Wards 2 & 3 NPA
Regular MeetingBurlington, VT · January 11, 2024
Minutes
Wards 2 and 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
Thursday, January 11, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm
At the ONE Community Center, 20 Allen St. and virtual
Moderator: Lauren Ebersol Notetaker: Roxanne Meuse Attendees: See next page
6:30 pm Introductions & Announcements | 10 min
1. Adopted the agenda
2. NPA member introductions: said names and wards
3. Annual City Election and Presidential Primary Election are on March 5.
○ The City ballot will be mailed to all active registered voters by Feb 14.
○ The Presidential Primary ballot will be mailed to voters by request only.
○ The recent redistricting will be in effect. Check to see what ward you’re in. **And
what polling place you should go to.
○ Get more info about the election on the City’s website.
6:40 pm Public Forum | 10 min (2 minutes max per person)
● Richard Hilyard: Works as a crossing guard Elmwood x North St. Who can I contact to
help make sure New Americans have orientation around road crossings.
○ Gene (city councilor) offered resources - Trusted Voices program, Local Motion,
others.
○ Polly: We have multi-lingual liaisons in the school district.
● Polly Vanderputten (school board): have been representing Ward 3 but now lives in
Ward 2 and running again. Please sign petition to be on ballot. And Sasha was the Ward
1 school board commissioner and now will be running for Ward 3, and Jean Walz is
running for central district.
● Joe Kane: Running for Ward 3 city council. Literature available here.
6:46 pm Updates and questions with city councilors and school commissioners | 20 min
● Jean: Each table has a one-pager about restorative practices in the district. [See BSD
website about this topic]
● Polly: How new BHS will affect taxes: higher than expected for several reasons she
explained. It’s twice as much as what was expected. You can see the presentation from
Tues Jan 9 where Nathan Lavery explained the budget. It is complicated & confusing.
[Link to BSD board meetings on Board Docs]
○ 13.97% is the number.
● Charlie: Can you share something fun/positive about the school district right now?
○ Polly: Had a group of students honored (presidential scholars) at their school
board meeting. All young women. A bright spot.
■ AND we’ve started pouring a foundation for the new high school!
○ Jeannie: DEI committee is working on a policy to protect non-binary and
transgender students.
● (7:00ish) Melo Grant:
○ On the City’s meeting notes/agendas site (CivicClerk) now has a calendar option
so it’s easier to find a meeting
● Gene Bergman:
○ On city council meeting tuesday Jan 16: executive session:
■ discuss changes proposed to the City-UVM MOU (from the UVM
administration).
■ The current draft MOU isn’t enough to support housing in the city.
■ Vote on the MOU is on Jan 29
○ On regular part of city council meeting tuesday 1/16: police oversight.
○ [1/16 City council meeting info]
● Joe Magee:
○ Be aware we’re also dealing with a budget deficit. Will be voting on a 5-cent
increase on public safety tax - will be on the March ballot.
○ Approval of overdose prevention centers was voted for in the VT state house. Joe
will work on helping move those forward in Burlington.
● Chris Haessly: $7-9 million deficit?
○ Joe: recommendations we’re following: the 5-cent public safety tax increase,
cutting other expenses, increased values on the Grant List.
■ See the Board of Finance presentation
○ Gene: Austerity is the bane of existence. I will try to move progressive taxation
along.
○ Melo: There’s a review of fees throughout the city (like parks). We also are
waiting on money to be released from the opioid settlement.
7:10 pm Vote on a rep from Ward 3 to the CDBG Advisory Board | 10 min
Candidate: Sam Powers
● Sam (they/them): Student at UVM looking to get more involved in the community. Also
running for ward clerk.
○ Chris: Nominated
○ Someone: Seconded
○ None opposed, no abstentions. Sam is in!
7:20 pm NPA funding discussion | 20 min
Initial comments from the Steering Committee (SC):
● Lauren (Facilitator & SC): Funds can be used jointly or separately (or combination)
● Chris H (SC): Current bylaws state funds are at the ward level.
IDEAS:
● Patrick: Put sharps containers around. [received claps]
● Jeannie Walz: The Ramble (any amount)
● Amy Francisco (SC): Transportation to meetings for people who live in a ward on the
opposite side of the ward from meetings
● Jess Hyman (SC):
○ More outreach for NPA meetings, interpretation, and ways to have people be
involved in the NPA without needing to be part of NPA meetings.
○ And the Community Dinner.
● Solveig:
○ Seconding the proposal to support the community dinner.
○ Will voting for funds still happen? That’d be great.
● Chris H (SC): Voting would be good
● Amy (SC): Highlight any voting or idea gathering on Front Porch Forum.
● ___: Building off the sharps container idea: Allocate funds toward classes on using
sharps containers, how to volunteer
● Shelby Glass: Re: Sharps: Poppy Cafe has an old telephone booth outside their cafe that
they want to be a community supplies resource. So that could be part of this.
●
Lauren (Facilitator): We’ll get back to you all, and will solicit more feedback when we can.
7:35 pm Ward 2 Bylaws discussion | 20 min
See our current bylaws with suggested additions highlighted here.
● Vote: All yes’s
7:45 pm Resolution on NPA-City Relations | 15 min
Read the resolution on NPA-City relations here.
● Chris: In support
● Jess: Like it in spirit, but have a concern that the NPA isn’t necessarily representative of
the community.
● Melo: A lot of what gets to the public is really controlled. I don’t know if the resolution
addresses that. The City Council often needs to make quick decisions.
● Chris: Agree with both what Jess and Melo said. 40 people out of 5000 people is not
necessarily representative, but it does give the city council some actual
opinions/perspectives.
