Ward 2 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-09-11
Time: 18:30

Meeting Agenda
Ward 2 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA)
September 11th, 2025 | 6:30-8:30pm | All are welcome

 Join in person: O.N.E. Community Dinner
 ONE Community Center, 20 Allen Street 5:30-6:30pm | Free | Donations welcome
 Late Summer Bounty Menu: Gazpacho, Loaded Veggie
 Join remotely: Cornbread Casserole, Cranberry Bean & Tomato Salad,
 https://zoom.us/j/93179389982 and more, with Chocolate Zucchini Cake for dessert.
 Music: Brian Perkins​

Facilitator: Lauren Ebersol​ Notetaker: Kason Hudman
6:30 pm Introduction
5 min Review and adopt/approve the agenda and previous minutes; introductions as time allows.
6:35 pm Public Forum (2 minutes max per person)
10 min Please state your full name, pronouns, street, and ward, and follow the NPA ground rules.
6:45 pm Vote: Steering Committee Overview & Yearly Election
15 min We will be voting on renewing existing Steering Committee members, as well as any nominations
 from the floor.
7:00 pm Burlington Police Department Intro & Vision from the Chief of Police
60 min Shawn Burke - Interim Chief of Police, BPD
 Meet Chief Burke and learn more about his vision for and updates from BPD.
8:00 pm Vote & Presentation: Resolution to Strengthen the Relationship between NPAs & the City
30 min Jonathan Chapple-Sokol - Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee
 Carter Neubieser - Ward 1 City Councilor
 Hear about a proposed resolution between the City & NPAs and vote to determine Ward 2’s stance
 on it.
8:30 pm Door prize drawing + Adjourn!
 Our next meeting is Thursday, October 9!



 Scan the QR code (or click here) to: Email us • Go to our website • Watch meeting
 recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Instagram • Request a time slot
 with CEDO’s request form • Get to all links related to this meeting




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Agenda - Page 1
Appendix to the Agenda
Ward 2 NPA Steering Committee
To contact the entire Ward 2 NPA Steering Committee, email ward2npa@googlegroups.com
Name Email Joined Term expiration

Lauren Ebersol lebersol27@gmail.com 2023 2027

Kason Hudson kasonhudman@gmail.com 2024 2028

Charlie Giannoni charliecpg@gmail.com 2024 2028

Marc Stannard Marc.Stannard@outlook.com 2024 2028

Nora Aronds noraaronds@yahoo.com 2025 2029

Vacancy

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.
 ●​ Be a fun, creative, and vital organization that provides value and benefit through the multitude of
 perspectives shared by those who participate.


Ward 2 NPA Ground Rules
 ●​ Meetings should have clearly defined agenda and 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.




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Agenda - Page 2
Elected officials representing Ward 2
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


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


Vermont State House Representatives
Chittenden-15 Troy Headrick Independent theadrick@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

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 tvyhovsky@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




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Agenda - Page 3

Meeting Agenda
Ward 2 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA)
September 11th, 2025 | 6:30-8:30pm | All are welcome

 Join in person: O.N.E. Community Dinner
 ONE Community Center, 20 Allen Street 5:30-6:30pm | Free | Donations welcome
 Late Summer Bounty Menu: Gazpacho, Loaded Veggie
 Join remotely: Cornbread Casserole, Cranberry Bean & Tomato Salad,
 https://zoom.us/j/93179389982 and more, with Chocolate Zucchini Cake for dessert.
 Music: Brian Perkins​

