July 14th, 2025 Burlington City Council Meeting:

Here's What Happened at Last Night's Burlington City Council Meeting (7/14/25)

It was a long and packed meeting last night, running for over four hours. The council covered a ton of ground, from state housing laws to the future of recycling. For those who couldn't tune in, here’s a summary of the key debates and decisions. 

TLDR:

 * Heated Debate on Downtown/City Hall Park: Councilors had a tense exchange about the relocation of the Food Not Cops lunch program to City Hall Park, with some citing negative impacts and others arguing the city is failing to address the root causes of homelessness and pointing blame at the state.

 * REIB Office to be Enshrined in Charter: A proposal to make the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging a permanent, chartered part of city government was unanimously sent to the Charter Change Committee to begin the formal process.

 * "City Circle" Proposed to Address Broken System: The City Attorney introduced a new "City Circle" program, a restorative justice alternative to court for city ordinance violations. The goal is to compel engagement where the current fine-based system has failed. It was sent to committee, but concerns were raised about its penalties.

 * Water Bill Help for Renters: The council approved a major update to the Water Resources affordability program. It will now partner with BED to provide credits to income-qualified renters who don't pay a water bill directly, helping to offset rising costs.

 * Recycling Contract Update: The city is moving forward with seeking proposals from private haulers for city-wide recycling collection. After councilor feedback, the request will now ask for prices on both 3-year and 5-year contract terms. This is a data-gathering step, not a final vote to privatize.

 * Act 181 Work Session: The council discussed a new state housing law (Act 181) that aims to streamline development by creating tiers for Act 250 environmental review exemptions. Burlington could gain a full exemption in some areas next year.

Public Forum Highlights:

The public forum was very active and featured powerful testimony:

 * Urgent Pleas for Overdose Prevention Center (OPC): Multiple speakers, including a representative for the First UU Society and public health activist Ed Baker, made passionate calls for the city to establish an OPC without delay.

 * A Powerful Story of Homelessness: Trevor Smullen, who identified himself as a former career firefighter, licensed foster parent, and a craftsman who helped restore the steeple on the UU church, gave a raw account of becoming homeless after an illness. His story of going from a six-figure income to fainting on the street while people stepped over him powerfully underscored his plea for the city to create safe, designated camps with resources.

 * Strong Support for REIB Director: Dr. Emma Corey and Charlotte Saffron both spoke in strong support of Interim REIB Director Christian Barry, urging the city to make her the permanent director and properly fund the office. They criticized what they see as a pattern of the city undermining Black female leaders.

 * "City Circle" Concerns: Bella Fern raised concerns about the proposed "City Circle" ordinance, specifically that the penalty for not attending could be a misdemeanor with jail time, which is far harsher than the current civil penalty.

 * Organized Retail Theft: Lee Morrigan addressed the link between Organized Retail Theft and human trafficking, explaining it is often a form of labor trafficking where vulnerable people are coerced into stealing for someone else's profit. He announced that he’s building a coalition that includes service providers, law enforcement, and business owners to draft a city resolution to address the issue.

 * Construction Disruptions: Alan Walker Hodkin urged the city to ensure future construction on Bank and Cherry Streets keeps two-way traffic open to avoid the severe business disruptions seen with the Main Street project.

Major Debates & Decisions:

Act 181 (State Housing Law): A Plan to Boost Housing

The council held a work session with the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) on Act 181. This new state law is designed to boost housing construction by changing how Act 250 environmental review works. It creates "Tiers" based on location.

 * Tier 1A: A full exemption from Act 250 for residential and commercial projects. Burlington can apply for this status next year.

 * Tier 1B: A partial exemption for residential projects of 50 units or fewer.

Councilors asked how this new state map would interact with the city's own detailed zoning and expressed a desire to maximize the exemptions to reduce redundant reviews, since Burlington's standards are often stricter than the state's. A vote on adopting the Tier 1B map is expected in August.

The Future of City Hall Park & Downtown (Food Not Cops)

This was the most contentious topic of the night.

