Mayor Weinberger and City Council to Take Infrastructure and Net Zero Agenda to Voters in December  

Voters to Consider $20 Million BED Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond to Advance Climate Goals and a $40 Million General Obligation Bond to Fund Capital Investments, Average Cost Impact for Home-owners to be Approximately $160 a Year 

Burlington, VT – The City of Burlington Board of Finance and City Council each advanced the Administration’s proposals to bring forward two landmark bonds for a Citywide vote this December. The first bond is a $20 million Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond for Burlington Electric Department (BED) to accelerate progress toward the City's climate goals while reducing upward rate pressure for BED customers. The second bond is a $40 million General Obligation (GO) bond to fund the City’s continued Capital Plan investments in streets, sidewalks, bridges, civic assets, information technology and public safety infrastructure, and deferred maintenance at Memorial Auditorium. 

“Public infrastructure is the foundation of the quality of life and economic vitality that we have enjoyed here in Burlington. Prior to the creation of the Capital Plan in 2015 Burlington faced numerous challenges as a result of chronic underinvestment and delayed maintenance of critical infrastructure,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “These bonds represent a fiscally responsible path for us to make robust investments across the City’s infrastructure and to make meaningful progress on our climate goals.” 

Among the first of its kind nationwide, the Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond proposal was recommended by the Burlington Electric Commission by a 5-0 vote before receiving unanimous approval from the Board of Finance and City Council on September 13th.  

The $20 million Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond proceeds would support numerous investments, including: 

• Approximately $12.3 million for grid upgrades for reliability and to accommodate new loads from EVs and heat pumps. 

• Approximately $3.9 million for technology systems to better serve BED customers and to offer new dynamic rates to help more customers switch economically from fossil fuels. 

• Approximately $2.2 million for maintenance of BED’s renewable generation plants and conversion of a gas turbine peaker plant to run on renewable biodiesel instead of oil. 

• Approximately $1.5 million for new EV charging stations, a new electric bucket truck, and new demand management technologies.  

In addition, the proposal includes dedicating $5.3 million from a different financing source, BED’s annual GO bonds, to help double customer strategic electrification incentive funding for fiscal years (FY) 2023-2025. These incentives help customers switch from fossil fuels to electric vehicles, cold-climate heat pumps, electric bikes, electric lawn equipment, and other clean electric technologies.  

In the immediate future, the Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond would reduce upward rate pressure significantly for BED customers relative to a scenario where BED made the above-mentioned investments without the bond. Looking further into the future, new revenue from strategic electrification projects between FY23 and FY25 is projected to contribute approximately 40 percent of BED’s obligation over the 20-year debt service life of the bonds as other BED debt is being retired. In addition, BED projects approximately $684,000 in annual savings from maturity of existing BED revenue bond debt which will provide additional capacity toward Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond repayment. 

The $40 million General Obligation bond, as approved this evening by the City Council 10-1, would advance critical infrastructure investments in bridges, IT infrastructure, project management, civic buildings, public safety infrastructure, Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront, and: 

• $3.5 million in bond proceeds for local match commitments that will leverage an additional $60 million State and Federal Transportation Grant funds. 

• $2.7 million for sidewalks and $1.4 million for streets that, combined with $7.8 million in Street Capital revenues, will drive $11.9 million in sidewalk and street investments over three years, maintaining the Administration’s five-year initiative to triple the City’s investment historically - with the expectation Burlington will receive additional funding through the new federal infrastructure bill. 

• $2.5 million for intersections and bike infrastructure, advancing the BTV Bike/Walk plan.  

• Up to $10 million to address long-deferred maintenance at Memorial Auditorium.  

Special Election December 7 

The $60 million in bonds will be voted on in this special election allowing the City capture historically low interest rates. The Mayor also said the pandemic has set the City’s infrastructure planning back by one year resulting in a lower rate of infrastructure investment for the FY21 construction season. Waiting until spring for a vote will impact negatively a second straight construction season. In the City's FY22 Budget Survey Burlingtonians showed overwhelming support for infrastructure investment. 

