Wards 1 & 8 NPA

BHS/BTC 2025 In August 2022, City Council voted to allow Burlington School District to place a $165 million bond question on the November ballot to build a new high school and technical center. Ballots will be mailed in September Election Day is November 8 DON’T FORGET TO VOTE! WHY DO WE NEED A NEW SCHOOL In 2020, BHS and BTC were closed due to high amounts of PCBs in the air. The PCBs were found during a voter- approved renovation project and added to a long list of de ciencies previously identi ed. Aging and outdated learning spaces • Does not meet “Collaborative High-Performance School Standards” • 1960s classrooms • Science labs insu cient for larger class sizes • STEM equipment in need of replacement $30+ million needed for maintenance (in 2018) • Crumbling infrastructure • Outdated plumbing, electrical, heating, and ventilation systems • Insu cient insulation and windows • Outdated tech infrastructure Does not meet current accessibility standards WHY NOT JUST STAY IN MACYS? • Comprised of six academic buildings with unheated, Downtown BHS (DtBHS) is not a long-term solution outdoor walkways • BSD doesn’t own the old Macy’s building and is • Seven stories from top to bottom leasing the space • Elevators outdated and in undesirable locations • DtBHS does not have windows or an auditorium or gymnasium • BTC is not located in DtBHS, but leases several spots in Burlington and South Burlington WHY NOT JUST REMOVE THE PCBs? • Building is scheduled for demolition following our PCBs are not only in the air lease agreement • Found in tile, ceiling, walls, soil, and concrete oor • BSD cannot reoccupy without removing all contaminated materials, including all the soil WHAT HAPPENED TO THE between buildings $70m BOND FROM 2018? • PCB removal would require every window to be BSD no longer has access to that money replaced, along with two feet of wall on each side • BSD spent $4m of the 2018 bond request on the • Building likely to never be “PCB free” and will ReEnvisioning project before canceling the plan always need ongoing, costly testing • All other funds were either returned or never borrowed • This new bond entirely replaces the 2018 bond Visit www.bsdvt.org/bhs-btc-2025 to learn more, or see reverse for project details, tax impact, and budget. fl fi ffi ffi fi  BHS/BTC 2025 WHY IS THIS THE BEST PLAN? BUDGET and BOND Built for Current and Future Needs Total Project Cost $190 million* • Adaptable to future technology infrastructure • LEED Certi ed and “Net-Zero Ready” for future BSD Contributions ($5m budget $25 million* • High-e ciency heating and cooling systems savings/surplus, $10m from capital • Designed with 50-100-year lifespan plan, $10m American Rescue Act) *In addition to these contributions, BSD Supports “Deep Learning for all Students” utilized another $10m congressional grant to move half of BTC’s programs to the airport, • Flexible learning spaces and updated classroom technology reducing the original project cost from • Multi-use spaces can be expanded or reduced in size based $210m to $190m on program needs • Maintains connection to outdoors and community Total Bond Request on $165 million • Meets high-performing standards for STEM November Ballot Designed with Public Engagement • Design Steering Committee included representation from TAX IMPACT schools, families, community Annual Cost to BSD Budget $11,609,578 • Multiple rounds of feedback from students and community • Incorporates community asks from prior projects Tax Rate Increase 15.67% Balances Need for New Spaces and Cost to Taxpayers Property Tax Increase $805/year • Lowest cost option out of ve design options (For whose who pay taxes based on a ($67.08/month) • Saves taxpayers $20m by leveraging Congressional grant to home valued at $370k) move half of BTC programs to airport (original plan was Income Tax Increase $190/year $210m before deciding to move programs) (For income sensitized person paying ($15.83/month) • Reuses land owned by School District based on a $50k income) The tax projections above are based the impact the bond will have when fully borrowed, three years from now. The actual impact will be lower for the rst two years of the project. Additionally, BSD recently supported legislation that provides more funding to districts with students who qualify for free and reduced lunch or who are learning English. We expect that support to substantially reduce the impact this project has on tax rates. Visit www.bsdvt.org/bhs-btc-2025 for additional property tax scenarios, or see reverse for why a new school is needed fi fi fi ffi BHS/BTC 2025 NPA Presentation September 2022  Brief Project History April - August 2020: BSD working to complete $70m “ReEnvisioning” project approved by voters to address accessibility, outdated learning spaces, and failing mechanical systems. During the project, it became clear that PCBs were pervasive. We found them in the caulking, around the windows, in glue in the tile, in the ceiling, and in the concrete floor. After finding them in large amounts in the air, BHS/BTC was shut down in August and the board ultimately decided to scrap the project because we would never be able to fully remove the PCBs and have an accessible, flexible learning space for students.  