City Council - Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-05-20
Time: 17:30

Racial, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging



 Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)

Held in the Sharon Bushor Conference Room, Ground Floor City Hall
OR
via Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96324562039




1. Motion to Approve Agenda

2. Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes
 Subject 2.1. April 2025
 Meeting May 20, 2025 - 5.20.25 - Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion &
 Belonging (REIB)


 Category 2. Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes

 Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)


 Type

 Recommended Action

3. Public Forum

4. REIB Path Forward
 Subject 4.1. Staffing Updates
 Meeting May 20, 2025 - 5.20.25 - Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion &
 Belonging (REIB)
 Category 4. REIB Path Forward
 Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)


 Type
  Subject 4.2. REIB Charter Update
  Meeting May 20, 2025 - 5.20.25 - Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion &
 Belonging (REIB)
  Category 4. REIB Path Forward
  Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)


  Type

5. Juneteenth Update

6. Budget Reflections

7. Councilor Updates

8. Community Forum
  Subject 8.1. Fall 2024 Empowerment Grant
  Meeting May 20, 2025 - 5.20.25 - Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion &
 Belonging (REIB)


  Category 8. Community Forum

  Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)


  Type

  Recommended Action

 Subject 8.1. Updates from 3 grant recipients
 Meeting May 20, 2025 - 5.20.25 - Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity,
 Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)


 Category 8. Community Forum

 Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)


 Type

 Recommended Action

9. Adjournment
  Subject 9.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting May 20, 2025 - 5.20.25 - Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion &
 Belonging (REIB)


  Category 9. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Subject 10.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
 information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
 Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities
 who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged
 to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in
 advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air
 on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm and
 repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. The City of Burlington will
 not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
 religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age,
 sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status,
 disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information.
Meeting May 20, 2025 - 5.20.25 - Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion &
 Belonging (REIB)
Category 10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Department Council and Board


Type

REIB City Council Committee
April 15, 2025
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Sharon Bushor Room

Attendees:
Christian Berry, Interim Director REIB (in person)
Katie Greene, Community and Belonging Program Manager REIB (in person)
Councilor Melo Grant, Chair (in person)
Councilor Becca Brown McKnight (in person)
Councilor Ranjit "Buddy" Singh (in person)
Eric Agnero (in person)
Jed Davis (in person)
Ferene Paris (in person)
Jeff Smith (in person)
Ted Castle (in person)
Keren Sita (virtual attendee)
Mark Hughes (virtual attendee)
Makayla Terjelian (virtual attendee)
AAWA Leadership Council (virtual attendee)
Michelle Bookless (virtual attendee)
Eplanet Thunderstriker (virtual attendee)
Bri (virtual attendee, no last name provided)
John Lawlis (virtual attendee)

Meeting Convened 5:33 PM
Agenda:

1) Motion to Approve Agenda
 Councilor McKnight motioned to approve. Councilor Singh seconded. Unanimous
 pass.

2) Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes
 (a)March 2025
 Councilor McKnight motioned to approve. Councilor Grant seconded. Unanimous
 pass.

3) Public Forum
 Councilor Grant reminded attendees to avoid disparaging language. Speakers voiced
 strong support for REIB and called for it to be fully staffed and funded. Member of
 the public urged follow-through on previous commitments. Other member of the
 public expressed concern about Office’s vision and emphasized the need to center
 the experiences of Black residents. Councilor Grant emphasized the important of
 advancing inclusion and belonging for all marginalized groups.

4) REIB Path Forward
 a) Staffing Update
 Discussed upcoming interviews for the Admin and Financial Coordinator role,
 with a hire expected by early May. The Director position will be posted by the end
 of the month. Two new Program Manager roles will focus on Health Equity and
 Education, and the Community and Belonging Manager role will continue to
 evolve.

 b) REIB Motions from March meeting
 A motion was unanimously approved to begin the process of adding REIB to the
 City Charter. Councilors to approach City Attorney’s Office to provide input
 before the May meeting. There was discussion about using unspent salary funds
 to support Juneteenth and other REIB programs. Councilor Grant will explore
 fiscal support options and clarify the amount that can be carried over into FY26.
 Concerns were raised about the impact on Black vendors if Juneteenth funding
 falls short. Questions remain about who decides how funds will be used – see
 recording for more details. An update on available unspent staffing funds is
 expected before the next meeting.