 * The Concern: Led by Cllrs. Becca Brown McKnight, Buddy Singh, and Evan Litwin, one side expressed major concerns about the Food Not Cops lunch program operating in City Hall Park. They cited data from the Sheriff's Department showing a 50-75% decrease in issues like open drug use, overdoses, and public defecation in the Marketplace Garage the day the program left. They fear these behaviors have now moved to the park and are disappointed the administration hasn't presented a long-term plan for relocating the service.

 * The Counter-Argument: Led by Cllrs. Carter Neubieser and Marek Broderick, the other side argued that this is a systemic problem of homelessness and that playing a "relocation game" is a failed strategy. They stated the focus must be on demanding more funding and action from the state and federal government, who they believe are failing to provide resources, leaving Burlington to shoulder the burden.

Why "City Circle"? A New Tool for a Broken System

City Attorney Jessica Brown explained that the city's current system for handling quality-of-life ordinance violations is ineffective. Civil tickets are issued, fines go unpaid, and nothing changes. The "City Circle" proposal revives the city's ability to charge these as criminal violations, not to be punitive, but to create leverage. The explicit goal is to use the "threat" of a court date to get individuals to engage with a restorative justice process at the Community Justice Center, where underlying issues can be addressed. The hope is that almost no one actually ends up in court.

The Recycling Staffing Crisis: It's More Than Just Pay

DPW staff painted a stark picture of the hiring challenges, noting zero full-time recycling drivers are currently employed. This isn't just a Burlington problem; private hauler Casella told the city that the Burlington/Williston area is one of the hardest regions in the state to recruit drivers. This is despite the city offering a competitive $27/hour starting wage and a superior benefits package with a pension. This context frames the decision to seek private bids as a pragmatic response to a difficult and persistent regional labor shortage.

It's important to note this is not a vote to privatize recycling yet. It's a step to gather information. The city is developing its own cost model for keeping the service in-house, and the council will compare the private bids to the municipal cost estimate in September before making any decisions.

REIB Charter Change: A Unanimous Start to a Long Road

Interim Director Christian Barry gave a presentation on the history of equity work in the city and why this step is crucial for stability. While the council voted unanimously to begin the process of enshrining the REIB office in the City Charter, councilors stressed this is just the first step. Councilors from across the political spectrum voiced strong support, noting it was more important than ever given the national political climate. Cllrs. Litwin and Grant reminded the public that any charter change must ultimately be approved by the Vermont State Legislature and the Governor. They emphasized that strong public engagement and lobbying at the state level will be absolutely essential for it to become a reality.

Other Key Votes

 * Water Bill Help for Renters: The council unanimously approved an updated affordability program for water/wastewater/stormwater bills. The biggest change is a new partnership with Burlington Electric Department. This will allow the city to provide bill credits to income-qualified renters, who are impacted by rate hikes through their rent but don't receive a water bill directly. This is seen as a major step in making the system more equitable.

 * Honoring Sandy Baird: The council passed a heartfelt resolution honoring the life and work of the late attorney and activist Sandy Baird, with several councilors giving emotional tributes.

 * Zoning Amendments Passed: The council approved several non-controversial zoning tweaks, including relaxing some stormwater requirements in the South End Innovation District (SEID) and providing more flexibility on downtown parking setbacks.

 * Parks Rules Update Tabled: A proposal to update various park rules was sent back to the Parks, Arts, & Culture (PAC) committee for more work after inconsistencies between versions were found and new issues regarding evening safety at North Beach were raised.

June 23rd, 2025 Burlington City Council Meeting:

Detailed Summary of Burlington City Council Meeting - June 23, 2025

For those who couldn't attend or watch the full 3+ hour City Council meeting last night, here's a detailed breakdown of the key discussions and decisions.

TLDR

 * Main Street Construction: Council voted 11-1 to spend $600,000 to reopen two blocks of Main Street for two-way traffic on nights and weekends. This should start in early August and is meant to help struggling downtown businesses. The money comes from TIF bond investment earnings, not the general fund.