While the $20 million NetZero Energy Bond is largely cost-neutral and solely repayable through BED electric revenues, taxpayers would see moderate impacts over time driven by the $40 million GO bond. Homeowners with a median-priced home ($379,100) would see an increase beginning at less than $7 a month in 2023, and reaching approximately $13 a month once fully drawn down in 2025. Moody’s Investors Service recently affirmed BED’s existing A3 rating on outstanding revenue bonds in August and an Aa3 rating for the City of Burlington in September. 

Ballots will be mailed to all registered Burlington voters by October 23 for the December 7 special election.  

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Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement on Burlington Police Department Stabilization Plan  

Burlington, VT – Burlington, VT – On Monday, September 27, Mayor Miro Weinberger and Acting Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad will be seeking City Council Approval for the Burlington Police Department’s $1.27 Million ARPA-funded Stabilization Plan, which would provide $1.12 million in retention incentives, and $150,000 in recruitment incentives. Mayor Weinberger made the following statement:  

“I certainly recognize this proposal represents a significant deployment of our available one-time federal ARPA dollars, however, it is crystal clear that we must take immediate decisive action to stabilize the police department so we are able to keep our community safe. As a direct result of the Council’s action last year, we now face a stark reality, having lost more than 20 of our police officers, and according to a recent survey completed by the Burlington Police Officers’ Association, more than 50 percent of our remaining officers are actively working to leave our employment. If we let that happen, we will cease to have a fully functional police department in the City of Burlington. Public safety is the top responsibility of City government, and we are approaching the point where we can no longer fulfill this responsibility.   

I once again am asking the City Council to send the message to the public and our officers that they share the priorities of public safety and maintaining a viable police department.” 

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Joint Statement from Leaders of the Joint Committee on Police Transformation and Mayor Weinberger  

Burlington, VT – Co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Police Transformation, Police Commissioner Shireen Hart and Councilor Zoraya Hightower, and Mayor Miro Weinberger, release the following joint statement:

“Under the leadership of Director Tyeastia Green, we reviewed the draft report over the last few days, and met yesterday with the CNA consultants to ask clarifying questions.  

At this stage, we are very encouraged by the thoroughness of CNA’s inquiry and analysis, and believe their assessment will be a useful resource for developing consensus about the future of public safety in this community and implementing meaningful changes. However, we caution that this document is still a draft, and that there may be important clarifications to the final document. We note that the draft report’s recommendation for 76 to 83 “require(d)” officers does not equate to an “authorized cap”.  Further, where the City’s police staffing should fall in this range is dependent on a number of other factors and policy changes – in addition to required officers, the consultants provide 150 other recommendations.  

It is unfortunate that the report was leaked before it was finalized. We do not wish premature analysis to erode the public’s confidence in the final report, as we all trust the process that produced it.”  

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Mayor Weinberger Announces Additional $1,795,000 of Immediate ARPA Investment 

Funds will support urgent eligible needs; public health response, economic impacts, and water resources 

Burlington, VT – Last night, the Burlington City Council unanimously approved the Administration’s proposal for the immediate release of $1,795,000 from the City’s outstanding $27 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation.  

“We must carefully steward this incredible, one time investment of federal funds and ensure that Burlington not only remains one of the safest cities in the nation, but is also positioned to lead the economic recovery ahead for Vermont and the region,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger.  

