City Council - Charter Change Committee — Burlington, VT
Date: 2024-10-30
Time: 17:30

Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR
 REMOTELY via ZOOM

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

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
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1. Agenda
  1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda

2. Adopt Draft Minutes
  Subject 2.1. Adopt Draft Minutes from October 1
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room 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 October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM
  Category 3. Public Forum
  Department Council and Board


  Type

4. Voter Approval of Local Redistricting
  Subject 4.1. Voter Approval of Local Redistricting
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 4. Voter Approval of Local Redistricting

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

5. Residential Rental Notice Requirements
  Subject 5.1. Residential Rental Notice Requirements
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 5. Residential Rental Notice Requirements

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

6. Councilor Compensation
  Subject 6.1. Councilor Compensation
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 6. Councilor Compensation

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action
7. Any Other Committee Business
  Subject 7.1. Any Other Committee Business
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 7. Any Other Committee Business

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 8. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR
 REMOTELY via ZOOM

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

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/91830174722?pwd=uWMfNPhP2t8mibo8Kxk1AaWFypBib9.1
Passcode: 392622
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1. Agenda
  1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda

2. Adopt Draft Minutes
  Subject 2.1. Adopt Draft Minutes from October 1
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 2. Adopt Draft Minutes

  Department Council and Board




 Page 1 of 13
  Type

  Recommended Action

3. Public Forum
  Subject 3.1. Verbal Comments
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM
  Category 3. Public Forum
  Department Council and Board


  Type

4. Voter Approval of Local Redistricting
  Subject 4.1. Voter Approval of Local Redistricting
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 4. Voter Approval of Local Redistricting

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

5. Residential Rental Notice Requirements
  Subject 5.1. Residential Rental Notice Requirements
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 5. Residential Rental Notice Requirements

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

6. Councilor Compensation
  Subject 6.1. Councilor Compensation
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 6. Councilor Compensation

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action



 Page 2 of 13
7. Any Other Committee Business
  Subject 7.1. Any Other Committee Business
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 7. Any Other Committee Business

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting October 30, 2024 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Wednesday, October 30,
 2024, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine Front Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 8. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action




 Page 3 of 13
 Charter Change Committee
 Tuesday, October 1, 2024
 Queen City Room in City Hall and Remote
 DRAFT MINUTES

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

Staff Present: Jessica Brown (City Attorney)

Public Present: Evan Litwin (City Councilor), Melo Grant (City Councilor)

Meeting called to order at 5:39 PM.

1. Agenda
 1.01 Motion to amend/adopt agenda

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

2. Adopt Draft Minutes from 8/14
 2.01 Adopt Draft Minutes from 8/14

Motion to Adopt Draft Minutes from August 14.
Motion by Councilor Doherty, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter
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

Councilor Carpenter stated that the effort to change the redistricting process to require only a
local vote by residents was started while City Attorney Dan Richardson was with the City, but it
was not put on the ballot at that time because the City was in the midst of redistricting and it
would have been confusing.

Councilor Bergman said he would like to bring the current version back to the City Council for
just for information to make the change public as soon as possible and then discuss the time
schedule after that.

Motion to refer the current draft charter change language about local redistricting back to the
City Council for discussion.
 Page 1 of 2



 Page 4 of 13
Motion by Councilor Carpenter, Seconded by Councilor Doherty.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Unanimous

Motion to send the current draft charter change to the City’s NPAs with a communication stating
that the Committee wants to get the language on the March ballot.
Motion by Councilor Carpenter, Seconded by Councilor Doherty.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Unanimous

5. Residential Rental Notice Requirements

Evan Litwin shared his draft language for this charter change. The draft is available on the
agenda packet.

Councilor Carpenter said that this change may not provide a huge additional protection because
savvy landlords will put such increases in the lease itself.

Councilor Bergman said the Committee should work closely with CDNR in moving this
language forward.

Evan Litwin (City Counselor) said he would finalize the language with CDNR before sending
the language to the full Council for their awareness and input.

Councilor Bergman said the Charter Change Committee does not have any further work to do on
this until it has gone through CDNR and potentially been referred to the Committee.

6. Any Other Committee Business

The next meeting is set for October 30th at 5:30, location pending.

7. Adjournment
 8.01 Adjournment

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

The meeting was adjourned at 6:34 PM.