 * Indecent Exposure Ordinance: Following public comment on safety, the Council moved a proposed ordinance to ban public nudity to the Ordinance Committee. Concerns were raised to ensure it doesn't accidentally target events like the Naked Bike Ride or Pride, while others pointed to incidents near schools as a reason for action.

 * Cityplace ("The Pit"): Council unanimously approved a change to the development agreement, allowing the new hotel in the South Tower to open in July. The completion date for the North Tower (which will contain the affordable housing units) was extended to September 2027.

 * City Budget: The final vote on the city's FY26 budget did not happen. It has been moved to a special meeting this Wednesday, June 25th, at 5:30 PM.

 * Public Forum: Residents spoke passionately about recent violent attacks, the need for better police response, the city "failing" its senior citizens with the closure of the CORE center, and the severe economic impact of the Main Street closure on small businesses.

The Details

Great Streets Main Street Project

This was the longest and most debated topic of the night. The council considered several options to mitigate the impact of the massive construction project on downtown businesses.

 * The Decision: The council voted 11-1 to approve "Option 2," a plan to spend $600,000 to have the contractor open Main Street to two-way traffic on nights and weekends. The sole 'no' vote came from Councilor Joe Kane, who felt the project extension was a non-starter, noting the process is already "very acrimonious every month, every week," and that finishing even a month or two sooner is in everyone's interest.

 * The Timeline: The most visible change; reopening the block between Winooski and Church; is expected by August 15th at the latest, with staff aiming for August 1st. The western blocks closer to the lake will begin opening nights and weekends almost immediately (starting June 27th).

 * The Funding: A lot of discussion focused on the $600,000 cost. City staff clarified that these funds are investment earnings from the TIF district bond and are legally restricted. They can only be used for capital improvements within the TIF district; they cannot be used for direct payments to businesses or for the city's general fund. As Councilor Gene Bergman put it, the cost is borne by money dedicated to the project's purpose, not by property or gross receipts taxes.

 * The Debate: Councilors weighed the cost and a project extension of a few weeks against the urgent need for business relief. Councilor Becca Brown McKnight argued it's "essential to get people back into the habit of just traveling on Main Street at all" ahead of the fall tourist and holiday seasons. Staff also explained why a "90-day pause," another option considered, was ill-advised, as it would cause a loss of momentum and specialized crew knowledge, with no guarantee the same expert crews could return promptly.

Public Safety, Council Response, and a New Nudity Ordinance

 * Councilor's Remarks: During General City Affairs, Councilor Melo Grant directly addressed the safety concerns raised in the public forum. She acknowledged the issues facing the Central District and cautioned that some city efforts can feel "performative because they're not really addressing the root problems." She called for better communication about what is being done and for the council to focus on solutions that create real, systemic change.

 * The Ordinance: At Councilor Grant's request, an ordinance prohibiting indecent exposure was moved from the easy-passage "consent agenda" to the main agenda for a full discussion. The motion was to send the proposed ordinance to the Ordinance Committee for review.

 * The Concerns: Councilor Grant, seconded by Councilor Marek Broderick, stressed that the committee must be careful with the language. They want to ensure the ordinance targets problematic behavior without creating a tool that could be "weaponized" against events like the annual Naked Bike Ride or members of the LGBTQ+ community during Pride events.

 * Counterpoint & Vote: Councilor Becca Brown McKnight supported moving the ordinance forward, noting that other Vermont communities have similar models. She stressed the importance of the ordinance by stating, "there have been a few incidents of nudity that was in close proximity to a school and playgrounds... that's an area where I think we all need to come together and say that is not okay." The council voted unanimously to send the proposal to committee.

Public Forum Highlights

The public comment period was intense and packed with powerful testimony.

 * Crime & Safety: Citizen journalist Todd Duca stated he had been assaulted on the street for the second time in a week, this time right outside City Hall. David Call asked for better and faster police response for the city's nine churches, which serve the unhoused but feel increasingly unsafe.

