january debrief

Written By Stella Sarefield

January 13, 2025 Meeting Highlights

Mayor’s Report:

  • Cold Weather Shelter Policy: Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak announced updates to Burlington’s emergency shelter policy to provide better access during extreme cold. The City has revised its shelter policy to be more accessible during extreme weather conditions. 

  • Community Safety Forum: The City held a forum focused on substance use disorder, public health, and harm reduction efforts, including an update on the overdose prevention center. The next forum in March will address hate crimes and bias-related incidents. https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/871/Public-Forums-on-Community-Safety 

  • Police Chief Search: A request for proposals (RFPQ) has been issued for a recruitment firm to assist in selecting Burlington’s next Police Chief. The Council debated the Chief’s assessment of staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and department morale. The administration will be focusing on the search ahead. 

  • Modern Governance Initiative: The Mayor introduced an effort to improve efficiency across City departments, aiming to eliminate redundancies and enhance public service delivery.

Public Safety & Transportation:

  • Green Mountain Transit (GMT) Budget Crisis: The Council discussed GMT’s $1.5 million deficit and potential funding strategies to sustain essential transit services.

  • Public Safety Committee: The committee discussed the CNA report, focusing on its recommendations for improving public safety in Burlington. The next meeting will be February 20, 2025.

Housing & Development:

  • Impact Fee Program Overhaul: The Council reviewed proposed changes to impact fees, which would shift financial responsibility from residential developments to infrastructure projects in water, sewer, and transportation.

  • Affordable Housing Trust Fund: The Community Development Neighborhood Revitalization Committee (CDNR) is exploring strategies to double the fund’s budget without relying on regressive taxes. This will be voted on at the February 10th meeting.

  • New UVMMC MOU: Residents expressed concerns about proposed medical center expansions, citing building height increases, potential traffic congestion, and environmental impact. Councilors Bergman and Neubieser are working diligently with the Mayor to ensure language is included in the MOU that is in response to feedback from neighbors.

January 27, 2025 Meeting Highlights

Mayor’s Report:

  • Statehouse Engagement: Mayor Emma reported on ongoing discussions with the Burlington legislative delegation, particularly around affordable housing, mental health funding, and police oversight reform. 

  • Public Safety & Crime Prevention: The Mayor outlined efforts to address gaps in drug enforcement and discussed ongoing upgrades to Burlington Police Department facilities. The community safety public forum was announced for March 13.

  • Climate Action Initiatives: The City is conducting an inventory of climate-related programs and is recruiting community advisors to guide City policy on this issue.

  • Election & Voter Access: The City will mail ballots to all registered voters between February 10-12, with same-day registration available on Town Meeting Day.

Public Safety & Policing:

  • Resolution to Rebuild the Police Department: The Council debated a resolution committing to "rebuilding and reconciling" with the Burlington Police Department. While some Councilors supported the measure, others raised concerns about oversight and accountability. This resolution eliminates the 87-officer cap even though we're more than 20 officers beneath that threshold and losing more officers than we are hiring.

Infrastructure & Capital Projects:

  • Water & Wastewater Bonds: The Council advanced proposals for issuing bonds to fund essential drinking water and wastewater upgrades. The WATER bond will shore up critical parts of our drinking water supply network. The LAKE bond funds a major and generational overhaul of the Main Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

  • General Obligation Bonds: The Council approved a measure to place a $20 million capital improvement bond on the March ballot. This bond will support needed investments in public safety vehicles, streets and sidewalks, city buildings, and parks. 

  • Transportation & Sidewalk Improvements: Residents advocated for increased investment in sidewalk repairs, particularly in areas with high pedestrian traffic.

Housing & Legislative Updates:

  • Just-Cause Eviction Charter Change: The Council held a second public hearing on the proposed just-cause eviction amendment, with continued debate over its implications for landlords and tenants.

  • Gun Reform Charter Change: The Council discussed placing a firearm ban for establishments with liquor licenses on the March ballot, mirroring state-level bill H.45.

  • Violation Reporting Incentivization Pilot (VRIP): The Council introduced a program designed to encourage residents to report ordinance violations through financial incentives.

Other Key Actions:

  • Water Resources Bond Update: The bond request for wastewater treatment upgrades was revised to focus on Phase 1 improvements at the Main Plant, reducing the request from $204M to $152M.

  • Interfund Loan for DPW: The Council approved a $520,000 loan for DPW to acquire and repurpose 201 Flynn Avenue for waste management operations.

Stella Sarefield
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