September 9th, 2024

Dear Neighbors,

The City Council's next meeting is tonight, Monday, September 9th, at 6:30 pm.
Public Forum begins at 6:30 pm.

As always, you are welcome to attend in person or virtually on zoom: https://zoom.us/j/97026676849

If you'd like to speak during Public Forum in person, sign up at the meeting.
If you'd like to speak during Public Forum on zoom, be sure to sign up using this link at least 1 hour in advance: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/citycouncil/publicforum

Here are some key items on our agenda.

4 PUBLIC SAFETY RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL DEMOCRATS:

→ RESOLUTION PROTECTING BURLINGTON FROM GUN VIOLENCE
The City Council seeks to further collaborate and partner with the Vermont General Assembly on gun reform measures. We request that the Vermont General Assembly either enact Burlington's 2014 ballot measure on banning guns in establishments with a liquor license or adopt a similar statewide initiative in the 2025 legislative session, including by taking any necessary steps to end the preemption of this sensible gun violence prevention policy at the local level. A number of other changes are suggested and an acknowledgment of the benefits that will arise from the General Assembly creating three new judicial vacancies to work through the existing criminal docket backlog.

→ RESOLUTION ON IMPROVING RECRUITMENT FOR EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDERS AND REEXAMINING THE CAP ON THE NUMBER OF SWORN POLICE OFFICERS AND BURLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
This resolution is designed to improve officer recruitment for the Burlington Police Department. It includes a comprehensive review of department staffing and of any barriers related to hiring and recruiting. It also lifts the current officer cap, which leadership and officers in the police department have identified as a barrier to recruitment.

→ RESOLUTION RELATING TO THEE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DOWNTOWN PUBLIC SAFETY HUB
Councilors are proposing the establishment of a safety hub / kiosk located on (or very close to) Church Street Marketplace, that will be visible and accessible for all. Having a safety kiosk location in Downtown Burlington Could would be a beneficial resource for all Burlingtonians, and an important step for acting on current public safety concerns.

→ RESOLUTION TO FIND AN IMPROVED LOCATION FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT DUE TO CURRENT CONDITIONS
By either finding a new location or renovating the current station, our police department can respond to our city's needs more efficiently, promptly, and with the right resources. The condition of the station has also been identified as a hurdle to recruitment. This resolution calls for the formation of a small committee to investigate and evaluate short-term and long-term costs and solutions to address the needs of the department.

→ OTHER RESOLUTIONS INCLUDE:
• Formalization of the Burlington Advisory Committee on Accessibility
• Creation of the NPA Public Engagement Specialist Position
• Two RFPs related to McNeil and Forestry - BED

A FEW SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS ON THE AGENDA:

→ CONGRATULATING THE BURLINGTON AMERICAN 10–12-YEAR-OLD LITTLE LEAGUE ALLSTARS ON VERMONT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
On July 27th 2024, the Burlington American 10-12 year old Little League All-Stars won the Vermont State Champion against Essex Town 9-7, an historic achievement!

→ HONORING THE SERVICE OF REPRESENTATIVE CURT MCCORMACK

→ RESOLUTION CELEBRATING NATIONAL EMPLOY OLDER WORKERS WEEK
This resolution recognizes the contributions of older workers and celebrates National Employ Older Workers Week.

To see the full agenda, click the link here: https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/event/7008/files/agenda/11745.

As always, feedback and questions are welcome.

Thank you and best regards,

Sarah Carpenter
Ward 4 City Councilor
scarpenter@burlingtonvt.gov

Event Info

Sep 21, 2024

Sep 21, 2024, 3 to 9 PM

Sep 24, 2024, 5 to 7 PM