City Council - Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-07-15
Time: 17:30

Racial, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging



 Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)

Held in the Sharon Bushor Conference Room, Ground Floor City Hall
OR
via Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92744162495
Meeting ID: 927 4416 2495

Or Use Phone number: 305-224-1968
Meeting ID: 927 4416 2495




1. Call to Order

2. Adopt the Agenda

3. Adopt Minutes
 Subject 3.1. May 2025
 Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)
 Category 3. Adopt Minutes
 Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)


 Type

4. Public Forum

5. REIB Path Forward
 Subject 5.1. Staffing Updates
 Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)
 Category 5. REIB Path Forward
 Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)
  Type

  Subject 5.2. REIB Charter Update
  Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)
  Category 5. REIB Path Forward
  Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)


  Type

6. Councilor Updates

7. Community Forum

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)


  Category 8. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Subject 9.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
 information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
 Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities
 who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged
 to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in
 advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air
 on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm and
 repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. The City of Burlington will
 not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
 religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age,
 sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status,
 disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information.
  Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)
  Category 9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Department Council and Board


  Type

Racial, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging



 Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)

Held in the Sharon Bushor Conference Room, Ground Floor City Hall
OR
via Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92744162495
Meeting ID: 927 4416 2495

Or Use Phone number: 305-224-1968
Meeting ID: 927 4416 2495




1. Call to Order

2. Adopt the Agenda

3. Adopt Minutes
 Subject 3.1. May 2025
 Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)
 Category 3. Adopt Minutes
 Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)


 Type

4. Public Forum

5. REIB Path Forward
 Subject 5.1. Staffing Updates
 Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)
 Category 5. REIB Path Forward
 Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)



 Page 1 of 4
  Type

  Subject 5.2. REIB Charter Update
  Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)
  Category 5. REIB Path Forward
  Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)


  Type

6. Councilor Updates

7. Community Forum

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)


  Category 8. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Subject 9.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
 information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
 Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities
 who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged
 to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in
 advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air
 on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm and
 repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. The City of Burlington will
 not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
 religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age,
 sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status,
 disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information.
  Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)
  Category 9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Department Council and Board


  Type




 Page 2 of 4
REIB City Council Committee
May 20, 2025
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Sharon Bushor Room

Attendees:
Christian Berry, Interim Director REIB (in person)
Katie Greene, Community and Belonging Program Manager REIB (in person)
Councilor Melo Grant, Chair (virtual)
Councilor Becca Brown McKnight (virtual)
Councilor Ranjit "Buddy" Singh (virtual)
Councilor Ben Traverse (virtual)
Bruce Wilson (in person)
Raphaella Brice (virtual)
Sherwood Smith (virtual)
Zeynab Kouyate (virtual)
Christine Hughes (virtual)
Emma Wall (virtual)
Urmila Chhetri (virtual)
Mona Tolba (virtual)
marymgannonedi@gmail.com (no name listed, virtual)
Edwin Owuso (virtual)

Meeting Convened: 5:35 PM

Agenda:
 1. Motion to Approve Agenda
 Councilor Singh motioned to approve. Councilor McKnight seconded. Unanimous pass.
 2. Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes
 a. April 2025
 Councilor Singh motioned to approve. Councilor McKnight seconded. Unanimous pass.
 3. Public Forum
 4. REIB Path Forward
 a. Staffing Updates
 Staffing updates include pending confirmation from the Mayor’s Office on
 Program Manager timeline; Admin/Finance interviews complete, currently in
 waiting period because of City-wide layoffs. Education and Public Health
 program manager roles on hold until new Director is in place; aiming to hire
 Director in June, start date July 1; REIB absorbing seven Trusted Community
 Voices roles from CEDO following layoffs, integration to begin next month;
 strong support noted for Director Berry as permanent appointment.
 b. REIB Charter Update
 Director Berry noted the REIB team working with the City Attorney’s Office and
 Councilor Bergman on next steps.

 Councilor McKnight and Councilor Grant engaged in disagreement related to the
 previous evening’s City Council meeting, which included discussions around the
 “Food Not Cops” initiative and other issues. In response, Councilor Singh made a
 motion to adjourn the meeting early. The motion was seconded by Councilor
 Grant and passed unanimously.




