings.

- Joe, Gene, Melo, Marek, & Carter

May 25, 2024, 9 AM to 2 PM

May 25, 10 AM to 5 PM, May 26, 2024

May 26, 2024, 8:45 AM to 4 PM