FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 4, 2015
Contact:  Jennifer Kaulius
                 802.324.2505

City of Burlington Awarded $50,000 Small Business Administration Prize
Startup in a Day Initiative Encourages Local Entrepreneurship

Earlier today the White House announced that the City of Burlington has been awarded a $50,000 prize from the Small Business Administration's Startup in a Day initiative. Startup in a Day, announced by President Obama earlier this year, is a program designed to help cities and Native American communities streamline licensing, permitting, and other requirements needed to start a business in their areas, with the goal that an entrepreneur may apply for all necessary components within one business day. Twenty-five cities and two Native American tribes were awarded Startup in a Day prizes to help these communities develop a streamlined, centralized business formation platform. In addition to Burlington, the City of Rutland also had a winning application.

"This prize will further one of the Administration’s and City Council’s important goals for this year, which is examining and improving the permit application and review system in the City of Burlington," said Mayor Weinberger. "Helping businesses start and grow is critical to a vibrant urban economy, and our City needs to be at the forefront of national best practices for permitting. We are thankful to the national and local Small Business Administration offices for bringing much-needed entrepreneurial resources and assistance to Vermont."

For more information about the Startup in a Day program, please visit https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-initiatives/startup-day or contact Nathan Wildfire in the Community and Economic Development Office at nwildfire@burlingtonvt.gov.  

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For Immediate Release

July 29, 2015
Contact:  Megan Moir
                 802-734-4595 (cell)
                 mmoir@burlingtonvt.gov
 

City of Burlington Launches Public Survey on Water Quality Improvement Plan
Water Resources Team to Seek Public Input on Water Priorities through Online Survey
 

Burlington, VT – As part of its ongoing effort to seek input on water quality priorities, the City of Burlington is launching an online survey to gauge public views on wastewater treatment and stormwater runoff issues. The survey, which is posted at http://www.burlingtonvt.gov/IntegratedWQPlan_Survey, will be available online until August 25.

Input will be used to help inform Burlington’s plan to improve water quality through a new, integrated planning approach for wastewater and stormwater management.  Earlier this summer, staff from the City’s Water Resource Division have been attending Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPAs) and various City Boards and Commissions to share information about the Integrated Planning framework and our water resource challenges in an effort to provide citizens with baseline information.  These events have provided opportunities for beginning the conversation about how Burlingtonians would like to see their stormwater and wastewater utility fees spent in the fight for improved water quality.  Copies of the presentation and recordings of several of the outreach events are available at: http://www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPW/IntegratedWQPlan_Schedule.

“We’re starting to get an understanding of what people think is important regarding water quality in Burlington,” said Laurie Adams, Department of Public Works (DPW) Assistant Director for Water Quality. “We want to make sure we give everyone an opportunity to weigh in. After the survey, we’ll hold another round of meetings with stakeholders from public and private sector organizations, including non-governmental groups, the business sector, educational institutions, and public agencies to review the information gathered in the survey. This is the time for people to identify their priorities for wastewater and stormwater management.”

This public outreach effort is part of a larger effort supported by a technical assistance grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency. Burlington was one of 5 communities across the U.S. which received the grant.  The $67,000 grant provides consulting services to the City by Tetra Tech, an EPA contracted environmental consulting firm that has assisted with previous State of Vermont Lake Champlain phosphorous studies.  Tetra Tech is working with City staff to develop methods for evaluating new stormwater and wastewater projects by identifying and refining criteria used by the City to judge the merits of new project proposals.  Examples of review criteria include:  determining the cost per pound of pollutant removed or treated; and evaluating the side benefits to a project, such as provision of additional green space, reduced greenhouse gases, flood abatement, or improved neighborhood aesthetics.

In years past, the City has devoted considerable resources to treating wastewater from three sewage plants and implementing a variety of stormwater pollution reduction measures.  With much additional effort needed to improve water quality, members of the Water Resource Division are working to ensure the most effective targeting of water quality improvement projects with limited environmental programs funds to maximize benefits to the lake and its tributaries.

As part of this targeting effort, the public is invited to weigh in on proposed projects and the project evaluation criteria.  A webinar and a series of community outreach and input sessions with NPAs, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and other interested parties was launched in June.  Other outreach events are scheduled throughout the remainder of the year.  Results from the public input process will be reviewed and further refined by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and regional EPA officials, and eventually will be used by DPW staff charged with managing Burlington’s wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

“We invite our community members to log on to the survey and let us know what they believe are the most important considerations in spending money on water quality projects,” said Megan Moir, DPW Stormwater Program Manager.  “We look forward to reviewing the results and getting a better perspective on where we are – and where we want to go.” 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 20, 2015
Contact:  Mike Kanarick
                 802.735.7962

BED Warns Customers Against Bill Payment Scam

Burlington, VT – Burlington Electric Department today is warning its customers against a bill payment scam underway in Burlington.  The scam involves BED customers – in particular, hair salons – receiving phone calls from persons identifying themselves as BED representatives threatening to cut off their power if outstanding bills are not paid within one hour.  The callers (at least one identifying himself as “James” and calling from numbers including 800.748.7043) then direct BED customers to share credit card or other payment information.  These calls are not coming from BED, but rather are part of a scam to defraud BED customers.  If receiving such calls, BED customers are advised to follow these steps:

• Do not provide payment or any other personal information;
• Do not engage with the caller;
• Immediately hang up;
• Do not call back the number; and
• Call BED Customer Service at 802.865.7300 to report the occurrence and to share any information you are able to provide, including name of the caller, caller’s phone number, and substance of the call.