 * Seniors Being "Left Behind": Andrea Vitz, Director of the Heineberg Community Senior Center, delivered a powerful statement, saying the "city of Burlington is failing to meet the needs of our older residents." She criticized the city for having no transition plan for the closure of the CORE center and for the end of a successful PCA training program, stating the city is moving "backwards, not forward" on being age-friendly.

 * Business Impact: Alan Walker Hodkin of The Café Hut read a comment from a DPW survey respondent: "It is ridiculous that someone or a group of people approved this project to close Main Street entirely for so long. It has crushed business. Ours is down 30% and we are considering pulling out of the area." Former councilor Sharon Busher, calling in, urged the council to act immediately on Main Street, noting a delay to the next meeting means losing "three more weeks of summer sales."

Cityplace / "The Pit"

The council unanimously approved an amendment to the development agreement for the Cityplace project.

 * What it Does: This allows the developers to receive their permits to open the hotel in the South Tower in early July. Previously, the agreement linked the hotel's opening to having full financing secured for the North Tower. This amendment de-links those two milestones to allow the finished portion of the project to open.

 * Affordable Housing: The amendment also extends the final completion date for the North Tower, which contains the project's required affordable housing units, to September 2027. Director of Business and Workforce Development Kara Al-Niesi confirmed that the original affordability protections remain: if the North Tower units aren't ready by a deadline of June 2026, the developers must provide the affordable units within the newly opened South Tower instead.

Other Council Business

 * Departing Staff: The Mayor and many councilors offered warm and heartfelt thanks to several departing city leaders, including Parks Director Cindy White, retiring Fire Chief Michael LaChance, and most notably, CEDO Director Brian Pine. Councilors Sarah Carpenter and Gene Bergman, who have both known and worked with Mr. Pine for nearly 40 years, spoke at length about his immense legacy and contributions to affordable housing in the city.

 * Canadian Camaraderie: Councilor Becca Brown McKnight gave a happy update on the council's recent "Canada Street" resolution, noting it has generated positive press, calls from Canadians now planning to visit Burlington, and even a bouquet of red and white flowers sent to City Hall from a grateful Canadian.

June 16th, 2025 Burlington City Council Meeting:

Full Summary of Last Night's City Council Meeting (6/16/25): A $1.8M Budget Error, "Canada Street," Contentious Appointments & More

For those who want the quick version, and for those who want the full deep dive, here's the rundown from last night's four-hour+ meeting.

TLDR:

 * A $1.8M budget error was found. The fix involves the Mayor and department heads taking a temporary pay-raise cut and a small municipal tax increase. However, due to school tax changes, most homeowners should still see their overall property tax bill go down next year.

 * The council voted to ceremonially rename Church Street to "Canada Street / Rue Canada" for July and August to welcome back Canadian tourists whose numbers have plummeted.

 * Appointing citizens to city boards got very heated and contentious, especially for the Board of Registration of Voters, with accusations that the selection process was politicized. The Mayor and councilors agreed the process needs a major review.

 * The public forum was intense, with powerful testimony about the Main St. construction disaster (a business owner is on day 195 of a 40-day closure) and a resident sharing a story of being attacked with a knife downtown.

Mayor's Update on City Affairs

Mayor Mulaney Stanick started with several key updates:

 * Community Safety: The administration is launching two new initiatives: a "City Circle" for real-time restorative justice for municipal ordinance violations, and a "Situation Table" pilot starting in July, where a team of community partners will provide "relentless intervention" for high-risk individuals.

 * REIB: The search for a permanent Director for the Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging department is moving to the interview stage with a "very robust applicant pool." The Mayor also reminded everyone about the Juneteenth celebration this Saturday, June 21st, from 2-10 PM downtown.

The Big News: A $1.8M Budget Error & The Proposed Fix

The most critical news of the night was the discovery of a $1.8 million error in the proposed FY26 budget, which required an immediate plan to fill the gap.

