Community Development and Neighborhood Revitalization Committee

Regular Meeting

Burlington, VT · March 18, 2026

Minutes

CITY OF BURLINGTON, VERMONT CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE c/o Community & Economic Development Office City Hall, Room 32 • 149 Church Street • Burlington, VT 05401 802-865-7144 VOX • 802-865-7024 FAX • www.burlingtonvt.gov/cedo Councilor Evan Litwin (EL), Chair, Ward 7 Councilor Carter Neubieser (CN), Ward 1 Councilor Allie Schachter (AS), East District CDNR Committee Meeting Wednesday, March 18, 2026 6:00 – 8:00 PM Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 1st Floor – City Hall Committee members: Evan Litwin (EL), Allie Schachter (AS), Carter Neubieser (CN) City Staff: Christine Curtis, CEDO Other Attendees: Brett Rodgers, Agnes Barsalow, PaintCare; Andrea Viets, Director Heineberg Senior Center; Katherine Schad, CAO; Kara Alnasrawi, Maggie Callaghan, CEDO; Anne Gatch, Megan Z, Eagle Bay Academy; Gordon Dragoon, Jason Stuffle, Burlington Walk Bike Council Draft Minutes Meeting Started at 6:01 PM 1. Approve agenda MOTION by Councilor Schachter, SECOND by Councilor Litwin, to approve the agenda VOTING: unanimous; motion carries. 2. Approve Minutes: 2/3/2026 MOTION by Councilor Schachter, SECOND by Councilor Litwin, to approve the minutes VOTING: unanimous; motion carries. 3. Public Forum The programs and services of the City of Burlington are accessible to people with disabilities. For accessibility information, call 865-7144. For questions about the meeting, contact Christine Curtis at ccurtis@burlingtonvt.gov • Ann Gatch and Eagle Bay Academy staff requested permission to convert a graffiti-covered wall into a student-designed mural. • Approximately $1,000 for paint and supplies. • A target start date of May 2026. • The project is tied to a “Math Through Art” curriculum where students apply geometry, scale, measurement, and design concepts through mural creation. Speakers emphasized educational benefits, youth engagement, community pride, and graffiti prevention through stewardship of public spaces. • Andrea Viets updated Committee on Heineberg Senior Center to include preparation of roughly 200 tax returns through AARP Tax- Aide services, increased participation in free meal programs and wellness activities, growth in Bone Builders exercise classes, receipt of a Creative Aging Grant, expanded food security efforts serving approximately 40–50 people weekly, and new programming connecting seniors and English language learners. 4. Housing Trust Fund – Informational/Discussion • CEDO staff presented plans to modernize Burlington’s Housing Trust Fund, which currently holds about $1.5 million. • Key priorities discussed included: • Creating clearer policies, procedures, and evaluation criteria. • Developing a formal scoring rubric for funding decisions. • Making the process more transparent and accessible. • Expanding participation beyond large housing developers. • Exploring support for homeowners and small-scale projects such as ADUs. • Improving outreach so more residents understand funding opportunities. • Committee members discussed: • Increasing Housing Trust Fund revenues through tools such as short- term rental taxes and inclusionary zoning reforms. • Maintaining long-term affordability requirements for funded housing. • Supporting more multi-bedroom affordable housing for larger and immigrant families. • Balancing investments in large affordable housing developments with smaller community-based housing projects. 5. Regional Programs follow-up discussion • The committee continued work on restructuring the city’s regional programs funding process. • Three funding categories were identified: • Non-discretionary regional services that belong in departmental budgets. • Critical service partners such as Howard Center Street Outreach, VNA Home Health & Hospice, Heineberg Community Senior Center, and Turning Point. • Smaller discretionary community grants. • Proposed changes include: • Creating a formal grant application and review process. • Requiring clearer impact reporting from recipients. • Improving accountability and transparency. • Potentially having CEDO administer discretionary grants through a structured annual program. 6. Community Based Solutions for Graffiti Abatement • Representatives from PaintCare presented a proposal to support Burlington’s graffiti abatement and mural efforts. PaintCare operates a paint stewardship and recycling program and has collected more than 1.2 million gallons of paint in Vermont since 2014. • The proposed partnership would: • Provide reusable paint for murals and beautification projects. • Support graffiti cleanup efforts. • Potentially sponsor selected mural projects. • Assist with outreach and public awareness efforts. Committee Motion: Recommend City Council form a graffiti abatement committee and recognize partnership between City of Burlington and PaintCare and refer back to CDNR to finalize all details of the graffiti abatement committee MOTION by Councilor Litwin, SECOND by Councilor Schachter VOTING: unanimous; motion carries. 7. Community Block Party Efforts – Burlington Walk Bike Council • Representatives from the Burlington Walk Bike Council proposed simplifying the process for organizing neighborhood block parties. • Current concerns include: • A requirement to collect signatures from 75% of affected residents. • Long permit timelines. • Administrative barriers that discourage participation. • Ideas discussed included: • Shorter application timelines. • Reduced signature requirements. • Designated block-party weekends. • Better coordination with city departments. • Possible future support through neighborhood organizations. • Committee members generally supported the concept but requested additional consultation with permitting staff and other city departments before advancing a formal proposal. 8. Adjournment • ADJOURN at 8:16 p.m. by Councilor Litwin with no objection

