[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6117657,"mediaKeyId","2726319-cb13d710729cdddad0fb87e2e0409197","parentId",2726319,"title","Council extends security contract for downtown and Marketplace parking garages through FY25","audioSeconds",1305,"startMs",7728000,"endMs",9033000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2726319-cb13d710729cdddad0fb87e2e0409197&start=7728&end=9033","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2726319-cb13d710729cdddad0fb87e2e0409197/thumbnail_7728000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117657/Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Council-extends-security-contract-for-downtown-and-Marketplace-parking-garages-through-FY25","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117657-2124eacf2181ecefe80e445d3f5636be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214996&Signature=PgVHQMTDbAh8bqo4tyNJvqby5F2buzIWQbYUGojCHRJA9~o8QfUanYPcXfnoki7wq2niA-Dq2EL8uslEKphobVFWSXdoLvnLPkK~gNxBeM5R6dP~5mmVS2AukcOG3CuMeeWYMCqTlD95NlBiAJiTXYzQPDirKVtrnN54d50cypXOP011--lrFyIHwWFFI4Y6A8xVJnaI69Jez6PQHGYviG5uJKg1xp8fgyVJbr9fvhXXnC1I10Vklogawt6vigez7RtIy3j1fO5wDYtGQ5D7~YZtEaAXWg0DeZgZUXgnFM0GLYSWwFNcbpjxv4fDw6La0-fiwIV3UW2G6WyD7hkk3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Burlington City, VT","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Burlington City Council on Monday authorized the director of public works to amend the FY24–FY25 security contract with Green Mountain Concert Services to extend security coverage at the downtown and Marketplace parking garages through Sept. 30, 2025, for up to an additional $115,000, bringing the contract authorization to a not‑to‑exceed $395,000 total.

Councilor Milo Grant moved the authorization and the council approved the motion unanimously. Director Chapin Spencer and Division Director Jackie Asperti described the current approach: two private‑security shifts cover marketplace and downtown garages, supplemented by occasional Chittenden County sheriff shifts during weekday daytime hours when available. City staff said overnight vandalism in the downtown garage has declined from a previous spike but activity and cleanup needs — including graffiti removal and stairwell maintenance in the Marketplace garage — continue to require staffing.

Spencer said annual spending on garage security has ranged in recent years from about $105,000 to roughly $250,000 depending on hours and locations covered and that the FY25 budget contains funds for the extension. Councilor Grant said continued visible presence helps reduce repeat incidents and supports downtown businesses; the council approved the extension with a second from Councilor Bergman.

The council asked staff to provide incident and staffing data after the meeting; staff said Burlington Police Department has access to garage cameras and that BPD dispatch has increased monitoring and response in coordination with security contractors.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Burlington City Council - 03/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council authorized an amendment to extend the security services contract for Burlington’s downtown and Marketplace garages through Sept. 30, 2025, citing past vandalism and ongoing maintenance needs.","taxTitle","Burlington City, Chittenden County, Vermont","taxId",2751,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117661,"Council urges state support for Green Mountain Transit as GMT warns of service risk",386,2852000,3238000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2726319-cb13d710729cdddad0fb87e2e0409197&start=2852&end=3238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2726319-cb13d710729cdddad0fb87e2e0409197/thumbnail_2852000.jpg","/articles/6117661/Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Council-urges-state-support-for-Green-Mountain-Transit-as-GMT-warns-of-service-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117661-dd59856d4d4d27682af06cc2493d87cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214996&Signature=G-dlmg7JRNVyx-qPe0PAvPhq7PvgjWJj3CSd9gjK4sYBaLJsPThftMSdfoKHMxZxDqC8O22rWm8tjiBfr8zG6bL5gkdb7wEGF7NuECtiJm5DOuXWttEeliskOyvB~Va~5Xj3dJP-mmFpFH7w8mR1SfM5M~njqBPsgr3eJl2N~6UBZIfDsCuF8bHorh~KbukuQtW9jE4BzBGnA5WY3z4ZEmEHexsqGTuIY8glKlvbcOezjyvjfdq42NhvyHKA7zfV1pw6s0waAKG6aIoDEwNzOtiIZ9o6OPPwCwX697Vs-VmW9TWfvyfXha3mfv6HyRrCVBOhAt970Er5TmOMIpIyFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Burlington City Council on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution urging legislative and executive action to sustain funding for Green Mountain Transit (GMT) after GMT representatives described an uncertain funding outlook.