Facilitator: Lauren Ebersol​ Notetaker: Kason Hudman
6:30 pm Introduction
5 min Review and adopt/approve the agenda and previous minutes; introductions as time allows.
6:35 pm Public Forum (2 minutes max per person)
10 min Please state your full name, pronouns, street, and ward, and follow the NPA ground rules.
6:45 pm Vote: Steering Committee Overview & Yearly Election
15 min We will be voting on renewing existing Steering Committee members, as well as any nominations
 from the floor.
7:00 pm Burlington Police Department Intro & Vision from the Chief of Police
60 min Shawn Burke - Interim Chief of Police, BPD
 Meet Chief Burke and learn more about his vision for and updates from BPD.
8:00 pm Vote & Presentation: Resolution to Strengthen the Relationship between NPAs & the City
30 min Jonathan Chapple-Sokol - Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee
 Carter Neubieser - Ward 1 City Councilor
 Hear about a proposed resolution between the City & NPAs and vote to determine Ward 2’s stance
 on it.
8:30 pm Door prize drawing + Adjourn!
 Our next meeting is Thursday, October 9!



 Scan the QR code (or click here) to: Email us • Go to our website • Watch meeting
 recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Instagram • Request a time slot
 with CEDO’s request form • Get to all links related to this meeting




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Agenda - Page 1
 Page 1 of 18
Appendix to the Agenda
Ward 2 NPA Steering Committee
To contact the entire Ward 2 NPA Steering Committee, email ward2npa@googlegroups.com
Name Email Joined Term expiration

Lauren Ebersol lebersol27@gmail.com 2023 2027

Kason Hudson kasonhudman@gmail.com 2024 2028

Charlie Giannoni charliecpg@gmail.com 2024 2028

Marc Stannard Marc.Stannard@outlook.com 2024 2028

Nora Aronds noraaronds@yahoo.com 2025 2029

Vacancy

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.
 ●​ Be a fun, creative, and vital organization that provides value and benefit through the multitude of
 perspectives shared by those who participate.


Ward 2 NPA Ground Rules
 ●​ Meetings should have clearly defined agenda and 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.




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Agenda - Page 2
 Page 2 of 18
Elected officials representing Ward 2
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


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


Vermont State House Representatives
Chittenden-15 Troy Headrick Independent theadrick@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

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 tvyhovsky@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




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Agenda - Page 3
 Page 3 of 18
Resolution Relating to: Strengthening
the Relationship between the City
Administration, City Council, and
Neighborhood Planning Assemblies
(NPAs)
Presented by:
Carter Neubieser, Ward 1 City Councilor
Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Ward 1 NPA
Steering Committee




 Page 4 of 18
Agenda & Notes before we get started:
● Presenters: Carter - Ward 1 City Councilor & Jonathan Chapple-Sokol,
  longtime Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee Member

● Over the next 20-30 minutes we will cover…
 ○ What it is the resolution does
 ○ How the work came about
 ○ Why it is needed and the problems it addresses
 ○ Discuss the practical implications
 ○ Q&A Period pen it up for questions
 ○ Ask the NPA to vote to voice their affirmative support




 Page 5 of 18
What does this
resolution do ?




 Page 6 of 18
How did the NPA’s
and this resolution
  come about?



 Page 7 of 18
Dates we are presenting to NPA’s:
● Ward 3 - estimating June
● Ward 2 - unsure
● Ward 8 - unsure
● Ward 5 - May 15
● Ward 6 - May 1st
● Ward 4/7 - April 23rd
● Ward 1 is May 14th




 Page 8 of 18
  What problems
does the resolution
 address?



 Page 9 of 18
The resolution does
  the following…




 Page 10 of 18
The City of Burlington and the Neighborhood Planning
Assemblies affirm the following principles:
● The NPAs are essential to the civic health of our community.
● The NPAs shall be open and accessible to all city residents and shall abide
  by Open Meeting Law.
● The NPAs shall adhere to state and local laws regarding anti-discrimination,
  free speech, and accessibility.
● The NPAs shall adhere to the provisions of their bylaws and decisions shall
  be made in a transparent manner.
● The NPAs shall expend funds allocated to them by the City Council in a
  manner consistent with the City’s terms, conditions, and restrictions.
● The NPAs shall set the terms and conditions for their gatherings and shall
  determine their agendas and priorities.




