Hello Neighbors,

Monday's City Council meeting starts at 6:00 PM. Public Forum is scheduled for 6:30 PM. You can sign up to speak in person at City Hall or join virtually via Zoom. For telephone access, call +1 646 931 3860 (Webinar ID: 930 0630 7851). Sign up for online participation in the Public Forum here; sign-up closes one hour before the meeting. View the full agenda and related materials here https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/event/7808/files/agenda/12814.

The Council will hold the first public hearing on proposed charter changes ahead of the March 4, 2025, election. These include updates to the City's election redistricting process, banning guns in bars, and expanding the city's authority to regulate rental housing eviction and lease termination notices. These are designed to strength local democracy, improve community safety, and protect tenants facing the housing crisis and residents are encouraged to provide input on these critical governance updates before final language is presented for voter approval.

There are several items related to the city's budget. There will be an update to the proposed water improvement and safety bonds. The administration will present on a reduced amount of bonding needed to fix our water, wastewater, and stormwater systems based on the affordability concerns of the mayor, councilors, and residents. The Mayor will also provide an update on next year's budget, the financial challenges the city faces and the plans to address them.

The Council will also receive a report with an evaluation of and staff recommendations for Impact Fees. These fees fund growth-related infrastructure improvements based on the impact that new developments have on city services and infrastructure. These revisions are designed to address the increasing costs of transportation, parks, and water and sewer infrastructure associated with new development. The proposed changes should allow us to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and fund transportation demand management capital needs to improve mobility and reduce the transportation carbon footprint. They would also have new developments to pay for the capital costs and equity associated with the water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure they are tapping thereby reducing the costs for all ratepayers. This should help with the affordability of the water bonds that are being proposed for the Town Meeting Day ballot.

A work session will review a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC). This agreement aims to coordinate land use and development projects while addressing the impacts of medical center growth on housing, transportation, and public infrastructure. Discussions will focus on aligning UVMMC projects with the City's Comprehensive Development Plan and implementing sustainable growth practices.

The Council will review the Police Chief's report on departmental recruitment and retention challenges. A notable development is the Mayor's memo advising the Council not to accept the report. The Mayor has raised concerns over its conclusions and recommendations, particularly regarding resource allocation and recent operational controversies. It is worth noting that in making this report, Chief Murad was mandated via the resolution to work with city staff to redact information on the report that may put the city at a disadvantage in upcoming contract negotiations with the BPOA.. Without any conversation with anyone, he sent the report directly to the BPOA.

Another resolution regarding policing and public safety is being brought forward by a majority of the Democratic Caucus. The Progressive Caucus is open to discussing the ideas raised, some of which could likely gather consensus, however the Democratic Caucus (once again) brought forward a resolution on public safety and policing without sharing it with or letting anyone outside their caucus know about it prior to introducing it. This is the opposite of collaboration, and unfortunately is further politicizing public safety - something that residents have consistently indicated they do not want the council to do. Our safety should not be used for politicians' electioneering in the lead up to Town Meeting Day.

These two resolutions and the other item on recruitment are expected to spark debate about the direction of public safety policies in Burlington.

Additionally, the Council will vote on accepting a $104,019.14 grant to purchase tactical body armor for the Burlington Police Department.

Finally, the University of Vermont Men's Soccer Team will be honored for their 2024 NCAA Division I National Championship. The Council will proclaim January 26, 2025, as a day in their honor, celebrating this historic achievement for the team and the city.

Yours,

Councilors Grant, Bergman, and Kane

Event Info

Jan 13, 2025, 6 to 9 PM

Jan 18, 2025, 10 to 11 AM

Jan 18, 2025, 6:30 to 7:30 PM