GMT General Manager Clayton Clark told the council GMT is “facing an uncertain future and ... a certain need for service reductions” without reliable funding. He said the agency has been advised there is a risk that federal funds for battery electric buses may not be guaranteed when the vehicles arrive and that the state legislature is considering changes that could separate GMT’s urban and rural service responsibilities.

Councilors expressed strong support for GMT. Councilor Barlow, sponsor of the resolution, asked colleagues to send a unanimous message to Montpelier to secure GMT’s operational funding and strategic planning dollars. Councilor Broderick and others warned that limiting GMT’s mission would harm broader access to affordable mass transit across the region.

GMT reported it has had some short‑term relief from the governor’s budget but said the broader question of whether to split urban and rural service carries momentum in the State House and could affect long‑term viability. GMT also said it has been told by the Federal Transit Administration there may be uncertainty about reimbursements for electric buses it plans to order.

The council voted to adopt the resolution; Councilor Barlow made the motion and Councilor Litwin seconded.","The council unanimously approved a resolution urging the state to provide stable funding for Green Mountain Transit after GMT warned of service reductions and funding uncertainty tied to federal and state developments.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117669,"Council removes Champlain College bed caps in zoning ordinance amendment, council hears college representative",256,2620000,2876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2726319-cb13d710729cdddad0fb87e2e0409197&start=2620&end=2876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2726319-cb13d710729cdddad0fb87e2e0409197/thumbnail_2620000.jpg","/articles/6117669/Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Council-removes-Champlain-College-bed-caps-in-zoning-ordinance-amendment-council-hears-college-representative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117669-e0b1080cd6d2d4e1b0a7d1de37e5ceee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214996&Signature=DUtoAKLpFjV7eEDm2knLHXxrYjnQulmBTCgHCcDH~cAsL5jMaTe6Rkl-ti2mRk1M4ZpFqK~wknV1j3YU4lUK~csTY~GsD6WPoTZyc3VOKJv0fmAjPPKOVh08the~vb2KsSAJeM7VTh~oNuTeWQ5MUlpAXt-JYkyDmVmIPL9dOhBo6DAwvwPRsidtN~vhQ1NOHB8MkImefpcAz-Yd0UO7Qfk8I5Hwwk05UvmqJcUSfJAjd6X1zrItcD75ZazWm8IIMHaG-BS1E4oQhHlsBoNK6nqA6qUu4ATLwSITYOsfi4fvootpa1DGl84RThYIVCPD7i2fZZEqtrhumEavS5qyOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Burlington City Council on Monday adopted an ordinance amending zoning to remove bed caps on Champlain College’s campus core areas, following a brief public hearing and staff review. The vote was unanimous.

Nick Anderson, vice president of planning and operations at Champlain College, attended the public hearing to answer questions, and Planning Director Charles Dillard told the council the change removes bed caps in the institutional core and the academic/residential core campuses but does not alter floor area ratio (FAR) limits that control development intensity. Dillard said that if Champlain seeks expanded housing beyond existing space, it would likely hit FAR limits and would otherwise need to convert existing office or classroom space back to housing.

Council members said they had consulted impacted neighbors and local planning-area groups. Councilor Shannon said the Ward 6 neighborhood planning association showed “some concern from close neighbors” but also general support; Councilor McKnight praised Champlain for steps that could “free up some other Champlain housing for the community to actually occupy.”

Dillard described Aiken Hall as an example: the building was originally a dorm, later converted to office space, and is being considered for conversion back to housing to meet student demand. The council voted to adopt the ordinance as amended by the ordinance committee after a motion to waive the reading and adopt.

