City Council - Charter Change Committee — Burlington, VT
Date: 2024-11-21
Time: 17:30

Thursday, November 21, 2024, 5:30 PM, Contois Auditorium, City Hall OR REMOTELY
 via ZOOM

When: Nov 21, 2024 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Charter Change Committee Meeting

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/96540365417?pwd=s8kMcXZjUI7ZuktIc8kDbWfq7sxLIx.1
Passcode: 803629
Or One tap mobile :
  +13052241968,,96540365417#,,,,*803629# US
  +13092053325,,96540365417#,,,,*803629# US
Or Telephone:
  Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
  +1 305 224 1968 US
  +1 309 205 3325 US
  +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
  +1 646 931 3860 US
  +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
  +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
  +1 719 359 4580 US
  +1 253 205 0468 US
  +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
  +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
  +1 360 209 5623 US
  +1 386 347 5053 US
  +1 507 473 4847 US
  +1 564 217 2000 US
  +1 669 444 9171 US
  +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
  +1 689 278 1000 US
Webinar ID: 965 4036 5417
Passcode: 803629
  International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/adhkD7egDL




1. Agenda
  1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda

2. Adopt Draft Minutes
  Subject 2.1. Adopt Draft Minutes from 10/30
  Meeting November 21, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Thursday, November 21,
 2024, 5:30 PM, Contois Auditorium, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 2. Adopt Draft Minutes

  Department Council and Board
  Type

  Recommended Action

3. Public Forum
  Subject 3.1. Verbal Comments
  Meeting November 21, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Thursday, November 21,
 2024, 5:30 PM, Contois Auditorium, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM
  Category 3. Public Forum
  Department Council and Board


  Type

4. Charter Change Ballot Item: City Council Authority to Pledge Credit of the
City
  Subject 4.1. Charter Change Ballot Item: City Council Authority to Pledge Credit of the
 City
  Meeting November 21, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Thursday, November 21,
 2024, 5:30 PM, Contois Auditorium, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 4. Charter Change Ballot Item: City Council Authority to Pledge Credit of the City

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

5. Any Other Committee Business
  Subject 5.1. Any Other Committee Business
  Meeting November 21, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Thursday, November 21,
 2024, 5:30 PM, Contois Auditorium, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 5. Any Other Committee Business

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

6. Adjournment
  Subject 6.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting November 21, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Thursday, November 21,
 2024, 5:30 PM, Contois Auditorium, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 6. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type
Recommended Action

Thursday, November 21, 2024, 5:30 PM, Contois Auditorium, City Hall OR REMOTELY
 via ZOOM

When: Nov 21, 2024 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Charter Change Committee Meeting

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/96540365417?pwd=s8kMcXZjUI7ZuktIc8kDbWfq7sxLIx.1
Passcode: 803629
Or One tap mobile :
  +13052241968,,96540365417#,,,,*803629# US
  +13092053325,,96540365417#,,,,*803629# US
Or Telephone:
  Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
  +1 305 224 1968 US
  +1 309 205 3325 US
  +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
  +1 646 931 3860 US
  +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
  +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
  +1 719 359 4580 US
  +1 253 205 0468 US
  +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
  +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
  +1 360 209 5623 US
  +1 386 347 5053 US
  +1 507 473 4847 US
  +1 564 217 2000 US
  +1 669 444 9171 US
  +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
  +1 689 278 1000 US
Webinar ID: 965 4036 5417
Passcode: 803629
  International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/adhkD7egDL




1. Agenda
  1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda

2. Adopt Draft Minutes
  Subject 2.1. Adopt Draft Minutes from 10/30
  Meeting November 21, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Thursday, November 21,
 2024, 5:30 PM, Contois Auditorium, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 2. Adopt Draft Minutes

  Department Council and Board




 Page 1 of 10
  Type

  Recommended Action

3. Public Forum
  Subject 3.1. Verbal Comments
  Meeting November 21, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Thursday, November 21,
 2024, 5:30 PM, Contois Auditorium, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM
  Category 3. Public Forum
  Department Council and Board