 Page 2 of 2



 Page 5 of 13
 Resolution Relating to RESOLUTION________
 Sponsor(s):
 Introduced: ____________________
 MARCH 4, 2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING
 Referred to: ____________________
 PROPOSED CHARTER CHANGE REGARDING ______________________________
 REDISTRICTING BY CITY COUNCIL 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, the City of Burlington’s charter currently describes City Districts and Wards in
 2 explicit enumerated and geographical terms in Article 2 (City Election Areas Defined), Section 2 (Election
 3 Boundaries);
 4 WHEREAS, as the charter is currently written, to alter the number or geography of City Districts and
 5 Wards a charter change must be enacted, a process consisting, among other procedural steps, of the review,
 6 possible further amendment, and confirmation by the Vermont State Legislature;
 7 WHEREAS, this process involving by the Vermont State Legislature has the practical effect of slowing
 8 the City’s redistricting process at the local level;
 9 WHEREAS, it is the goal of the City to accelerate any redistricting processes, while maintaining fair,
10 equitable, and reasonable processes for redistricting;
11 WHEREAS, the City aims to achieve this goal by removing the descriptions of the number and
12 geography of City Districts and Wards in Article 2 (City Election Areas Defined), Section 2 (Election
13 Boundaries) and replacing this with a procedure equipping the City to unilaterally preform redistricting without
14 needing further charter changes and involvement by the Vermont State Legislature;
15 WHEREAS, the charters of other Vermont municipalities, including Montpelier, are written as to not
16 require a charter change to effectuate an alteration to the number or geography of city districts and wards;
17 WHEREAS, the Charter Change Committee held meetings on ______________ received public
18 comment, considered the referred proposed charter language, and amended this language; and
19 WHEREAS, on ________, the Committee voted to refer the charter change language back to the Council
20 to be placed on the March 4, 2025 ballot;
21 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council approves the amendments to the city
22 charter recommended by the Charter Change Committee and requests the Mayor to place the following question
23 on the ballot of the Annual City Meeting to be held on March 4, 2025 and the City Clerk to set public hearings
24 on this question in accordance with Charter §303 and 17 V.S.A. §2645:
25


 Page 6 of 13
 Page 2 Resolution Relating to MARCH 4, 2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING
 PROPOSED CHARTER CHANGE REGARDING
 REDISTRICTING BY CITY COUNCIL


26 “Shall the Charter of the City of Burlington, Acts of 1949, No. 298 as amended be further amended to
27 amend Section 2 to Article 2 as follows:
28
29 ARTICLE 2. CITY ELECTION AREAS DEFINED
30 §2. Election boundaries.
31 (a) City Districts Described. For the annual meeting of 2015 and all City elections thereafter, the City of
32 Burlington is divided into four electoral districts, constituted as follows:

33 (1) East District. The East District shall include all that part of said City lying easterly and
34 northerly of the following described boundaries: Beginning at the common boundary between the
35 Cities of Burlington and Winooski in the Winooski River beneath the Central Vermont Railway
36 bridge downstream of the Lower Winooski Falls and Salmon Hole; thence westerly in the
37 centerline of said railroad tracks, crossing Intervale Road, to a point where the centerline of Hyde
38 Street extended northeasterly intersects said railroad track centerline (approximately -73.2045
39 longitude, 44.4912 latitude); thence southerly along the extension of the centerline of Hyde Street,
40 continuing on the centerline of Hyde Street to the intersection of the centerline of North Willard
41 Street; thence southerly along the centerline of North Willard Street to the intersection of the
42 centerline of Pearl Street; thence westerly along the centerline of Pearl Street to the intersection of
43 the centerline of South Winooski Avenue; thence southerly along the centerline of South Winooski
44 Avenue to the intersection of the centerline of Main Street; thence easterly along the centerline of
45 Main Street to the intersection of the western property line of 525 Main Street extended, containing
46 the Main Street Water Reservoir (approximately -73.1992 longitude, 44.4763 latitude); thence
47 southerly along the western property boundary of 525 Main Street to its southwestern corner
48 approximately -73.1991 longitude, 44.4746 latitude); thence easterly along the southern property
49 boundary of 525 Main Street to its southeastern corner (approximately -73.1984 longitude, 44.4746
50 latitude); thence southwesterly along the western property boundaries of 49, 55, and 59 University
51 Terrace to the southwestern corner of 59 University Terrace (approximately -73.1987 longitude,
52 44.4742 latitude); thence southeasterly along the southern property boundaries of 59 University
53 Terrace and 60 University Terrace, extended to the centerline of University Heights Road
54 (approximately -73.1964 longitude, 44.4732 latitude); thence southerly along the centerline of
55 University Heights Road 1,314 feet to its intersection with the extended centerline of the walkway
56 serving the University of Vermont Southwick Hall and the Music Building from the Redstone
57 Campus loop road (approximately -73.1968 longitude, 44.4698 latitude); thence westerly along the
58 extended walkway and walkway centerline, with the Music Building to the north and Southwick
59 Hall to the south, 367 feet to its intersection with the centerline of the Redstone Campus loop road
60 (approximately -73.1982 longitude, 44.4698 latitude); thence northerly and then westerly along the
61 centerline of the Redstone Campus loop road to its intersection with the centerline of South
62 Prospect Street; thence southerly along the centerline of South Prospect Street to its intersection
63 with the centerline of the Davis Road; thence northeasterly along the centerline of Davis Road to
64 its intersection with University Heights Road, continuing easterly along the centerline of Davis
65 Road to its intersection with the common boundary between the Cities of Burlington and South
66 Burlington.