 Page 11 of 18
The Community and Economic Development Office
(CEDO) shall:
● Develop a standardized process in collaboration with the NPAs by which each
  NPA can communicate a list of annual priorities to the City Council and City
  Administration
● Consult with other relevant city staff to develop easily understood materials
  that outline the legal requirements of the NPAs.
● Consult with other relevant city staff to review and update these materials as
  needed but no less than every three calendar years.
● Collaborate with NPAs and other relevant city staff to ensure NPAs
  understand the legal requirements of the NPAs.
● Include a representative, chosen by the NPAs to serve on hiring committees
  for staff roles predominantly focused on supporting and liaising with the NPAs




 Page 12 of 18
The City Council acknowledges and agrees that:

● The NPAs play an important role in the city's deliberative
  process.
● The advice and counsel received from residents at NPA
  meetings is valuable and important to the City's decision-
  making process.
● Individual City Councilors shall be encouraged to regularly
  attend NPA meetings in their respective Ward or District.




 Page 13 of 18
The City Council shall endeavor in good faith to consult
with each NPA on:
● Issues that impact NPA governance and structure before
  proceeding with resolutions and ordinances.
● Issues that disproportionately impact a particular area of the city.
● Matters identified by the NPAs as priorities for the current fiscal
  year.
● All development projects that require Major Impact Review.
● Redistricting and changes to ward boundaries and polling places.
● Proposed charter changes and ballot questions that appear on the
  Annual Town Meeting Day ballot.




 Page 14 of 18
Q&A

 Page 15 of 18
 Motion:
Does the NPA support
the main spirit of this
 resolution?


 Page 16 of 18
Resolution Relating to:
Strengthening the Relationship between the City Administration, City
 Council, and Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPAs)
In the year Two Thousand and Twenty-Five Resolved by the City Council of the City of Burlington, as
follows:
 WHEREAS the City Council has adopted a resolution that encouraged and supported the
establishment of Neighborhood Planning Assemblies in each of the city's wards; and
 WHEREAS the Neighborhood Planning Assemblies were intended to be open and accessible to
all voters of the city residing in a particular ward; and
 WHEREAS the responsibility for organizing the Neighborhood Planning Assemblies was
delegated to the Community and Economic Development Office; and
 WHEREAS all residents of a particular ward are considered voting members of the
Neighborhood Planning Assembly for that ward; and
 WHEREAS each Neighborhood Planning Assembly has developed its own bylaws and meeting
operating procedures; and
 WHEREAS the Neighborhood Planning Assemblies were established to help provide city
residents with information concerning city programs and activities; and
 WHEREAS the Neighborhood Planning Assemblies were established to provide advice to the
City Council, the various city commissions, and city administration with respect to governmental
decisions, the allocation of revenues, and issues facing individual neighborhoods and the city as a
whole; and
 WHEREAS the priorities, needs, and interests of city residents has evolved over time as the city
has grown and developed; and
 WHEREAS the City Council frequently considers matters of importance that intersect with the
interests and priorities of the Neighborhood Planning Assemblies; and
 WHEREAS the City Council and Neighborhood Planning Assemblies have a mutual interest to
work together for the benefit of city residents;
 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Burlington and the Neighborhood
Planning Assemblies affirm the following principles:
 • The NPAs are essential to the civic health of our community.
 • The NPAs shall be open and accessible to all city residents and shall abide by Open
 Meeting Law.
 • The NPAs shall adhere to federal, state, and local laws regarding anti-discrimination, free
 speech, and accessibility.
 • The NPAs shall adhere to the provisions of their bylaws and decisions shall be made in a
 transparent manner.



