Ward 3 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-10-01
Time: 18:30

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 6:30 PM
 Join in person: City Hall, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St.
 Join virtually: https://zoom.us/j/98644635243

Facilitator: Christopher Haessly
6:30 pm Call to Order | 5 min
 Adopt the agenda and review meeting ground rules.
6:35 pm City Council Updates | 20 min
 An update on the work of the City Council and its subcommittees.
 • Becca Brown-McKnight, City Councilor, Ward 6 (10 min)
 • Questions & Answer Session (10 min)
6:55 pm Ward 3 Polling Place Resolution | 20 min
 A discussion and vote on a resolution related to the designation of the Ward 3 polling place.
 • Christopher Haessly, Ward 3 NPA Steering Committee
7:15 pm City of Burlington Comprehensive Plan | 15 min
 An introduction and overview on the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
 • TBD, Office of City Planning
7:30 pm UVM Student and Community Relations | 20 min
 A presentation on the relationship between students and community.
 • Gail Shampnois, UVM Office of Student and Community Relations
7:50 pm Marketplace Garage Update | 30 min
 An update on the Marketplace Garage following the relocation of the free lunch program.
 • Sherriff Dan Gamelin, Chittenden County Sherriff’s Office
8:20 pm Public Forum | 10 min
 An opportunity to share opinions, news, and events.
8:30 pm Adjourn




Use the QR code to go to any of these links: Email us • Go to our website • Watch
meeting recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram •
Request a time slot with the NPA Request Form • Links from this agenda
Appendix to the Agenda

Ward 3 NPA Ground Rules
  • Meetings should have clearly defined agenda and roles.
  • Honor Time limits: A best effort must be made to start on time, follow the agenda, and finish on time.
  • Wait to be recognized: Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Listen to others: Make efforts to be an open-minded member of the group.
  • Respect the agenda and the process: Try to remain focused on the issue at hand.
  • Share your opinion respectfully: Speak out, but not over, others’ comments.
  • Treat people how you would like to be treated: Be respectful of everyone, including guests.

Public Forum Protocol
  • Community members will be required to sign up for the Public Forum before the start of the meeting
 consistent with the process used by the City Council.
  • Participants will have up to two (2) minutes to share their thoughts and will speak based upon the
 order in which the requests were received.
  • Participants may speak only for themselves and individual speakers will not be permitted to yield their
 time to other speakers.
  • Personal attacks will not be tolerated and the moderator reserves the right to limit comments that are
 disruptive and/or obscene.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority and, if there is still time, persons who live outside the ward will
 be provided an opportunity to speak.

Question-and-Answer Protocol
  • Please state your full name prior to asking your question.
  • Each participant will have thirty (30) seconds to ask one and only one question.
  • There will be no follow up questions so everyone has a chance to participate.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority.

Discussion and Debate Rules
  • Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Each member will have a maximum of two (2) minutes to speak on questions before the NPA.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a second time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak once.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a third time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak twice.




 Appendix to agenda | Wards 3 NPA - Page 2

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 6:30 PM
 Join in person: City Hall, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St.
 Join virtually: https://zoom.us/j/98644635243

Facilitator: Christopher Haessly
6:30 pm Call to Order | 5 min
 Adopt the agenda and review meeting ground rules.
6:35 pm City Council Updates | 20 min
 An update on the work of the City Council and its subcommittees.
 • Becca Brown-McKnight, City Councilor, Ward 6 (10 min)
 • Questions & Answer Session (10 min)
6:55 pm Ward 3 Polling Place Resolution | 20 min
 A discussion and vote on a resolution related to the designation of the Ward 3 polling place.
 • Christopher Haessly, Ward 3 NPA Steering Committee
7:15 pm City of Burlington Comprehensive Plan | 15 min
 An introduction and overview on the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
 • TBD, Office of City Planning
7:30 pm UVM Student and Community Relations | 20 min
 A presentation on the relationship between students and community.
 • Gail Shampnois, UVM Office of Student and Community Relations
7:50 pm Marketplace Garage Update | 30 min
 An update on the Marketplace Garage following the relocation of the free lunch program.
 • Sherriff Dan Gamelin, Chittenden County Sherriff’s Office
8:20 pm Public Forum | 10 min
 An opportunity to share opinions, news, and events.
8:30 pm Adjourn




