Advisory Committee on Accessibility — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-01-12
Time: 15:00

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

Monday, January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont

Meeting Invite information
https://zoom.us/j/91356047823?pwd=84T4h4KwAtmyWCa4QOSEVwGVzs0M
Fw.1
Meeting ID: 9135647823
Passcode: 410957
1. Call to Order

2. Adopt the Agenda

3. Adopt Minutes
  Subject 3.1. Adopt and approve meeting minutes of the November
 17th meeting og the Burlington Advisory Committee on
 Accessibility
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont
  Category 3. Adopt Minutes
  Department Other


  Type

4. News & Updates
  Subject 4.1. Tim Williams — Clarification reporting ADA concerns
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont

  Category 4. News & Updates

  Department Other
  Type

  Recommended Action

  Subject 4.2. Sophie Sauvé - Pomeroy Park Playground Update
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont

  Category 4. News & Updates

  Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront


  Type

  Recommended Action

5. Public Forum

6. Department of Public Works - Tech Services Downtown ADA parking Study
  Subject 6.1. DT ADA Parking Study
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont

  Category 6. Department of Public Works - Tech Services Downtown ADA parking Study

  Department Public Works Department


  Type

  Recommended Action

7. Other Committee Business
  Subject 7.1. Adoption and signing of Open and Accessible Meetings Best Practices
 Letter
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont

  Category 7. Other Committee Business

  Department Other


  Type

  Recommended Action

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont

  Category 8. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Subject 9.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. 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. 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
 infromation.
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont
  Category 9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Department Council and Board


  Type

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

Monday, January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont

Meeting Invite information
https://zoom.us/j/91356047823?pwd=84T4h4KwAtmyWCa4QOSEVwGVzs0M
Fw.1
Meeting ID: 9135647823
Passcode: 410957
1. Call to Order

2. Adopt the Agenda

3. Adopt Minutes
  Subject 3.1. Adopt and approve meeting minutes of the November
 17th meeting og the Burlington Advisory Committee on
 Accessibility
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont
  Category 3. Adopt Minutes
  Department Other


  Type

4. News & Updates
  Subject 4.1. Tim Williams — Clarification reporting ADA concerns
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont

  Category 4. News & Updates

  Department Other




 Page 1 of 18
  Type

  Recommended Action

  Subject 4.2. Sophie Sauvé - Pomeroy Park Playground Update
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont

  Category 4. News & Updates

  Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront


  Type

  Recommended Action

5. Public Forum

6. Department of Public Works - Tech Services Downtown ADA parking Study
  Subject 6.1. DT ADA Parking Study
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont

  Category 6. Department of Public Works - Tech Services Downtown ADA parking Study

  Department Public Works Department


  Type

  Recommended Action

7. Other Committee Business
  Subject 7.1. Adoption and signing of Open and Accessible Meetings Best Practices
 Letter
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont

  Category 7. Other Committee Business

  Department Other


  Type

  Recommended Action

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn




 Page 2 of 18
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont

  Category 8. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Subject 9.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. 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. 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
 infromation.
  Meeting January 12, 2026 - January Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday,
 January 12, 2026, 3:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, first floor
 of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont
  Category 9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Department Council and Board


  Type




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Downtown Accessible (ADA)
Parking Study

Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility (BACA)
Monday, January 12 th, 2026




 Page 8 of 18
Agenda

• Purpose & Background
• ADA Parking Basics
• Study Area
• Next Steps & Committee Discussion




 Page 9 of 18
Purpose & Background

Purpose:

• Recent curb, construction, and downtown changes warrant an update

• ADA compliance is a federal requirement, not optional

• Downtown is a high-demand destination for residents and visitors

• Accessible parking is often the first and last link in a person’s trip downtown




  4/14/2015 3
  Park Burlington | Public Meeting 2 Page 10 of 18
 Purpose & Background

• City completed a downtown ADA parking review in 2018

• Improvements included re-striping, signage updates, and space adjustments

• This study builds on that work

• Conditions and standards have changed since 2018




 4/14/2015 4
 Park Burlington | Public Meeting 2 Page 11 of 18
ADA Parking Basics
Standard accessible stall width: 8 feet minimum