 Page 17 of 18
 • The NPAs shall expend funds allocated to them by the City Council in a manner
 consistent with the City’s terms, conditions, and restrictions.
 • The NPAs shall set the terms and conditions for their gatherings and shall determine their
 agendas and priorities.
 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO)
shall:
 • Develop a standardized process in collaboration with the NPAs by which each NPA can
 communicate a list of annual priorities to the City Council and City Administration
 • Consult with other relevant city staff to develop easily understood materials that outline
 the legal requirements of the NPAs.
 • Consult with other relevant city staff to review and update these materials as needed but
 no less than every three calendar years.
 • Collaborate with NPAs and other relevant city staff to ensure NPAs understand the legal
 requirements of the NPAs.
 • Include a representative, chosen by the NPAs to serve on hiring committees for staff roles
 predominantly focused on supporting and liaising with the NPAs
 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council acknowledges and agrees that:
 • The NPAs play an important role in the city's deliberative process.
 • The advice and counsel received from residents at NPA meetings is valuable and
 important to the City's decision-making process.
 • Individual City Councilors shall be encouraged to regularly attend NPA meetings in their
 respective Ward or District.
 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council shall endeavor in good faith to consult with
each NPA on:
 • Issues that impact NPA governance and structure before proceeding with resolutions and
 ordinances.
 • Issues that disproportionately impact a particular area of the city.
 • Matters identified by the NPAs as priorities for the current fiscal year.
 • All development projects that require Major Impact Review.
 • Redistricting and changes to ward boundaries and polling places.
 • Proposed charter changes and ballot questions that appear on the Annual Town Meeting
 Day ballot.




 Page 18 of 18

Meeting Notes
Ward 2 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA)
September 11th, 2025 | 6:30-8:30pm | All are welcome

 Join in person: O.N.E. Community Dinner
 ONE Community Center, 20 Allen Street 5:30-6:30pm | Free | Donations welcome
 Late Summer Bounty Menu: Gazpacho, Loaded Veggie
 Join remotely: Cornbread Casserole, Cranberry Bean & Tomato Salad,
 https://zoom.us/j/93179389982 and more, with Chocolate Zucchini Cake for dessert.
 Music: Brian Perkins​

Facilitator: Lauren Ebersol​ Notetaker: Kason Hudman
6:30 pm Introduction
5 min Review and adopt/approve the agenda and previous minutes; introductions as time allows.
6:35 pm Public Forum (2 minutes max per person)
10 min Please state your full name, pronouns, street, and ward, and follow the NPA ground rules.
 -​ Ward 3 resident, mentions that Ward 3 Steering Committee elections are coming up and
 encourages Ward 3 residents to get involved to encourage the return of the Ward 2/Ward 3
 joint NPA Meeting
 -​ Melo Grant, Ward 2 resident, mentions that WCAX ran an article on an apparent offer of
 State Police support from the Governor for the City of Burlington that Mayor Emma
 Mulvaney-Stanak turned down. This offer did not exist according to the Mayor, so Melo
 finds the journalism of WCAX problematic. Melo also mentioned an email that the
 Burlington Democratic Party sent out that made references to Melo in a disparaging way,
 which Melo also finds deeply problematic.
6:45 pm Vote: Steering Committee Overview & Yearly Election
15 min We will be voting on renewing existing Steering Committee members, as well as any nominations
 from the floor.
 -​ Lauren Ebersol mentions that our steering committee accepts 6 members, and we currently
 only have 5, so folks are free to run for our Steering Committee. She also mentions that
 there are forms for folks to fill out in the front to talk about how we can improve the NPA,
 encourages people to get involved. Lauren then moves right along to the Steering
 Committee election, mentions that she is passionate about planning and staying on the NPA
 steering committee.
 -​ Nora Aarons, joined the Ward 2 steering committee in June, Nora encourages folks to watch
 the June meeting to see what she said about being on the steering committee then, but she
 believes in the grassroots potential of being on the steering committee.
 -​ Marc mentions that he joined the steering committee last year, loves the potential of
 grassroots democracy.
 -​ Kason said that he joined the steering committee in September, loves the potential of the
 NPAs and grassroots democracy



