FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 30, 2015
Contact:  Jennifer Kaulius
                 802.324.2505

Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement on Homicide Investigation and Arrest

“Last night’s arrest of the suspected shooter brings welcome resolution and clarity to Sunday morning’s homicide. Thank you to our officers who acted decisively and skillfully in the moments after the shooting, and to Chief Brandon del Pozo and his team for leading a swift, successful investigation and arrest involving coordination among multiple law enforcement agencies. The 150-year-old Burlington Police Department has demonstrated once again the critical role that it plays in keeping Burlington a safe and close-knit community. It is now time for the justice system to evaluate this case."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 21, 2015
Contact:  Jennifer Kaulius
                 802.324.2505

Administration Releases Downtown Parking & Transportation Plan
Data-Driven Recommendations Will Improve Downtown Experience and Make System Efficient and Financially Sound;
Plan is the Product of Close Collaboration with the Burlington Business Association and 2+ Years of Public Outreach

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger’s Administration has released the final draft of the Downtown Parking & Transportation Plan (the plan) and is seeking City Council adoption at its December 21 meeting tonight. The plan is the culmination of more than two years of work and represents a new attempt to approach downtown parking issues systematically and comprehensively. The plan builds on extensive public input and recent steps to improve customer experience, including parking meters that accept credit cards and a new pay-by-phone option.

“This effort will add to the dynamism of our downtown and make Burlington a better place to live, work, and visit,” said Mayor Weinberger. “The recommendations in the plan reflect careful and comprehensive analysis of the system and will make the parking system cleaner, safer, more usable, financially solvent, and supportive of bikers and walkers.”

Summary of goals and major recommendations
The goals of the downtown parking plan are to design a parking and transportation system that will:

• Deliver a consistently positive customer experience;
• Ensure the continued vitality of downtown Burlington; and
• Create a parking system which is fiscally sound and operationally efficient.
   

The plan’s topline recommendations include:

• Offer a range of parking options and price points that reflect demand;
• Employ new technology like Pay-by-Phone to improve customer experience;
• Complete parking garage capital improvements in phases – 2015-2017, with a focus on cleanliness and safety;
• Bring underutilized private parking lots and garages into the system for public use; and
• Promote active transportation modes – such as walking, bicycling, and public transit – via targeted and proactive education and outreach.

Plan created through partnership between DPW, CEDO, and BBA
The plan represents more than two years of close collaboration between the Department of Public Works (DPW), the Community & Economic Development Office (CEDO), and the Burlington Business Association (BBA). 

“Every business knows how important it is to make a great first impression. Parking sets the first and last impression for nearly everyone who comes downtown,” said BBA President Kelly Devine. “This plan’s recommendations will create a great parking and transportation experience. It will be more convenient and pleasant to come downtown to shop, eat, play, do business, and visit. The report’s recommendations offer a change for the better for Burlington. Passage of the plan is a critical first step to continue to build upon the positive change we’ve seen over the past two years of planning work and pilot testing, and the business community looks forward to advancing this plan.”

“Following years of underinvestment that led to deteriorating infrastructure, the recommendations give Burlington a roadmap to complete $9 million of deferred capital repairs on the garages that will deliver a more welcoming, more customer-friendly experience,” said DPW Director Chapin Spencer. “In addition, this plan provides new tools for serving a range of downtown parking and mobility needs –discounted debit cards for part-time and low-wage workers, night-time leases for downtown residents, and discounted transit passes and secure bike parking for commuters.”

The plan was informed by extensive public outreach, including a fall 2013 Parking Summit attended by more than 200 people, and over 60 stakeholder meetings, including the Council-appointed Parking Advisory Committee (please see the attached letter from Parking Advisory Committee Chair Dan Bradley), members of the Burlington business community, the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, the DPW Commission, and other stakeholders, including:

• Downtown employees  and employers
• Seniors
• Arts and culture organizations
• Faith community
• Bike and pedestrian community
• Accessibility Committee
• Police Commission
• City Council and the Transportation, Energy, Utilities Committee
• Neighborhood Planning Assemblies
• Church Street Marketplace Commission
   

Parking system reforms and good stewardship of City assets
A 2014 physical assessment of the City’s three downtown garages found the need for $9 million of investment over the next three years. The initial $1.6 million of Phase I repairs were started this fall and will be completed next summer. Phase II repairs are expected to begin mid-summer 2016. The proposed plan would enable responsible stewardship of the garages in the years to come. Recommendations in the plan that impact parking rates and City finances would still be subject to future review and approval with opportunity for public input.

