City Council - Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee

Racial, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 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/96324562039 Meeting ID: 963 2456 2039 Or Use Phone number: 305-224-1968 Meeting ID: 963 2456 2039 1. Call to Order 2. Adopt the Agenda 3. Adopt Minutes Subject 3.1. February 2026 Meeting April 21, 2026 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 3. Adopt Minutes Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB) Type 4. Public Forum 5. Councilor Updates 6. TCV Updates 7. Missisquoi Gift Subject 7.1. Authorization to Accept a Work of Public Art from the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi Tribal Council Memo Meeting April 21, 2026 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Page 1 of 17  Category 7. Missisquoi Gift Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB) Type Recommended Action 8. REIB Updates 9. Adjournment Subject 9.1. Motion to adjourn Meeting April 21, 2026 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 9. Adjournment Department Council and Board Type Recommended Action 10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements Subject 10.1. 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 April 21, 2026 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements Department Council and Board Type Page 2 of 17  Racial, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Held in the O.N.E Community Center, Third Floor OR via Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96324562039 Meeting ID: 963 2456 2039 Or Use Phone number: 305-224-1968 Meeting ID: 963 2456 2039 1. Call to Order 2. Adopt Agenda 3. Adopt Minutes Subject 3.1. January 2026 Meeting February 10, 2026 - REIB CC Subcommittee Meeting - Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 3. Adopt Minutes Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB) Type 4. Public Forum 5. Councilor Updates 6. Follow Up About Twincraft and Hiring 7. ICE Resolution 8. TCV Updates 9. Town Meeting Day Education Updates Page 3 of 17 10. Adjournment Subject 10.1. Motion to adjourn Meeting February 10, 2026 - REIB CC Subcommittee Meeting - Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 10. Adjournment Department Council and Board Type Recommended Action 11. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements Subject 11.1. 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 February 10, 2026 - REIB CC Subcommittee Meeting - Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 11. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements Department Council and Board Type Minutes taken by Vicky Luciano Attendees: Kelli Perkins, Director (in person) Christian Berry, Communications and Community Engagement Manager REIB (in person) Katie Greene, Community and Belonging Program Manager (in person) Councilor Melo Grant (in person) Fabiola Myomna (in person) Jaime Contois (in person) Coucilor Ranjit “Buddy” Singh (Virtual) Mona Tolba (virtual) Jess Hyman (virtual) Page 4 of 17 Maryan Maalin (virtual) Cristine Hughes (virtual) Tiffanie Katsuva (virtual) Loan Nguyen (virtual) Ferene Paris (virtual) Hemant Ghising (virtual) Amer Ahmed (virtual) Monica Allard (virtual) • Call To Order o Meeting was called to order at 5:38 pm. • Adopt Agenda o Councilor Singh moved to adopt the agenda. Councilor Grant seconded. Motion passed unanimously. • Adopt Minutes o Councilor Singh moved to adopt the minutes. Councilor Grant seconded. Motion passed unanimously. • Public Forum o No one had a comment for Public Forum • Councilor Updates o Councilor Grant informed everyone of Director Perkins’s idea to make one of the REIB City Council Subcommittee meetings a BIPOC Stakeholders meeting to maximize the number of people who can participate and ensure the REIB is involved. o Director Perkins added the meeting will be off site and it will still be the Mayor’s meeting and she is supportive of this idea and will be present. The next meeting is scheduled for March 17th. ▪ The people who have been on the BIPOC Stakeholders meeting will receive an updated meeting invite. o Councilor Singh updated everyone on his discussion with the school district. He said each school has been encouraged to create their own parent phone tree, so kids can be picked up from school and taken home without using public transportation. Phone tree participants are chosen on a peer-to-peer basis. • Follow up about Twincraft and Hiring o Christian Berry informed everyone that the information that was shared in the last meeting about Twincraft was incorrect. The information that was shared with her was a misunderstanding and misinformation. Christian and Michelle will work together to make it clear for everyone in the community. • ICE Resolution o Jaime Contois