The $1.795 million in funds are urgently needed to support a variety of eligible expenses to address ongoing public health response, water resources investments, and economic impacts of the citywide reappraisal on some homeowners, including:  

Public Health Response – $685,000  

• Wastewater Testing Program: The City will extend the current weekly testing program with its vendor for Sars-Cov-2, variants and the flu/RSV, as well as other public health indictors, until the end of June 2022. 
• Mask purchasing: To support participant safety at the City’s public meetings, the City will purchase approximately 50,000 masks. 
• Air purifiers & replacement filters: The City will purchase several additional air purifiers for high traffic locations within public buildings. 
• City employee Covid testing kits: Beginning October 11, all City Employees will be required to be vaccinated, or submit a negative COVID-19 test result on a weekly basis.  
• City employee Covid vaccination bonus: The Administration committed to providing $100 bonus to employees who are fully vaccinated by October 11.  
• Ongoing vaccination support: Community partners like the Association of Africans Living in Vermont, the VT Professionals of Color Network, USCRI VT, the Black Perspective, the Racial Justice Alliance, and UVM’s LEND Program will continue to be absolutely crucial partners as we look ahead to the possible approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children under 12, and the potential for third dose “booster” shots. 
• COVID-19 screening, testing, PPE resources for Long Term Care facilities: Long Term Care facilities in Burlington continue to share needs with the Administration for resources to manage staff testing, monitor visitors, and comply with other health guidance or requirements. In absence of state funding, City support could take the form of grants to support needs of Long-term Care and Senior Day Facilities.  
• Ventilation improvements at 200 Church Street: Urgent ventilation upgrades are necessary to ensure a safe work environment and to combat transmission risk. 

Citywide property tax credit lag relief – $250,000  
The State-mandated, Citywide property reappraisal has led to an increase in the property tax burden of many homeowners in the City of Burlington. Approximately 70% of Burlington homeowners qualify for a property tax credit from the State of Vermont. The State acknowledges a lag or lookback in this process, and the City has consulted with the State of Vermont Tax Department to ensure that a City relief grant program targets those who are affected by the lag – that is, those who have a primary home whose value went up 40% or more in the reappraisal and are also eligible for the property tax credit, and who meet the same criteria around Covid as the Vermont Housing Finance Agency’s forthcoming Vermont Homeowner Assistance Program. 

Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater –  $860,000  
The Department of Public Works will deploy ARPA funding for renewal of the City’s water, wastewater and stormwater mains and the City portion (50%) of the water service line in the Right of Way on University Place. This will ensure coordination of upcoming University Place reinvestment in City infrastructure, protect the critical high service water mains around the UVM Medical Center, and spur UVM to simultaneously address problem utility services to their buildings.

"Since the initial FY22 budget allocation, we have confirmed that an additional $9 million of county funds will be coming to Burlington, giving us the ability to fund these urgent initiatives, and continue to have $15 million of ARPA funds for priority investments that we will be engaging the community about in the months ahead,” said Kara Alnasrawi, the City’s Economic Recovery Director. 

Next Steps  

Mayor Weinberger has also instructed the Economic Recovery Director and her team to create a public engagement plan around the investment of the City’s remaining ARPA funds. The Economic Recovery Team has studied the US Treasury Interim Final Rule, the subsequent Treasury FAQs, consulted with local legal experts to clarify interpretations, researched how other municipalities plan to use funds, and carefully monitored state and federal programs to avoid redundancies. The next steps in the public engagement process will include: 

• Convening an internal ARPA Task Force, including members of REIB, CEDO, and the City’s COVID Response Leader to assist in reviewing potential projects and creating a survey to encourage public participation. 
• Conducting a community survey that will be translated into 8 languages, and mobilize volunteers to solicit responses from a broad section of the population. 
• Hosting a town hall to provide the community with the chance to give more additional input. 