The plan’s changes also include additional enhancements for other modes of transportation and are complemented by the recent completion of the City’s new “wayfinding” signs that make it easier to find available parking and other attractions across the City.

Please see the following attachments for additional information:

• Letter from Dan Bradley, Chair of the Parking Advisory Committee, to City Councilors dated December 14, 2015
• Memo from Chapin Spencer (DPW), Kelly Devine (BBA), Diana Colangelo (CEDO), and Desman Associates to City Councilors dated December 14, 2015
• Executive Summary of the Downtown Parking & Transportation Plan
• Public Engagement Summary of the Downtown Parking & Transportation Plan

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 18, 2015
Contact:  Jennifer Kaulius
                 802.324.2505

Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement on BPD Arrest

“I am pleased that Burlington Police officers were able to defuse the dangerous situation in the early morning hours today at Zen Lounge involving an intoxicated individual threatening others with a firearm after being kicked out of the establishment. This incident underscores long-standing concerns about current rules which allow patrons to enter bars with weapons, and supports the importance of the City’s proposed charter change that would end this practice that Burlingtonians overwhelmingly supported on Town Meeting Day 2014.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 18, 2015
Contact:  Jennifer Kaulius
                 802.324.2505

Mayor Miro Weinberger Appoints Justin St. James
as New Assistant City Attorney

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today announced the appointment of Justin St. James as the City’s newest Assistant City Attorney. Mr. St. James, a New Hampshire native, comes to the City of Burlington after nearly four years working as a union attorney and negotiator in Oregon and Vermont. Mayor Weinberger will request the City Council’s approval of this appointment at its December 21, 2015 meeting. If approved, Mr. St. James will start his service to the City on January 4, 2016.

“The City Attorney’s Office plays a critical role protecting taxpayers from financial risks and sorting through complex local governance issues created by emerging technologies and social challenges,” said Mayor Weinberger. “I am excited to add Justin’s considerable experience and energy to this key City Hall team.”

“We look forward to having Justin join our team here in City Hall,” said City Attorney Eileen Blackwood. “Justin’s enthusiasm for the task ahead is contagious, and we are eager to begin our great work together.”

Mr. St. James, a New Hampshire native, has a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from Wake Forest University and a JD from the University of Oregon. He serves on the board of the Restorative Justice Panel in Montpelier, and served as the campaign manager for two candidates for statewide office in Oregon after graduating from law school. Mr. St. James also worked as the chief negotiator for an AFSCME council in Salem, Oregon. In addition, he has experience working in a New Hampshire County Attorney’s Office and served as a law clerk in the Oregon Department of Justice’s Criminal Justice Division. He most recently served as Associate General Counsel with the Vermont State Employees’ Association, having been promoted from Staff Attorney a little over a year and a half after joining the organization.

Mr. St. James’s appointment follows an extensive search that resulted in 25 applicants who met the minimum application requirements from Vermont and around the country. The details of the search process are outlined in the attached memorandum to the City Council.

“I am excited and grateful for this opportunity to work for the City with the dedicated team in the City Attorney’s Office,” said Mr. St. James.

Please see attached documents, including:

• Memorandum from Mayor Miro Weinberger to City Councilors dated December 17, 2015 requesting approval of appointment of Justin St. James as Assistant City Attorney; and
• Cover letter and curriculum vitae of Justin St. James.
   

