Ward 8 NPA

Ward 8 Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA): Minutes Thursday, January 23, 2025 Location: Sharon Bushor Conference Room, City Hall Link to Watch Meeting Recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/5V5IhwYa3dw Facilitator: Ryan Nick Others in Attendance: Marek Broderick, Stella Sarefield, Tom Carroll, Veronica, Cathy Olwell, Colleen Siren, Anne Brenya(?) Lynn Goyette, Eileen Blackwood, Rob Gutman, Allie Schacter, Megan Moir, Matt Price, Ashley Parker, Mary Danko, Sam Doherty Adopting the Agenda: The motion to adopt the agenda passed. Public Forum: There were no announcements during public forum. Water Department Bond Presentation: • Megan Moir, DPW, presented about the proposed March 2025 Bond Requests related to improved wastewater and stormwater services. The proposed bonds would improve Burlington’s water supply resiliency and protect the health of Lake Champlain. • Water bill rate structures and affordability concerns were discussed. City’s General Bond Obligation: • Ashley Parker, City of Burlington, presented on the city’s General Fund Capital Budget and a $20M bond on Town Meeting Day 2025 to authorize funding for critical infrastructure costs. • Ashley discussed needed investments in the city’s fleet assets, sidewalks, streets, transportation safety projects, city buildings, parks. • Shared the new Capital Planning Map where community members can view and provide input on upcoming projects. • Discussed the impact on tax bills if the bond passes. City Council Candidates – Intros, Q&A: • Candidates for East District City Council: Cathy Olwell and Allie Schacter. • Cathy was school board member for many years and has lived in Burlington for 33 years. She is a social worker and helped with securing grants for Burlington and Winooski schools. Top issues are affordable housing and fair taxation. UVM needs to cap number of students if they cannot provide housing. • Allie works at the Flynn and is on PTO at Sustainability Academy. Previously worked in human services in Ann Arbor, MI. Top issues are affordability and housing. UVM needs to build more housing – what are other university towns doing? Redistricting Charter Change: • City Councilor Gene Bergman discussed proposed charter changes for the Town Meeting Day ballot. Ballots themselves have “shortened language” but the full revised text is available from the City Clerk and online. • First charter change: ban firearms in bars. Legislature has stalled on it but it could happen this year. Rather than ask legislators, we can have another vote to reaffirm Burlington’s position. • Second charter change: proposing to allow the voters of Burlington to vote on redistricting rather than requiring state approval. • Third charter change: related to notifications for terminations of rental agreements and rent increases. Change is to allow the city to establish requirements for landlords and tenants by ordinance. Announcement: Matt Price, school board candidate for the East District, asked for questions, shared his background as an educator and parent. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.