 c) REIB Vision & Purpose Update
 Discussed the fall 2024 community engagement process that informed the
 REIB’s updated vision and purpose. Emphasis was placed on centering race while
 also addressing inclusion and belonging. Community members helped shape the
 statements through seven public sessions, surveys, and conversations with
 students, business owners, community members, and partner organizations.
 Feedback included support for the REIB as a standalone department, charting
 the office, a call for clear roles, youth engagement, intersectionality, and
 sustainable resources. The final vision highlights active engagement and
 representation in local government, while the purpose focuses on advancing
 equity and social justice through anti-racism, policy work, and inclusive
 governance.

 d) REIB Charter Update/Discussion
 Discussed Councilor McKnight (Chair of Charter committee) working with
 Councilor Bergman, the City Attorney, and Interim Director Berry to confirm the
 process. Motion passed unanimously to begin the chartering process, with plans
 for coordination between the Charter and REIB Committees. Discussed goal to
 establish lasting structure and commitment by adding REIB to the City Charter.

5) Councilor Updates
 Councilors discussed the need for stronger involvement and support of REIB,
 emphasizing the importance of keeping it a standalone department. Updates
 included a meeting with Trusted Community Voices, with interest in inviting
 members to share what they're seeing in their communities. Concerns were
 raised about ICE activity and support for impacted residents. Councilor Grant
 suggested inviting state and local leadership to discuss statewide equity work and
 policing concerns.
6) Community Forum
 Speakers called for REIB to support BIPOC economic empowerment and stronger
 ties with local businesses. There was a push to prioritize carryover funds for various
 equity-related initiatives. See recording for more information.

7) Motion to Adjourn
Adjourned 7:26PM

Topic: REIB CC Subcommittee Meeting

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REIB City Council Committee
May 20, 2025
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Sharon Bushor Room

Attendees:
Christian Berry, Interim Director REIB (in person)
Katie Greene, Community and Belonging Program Manager REIB (in person)
Councilor Melo Grant, Chair (virtual)
Councilor Becca Brown McKnight (virtual)
Councilor Ranjit "Buddy" Singh (virtual)
Councilor Ben Traverse (virtual)
Bruce Wilson (in person)
Raphaella Brice (virtual)
Sherwood Smith (virtual)
Zeynab Kouyate (virtual)
Christine Hughes (virtual)
Emma Wall (virtual)
Urmila Chhetri (virtual)
Mona Tolba (virtual)
marymgannonedi@gmail.com (no name listed, virtual)
Edwin Owuso (virtual)

Meeting Convened: 5:35 PM

Agenda:
 1. Motion to Approve Agenda
 Councilor Singh motioned to approve. Councilor McKnight seconded. Unanimous pass.
 2. Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes
 a. April 2025
 Councilor Singh motioned to approve. Councilor McKnight seconded. Unanimous pass.
 3. Public Forum
 4. REIB Path Forward
 a. Staffing Updates
 Staffing updates include pending confirmation from the Mayor’s Office on
 Program Manager timeline; Admin/Finance interviews complete, currently in
 waiting period because of City-wide layoffs. Education and Public Health
 program manager roles on hold until new Director is in place; aiming to hire
 Director in June, start date July 1; REIB absorbing seven Trusted Community
 Voices roles from CEDO following layoffs, integration to begin next month;
 strong support noted for Director Berry as permanent appointment.
 b. REIB Charter Update
 Director Berry noted the REIB team working with the City Attorney’s Office and
 Councilor Bergman on next steps.

 Councilor McKnight and Councilor Grant engaged in disagreement related to the
 previous evening’s City Council meeting, which included discussions around the
 “Food Not Cops” initiative and other issues.
 5. Motion to Adjourn
 a. Councilor Singh motioned to adjourn. Councilor McKnight seconded.
 Motion passes.
 The meeting was adjourned at 6:04 PM.




https://zoom.us/j/96324562039