 Page 3 of 4
 5. Juneteenth Update
 6. Budget Reflections
 7. Councilor Updates
 8. Community Forum
 a. Fall 2024 Empowerment Grant
 i. Updates from 3 grant recipients
 9. Motion to Adjourn


 The meeting was adjourned at 6:04 PM.




https://zoom.us/j/96324562039




 Page 4 of 4

Racial, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging



 Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)

Held in the Sharon Bushor Conference Room, Ground Floor City Hall
OR
via Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92744162495
Meeting ID: 927 4416 2495

Or Use Phone number: 305-224-1968
Meeting ID: 927 4416 2495




1. Call to Order

2. Adopt the Agenda

3. Adopt Minutes
 Subject 3.1. May 2025
 Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)
 Category 3. Adopt Minutes
 Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)


 Type

4. Public Forum

5. REIB Path Forward
 Subject 5.1. Staffing Updates
 Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)
 Category 5. REIB Path Forward
 Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)
  Type

  Subject 5.2. REIB Charter Update
  Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)
  Category 5. REIB Path Forward
  Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB)


  Type

6. Councilor Updates

7. Community Forum

8. Adjournment
  Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)


  Category 8. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Subject 9.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
 information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
 Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities
 who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged
 to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in
 advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air
 on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm and
 repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. The City of Burlington will
 not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
 religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age,
 sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status,
 disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information.
  Meeting July 15, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 5:30
 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB)
  Category 9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Department Council and Board


  Type
Minutes taken by: Vicky Luciano
REIB City Council Committee
May 20, 2025 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Sharon Bushor Room
Attendees:
Christian Berry, Interim Director REIB (in person)
Katie Greene, Community and Belonging Program Manager REIB (in person)
Vicky Luciano, Administrative and Financial Coordinator REIB (in person)
Councilor Melo Grant (in person)
Councilor Becca Brown McKnight (in person)
Councilor Ranjit "Buddy" Singh (virtual)
Rev. Mark Hughes: mark@vtracialjusticealliance.org (virtual)
Christine Hughes: christine@richardkempcenter.org (virtual)
Lizzy Clements: clements.lizzy@gmail.com (virtual)


Meeting Convened: 5:32 PM
Agenda:
 1. Motion to Approve Agenda
 a. Councilor Grant motioned to approve. Councilor McKnight seconded. Unanimous pass
 2. Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes
 a. Councilor Grant moved to amend the adjournment of the previous meeting and to amend the previous
 meeting’s agenda. Councilor McKnight seconded.
 3. Public Forum
 a. Christine Hughes expressed it was good to hear the Juneteenth celebrations were a success. She
 expressed support for Director Berry and Katie from the REIB. She expressed an appreciation for
 collaboration and wants to collaborate more closely. Refer to the video.
 b. Reverend Mark Hughes congratulated the REIB for the success of Juneteenth and expressed respect for
 Director Berry’s leadership. Highlighted the Richard Kemp Center’s upcoming event. Refer to the video.
 4. REIB Path Forward
 a. Staffing Updates:
 i. Director Berry welcomed the new Admin/Finance Coordinator, Vicky Luciano. Education and
 Public Health Program Manager roles on hold until new Director is in place. Planning to hire
 Education Program Manager by October and the Health Equity program manager in January.
 Councilor Grant informed the application process is closed. Time is being held later in July for
 interviews for the Director position. Councilor Grant reiterated support for Director Berry.
 ii. The Trusted Community Voices has fully transitioned to the REIB. In August the Trusted
 Community Voices will be coming to the REIB City Council Committee Meetings. Trusted
 Community Voices will be meeting with Director Berry once a month.
 iii. The REIB gained the Vermont Language Access policy implementation. The REIB will be bringing
 the conversation about the Vermont Language Access policy implementation to the REIB City
 Council Committee.
 b. REIB Charter Update:
 i. Draft Charter language was moved to the Charter Change Committee
 ii. Councilor Grant suggested having a strategic plan to engage supporters of the department and
 supporters of having this department be chartered.
 iii. Councilor McKnight shared they are the chair of the Charter Change Committee. The committee
 will prioritize listening to a diverse set of voices throughout the process and invited Director
 Berry to be a part of the process.
 c. Juneteenth
 i. Councilor Grant asked about Juneteenth. Director Berry informed everyone that the REIB
 received a lot of great feedback from the community and gave a shoutout to Katie from the
 REIB. The councilors thanked the REIB and everyone who supported for a great Juneteenth.
 Councilor Grant suggested starting fundraising efforts early for next year’s Juneteenth and asked
 for a list of the Juneteenth sponsors to write thank you notes from the committee. Councilor
 McKnight and Councilor Singh expressed an interest in helping. Director Berry informed
 everyone what was not spent for Juneteenth will rollover for next year’s community celebration
 line.
 5. Councilor Updates
 a. Director Berry and Councilor Grant will connect to talk about schedules for TCV. Councilor Grant wants
 to hear from those who received funds from the Empowerment Fund
 b. Grant wants to invite community-based organizations that represent or do work with marginalized
 communities.
 c. Grant apologized for taking time away from the last meeting
 6. Community Forum
 a. Rev Mark Hughes had questions about the REIB Charter. Refer to the video
 7. Motion to Adjourn
 a. Councilor Grant motions to adjourn at 6:33 Councilor McKnight seconds


Minutes taken by: Vicky Luciano