volunteered to be a person to support community safety in preparation of an escalation of ICE. ▪ Councilor Singh offered to speak with Jaime after the meeting o Director Perkins shared Katie Greene is working with AALV and other community organizations to support the immigrant, refugee, elderly and other communities who may need help getting to vote. Information will be coming out soon probably within the next week or so. o Councilor Grant shared City Council has received a draft of a resolution to be presented by the Burlington City Council to be clear about how the residents of Burlington will be supported. She asked people to look at the resolution and give feedback to have a finalized version by Tuesday’s City Council meeting and went line by line through the resolution. Page 5 of 17  o Jamie Contois asked if there was any legal jurisdiction Burlington has in protecting residents from masked people taking them. Councilor Grant said what BPD officers do and don not wear is defined in a strict way due to protocol. If the criteria aren’t met it, is not BPD. o Monica Allard added the ACLU of VT has been in communication with some other affiliates who have been working with their local cities and towns in other states like Minnesota to develop some policies that could be helpful in responding and offered to put the City of Burlington in contact with them. o Jaime Contois asked what the State of Vermont might be doing with regards to people having to be clearly identifiable, before being allowed to take people in Vermont and if the ACLU is working with anyone on the state level. ▪ Monica Allard said there is a bill in the State House around masking and it is currently moving through the state legislature along with a number of other immigration-related bills (H742 and H745). o Jamie Contois asked for a clear way on how to talk to audiences who believe in the mission of ICE but don’t want them doing bad things. Monica Allard suggested connecting with their action team and visiting their website. • TCV Update o Maryan Maalin updated everyone on a Somali man who was detained by ICE. The man was released but they took his documentation. He is working with a lawyer to find some options. • Town Meeting Day Education Updates o Councilor Grant informed everyone there have been some great turnouts at some of the NPAs and they are almost done. o Director Perkins told everyone what has been happening leading up to Town Meeting Day and the plan for the future. Katie Greene told everyone the Vermont Language Justice Project has finished translating videos for education for Town meeting. She directed everyone to the newsletter, social media, and the elections website for education on the charter change. • Adjournment o Councilor Singh motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Grant seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting ended at 6:44 pm. Page 6 of 17  BURLINGTON CITY ARTS MEMORANDUM TO: City of Burlington, City Council FROM: Doreen Kraft, Director, Burlington City Arts CC: Kelli Perkins, Director, Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Sophie Sauvé, Parks Planning Division Director, Burlington Parks Recreation and Waterfront Colin Storrs, Public Art and Grants Program Manager, Burlington City Arts DATE: 2/17/26 SUBJECT: Authorization to Accept a Work of Public Art from the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi Tribal Council. REQUEST Burlington City Arts (BCA) requests City Council authorization to accept the donation of a work of Public Art from the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi Tribal Council, and for the Director of BCA, their assignee, or their successor to execute all documents necessary to accept the gift, subject to final review and approval by the City Attorney’s Office and Chief Administrative Officer. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background: In 1984, Peter Wolf Toth approached the City of Burlington and proposed to complete a sculpture as part of his Whispering Giant series, where he carved Indigenous figures in each of the 50 states to honor oppressed peoples. Having fled the Soviet occupation of Hungary, he identified with their struggles. In 1987, he completed what would later be known as Chief Greylock in Battery Park. The work was named and embraced by the Abenaki community but was neither created by nor representative of the Indigenous people of Vermont. After 40 years of exposure to the elements, the sculpture had sustained significant degradation. In 2019, the 6–8-foot-tall feather atop the statue was deemed a hazard and fell after being fenced off for public safety. In the fall of 2024, Burlington City Arts (BCA) commissioned Tree Works to conduct a condition assessment, which concluded that the entire sculpture was