Boards and Commissions Selection Committee — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-06-22
Time: 15:00

Boards and Commissions Selection Committee

 Monday, June 22, 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:

https://zoom.us/j/94003053571

Phone one-tap:

+19292056099, 94003053571# US (New York)

Join via audio:

+1 305 224 1968 US

Webinar ID: 940 0305 3571

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/a63r5rlQ1




1. Agenda
 Subject 1.1. Motion to adopt agenda
 Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY


 Category 1. Agenda

 Department Mayor's Office


 Type Action
 Procedural


 Recommended Action Motion to adopt agenda

2. June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes
 Subject 2.1. June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes - Mayor's Office
 Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY


 Category 2. June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Action
 Information
 Minutes


  Recommended Action adopt the June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes

3. Public Forum
  Subject 3.1. Verbal Comments
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY


  Category 3. Public Forum

  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Action
 Procedural


  Recommended Action open Public Forum
 close Public Forum

4. Interviews
  Subject 4.1. Board for Registration of Voters (selected applicants only)
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 4. Interviews
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Communication


  Subject 4.2. Cemetery Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 4. Interviews
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Communication


  Subject 4.3. Parks and Recreation Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 4. Interviews
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Communication
  Subject 4.4. Electric Light Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 4. Interviews
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Communication



5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Subject 5.1. Church Street Marketplace Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.2. Planning Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.3. Police Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.4. Retirement Board
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.5. GMT Board
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.6. Board for Registration of Voters
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.7. Cemetery Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.8. Parks and Recreation Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.9. Electric Light Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion



6. Continuation of Interviews

7. Continuation of Discussion of Positions and Applications

8. Finalize Slate of Recommended Appointments for City Council Consideration

9. Adjournment
  Subject 9.1. Motion to adjourn
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY


Category 9. Adjournment

Department Mayor's Office


Type Action
 Procedural


Recommended Action Motion to adjourn

Boards and Commissions Selection Committee

 Monday, June 22, 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:

https://zoom.us/j/94003053571

Phone one-tap:

+19292056099, 94003053571# US (New York)

Join via audio:

+1 305 224 1968 US

Webinar ID: 940 0305 3571

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/a63r5rlQ1




1. Agenda
 Subject 1.1. Motion to adopt agenda
 Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY


 Category 1. Agenda

 Department Mayor's Office


 Type Action
 Procedural


 Recommended Action Motion to adopt agenda

2. June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes
 Subject 2.1. June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes - Mayor's Office
 Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY


 Category 2. June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes



 Page 1 of 124
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Action
 Information
 Minutes


  Recommended Action adopt the June 17, 2026 Meeting Minutes

3. Public Forum
  Subject 3.1. Verbal Comments
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY


  Category 3. Public Forum

  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Action
 Procedural


  Recommended Action open Public Forum
 close Public Forum

4. Interviews
  Subject 4.1. Board for Registration of Voters (selected applicants only)
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 4. Interviews
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Communication


  Subject 4.2. Cemetery Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 4. Interviews
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Communication


  Subject 4.3. Parks and Recreation Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 4. Interviews
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Communication



 Page 2 of 124
  Subject 4.4. Electric Light Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 4. Interviews
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Communication



5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Subject 5.1. Church Street Marketplace Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.2. Planning Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.3. Police Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.4. Retirement Board
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.5. GMT Board
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY



 Page 3 of 124
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.6. Board for Registration of Voters
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.7. Cemetery Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.8. Parks and Recreation Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion


  Subject 5.9. Electric Light Commission
  Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY
  Category 5. Discussion of Positions and Applications
  Department Mayor's Office


  Type Discussion



6. Continuation of Interviews

7. Continuation of Discussion of Positions and Applications

8. Finalize Slate of Recommended Appointments for City Council Consideration

9. Adjournment
  Subject 9.1. Motion to adjourn




 Page 4 of 124
Meeting June 22, 2026 - 2026 Boards and Commissions Committee Meeting - Monday, June 22,
 2026, 3:00 PM, THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD REMOTE ONLY


Category 9. Adjournment

Department Mayor's Office


Type Action
 Procedural


Recommended Action Motion to adjourn




 Page 5 of 124
 2026 Boards & Commissions Selection Committee
 Meeting Minutes – June 17, 2026


Meeting called to order at 5:33pm. Quorum was present.