● Chris: Moves to adopt the resolution. Charlie: Seconded.
● Chris: Introduced a motion to divide the question by ward. Chris Aaron-Felker seconded.
● Ward 2: 1 opposed
● Ward 3: 1 opposed
● The resolution passes.
7:55 pm Adjourn - thank you for coming! Our next meeting is Thursday, February 8.
Agenda
Wards 2 and 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
Thursday, January 11, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm
Join in person: ONE Community Center, 20 Allen St.
Join virtually: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85860854764
Community dinner: 5:30-6:30pm | VT Cranberry Bean Winter Chili with cornbread &
applesauce spice cake for dessert
Music: Emma Barker, Maeve Fairfax, and Ana Ruesink
Moderator: Lauren Ebersol Notetaker: Roxanne Meuse
6:30 pm Introductions & Announcements | 10 min
1. Adopt the agenda
2. NPA member introductions
3. Annual City Election and Presidential Primary Election are on March 5.
○ The City ballot will be mailed to all active registered voters by Feb 14.
○ The Presidential Primary ballot will be mailed to voters by request only.
○ The recent redistricting will be in effect. Check to see what ward you’re in.
○ Get more info about the election on the City’s website.
6:40 pm Public Forum | 10 min (2 minutes max per person)
Please state your full name, pronouns, street, and ward, and follow the NPA ground rules.
6:50 pm Updates and questions with city councilors and school commissioners | 20 min
Bring your questions!
7:10 pm Vote on a rep from Ward 3 to the CDBG Advisory Board | 10 min
Candidate: Sam Powers
7:20 pm NPA funding discussion | 20 min
Each ward in the Wards 2&3 NPA has a $$2,500 budget.
Please bring YOUR ideas on what we should use our funds on, and together we’ll put some
options together. This is for brainstorming and listening, not for making a final decision.
7:40 pm Ward 2 Bylaws discussion | 20 min
See our current bylaws with suggested additions highlighted here.
We’ll summarize our current bylaws, read and explain the suggested additions, and take a vote.
**See next page for more agenda items! →
Use the QR code to go to any of these links: Email us • Go to our website • Watch
meeting recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram •
Request a time slot with CEDO’s request form • Links from this agenda
**January Wards 2&3 NPA Agenda continued
8:00 pm Resolution on NPA-City Relations | 15 min
Consider a resolution drafted by our neighbors in Ward 1 calling on the City to establish
conditions under which the City Council must consult with NPAs before making decisions.
Read the resolution on NPA-City relations here.
8:15pm Statement on the Proposed MOU between the City and UVM | 15 min
Consider a statement requesting a minimum of 45 days for public review prior to voting on the
City of Burlington-University of Vermont Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Read the statement on the proposed City-UVM MOU here.
8:30 pm Adjourn - thank you for coming!
Our next meeting is Thursday, February 8.
Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 1
APPENDIX
Information to join virtually (via Zoom)
Note: The webinar information is the same for every meeting.
Webinar link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85860854764
Webinar ID 858 6085 4764
Or iPhone one-tap US: +19292056099,,85860854764#
Or telephone +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312
626 6799 or +1 669 900 6833
Wards 2 and 3 NPA Steering Committee
To email the full steering committee: wards2and3npa@googlegroups.com
Lauren Ebersol Ward 2 lebersol27@gmail.com
Erika Faulkner Ward 2 efaulkner013@gmail.com
Mollie Klepack Flanigan Ward 2 mollieklepack@gmail.com
Jessica Hyman Ward 2 jessicahymanvt@gmail.com
Roxanne Meuse Ward 2 rtmeuse@gmail.com
Connor Benson Ward 3 connorbenson544@gmail.com
Michelle Borbas Ward 3 sarno75@gmail.com
Chris Haessly Ward 3 haessly@adelphia.net
Amy Prenowitz Ward 3 aprenowitz@gmail.com
Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 2
About Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPAs)
A section of Burlington City Council resolution first adopted in 1982 establishing provisions for a
Neighborhood Planning Assembly in each City ward.
…Neighborhood Planning Assemblies shall... help provide citizens with information concerning city programs
and activities; help obtain citizen views of city needs; help provide citizens with the opportunity to participate in
making recommendations with respect to governmental decisions including the allocation of revenues.
...Assemblies shall also be encouraged to provide advice to the appropriate commission or this council with
respect to community development, housing programs, this City's Comprehensive Plan and its waterfront
planning activities, and the city's budget among other issues....
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;
and
● Be a fun, creative, and vital organization that provides value and benefit through the multitude of
perspectives shared by those who participate.
NPA GROUND RULES:
● Meetings should have clearly defined Agenda & 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.
Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 3
Elected officials representing Wards 2 and 3
Mayor:
Mayor Miro Weinberger Democrat 802-865-7272 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
Ward 3 Joe Magee Progressive jmagee@burlingtonvt.gov 802-279-5513
School Board Members:
Central District (Wards 2 & 3) Jean Waltz jwaltz@bsdvt.org 802-355-7856
Ward 2 Faizo Hassan hassanfaizo@gmail.com 802-578-1259
Ward 3 Polly Vanderputten pvanderputten@bsdvt.org 802-578-8653
Vermont State House Representatives:
Chittenden-15 Troy Headrick Progressive/Democrat theadrick@leg.state.vt.us
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 Emma Mulvaney-Stanak Progressive/Democrat emulvaneystanak@leg.state.vt.us (802) 828-2228
Vermont State Senators:
Chittenden-Central Tanya Vyhovsky Progressive/Democrat ltvyhovsky@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
Appendix to agenda | Wards 2 & 3 NPA - Page 4