 * What Happened? It was a "double-counting" issue. For years, the extra 20% tax paid by commercial properties was accounted for as a separate revenue line. This year, in a move to streamline the budget, that revenue was correctly incorporated into the main Grand List tax calculation. The error was that the old, separate line item wasn't removed, so the budget was counting that $1.8M twice.

 * The Solution: The Mayor's office proposed a multi-pronged solution to close the gap:

   * Shared Sacrifice: The Mayor will forgo her entire 3% cost-of-living (COLA) pay increase for the year. Department heads will have their COLAs reduced for the first six months. This was a point of debate, with Councilor Becca Brown McKnight arguing against it, saying the Mayor and high-performing department heads deserve their raises. Conversely, Councilor Carter Neubieser praised it as an important principle of fairness, especially in a year with layoffs.

   * Minor Tax Impact: A slight increase to the municipal tax rate. However, the Mayor and several councilors stressed that because of the expected decrease in the statewide education tax rate, most residential property owners should still see a net decrease on their overall tax bill next year. This was framed as a key part of making Burlington more affordable.

   * New Revenues: Increasing franchise fees from BED and Water Resources, increasing the fee on Uber/Lyft rides by 25 cents, and anticipating revenue from the new hotel in the CityPlace South Tower.

   * Spending Cuts: Pausing a couple of new hires and reducing the number of new police officer hires budgeted for this year from 10 to 8, based on a recommendation from Chief Burke.

   * Process Change: To prevent this in the future, the City Assessor's office will be moved under the Department of Finance and Administration to break down the information "silos" that contributed to the error.

"Canada Street / Rue Canada" Resolution Passes Unanimously

The council voted to ceremonially rename Church Street to "Canada Street / Rue Canada" for July and August. This is a marketing and goodwill campaign to welcome Canadian visitors back to Burlington.

 * The Debate:

   * State Treasurer Mike Pichak noted that Canadian border crossings are down 30-40% and that this gesture helps differentiate Vermont from the "Trump administration's damaging political rhetoric."

   * Sponsor Becca Brown McKnight called it a "small but powerful way to celebrate our neighbors." Councilor Evan Litwin highlighted Vermont's deep cultural ties, noting that French is the second-most spoken language in the state.

   * Councilor Gene Bergman framed it as a serious stand against xenophobia and a message to Customs and Border Patrol agents that their communities rely on this economic activity.

   * Councilor Melo Grant, while ultimately voting yes, voiced skepticism that it was "performative." She argued for more direct digital marketing to other tourist hubs (Boston, Portland) and powerfully noted that a new street sign doesn't solve the very real safety concerns that people of color have when crossing the border, which is a root cause of the decreased travel.

Contentious Board & Commission Appointments

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to appointing citizens to boards, and the process itself was under fire. The Mayor and councilors like McKnight, Grant, and Neubieser stated that the process needs a serious overhaul to be more fair, transparent, and less political.

Two appointments were particularly contentious:

 * Parks and Recreation Commission: After two rounds of voting, Hiawatha Davis was appointed. Councilor Sarah Carpenter championed Davis for her deep engagement in the New North End, while Councilor Melo Grant advocated for another candidate, Carolyn Felix, for her direct experience with the department.

 * Board for Registration of Voters: This was the most heated debate. Kevin Lewis, who spoke during public forum about his application being rejected without an interview, was nominated from the floor.

   * Arguments For (Grant, Bergman, Neubieser): They argued Lewis was the only applicant for the open seat and was qualified. They characterized the opposition as political and lacking transparency. Councilor Carter Neubieser revealed that in committee, concerns were raised that Lewis, an Independent, might "actually be a Progressive," which would affect the board's partisan balance—a line of reasoning he found inappropriate.

   * Arguments Against (Litwin, Carpenter): Councilor Sarah Carpenter argued for geographic diversity. Councilor Evan Litwin stated his opposition was based on the application itself, which he said consisted of a "single sentence" and didn't demonstrate the qualifications needed for such a critical, non-political role protecting elections.

   * Result: Kevin Lewis was appointed on a 7-1 vote (with 5 abstentions).