Agenda approved unanimously.

Public forum closed at 5:45pm and again at 5:51pm.
 • 6 speakers – Romeo von Hermann, Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Miriam Stoll, Erik Monsen,
 Karen Rowell, Mary Wesley

Unanimously adopted the following application review process for June 2026 appointments
(more discussion is needed between Council and Mayor to establish more standard, consistent
procedures for future appointment beyond June 2026):
 • Incumbency is respected and overweighted as a consideration but does not guarantee re-
 appointment. All applications, both from incumbents and from new applicants, will be
 considered for all vacancies.
 • All untimely applications will be considered without prejudice.
 • Political party may be considered when reviewing applications, but it won’t be the sole or
 primary consideration.
 o Attorney Brown: BRV is the only board/commission for which political affiliation
 is important – there can’t be more than 6 members representing the same political
 party (note: there is no requirement that all political parties be represented, nor is
 there a minimum required number of members representing any particular
 political party)
 • Interviews will be considered when evaluating candidacy for positions, but it won’t be
 the sole or primary determining factor, given that some individuals may not be available
 to attend the interviews despite their interest.
 • Revised list of factors that may be considered when evaluating applications:
 o Existing board/commission composition and identified skill and representation
 gaps.
 o Representation from underserved or underrepresented communities.
 o Geographic representation by Ward.
 o Incumbency status.
 o Attendance/engagement history for reappointment candidates.




 Page 6 of 124
 o Feedback from City department heads and staff.
 o Political party affiliation.
 o Any disclosed conflicts of interest.
 o Statutory or charter requirements.
 o Residency requirements.
 • Revised list of factors that may not be considered by the Committee while reviewing
 applications:
 o Endorsements of elected officials or candidates.
 o Personal relationships with Committee members.
 o Protected characteristics, except where consideration is necessary to advance
 lawful representation goals.

The Committee discussed applications:
 • Airport Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move William “Chip” Mason to
 the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
 • Board of Assessors – Motion passed unanimously to move Jonathan Chapple-Sokol to
 the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
 • Board of Health – Motion passed unanimously to move Celia Bird and Jennifer Tomczak
 to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
 • Board of Registration of Voters – Motion carried 4-1 (Councilor Grant nay) to interview
 all applicants except William Oetjen at the Monday, June 22 meeting. Motion also
 stipulated that interviews would be considered alongside all other application factors so
 as to not hurt the applications of those who are unavailable to make the interview time.
 o Councilor Grant made an initial motion to move Michelle Lefkowitz and David
 Robert Cawley to the slate. This motion was eventually withdrawn during
 committee discussion.
 o Councilor Barlow wasn’t prepared to vote on individuals to move to the slate and
 expressed a strong preference for interviewing all applicants.
 ▪ Councilors Grant and Carpenter were in favor of selecting candidates to
 interview.
 ▪ Councilor Barlow strongly encouraged interviewing all candidates to be
 consistent with the way the Committee is approaching the interviews that
 evening (in which all candidates for those boards/commissions were
 invited to interview).