Agenda

Packet

Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall 149 Church Street Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 6:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97816710323?pwd=8Zn5Vqjfkg97qpXqHfy2hO6xdKILNI.1 Meeting ID: 978 1671 0323 Passcode: 340618 --- One tap mobile +13052241968,,97816710323#,,,,*340618# US +13092053325,,97816710323#,,,,*340618# US 1. Agenda 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda 2. Adopt Minutes Subject 2.1. Approval of 2/3/26 Minutes Meeting March 18, 2026 - CDNR Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 6:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall 149 Church Street Category 2. Adopt Minutes Department Type Recommended Action 3. Public Forum Subject 3.1. PUBLIC FORUM - Verbal Comments Meeting March 18, 2026 - CDNR Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 6:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall 149 Church Street Category 3. Public Forum Department Page 1 of 24 Type 4. Housing Trust Fund - Informational/Discussion (40 min.) Subject 4.1. General discussion particularly regarding Inclusionary Zoning in-lieu fees, short-term rentals and the revenue taxes/fees have generated for HTF Meeting March 18, 2026 - CDNR Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 6:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall 149 Church Street Category 4. Housing Trust Fund - Informational/Discussion (40 min.) Department Community & Economic Development Office (CEDO) Type Recommended Action 5. Regional Programs follow-up discussion (40 min.) Subject 5.1. Discussion regarding the different categories under Regional Programs and designing a simple application process Meeting March 18, 2026 - CDNR Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 6:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall 149 Church Street Category 5. Regional Programs follow-up discussion (40 min.) Department Community & Economic Development Office (CEDO) Type Recommended Action 6. Community Based Solutions for Graffiti Abatement (25 min.) Subject 6.1. Presentation from PaintCare Meeting March 18, 2026 - CDNR Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 6:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall 149 Church Street Category 6. Community Based Solutions for Graffiti Abatement (25 min.) Department Community & Economic Development Office (CEDO) Type Recommended Action 7. Community Block Party Efforts - Burlington Walk Bike Council (15 min.) Subject 7.1. Burlington Walk Bike Council in collaboration with Local Motion would like to discuss and propose that the City dedicate two weekends a year as Block Party weekends to encourage community-building practices among all wards Meeting March 18, 2026 - CDNR Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 6:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall 149 Church Street Page 2 of 24 Category 7. Community Block Party Efforts - Burlington Walk Bike Council (15 min.) Department Community & Economic Development Office (CEDO) Type 8. Adjournment Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn Meeting March 18, 2026 - CDNR Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 6:00 PM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall 149 Church Street Category 8. Adjournment Department Council and Board Type Recommended Action Page 3 of 24 CITY OF BURLINGTON, VERMONT CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE c/o Community & Economic Development Office City Hall, Room 32 • 149 Church Street • Burlington, VT 05401 802-865-7144 VOX • 802-865-7024 FAX • www.burlingtonvt.gov/cedo Councilor Evan Litwin (EL), Chair, Ward 7 Councilor Carter Neubieser (CN), Ward 1 Councilor Allie Schachter (AS), East District CDNR Committee Meeting Tuesday, February 3, 2026 10:30 – 11:30 AM Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 1st Floor – City Hall Committee members: Evan Litwin (EL), Allie Schachter (AS), Carter Neubieser (CN) City Staff: Christine Curtis, CEDO Other Attendees: Andrea Viets, Heineberg Senior Center Draft Minutes Meeting Started at 10:32 AM 1. Approve agenda MOTION by Councilor Schachter, SECOND by Councilor Neubieser, to approve the agenda VOTING: unanimous; motion carries. 