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Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement on Upcoming City Council Resolution 

Burlington, VT – Tonight, the Burlington City Council will deliberate on a Resolution “Calling For Justice And Peaceful End To Palestine And Israel Conflict”. Mayor Miro Weinberger made the following statement:    

“While I support efforts to advance full equality and human rights for all and am deeply troubled by the current status of Israeli-Palestinian relations, I cannot support the Resolution that has been submitted to the City Council for action tonight. Specifically, I oppose the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement that seeks to weaken and delegitimize an important and long-standing partner of the United States, the democratic State of Israel. Further, I find the Resolution as it is written to be an inappropriate and counterproductive declaration for our local legislative body, and find it very unfortunate that the sponsors have brought it forward during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the holiest days of the year for our Jewish residents who are engaged in worship and acts of charity. I urge the Council to reject this Resolution outright and make clear that Burlington does not support the divisive BDS movement. If instead, the City Council wants to pass a resolution that espouses the shared values of our Burlington community, including peace, security, and a positive economic environment for the region, then it should begin with a fresh effort.” 

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Mayor Weinberger Statement on the 20 Year Anniversary of September 11th 

Burlington, VT - Today, Saturday, September 11th marks 20 years since the tragic, unprecedented terrorist attacks on American soil which claimed the lives of thousands at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Mayor Miro Weinberger made the following statement:  

 “For communities across the country, this Saturday marks a solemn milestone. Few events in our nation's history have brought such a shared experience, or one of such profound fear, grief, and uncertainty. I was living in New York City in 2001 and will never forget the hours of dread when I could not reach my wife Stacy who was working in lower Manhattan that morning. I will also always hold on to the memories of the profound demonstrations of community, caring, and genuine heroism that were so commonplace in the minutes, days, and months following the attacks on September 11th and the brave, selfless acts of our nation's career first responders among the ranks of military, fire, and police personnel who answered their call to duty, including Vermont’s own National Guard members. In those examples of personal courage and collective effort from twenty years ago, we should find the resilience to face the crises before us and the confidence that together we will not only heal but forge incredible progress.” 

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Mayor Weinberger Announces Church Street Marketplace 40th Anniversary Celebrations  

Opened September 1981, the Marketplace Now Welcomes 1.5 Million Visitors a Year 

Burlington, VT - Today, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, along with local leaders, merchants, and commissioners of the Church Street Marketplace, gathered in the Church Street Marketplace outside City Hall to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Marketplace and to announce upcoming festivities happening on Church Street. Festivities begin Friday, September 17, and include live performances, a movie night, activities for kids and families, and giveaways. 

In attendance for today’s celebration was U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy who, along with his then-Chief of Staff Paul Bruhn, secured a federal grant to support the construction of the Church Street Marketplace in 1981. Burlington voters, with the support of then-Mayor Gordon Paquette, passed a bond to fund the City’s share of construction costs, and on September 15, 1981, the Church Street Marketplace opened. The Marketplace now welcomes an estimated 1.5 million visitors a year.  

“The Church Street Marketplace is the indisputable heart of our Downtown, and a place that provides lasting memories for neighbors and visitors alike,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “I want to thank the many visionary leaders who worked so hard to create the Marketplace 40 years ago, the dedicated City staff who maintain this landmark space for the community, and most importantly, the merchants, vendors, shoppers, and visitors who make the Marketplace such a vibrant and special place.”  

The Church Street Marketplace is a business improvement district created in 1981, that includes the public street and all properties that abut Church Street between Pearl and Main Streets. It is a National Register Historic District and has been named one of the Great Public Spaces in America for its historic buildings, thriving retail trade, carefully maintained streets and walkways, and strong community support.  

40th Anniversary Festivities in the Church Street Marketplace  

• 4:00 pm Friday, September 17, Kick-Off – Burlington High School Band will perform on the Mall Block.  

• 7:00 pm, Friday, September 17, Free Movie Night with Ben & Jerry's – Between Pearl St and Cherry St, come watch Footloose on the Marketplace and celebrate 40 years of the marketplace with an 80's classic! 

• 2 – 6:00 pm, Saturday, September 18, Church Street Marketplace Birthday Bash - Throughout the Marketplace find; live music from Church St DJ's, Kid activities (face painting, giant games, big blue train), giveaways (including free ice cream and gift certificates to Marketplace restaurants), discounts to your favorite Marketplace stores, and free historic tours of the Marketplace. 