 Page 7 of 124
 ▪ Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson and Chair Monroe Zakaras were
 sympathetic to Councilor Barlow’s position but did not express a strong
 preference either way.
 o Councilor Carpenter made a motion to interview all candidates except William
 Oetjen.
 ▪ Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson proposed an amendment that the interviews
 would be considered but alongside all other application factors, since
 some individuals may not be available to attend the one interview window
 on Monday.
 • Councilor Carpenter found this amendment to be friendly.
 ▪ Councilor Grant proposed an amendment to interview all but William
 Oetjen and Jeffrey Comstock.
 • Councilor Carpenter did not find this amendment to be friendly.
 • Board of Tax Appeals – Motion passed unanimously to move David Maher, Dorothy
 Commo, Margaret McGovern, and Sean Hurley to the slate of applicants being
 recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
 • Cemetery Commission – Motion carried 4-1 (Councilor Grant nay) to interview all
 applicants at the Monday, June 22 meeting.
 o Councilor Barlow started to make a motion to move the incumbent applicants to
 the slate, but Chair Monroe Zakaras requested discussion first.
 o Chair Monroe Zakaras pointed out that the two new applicants were very
 interesting and highlighted that Miles McCallum would fill some representation
 gaps (younger age, person of color) and would bring professional and academic
 experience related to cemeteries.
 o Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson also expressed interest in and excitement by the
 new applicants and appreciated them applying.
 o Councilor Grant was in favor of moving Miles McCallum and Martha Dallas to
 the slate, though Councilor Carpenter observed the Committee was not in
 agreement on this and requested interviews.

When the Committee moved to the interview portion of the meeting, Chair Monroe Zakaras
returned to Councilor Barlow’s earlier comment that all interviewees should be asked the same
basic questions for fairness and consistency. Chair Monroe Zakaras noted that the Committee
had not yet had time to establish what those questions would be. Councilor Grant emphasized
that some flexibility with questioning is needed to account for different types of
positions/applications, which Councilor Barlow agreed with. Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson
proposed that all applicants be asked 2 standard questions about their interest in (re)applying and




 Page 8 of 124
the skills and experience they bring to the position, with flexibility for Committee members to
ask follow-up questions if needed. The Committee unanimously agreed to this.

The Committee conducted interviews:
 • Church Street Marketplace Commission (note all interviewees were applying for an at-
 large Burlington resident position): Rebecca “Becky” Holt, Anne Paradiso, Romeo von
 Hermann, Erik Monsen, Marykate Moore
 o The Committee expressed some confusion around the Marketplace Charter
 requirements for composition of this Commission. Councilor Carpenter noted that
 there are essentially two types of positions – business owners and at-large
 residents – and we needed to know which of these the vacancies applied to, and
 which the applicants were being considered for. Councilor Grant read the Charter
 language on Commission composition, which noted that 2 members needed to be
 CSM business owners, and 2 members needed to be Downtown business owners.
 Chair Monroe Zakaras had a question about whether the business members could
 be considered both CSM and Downtown or if it had to be one or the other. She
 also shared an email exchange she had with Marketplace Director Sam McGinnis
 about the applications, in which McGinnis indicated that “[w]e can't fill all of the
 four open spots with the candidates we have because we are missing a CSM or
 Downtown business owner.” The Committee ultimately agreed to proceed with
 interviews but to ask each applicant what type of position they are applying to,
 and confirming the composition requirements before the next discussion about
 these applications.
 ▪ Note that during her interview, Becky Holt helped clear up some of the
 questions about Commission composition, including that the business
 owner members had to be either CSM or Downtown, but not both.
 • Planning Commission: Andy Montroll, Erin Malone, Dylan Shelby, William “Gil”
 Livingston, Henry Severance
 o Chair Monroe Zakaras noted that Daniel Goltzman emailed Lori Olberg that he
 was traveling out of country and couldn’t be there for an interview, but re-
 affirmed his interest in serving on this Commission.
 o Shelby applied to 2 other boards/commissions and indicated that Planning was his
 preference though would gladly serve on any.
 o Livingston applied to 1 other board/commission and indicated that Planning was
 his preference though would gladly serve on any.
 • Police Commission: Erin Jacobsen, Michaela Finneran, Mary Cox, Romeo von Hermann,
 William “Gil” Livingston




 Page 9 of 124
 o Councilor Grant requested that interviewees to the Police Commission speak to
 importance of community engagement and de-politicizing the work of the
 Commission.
 • Retirement Board: David Mount, Deirdre Keenan, Alan Matson
 o Chair Monroe Zakaras noted that Eric Avildsen emailed Lori Olberg that he was
 traveling out of country and couldn’t be there for an interview, but re-affirmed his
 interest in serving on this Board.