Brief Project History April 27, 2022: Board Chooses Option C May 13: BSD begins working with Leonine to partner on fundraising research and strategy. June 22: Board approves program shift to move BTC’s “high bay” programs to Aviation Education Center. June 23: BSD partners with Burlington Students Foundation to serve as pass-through for obtaining grants and private donations. June 29: Schematic Design Forum, New Designs Released Aug 10: School Board Approves $165m Bond Request Aug 15: City Council Approves Bond Placement on Ballot Updated Site Plan South Entrance North Entrance Conceptual Classroom Rendering Entryway Commons Rendering Auditorium Rendering Learning Center Rendering  Tax Implications when Fully Bonded Possible Bond Amount $165 million Annual Cost to BSD Budget $11,609,578 Tax Rate Increase 15.67% *pupil weighting changes will offset much of this increase Property Tax Increase on $370k Home $805/year *pupil weighting changes will offset much of this increase ($67.08/month) Tax Increase to Income Sensitized Payer ($50,000 income) $190/year *pupil weighting changes will offset much of this increase ($15.83/month) ● Weighted Pupil Offset - It is likely that changes to state law regarding the weighting of pupils will result in relatively more equalized pupils and therefore reduce Burlington’s Education Spending per Equalized Pupil, which could lower current tax estimates. However, BSD is committed to providing increased support for students, so while we expect there to be some tax relief as a result of this legislation we do not anticipate that relief fully offsetting the tax increase associated with bonding for the new high school. Tax Implications Based on Different Home Values (when fully bonded)  Property Tax Rate Over Time Fiscal Estimated Cumulative Tax Change from Prior Year Borrowing Impact Year 2023 $30 million 0% 0% 2024 $70 million 2.85% 2.85% 2025 $65 million 9.50% 6.65% 2026 $0 15.67% 6.17% 2027-2044 $0 15.67% 0% 2045 $0 12.82% -2.85% 2046 $0 6.17% -6.65% 2047 $0 0% -6.17%  BSD Revenues and Fundraising Contributed $35m to the project: $5m in BSD budget savings and surplus $10 in ESSER Funds $10 from Capital Bond $10 from Congressional Grant (used to reduce cost of project) Pursuing State and Federal Funding Working with a consultant Researching no less than 16 leads Public Fundraising Partnership with Burlington Students Foundation Have already received donations Allows us to apply for grants We are committed to raising funds even after the bond vote to ensure we do not borrow the full $165m  Updated Timeline September 21: BHS/BTC 2025 Town Hall September 26: Last Day for Ballots to be Mailed November 8: Bond vote January 2023: Demolition Begins (maybe late December) June 2023: Construction Begins August 2025: Move in Date THANK YOU and QUESTIONS?  Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA) Agenda Wednesday, September 14 7:00 - 9:00 PM In-person at the Friends Meeting House, 173 North Prospect Street And Zoom online Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/96245939050 Webinar ID 962 459 39050 Or Telephone: Dial:US: +1 929 205 6099 Webinar ID: 840 3612 3619 YouTube: YouTube Livestream: NPA Wards 1&8 Playlist, click on upcoming/next meeting: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLljLFn4BZd2Pa3H8l30gy_gZ3NL6orXcN Note: This is for live streaming purposes only. Ward residents should intend to participate via Zoom or in-person if they wish to speak or vote. Facilitator: Jonathan Chapple-Sokol Host:Sam Heinrichs, CEDO Minutes: Carol Livingston 6:30 Pizza and welcome 7:00 Formal start - Announcements & Introductions 7:05 Speak-out - General Public From Dan Hill, Burlington Traffic Manager: need for crossing guards 7:25 Ward 1 Bylaws - Review and Vote 7:50 Charter Change Committee – Legal Resident Non Citizen voting 8:05 City Councilors’ updates - Zoraya Hightower, Jack Hanson Public Safety; Redistricting update; Trinity Development