 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Notes - Page 1
 -​ Charlie said that he had been on the NPA steering committee since Bernie Sanders was
 mayor, or close to, and he encourages folks to get involved if they can.
 -​ Grace Sherwood, Ward 2 resident, nominates herself for the Steering Committee from the
 floor, mentions that she wants to encourage folks to have empathy for others in Burlington.
 -​ Lauren Ebersol 25 yes, 0 opposed
 -​ Marc 29 yes, 0 opposed
 -​ Nora 29 yes, 0 opposed
 -​ Kason 29 yes, 0 opposed
 -​ Charlie G 29 yes, 0 opposed
 -​ Grace Sherwood 29 yes, 0 opposed
 -​ The Steering committee will be Lauren Ebersol, Marc Stannard, Nora Aronds, Charlie G,
 Kason Hudman, and Grace Sherwood
7:00 pm Burlington Police Department Intro & Vision from the Chief of Police
60 min Shawn Burke - Interim Chief of Police, BPD
 -​ Chief Burke mentions that he has been a Vermont municipal police officer for more than 30
 years. He started in Woodstock, VT, moved to Burlington, VT in the 90s and patrolled the
 Ward 2 neighborhood when he started. He describes the different departments in the
 police department, including the community safety employees who are not sworn officers,
 in addition to the sworn officers in uniform. Chief Burke discusses the efforts to create
 safety downtown, including in City Hall Park and the Downtown Corridor. He says that he
 wants to ensure that the Burlington Police Department leads with empathy in every
 interaction. He mentions that any insinuation that there is a catch & release policy is
 incorrect, the Vermont state constitution has rules for who can be held pre-trail. All those
 who are released have committed low level offenses that do not allow them to be held
 pre-trail. Burke then continues explaining the new city process for those who are cited for
 breaking municipal ordinances, wherein they can pay their fine, get involved in the
 restorative justice process known as “city circle,” or get referred to criminal court
 prosecuted by the city attorney. Burke then mentions the police officer recruitment efforts
 and says that about 8 new officers every year for the time being is the goal.
 -​ Ward 2 resident asks Burke, does Burke think that we need the State Police in our town?
 Burke answers, the State Police has the same vacancy rate as the Burlington Police
 Department. Burke thinks that they are stretched for resources and Burke doesn’t think it
 would be a good use of the limited resources to ask the State Police to come in outside of
 special teams. Burke mentions that the lack of police officers is a nationwide problem.
 -​ Ward 2 resident asks, what is the BPD protocol for domestic violence disputes? Burke
 answers, the BPD has a domestic violence advocate on staff that does victim support work,
 and that if the evidence bears out that an assault has taken place, they will make an arrest
 -​ Ward 2 resident asks, what do you think of is the future of the CARES program? Burke
 mentions that the CARES program lost some state funding, which prompted the city
 government to increase funding for the Howard Center, and the police department works
 closely with the Howard Center Street Outreach Team.
 -​ Ward 2 resident mentions that Burke mentioned root causes for social issues, wonders
 what Burke and the BPD can do to address those root causes. Burke answers that it’s