 Page 7 of 13
 Page 3 Resolution Relating to MARCH 4, 2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING
 PROPOSED CHARTER CHANGE REGARDING
 REDISTRICTING BY CITY COUNCIL


 67 (2) Central District. The Central District shall include all that part of the City bounded as
 68 follows: On the east, beginning at the common boundary between the City of Burlington and Town
 69 of Colchester in the Winooski River at the intersection of the centerline of Institute Road extended
 70 northeasterly (approximately -73.2139 longitude, 44.5077 latitude); thence southerly along the
 71 common boundary between the City of Burlington and Town of Colchester in the Winooski River
 72 to a point beneath the Central Vermont Railway bridge downstream of the Lower Winooski Falls
 73 and Salmon Hole; thence southerly along the East District western boundary to its intersection with
 74 the centerline of Main Street; continuing southerly along the centerline of South Winooski Avenue
 75 to its intersection with the centerline of King Street; on the south along the centerline of King
 76 Street extended westerly to Lake Champlain; on the west by Lake Champlain; on the north,
 77 beginning at the intersection of the common property boundary between 87 North Avenue and 9
 78 Lakeview Terrace extended westerly to Lake Champlain (approximately -73.2252 longitude,
 79 44.4832 latitude); thence northeasterly along the extended property boundary between 87 North
 80 Avenue and 9 Lakeview Terrace to its intersection with the centerline of the Central Vermont
 81 Railway railroad track (approximately -73.2239 longitude, 44.4837 latitude); thence northerly and
 82 easterly along the centerline of the Central Vermont Railway railroad track, crossing North Avenue
 83 and the Burlington Beltline, to its intersection with the centerline of Spring Street extended
 84 northwesterly (approximately -73.2183 longitude, 44.4912 latitude); thence northwesterly along
 85 the extension of the centerline of Spring Street to its intersection with the centerline of Institute
 86 Road extended northeasterly (approximately -73.2281 longitude, 44.4995 latitude); thence
 87 northeasterly along the extension of the centerline of Institute Road extended to its intersection
 88 with the common boundary between the City of Burlington and Town of Colchester in the
 89 Winooski River (approximately -73.2139 longitude, 44.5077 latitude).

 90 (3) South District. The South District shall include all that part of the City south of the southern
 91 boundaries of the East and Central Districts.

 92 (4) North District. The North District shall include all that part of the City north of the northern
 93 boundary of the Central District.

94 (b) Wards Described. Each of the City of Burlington’s four electoral districts set forth in subsection (a) of
95 this section hereby comprises two wards, each of which is constituted as follows:

 96 (1) East District - Ward 1 and Ward 8.

 97 (A) The East District is divided into two wards by the following boundary: Beginning at the
 98 center of the intersection of Pearl Street and South Willard Street; thence southerly along the
 99 centerline of South Willard Street to the intersection of the centerline of College Street; thence
100 easterly along the centerline of College Street extended to the intersection of the centerline of
101 University Place; thence southerly along the centerline of University Place to the intersection of
102 the centerline of Main Street; thence easterly along the centerline of Main Street to the common
103 boundary between the Cities of Burlington and South Burlington.

104 (B) Ward 1 lies to the north and east of the boundary described in subdivision (A) of this
105 subdivision (1), and Ward 8 lies to the south and west.

106 (2) Central District - Ward 2 and Ward 3.

 Page 8 of 13
 Page 4 Resolution Relating to MARCH 4, 2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING
 PROPOSED CHARTER CHANGE REGARDING
 REDISTRICTING BY CITY COUNCIL


107 (A) The Central District is divided into two wards by the following boundary: Beginning at the
108 centerline of the Central Vermont Railway railroad track at the intersection of the centerline of
109 Spring Street extended northwesterly (approximately -73.2183 longitude, 44.4912 latitude); thence
110 southerly along the centerline of Spring Street extended northwesterly, continuing along the
111 centerline of Spring Street to its intersection with the centerline of Elmwood Avenue; thence
112 southerly along the centerline of Elmwood Avenue to its intersection with the centerline of Pearl
113 Street; thence easterly along the centerline of Pearl Street to the intersection of the centerlines of
114 North and South Winooski Avenue.