update; UVM enrollment 8:20 School Bond Vote – Superintendent Tom Flanagan, Commissioner Kathy Olwell 9:00 Adjourn NPA Steering Committee Tom Derenthal (Ward 1) tomd.npa@gmail.com, Carol Livingston (Ward 1) carol.livingston1951@gmail.com, Jonathan Chapple-Sokol (Ward 1) chapplesokol.npasc@gmail.com, Redistricting. As you know the redistricting committee that met early this year and did a survey process and NPA meetings noted a few preferences that we are keeping in mind  The most important thing is preserving current neighborhoods  People wanted smaller wards so they have more access to their councilors and candidates and I personally also to keep wards small for future elections. Even in our small ward races people have raised $15,000 and I think larger wards would only increase that number. I think someone needing to raise tens of thousands of dollars to become a first-time councilor is not ideal for democracy.  Ideally wanted to retain multiple representatives as councilors. And a note that will be moving to a ranked-choice voting system for councilors. The Mayor has said that he would veto anything with more than 14 councilors – he believes the council works better with the smaller size created since he became mayor. For me, this then means that the most logical map has 7 wards with 2 councilors each. However, this map does not have the votes. I like it because it basically keeps Ward 1 the same. However, none of the councilors in the NNE or the ONE support this and others, including me, see it as problematic in that it takes a small slice of the ONE and adds it to the NNE. It doesn't preserve those neighborhoods and further lumps them in with folx that have very different needs and preferences (being in the densest part of Burlington and very close to downtown vs being in the most suburban part of Burlington). Our neighbors here have been VERY vocal that this is unacceptable to them - it seems the folx who have weighed in on this would rather have one representative than be lumped in with a neighborhood they don't identify with. This one is seemingly off the table. So the next step is 8 wards with two councilors each. This does a fairly good job of keeping neighborhoods together after downsizing the outsized Ward 1. Again the Mayor will veto this, so we would need eight votes to override. This one is TBD - maybe still on the table. The other option is lots of (12-14) small single-wards. This would also be vetoed by the Mayor, and we don't seem to have the votes for this and I too have my concerns. Given the small size we would have a UVM only ward. This means essentially a sophomore would have to run for UVM's city council and school board for us to not have an election there every year. If a junior or senior ran, they wouldn't even have the option to stay in their position as they would be forced out of residential housing - that doesn't seem sustainable. This one is seemingly off the table. The 6 ward map (wasn't created, but you can sort of see it in the 12 ward map). This at least seems a little more fair in that it evenly creates the split between the ONE and the NNE as opposed to having a small group from the ONE joining the ONE. However, it's still wildly unpopular for those groups who want to continue with their NPA and polling stations and it of course goes against the spirit of having smaller wards as it even increases the relatively large Ward 1. Not sure where this one stands, but I am still inclined to support it as a compromise. Mark Barlow, Joe Magee, Ben Traverse and I will be meeting to discuss this as a working group. I will post the above and the information on our first meeting to FPF as soon as I have that information. University of Vermont - Trinity Campus. This has become a gnarly issue. So at the end of last year UVM told the administration that they would not be continuing the MOU with the City started in 2009. This is an MOU that both lays out voluntary taxes as well as enrollment per bed count. I'm not sure it's enforceable or if we just choose not to enforce it - over the past few years UVM hasn't even been complying with getting the numbers to us although the numbers have been complain or close to it. The President has been clear with his staff and the Mayor that he will not be signing another one. UVM has been increasing their undergraduate enrollment. If we take their word for it, this has been unintentional - a function of more people than expected enrolling after being accepted to UVM. At the same time, according to some folx in the University, they are likely to increase their graduate student enrollment