After the interviews concluded, the Committee moved to discussion of the next meeting
agenda, with Chair Monroe Zakaras noting that the Committee needed to decide which
interviews to conduct then. Councilor Grant suggested that the Committee try to make a few
more quick decisions to narrow down the pool of applications to be considered at the next
meeting, which the Committee agreed to, with Councilor Barlow noting he had to stop by
9:00pm.
The following applicat-=ion decisions were made:

 • Conservation Board – Motion passed unanimously to move Lee Toomey to the slate of
 applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
 • CSWD Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Joseph “Lee” Perry to the
 slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
 • Design Advisory Board – Motion passed unanimously to move Richard Martin and Jay
 White to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.
 • Development Review Board – Motion passed unanimously to move Marina Campbell,
 Chase Tyler, and Sean McKenzie to the slate of applicants being recommended to City
 Council for re-appointment.
 o Before the next meeting, the Committee needs to determine whether these
 applicants are applying for the full or alternate position.
 • Fire Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Ashley Bond and Monica
 Chapman to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-
 appointment.
 • Fence Viewer – Motion passed unanimously to move Charlie Giannoni, Shay Totten, and
 Vikas Mangipudi to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-
 appointment.
 • Housing Board of Review – Motion passed unanimously to move Dylan Shelby to the
 slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-appointment.




 Page 10 of 124
 • Public Works Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Julie Hays and Marcie
 Gallagher to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for re-
 appointment.
 • Parks and Recreation Commission – Motion passed unanimously to invite all applicants
 to interview at the June 22 Committee meeting.
 • Electric Light Commission – Motion passed unanimously to invite all applicants to
 interview at the June 22 Committee meeting.
 • GMT Board – Chair Monroe Zakaras noted that she got an untimely application from
 Lori Olberg from incumbent Andrea Suozzo, which she will share with the Committee
 for discussion at the June 22 meeting.
 • Vehicle for Hire Licensing Board – Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson expressed interest in
 helping to advertise for this position, since we still have a vacancy with no applicant.
 Chair Monroe Zakaras recommended that she reach out to Lori Olberg for a description.
 Some discussion ensued between the Committee and Romeo von Hermann about this
 Board and how hard it is to fill the vacancies.

The meeting adjourned at 9:16pm.




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2026 Boards & Commissions Selection Committee
 Meeting Minutes – June 22, 2026


Meeting called to order at 3:05pm. A quorum was present, with three members in attendance
at the start of the meeting and the additional two members joining late, within the first half hour.

Agenda approved unanimously.

Amended Minutes from the 6/17 Meeting were approved unanimously.
   Minutes were amended to include Celia Bird as one of the Public Forum participants.

Public forum closed at 3:14pm.
  2 speakers – Nate Lantieri, Miriam Stoll

The Committee conducted interviews:
  Board for Registration of Voters: Miriam Stoll, David Cawley, Jeff Comstock
 o Michelle Lefkowitz, Kathleen Manning, and Bridget O’Donnell weren’t online
 and didn’t complete an interview.
  Cemetery Commission: Miles McCallum, Mary Wesley
 o Martha Dallas wasn’t online and didn’t complete an interview.
 o Chair Monroe Zakaras noted that Miranda post removed her application from
 consideration in an email due to her support for Miles McCallum’s application.
  Parks and Recreation Commission: Katie Flanagan Mobley, Frank Mamo, Carolyn Felix
 o Carolyn Felix interviewed later in the meeting around 5pm due to her work
 schedule.
  Electric Light Commission: Pike Porter, Paul Dawson
 o Lara Bonn, Larry Lewack, Polly Mangan, and Steve Gomez weren’t online and
 didn’t complete an interview.


