Wards 2 & 3 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2024-06-13
Time: 18:30

Wards 2 and 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Thursday, June 13, 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 | Pride Month Dinner: Rainbow Summer Rolls with
 marinated Tempeh, Scarpaccia Tart, Salad, and Confetti Cake - plus a special community
 weaving project!

Moderator: Mollie Flanigan Notetaker: Jess Robbins
6:30 pm Introductions & Announcements | 10 min
 1. Adopt the agenda
 2. 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 Recognition of Curt McCormack’s public service | 10 min
 Community acknowledgement of Curt McCormack’s decades of service to our community.

7:00 pm Juneteenth Overview | 10 min
 Phet Keomanyvanh, Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Department
 An overview of the city’s upcoming Juneteenth celebration and what residents can do to take
 part and support the event.

7:10 pm Declaration of Inclusion | 10 min
 Ali Dieng, Former Burlington City Councilor
 A brief discussion and vote on the Declaration of Inclusion, modeled after the Vermont
 Declaration of Inclusion.

7:20 pm ONE Ramble Overview and Invitation to Get Involved | 15 min
 Jeannie Waltz, Ramble Volunteer
 Hear plans for this year's ONE Ramble Festival, July 27, 2024 and how you can get involved!

7:30 pm NPA Steering Committee Overview and Invitation | 5 min
 Roxanne Meuse, Ward 2 Steering Committee Member
 A call for new Ward 2 and 3 NPA Steering Committee members, starting September 2024.




Use the QR code (or click here) to: 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 • Get to all links related to this meeting
7:35 pm City Councilor update on City Budget | 15 min
 Bring your questions and concerns.

7:50 pm Legislative Session Report Out | 40 min
 State Representatives and Senators
 Come hear a debrief of the legislative session and ask your questions to the legislators!

8:30 pm Adjourn - thank you for coming!
 Our next meeting is Thursday, July 11.




 Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 1
 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
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 2
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 3
Elected officials representing Wards 2 and 3
Mayor:

 Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak Progressive 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 Kane Progressive jkane@burlingtonvt.gov 802-391-4394


School Board Members:

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

 Ward 2 Polly Vanderputten pvanderputten@bsdvt.org 802-578-8653
 Ward 3 Saja Almogalli salmogalli@bsdvt.org


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 Abigail Duke Democrat aduke@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 4

Wards 2 and 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly - NOTES
 Thursday, June 13, 2024, 6:30 - 8:30pm


Moderator: Mollie Flanigan Notetaker: Roxanne Meuse
Steering Committee members present: Ward 2: Jess Hyman, Mollie Flanigan, Erika Faulkner, Lauren Ebersol,
Roxanne Meuse; Ward 3: Amy Francisco, Chris Haessly
Attendees: See last page


 Community events and resources mentioned in this meeting Who shared info

 Trash grabber lending library! Talk to her any time Lisa Scofield, Ward 2 resident
 pantheonheart@gmail.com
 or find her at an NPA meeting
 :)

 Ward 3: Opening on the school board Final deadline for Jeannie Walz, school board
 petitions for school member for Central District
 board: June 19

 Ward 3 needs poll workers https://www.burling Charlie Giannoni, poll worker
 tonvt.gov/CT/Ward-
 Clerks-and-Inspector
 s-of-Election

 Juneteenth! City’s celebration on https://www.btvreib Phet from REIB
 Saturday, June 15 .com/juneteenth
 And notes below

 Election on August 13: August 13! Emma Mulvaney-Stanak
 ● State primary (all
 Burlingtonians)
 ● Ward 3 only: school
 commissioner. You’ll get a
 ballot mailed for the local
 election, but not the state one.




Use the QR code (or click here) to: 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 • Get to all links related to this meeting
 **Ward 2 folks: You’ll vote at the ONE
 Community Center in August while IAA
 has construction

 Burlington Electric has an https://www.burling Ita from Burlington Electric
 income-based assistance on electricity tonelectric.com/hel
 bill p

 ONE Ramble Festival Saturday, July 27th Jeannie Walz
 2024
 Email the leaders:
 the.o.n.e.ramble@gmail.com

 The Wards 2 & 3 NPA Steering Roxanne Meuse
 Committee needs more NPA members
 come September - particularly for Email the Steering
 Ward 2! Committee at
 wards2and3npa@googlegrou
 See notes below ps.com