as they seek to separate undergraduate and graduate courses more to obtain their R1 designation. Amidst all of this is the expansion of Trinity campus and the rezoning to reduce the setback. I am a no on this and will encourage all of the other councilors to vote no on this. Based on the meetings between the President and the Mayor, UVM is highly likely to posture this as us being anti-housing and that a no vote for this is a vote for less housing, but as we all know we have been waiting for far longer than I've been on the council to hold UVM accountable. I am not willing to trade more housing for less accountability as it seems likely that UVM will build more housing but then more than fill that with increased enrollment. UVM first has to be a willing partner in trying to collaborate on housing strategy in the city before we can talk about what they can and cannot do, and if they won't come to the table, then we aren't negotiating. We shouldn't be bullied into letting them do whatever they want. One other bit of news. Joe and I were slammed with a mix of August primaries and me trying to plan for my departure at work, but we are still planning a Public Safety Townhall now maybe at the end of October or early November. I will keep you all posted and apologize for the delay! Zoraya We need Crossing Guards! There are currently 17 open positions. Can you help? Shifts are 50 Minutes 7:30 to 8:20 in the morning 2:35 to 3:20 in the afternoon Except Wednesday: 1:40 to 2:20 in the afternoon Pay $34.35 per day, two shifts $171.47 per week, 10 shifts We Supply Safety clothing Stop Paddle Training A background check is required. Contact Dan Hill, Traffic Manager dhill@burlingtonvt.gov  Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA) Agenda / MINUTES Wednesday, September 14 7:00 - 9:00 PM In-person at the Friends Meeting House, 173 North Prospect Street And Zoom online Please click the link below to join the webinar: YouTube: YouTube Livestream: NPA Wards 1&8 Playlist, click on upcoming/next meeting: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLljLFn4BZd2Pa3H8l30gy_gZ3NL6orXcN Note: This is for live streaming purposes only. Ward residents should intend to participate via Zoom or in-person if they wish to speak or vote. Facilitator: Jonathan Chapple-Sokol Host:Sam Heinrichs, CEDO Minutes: Carol Livingston 6:30 Pizza and welcome 7:00 Formal start - Announcements & Introductions Announcements: Welcome to our new meeting venue! Let us know how it works for you! Our thanks go to Christopher McCandless and the Friends for the space, Dominos Pizza for the sustenance, and Ohavi Zedek for the parking spaces. Earlier this Summer, the Ward 8 Steering Committee announced their decision to stop meeting with Ward 1 and manage their own meetings. If you have any questions about this decision, feel free to contact the Ward 8 Steering committee As you may have already heard, Jack Hanson resigned from the City Council, effective today, so he is not here tonight. A city councilor has a lot to balance – constituent issues, city issues, global issues. I want to thank Jack for his efforts to find that balance. A special election will be held in the East later this Fall, and here’s the important part: We need a City Councilor – they could be you! Please seriously consider running for the office – if you care enough about the City to participate in the NPA, you may just have the commitment to represent the District! As we are now just 3 folks working on delivering NPA meetings with value to the community, we want to stress how much we’d appreciate more folks joining the Steering Committee. It is an opportunity for you to make this meeting what you want it to be. If you do not want to commit to the Steering Committee but could help with social media, please let us know - Thank you all for participating in our summer community activities, Ward 1 Night with the Lake Monsters and the barbecue in Schmanska park. We look forward to organizing more non-meeting community activities in the future. The Ad Hoc Reappraisal committee is holding a public forum on Thursday September 22 at 6PM in the Sharon Bushor Room at City Hall and over Zoom. If you want to share your thoughts or opinions on last year’s reappraisal process, please plan to attend. Zoom details will be posted on the Committee web page, reachable from the Assessor’s page on the City site. If you want to provide written comments. please send them to Joe Dempsey, jdempsey@burlingtonvt.gov . Thank you! Earlier this year Ward 1 purchased a subscription to Survey Monkey, which could be a way for folks to express