Burlington Electric Department

This document outlines progress toward Burlington's 2030 Vision to become a Net Zero Energy city by eliminating fossil fuel usage across electric, thermal, and ground transportation sectors. Key areas of focus include significant greenhouse gas emission reductions in ground transportation and thermal/building sectors, increased adoption of electric vehicles, and comprehensive electrification and efficiency incentives. The plan highlights progress and challenges while detailing ongoing initiatives and future steps to achieve its ambitious climate goals.

The meeting addressed several significant topics, beginning with technology challenges and a discussion about entering public comments into the record, specifically input from Karina Driscoll concerning urban homesteading and food self-sufficiency. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding usage, particularly regarding data collection on Burlington residents served by grantees and the federal government's restrictions on using CDBG funds for neighborhood clean-up initiatives. Furthermore, there was an invitation to a Fair Housing Committee meeting. The primary focus shifted to tenant protection issues, where the Burlington Tenants Union presented demands addressing the housing crisis. Key demands included increasing the power of the Housing Board of Review (HBR) to function as the main tenant resource body, restructuring its makeup to reflect tenant demographics, expanding its role to include landlord/tenant education and legal resources, and demanding enforcement of rulings against landlords who refuse property repairs. Other major discussion points included the need for improved code enforcement practices favoring tenants over landlords, advocating for rent control to mitigate high rental costs, and implementing Just Cause eviction ordinances to provide tenants stability. Finally, there were discussions regarding providing safe parking and camping areas for unsheltered people, including sanitation and trash removal.

The Burlington Electric Commission held a regular meeting where they elected officers, with Commissioner Moody as Chair and Commissioner Whitaker as Vice Chair. They discussed updates from the General Manager, including concept papers for DOE funding, strategic electrification incentives, thermal policy, and storm events. The commission also reviewed the November FY23 financials, discussed the McNeil Station budget, and provided updates on District Energy. The meeting also covered topics such as the Net Zero Energy Calendar, energy assistance programs, website and Facebook highlights, energy services, electric vehicles, and heat pump installations.

The meeting included a public forum where concerns were raised about issues such as the effectiveness and anonymity of the SeeClickFix system for reporting code violations, and general frustrations with neighborhood cleanliness. The committee also discussed the Housing Board of Review, its functions, and potential improvements. Topics included the board's role in security deposit disputes and minimum housing standard cases, the volume of cases, and the possibility of expanding the board's duties. There was also discussion of educational efforts for landlords and tenants, and the allocation of housing registration fees for landlord tenant education.

The meeting of the Community Development Neighborhood Revitalization Committee focused on a discussion about just cause eviction. Vermont Legal Aid staff presented their findings on the topic. The discussion included public comments and a review of a memo regarding legal aspects of eviction. The committee also shared real-life examples from their work in the Housing Discrimination Law Project, focusing on cases where no-cause eviction led to housing discrimination and its impact on tenants.