Wards 2 & 3 NPA
Regular MeetingBurlington, VT · October 12, 2023
Minutes
Wards 2 and 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
Thursday, October 12, 2023, 6:30-8:30pm
Hybrid meeting: In person at the ONE Community Center, 20 Allen St.
and virtually at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85860854764
Community dinner: 5:30-6:30pm | Vegetarian Eritrean/ Ethiopian meal by guest chef Mulu Tewelde
Music: Ben Wang & Lake Lust
Moderator: Lauren Ebersol Notetaker: Shelby Glass
6:30 pm Announcements & Introductions | 10 min
● Adopt the agenda
● Introduction of Steering Committee members & new
members welcome
● Next meeting: Thursday, November 9
● 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
● NPA member introductions
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.
Intervale Member: The Intervale Center is starting a bulk market the second Tuesday at three different
price tiers at 20 Allen Street
Joe Cane in Ward 3: an anti-apartheid petition for a Palestinian resolution to get on the ballot to vote on.
There will be a forum discussing the recent events in Gaza on Tuesday Oct 17 evening in 20 Allen street
at 7pm room 218, CCTV is recording it
Chris Haessly: Tickets are $8 for UVM women's hockey
Roosevelt Park Plan
Sophie Sauve: First meeting on Nov 8 to share survey results and next steps. The meeting will be 5:30-7
with free child care at 20 Allen Street
6:50 pm Recognizing Charlie Giannoni for his service on the NPA | 10 min
Charlie: the best kept secret is to be on the steering committee because to get people you want to see on
the agenda and shared with the community
7:00 pm Changes to Burlington Neighborhood Code | 30 min
Sarah Morgan (Planner, Office of City Planning)
10 minutes reserved for Q&A
***Review link above to access the presentation
Wards 2 & 3 NPA Agenda | Oct 12, 2023 | page 1 of 7
The plan is to move towards developing housing in the outer neighborhoods, opposed to downtown
where the development has been mainly focused
CORE ZONING RECOMMENDATIONS *** look up the current zoning ordinance doesn’t allow a range of
housing types on flexible lots. The new neighborhood code aims to change that for smaller lots sizes
: Joint committee meetings online and in person found in the link above
Questions:
Q. Jean: What is the connection to the accessory dwelling units?
A. Meaghan: They are trying to change the rules to make this more possible and encourage duplexes
Q: Have you taken into account impermeable surfaces?
A. Yes, specifically all of the recommendations that will be made. It will still be the case that over 50% of
the lot needs to be not built on
Q. Liz Curry: Friend had a roadblock developing the ADU. What is the vision to get the water and
wastewater managed i.e. utilities?
A. There have been a lot of conversations around the barriers of actually building something. There are
conversations to make sure other departments are onboard with their vision and help identify how to
overcome the barriers, though they will always be there.
Q. How will this project benefit us?
A. 100’s of new homes
Q. What brought about this proposal?
A. Midsize housing has been a conversation across the country. Higher density development allows for
more density in more neighborhoods. And the hopes that there will both be more homes and more
choices. Working closely with AARP so that people have more choices as they get older as well; to make
the best use of resources in towns that already have infrastructure.
Q. Do we have the infrastructure to support the density?
A. This is why we have an incremental approach to balance out the increased use of resources.
7:30 pm Update on City’s Trees | 15 min
VJ Comai (City Arborist)
City Tree Program:
13,000 trees throughout the city.
Wards 2 & 3 NPA Agenda | Oct 12, 2023 | page 2 of 7
Grant money years ago to determine how much of the city’s total landmass was covered by tree canopies
which was 38%. Ten years later it was 42%... there is a goal for 50% to continue to increase the city’s
urban forest.
They have gone through the wards to find the lowest canopy coverage to plant more in the greenbelts.
This has been done in the last few years first in Ward 2&3 and then Ward 8.
Is you see young trees planted next to larger, established Ash trees, these are to decrease the likelihood
of a pest infestation.
Increased annual tree planting to over 400 trees a year by new techniques and planting in fall and spring
times.
Q: Charlie: Are there trees involved in the Roosevelt Parks upgrade?
A. Yes, it would be great to see a perimeter of trees planted
Q: Chris: Why are some of the downtown trees not replaced?
A: The trees on the Churchplace Marketplace are not managed by the City. And it’s a really tough
environment for trees to grow in.
Email VJ with any more questions:
vcomai@burlingtonvt.gov
7:45 pm Updates from school commissioners and city councilors | 15 min
Jeanie Waltz:
Polly Vanderputten:
Martine Lurock, also State Senator:
- Awarded $16 million
- Likely getting awarded 1 million from the federal government for storm water.
- The updated project budget is still within the allotted budget. There will not be more asks for
money from taxpayers.