their opinions. If you have a topic you think should be surveyed, let us know. An example could be redistricting choices. In the direct neighborhood: Prospect Hill is about to be repaved. Rob Goulding of DPW reports on North Prospect Street: Short Term Update: Tomorrow morning our contractor will be paving the trench at North St and North Prospect at approximately 7AM. The intersection will be closed with no thru access for a few hours. We anticipate access resuming by the evening rush hour. Longer Term Update Our contractor has finished relining the water main. As part of the normal process for water main relining, we then conducted pressure tests to ensure structural integrity of the new liner. On one section of liner, the pressure test did not pass due to leakage. All other sections of liner have passed the pressure test. We will be sending a camera through the liner to help finalize the plan for this section – which will determine the repair method (relining vs section replacement), scope and duration for the remainder of this project and ultimately final paving of the road. We expect the remaining water work to be done this year. All access pits will be paved to grade before the season is up. At this time, due to this delay, we now anticipate full width paving to happen in spring. 7:05 Speak-out - General Public Martine Gulick (mgulick@bsdvt.org ) is running for State Senate, introduced herself. Key issues: supporting families struggling with health care, housing, safety, education and she would work to reinstate funding for school construction. Infinite Culcleasure ( i.culcleasure@gmail.com ) introduced himself as an Independent candidate for State Senate. He has lived in North End, 30 yrs, worked at Spectrum for few years; for 10 yrs - community organizer/lobbyist for children and families; equity in schools; education quality standards around literacy; wondering about implementation of bills that have become laws to foster the hoped-for change. Brian Cina (bcina@leg.state.vt.us ) is running for re-election to State House, introduced himself & key issue: health care system disintegrating /how to realign services//Norway model Catherine Simmonds spoke in support of Jake Schumann as candidate for East District City Council seat, to fill Jack Hanson’s seat. Jake Schumann (jake4btv@gmail.com ) introduced himself as candidate for East District City Councilor, has lived in Burlington for 13 yrs; Ward 1 - past year; Covid Recovery Center work; then CVOEO - hotel housing assistance program Sharon Bushor - concern about No. Prospect construction - limited communication about progress; concern about re- zoning of Trinity campus to facilitate project from UVM - none of planning commission people had toured the site - tour 9/13. Concern: housing shortage/crisis - need project to house UVM juniors and seniors. Concerned about the setback - map on planning commission - https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/plan/trinitycampus . 400 beds plus put housing in green space - proposing 45 feet setback. Please attend Planning Commission Meetings: welcome people’s comments - https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/CityPlan/PC/Agendas . The Commission is then moving to public hearing, then to city council for vote on zoning amendment. Richard Cate last night’s Planning Commission meeting - asked if Trinity project would provide relief for housing crisis; he couldn’t answer that it could .Caryn Long - message from Jared Wood: Every stop sign should have stop line showing where cars should stop. Concern about cars not stopping at stop signs. Willard St (state highway) - paved, still need final paving. Caryn is also concerned about enforcement at stop signs. Jonathan Chapple-Sokol asked if our NPA should write a letter as a ward to city council to install the lines. There was a show of hands in support. Jonathan said the NPA Steering Committee will write a letter. Christopher McCandless lives across from Friends Meeting House, has been responsiblility for care of Friends buildings for many years. Concerns as resident of Prospect St - struck by lack of traffic on this street due to traffic; traffic on northern side of construction is too fast. He is supportive of considering turning No. Prospect into a one- way street. Christopher also expressed concerns about increased taxes due to need for new school. Dan Hill, Burlington Traffic Manager did not attend, but wrote about the need for crossing guards. See flyer posted with minutes. Angie Chapple-Sokol - frustration/concern that UVM and City are at loggerheads constantly about addressing the housing crisis. Concern that UVM just accepted the largest freshman class in their history. Public safety in our community: concerned about the anger & dissension about the police dept; concerned that council members acted too quickly in June 2020 when they cut the sworn officer cap – apology/acknowledgement of having acted too hastily might help. Appreciative of Zoraya’s support of CNA recommendations which may help undo some of the damage done. Carter Neubieser - he is a biker who’s had close calls with drivers and rough pavement; interested in helping on NPA Steering Committee. 