May 20th 2024 - City Council Preview
Hi Neighbors!
Here's a rundown on tonight's city council meeting. As always, I would love to hear your thoughts during public comment or via email to help best represent our Ward's interests.
We'll begin City Council Monday night at 6:00 PM, with the Public Forum starting at 7:00 PM.
You can join and sign up to speak in person at City Hall's Contois Auditorium OR you can join virtually here: https://zoom.us/j/92925893185 Webinar ID: 929 2589 3185 and sign up to speak here: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/citycouncil/publicforum
You can view the full meeting agenda here:
https://burlingtonvt.portal.civicclerk.com/event/7002/files/agenda/10805
Here are some highlights from the agenda:
2.1. Moment to Recognize Norm Baldwin, The City Engineer & Division Director for Technical Services.
3.1 Communication: Joseph McNeil, Esq., Kim Sturtevant, Assistant City Attorney, re: Discussion of pending litigation (verbal) **expected executive session: This item is related to a pending litigation.
3.2 Communication: Joseph McNeil, Esq., Kim Sturtevant, Assistant City Attorney, Kerin Durfee, Human Resources Director, re: Discussion of employment contract (verbal) **expected executive session. This item is related to a personnel matter.
8.1 FY25 Budget Presentation: In the first 45 days of her administration, Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak has successfully balanced the FY25 budget by identifying cost savings and additional revenue to close a $13+ million gap without laying off city staff and investing in community safety.
This is a HUGE accomplishment!
I view many of the tools needed to close the 13+ million deficit as stop-gap measures in response to a budget crisis the current Mayor and Council inherited. The Administration's work will give us a bit of time and breathing room to pursue more sustainable, responsible, and fair financial practices as a city. A key piece of the solution moving forward must be property tax fairness measures that will lower the burden on those on a fixed income, working and middle class families, and the approx. 60% of residents that rent their homes.
9.1 Outdoor Entertainment Permit Renewal (2024-2025): The restaurant Orlandos has asked to extend their outdoor hours from 11 - 11:30 on Fridays & Saturdays. At issue is striking a balance between noise concerns, which residents have raised, and the need to support our vendors downtown who are working hard to stay open.
9.2. Resolution: Honoring Burlingtonian Marcel Beaudin: This resolution is sponsored by Councilors Shannon, Traverse, Carpenter, Brown McKnight, Litwin, Barlow, Doherty, Bergman, and myself with the intent of honoring Marcel, who was a dedicated planning commission member, and helped shape the development of Burlington and our Waterfront. You can read Marcel's full obituary here: https://www.sevendaysvt.com/life-lines/obituary-marcel-beaudin-1929-2024-40571967
9.3. Resolution: A Building Emissions Reduction Ordinance: Councilors Broderick and Bergman have drafted a resolution tasking the TEUC to create a Building Emissions Reduction Ordinance (BERO). This ordinance would aim to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large existing buildings (25,000 square feet and above) to meet the city's Net Zero Energy Roadmap commitments. The BERO will exempt buildings regulated under the city's existing renewable heating systems and rental weatherization ordinances. TEUC will gather input from the public, climate advocacy groups, labor unions, large building owners, and other relevant stakeholders. If enacted, a working draft of the ordinance is to be referred to the Ordinance Committee by the last City Council meeting in October 2024.
Some councilors have introduced an amendment to this resolution which we will debate tonight. While some of the amended language is reasonable, and some of the amended language is deeply troubling to me. If the amended language passes in full, it will slow the city's ability to decarbonize our energy and move off of polluting fuels.
Hope to see you at the meeting tonight - Town Meeting TV is live-streaming the council meeting here: :https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLljLFn4BZd2PwCge7lNoKug676jIf_iUA
As always please don't hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, ideas and more!
Sincerely,
Carter Neubieser
Ward 1 City Councilor
cneubieser@burlingtonvt.gov