  Type

4. Charter Change Ballot Item: City Council Authority to Pledge Credit of the
City
  Subject 4.1. Charter Change Ballot Item: City Council Authority to Pledge Credit of the
 City
  Meeting November 21, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Thursday, November 21,
 2024, 5:30 PM, Contois Auditorium, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 4. Charter Change Ballot Item: City Council Authority to Pledge Credit of the City

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

5. Any Other Committee Business
  Subject 5.1. Any Other Committee Business
  Meeting November 21, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Thursday, November 21,
 2024, 5:30 PM, Contois Auditorium, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 5. Any Other Committee Business

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

6. Adjournment
  Subject 6.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting November 21, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Thursday, November 21,
 2024, 5:30 PM, Contois Auditorium, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 6. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type


 Page 2 of 10
Recommended Action




 Page 3 of 10
 Charter Change Committee
 Wednesday, October 30, 2024
 Front Conference Room at 645 Pine St. and Remote
 DRAFT MINUTES

Members Present: Councilor Bergman (Chair), Councilor Carpenter

Staff Present: Erik Ramakrishnan (Assistant City Attorney)

Public Present: Evan Litwin (City Councilor)

Meeting called to order at 5:34 PM.

1. Agenda
 1.01 Motion to amend/adopt agenda

Motion to Adopt Agenda as is.
Motion by Councilor Carpenter, Seconded by Councilor Bergman
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Unanimous

2. Adopt Draft Minutes from 10/1
 2.01 Adopt Draft Minutes from 10/1

Motion to Adopt Draft Minutes from October 1.
Motion by Councilor Carpenter, Seconded by Councilor Bergman
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Unanimous

3. Public Forum

No members of the public wanted to speak for this item.

4. Voter Approval of Local Redistricting

Motion to have the City Attorney’s Office fill in the necessary blank dates in the draft resolution
and to amend the tense of line 17 to reflect that the Committee will receive public comment, and
to refer the resolution back to the City Council with the intention of placing the question on the
2025 Town Meeting Day ballot.
Motion by Councilor Carpenter, Seconded by Councilor Bergman
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Unanimous

5. Residential Rental Notice Requirements


 Page 1 of 3



 Page 4 of 10
Evan Litwin (City Councilor) presented the history of the rental notice charter change through
the CDNR Committee.

Councilor Carpenter said she preferred moving the notice period length to ordinance so that there
is more flexibility in language, particularly with regards to subsidized housing.

Evan Litwin said that he discussed this issue with CEDO Director Brian Pine and he said it took
up to 180 days at times to relocate tenants with Section 8 vouchers.

Motion to have the City Attorney’s Office fill in any necessary blanks in the draft resolution, add
an additional clause confirming the public warnings with the Clerk/Treasurer’s Office, and to
make note of the drafting process that occurred in the CDNR Committee, and to refer the
resolution back to the City Council with the intention of placing the question on the 2025 Town
Meeting Day ballot.
Motion by Councilor Carpenter, Seconded by Councilor Bergman
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Unanimous

Councilor Bergman requested that the City Attorney’s Office forward the finalized resolution to
the Council President for inclusion on the full City Council’s agenda.

6. Councilor Compensation

Councilor Bergman reported that he is working with Councilor Brown McKnight to create a
survey for current and former councilors and school board members about the impediments to
holding those elected positions.

7. Any Other Committee Business

Councilor Bergman said he is fine with having the gun control charter changes that were passed
in 2014 to go directly to the full City Council for consideration.

Councilor Carpenter said she would like to have a ballot question about reaffirming the City’s
stance on the already-passed gun control charter changes.

Councilor Bergman requested a meeting with the Administration to detail the aspects of tax
reform they are seeking guidance on.

Councilor Carpenter said that this tax reform may require a special committee or some other
body to accomplish the work of studying the issue.

The next potential meeting will be 5:30 PM on November 21, location TBD.

8. Adjournment
 8.01 Adjournment

 Page 2 of 3



 Page 5 of 10
Motion to adjourn.
Motion by Councilor Bergman, without objection.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 PM.




