Dear neighbors,
The City Council meets Monday, January 27th, at 6:30 pm. Public Forum begins at 7:00 pm.
As always, you are welcome to attend in person or virtually on zoom: https://zoom.us/j/93534318165 .
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, 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.
→ RESOLUTION: CITY COUNCIL COMMITMENT TO REBUILDING AND RECONCILING WITH THE BURLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
This resolution will lift the hiring cap placed on police officers in 2020 and further dedicate the City to a number of actions designed to support and rebuild our police department. I am cosponsoring this resolution. In my opinion, the five-year-old hiring cap is not reflective of our City's needs, particularly given our current public safety challenges. Moreover, police officers are the only City employees subject to a hiring cap, which has been demoralizing to our department. Lifting the cap will allow our next police chief important flexibility to continue rebuilding a department that is responsive to our 2025 needs. The resolution will also require the Mayor to report back to the Council in February on her efforts to hire our next chief.
→ RESOLUTION: ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS FOR WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER UTILITY PROJECTS
This resolution will place two water bonds on the ballot for voter consideration: (1) a $20 million "Water Bond" to upgrade our drinking water system; and (2) a $152 million "Lake Bond" to upgrade our wastewater, stormwater, and pollution control systems. The City has presented to the Council multiple times on these items and held a number of additional public hearings to demonstrate the critical need for these projects, and I believe voters deserve an opportunity to vote on these measures. There is a significant price tag on these projects, however, and if the bonds are approved by voters, I will be asking that the City report to the Council on additional cost-saving measures we can adopt prior to spending any bonded monies on construction.
→ PLEDGING CREDIT OF THE CITY ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR FIVE YEAR PLAN
In addition to the water bonds, the administration is asking the Council to place a $20 million General Obligation Bond on the March ballot. Like with the water bonds, the City has made a strong argument for how necessary this bond is to maintain our streets, sidewalks, parks, and other important infrastructure in the coming years. Therefore, I similarly believe voters should have the opportunity to vote on this measure. I also believe if voters support these bonds, it will be our responsibility to find additional savings in our municipal budget so that residents are not facing significant property tax increases on top of bond repayment obligations.
To view our full agenda, click here: https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/event/7808/files/agenda/12814.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or feedback.
Best regards,
Ben Traverse, Ward 5
City Council President
btraverse@burlingtonvt.gov
(802) 357-2055
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