City Council - Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee

Racial, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Held in the Sharon Bushor Conference Room, Ground Floor City Hall OR via Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96324562039 Meeting ID: 963 2456 2039 Or Use Phone number: 305-224-1968 Meeting ID: 963 2456 2039 1. Call to Order 2. Adopt the Agenda 3. Adopt Minutes Subject 3.1. November 2025 Meeting December 16, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 3. Adopt Minutes Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB) Type 4. Public Forum 5. Confirming Committee Meeting Dates/Times Subject 5.1. January Meeting December 16, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 5. Confirming Committee Meeting Dates/Times Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB) Page 1 of 18  Type Recommended Action Subject 5.2. February Meeting December 16, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 5. Confirming Committee Meeting Dates/Times Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB) Type Recommended Action 6. Town Meeting Day 2026 Subject 6.1. Charter Change Resolution Meeting December 16, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 6. Town Meeting Day 2026 Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB) Type Recommended Action 7. 2020 Racial Justice Resolution Subject 7.1. 2020 Resolution Meeting December 16, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 7. 2020 Racial Justice Resolution Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB) Type Recommended Action 8. REIB Office Staff Updates 9. Adjournment Subject 9.1. Motion to adjourn Meeting December 16, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 9. Adjournment Department Council and Board Page 2 of 18  Type Recommended Action 10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements Subject 10.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm and repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. 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. Meeting December 16, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements Department Council and Board Type Page 3 of 18  Racial, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Held in the Sharon Bushor Conference Room, Ground Floor City Hall OR via Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96324562039 Webinar ID: 963 2456 2039 Or Use Phone number: 305-224-1968 Meeting ID: 963 2456 2039 1. Call to Order 2. Motion to Approve Agenda 3. Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes Subject 3.1. September Minutes Meeting November 18, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 3. Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB) Type 4. Public Forum 5. REIB Updates Page 4 of 18  Subject 5.1. Charter Change Meeting November 18, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 5. REIB Updates Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB) Type 6. 2020 Resolution Subject 6.1. 2020 Resolution Meeting November 18, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 6. 2020 Resolution Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB) Type Recommended Action 7. Reparations Task Force Subject 7.1. Reparations Task Force Meeting November 18, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 7. Reparations Task Force Department Racial Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (REIB) Type Recommended Action 8. Community Forum 9. Adjournment Subject 9.1. Motion to adjourn Meeting November 18, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 9. Adjournment Council and Board Department Page 5 of 18  Type Recommended Action 10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements Subject 10.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm and repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. 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. Meeting November 18, 2025 - REIB City Council Committee Meeting - Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 5:30 PM, Racial, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB) Category 10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements Department Council and Board Type Minutes taken by: Vicky Luciano REIB City Council Committee November 18, 2025 5:30-7:00 pm Sharon Bushor Room Attendees: Kelli Perkins, Director REIB (in person) Katie Greene, Community and Belonging Program Manager REIB (in person) Vicky Luciano, Administrative and Financial Coordinator REIB (in person) Councilor Ranjit “Buddy” Singh (virtual) Councilor Becca Brown McKnight (virtual) Councilor Melo Grant (virtual) Emalee Levesque (virtual) Ferene Paris (virtual) 1. Call to Order a. Councilor Grant asked Councilor Singh to take over as chair for the meeting. Councilor Singh accepted. Councilor Singh called the meeting to order at 5:36 pm 2. Motion to Approve Agenda a. Councilor Grant motioned to approve the agenda, Councilor Mcknight seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 18  a. Councilor Grant motioned to approve the minutes, Councilor Mcknight seconded. Motion passed unanimously 4. Public Forum a. Councilor Singh opened the floor to the public for comment. No one spoke. 5. REIB Updates a. Charter Change update i. Councilor McKnight reported that the Charter Change passed unanimously at the council meeting. She thanked everyone who was involved in getting it moved forward. She said the next steps will be about communication and getting the news out to the public, doing some outreach, and advocacy with Statehouse representatives. ii. Director Perkins informed everyone Katie will be working on the town meeting day committee. She informed everyone they are looking into expanding strategies to reach constituents. Refer to the video. iii. Councilor Grant suggested reaching out to the Trusted Community Voices to help with reaching out to different communities. Refer to the video. 6. 