Public Forum Highlights

Citizens raised a number of critical issues with powerful testimony:

 * Public Safety: Todd Duca shared a harrowing story of being attacked with a knife on South Winooski Ave, suffering broken fingers and having his phone destroyed.

 * ICE at BTV: Allison Seager questioned how ICE detaining people at the city-controlled airport aligns with our status as a sanctuary city.

 * Main Street Construction: Alan Walker Hodkin, owner of Cafe Hot, passionately pleaded for relief, stating his block was promised to be closed for 40 days but is now at 195 days and counting, crippling business.

 * Social Services: Representatives from JUMP and the Burlington-Bethlehem Sister City Program spoke about the impact of losing city funding in a tight budget year.

 * Senior Services: Andrea Vitz from the Heinberg Senior Center called for a dedicated workgroup and better services for Burlington's growing senior population.

Other Business & The Tense Ending

 * Impact Fees: The council approved new rules for developer impact fees. An amendment from Council President Ben Traverse was adopted to ensure the council can negotiate fees down (for instance, if a developer builds public infrastructure themselves) but cannot arbitrarily raise them, providing more certainty.

 * BPD Recruitment: Councilor Melo Grant praised the new BPD recruitment plan, highlighting its long-overdue focus on modern marketing and community engagement.

 * The meeting ended on a tense note during committee reports. Councilor Melo Grant stated the recent REIB committee meeting was adjourned prematurely, silencing community speakers. This was countered by other committee members, including Councilors Becca Brown McKnight and Buddy Singh, who stated the meeting was adjourned because the chair (Grant) was not sticking to the agenda, making the meeting unproductive. It was a pointed public disagreement about process and conduct.

June 2nd, 2025 Burlington City Council Meeting:

Burlington City Council Meeting Summary & Breakdown (June 2, 2025) - Gross Receipts Tax Showdown, Budget Cuts & Housing Rules

For those who missed the nearly five-hour City Council meeting last night, here’s a breakdown of a session filled with tense debates, complex procedural maneuvers, and major decisions on the city's finances and future development.

TLDR:

 * Gross Receipts Tax: After a dramatic 6-6 tie vote killed a proposal to make the 2.5% restaurant tax permanent, the council voted 9-3 to extend the tax's sunset date to August 31st. This leaves a ~$900,000 budget hole and kicks off a high-stakes debate on whether to use property taxes or other revenues to fill it before the final budget vote.

 * FY26 City Budget: The Mayor presented a budget that is nearly $2 million less than last year. This was achieved by eliminating 25 city positions. The plan includes a very small municipal tax increase (<1%), but due to expected changes in the state education tax, most residents could see an overall reduction in their total property tax bill. A question about making even deeper cuts was met with a tense response.

 * New Housing Rules Passed: The council unanimously approved "Neighborhood Code 2.0," allowing new housing types like pocket neighborhoods (cottage courts) and row houses. The changes were critical for projects like a proposed Champlain Housing Trust development for adults with disabilities.

 * BED Rate Hike: A 4.5% electric rate increase was approved. For the average residential customer, this means a bill increase of about $3.78 per month. The council also expanded BED's Energy Assistance Program (EAP) to include homeless shelters and certain types of affordable housing.

 * Major Department Restructuring: The administration detailed its "Modern Gov" plan to merge several departments into a new Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) and reintegrate the Business & Workforce Development office back into CEDO.

 * Mayoral Appointments Confirmed: The council unanimously approved the mayor's slate of department heads, including a new Fire Chief (Michael Curtain) and a new Director of the Church Street Marketplace (Samantha McInness).

The Great Gross Receipts Tax Debate

This was the most contentious and procedurally complex item of the night. Here's the play-by-play:

 * The Background: Last year, the council passed a "temporary" 0.5% increase to the city's Gross Receipts Tax (on restaurants/bars), bringing it to 2.5%. That increase was set to expire (or "sunset") on June 30th of this year. The revenue from that 0.5% is about $900,000, which the Mayor's proposed budget relied on.

