Ordinance Committee

Regular Meeting

Burlington, VT · January 15, 2026

Minutes

Ordinance Committee Thursday, January 15, 2026 Bushor Conference Room Conference Room or Remote via Zoom. Burlington, Vermont DRAFT MINUTES Members Present: Councilor Bergman (Chair), Councilor Carpenter, Councilor Barlow, Councilor Kane Staff Present: Kim Sturtevant (Assistant City Attorney), Bill Ward (Director of DPI), Public Present: Sharon Bushor, Allie Schachter, Melo Grant, William Rison, Gabby Grzan, Ethan Kieffner, Nic Anderson, Floyd Campbell, Lawrence Saveall, Ben Robke, Isabelle Kriz, Alva Yanowitz, Jackson Stoever, Marek Broderick, Alicia Estey Meeting called to order at 4:31 PM. 1. Adopt the Agenda 1.1 Adopt the Agenda Motion to Adopt Agenda. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter. Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous 2. Adopt Draft Minutes 2.1 Adopt Draft Minutes from December 18th. Motion to Adopt the Draft Minutes from 12/18. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter. Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous 3. University Exemption for Periodic Minimum Housing Inspection Ordinance Discussion 3.1 Dormitory Executive Session Move that the Ordinance Committee find that premature general public knowledge of legal advice regarding Agenda Item 3 would clearly place the City at a substantial disadvantage. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter. Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous Based upon that finding, move that the Ordinance Committee go into executive session to receive confidential attorney-client communications for Agenda Item 3. 1 VSA §313(a)(1)(F). Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter. Final Resolution: Motion Passes Page 1 of 3 Yes: Unanimous Motion to come out of Executive Session. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter Final Resolution: Motion Passes 3.2 Presentation from Bill Ward (DPI) Bill Ward (Director of DPI) shared a minimum housing checklist and discussed how it is used when inspecting units in the City and how it could be used when inspecting dormitories. This document is available in the agenda packet on CivicClerk. Bill Ward recommended changing the ordinance regarding self-certification to simply state that “Self-certification shall be completed using a form provided by the Department of Permitting and Inspections.” He said that then DPI can adjust the form as needed to include more information if necessary. He added that the self-certification process would not negate the City’s ability to inspect after receiving a housing complaint. Councilor Carpenter asked how quickly a tenant should receive a response from their landlord regarding a complaint. Bill Ward said it depends on the seriousness of the issue. He said that there should be open communication within a few days, but an emergency like the heat being out must be addressed immediately. 3.3 Presentation from UVM Administration Wendy Koenig (UVM Director of Government Relations) and Alicia Estey (UVM VP for Finance and Administration) spoke on behalf of the University of Vermont. They said that UVM is already going to be updating their website to make it clear that students in dormitories can make complaints directly to the City. They also shared a letter about making changes to the information on the self-certification and about UVM’s own inspection process. This letter is available in the agenda packet on CivicClerk. 3.4 Presentation from UVM Student Union Gabby Grzan and Ethan Kieffner spoke on behalf of the UVM Student Tenant Union. They said they were happy with the progress thus far, but the fundamental issues are still present in the older dorms. They said there is overcrowding and the buildings were not designed for so many residents. They also said that UVM’s own inspections have not been effective. Councilor Barlow asked if the University’s attempts to make reporting easier and more accessible will improve the process. The students said that the available QR codes are an improvement, but that the PlanOn website itself is not intuitive and is difficult to use. 3.5 University Exemption for Periodic Minimum Housing Inspection Ordinance Discussion Page 2 of 3 4. Public Forum regarding University/College Minimum Housing Inspection Alva Yanowitz: I am part of the UVM Student Tenant Union and have lived in three different dorm buildings at UVM. I am worried that the issues with the reporting software will overshadow the larger infrastructure issues with UVM’s dorms. There are certain buildings that has consistent issues with pests, mold, or temperature and students should not be the ones to have to report on these every time. Floyd Campbell: I am a first year UVM student. I am hoping for a more cooperative relationship between the UVM administration and the tenants union going forward. 5. Any Other Committee Business The next Ordinance Committee meeting is scheduled for February 6th. The agenda will include Inclusionary Zoning, Total Demand Management, Fuel Purchase Notice, and Private Parking Lot ordinance discussions. 6. Adjournment Motion to adjourn. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous The meeting was adjourned at 6:37 PM. Page 3 of 3