2020 Resolution a. Director Perkins asked Councilor Grant to expand on what parts were completed and what parts were not to have an idea on how to move forward. b. Councilor Grant expanded on the 2020 Resolution and expressed there has been some positive changes in regards to the Burlington Police Department. She expressed concerns about how the REIB department assists other departments. She said she would like to see training being led by the REIB department across the city. Refer to the video. c. Councilor McKnight suggested the REIB and Mayor’s office do a formal assessment to determine what needs to be done first. d. Councilor Singh echoed Councilor McKnight’s suggestion. Refer to the video e. Councilor Grant expressed she would be open to scheduling a meeting with Director Perkins to review the 2020 Resolution and suggested talking to Reverend Mark Hughes. f. Director Perkins informed everyone Katie Greene is working on training with Human Resources, shared her thoughts on elevating training for supervisors, connected with the International Association of Chiefs of Police about the chief search, and connected with Chief Burke about training. She agreed developing a progress report for the resolution was a good idea. Director Perkins expressed hiring a Public Health Equity Manager could help actualize some of the goals. Refer to the video. 7. Reparations Task Force a. Councilor Grant informed everyone of where the Reparations Task Force left off. b. Director Perkins shared her thoughts on reparations and expressed that she would like to talk to the community to get feedback. Refer to the video. c. Katie Greene shared her thoughts on the Reparations Task Force’s work. She talked about what went wrong and what next steps might look like. Refer to the video. d. Councilor Singh suggested reaching out to VHFA to talk about how to help others obtain equity. Refer to the video. 8. Community Forum a. Ferene Paris expressed excitement for the movement to charter the REIB Office. Paris said we are in a state of emergency with our civil rights. She thanked Director Perkins for centering African American descendants of slavery for reparations. She voiced the Page 7 of 18  harm that has come about with the 2020 resolution and mismanagement of funds. Refer to the video. b. Director Perkins updated everyone on the office’s move. Refer to the video. c. Councilor Singh told everyone the next REIB City Council Subcommittee meeting will be December 16th 9. Adjournment a. Councilor Singh adjourned the meeting at 6:34 pm Page 8 of 18 Resolution Relating to MARCH 3, 2026 ANNUAL CITY MEETING – CHARTER CHANGE RE: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF RACIAL EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING Sponsor(s): Charter Change Committee Introduced: Referred to: Action: Date: Signed by Mayor: CITY OF BURLINGTON In the year Two Thousand Twenty-Five……………………………………………………………………… Resolved by the City Council of the City of Burlington, as follows: 1. WHEREAS, the City of Burlington is committed to advancing racial equity, inclusion, and belonging as foundational principles in municipal governance and community life; and 2. WHEREAS, the City recognizes the importance of establishing a permanent Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (“REIB”) to lead, coordinate, and advance this work across all departments; and 3. WHEREAS, the REIB Office plays a critical role in developing strategies, advising policy, and building inclusive community engagement processes that foster equity and belonging for all Burlington constituents; and 4. WHEREAS, the formal creation of this office within the City Charter will strengthen accountability, sustainability, and institutional commitment to this work; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council approves the following amendment to the City Charter and requests that the Mayor warn the following question and place it on the ballot for the Annual City Meeting to be held on March 3, 2026, and that the City Clerk set public hearings on this question in accordance with § 303 of the City Charter and 17 V.S.A. § 2645: “Shall the Charter of the City of Burlington, Acts of 1948, No. 298, as amended, be further amended as follows?”: Page 9 of 18 § 374 Enumerated: Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging • (a) The City of Burlington shall form an Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (“REIB”) and establish a Director of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. • (b) The REIB Director role shall be a permanent position in the City, selected and hired in accordance with City of Burlington Human Resources policies and procedures, and shall report directly to the Mayor. • (c) The REIB Office shall be under the supervision, direction, and control of the Director, subject to the orders and ordinances of the City Council. • (d) The Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging administrative officer shall have all of the powers, duties, and responsibilities as are provided in the Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Director position description. • (e) Subject to the orders and ordinances of the City Council, the Mayor and REIB Director shall develop and implement a comprehensive racial equity, inclusion, and belonging strategy for the City of Burlington. • (f) In furtherance of this work, the REIB Director shall, subject to the orders and ordinances of the City Council, have the following rights, powers, and duties, and implement such alongside all City departments: • To work on behalf of the City to advance equity and social justice by championing diversity, inclusion, belonging, and anti-racism. • To develop, coordinate, implement, and administer racial equity and inclusion strategies and projects for the City. • To provide consultation to City departments, the Mayor’s Office, and City Council policy and program changes to better advance racial equity and inclusion in the City. • To enhance representation in City government through decision-making bodies, community engagement initiatives, and policy development processes for folks who hold underserved community identities. • To coordinate and facilitate constituent engagement in the City that encourages inclusive spaces for engagement with City government. Page 10 of 18 Page 11 of 18 Page 12 of 18 Page 13 of 18 Page 14 of 18 Page 15 of 18 Page 16 of 18 Page 17 of 18 Page 18 of 18