7:25 Ward 1 Bylaws - Review and Vote - POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT MONTH – Please review the draft in the meantime: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/DRAFT%20Ward%20One%20Neighborhood%20Planning%20Assem bly%20Bylaws%20September%202022.pdf 7:50 Charter Change Committee – All Legal Resident voting - Ben Traverse Councilor Travers represents Ward 5. Gene Bergman, Sarah Carpenter, and Ben Traverse are the Charter Change Committee. They are meeting with all NPA’s about a proposed charter change for the March ballot, Legal Resident Non-Citizen voting. It was on ballot in 2015 and voted down. City Council discussed in 2020 to put on ballot again. Overview: over 18 non-citizen residents would be able to vote for school commissioners, city councilors and mayor and vote on local questions - school bond, charter changes. Trusted Community Voices is disseminating information. See City page for more information. https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/AllLegalResidentVoting . Experiences in Montpelier and Winooski who have passed this measure: most all non-citizen voters who registered to vote, came out to vote. Charter Change Committee is working with Winooski city about their processes to learn about details of their measure. Q/A - Sharon Bushor: what are the concerns from community? Ben - some concerned that citizenship should be a requirement for voting; voting is a privilege of being a citizen.Today: looking at democracy and participation in govt differently than in 2015. Responses mostly positive. Another concern is the paperwork / ID logistics for city clerks offices - only a local issue (Burlington city clerk) Councilor Traverse is also a member of the redistricting working group, with Zoraya Hightower, Joe McGee and Marc Barlow. As a result of the 2020 census results, the State House & Senate districts have been restructured at state level, as well as looking at our wards and districts because of population shifts. This Redistricting Working Group is looking at the proposals from last year’s Ad hoc Redistricting committee as well as map suggestions from various residents. Redistricting proposals have been narrowed down to: one map with 7 wards; and another map with 8 wards; looking at the total number of councilors. At City Council Monday night, this committee was created to work on maps and options Working group meetings will, hopefully, be open meetings. Time together will be working sessions - discussion with attendees. 8:05 City Councilors’ updates - Zoraya Hightower, Jack Hanson Neither Councilor attended the NPA meeting. 8:20 School Bond Vote – Superintendent Tom Flanagan, Commissioner Kathy Olwell; Joe Weith - project manager SEE One-page information plus a FAQ sheet as well as SLIDE PRESENTATION posted with minutes Q/A - The cost of PCB removal is included in project bond proposal ($25 million) The original $70 bond passed by Burlington voters - only $4 million was used; the remaining $66 million was not used and is not included in the project cost. Sharon Bushor: state cost Burlington money because of delays and financial costs incurred by Burlington and proposes that the state pay Burlington $15 million. Tom met with Dept ED to propose funding from the State. The State officials say Burlington has gotten financial support through the change in the weighting formula - which Tom doesn’t accept. Next tack is to push for construction aid, as well as state PCB remediation. Also Burlington may be eligible for federal funding. Concern: This is a major financial sacrifice for Burlington residents. Carter Neubieser: natural gas & biofuels part of the design? Heating & cooling is not fossil fuel. Geothermal energy on the site. Some of science labs will need gas. But most energy will not be fossil fuel. 9:00 Adjourn Ward 1 NPA Steering Committee Tom Derenthal tomd.npa@gmail.com, Carol Livingston carol.livingston1951@gmail.com, Jonathan Chapple-Sokol chapplesokol.npasc@gmail.com,