2. Approve Minutes: 12/17/25 MOTION by Councilor Schachter, SECOND by Councilor Neubieser, to approve the minutes VOTING: unanimous; motion carries. 3. Public Forum The programs and services of the City of Burlington are accessible to people with disabilities. For accessibility information, call 865-7144. For questions about the meeting, contact Christine Curtis at ccurtis@burlingtonvt.gov Page 4 of 24 • Andrea Viets had questions about what falls under required vs non- required categories for Regional Programs. She stated that Heineberg Senior Center cannot remain open without these funds from the City. 4. Work session: Regional Programs Budget • Committee members discussed the structure and management of Burlington's regional programs budget, with particular attention to creating a more organized process for distributing funds. The group reviewed a model from Essex Junction that could serve as a framework for Burlington's approach, which would likely need to be adapted to fit Burlington's specific needs. The committee identified three main buckets for regional programs: core responsibilities, regional services, and regional sponsorships, with particular emphasis on how to handle the largest grants over $50,000. The discussion included how to balance transparency with administrative efficiency, and the group agreed to explore inviting organizations receiving significant funding to present their impact data to the committee. 5. Adjournment • ADJOURN at 11:31 a.m. by Councilor Litwin with no objection Page 5 of 24 PaintCare & Burlington March 18, 2026 Page 6 of 24 W h at is Pain tC are? Estimated 10% That’s approximately of architectural 85 m illio n paint goes gallo n s . unused each Enough to paint year. around 8 and a half 10% million homes. Statistics shown here were calculated as of January 2026 Page 7 of 24 W h at is Pain tC are? American Coatings Association (ACA) • Trade association representing the paint manufacturing industry PaintCare • 501(c)(3) non-profit stewardship organization • Subsidiary of ACA (industry-led) • Designs and operates drop-off/recycling programs in states that pass paint stewardship laws • Reports to state agency – i.e., Vermont ANR Page 8 of 24 Pain t S tew ard sh ip in th e U S Page 9 of 24 Pro g ram Goals • Increase paint recycling opportunities for the public • Ensure highest/best use of paint we collect, following waste management hierarchy of reduce, reuse, recycle • Reduce cost to state and local governments • Educate the public about opportunities to recycle paint • Demonstrate successful industry-led product stewardship Page 10 of 24 Pain tC are Pro d ucts • House paint and primers PaintCare Does Not Currently Accept: (latex or oil-based) • No leaking, unlabeled, or empty containers • No aerosol coatings • Stains • No drums or containers larger than 5 gallons • Deck and concrete sealers • PaintCare doesn’t include chemicals such as paint thinner, • Clear finishes solvents, motor oil, spackle, glue, adhesive, roofing tar, (e.g., varnishes, shellac) pesticides, cleaning chemicals Page 11 of 24 Pain tC are 2010– Estimates were calculated as of January 2026 nd represent a combination of all PaintCare programs 2026 to date unless otherwise noted. 80% 80+ Of total latex paint MILLION GALLONS collected in 2024 was COLLECTED TO DATE recycled back into paint 4% 13,000+ 2,800+ OF PAINT C OLLEC TED IN 2024 W AS Large Volume YEAR-ROU ND DROP -OFF S ITES Pickups REU S ED Page 12 of 24 In Verm o n t… • Sites are paint retailers, HHW facilities, transfer stations • 82 sites in VT • 86 Large volume pickups • 1.2 Million gallons collected • ~75% latex paint recycled back into paint • Most oil-based paint goes to energy recovery Page 13 of 24 HHW an d Municip al Partn ers h ip s • PaintCare covers cost of supplies, transportation, and processing for program products dropped off at facilities and events • Programs ensure eligible program products are properly screened, sorted, and packed. • CSWD is actually recycles paint! • Compensation for reuse. Page 14 of 24 How is it Fund ed ? $0.65 $1.35 $2.45 Page 15 of 24 Educatio n an d Outreach Page 16 of 24 Alban y Parkin