115 (B) Ward 2 lies to the east of the boundary described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (2),
116 and Ward 3 lies to the west.

117 (3) South District - Ward 5 and Ward 6.

118 (A) The South District is divided into two wards by the following boundary: Beginning at the
119 intersection of the centerlines of King Street and Saint Paul Street; thence southerly along the
120 centerline of Saint Paul Street to its intersection with the centerline of Shelburne Street; thence
121 southerly along the centerline of Shelburne Street to its intersection with the centerline of Flynn
122 Avenue; thence easterly along the centerline of Flynn Avenue extended easterly to the common
123 boundary between the Cities of Burlington and South Burlington.

124 (B) Ward 5 lies to the west of the boundary described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3),
125 and Ward 6 lies to the east.

126 (4) North District - Ward 4 and Ward 7.

127 (A) The North District is divided into two wards by the following boundary: Beginning at the
128 intersection of the centerlines of North Avenue and the Central Vermont Railway railroad track;
129 thence northerly along the centerline of North Avenue to its intersection with the centerline of
130 Fairfield Drive; thence westerly along the centerline of Fairfield Drive to its intersection with the
131 western property boundary of 39 Westward Drive extended southerly; thence northerly along the
132 western property boundaries of 39 and 40 Westward Drive, continuing northerly along the western
133 property boundaries of properties fronting the west side of Hardy Avenue to the southern boundary
134 of 35 Derway Drive; thence westerly along the southern boundary of 35 Derway Drive, extended
135 to its intersection with the centerline of Derway Drive (approximately -73.2690 longitude, 44.5249
136 latitude); thence northeasterly along the centerline of Derway Drive to its intersection with the
137 centerline of Claire Pointe Drive; thence northerly along the centerline of Claire Pointe Drive
138 approximately 44 feet to its intersection with the southern property boundary of the Claire Pointe
139 condominium development; thence westerly along the southern property boundary of the Claire
140 Pointe condominium development to the Waterfront Bike Path right-of-way approximately 537
141 feet (approximately -73.2707 longitude, 44.5253 latitude), and then extended to Lake Champlain.

142 (B) Ward 4 lies to the west of the boundary described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (4),
143 and Ward 7 lies to the east.

144 (5) Ward map reference. Reference is also made to a map entitled "Ward Redistricting, 8 Wards - 4
145 Districts, 12 Councilors, Referred to City Council by CC Committee (v.3), Map Date: December 2,


 Page 9 of 13
 Page 5 Resolution Relating to MARCH 4, 2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING
 PROPOSED CHARTER CHANGE REGARDING
 REDISTRICTING BY CITY COUNCIL


146 2013" located in the Burlington Chief Administrative Officer’s office in further aid of the description of
147 the wards set forth in this subsection.

148 There shall be election areas for the City, which shall be defined and filed with the City Clerk. The City Council
149 may make changes from time to time to the boundaries of the election areas in order to provide an equal division
150 of population among them in accordance with data produced by the U.S. Census Bureau. Election areas changes
151 shall not be made more frequently than once in five years. Such changes shall be approved by the voters at an
152 annual or special meeting of the City and shall become effective immediately upon approval unless a later date
153 is established therein.
154
155 * Material underlined added.
156 ** Material stricken out deleted.
157
158 KS/Resolutions 2024/March 4, 2025, Annual City Meeting Proposed Charter Change Regarding Redistricting by City Council
159
160 September 30, 2024