 Page 3 of 3



 Page 6 of 10
 Resolution Relating to RESOLUTION________
 Sponsor(s): ____________________
 Introduced: ____________________
 MARCH 4, 2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING – CHARTER
 Referred to: ____________________
 CHANGE RE: CITY COUNCIL AUTHORITY TO PLEDGE ______________________________
 CREDIT OF THE CITY Action: ________________________
 Date: __________________________
 Signed by Mayor: ________________

 CITY OF BURLINGTON
 In the year Two Thousand Twenty-Four………………………………………………………………………
 Resolved by the City Council of the City of Burlington, as follows:

 1 That WHEREAS, § 62 of the City Charter generally requires voter approval to sell general obligation
 2 bonds, but allows the City Council to authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to sell up to $2 million in
 3 general obligation bonds per fiscal year for working capital and capital expenses, while also granting the legal
 4 voters of the City the power to referend the City Council’s exercise of said authority; and
 5 WHEREAS, § 63 of the City Charter grants similar authority to the City Council upon
 6 recommendation of the Board of Light Commissioners to authorize the sale of bonds up to $3 million for use
 7 by the Burlington Electric Department, said authorization also subject to the voters’ referendum power; and
 8 WHEREAS, bonds sold under § 63 are on the general credit of the City but are to be paid from rates
 9 rather than from property taxes; and
10 WHEREAS, the City has significant deferred maintenance needs for its infrastructure, including the
11 infrastructure of its electrical, drinking water, storm drainage, and wastewater systems, and delays in
12 addressing deferred maintenance needs typically increase costs once those needs are addressed; and
13 WHEREAS, due to inflation, the dollar limits specified in §§ 62 and 63 are no longer adequate to meet
14 the City’s deferred maintenance needs, which may be necessary to continue to comply with applicable state
15 and federal laws; and
16 WHEREAS, the City Council desires any increase in the $2 million borrowing limitation of § 62 to be
17 phased in responsibly to limit the burden on the City’s property taxpayers; and
18 WHEREAS, at its November 12, 2024 meeting, the City Council referred a motion to the City Council
19 Charter Change Committee proposing a Charter amendment that would amend the dollar thresholds in §§ 62
20 and 63 to address the foregoing needs; and
21 WHEREAS, the Charter Change Committee considered the proposal at its meeting(s) on [date/s],
22 received any public comments, considered any appropriate changes to the proposal, and referred the proposal
23 back to the City Council with a positive recommendation;
24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council approves the proposed Charter
25 amendments and requests that the Mayor warn the following question and place it on the ballot for the Annual


 Page 7 of 10
 Page 2
 Resolution Relating to MARCH 4, 2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING – CHARTER CHANGE RE:
 CITY COUNCIL AUTHORITY TO PLEDGE CREDIT OF CITY