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Mayor Weinberger Seeks Termination of Gene Richards as Director of Aviation 

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced his initiation of the process, per City Charter, to terminate the appointment of Aviation Director Gene Richards, following findings by an independent investigator that he mistreated City employees and violated city practice regarding the use of City property. 

In June 2021, a Federal Aviation Administration employee reported the repeated use of a gasoline facility at the airport by an individual in a private vehicle. Human Resources Director Kerin Durfee and Chief Administrative Officer Katherine Schad immediately initiated an investigation, and through clear documentation, established that Mr. Richards was the subject of the FAA employee’s report. Mayor Weinberger then authorized Director Durfee and CAO Schad to place Mr. Richards on paid administrative leave on June 30, 2021. The investigation quickly confirmed that Mr. Richards had used the gasoline facility to fuel his personal vehicle 59 times in a six-month period, without any documentation of what fuel or travel was for the purpose of work.  

During preliminary interviews, airport employees further alleged that Mr. Richards mistreated his colleagues and committed additional instances of misuse of City property. The City contracted an independent investigator to ensure a fair, focused and careful examination of each allegation.  

The investigator found that, while not an explicit violation of City policy, Mr. Richards’ use of the gasoline facility without approval violated City practices regarding City property and created an appearance of misuse of City property. More significantly, the report found widespread corroboration by current and former City employees that Mr. Richards violated City policy by regularly engaging in behavior that employees find humiliating and offensive, including yelling, screaming, name-calling, and using profanity. 

The investigation found all other allegations of misuse of City resources for personal use by Mr. Richards to be unsubstantiated. 

The Mayor has told Mr. Richards he no longer has confidence in his ability to run the airport and asked him to resign. Mr. Richards has declined. Therefore, Mayor Weinberger has suspended Mr. Richards without pay, effective today, and will call a special meeting of the City Council on the evening of September 9 to conduct a termination hearing, per this section of the City Charter: 

Chapter 5, § 3-129. Appointing body or person has power to remove: 

“Additionally, the City Council may, on the initiative of the Mayor, by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of its entire number, remove at any time at its pleasure any City officer or department head it should determine is no longer effectively serving the City, and all City officers and department heads shall take and hold office subject to this authority.” 

Mr. Nic Longo will continue to serve as Acting Director of Aviation.  

Mayor Weinberger made the following statement:  

“The mistreatment of City employees documented in this investigation is unacceptable and Mr. Richards can no longer serve the City in a leadership role, despite his many past accomplishments. 

The work of the City is important, hard, and often stressful, and regardless of the challenges we confront I expect all employees to treat their colleagues with respect, fairness, and professionalism while they carry out their duties. I believe that Department Heads, in particular, must lead by example in order for us to achieve our best performance for the people of Burlington. Regrettably, Mr. Richards did not maintain this high standard of service I require from City leadership. 

I appreciate the members of the Airport team who raised concerns. I hope my colleagues see in these events the deep commitment of this administration to its employees. I will continue to prioritize our shared values of collaboration, belonging, and respect across all areas of work the City team endeavors to do together.” 

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The Investigation Summary is Available Here. 

Mayor Weinberger Announces New, Targeted Public Health Interventions Against Covid-19 

Mayor Implements Vaccination and Masking Policies for All City of Burlington Employees and Directs City Health Officer to visit Skilled Nursing Facilities  

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced several, targeted public health interventions against Covid-19 including requirements for all City employees to mask when interacting with members of the public indoors and to either be vaccinated or submit to regular Covid-19 testing. The Mayor also addressed concerns about protecting residents of Burlington’s skilled nursing facilities and has directed the City’s Health Officer Bill Ward to visit these facilities to observe current protocols.  