 Page 10 of 13
 Resolution Relating to RESOLUTION________
 Sponsor(s):
 Introduced: CDNR, Charter Change
 MARCH 4, 2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING – CHARTER
 Referred to: ____________________
 CHANGE RE: CITY COUNCIL AUTHORITY TO ______________________________
 REGULATE RENTAL NOTIFICATIONS AND Action: ________________________
 NOTIFICATION PERIODS 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, the City has a significant population of renters, and ensuring fair, transparent, and
 2 equitable housing practices is essential to promoting stability and wellbeing within the community; and
 3 WHEREAS, the City Charter prescribes limited authority for the City Council to regulate rental
 4 notifications and notification periods to increase rent or to terminate a tenancy; and
 5 WHEREAS, specifically, Section 48(64)(A) requires landlords to provide 90 days’ notice to terminate
 6 a tenancy without cause if the tenancy has been less than two years and 120 days if the tenancy has been
 7 longer, Section 48(64)(B) requires tenants to provide two rental periods’ notice to terminate a tenancy unless
 8 inconsistent with a lease provision, and Section 48(65) requires 90 days’ notice of a rental increase; and
 9 WHEREAS, these notice periods are in addition or in excess of those required by general state law,
10 including 9 V.S.A. §§ 4456(d) and 4467(c), and facilitate the City in addressing the unique needs of its rental
11 market; and
12 WHEREAS, the notice periods prescribed by the City Charter are inadequate to allow the City to
13 respond to specific and changing rental housing market conditions; and
14 WHEREAS, granting the City greater flexibility to enact rental notice regulations will allow the City
15 Council to enhance tenant stability, to foster more transparent landlord-tenant relations, and to mitigate
16 negative impacts from sudden evictions or lease terminations, particularly for vulnerable populations; and
17 WHEREAS, at its October 24, 2024 meeting, the Community Development and Neighborhood
18 Revitalization Committee (“CDNR”) of the City Council referred a motion to the City Council proposing a
19 Charter Change amendment that would grant the City Council greater control to regulate rental notifications
20 and notification periods; and
21 WHEREAS, on [date] the City Council referred CDNR’s recommendation to the Charter Change
22 Committee; and
23 WHEREAS, the Charter Change Committee considered CDNR’s proposal at its meeting(s) on [date/s],
24 and referred the proposal back to the City Council with a positive recommendation; and




 Page 11 of 13
 Page 2
 Resolution Relating to MARCH 4, 2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING – CHARTER CHANGE RE:
 CITY COUNCIL AUTHORITY TO REGULATE RENTAL NOTIFICATIONS
 AND NOTIFICATION PERIODS

25 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council approves the amendments to the City
26 Charter recommended by CDNR and the Charter Change Committee and requests that the Mayor warn the
27 following question and place it on the ballot for the Annual City Meeting to be held on March 4, 2025, and
28 that the City Clerk set public hearings on this question in accordance with Section 303 of the City Charter and
29 17 V.S.A. § 2645:
30
31 “Shall the Charter of the City of Burlington, Acts of 1948, No. 298, as amended, be further amended as
32 follows?:
33 § 48. Enumerated:
34 The City Council shall have power:
35 (1) to (63), as written.
36 (64) (A) Where there is no written rental agreement and notwithstanding 9 V.S.A. § 4467(c), to
37 prohibit, by ordinance, a landlord from terminating a tenancy of rental housing within the City for no cause
38 unless the landlord provides to the tenant written notice of at least 90 days when the tenancy has been less than
39 two years and of at least 120 days when the tenancy has been two years or more. Notwithstanding 9 V.S.A.
40 § 4467 or any other law, to establish, by ordinance, requirements that residential landlords provide tenants
41 notice prior to termination of residential tenancies, including requirements for the contents and timing of such
42 notices. Such requirements may include special notice requirements for vulnerable populations, including
43 elderly tenants, tenants with disabilities, and low-income tenants.
44 (B) Unless inconsistent with a written rental agreement or otherwise provided by law, and
45 notwithstanding the provisions of 9 V.S.A. § 4456(d), to require, by ordinance, tenants who wish to terminate
46 a residential tenancy to give actual notice to the landlord at least two rental periods prior to the termination
47 date specified in the notice. Notwithstanding 9 V.S.A. § 4456(d) or any other law, to establish, by ordinance,
48 requirements that residential tenants provide landlords notice prior to termination of tenancies, including
49 requirements for the contents and timing of such notices.
50 (65) Notwithstanding any other law, tTo prohibit increases in rent or other changes in lease terms for
51 rental housing within the City without advance written notice. The timing, contents, and manner of giving
52 such notice shall be established by ordinance of at least 90 days. Such ordinance may include special notice
53 requirements for vulnerable populations, including elderly tenants, tenants with disabilities, and low-income
54 tenants.
55


 Page 12 of 13
 Page 3
 Resolution Relating to MARCH 4, 2025 ANNUAL CITY MEETING – CHARTER CHANGE RE:
 CITY COUNCIL AUTHORITY TO REGULATE RENTAL NOTIFICATIONS
 AND NOTIFICATION PERIODS

56 *Material underlined added.
57 ** Material stricken deleted.
58
59
60 er/ Resolutions 2024/Charger Change re Rental Notifications
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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


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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

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

The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 PM.




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