a public safety risk and recommended removal. Subsequently, and in 1 Page 7 of 17 accordance with the Art in Public Places Policy, BCA consulted the City Attorney’s Office to confirm appropriate next steps. Prior to the City informing Chief Brenda Gagne of the need to remove the existing Chief Greylock sculpture, the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi—using funds allocated under City Council Resolution 6.01 (formerly 6.05), adopted on March 21, 2022—had commissioned artist Brandon Wilson of Mountainside Sculpture & Design (Jay, VT) to create a large-scale public artwork. At the time of commissioning, a permanent installation site for the work had not yet been secured. While several potential locations had been explored with community partners, the planned removal of the existing sculpture created an opportunity for the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi to propose donating the commissioned work to the City as a replacement on the existing foundation. In response, Burlington City Arts initiated the Public Art Gift process in accordance with the City’s Art in Public Places Policy, ensuring that City Council would serve as the final decision-making body regarding acceptance of the donated work. As part of the public art donation process, BPRW Director at the time, Cindi Wight expressed her approval for the project from the perspective that the donation would align with the Battery Park’s function and plan. As it was to be a replacement of an existing work of art, it met the BPRW Department’s criteria for acceptance. The Public Art Committee, a subcommittee of the BCA Board of Advisors, reviewed the work and made a motion to recommend the acceptance of the gift to the BCA Board of Advisors during their March 13, 2025 public meeting. The committee was provided with contextual information regarding the City’s Art in Public Places Policy and City Council Resolution 6.01 and were advised that their role was not to determine City policy direction, but rather to evaluate the proposal within the existing Art in Public Places policy framework. A preliminary assessment by an accredited engineer indicates that the existing foundation appears to be capable of safely supporting a new sculpture, pending further evaluation. If acceptance is provided, an engineer will be commissioned to finalize any adjustments necessary to accommodate the installation of the new work. Project Funding: The total project budget is $25,000 for the foundation evaluation, materials required, and support of the necessary construction work. All City related costs will be covered by the Public Art Commissioning Fund (807-27-700.9500_100-Capital Outlay Construction). The value of the donated work is $20,000, which is the commission fee paid to the artist. 2 Page 8 of 17 The City’s estimating a maximum project budget of $25,000 to support project-related costs associated with the acceptance and installation of the donated artwork. This maximum authorization accounts for potential contingencies should an engineering review identify hidden deficiencies or structural failures in the existing foundation that require substantial reconstruction. Maintenance The work will be incorporated into the City’s Art in Public Places program and maintained using funds from the 1% for Public Art fund. The City will include in their donation agreement, a clause that allows for an accelerated deaccession process—to reflect the realities of displaying a wooden sculpture in an outdoor environment. While the work is expected to remain in place for an extended period of time, this adjustment ensures a more responsive long-term maintenance strategy and more efficient removal and replacement process if the condition warrants it. Department Contact: If you have any questions, please contact Colin Storrs at cstorrs@burlingtoncityarts.org or (802) 540-8376. ATTACHMENT A. Gift Summary B. Public Art Committee Recommendation to Approve and Accept Gift Date March 13 2025 C. BCA Board of Advisors Recommendation to Approve and Accept Gift Date March 18 2025 MOTION Burlington City Arts (BCA) respectfully requests City Council approve the following motion: "To approve and authorize the Director of BCA to accept a public art donation as described in Attachment A, with a total value of $20,000 from the Missisquoi Abenaki Nation; to facilitate site preparation up to a maximum amount of $25,000; and to execute all necessary documents upon final review and approval by the City Attorney’s Office." 