Mayor Weinberger said, “The science is clear, the Covid vaccines in use in the United States are safe and powerfully effective at reducing the spread and serious illness caused by Covid-19. I urge employers in Burlington to do what they can with the tools they have to bring our community-wide vaccination rates even higher by joining the City team and a growing number of public and private organizations who are requiring employee vaccinations or testing.” 

The city’s vaccination policy requires all employees to either receive the Covid-19 vaccination or receive weekly testing. The indoor mask policy requires all employees to wear a mask indoors when interacting with members of the public on official City business, regardless of vaccination status, until transmission levels in Chittenden County have returned to moderate levels as defined by the CDC. The vaccination policy is available here, and the mask policy is available here.  

In making these decisions, the Administration reviewed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Vermont Department of Health and consulted repeatedly with the leaders of our municipal employee unions. 

The Mayor also announced a series of steps that he has taken in recent weeks to ensure the safety of residents of Burlington’s Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) as the Delta variant has been circulating and concerns about waning effectiveness of vaccines among the elderly and immunocompromised has grown.  In August, the Mayor has: 

• Convened an urgent special meeting of the City’s senior provider working group to discuss the Delta variant and employee vaccinations. 

• Engaged in multiple direct calls with the Vermont Department of Health elevating the issue of employee vaccinations in SNFs. 

• Released a public statement on August 6th to focus public attention on this urgent issue.  

• Sent a communication to Burlington’s three SNFs on August 11th encouraging them to mandate vaccinations for all employees. 

• Directed the City’s Health Officer, William Ward, to observe operations at the three SNFs on August 20 to ensure that proper Covid precautions were in place.  Ward found that all three facilities have strong procedures in place for visitors and indoor masking, and are requiring all employees that are not vaccinated to be tested weekly, and are making plans to meet President Biden’s new vaccine requirements for employees in September. 

The Mayor says that the City will continue its direct partnership with senior providers and will work to ensure that long-term care facilities in the City have support in complying with new federal requirements.  

“In recent weeks I have worked to raise and address concerns about the growing risks to our vulnerable, elderly residents of Burlington Skilled Nursing Facilities where we have already experienced too much tragedy during this pandemic,” said Mayor Weinberger. “The City’s site visits to Burlington’s three SNFs have reassured me that great care is being taken to protect those facilities during this period of high virus transmission.  The City will continue to support our senior service providers in doing all they can to prevent avoidable deaths. I want the families of elderly residents in Burlington facilities to know that we will continue working to keep your loved ones safe." 

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Mayor Weinberger Announces New Police Chief Position Posting and Releases Public Engagement Report  

Robust Public Engagement Process Informed Ideal Candidate Profile 

Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced a position posting for Burlington’s next Police Chief Position. In May 2021, Mayor Weinberger announced the Administration would resume the Police Chief search and began the process with a robust public engagement effort to seek community feedback on policing in Burlington, qualifications our community would like to see in the next Police Chief, and the important priorities for our next Police Chief.  

“After hearing from hundreds of Burlingtonians in recent months, it is clear that the community is looking for the next Chief of Police to maintain the high level of public safety we have long-enjoyed while forging a new consensus on the future of policing here and advancing important structural and cultural reforms,” said Mayor Weinberger. “I want to thank the many people who participated in this process and helped create a strong foundation for our effort to find the right next leader of the Burlington Police Department.” 

The public engagement process included a survey, which was available in eight languages and received over 588 responses. Mayor Weinberger and City Councilors and Police Commission members who are serving on the Search Committee held listening sessions with the following groups: LBGTQ+ community, business community, youth, parents and educators, Black community leaders & activists, Police Department staff, and the Burlington Police Officers Association. Feedback from this community process informed the Ideal Candidate Profile developed by the Mayor’s Office, which accompanies the position posting. 

 The Mayor anticipates commencing candidate interviews within a month and hopes to announce an appointee this fall following a rigorous vetting process. 

The Burlington Police Chief position posting and Burlington Police Chief Search Public Engagement Report are available here.  

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