The Committee discussed applications (note: Councilor Barlow had to leave the meeting early
at 4:45pm but joined a continuation of the meeting at 8pm):
  Police Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Michaela Finneran to the slate
 of applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment. Second vacancy will
 go to the Council floor on the 29th.
 o Committee members disagreed on who to recommend for the second vacancy.
  Chair Monroe Zakaras, Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson, and Councilor
 Grant wanted to put forth Erin Jacobsen, given her extensive background
 and expertise in law enforcement policy, particularly the Fair and
 Impartial Policing Policy (FIPP), which is needed on the Police
 Commission as Burlington grapples with the aftermath of the March 11th
 ICE incident in South Burlington.
  Councilors Barlow and Carpenter wanted to put forth Romeo von
 Hermann because he is an engaged community member who has wanted
 to serve on this Commission for a long time and has experience with
 issues affecting downtown.
  Councilor Carpenter was concerned that Jacobsen would have conflicts of
 interest, given her current immigration legal work. She also perceived it to
 be awkward that Jacobsen was so recently the Mayor’s Chief of Staff; she
 pointed out that City Councilors can’t apply to be on boards/commissions
 until a year after they complete their service.
  Councilor Grant felt that von Hermann would have his own
 conflicts of interest, given his tenure on the Church Street
 Marketplace Commission.
  Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson pointed out that having conflicts of
 interest is a reality of public service while working a day job, and
 she trusts Jacobsen and von Hermann will learn how to navigate
 that, like what they’ve all had to learn to do.
  Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson expressed that she prefers candidates are not
 selected for their demographics alone but for their experience, and she
 didn’t want hidden biases to shape Councilors’ decision regarding
 Jacobsen’s candidacy; she wanted the Committee to create a safe space to
 have that conversation.
  Councilor Barlow expressed a strong incumbency bias, in that he will
 nearly always decide to support an incumbent’s candidacy. Chair Monroe
 Zakaras and Councilor Grant weighed in that in the first meeting on June
 17, the Committee agreed that incumbency would be respected and
 overweighted relative to other considerations, but that it wouldn’t be a
 guarantee to re-appointment.
 Church Street Marketplace Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Rebecca
 Holt (at large), Erik Monsen (at large), and Marykate Moore (at large) to the slate of
 applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment.
 o The City will need to repost for the 4th vacancy, which needs to be filled with a
 CSM or downtown business owner per charter. No applicants fit this requirement.
 o Romeo von Hermann removed his application from consideration for re-
 appointment to this Commission because he expressed a preference for
 consideration for the Police Commission.
 Planning Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Erin Malone to the slate of
 applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment. Second vacancy will go
 to the Council floor on the 29th.
 o Committee members disagreed on who to recommend for the second vacancy.
  Chair Monroe Zakaras, Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson, and Councilor
 Grant wanted to put forth Henry Severance, given his expertise on
 affordable housing (works at Evernorth), and the fact that he would bring
 new energy and perspectives to the Board that aligns with the current
 moment in Burlington regarding housing and planning.
  Councilor Carpenter wanted to put forth Andy Montroll, given his long
 tenure on the Commission (17 years) and the fact that he has been an
 engaged member with good service.
  Councilor Barlow was not present for this discussion as he had to leave
 the meeting early, though Councilor Carpenter said he would agree with
 the choice to put forth Andy Montroll.
 Retirement Board – Motion passed unanimously to move David Mount to the slate of
 applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment. Second vacancy will go
 to the Council floor on the 29th.
 o Committee members disagreed on who to recommend for the second vacancy.
  Chair Monroe Zakaras, Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson, and Councilor
 Grant wanted to put forth Deirdre Keenan, given her experience and
 expertise and the importance of expanding the gender representation on
 the Board.
  Councilor Carpenter wanted to put forth Alan Matson, given that he has
 extensive experience and expertise and is an engaged community member.
  Councilor Barlow was not present for this discussion as he had to leave
 the meeting early, though Councilor Carpenter said he would agree with
 the choice to put forth Alan Matson.
  Councilor Grant put forth a motion to move Deirdre Keenan to the slate of
 recommendations; Chair Monroe Zakaras seconded the motion. It failed 3-
 1.
 Board for Registration of Voters – Motion passed unanimously to move Michelle
 Lefkowitz to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment.
 Second vacancy will go to the Council floor on the 29th.
 o Committee members disagreed on who to recommend for the second vacancy.
  Chair Monroe Zakaras, Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson, and Councilor
 Grant wanted to put forth Miriam Stoll, given her enthusiasm and
 dedication demonstrated in her interview, and the fact that she has
 experience with how voting rules/procedures affect whether and how
 different voters engage, especially those who are from underserved and
 vulnerable populations.
  Councilor Carpenter wanted to put forth Bridget O’Donnell, which Chair
 Monroe Zakaras was open to.
  Councilor Barlow was not present for this discussion as he had to leave
 the meeting early, though Councilor Carpenter said he would want to put
 forth Jeff Comstock.
  Note that when the Selection Committee reconvened at 8pm,
 Councilor Barlow confirmed that he wants to put forth Jeff
 Comstock as a matter of increasing the Republican representation
 on the Board.
  Councilor Grant expressed strong concern and disagreement with putting
 Jeff Comstock onto the slate of recommendations due to his public
 expressions of bigotry. She noted that she is willing to support a
 Republican candidate, as she had in the past, but that Comstock’s prior
 public behaviors and statements disqualified him from board/commission
 service.
 Cemetery Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Miles McCallum and
 Mary Wesley to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for
 appointment.
 o Councilor Carpenter expressed some reservation about not re-appointing an
 incumbent applicant (Martha Dallas). Chair Monroe Zakaras, Councilor Sanchez-
 Parkinson, and Councilor Grant appreciated Dallas’s service but expressed strong
 support for McCallum because he was a stellar applicant for this particular
 Commission, gave a compelling interview, and attended both Committee
 meetings, demonstrating his commitment and interest.
 o Councilor Barlow was not present for this discussion as he had to leave the
 meeting early, though when the Committee reconvened at 8pm, he confirmed his
 support for the decision to put forth McCallum.
  Parks and Recreation Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Katie Flanagan
 Mobley to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment.
 Second vacancy will go to the Council floor on the 29th.
 o Committee members disagreed on who to recommend for the second vacancy.
  Councilor Grant wanted to put forth Frank Mamo because of what he said
 in his interview about parks as third spaces, etc.
  Councilor Carpenter wanted to put forth Carolyn Felix given her long
 history with parks as a former Ethan Allen Homestead caretaker.
  Chair Monroe Zakaras and Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson did not express a
 strong preference between these two candidates, and Councilor Barlow
 was not present for this discussion because he had to leave the meeting
 early.