 * The Procedural Trap: A key issue was timing. Any change to a city ordinance takes over 20 days to go into effect after it's passed and signed. To prevent the tax from automatically reverting to 2% on July 1st, the council had to act at this meeting. Waiting until the final budget meetings in late June would create a gap where the tax would drop to 2%, only to potentially pop back up to 2.5% in late July, creating chaos for businesses' point-of-sale systems.

 * The First Move: Citing this urgency, Councilor Bergman (P) moved to make the 2.5% tax permanent. He argued it was the only responsible option to avoid either raising the more regressive property tax or making last-minute cuts.

 * The Tie Vote: This amendment failed on a 6-6 tie vote, a moment of high drama.

   * Voting YES (to make tax permanent): Bergman (P), Broderick (P), Grant (P), Kane (P), Litwin (D), Neubieser (P).

   * Voting NO (against making tax permanent): Barlow (D), Carpenter (D), McKnight (D), Schachter (D), Singh (D), Traverse (D).

 * The Final Decision: The council then voted on the underlying motion from the Board of Finance: to simply extend the sunset date to August 31, 2025. This motion passed 9-3. The rationale is to give the council more time to see what happens with the state education budget before making a final decision on local taxes.

What it means: The city has a ~$900,000 revenue hole and a ticking clock. The council must decide by the final budget vote on June 23rd how to fill it. The fundamental conflict remains: use the consumption tax on restaurants, or shift the burden to property taxes? Progressives warned that extending the sunset was irresponsible fiscal planning, while Democrats argued it was necessary to keep options open and honor the original "temporary" promise to businesses.

Key Discussions & Decisions

The FY26 Budget and Its Tense Reception

The Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer Katherine Schad presented their budget, emphasizing the hard work to achieve a <1% municipal tax increase by eliminating 25 positions. Following the presentation, the discussion grew tense when Councilor Litwin (D) asked if there was any room to cut further to get to a 0% increase. The Mayor sharply replied that after cutting 25 positions and services, further cuts would not be "responsible." This exchange highlighted the raw feelings around the budget cuts and the different priorities within the council.

Public Forum Highlights

The forum, which was capped at 60 minutes, was packed with passionate testimony:

 * Downtown Resolution: Deep divisions were on display regarding the resolution targeting issues on Church Street. Business supporters called for action, while opponents, including Food Not Cops supporters, felt it unfairly targeted the free meal service. One speaker memorably said, "We're not Hamas, we're hummus."

 * Support for REIB Director: Several speakers urged the city to make interim REIB Director Christian Barry the permanent director, praising her leadership and questioning the city's hiring process for her role.

 * Main Street Construction: A downtown business owner pleaded with the city to reduce the scope of the remaining Main Street project, stating the work is putting an "unsustainable financial strain" on businesses. He quoted a community member: "We don't need great streets, we just need streets."

New Housing Rules Get Green Light

The council unanimously passed "Neighborhood Code 2.0." These zoning amendments are designed to encourage more "missing middle" housing.

 * What it does: Allows for new, more flexible housing types like pocket neighborhoods (cottage courts), row houses, and smaller-scale planned unit developments (PUDs).

 * Why it matters: During the hearing, a representative from Champlain Housing Trust explained that a technical change in this ordinance was essential for them to move forward with a new model of housing for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. This provided a powerful real-world example of the amendment's importance.

City Department Restructuring ("Modern Gov")

The administration gave a lengthy presentation on its plan to restructure city government. The two biggest changes are:

 * Creating the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA): This merges the Clerk/Treasurer's office, HR, IT, and the Assessor's office into one department to improve efficiency.

 * Reimagining CEDO: The Business & Workforce Development office (BWD) will be merged back into the Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO) to create a more unified approach.

 * Point of Contention: A new "Senior Advisor on Housing" position will initially be housed in the Mayor's office. Councilor Carpenter (D) expressed concern, arguing that housing expertise is a core function of CEDO and the position should be located there to build up the department's long-term strength.