26 City Meeting to be held on March 4, 2025, and that the City Clerk set public hearings on this question in
27 accordance with § 303 of the City Charter and 17 V.S.A. § 2645, said hearings to be warned for the 15th and
28 21st of January, 2025, or otherwise as soon as necessary or convenient and in accordance with applicable law:
29
30 “Shall the Charter of the City of Burlington, Acts of 1948, No. 298, as amended, be further amended as
31 follows?:
32
33 § 62. Council; School Board; not to pledge credit of City; exceptions:
34
35 Subsections (a) to (e), As written.
36 (f)(1) The Chief Administrative Officer, when authorized and directed by resolution of the City
37 Council, may pledge the credit of the City by issuing negotiable orders, warrants, notes, or bonds in an amount
38 not to exceed in the aggregate $2 million in any fiscal year for the purpose of providing working capital and
39 capital improvements, additions, and replacements required for the efficient and economical operation of the
40 City and its departments, other than the Electric Light Department and the Water and Wastewater Divisions of
41 the Public Works Department. If any of such annual borrowing authority is used to provide working capital,
42 notes shall be issued in anticipation of the receipt of City revenue and shall mature within two years from the
43 date of issue, and may be renewed or refunded by the issue of other notes maturing within a similar period
44 whenever such action is deemed expedient. If any of such annual borrowing authority is used to provide
45 capital improvements, additions, and replacements, the negotiable orders, warrants, notes, or bonds issued for
46 such purposes shall be of such denominations, payable at such time or times, at such rate of interest, and to be
47 sold and registered in such manner and under such terms and conditions as shall be established by resolution
48 of the City Council. Beginning in fiscal year 2028, the foregoing $2 million limitation shall increase to not
49 more than $5 million, and beginning in 2031, it shall increase to not more than $10 million.
50 (2) Notwithstanding the above, however, five per cent of the qualified voters of the City may petition
51 for referendum review of the action by the City Council. Any such request for referendum review shall be in
52 accordance with and governed by the procedures specified in section 63 of this charter for borrowing on
53 behalf of Burlington Electric Department or Public Works Department.
54 Subsection (f)(3), As written.
55 § 63. Council may pledge credit of City when authorized by voters to do so:
56 (a) Whenever the legal voters of said City, by two-thirds vote of all voters present and voting on the question
57 at any special or annual City meeting duly warned for the purpose, or, if the purpose shall be the making of an
58 improvement relating to a public school by a majority vote of all voters present and voting on the question,
59 shall give authority to the City Council thereof to pledge the credit of said City for any purpose by issuing its
60 negotiable orders, warrants, notes, or bonds, or whenever the City Council shall determine by resolution, upon
61 prior recommendation of the Board of Light Commissioners, that it is necessary during a fiscal year to pledge
62 the credit of the City by issuing its negotiable orders, warrants, notes, or bonds in an amount not to exceed in
63 the aggregate $3 million in any such fiscal year for the purpose of providing capital improvements, additions,

 Page 8 of 10
 Page 3
 Resolution Relating to MARCH 4, 2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING – CHARTER CHANGE RE:
 CITY COUNCIL AUTHORITY TO PLEDGE CREDIT OF CITY


 64 and replacements required for the efficient and economical operation of the Electric Light Department, said
 65 City shall have power and authority to issue its negotiable orders, warrants, notes, or bonds, and to prescribe
 66 whether such bonds shall be registered or have interest coupons attached, to the amount, not to exceed the
 67 limit prescribed by the general laws of the State, for which authority has been given as aforesaid to so pledge
 68 the credit of said City; such notes or bonds to be of such denominations, payable at such time or times; and at
 69 such a rate of interest, and to be sold and registered in such manner and under such terms and conditions as
 70 shall be established by resolution of said City Council.
 71 (b) Whenever the City Council shall determine by resolution,
 72
 73 (1) Upon prior recommendation of the Board of Light Commissioners that it is necessary during a
 74 fiscal year to pledge the credit of the City by issuing its negotiable orders, warrants, notes, or bonds in
 75 an amount up to in the aggregate $6 million in any such fiscal year for the purpose of providing capital
 76 improvements, additions, and replacements required for the efficient and economical operation of the
 77 Electric Light Department, or
 78 (2) Upon prior recommendation of the Public Works Commission that it is necessary during a fiscal
 79 year to pledge the credit of the City by issuing its negotiable orders, warrants, notes, or bonds in an
 80 amount up to in the aggregate $6 million in any such fiscal year for the purpose of providing capital
 81 improvements, additions, and replacements required for the efficient and economical operation of the
 82 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste facilities operated by the Public Works
 83 Department,
 84 Said City shall have power and authority to issue its negotiable orders, warrants, notes, or bonds, and to
 85 prescribe whether such bonds shall be registered or have interest coupons attached, to the amount, not to
 86 exceed the limit prescribed by the general laws of the State, for which authority has been given as aforesaid to
 87 so pledge the credit of said City. Such notes or bonds shall be of such denominations, payable at such time or
 88 times, at such a rate of interest, and sold and registered in such manner and under such terms and conditions as
 89 shall be established by resolution of said City Council. By majority vote, the voters of the City may increase
 90 either or both borrowing limits set forth in this subsection permanently or for any fiscal year or years.
 91 (c) Notwithstanding subsection (ab) of this section, however, a City Council resolution authorizing the credit
 92 of the City to be pledged in an amount not to exceed $3 million in a fiscal year for the operation of the Electric
 93 Light Department as pursuant theretoaforesaid in an amount not to exceed $3 million in a fiscal year for the
 94 operation of the Electric Light Department as aforesaid shall not give the City power to so pledge its credit
 95 until 44 days have passed following the effective date of such resolution. If during such 44-day period a
 96 petition is filed with the Chief Administrative Officer signed by not less than five percent of the qualified
 97 voters of the City requesting a referendum vote on whether the credit of the City will be pledged in accordance
 98 with the City Council resolution, the credit of the City shall not be pledged pursuant thereto unless a majority
 99 of the qualified voters of the City present and voting at a duly warned annual or special City meeting vote to
100 affirm such City Council resolution. Upon receipt of a proper petition, a special City meeting shall be called
101 by the City Council within 60 days from the date such petition is received, or if the next annual City meeting
102 falls within the 60-day period, the City Council shall include an article in the warning for such annual City
103 meeting, to determine whether the voters will affirm such resolution. If at such City meeting a majority of the
104 qualified voters voting on the question affirm the action of the City Council, the City shall have power to