- Looking at Jan 2026 for expected move-in date for high school.
- School construction aid taskforce. The report in the beginning of November will review all the
schools. We need to find money to help the school buildings
- Integrated Arts Academy (IAA) needs maintenance: $10 million to replace the HVAC system. This
will displace a lot of students for a period of time, but this has to happen.
- Looking to evaluate why we have the magnet schools (IAA & Sustainability Academy)… Economic
diversity is one of the main reasons. The task force decided they want to keep them with a
potential ask for additional funds in order to sustain a model magnet school. They will not be
dissolved.
Wards 2 & 3 NPA Agenda | Oct 12, 2023 | page 3 of 7
- American Rescue Plan funds have been used for the ARC program to retrain teachers on how to
teach reading. This has already yielded positive results.
- Come to city council meetings, watch live on YouTube, or find the recorded meetings on the
MediaFactory or Town Meeting TV YouTube page (look under playlist called “Municipal
Meetings”)
Q: Liz: The theory for magnet schools is to have social & economic integration, the point would be to
improve their educational access and understanding. Is there data showing this improvement?
A: Jeannie: Unfortunately what has been measured for markers for improvement haven't been measured
yet. We will likely have more information on the student experience improving, not education
information. The issue with measuring progress of students in schools has to do a lot with standardized
testing changing so frequently & the faulty reliability of the data also, test scores are what is
important/determines allocating funds/budgets to the schools.
Gene Bergman:
- Public Safety: approved a resolution (agenda item 6.2 from Tuesday’s meeting) and programs
related to interconnected crisis involving opioids, homelessness, mental health, and poverty
- Climate change: North Winooski bike lane changes. Look out for a survey coming soon
- McNeil Steampipe to UVM Medical: we cannot invest in this and encourages the medical
center to invest in another way i.e. a solar dump
- VT international guard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- There is more work to do with housing and F35s
Joe Mcgee:
- Did not vote for the public safety resolution, and did not approve of the outdated language used
to describe drug users and unhoused folks. Along with the data not lining up with why we would
approve of this resolution. We are not acting quickly enough to address these issues
- Grant Money to have a warming shelter at the old VFW building. This will be up in Dec 5pm-8am
and they can also get a hot meal there. 30 beds. This is not enough for the 200 people, so we will
be looking for the state to continue with the hotel vouchers
- Approved a community response team through the fire department as a response to their great
increase in calls. This is a crucial step in increasing our public safety response
8:00 pm Updates from state legislators | 15 min
Senator Lurock: What would you like me to prioritize? Could we have a longer chunk of time for state
legislators in December?
NPA: Keep the buses free
8:15 pm Spare time in case a topic runs over its allotted time
8:30 pm Adjourn - thank you for coming!
Wards 2 & 3 NPA Agenda | Oct 12, 2023 | page 4 of 7
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
Shelby Glass Ward 2 glasshelby@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
Wards 2 & 3 NPA Agenda | Oct 12, 2023 | page 5 of 7
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.
Wards 2 & 3 NPA Agenda | Oct 12, 2023 | page 6 of 7
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
Wards 2 & 3 NPA Agenda | Oct 12, 2023 | page 7 of 7
Agenda
Wards 2 and 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
Thursday, October 12, 2023, 6:30-8:30pm
Hybrid meeting: In person at the ONE Community Center, 20 Allen St.
and virtually at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85860854764
Community dinner: 5:30-6:30pm | Vegetarian Eritrean/ Ethiopian meal by guest chef Mulu Tewelde
Music: Ben Wang & Lake Lust
Moderator: Lauren Ebersol Notetaker: Shelby Glass
6:30 pm Announcements & Introductions | 10 min
● Adopt the agenda
● Introduction of Steering Committee members & new
members welcome
● Next meeting: Thursday, November 9
● 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
● NPA member introductions
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 Recognizing Charlie Giannoni for his service on the NPA | 10 min
7:00 pm Changes to Burlington Neighborhood Code | 30 min
Sarah Morgan (Planner, Office of City Planning)
10 minutes reserved from Q&A
7:30 pm Update on City’s Trees | 15 min
VJ Comai (City Arborist)
7:45 pm Updates from school commissioners and city councilors | 15 min
8:00 pm Updates from state legislators | 15 min
8:15 pm Spare time in case a topic runs over its allotted time
8:30 pm Adjourn - thank you for coming!
Wards 2 & 3 NPA Agenda | Oct 12, 2023 | page 1 of 4
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
Shelby Glass Ward 2 glasshelby@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
Wards 2 & 3 NPA Agenda | Oct 12, 2023 | page 2 of 4
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.
Wards 2 & 3 NPA Agenda | Oct 12, 2023 | page 3 of 4
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
Wards 2 & 3 NPA Agenda | Oct 12, 2023 | page 4 of 4