Use the QR code to go to any of these links: Email us • Go to our website • Watch
meeting recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram •
Request a time slot with the NPA Request Form • Links from this agenda


 Page 1 of 4
Appendix to the Agenda

Ward 3 NPA Ground Rules
  • Meetings should have clearly defined agenda and roles.
  • Honor Time limits: A best effort must be made to start on time, follow the agenda, and finish on time.
  • Wait to be recognized: Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Listen to others: Make efforts to be an open-minded member of the group.
  • Respect the agenda and the process: Try to remain focused on the issue at hand.
  • Share your opinion respectfully: Speak out, but not over, others’ comments.
  • Treat people how you would like to be treated: Be respectful of everyone, including guests.

Public Forum Protocol
  • Community members will be required to sign up for the Public Forum before the start of the meeting
 consistent with the process used by the City Council.
  • Participants will have up to two (2) minutes to share their thoughts and will speak based upon the
 order in which the requests were received.
  • Participants may speak only for themselves and individual speakers will not be permitted to yield their
 time to other speakers.
  • Personal attacks will not be tolerated and the moderator reserves the right to limit comments that are
 disruptive and/or obscene.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority and, if there is still time, persons who live outside the ward will
 be provided an opportunity to speak.

Question-and-Answer Protocol
  • Please state your full name prior to asking your question.
  • Each participant will have thirty (30) seconds to ask one and only one question.
  • There will be no follow up questions so everyone has a chance to participate.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority.

Discussion and Debate Rules
  • Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Each member will have a maximum of two (2) minutes to speak on questions before the NPA.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a second time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak once.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a third time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak twice.




 Appendix to agenda | Wards 3 NPA - Page 2

 Page 2 of 4
 Resolution Relating to RESOLUTION_____

 DESIGNATION OF WARD 3 POLLING PLACE Sponsor(s): _________________
 Date: ______________________




 WARD 3 NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING ASSEMBLY
 In the year Two-Thousand Twenty-Five……………………………………………………………………
 Resolved by the Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly, as follows:

 1 That WHEREAS, the current Ward 3 polling place is the Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes
 2 located at 123 North Street; and
 3 WHEREAS, the Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes is located at the northernmost part
 4 of the ward as a result of the redistricting process; and
 5 WHEREAS, the Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes is located approximately one mile
 6 from the southernmost part of the ward; and
 7 WHEREAS, the Sustainability Academy at Lawrence Barnes is a twenty-minute walk from the
 8 southernmost part of the ward; and
 9 WHEREAS, city residents living in the southernmost part of the ward and the King-Maple
10 neighborhood specifically would benefit from a more centralized polling place; and
11 WHEREAS, the King-Maple neighborhood is one of Vermont's largest communities of color and
12 is home to a number of New Americans; and
13 WHEREAS, transportation is a challenge for a number of city residents living in the King-Maple
14 neighborhood; and
15 WHEREAS, transportation barriers often have the effect of limiting participation in the
16 democratic process; and
17 WHEREAS, a more centralized polling place would help to reduce accessibility barriers and
18 increase voter turnout; and
19 WHEREAS, the city aims to provide an inclusive and accessible voting experience for all city
20 residents; and
21 WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Burlington, Acts of 1949, No. 298, Title II, Article 19
22 authorizes the City Council to designate polling places;




 Page 3 of 4
 Page 2
 Resolution Related to DESIGNATION OF WARD 3 POLLING PLACE

23 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
24 hereby calls upon the City Council to designate Contois Auditorium in Burlington City Hall, located at
25 149 Church Street, as the Ward 3 polling place.