No numeric ordinance identifier was presented during the hearing record in the transcript; the item was listed on the deliberative agenda as zoning amendment 25‑05.","The City Council unanimously adopted a zoning amendment to eliminate bed caps on Champlain College’s core campus areas; city planners said floor area ratio limits still regulate development intensity.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117675,"Council delays vote on resolution that would guarantee councilor access to city‑run shelters after months of public debate",3495,1632000,5127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2726319-cb13d710729cdddad0fb87e2e0409197&start=1632&end=5127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2726319-cb13d710729cdddad0fb87e2e0409197/thumbnail_1632000.jpg","/articles/6117675/Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Council-delays-vote-on-resolution-that-would-guarantee-councilor-access-to-cityrun-shelters-after-months-of-public-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117675-32ee9dd5cfb4c34abea3dec6caca925d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214996&Signature=J6VmnErdpHERgEEgfLQy9dRztQdJ0EeT7pHD7L8ck4HmFZo-oKQb0cXEbMh5NK4jECPRQhNOfJm13nfslMHAO9bDcsDGlIpvLlgodz0zGPeN83edPyhavsFPHxvO-9~KtyHTc2L~t7QRU~38r1KJOkVo3tDKtUdpjNSwZ~RF1oxsp6mo~~brsE2U~Cb~ljWg9TyDtrFES18k9qYC8AkMyFrBfPOAkEPMmMP40tjyLR3rlHdndvVKSatMHcYjnZxbusqjb2~8Zy9HQuCwnh0ix-AhKqvCDU9BojT0xZSIR3sYIozUsk8XMAUEoXJ4sJqg3EXxu9KEDa4GrVIeKo2T-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Burlington City Council on Monday postponed action on a contentious draft resolution that would guarantee councilors access to city‑owned buildings and programs, including emergency shelters and similar operations. The motion to postpone moved by Councilor Peter Carpenter carried 6–5 and the item was rescheduled for the March 24 meeting.

Councilors and the public debated the resolution after a prolonged public‑comment period in which many speakers opposed allowing councilors to visit shelters while they were operating. Speakers who work with or have used shelter services warned that visits by elected officials would deter people from using low‑barrier services and would harm clients’ privacy and dignity. For example, Aspen Cooper said, “These sites need to be as welcoming and accommodating as possible with low barriers for use,” and expressed concern about “infiltration by the government.” Several shelter users and service providers — including volunteers and shelter staff named in public comment — urged the council to protect guest privacy and said staff already manage complex operations.

Supporters of the resolution, led by Councilor Shannon, said the council has a charter responsibility to oversee municipal programs and that city councilors have been denied the ability to observe a city‑run emergency shelter at the Miller Center even after providing notice. Shannon said she and a state representative were turned away from the facility on Feb. 17 and argued the council should be able to confirm conditions in city programs: “This resolution is merely to recognize this council as a full partner in resolving challenges and to create transparency as to how our city program is being run.”

City officials — including the mayor and the city attorney — told the council that the Miller Center pop‑up shelter is operated by CVOEO with funding and contract terms from the Agency of Human Services and that the shelter’s visitor policy responds to privacy rules and partner contract language. The city attorney said obtaining informed consent from every guest would be required before permitting visitors while the shelter is operating, and staff said the pop‑up shelter model (often stood up with 48 hours’ notice and changing nightly guest lists) makes that very difficult.

Amid the debate, several councilors urged a collaborative process. Councilor Heather Litwin said the resolution “kick starts a much needed collaborative dialogue” and requested more time for discussion. Councilor Carpenter moved to postpone the item to March 24; the motion passed 6–5 with Travers, Shannon, McKnight, Carpenter, Barlow and Litwin voting in favor and Grant, Bergman, Broderick, Kane and Neubieser voting no.