Chair Monroe Zakaras called a recess for the Selection Committee at 6:00pm. A continuation of
the meeting was called to order at 8:05pm. A quorum was present with all Committee members
in attendance.


The Committee continued to discuss applications:
  Electric Light Commission – Motion passed unanimously to move Lara Bonn to the slate
 of applicants being recommended to City Council for appointment. Second vacancy will
 go to the Council floor on the 29th.
 o Committee members disagreed on who to recommend for the second vacancy.
  Polly Mangan and Paul Dawson were the top two choices for Councilors
 Sanchez-Parkinson, Carpenter, and Barlow and for Chair Monroe Zakaras.
  Councilor Grant wanted to put forth Pike Porter, given his engagement
 and critical eye towards City work and decisions.
  GMT Board – Motion passed unanimously to move Andrea Suozzo (full member) and
 Larry Lewack (alternate) to the slate of applicants being recommended to City Council
 for appointment.


When the discussion of applications concluded, Chair Monroe Zakaras noted that the Selection
Committee had finished their review and recommendations for all Board/Commission
vacancies. She agreed to email the Committee a final slate of its recommendations that evening.
Chair Monroe Zakaras reviewed the decisions made by the Committee in the first portion of the
meeting after Councilor Barlow had to leave early at 4:45pm; Councilor Barlow agreed with the
decisions made.


Moving forward, Chair Monroe Zakaras and Councilor Sanchez-Parkinson noted the need for
more discussion and agreement on consistent review procedures for future Board/Commission
appointments. This would vastly improve the transparency, equity, fairness, and efficiency of the
application and appointment process.


The meeting adjourned at 8:24pm.