Access aisle: 5 feet minimum (8 feet for van-accessible spaces)

Van-accessible stall: 11 feet stall with 5 foot aisle or 8 foot stall with 8 foot aisle

Vertical clearance (van spaces): 98 inches minimum

Slope: Maximum 2 percent in any direction for stall and access aisle

Surface: Firm, stable, slip-resistant

Signage: Vertical sign with International Symbol of Accessibility mounted so bottom of
sign is at least 60 inches above ground




  4/14/2015 5
  Park Burlington | Public Meeting 2 Page 12 of 18
Reasonable Accommodations
• Downtown Burlington has limited space and competing demands for access

• In some locations, meeting every ADA design standard may not be feasible due to
  physical constraints

• ADA recognizes the concept of reasonable accommodation

• A reasonable accommodation is a practical and feasible modification to rules,
  policies, or practices that provides access for a person with a disability

• The City must make reasonable accommodations to provide an equal opportunity
  to access and use public facilities, services, or spaces

• When full compliance is not achievable, the City seeks the best achievable,
  defensible solution that improves access



  4/14/2015 6
  Park Burlington | Public Meeting 2 Page 13 of 18
Study Area




4/14/2015
 City of Burlington Designated Downtown Core
 7
Park Burlington | Public Meeting 2 Page 14 of 18
 Next Steps

• Wait until spring thaw to conduct the field study

• Staff will review existing accessible spaces to see if adjustments or relocations are
  needed

• Identify areas that may require new accessible spaces

• Gather feedback from residents, visitors, and stakeholders

• Use findings to prioritize improvements and guide future actions




 4/14/2015 8
 Park Burlington | Public Meeting 2 Page 15 of 18
Thank you! Questions?

Phillip Peterson, PE
Senior Transportation Engineer & Planner
ppeterson@burlingtonvt.gov
(802)598-8356




 Page 16 of 18
Date:
To: Mayor, Emma Mulvaney-Stanak,
CC: Chief Administrative Officer, Katherine Schad

From: Burlington Advisory Committee on Accessibility

Subject: Open and Accessible Meetings - Recommended Best
Practices

Dear Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak,


Since the resolution passed approximately one year ago
recognizing the Burlington Advisory Committee on Accessibility as
a formal City Committee, our members have been working
diligently to support the City of Burlington in becoming
increasingly open and accessible to all people with disabilities. We
will soon be outlining these accomplishments in our annual
report.
Looking ahead, we are focusing on several goals for the upcoming
year. One key priority is ensuring that all City of Burlington public
meetings follow consistent best practices that promote
accessibility for people of all abilities.
It has come to our attention that there are inconsistencies across
departments regarding how open meetings are made accessible
to the public. To address this, we would like to provide all City
departments with updated recommendations on best practices
related to accessibility so that all residents are better able to
participate.
In developing these recommendations, we reviewed several
national and municipal resources on accessibility best practices
and engaged in committee discussions informed by members’
lived experiences.




 Page 17 of 18
We respectfully recommend that the following best practices be
implemented for all public meetings to ensure broad accessibility:
  • Speakers should identify themselves prior to speaking,
 including when addressing other committee members or
 offering remarks on agenda items.

  • Provide clear instructions for accessing meeting locations,
 including information on physical accessibility for those using
 mobility aids. For hybrid meetings, ensure clear instructions
 on how to join and participate online.

  • Adjust meeting agendas so that information about obtaining
 materials in alternate formats (e.g., minutes, presentations,
 agendas) is displayed prominently.

  • Maintain meeting minutes and presentation materials in
 formats compatible with commonly used screen readers.

  • Ensure closed captioning is active and available whenever
 possible—both for online participants and for those attending
 in person.

  • To improve comprehension for individuals with cognitive or
 language-processing disabilities, maintain minutes,
 presentations, and discussion summaries at an approximate
 fifth-grade comprehension level.

  • Thank you for your consideration and support in ensuring
 that the Queen City is accessible to people of all abilities. We
 look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
City of Burlington Accessibility Committee




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