Wards 2 & 3 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2024-03-14
Time: 18:30

Wards 2 and 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Thursday, March 14, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm
 Join in person: ONE Community Center, 20 Allen St.
 Join virtually: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85860854764
 Community dinner: 5:30-6:30pm | Indian Wedding Stew, Dal Palak & Rice, Sambharo,
 and Sooji Halwa for dessert with Guest Chef Delna Khambatta
 Music: Brian Perkins & Students
 Activity: Eclipse art and distribution of free eclipse glasses and info to get ready for 4/8

Moderator: Erika Faulkner Notetaker: Roxanne Meuse
6:30 pm Introductions & Announcements | 10 min
 1. Adopt the agenda
 2. Thank you to Joe Magee for your service as Ward 3 city councilor!
 3. NPA member introductions
6:40 pm Public Forum | 10 min (2 minutes max per person)
 Please state your full name, pronouns, street, and ward, and follow the NPA ground rules.

6:50 pm Introduction to passive house design & benefits | 10 min
 Enrique Bueno, VT Passive House (non-profit)
 A presentation on how your dwelling can affect your and your family’s health and wellbeing,
 your cost of living, and the city's goal to reduce fossil fuel usage.
7:00 pm Home electrification: What technology & incentives are available today to reduce fossil
 fuel usage| 30 min
 Jacob Flanigan, Ward 2 resident
 Jacob will summarize the best options that homeowners and renters can benefit from.
7:30 pm & on The rest of our agenda is a little loosey goosey…
 ● Obscura BTV is going to do their best to join us to talk all things solar eclipse! The
 eclipse is on Monday, April 8. Website: https://loveburlington.org/obscura-burlington/
 ● We’ve invited our state legislators to join, but this time around, we won’t know until the
 night of the meeting if they’ll be able to make it.
 ● If we end up with extra time, we can decide together about having a community
 conversation (topic up to those present!) and/or end the meeting early.

8:30 pm (or earlier) Adjourn - thank you for coming!
 Our next meeting is Thursday, April 11.



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 CEDO’s request form • Links from this agenda
 APPENDIX

Information to join virtually (via Zoom)
Note: The webinar information is the same for every meeting.
 Webinar link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85860854764

 Webinar ID 858 6085 4764

 Or iPhone one-tap US: +19292056099,,85860854764#

 Or telephone +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626
 6799 or +1 669 900 6833




Wards 2 and 3 NPA Steering Committee
To email the full steering committee: wards2and3npa@googlegroups.com


Lauren Ebersol Ward 2 lebersol27@gmail.com
Erika Faulkner Ward 2 efaulkner013@gmail.com
Mollie Klepack Flanigan Ward 2 mollieklepack@gmail.com
Jessica Hyman Ward 2 jessicahymanvt@gmail.com
Roxanne Meuse Ward 2 rtmeuse@gmail.com
Connor Benson Ward 3 connorbenson544@gmail.com
Michelle Borbas Ward 3 sarno75@gmail.com
Chris Haessly Ward 3 haessly@adelphia.net
Amy Prenowitz Ward 3 aprenowitz@gmail.com
Jess Robbins Ward 3 jessiemayrobbins@gmail.com
Charlie Messing Ward 3 charliemessing@gmail.com




 Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 1
About Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPAs)
A section of Burlington City Council resolution first adopted in 1982 establishing provisions for a
Neighborhood Planning Assembly in each City ward.
…Neighborhood Planning Assemblies shall... help provide citizens with information concerning city programs
and activities; help obtain citizen views of city needs; help provide citizens with the opportunity to participate in
making recommendations with respect to governmental decisions including the allocation of revenues.
...Assemblies shall also be encouraged to provide advice to the appropriate commission or this council with
respect to community development, housing programs, this City's Comprehensive Plan and its waterfront
planning activities, and the city's budget among other issues....


NPA GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
 ● Operate through democratic principles and democratic procedures;
 ● Provide a safe and welcoming forum where residents can actively share their voices about issues that
 matter to them, and where they can learn from the voices of others;
 ● Cultivate involvement by a diverse spectrum of community members through active outreach and
 through eliminating barriers to participation;
 ● Operate in a manner that models respectful, inclusive, culturally, and economically aware practices;
 and
 ● Be a fun, creative, and vital organization that provides value and benefit through the multitude of
 perspectives shared by those who participate.


NPA GROUND RULES:
 ● Meetings should have clearly defined Agenda & Roles.
 ● Honor Time limits: A best effort must be made to start on time, follow the agenda, and finish on
 time.
 ● 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.




 Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 2
Elected officials representing Wards 2 and 3
Mayor:

 Mayor Miro Weinberger Democrat 802-865-7272 mayor@BurlingtonVT.gov


City Councilors:
 Central District (Wards 2 & 3) Melo Grant Progressive megrant@burlingtonvt.gov 802-310-0962
 Ward 2 Gene Bergman Progressive gbergman@burlingtonvt.gov 802-598-3602
 Ward 3 Joe Magee Progressive jmagee@burlingtonvt.gov 802-279-5513


School Board Members:

 Central District (Wards 2 & 3) Jean Waltz jwaltz@bsdvt.org 802-355-7856

 Ward 2 Faizo Hassan hassanfaizo@gmail.com 802-578-1259
 Ward 3 Polly Vanderputten pvanderputten@bsdvt.org 802-578-8653


Vermont State House Representatives:
 Chittenden-15 Troy Headrick Progressive/Democrat theadrick@leg.state.vt.us

 Chittenden-15 Brian Cina Progressive/Democrat bcina@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

 Chittenden-16 Kate Logan Progressive/Democrat klogan@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

 Chittenden-16 Jill Krowinski Democrat jkrowinski@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

 Chittenden-17 Emma Mulvaney-Stanak Progressive/Democrat emulvaneystanak@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228


Vermont State Senators:

 Chittenden-Central Tanya Vyhovsky Progressive/Democrat ltvyhovsky@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

 Chittenden-Central Martine Gulick Democrat mgulick@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

 Chittenden-Central Philip Baruth Democrat/Progressive pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us (802) 503-5266




 Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 3

Wards 2 and 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly - NOTES
 Thursday, March 14, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm
 Join in person: ONE Community Center, 20 Allen St.
 Join virtually: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85860854764

Moderator: Erika Faulkner Notetaker: Roxanne Meuse
Steering Committee members present: Erika Faulkner, Roxanne Meuse, Lauren Ebersol, Mollie Flanigan, Amy,
Chris Haessly, Michelle Borbas
Attendees present: See last page for sign-in sheets


6:30 pm: Introductions & Announcements
 1. Adopt the agenda
 2. Thank you to Joe Magee for your service as Ward 3 city councilor!
 3. NPA member introductions

6:35 pm: Public Forum
 ● Polly Vanderputten (Ward 3 → Ward 2 school commissioner): Thank you for voting me in and for
 voting for the school budget. The budget is also a huge boost in morale for students, teachers, parents.
 ● Wendy Coe (Ward 2 clerk): HO Wheeler (IAA) is doing renovations, so the November election will be
 somewhere else.
 ● Gene Bergman (Ward 2 city councilor):
 ○ Amazed at the Ward 2 voting turnout - remarkable.
 ○ Green Mountain Transit has had a fare-free program, and the state legislature deemed not to
 continue funding it. And a requirement was set last year that they’d reinstate the fare. But
 working on free fare for youth and seniors, and capping the cost for low-income folks. The
 Transportation, Energy, and Utilities Committee (a City Council committee) is meeting on Tues
 March 26 will be on this topic.
 ● [unknown]: Eclipse glasses available - 1 per family - in this meeting - from Obscura BTV. Also, the
 Vermont Language Justice Project has translated info on the eclipse.
 ● Melo Grant (Central District City Councilor): This Friday (March 15), the motel program will push out
 500 more people. Want to create an overnight shelter on Cherry St, run by the National Guard plus
 sheriff’s dept. This is inhumane. Please follow the news, and email the governor.
 ● (Maybe Curt McCormack?): Gave history on the bus fares. Bus should be fare free.
 ● Andrea Todd (Ward 2): Roosevelt Park is undergoing a reenvisioning project and requests the NPA has
 another update from them. In PlanBTV Walk Bike plan, there was a goal for greater transit use, but this



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 CEDO’s request form • Links from this agenda
 hasn’t been done. Great Streets has a big focus on parking but nothing about public buses. Also
 disappointing that the Public Works director is on the GMT commissioner but not pushing this.
 Requests that Gene and Joe push this.
 ● Sarah Hernandez Tim (public engagement coordinator with Burlington Police Dept): We have press
 releases you can subscribe to. Her email: stimm@bpdvt.org
 ● Erika Faulkner (Ward 2 Steering Committee member): A friend is starting a chapter of the Climate
 Reality Project (started by Al Gore) and trying to recruit people to take action on climate issues.
 ● Ivan Klipstein (former Ward 2, current NNE, soon to be Ward 2 resident): “Everyday Neighbors”
 Multilingual community calendar available. Most have gone out for free to lower income / working
 class hubs. Currently just breaking even and would like to sell the last dozen for $25 each. Can purchase
 on his website
 ● Charlie Giannoni (Ward 2 election worker): Election workers needed in Ward 3. Talk to Charlie if you
 want to learn more.
 ● Megan (Ward 2): Relaying info from a city council meeting: Someone reported seeing a lot of erosion
 happening in the Winooski River by the bridge. We should look into making sure the bridge doesn’t
 collapse, and that we protect the shoreline.