May 19th, 2025 Burlington City Council Meeting:

What's Actually in Burlington's Downtown Business Resolution Passed Late Monday Night? Here's the Full Scoop on How the City Plans to Fix Downtown (Traffic, Policing, Free Lunches, and Business Recovery)

You've likely seen headlines like “Burlington City Council passes resolution supporting downtown business.” Good news for those following: it officially passed in an 8-4 vote late Monday night (May 19th). This action comes after more than 170 downtown businesses signed a letter to the mayor, citing declining sales, public safety concerns, and construction impacts.

Most media coverage mentioned the basics such as traffic flow, public image, police visibility, parking. But the full City Council resolution has a lot more detail and some surprisingly direct language. Here’s a breakdown of what’s actually in it:

Key Actions in the Resolution:

1. Traffic & Construction (Dept. of Public Works - DPW):

* Main Street Reopening: DPW to provide a cost estimate, feasibility assessment, and timeline to reopen Main Street (one-way, westbound) by June 15, 2025.

* Better Communication: Immediate steps for more signage and on-the-ground construction info, improved wayfinding maps, and a push to explore opening the Champlain Parkway Connector to southbound traffic ASAP.

2. Public Image & Economic Future (Business and Workforce Development - BWD):

* Tackling Negative Perception: The resolution says outright, “The perception of Burlington as unsafe is now widespread.” BWD is tasked with reviewing current strategies to develop more effective marketing/PR, aiming to re-establish downtown as vibrant and safe, particularly for youth and college students.

* Long-term Strategy (CEDS): Quarterly updates to the City Council on a new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The goal is to modernize downtown business—think adaptive reuse, light manufacturing, co-working hubs, and flexible storefronts that reflect the "amazon-ified age. (their words, not mine)

* Zoning: BWD will flag zoning/ordinance changes needed to support these economic shifts.

3. Public Safety (Burlington Police Department - BPD):

* More Visible Policing: The resolution calls for enhanced collaboration for a regular, visible police presence in key downtown areas such as Church Street, parking garages, transit hubs, and alleys. Plus utilizing Community Service Officers (CSOs) for increased visibility, especially during peak seasons and weekends.

* Better Responsiveness & Enforcement: BPD is asked to improve responsiveness to business reports of harassment, theft, and antisocial behavior (when officer resources allow). It also calls for enhanced enforcement of ordinances related to open drug use, loitering, vandalism, etc., through a combination of enforcement, mental health/recovery services, restorative justice, and coordinated outreach.

* Context: The resolution acknowledges BPD's ongoing staffing issues but notes reevaluation of priorities under Chief Burke. It also makes a point of stating that for nearly a decade, the "Governor Scott’s administration has failed to provide meaningful and impactful state policy that addresses Burlington’s and the statewide crises of homelessness, substance use disorder and mental health problems."

4. Parking, Cleanliness & Accessibility (BPD, DPW, Mayor’s Office):

* Parking Garages: The city admits garages have become “unwelcoming.” Proposed fixes include considering making certain violations criminal rather than civil, plus investments in lighting, security, maintenance, and public art.

* 2-Hour Free Parking: A cost estimate and funding recommendation is due to the City Council by June 1, 2025, to reinstate two free hours of downtown parking.

* Free Lunch Program Relocation (Food Not Bombs): This has been a focal point. The original resolution tasks the Mayor's Office, DPW, and BPD to relocate the free lunch program from the Marketplace garage by June 15, 2025, to a "more appropriate and secure location."

   * Amendment & Plan: An amendment passed Monday night specifically calls on the Mayor to present a plan to move the group "Food Not Bombs" (FNB) at the July 14, 2025, council meeting.

   * This comes after businesses requested the relocation. FNB, in turn, asked businesses to rescind signatures, with Ray Beecher of FNB stating, "What these businesses are really upset about is they don’t want to see poverty." Businesses like Home & Garden Vermont have replied that being pro-business doesn't mean being anti-unhoused or wanting mutual aid to stop.

Accountability:

* City departments must provide a coordinated report on actions listed in the resolution to the City Council within 45 days of its approval by the Mayor.