 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Notes - Page 2
 difficult for the police to address those root causes, but identifying that people are
 struggling and finding ways to refer them to social services is something that the police can
 do.
 -​ Ward 2 resident asks Burke about a problematic answer to a police call wherein the
 response was dismissive. Burke mentions that he hopes that the new dispatchers are better
 at customer service skills and that any future experiences are better for the caller.
 -​ Ward 2 resident, talks about traffic violations, particularly running red lights. The resident
 then mentions that police officers are often driving dangerously as well, and wonders if the
 police chief can act on that. Burke mentions that the police officers are human, but agrees
 that traffic violations can be dangerous, and agrees that if police officers are involved in
 that, it should be met with some discipline.
 -​ Ward 2 resident, Grace Sherwood, asks about police officers resting their hand on their gun,
 and mentions that many people might find that uncomfortable or dangerous. Burke
 responds that police officers are again not perfect, but that it could be a good time to have
 a conversation with a police officer to let them know that resting their hand on the gun can
 be frightening for some people.
 -​ Charlie G asks, how often do the Burlington Police Department work with the federal
 government. Burke answers that the federal government provides support with drug
 trafficking as well as gun violence issues, since they just have better technology and
 investigative potential on these issues.
 -​ Ward 2 resident asks, would someone with a prior criminal conviction still be considered for
 the police? Burke answers, it depends on what the criminal conviction was. As an example,
 he mentions that someone with a prior small misdemeanor may still be considered.
 -​ Gene Bergman mentions that Burke has drastically improved the BPD, then asks Burke to
 talk about the Overdose Prevention Center. Burke mentions that he is in favor of all harm
 reduction tools being on the board, but he does worry that people may have very high
 expectations for what will happen once the OPC is here, and he asks people to temper their
 expectations that this will fix all the problems at once.
 -​ Ward 2 resident asks Burke to elaborate on the role the police will play with the OPC. Burke
 mentions that police officers will work in collaboration with the city to ensure safety around
 the OPC, recognizing that the OPC itself will be managed by its own staff as a harm
 reduction tool.
8:00 pm Vote & Presentation: Resolution to Strengthen the Relationship between NPAs & the City
30 min Jonathan Chapple-Sokol - Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee
 Carter Neubieser - Ward 1 City Councilor
 -​ Carter opens, mentioning that this is a simple resolution strengthening the relationship
 between NPAs and City Council, addressing some lack of transparency between city
 decisions and NPAs
 -​ Jonathan mentions that this resolution has a history, drawing from the failure of the city
 government to always inform NPAs about decisions made that affect their neighborhood by
 the city council. This resolution aims to address that lack of collaboration when NPA issues
 are defined by the City Council. As an example, Jonathan mentions that the city council
 might sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Vermont without

 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Notes - Page 3
 informing the Ward 1 NPA. This resolution is aimed to ensure that larger city decisions are
 not made without further involving the NPAs.
-​ Kason Hudman asks, it seemed that the NPAs could previously spend part of their budget
 on community projects, but now they can only spend that money on NPA promotion. When
 did that change? Jonathan answers, those restrictions were in place for a long time, but it
 was only the last few years that those restrictions were actually enforced.
-​ Solvé, Ward 2, mentions that the resolution includes no binding authority for the NPAs on
 the city government, which is perhaps why NPAs no longer have the organizations or
 attendance that they did in the past. Carter and Jonathan both answer the question,
 mentioning that the NPAs never had any binding authority.
-​ 11 in favor, 2 opposed, 2 abstentions. Ward 2 votes in favor of the resolution.




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Notes - Page 4
-​




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Notes - Page 5
8:30 pm Door prize drawing + Adjourn!
 Our next meeting is Thursday, October 9!



Scan the QR code (or click here) to: Email us • Go to our website • Watch meeting
recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Instagram • Request a time slot
with CEDO’s request form • Get to all links related to this meeting




Appendix to the Agenda
Ward 2 NPA Steering Committee
To contact the entire Ward 2 NPA Steering Committee, email ward2npa@googlegroups.com
Name Email Joined Term expiration

Lauren Ebersol lebersol27@gmail.com 2023 2027

Kason Hudson kasonhudman@gmail.com 2024 2028


 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Notes - Page 6
Charlie Giannoni charliecpg@gmail.com 2024 2028

Marc Stannard Marc.Stannard@outlook.com 2024 2028

Nora Aronds noraaronds@yahoo.com 2025 2029

Vacancy

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.
  ●​ Be a fun, creative, and vital organization that provides value and benefit through the multitude of
 perspectives shared by those who participate.


Ward 2 NPA Ground Rules
  ●​ Meetings should have clearly defined agenda and 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.




 ​ ​ Ward 2 NPA - September 11, 2025 - Notes - Page 7
Elected officials representing Ward 2
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


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


Vermont State House Representatives
Chittenden-15 Troy Headrick Independent theadrick@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228

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 tvyhovsky@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




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