 Page 4 of 4

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Wednesday, October 1, 2025
 Sharon Bushor Room, Burlington City Hall
 Meeting Minutes
1. Welcome & Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:30 PM by Christopher Haessly, Ward 3 NPA
Steering Committee member. A motion to adopt the agenda was made, seconded, and
approved by a voice vote.
2. Attendee Introductions
  • NPA Steering Committee Members:
 ✓ Michelle Borbas, College Street
 ✓ Brooks Cummings, Cherry Street
 ✓ Zachary Cummings, South Champlain Street
 ✓ Christopher-Aaron Felker, Park Street
 ✓ Darrell Fields, Church Street
 ✓ Christopher Haessly, College Street
 ✓ Charlie Messing, College Street
  • City Officials/Staff:
 ✓ Becca Brown-McKnight, City Councilor, Ward 6
 ✓ Melo Grant, City Councilor, Central District
 ✓ Barbara Turnbull, Dept of Finance and Administration
 ✓ Charlie Giannoni, Town Meeting TV
  • Presenters:
 ✓ Charles Dillard, Office of City Planning
 ✓ Gail Shampnois, UVM Office of Student and Community Relations
 ✓ Omar Talhouk, UVM Student Government Association
 ✓ Sherriff Dan Gamelin, Chittenden County Sherriff’s Office
 ✓ Sgt. Thom Oliver, Chittenden County Sherriff’s Office
  • Community Members/Public:
 ✓ Trudy Richmond, Elmwood Avenue
 ✓ Gail Welch, Elmwood Avenue
 ✓ Susan Forester, College Street
 ✓ Jill Lesh, College Street
 ✓ Sam Powers, Main Street
 ✓ Linda Oats, Main Street (via remote attendance)
 ✓ Alan Rubin, College Street (via remote attendance)
 ✓ Suki Rubin, College Street (via remote attendance)
3. City Council Updates
Presented by: Councilor Becca Brown McKnight (Ward 6)
Councilor Brown McKnight provided an update on two major city council initiatives from the
summer and early fall:
 • Downtown Economy Resolution: A resolution aimed at supporting a thriving downtown
 economy led to the reopening of Main Street to traffic on nights and weekends and
 created opportunities for free parking.
 • City Hall Park Safety Resolution: A resolution focused on improving safety in City Hall
 Park has resulted in positive shifts, according to a recent report from Police Chief Burke.
 Data shows an increase in the interruption of drug-related behavior and a dispersal of
 antisocial behavior from the park.
A number of participants responded to Council Brown McKnight’s update and shared their
perspective on the current state of affairs in downtown Burlington.
 • Brooks Cummings: Noted a significant positive change in the park's atmosphere,
 especially following a recent drug dealer arrest. They acknowledged that the behavior
 may be displaced to other areas but felt that prioritizing the safety of the park—a
 central space for families and children—was appropriate.
 • Charlie Messing: Compared the displacement of issues to a game of "whack-a-mole,"
 arguing that simply clearing the park isn't a long-term solution and that more focus
 should be on creating better alternative places for people to go.
 • Christopher Haessly: Asked about how the city should deal with "service-resistant"
 individuals who are known to law enforcement, refuse offers of treatment, and
 continue to cause harm in the community. Councilor Brown McKnight acknowledged
 that current laws limit the city's ability to compel people into treatment and suggested
 looking to other states for potential models and legal changes.
4. Ward 3 Polling Place Resolution
Presented by: Christopher Haessly, Ward 3 NPA Steering Committee
The NPA considered a resolution to move the Ward 3 polling location from the Sustainability
Academy on North Street to Burlington City Hall.
Background:
The current location is at the northernmost boundary of the ward, creating a walk of nearly a
mile for residents in the southern portions of the ward, including the King/Maple
neighborhood. The move to the more centrally located City Hall is intended to reduce
transportation barriers and improve ballot access for all residents.
Discussion and Debate:
A number of participants shared their perspective on the proposed resolution.
 • A former ward clerk spoke in opposition, arguing that the move would fracture
 community ties with Ward 2, that City Hall can be an alienating location for some, and
 that they had not personally heard complaints about the current location.
 • Supporters of the resolution countered that for too long, the needs of downtown and
 King/Maple residents (including many New Americans) have been marginalized. They
 emphasized that the move is a matter of equity and accessibility, particularly for seniors
 and those with mobility challenges who find the current walk difficult and feel safer
 downtown.
 • While there was general agreement that expanding mail-in voting is important,
 supporters of the resolution argued that improving the accessibility of the physical
 polling place was also a necessary step.
Final Vote on Resolution:
 • A motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded.
 • The motion passed by a vote of 11 in favor and 1 opposed.
5. City of Burlington Comprehensive Plan
Presented by: Charles Dillard, Office of Planning
Mr. Dillard presented PlanBTV 2050, a major initiative to create a new, holistic comprehensive