Agenda

Packet

Thursday, January 15, 2026, 4:30 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM When: Jan 15, 2026 04:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: Ordinance Committee Meeting Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https://zoom.us/j/94079090915?pwd=nlbfOTCOe4Jv0QRzHfvbxmLO5aWqQB.1 Passcode:300238 Phone one-tap: +13052241968,,94079090915#,,,,*300238# US +13092053325,,94079090915#,,,,*300238# US Join via audio: +1 305 224 1968 US +1 309 205 3325 US +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 931 3860 US +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 386 347 5053 US +1 507 473 4847 US +1 564 217 2000 US +1 669 444 9171 US +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 689 278 1000 US +1 719 359 4580 US +1 253 205 0468 US +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 360 209 5623 US Webinar ID: 940 7909 0915 Passcode: 300238 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/adkzQRVAw 1. Agenda 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda 2. Adopt Draft Minutes Subject 2.1. Adopt Draft Minutes from 12/18 Meeting January 15, 2026 - Ordinance Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, January 15, 2026, 4:30 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM Category 2. Adopt Draft Minutes Department Council and Board Page 1 of 23 Type Recommended Action 3. University Exemption for Periodic Minimum Housing Inspection Ordinance Discussion Subject 3.1. Dormitory Executive Session Meeting January 15, 2026 - Ordinance Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, January 15, 2026, 4:30 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM Category 3. University Exemption for Periodic Minimum Housing Inspection Ordinance Discussion Department Council and Board Type Recommended Action Executive Session to receive confidential attorney-client communications for the purpose of providing professional legal services to the Committee Motion 1: Move that the Ordinance Committee find that premature general public knowledge of legal advice would clearly place the City at a substantial disadvantage; Motion 2: Based upon that finding, move that the Ordinance Committee go into executive session to receive confidential attorney-client communications. 1 VSA §313(a)(1)(F). Persons included for the executive session will be the Committee, Assistant City Attorney Kim Sturtevant, and DPI Director Bill Ward. Subject 3.2. Presentation - Bill Ward Meeting January 15, 2026 - Ordinance Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, January 15, 2026, 4:30 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM Category 3. University Exemption for Periodic Minimum Housing Inspection Ordinance Discussion Department Permitting & Inspections Type Recommended Action Subject 3.3. Presentation - UVM Admin Meeting January 15, 2026 - Ordinance Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, January 15, 2026, 4:30 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM Category 3. University Exemption for Periodic Minimum Housing Inspection Ordinance Discussion Department Council and Board Type Recommended Action Subject 3.4. Presentation - UVM Student Tenant Union Meeting January 15, 2026 - Ordinance Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, January 15, 2026, 4:30 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM Category 3. University Exemption for Periodic Minimum Housing Inspection Ordinance Discussion Page 2 of 23 Department Council and Board Type Recommended Action Subject 3.5. University Exemption for Periodic Minimum Housing Inspection Ordinance Discussion Meeting January 15, 2026 - Ordinance Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, January 15, 2026, 4:30 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM Category 3. University Exemption for Periodic Minimum Housing Inspection Ordinance Discussion Department Council and Board Type Recommended Action 4. Public Forum Subject 4.1. Verbal Comments regarding only University/College Minimum Housing unless time permits otherwise Meeting January 15, 2026 - Ordinance Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, January 15, 2026, 4:30 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM Category 4. Public Forum Department Council and Board Type 5. Any Other Committee Business Subject 5.1. Any Other Committee Business Meeting January 15, 2026 - Ordinance Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, January 15, 2026, 4:30 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM Category 5. Any Other Committee Business Department Council and Board Type Recommended Action 6. Adjournment Subject 6.1. Motion to adjourn Meeting January 15, 2026 - Ordinance Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, January 15, 2026, 4:30 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM Category 6. Adjournment Department Council and Board Type Page 3 of 23 Recommended Action Page 4 of 23 Ordinance Committee Thursday, December 18, 2025 Bushor Conference Room Conference Room or Remote via Zoom. Burlington, Vermont DRAFT MINUTES Members Present: Councilor Bergman (Chair), Councilor Carpenter, Councilor Barlow, Councilor Kane Staff Present: Kim Sturtevant (Assistant City Attorney), Bill Ward (Director of DPI), Charles Dillard (Director of Planning), Sarah Morgan (Planning), Scott Gustin (Zoning), Nancy Stetson (Planning) Public Present: Sharon Bushor, Sabrina Meeting called to order at 4:33 PM. 1. Adopt the Agenda 1.1 Adopt the Agenda Motion to Adopt Agenda. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter. Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous 2. Adopt Draft Minutes 2.1 Adopt Draft Minutes from November 20th. Motion to Adopt the Draft Minutes from 11/20. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter. Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous 2.2 Adopt Draft Minutes from December 5th. Motion to Adopt the Draft Minutes from 12/5. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter. Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous 3. Public Forum Sharon Bushor: I have concerns about the zoning amendment. The changes to the ground floor entries will be significant and will change the character of the South End. Developers are doing what was originally proposed for the SEID over in South Burlington, so why can’t we? I think this change should be considered more than a minor change. Page 1 of 3 Page 5 of 23 4. ZA-26-01 Technical Changes and Corrections Sarah Morgan gave an overview of the zoning amendment changes. Amendment materials are available in the agenda packet on CivicClerk. Motion to approve the changes to Line 119 of ZA-26-01. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Kane. Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous Councilor Bergman proposed adding an example or other appropriate language to clarify the definition of “loss” in Sec. 9.2.2. All councilors agreed. Motion to refer the draft ordinance, with the changes to Sec. 9.2.2, back to the full City Council for a second reading with a recommendation for adoption. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter. Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous 5. Fuel Purchase Ordinance Discussion Bill Ward described the investigation he did regarding this draft ordinance and delivered a letter to each of the 11 gas stations in the City. He said that Cumberland Farms already have a notice about the hold policy and they said that is the bank’s policy to hold up to $100 for up to a week for a fuel purchase. He also offered a photo of the Cumberland Farms’ notice. He said that the gas station staff said it isn’t an individual station decision and the holds are from the credit or debit card company/bank. Councilor Carpenter said she would like to set a public hearing on requiring a notice. She said this seems to be a good consumer practice and would be easy to implement. All councilors agreed. All councilors agreed to have a public hearing on February 6th, 2026 2-4PM. 6. Private Parking Lot Terms and Rates Ordinance Discussion Move that the Ordinance Committee find that premature general public knowledge of legal advice regarding Agenda Item 6 would clearly place the City at a substantial disadvantage. Motion by Councilor Carpenter, Seconded by Councilor Barlow. Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous Based upon that finding, move that the Ordinance Committee go into executive session to receive confidential attorney-client communications for Agenda Item 6. 1 VSA §313(a)(1)(F). Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter Page 2 of 3 Page 6 of 23 Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous Motion to come out of Executive Session. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous All councilors agreed to hold a public hearing on this agenda item on February 6, 2026. Councilors Bergman and Carpenter both said they would like both the property owners and the parking management companies to be responsible under the draft ordinance. Councilor Barlow said he would like the parking signs to make it very obvious that the lot is privately owned and not owned by the City. All councilors agreed to a progressive fine system once the notice period has expired. Sharon Bushor asked if victims of parking issues can be reimbursed or receive compensation. Councilor Bergman said a private right of action already exists in the charter. 7. Financial Disclosure Ordinance Discussion The Committee did not have the time to get to item 7. 8. Any Other Committee Business The scheduled meeting for January 2, 2026 is cancelled. 9. Adjournment Motion to adjourn. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Carpenter Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous The meeting was adjourned at 6:33 PM. Page 3 of 3 Page 7 of 23 Page 8 of 23 Page 9 of 23 Page 10 of 23 Page 11 of 23 Page 12 of 23 Page 13 of 23 Page 14 of 23 Page 15 of 23 Page 16 of 23 Page 17 of 23 Page 18 of 23 Page 19 of 23 Page 20 of 23 Page 21 of 23 Page 22 of 23 Page 23 of 23