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 16, 2015
Contact:  Jennifer Kaulius
                 802.324.2505

Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement on Paris Climate Agreement
City One of Nearly 400 Communities from Around the World
to Join Compact of Mayors Announced in Paris

“I applaud the consensus world leaders reached last week at the 21^st Conference of the Parties (COP21) United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris, France in addressing this global challenge directly and setting achievable targets to move away from carbon-based fuels. Burlington is proud to be one of the nearly 400 cities committed to playing a role in ensuring that the landmark Paris agreement results in progress against climate change. Burlington has signed on to the Compact of Mayors, a global coalition of cities dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and making their communities more resilient to climate change. The actions we take at a local level are part of a larger collective effort that will have global impact and create a better world for future generations.”

Burlington has long been committed to reducing locally produced greenhouse gases. The City adopted its first Climate Action Plan in 2000. The original plan, including 39 key strategies, was updated and ratified in 2014. With the September 2014 purchase of the Winooski One hydroelectric facility, Burlington became the first city in the country to source 100 percent of its electric needs from renewable means. In April, Burlington was recognized as a 4-STAR community by the STAR Community Rating System, the nation’s first framework and certification program for local sustainability, due in part to our work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By signing on to the Compact of Mayors, the City of Burlington further demonstrates its ongoing commitment to track greenhouse gas emissions, advance projects that reduce carbon emissions, regularly report progress publicly, and make Burlington more resilient to climate change in the years ahead.

As one of the key initiatives launched at the United Nations Climate Summit in September of 2014, the Compact of Mayors is the world’s largest collective effort to date by cities to tackle climate change, proactively prepare for its impacts, and regularly track and report progress. The Compact was activated under the leadership of the global city networks—C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)—and with support from UN-Habitat, the UN’s lead agency on urban issues. 396 cities committed to the Compact ahead of COP21, and the collective impact of these commitments will deliver over half of the world’s potential urban emissions reductions by 2020.

For more information and  a full list of Compact cities, including Burlington and Montpelier, please visit: http://www.compactofmayors.org/cities/.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 14, 2015
Contact:   Mike Kanarick
                  802.735.7962

Burlington Electric’s 100 Percent Renewability Accomplishment Featured Internationally in Connection with Paris Climate Change Conference

Burlington, VT – The Burlington Electric Department (BED) and its 100 percent renewably-sourced power accomplishment have been featured internationally in connection with the 21^st Conference of the Parties (COP21) United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris. Broadcasts in France, Canada, and the United States have aired over the past week, and one in South Korea aired this past summer.

The media coverage included productions by the following media brands:

• The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) aired a story on August 22, 2015 that can be viewed here.  KBS is the leading public service broadcaster and one of the largest networks in South Korea and operates multiple television, radio, and online channels both in South Korea and internationally.
• RMC Découverte, a French television cable network, aired a story on December 8, 2015 produced by KeepInNews Agency, based both in Paris and New York, that can be viewed here.  The story featured not only BED, but also the Solar Impulse, a solar airplane in the middle of the first round-the-world flight, and deforestation in Brazil. The segment on BED begins at 6:23.
• Fusion, “the media brand for a young, diverse and inclusive world,” published a story on December 9, 2015 that can be viewed here. This story explores communities across the world that have taken significant steps toward renewability, sustainability, and clean energy to help offset the impacts of climate change and features Burlington, Vermont, Dardesheim, Germany, and Dharnai, India.
• Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, known as CBC/Radio-Canada, aired a broadcast on December 9, 2015 that can be viewed here.  CBC/Radio-Canada is a Canadian crown corporation serving as both the national public radio and television broadcaster.

“We are proud to be a national and international leader in renewable generation,” said Neale Lunderville, BED General Manager.  “Having a portfolio of clean, renewable power represents a significant component of our energy future and not only helps in the crucial fight against climate change, but also increases our energy security by protecting us from variations in the fossil fuel market.  Local power is resilient power, keeping our energy dollars in Vermont, while holding electric rates low and stable, welcome news for the residents and business owners of Burlington.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 10, 2015
Contact:  Jennifer Kaulius
                 802.324.2505
 

Mayor Miro Weinberger Appoints Steven Locke as Burlington’s New Fire Chief

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today announced the appointment of Fire Chief Steven Locke as the City’s next Chief Engineer of the Burlington Fire Department. Chief Locke comes to the City of Burlington following more than 20 years of service with the Hartford, Vermont Fire Department, including seven years as Fire Chief, three years as the President of the Vermont Career Fire Chiefs Association, and currently five months of experience serving as Interim Town Manager of Hartford. Mayor Weinberger will request the City Council’s approval of this appointment at its December 21, 2015 meeting. If approved, Chief Locke will start his service for Burlington on February 1, 2016. Deputy Chief Peter Brown is currently serving as the Interim Fire Chief following former Chief Seth Lasker’s retirement on October 31, 2015, and will continue until February 1. 

