HR Committee

Regular Meeting

Burlington, VT · July 14, 2025

Minutes

Monday, July 14, 2025, 8:30 AM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT 8:30 am, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT OR Remotely via ZOOM: Please click the link below to join the webinar: Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/94820907375?pwd=ZWdzWk5KTGp5K29vZ1dEd2dLaU9jQT09 Meeting ID: 948 2090 7375 Passcode: 616429 Present Councilor Sarah Carpenter, Chair (SC) Councilor Marek Broderick (MB) Councilor Melo Grant (MG) Lynn Reagan, Acting HR Director (LR) Others Present: Chapin Spencer, Director of DPW Damion Gilbert, AFSCME 1343 David VanDeusen, AFSCME 1343 Emmett Wood, City Attorney – council to the HRPC Hayley McClenahan, City Attorney – council for HR and DPW Meaghan Diffenderfer, HR Administrative Coordinator Megan Moir, DPW Division Director – Water Resources Rory Cummings, DPW employee Steve Roy, retired DPW employee Tony Berry, HR Manager Meeting called to order, 8:34 am by Chair Carpenter 1. Approve Agenda & Minutes MB moves to approve the agenda as written. SC seconds. All in favor, so moved and approved. MB moves to approve the minutes as written. SC seconds. All in favor, so moved and approved. 2. Public Forum None. Motion by Councilor MB to find that premature general public knowledge of labor relations and employee grievances would clearly place the City at a substantial disadvantage because the City risks disclosing confidential personnel matters in public. SC seconds. All in favor, so moved and approved. Motion by Councilor MB that based on the finding of substantial disadvantage, the Council enter into executive session to hear the grievance under the provisions of 1 V.S.A. 313(a)(1)(B) and (D), to include legal counsel, committee members, Rory Cummings, David VanDuesen, Damian Gilbert, Steve Roy, HR Personnel, Division Director Megan Moir, and Department Director Chapin Spencer. SC seconds. All in favor, so moved and approved. Pause while waiting for final council member to join. Re-enter executive session. Motion by Councilor MB, to find that premature general public knowledge of labor relations and employee grievances would clearly place the City at a substantial disadvantage because the City risks disclosing confidential personnel matters in public. MG seconds. All in favor, so moved and approved. Motion by Councilor MB, that based on the finding of substantial disadvantage, the Council enter into executive session to hear the grievance under the provisions of 1 V.S.A. 313(a)(1)(B) and (D), to include legal counsel, committee members, Rory Cummings, David VanDuesen, Damian Gilbert, Steve Roy, HR Personnel, Division Director Megan Moir, and Department Director Chapin Spencer. MG seconds. All in favor, so moved and approved. 3. Executive Session Those participating in the hearing sworn in by Counsel. Grievance Hearing. Grievance hearing adjourned, Committee Members will reconvene on July 24th to deliberate. MB moves to adjourn executive session MG seconds All in favor, executive session ends 4. Other Committee Business Next meeting will be July 24 – HR team will send out an invite. All clarifying questions go to Attorney Wood. Next regular meeting August 11 5. Adjournment MB moves to adjourn MG seconds. All in favor, Meeting adjourned, 10:12 by Chair Carpenter 6. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements 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. The City is also committed to providing proper access to services, facilities and employment opportunities. The programs and services of the City of Burlington are accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals who require special arrangements, auxiliary aid, service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Burlington, should contact the office of the Title II Burlington ADA Coordinator at 802-865-7000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.

Agenda

Packet

Monday, July 14, 2025, 8:30 AM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT 8:30 am, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT OR Remotely via ZOOM: Please click the link below to join the webinar: Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/94820907375?pwd=ZWdzWk5KTGp5K29vZ1dEd2dLaU9jQT09 Meeting ID: 948 2090 7375 Passcode: 616429 1. Approve Agenda & Minutes Subject 1.1. Approve Agenda Meeting July 14, 2025 - HRPC 07/14/2025 - Monday, July 14, 2025, 8:30 AM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT Category 1. Approve Agenda & Minutes Department Human Resources Type Recommended Action Subject 1.2. Approve Minutes from 5/12/25 meeting Meeting July 14, 2025 - HRPC 07/14/2025 - Monday, July 14, 2025, 8:30 AM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT Category 1. Approve Agenda & Minutes Department Human Resources Type Recommended Action 2. Public Forum 3. Executive Session Subject 3.1. Grievance Hearing Meeting July 14, 2025 - HRPC 07/14/2025 - Monday, July 14, 2025, 8:30 AM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT Category 3. Executive Session Department Human Resources Type Page 1 of 4 Recommended Action 4. Other Committee Business 5. Adjournment Subject 5.1. Motion to adjourn Meeting July 14, 2025 - HRPC 07/14/2025 - Monday, July 14, 2025, 8:30 AM, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St., Burlington, VT Category 5. Adjournment Department Council and Board Type Recommended Action 6. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements 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. The City is also committed to providing proper access to services, facilities and employment opportunities. The programs and services of the City of Burlington are accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals who require special arrangements, auxiliary aid, service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Burlington, should contact the office of the Title II Burlington ADA Coordinator at 802-865-7000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event. Page 2 of 4 Monday, May 12, 2025, 8:30 AM, HR Conference Room, 200 Church St., Burlington, VT 8:30 am, HR Conference Room, 200 Church St., Burlington, VT OR Remotely via ZOOM: Members Present: Councilor Sarah Carpenter, Chair (SC) Councilor Marek Broderick (MB) Councilor Melo Grant (MG) Lynn Reagan, Acting HR Director (LR) Others in Attendance: Karen Downey (Accessibility Committee nominee) Lisa Black (Accessibility Committee nominee) Tim Williams, Safety Manager Meaghan Diffenderfer, HR Administrative Coordinator Meeting called to order by SC, 8:36 am Introductions 1. Approve Agenda & Minutes MB moves to approve the agenda as written MG seconds All in favor, motion so moved and adopted MB moves to approve the minutes from the last meeting SC seconds All in favor, so moved and approved 2. Public Forum None. 3. Advisory Committee on Accessibility Nominations Tim Williams provides background on the Burlington Advisory Council on Accessibility, its structure, and the HRPC role in approving the nominations. Karen Downey and Lisa Black provide thanks for consideration of the nominations. Karen Downey elaborates on the committee’s current projects. MB moves to recommend the slate of nominees to the mayor and city council MG seconds All in favor, motion so moved and adopted. 4. Other Committee Business MG asks clarifying questions as a new member to the committee; SC and LR help answer. 5. Adjournment MB moves to adjourn Page 3 of 4 MG seconds Meeting ends 9:22 am 6. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements 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. The City is also committed to providing proper access to services, facilities and employment opportunities. The programs and services of the City of Burlington are accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals who require special arrangements, auxiliary aid, service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Burlington, should contact the office of the Title II Burlington ADA Coordinator at 802-865-7000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event. Page 4 of 4