6:52 pm: Introduction to passive house design & benefits | Enrique Bueno, VT Passive House
 ● VT Passive House Association’s mission to educate the public on the Passive House Building Standard.
 ● See slides
 ● Call to action for NPAs to actively participate in improving energy efficiency and building codes.
 ● Local example that meets the standards: Elm Place

7:10 pm: Home electrification: What technology & incentives are available today to reduce
fossil fuel usage| Jacob Flanigan, Ward 2 resident.
 ● See slides
 ● Some highlights:
 ○ Two main sources of incentives: Burlington Electric Dept and Inflation Reduction Act
 ○ For renters: leasing / “on-bill financing” is an option. Vermont Gas (VGS) will take out your
 water heater and put in a heatpump water heater on lease (they own it and will maintain it);
 you just pay the bill.
 ○ Backup to a heatpump: electrical resistance system (don’t need a gas generator)
 ● Questions from attendees:
 ○ Does Efficiency Vermont also offer rebates?
 ■ BED goes thru Efficiency VT
 ○ Brian Pine: In a lot of older homes, it’s 100amp service, so you’d have to upgrade to 200amp (a
 big ticket thing) to handle a lot of these.
 ■ Federal incentives to upgrade electrical services
 ■ And there are heatpumps that plug into a regular outlet now
 ■ Smart panels can help avoid peaks
 ○ Community support for requiring some of this stuff?
 ■ Gene (Ward 2 city councilor): Tried to close loopholes but were defeated. Also a
 workforce lack of this stuff. Need an integrated approach. TUC committee is working on
 building codes.
 ■ Jacob: Would be great if BED had incentives for this. BTV and VT have building codes but
 aren’t well checked.
 ○ Andrea Todd: So people know, BED -- instead of working on stuff like this -- are choosing to
 remove parking in the ONE and low-income neighborhoods to make way for electrical vehicle
 charging. Feels that they’re experimenting on this with lower-income neighborhoods. Requests
 Gene raises this on city council. What Jacob’s describing will impact/benefit so many more
 people.
 ○ Also, lithium and cobalt (in electric cars) are from places like the Congo / use slave labor. Need
 to think about a green energy future for the world, not just Americans.

7:40 pm: Solar eclipse! What’s going on in Burlington for the eclipse (April 8) | Zach
Williamson, Obscura BTV.
 ● View slides
 ● Last total eclipse here was 1932, next in 2106
 ● Collab between BCA with Burlington Workforce & Development, DPW, Parks
 ● Peak lasts 3 minutes, but 1 hour before and after is partial.
 ● Remarkable and not something to be missed. Dark, quiet, temp will drop (by ~10 degrees), nightlife
 starts to make sounds. People say it’s transformational. People travel around to experience it.
 ● Eclipse glasses: You can’t see through them. Only need them when looking at the sun. The only time
 you can look up at the sun without them is during totality (2.5-3 min).
 ● If you want to take a photo, you need a lens on them.
 ● Street closings (see the visual in the slide):
 ○ Closing 127 at 10am so visitors can park on it (from Manhattan to Plattsburgh Ave). Working
 with GMT to run a shuttle.
 ■ Andrea Todd: Disappointed that really only the ONE is being used.
 ● Champlain Parkway not being used because the city isn’t allowed to use it until
 the keys are handed to us. Insurance issue.
 ● Will look into the Howard Center parking area.
 ● 127 chosen because you can fit so many in one fell swoop. Otherwise, we’d need
 many different parking areas, which makes bus logistics tougher.
 ○ Local roads: local traffic allowed, controlled by a police officer and flagger.
 ○ Park St will be 2-directional.
 ● Waterfront park: expecting 2-3 times the amount from July 3rd.
 ● “Obscura Afterparty” downtown
 ● Official viewing sites and events happening at: Battery Park, Battery Street, Waterfront Park, Perkins
 Pier, Oakledge, City Hall Park, Roosevelt Park (built out especially for families and streaming NASA
 livestream), Leddy Park. ONE Arts will also host something
 ● Eclipse-related events start soon! (not just the day of or even that weekend) Check out the website.
 ○ Zoe Keating Sat Apr 6 at Unitarian Universalist along with a projection designer.
 ● Bathrooms will be added around town.
 ● Looking for volunteers
 ● Low is 30,000. 50-60,000 also possible.
 ● Burlington police and fire will be ready
 ● Andrea Todd: What if 127 fills up?
 ○ We have reversible signs and overflow would possibly go to the interstate. VTrans is activating
 their zone, and Vermont State Police will be based at their barracks in WIllison

8:10pm: Adjourned
Thank you for coming! Our next meeting is Thursday, April 11.