Public commenters on both sides repeatedly referenced the Miller Center’s dual use as a shelter and a location for child care and after‑school programs. Multiple public speakers recounted experiences at the shelter and urged the council to prioritize dignity and safety. The council’s postponement allows time for additional meetings among council members, the mayor’s office and shelter partners before the item returns to the agenda.","After extensive public comment and heated council debate, the Burlington City Council voted 6–5 to postpone consideration of a resolution that would guarantee councilor access to city‑owned buildings and programs, including emergency shelters.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117680,"Mayor: Voters approve three bonds; city tracks emergency housing funds, names interim police chief and selects overdose provider",461,129000,590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2726319-cb13d710729cdddad0fb87e2e0409197&start=129&end=590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2726319-cb13d710729cdddad0fb87e2e0409197/thumbnail_129000.jpg","/articles/6117680/Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Mayor-Voters-approve-three-bonds-city-tracks-emergency-housing-funds-names-interim-police-chief-and-selects-overdose-provider","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117680-f477bac710a3637d2f2b12c6020b8b11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771214997&Signature=F1-L-ZvqMINe~lcNQvThaDXYjtfU-j5yttslQUiIH8Liwo3v1zDoojebqKKwG2pblQnVtXdSfhgipllHhA5YAQXX3C8wAeMS0u~T~TIbmTx-qjd4kttKUIMtO8WFr5jEsmrhdxFfUwMQTFD0z769ZbmYGcR3N7MSS-52k9Pquuzpv-fGSTwl3KmfEpsb~hmyAsWUEPX1qwFlx2FC~p3ZPAmxqWH31AAOwfi8wI4JAir2Ea1EqFJkIrcJksxt6FOVtafcFdNAdSG7bgvXlgBMHb16queTYQ3S7WBl0ldnAU2FaVaRv5nQtJS5tzhIBndaqQeHGFbZGtk-iU4rE6FUAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Burlington's mayor told the City Council Monday that voters approved three general obligation bonds and three city charter amendments by wide margins and urged local officials to press the state to extend emergency housing funding now under review in the mid‑year budget adjustment act.

The mayor said the three bonds passed with “over 80%” approval and one charter change — a prohibition on firearms in establishments that serve alcohol — received 89.9% voter support. She described the results as a mandate that will help the city press lawmakers in Montpelier on related policy work.

The mayor warned the council that the state budget adjustment act (BAA) includes $1.8 million intended to extend the state’s general assistance emergency housing program from April 1 to July 30. “There is a great worry that I hold if the $1,800,000 is not passed,” she said, adding the city tracks an estimate that about 88 Chittenden County households could be exited from motel emergency programs after April 1 and that roughly 400 children statewide could be affected. The mayor urged councilors to contact the governor to press for the funding.

On public-safety staffing, the mayor announced Sean Burke will join the Burlington Police Department as interim police chief on March 24. The council previously authorized creation of that interim position; the mayor said additional details on the chief’s initial focus are in a Board of Finance memo.

The mayor also announced that, following an LOI and review by a selection committee, the city has chosen Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform (VCJR) as the service provider for the planned overdose prevention center. She said the next steps include site selection, community engagement and education before any potential opening.

Regarding shelters and immediate winter response, the mayor said the city opened a cold weather emergency shelter for the ninth time this season and thanked CVOEO, city staff and volunteers for operating the lifesaving service. She noted pop‑up shelters are logistically difficult and said city staff debrief after each activation.

Other items the mayor highlighted: work to install temporary speed‑feedback signs after a recent serious accident on Route 127; a silver designation from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities program for Burlington’s data practices; a forthcoming climate advisory group of 22 members that will inventory city climate work; and continued federal grant uncertainty prompting internal contingency planning.

The mayor closed by thanking staff, community partners and volunteers and by noting additional public meetings, including a community safety forum scheduled for March 13 and a March 19 update on community safety work.","At Monday's Burlington City Council meeting the mayor highlighted passage of three city bonds and charter amendments, warned that proposed state budget changes could cut emergency housing assistance for hundreds, announced an interim police chief and named the selected service provider for a planned overdose prevention center.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council extends security contract for downtown and Marketplace parking garages through FY25

Council urges state support for Green Mountain Transit as GMT warns of service risk

Council removes Champlain College bed caps in zoning ordinance amendment, council hears college representative

Council delays vote on resolution that would guarantee councilor access to city‑run shelters after months of public debate

Mayor: Voters approve three bonds; city tracks emergency housing funds, names interim police chief and selects overdose provider