6:30 pm Introductions & Announcements | 10 min
 1. Adopt the agenda
 2. NPA Steering Committee member introductions
6:35 pm Public Forum | 10 min (2 minutes max per person)
 ● Andrea Todd: Disappointed in the Parks outreach to the ONE and IAA
 ● Polly Vanderputten: School updates
 ● Jean Walz: Opening on school board. Reach out to Jeannie if you want to learn more or want help
 getting signatures
 ● Lauren Ebersol: Primaries on Aug 13. If in Ward 2, your polling place will be at the ONE Community
 Center, not IAA (during construction there).
 ● Charlie Giannoni: Ward 3 needs polling staff (at Sustainability Academy). Live in Ward 3? Please
 consider it! https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/CT/Ward-Clerks-and-Inspectors-of-Election
 ● Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak: Final deadline for petitions for school board: June 19. That election is
 also Aug 13. All voters of Ward 3 will get a ballot mailed for the local elections, but not the state one.
 ● Lisa Scofield: Trash grabber lending library is going great! Borrow a trash grabber from her!
 ● Ita (Burlington Electric): Burlington Electric has an income eligibility rate
 https://www.burlingtonelectric.com/help
 ● Meg (works at IAA): At IAA gym, they have a free garage sale, so if you need any free things, it’s
 tomorrow (Fri 6/14) and Monday, starting at 8am

6:47 pm Recognition of Curt McCormack’s public service | 10 min
 ● Charlie Giannoni - first remarks covering Curt’s legacy on his neighborhood, city, state, and beyond
 Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 1
 ● Jill Krowinski: A lot of former and current legislators are in this meeting - many online, attending from
 around the state, to partake in this recognition. Spoke of his service in the legislature, his commitment
 to reducing carbon emissions, and how he may have been the only legislator to not have/use a car! All
 from the statehouse send our best.
 ● Mary Sullivan: Served with Curt in 90s and 2010s. Admires him and is inspired by him. He lives his
 values.
 ● Carol Ody: Served with Curt for a time. Thank you Curt for everything.
 ● Gabrielle Stebbins: Curt would ask “Why not?” [audio issues] Thank you Curt
 ● Andrea Todd: You’ve done so much for our state, and so much for our community, including the NPA.
 THanks for big picture and community fabric.

7:00 pm Juneteenth Overview | 10 min
 Phet Keomanyvanh, Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Department
 ● Federal holiday, is truly a freedom day
 ● Celebration is Saturday June 15
 ● Most events downtown - City Hall/Contois, Church St, BCA
 ● Lot of local acts, working with local youth
 ● Marketing: a local BIPOC marketing group
 ● REIB serves as a curator of the overall program.
 ● Highlights: Supper Club, gospel brunch, DJs till 11, educational workshops, free haircuts, roller rink - Joy
 Riders, kids activities, poets, performances
 ● Brings a lot of economic development, especially for our black and brown artists
 ● https://www.btvreib.com/juneteenth
 ● QUESTIONS:
 ○ Update on Dewey Park? Postponed the opening event since there was a delay in the materials

7:10 pm ONE Ramble Overview and Invitation to Get Involved | 15 min
 Jeannie Waltz, Ramble Volunteer
 ● ONE Ramble Festival
 ● Turning 20!
 ● Shared some history
 ● What the Ramble is and what makes the Ramble great!
 ● The Ramble acts as a “hub” - facilitates/allows people to do their own events during it. On the website,
 click Host Event. Email the group to learn more
 ● The long-time organizers are excited by the new stewardship
 ● It is a not for profit LLC, meaning they need a board, which is: Jeannie Walz, Jennifer, Alicia Taylor
 ● “The Ramble changes lives, people!”

7:20 pm NPA Steering Committee Overview and Invitation | 5 min
 Roxanne Meuse, Ward 2 Steering Committee Member
 ● A call for new Ward 2 and 3 NPA Steering Committee members, starting September 2024.
 ● See the presentation

 Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 2
7:30 pm Declaration of Inclusion | 10 min
 Ali Dieng, Former Burlington City Councilor
 ● Ali gave an overview of the Declaration of Inclusion, modeled after the Vermont Declaration of
 Inclusion.
 ● It was clear to Ali that the City signing on was the right thing to do
 ● VOTE: Passed. No nay votes.

7:35 pm City Councilor update on City Budget | 15 min
 ● Melo Grant:
 ○ Encourages everyone to pay attention to what’s going on with budget, encampments, especially
 how Mayor Emma talks about everything.
 ○ Encampments: These people have no place to go.
 ○ Juneteenth coming up with a lot of great events and offerings.
 ○ Andrew Champagne has registered over 1800 voters
 ○ Sen CHittenden does not support overdose prevention centers. Email him if you oppose.
 ○ Birdman: If you have ideas on where to hold onto Birdman’s stuff or how to memorialize, reach
 out to Melo.
 ● Gene Bergman: The budget:
 ○ Roads, sidewalks, parks, firemen are all funded by the budget.
 ○ The City has a serious budget to overcome. And is not allowed to continue with a deficit.
 ○ $14 million gap
 ○ The general property tax is not slated to rise.
 ○ The police & fire splinter (dedicated) tax was voted on in March - the public approved to raise it
 by 3 cents. Emma proposes raising it by 2 cents. This type of tax is not income-sensitive (not
 based on ability to pay). So to cover that difference, looking to add a half-percent tax to rooms
 & meals tax (so dining out and hotels)
 ○ And more…
 ● From Joe Kane (not present):
 ○ A $500,000 house will see a $100 increase [per month?]
 ● QUESTIONS
 ○ Nora: Is there some place to go online to try to digest this more?
 ■ See attachments from Monday June 13th’s city council meeting:
 ■ This is what Gene was reading from:
 https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/event/7004/files/attachment/4878
 ■ There are a lot of docs about the budget. This is another:
 https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/event/7004/files/attachment/4877