g Auth o rity Mural • August 2025 • Partnered with APA and local artist • Paint from NY-based recycler • Unveiling press conference event Page 17 of 24 Page 18 of 24 Page 19 of 24 W e Pro p o s e: 1. Ongoing reuse paint from CWSD for city beautification • PC will create a simple request form • CWSD can put paint aside as requested – pre-recycling • PC will compensate CWSD for reuse gallons, new revenue stream for CWSD 2. PaintCare also sponsors a mural project in Burlington with city or city partner • Financial support for mural production • Paint stewardship theme • Paint of course! • PR support - video, press attention, unveiling event Page 20 of 24 Questio n s? Page 21 of 24 C o n tactin g U s Brett Rodgers (202) 699-1105 brodgers@paint.org VP Communications Agnes Barsalow (802) 245-4821 abarsalow@paint.org VT Program Coordinator Page 22 of 24 Resolution Relating to RESOLUTION_______ Sponsor(s): DESIGNATION OF BLOCK PARTY WEEKENDS Introduced: ____________________ Referred to:____________________ ______________________________ Action: _______________________ Date: _________________________ Signed by Mayor: _______________ CITY OF BURLINGTON In the year Two Thousand Twenty-Six………………………………………………………………………. Resolved by the City Council of the City of Burlington, as follows: 1 That WHEREAS, streets are public places that support walking, biking, rolling, and play, and community 2 block parties allow neighbors to experience streets in a people-first, car-light way; and 3 WHEREAS, community block parties contribute to neighborhood vitality, social connection, and build 4 community relationships; and 5 WHEREAS, enabling multiple block parties to occur across the city on designated weekends creates a 6 network of events that encourages residents to visit and connect with neighboring communities; and 7 WHEREAS, the City of Burlington recognizes the value of fostering social connections, community 8 engagement, and outdoor activity through well-organized neighborhood events; and 9 WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works, Burlington Police Department, and other relevant 10 departments are prepared to support street closures, public‑safety coordination, and logistics needed for such 11 block‑party weekends; and 12 WHEREAS, the City of Burlington can take steps to streamline and facilitate Block Parties, such as 13 temporarily simplifying and expediting the permitting process, and providing additional financial support 14 through the Neighborhood Planning Assemblies; and 15 WHEREAS, the Burlington City Council desires to formally designate two weekends each Summer as 16 “Block‑Party Weekends” in order to promote and facilitate neighbourhood‑led street closures and community 17 gatherings; 18 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the weekends of Saturday May 9th and Saturday 19 September 26th are hereby designated as “Block‑Party Weekends” in the City of Burlington; and 20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the (appropriate administrative officer) is authorized and directed 21 to coordinate with City departments, neighborhood planning associations, and community groups to Page 23 of 24 Page 2 Resolution Relating to DESIGNATION OF BLOCK PARTY WEEKENDS 22 implement policies, guidelines, permit‑processes, traffic control, and logistical support necessary to facilitate 23 safe and well‑organized block‑party events on those weekends; and 24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that for applications submitted at least 2 weeks ahead of each weekend 25 and on non-arterial road segments, City departments are directed to waive or reduce permitting requirements, 26 expedite street‑closure review, and communicate to neighbourhoods the available support and safety 27 guidelines for outdoor block‑party events; and 28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall remain in effect for the designated weekends 29 and until administrative steps concluding the events are complete, and this designation does not create any 30 longer‑term entitlement to block‑party status beyond the specified dates. 31 32 Drafter Initials/Resolutions 2026/Designation for Block Party Weekends 33 Date Page 24 of 24