plan for the city. This effort combines four major planning elements: the Municipal Plan, a
citywide Mobility Plan, a Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Plan, and the city's first-ever Economic
Development Strategy.
Key Goals: The plan aims to address significant changes since the last update in 2019, including
housing costs, climate change, and post-pandemic economic shifts. A primary goal is to plan for
7,000 new housing units by 2050 in a sustainable and equitable way.
Public Engagement: The process will be heavily reliant on community feedback, using a
scenario-planning model to explore different growth strategies. A series of public visioning
workshops will be held for different areas of the city.
 • Old North End Workshop: October 23 at the O.N.E. Community Center.
 • Downtown & Waterfront Workshop: October 27 at the Community Sailing Center.
Community Q&A: In response to questions, Mr. Dillard confirmed that accessibility for
residents with mobility challenges is a significant concern that will be addressed. He also
acknowledged that challenges with public transit (GMT) and sidewalk conditions are critical
components of the mobility plan and that different funding scenarios will be considered.
6. UVM Student and Community Relations
Presented by: Gail Shampnois and Omar Talhouk
The presentation highlighted the successful, restorative community-building work being done
to foster positive relationships between UVM students and Burlington residents.
The Isham Street "Is Good" neighborhood organization, founded in 2010, has used grassroots
initiatives like community gardening to transform the neighborhood. This work has led to
significant, data-supported decreases in crime (burglary, noise, vandalism) and has fostered a
stronger sense of community, with students signing longer leases and families moving back to
the street.
Omar Taluk announced two upcoming student-led projects:
 • Community Cleanup: A neighborhood trash pickup event scheduled for the Saturday
 after Halloween weekend.
 • Graffiti Cleanup: A project focused on downtown Burlington.
7. Marketplace Garage Update
Presented by: Sherriff Dan Gamelin and Sgt. Thom Oliver
The Sheriff’s Department has been contracted by the city to provide a security detail in the
downtown Marketplace Garage from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM daily since June 2024.
Directives & Observations:
The department was instructed to use a "soft approach," focusing on ensuring visitor safety and
moving along individuals who are loitering, sleeping, or engaging in antisocial behavior, rather
than making arrests unless a situation is particularly dangerous.
Deputies visually observed a fifty (50) to seventy-five (75) percent decrease in the presence of
unhoused individuals in the garage immediately after the "Food Not Cops" program moved to
City Hall Park in July. However, they have recently seen an uptick in activity since the recent
police focus on clearing City Hall Park.
Deputies frequently observe drug use and find paraphernalia, but no arrests have been made
for these offenses due to the directive to prioritize presence in the garage.
Data & Reporting:
The city has not requested formal data collection. Because interactions typically do not result
in a custodial arrest or a formal incident, no quantitative data is entered into the Valcour police
reporting system. The only record of these interactions would be on body camera footage.
The contract costs the city $80 per hour. Deputies reported receiving frequent positive
feedback from shoppers and visitors who feel safer using the garage.
8. Public Forum
Several members of the community came forward to speak on various topics.
 ● Brooks Cummings (Cherry Street): Spoke about a recent horrific traffic incident on Buell
 Street where a pedestrian was severely injured. He noted that he recognized the
 suspect's vehicle from suspicious activity in City Hall Park just prior to the incident, tying
 the event to the broader issues of public safety downtown.
 ● Trudy Richmond (Elmwood Avenue): Expressed frustration over the lack of activity from
 the city's Council on Aging, stating that she has been unable to get information about its
 status. She noted the council's absence on key issues affecting seniors, such as the
 elimination of the #11 bus route and the closure of a senior meal site.
 ● Charlie Messing (College Street): Clarified that he is a member of the Council on Aging
 and that it is still active, but acknowledged it is an advisory body and that getting action
 on major issues like sidewalk repair is a slow and difficult process.
 ● Charlie Giannoni (Town Meeting TV): Raised a procedural concern about the NPA's
 voting process. He advocated for returning to a past practice where a resolution is
 presented at one meeting, with the vote taking place at the following month's meeting.
 He argued this allows for more time for public education and input, ensuring that major
 decisions are not made by the small number of people present on a single night.
9. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:32 PM.