3 Page 9 of 17 Abenaki Public Art Donation: Gift Summery TO: City of Burlington, City Council FROM: Doreen Kraft, Director, Burlington City Arts CC: Kelli Perkins, Director, Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Sophie Sauvé, Parks Planning Division Director, Burlington Parks Recreation and Waterfront Colin Storrs, Public Art and Grants Program Manager, Burlington City Arts DATE: 2/17/26 SUBJECT: Donation Summery of a Public Art Gift from the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi Tribal Council to The City of Burlington Summary: In 1894, Peter Wolf Toth approached the City of Burlington and proposed to complete a sculpture as part of his Whispering Giant series, where he carved Indigenous figures in each of the 50 states to honor oppressed peoples. Having fled the Soviet occupation of Hungary, he identified with their struggles. In 1987, he completed what would later be known as Chief Greylock in Battery Park. The work was named and embraced by the Abenaki community but was neither created by nor representative of the Indigenous people of Vermont. After 40 years of exposure to the elements, the sculpture has sustained significant degradation. In 2019, the 6–8-foot-tall feather atop the statue was deemed a hazard and fell after being fenced off for public safety. In the fall of 2024, Burlington City Arts (BCA) commissioned Tree Works to conduct a condition assessment, which concluded that the entire sculpture was a public safety risk and recommended removal. Recognizing the cultural significance and high visibility of the site, the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi request that the City consider accepting and installing a work of public art with a comparable visual presence in this prominent public space. The Nation had previously commissioned artist Brandon Wilson of Mountainside Sculpture & Design (Jay, VT) to create a public artwork, though no permanent installation site had been finalized at the time. After exploring various potential locations with community partners, and following discussions between the City, Council representatives, and Chief Brenda Gagne regarding the removal of Chief Greylock, the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi propose donating the commissioned work for installation on the existing foundation in Battery Park. Burlington City Arts subsequently initiated the Public Art Gift process in accordance with the City’s Art in Public Places Policy. Gift Value: The value of the artwork is $20,000, which includes all payments made to the artist for fabrication and delivery. Installation and any necessary foundation updates will be the City's Attachment A: Gift Summary Page 10 of 17 responsibility. The City will use 807 Public Art Funds for foundation requirements and installation costs associated with the project, if available the project may also utilize funds allocated by BPRW for Battery Park renovations. Material: The artist has provided in-progress images of the work (attached at the end of this document). The final piece will feature a lower section that includes a wildlife totem on one side, an Abenaki figure on the other, and a top section that is an eagle carving. The lower section will stand 11 feet above the foundation, with a too-be-attached eagle sculpture increasing the total height to 16 ½ feet. The sculpture is made of Red Oak with carved and painted sections. Site Plan: The project will utilize the existing foundation from Chief Greylock with necessary modifications. The location is in the northern section of Battery Park, intentionally positioned so that viewers at the base of the sculpture can look through the bandstand toward Odzihozo, a rock formation of significant importance to the Abenaki community. City Department Support: Cindi Wight, former Director of BPRW, has supplied letters of support. Construction Documents: Construction documents will be prepared following City Council Acceptance. A preliminary assessment by an accredited engineer indicates that the existing foundation appears to be capable of safely supporting a new sculpture, pending further evaluation. An engineer will assess the optimal modification needed to the existing foundation and the base of the donated work to safety and securing accommodate the new piece. The new artwork is intended to be secured to the foundation with the existing metal rod support system (similar to the original installation) with final details determined after the engineering assessment. If acceptance is provided, an engineer will be commissioned to finalize any adjustments necessary to accommodate the installation of the new work. Recommended Maintenance Plan: The work will be incorporated into the City’s Art in Public Places program and maintained using funds from the 1% for Public Art fund. The City will include in their donation agreement, a clause that allows for an accelerated deaccession process to reflect the realities of displaying a wooden sculpture in an outdoor environment. While the work is expected to remain in place for an extended period