“The Burlington Fire Department has played a central role in the safety and quality of life of this wonderful city and has earned the deep respect and appreciation of the public,” said Mayor Weinberger. “Steve Locke will bring deep fire and emergency experience, a history of leadership success in a variety of roles, and fresh perspective to a Department with a mission that is expanding and shifting in response to changing technologies and demographics.”

“The Burlington Fire Department has a widely-recognized tradition of excellence, and I am honored to have the opportunity to join this group of dedicated individuals,” said Chief Locke. “I look forward to working alongside the men and women of the Burlington Fire Department in serving this great City, from our neighbors in the New American community to those who have lived here for generations.” 

Chief Locke leads the only nationally accredited Fire Department in New England and was an instrumental player on the team of leaders that earned and maintained that accreditation. He also served as the Emergency Management Director during the Hurricane Irene response and recovery effort in Hartford, and has demonstrated exemplary managerial experience during his time there, including excellent grant writing expertise, creating and continually updating the Hartford Fire Department’s strategic plan with the assistance of command staff and external stakeholder input, and installing a new computer aided dispatch software system. Hartford is the only fire agency in the state to use this technology.

Chief Locke grew up in North Hyde Park in Lamoille County, spending many nights in Burlington as a child and coming to love the City and Lake Champlain. He began as a volunteer firefighter in North Hyde Park at the age of 16 and worked four years at a North Hartland tool and die shop before joining the Hartford Fire Department full-time in 1992. Chief Locke served for 16 years as a firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician and proactively sought out additional education, completing his Associates degree in 1997, his Bachelor of Science degree in 2002, and his Master of Science degree in 2008. In 2002, he received the Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence at Empire State College. Chief Locke also is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program. Chief Locke has served as the President of the Professional Firefighters of Vermont for 10 years, in addition to serving as the President of the Vermont Career Fire Chiefs Association for three years. He also currently serves as a peer team leader on national accreditation site visits and is committed to communities’ successes through the accreditation process.

As the head of the Burlington Fire Department, Chief Locke will be responsible for directing the day-to-day operations of the 79 firefighters and civilian employees providing competent, timely, and equitable fire service throughout the City. 

Chief Locke’s appointment follows a national search that resulted in 19 applicants who met the minimum application requirements from Vermont and around the country. The details of the search process are outlined in the attached memorandum to the City Council, as well as the members of the search committee.

Please see attached documents, including:

• Memorandum from Mayor Miro Weinberger to City Councilors dated December 10, 2015 requesting approval of appointment of Steven Locke as Chief of the Burlington Fire Department; and
• Cover letter and curriculum vitae of Steven Locke.
   

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2015
Contact:  Jennifer Kaulius
                 802.324.2505

Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement on Gun Violence

“Last session, the Legislature proved that meaningful, common sense gun violence reform that keeps guns out of the hands of dangerous people is possible in Vermont. There were three mass shootings in our country on May 16, 2015, the date the Legislature adjourned. Those shootings and the more than 200 mass shootings since that date, including the tragic shooting last summer in Barre, show that we all have more work to do to protect Vermonters and Americans. The wide range of mass shootings nationwide has proven that catastrophic gun violence can happen anywhere, at any time, in towns and cities of all sizes. The City of Burlington will be reissuing its call for the Legislature to take action on the gun violence charter changes overwhelmingly supported by Burlingtonians on Town Meeting Day 2014 or to take other meaningful steps to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, drug traffickers, terrorists, and the seriously mentally ill.”

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