 Page 9 of 10
 Page 4
 Resolution Relating to MARCH 4, 2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING – CHARTER CHANGE RE:
 CITY COUNCIL AUTHORITY TO PLEDGE CREDIT OF CITY


105 pledge its credit pursuant to the City Council resolution as of the day following such City meeting. If the City
106 Council resolution is not affirmed by a majority of the qualified voters voting on the question, the City shall
107 not have power to pledge its credit in accordance with such resolution.
108
109 *Material underlined added.
110 ** Material stricken deleted.
111
112
113 er/ Resolutions 2024/Charger Change re City Council Borrowing Authority
114 November 12, 2024




 Page 10 of 10

Charter Change Committee
 Thursday, November 21, 2024
 Bushor Conference Room, City Hall and Remote
 DRAFT MINUTES

Members Present: Councilor Bergman (Chair), Councilor Carpenter, Councilor Doherty

Staff Present: Jessica Brown (City Attorney)

Public Present: None.

Meeting called to order at 5:37 PM.

1. Agenda
 1.01 Motion to amend/adopt agenda

Motion to Adopt Agenda as is.
Motion by Councilor Carpenter, Seconded by Councilor Doherty.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Unanimous

2. Adopt Draft Minutes from 10/30
 2.01 Adopt Draft Minutes from 10/30

Motion to Adopt Draft Minutes from October 30.
Motion by Councilor Carpenter, Seconded by Councilor Bergman.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Councilors Bergman and Carpenter
Abstain: Councilor Doherty

3. Public Forum

No members of the public present.

4. Charter Change Ballot Item: City Council Authority to Pledge Credit of the City

Attorney Brown explained that this change would raise the amount that the city can borrow
without a vote by the voters from the current two million dollars per year up to five million in
2028 and up to ten million by 2031.

Councilor Bergman noted that, according to the current charter, the limit was last raised in 2005
and 2009.

Councilor Doherty said this charter change would also create additional bonding limit
specifically for the Water Division.

 Page 1 of 2
Councilor Bergman asked for the Administration to draft a memo that explains the rationale for
the amounts and sequencing for this charter change.

Councilor Carpenter said all of the additional bonding decisions will still go to Board of Finance
and City Council for approval regardless of this limit increase.

Motion to refer the draft charter change back to the full City Council for inclusion on the 2025
Town Meeting Day ballot with a request to the Administration to provide more information on
the rationale for the new limits chosen.
Motion by Councilor Doherty, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Unanimous

5. Any Other Committee Business

The meeting set for November 25 is cancelled.

6. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn.
Motion by Councilor Bergman, without objection.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:16 PM.




 Page 2 of 2