of time, this adjustment ensures a more responsive long-term maintenance strategy and more efficient removal and replacement process if the condition warrants it. Attachment A: Gift Summary Page 11 of 17 Red Oak is one of the more stable woods for outdoor sculpture. However, to ensure longevity, the artist recommends power washing the sculpture and applying log-based oil (Cabot Timber Oil – Natural) generously with a paint sprayer every two years. The estimated cost for this maintenance, if performed by an external vendor, is $2,000–$3,000 every two years. This expense will be budgeted into the Public Art Maintenance Fund. Attachments: • Images of the proposed sculpture • Site plan of Battery Park • Statement of support from BPRW Attachment A: Gift Summary Page 12 of 17 Image #1: Side 1 Image #2: Side 2 Image #3: Cap piece Attachment A: Gift Summary Page 13 of 17 Image #4: Location Image #5: Map Attachment A: Gift Summary Page 14 of 17 March 10, 2025 To whom it may concern: Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront (BPRW) supports the addition of murals on the home and visitor dugouts at the Calahan Park Little League field, ensuring the art represents the diversity of users participating in baseball now and in the future. In addition, BPRW supports the replacement of Chief Greylock at Battery Park as proposed. Sincerely, Cindi Wight BPRW Director Attachment A: Gift Summary Page 15 of 17 To: Burlington City Arts - Doreen Kraft, Executive Director From: Burlington City Arts - Public Art Committee Date: 3.13.25 Re: Artwork Gift - Recommendation to Approve and Accept Dear Doreen: Reference is hereby made to the City of Burlington Art in Public Places Guidelines and Policies (the “Guidelines”). Capitalized terms used herein, but otherwise undefined, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Guidelines. On March 13 2025, the Public Art Committee of the BCA Board of Advisors (the “Committee”) met to discuss, among other things, the proposed gift of Artwork to replace the current Chief Greylock work in Battery Park described in Exhibit A attached hereto (the “Gift”). Based on the information presented to the Committee, the Committee agreed that the Gift meets the criteria for Selecting Artists and Artwork as outlined in Section V of the Guidelines. Accordingly, the Committee voted to recommend the approval and acceptance of the Gift pursuant to Section VI.B.2 of the Guidelines. As always, thank you for your advancement of BCA’s mission and public art planning and projects – your leadership and efforts are very much appreciated! Sincerely, Burlington City Arts Board of Advisors Livia DeMarchis, Public Art Committee Attachment B: Public Art Committee Recommendation to Approve and Accept Gift Date March 13 2025 Page 16 of 17 To: Doreen Kraft, Executive Director From: Burlington City Arts Board of Advisors Date: March 18, 2025 Re: Gift Acceptance – Public Art Gift to the City by the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi Dear Doreen: Reference is hereby made to the City of Burlington Art in Public Places Guidelines and Policies (the “Guidelines”). Capitalized terms used herein, but otherwise undefined, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Guidelines. Pursuant to Sections VI.B.2 and VI.B.3 of the Guidelines, the BCA Board of Advisors (the “Board”) hereby certifies its approval of the Acceptance of the Public Art Gift to the City by the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi (the “Gift”). The Board’s decision to approve the Gift is based on the City’s commitment to encourage equitable and empowering partnerships with leadership and citizens of the Vermont Abenaki Community and ensuring their continued representation in the City’s Public Art program is important. The Board also as reviewed considerations, including, among other things, its inherent artistic quality, its planned design and materials, its durability and ability to be maintained, its accessibility by the public, and its environmental impact and believes it that the proposed Gift fulfills the goals of the Art in Public Places Program. Finally, having considered the recommendations of the Public Art Administrator and the Public Art Committee, the Board has concluded that the Gift is fitting and appropriate to the Project’s function and location. In light of the above, the Board believes it to be in the best interests of the City and the Art in Public Places Program to initiate a gift agreement with the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi for the proposed gift in accordance with Sections VI.B.2 and VI.B.3 of the Guidelines. Sincerely, Lori Rowe Burlington City Arts Board of Advisors Attachment C: BCA Board of Advisors Recommendation to Approve and Accept Gift Date March 18 2025 Page 17 of 17