7:50 pm Legislative Session Report Out | 40 min
 State Representatives and Senators
 ● In attendance: Jill Krowinski, Martine Larocque Gulick, Brian Cina, Phil Baruth, Tanya Vyhovsky, and ___
 ● Jill Krowinski: Listed bills they’ve been working on that were all vetoed by Gov Scott

 Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 3
 ○ The gov isn’t supporting good well thought-out climate solutions that this group is trying to
 push through
 ● Martine: Yield Bill was one she was championing, as someone who supports public education, and gov
 scott vetoed it
 ● Abbey Duke (appointed to replace Emma Mulvaney-Stanak - Chittenden 17): Lives in Ward 7.
 ○ Joined the Commerce & Economic Development Committee. The Data Privacy bill (also
 including a piece on kids cyber safety) came from this committee. The gov objected to the
 provision that allowed “private right of action” which allows people to sue companies, but it
 was only for really big companies and wouldn’t hit the smaller businesses.
 ○ Martine: It’s also important from a healthcare aspect.
 ○ It’s 100 pages long but very important
 ● Tanya (Chittenden Central): Worked on a restorative justice bill. Gov vetoed because the attorney
 generals office couldn’t follow thru with it, but the attorney generals office was the first to bring up
 that we have the votes to overcome the veto. It does want and does have the resources for this bill.
 ● Phil Baruth: Overdose prevention site bill. Dick Sears died, and he was a vote they need to overcome
 the veto. So Phil and others are trying to get others on board
 ○ If you care about Overdose prevention centers, please write a handwritten note to senators
 who aren’t yet on board. One hand written note is worth 50 online signatures.
 ● Brian Cina (Chittenden 15): Framed the vetoes from a healthcare perspective.

Q&A:
  ● Jacob Flanigan: Did the school budget stuff prompt any discussions on changing how we’ll do school
 budgeting in the future?
 ○ Brian: Teacher healthcare premiums are going up 16% - that’s one of the drivers of costs. A
 solution to that would be universal healthcare.
 ○ Martine: One of the ideas floated was to go back to a foundation formula. Our weighting system
 sees the needs of students. It’s equitable. Act 127 updated those weights for the first time in
 20-25 years. Hopes the Yield Bill passes so we can do the work we need.
 ○ Jill: The commission will be looking not just how to pay, but what is our vision for what a great
 education system is?
 ○ Phil (8:20pm - good overview of what happened with the school budget voting): We’ve always
 been a local control state. Individual districts propose what they need, and voters vote. Then
 the state adds those up, and creates a tax rate based on that. The state doesn’t set the tax rate,
 they try to reduce that total.
 ○ Tanya: We need to have the top 40% of income earners contribute more. Hopes we’ll take that
 more seriously next year.
  ● Gene Bergman: Is every Chittenden County senator on board to override the Overdose Prevention
 Center bill?
 ○ Thomas Chittenden voted no for the first vote.
 ○ And we have a new senator - Andy Julow (who was appointed to Dick Mazza’s seat). He’s
 looking for more info right now.
 ○ All of the Burlington state reps support OPCs.

 Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 4
 ● Charlie G: How would you rate Gov Scott’s communication with senators/reps?
 ○ Brian (~8:30): Scott shone during Covid, but after that, would rate a D. He’s the second highest
 paid governor in the country.
 ○ Jill: We have 1,100 vacancies in govt jobs. So our current state employees are trying to fill in for
 2-3 people. So our state govt isn’t able to keep up with phone calls and emails from the public.
 ● Seems like every bill is being vetoed. Is this unusual?
 ○ Brian: He set a record.
 ○ Tanya: Previous record: Howard Dean over 12 years: 21 vetoes. Scott: over 50 vetoes in 8 years.
 This is seemingly how we do things now. Rule by veto.
 ○ Phil: We overrode him 6 times last year, which is also historic. He’s out of control, but there’s a
 check in the system.
 ● 8:30pm __: Thank you for your presence and point of view. In spite of court system, unhoused, other
 issues, I’m concerned about accountability.
 ○ Tanya: Encourages him to watch the whole interview, not just the clip which didn’t accurately
 depict what she had said. Accountability is important. We did expand a couple judges to the
 judiciary system. We want to do things that work. including reducing the backlog in the system.
 addressing mental health, healthcare, etc. Don’t want to respond in a way that we know from
 decades that doesn’t work.

8:30 pm Adjourn - thank you for coming!
 Our next meeting is Thursday, July 11.




Attendees on next page >>




 Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 5
Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 6