Dear neighbors,

The City Council meets this Monday, October 28th, at 6:00 pm. Public Forum begins at 6:20 pm.

As always, you are welcome to attend in person or virtually on zoom: https://zoom.us/j/94046233355 .

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.

→ WORK SESSION ON OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY STUDY
This session is the first step in our collaborative effort to address the anticipated large budget gap next year with efforts to modernize and make city government more efficient. We look forward to hearing about which areas the Mayor's administration is prioritizing. We need to ensure any changes to the structure of city government that lead to the savings continue to reflect Burlington's values. This will be difficult, and we have a lot of work to do.

→ LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES WORK SESSION
The Mayor has laid out a first draft of Burlington's asks to our legislative delegation. I encourage you to look at this document on Civic Clerk and share your feedback with me. This work session is a chance to make additions and prioritize. I will be advocating strongly for a robust statewide plan and increased resources to share Burlington's burden in supporting the region's crisis for the unhoused and those needing treatment for mental health and substance use disorders; increased state resources and efficiency in our judicial system aimed to reduce backlog, provide quicker accountability, and stronger thresholds for conditions of release to keep our community safer.

→ PUBLIC INFORMATION HEARING: NOVEMBER 5TH SPECIAL CITY ELECTION PUBLIC BALLOT QUESTION
There will be a public hearing on two ballot questions: issuance of revenue bonds for BED and a charter change on police oversight. This is a great opportunity to learn about these issues.

→ PUBLIC HEARING AND ORDINANCE ADOPTION REGARDING NEIGHBORHOOD CODE
This public hearing will provide information on technical corrections made to the Code on standards for residential districts. The ordinance adoption is the second vote on the changes to secondary structure requirements in Burlington's Neighborhood Code 2A.

→ DISCUSSION: BURLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT LATERAL RECRUITMENT PROGRAM
This is a discussion on strategies for recruitment to the Burlington Fire Department.

→ RESOLUTION: EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
This resolution calls for improving our syringe exchange programs and asks the Board of Health to provide evaluation and recommendations for improving them. Specifically, we are seeking recommendations that reduce needle litter. I am co-sponsoring this resolution.

→ GRAFFITI ORDINANCE
This amendment examines the Graffiti ordinance, adding a change that will address defacement of public property and graffiti that spreads harmful and hateful messages.

This is not all! To see the full agenda, click the link here:
https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/event/7131/files/agenda/12275

As always, feedback and questions are welcome.

Thank you and best wishes,

Sarah Carpenter
Ward 4 City Councilor

Event Info

Nov 23, 2024, 7:30 to 9 PM

Nov 23, 2024, 7:30 to 9 PM

Nov 28, 2024, 11 AM to 10 PM