Further, customers receiving such a call are encouraged to report this scam by contacting the Vermont Attorney General’s Office Consumer Assistance Program at 800.649.2424 (in-state only) or 802.656.3183 (from out of state numbers) or by visiting www.uvm.edu/consumer. Also, to further protect yourself against similar scams, please visit that same website address to read about similar past scams. 

BED has notified the Burlington Police Department, the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, and its utility industry colleagues at Green Mountain Power and Vermont Electric Cooperative.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2015
Contact:  Jennifer Kaulius
                 802.324.2505    

Mayor Miro Weinberger, Partners, and Burlington Community Celebrate 25^th Anniversary of the
Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Celebration Honors Progress in Making Burlington More Accessible; Recognizes Work Left to Do

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today was joined by City of Burlington staff, residents, advocates, and visitors to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at a lunchtime event at the North Beach Pavilion. The event recognized the advancements in the City of Burlington and beyond to reduce physical, programmatic, cultural, and attitudinal barriers faced by people with disabilities while also recognizing the important work left to do.

“The City of Burlington is grateful for the work of the Burlington Advisory Committee on Accessibility, as well as many others in our community, for their strong advocacy on policies, programs, and services that meet the needs of people with disabilities,” said Mayor Weinberger. “It is important to celebrate our community’s accomplishments, such as the mat and mobile chair at North Beach, which allows people with disabilities to have the opportunity to experience the waters of Lake Champlain. We must not forget, however, that much work remains to ensure access and equity for everyone who lives, works, and plays in our great City.”

The Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL), a statewide organization, joined the event as a co-host to bring statewide recognition to this anniversary and ongoing accessibility efforts. A VCIL member regularly attends meetings of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility and advises on issues of advocacy and equity.

“VCIL thanks Mayor Weinberger, the City, and the Advisory Committee on Accessibility for their continual advocacy and hard work, and for making this event possible,” said Sarah Wendell Launderville, Executive Director. “We recognize this is a celebration of how far we have come and how we can all join the fight to break down barriers to housing, transportation, employment, recreation, and social experiences for people with disabilities.”

Created in 1990 – the same year the ADA was passed – the City’s Advisory Committee on Accessibility has worked to advance issues of accessibility in Burlington. The recent revitalization of the Committee highlights the City’s continued commitment to advancing equity among its residents, visitors, employees, and other community stakeholders.

“As someone who became disabled six years before the signing of the ADA, I have seen tremendous changes in the way we think about people with disabilities and our commitment to equality for all,” said Cleary Buckley, a current member of the City’s Advisory Committee on Accessibility. “The ADA empowered me and countless others by establishing the right to accommodation and inclusion. We have come a long way but we have more to do, and our approach to accommodation will continue to evolve. ADA and its advancements in the last 25 years represent our society’s commitment to all of its members and a celebration of our differing abilities.”

The City of Burlington has worked with the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association and other partners to increase the amount of recreational opportunities for people with disabilities, including a wheelchair accessible treehouse at Oakledge Park, the adaptive sailing programs on Lake Champlain, the ADA accessible mats, water chairs, and ramp at North Beach, and other accessibility improvements made to parks, beachfront areas, playground equipment, and other City infrastructure. Accessibility and universal design are primary principles in all Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront projects.

During today’s event at North Beach, young Burlingtonians joined Mayor Weinberger in reading a Mayoral proclamation in celebration of the 25^th anniversary of the ADA.

Please see the attached documents, including:

• Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront accessibility improvement projects list; and
• Mayoral proclamation shared at today’s event.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2015
Contact: Jennifer Kaulius
                802.324.2505

Interim Agreement Between City of Burlington and Uber Effective Monday, July 13, 2015

Burlington, VT – As authorized by the City Council at their June 29, 2015 meeting, the City of Burlington and Rasier, LLC, the company doing business as Uber, have signed an Interim License and Operating Agreement (the Agreement) which becomes effective on Monday, July 13, 2015. The Agreement allows Uber to temporarily operate lawfully within City limits and at the Burlington International Airport, pending revisions to the City’s Vehicle for Hire Ordinance.

Key provisions of the Agreement include the following:

• Uber will have a zero tolerance policy on drug and alcohol use for all drivers, and no one may drive for Uber who has been convicted of DUI or certain other crimes within the past ten years or who has more than three moving violations in the prior three years.
• Any passenger suspecting a violation should report it to the City Taxi Administrator (Ashley Bryce, abryce@burlingtonvt.gov, 802.865.7011).
• Uber will maintain an ongoing customer feedback and complaint system and will investigate all complaints of driver misconduct, although it will notify passengers that the City will receive complaints; the City will have access to this system if the City receives a specific complaint that requires access. 
• Uber will conduct annual national and Vermont criminal and motor vehicle background checks for all drivers, including sex offender registry checks, before allowing a person to drive for Uber. 
• Uber will verify that each vehicle has been inspected and that it is no more than ten model years old. 
• Uber will ensure that all fares are adequately identified to each passenger before the passenger enters the vehicle and will transmit a receipt for each trip to the passenger.
• Uber drivers may not solicit or accept street hails.
• Uber drivers will have to meet the same conduct standards as taxi drivers, such as no stopping in bus stops or handicap parking spaces, no lounging or sleeping in vehicles, dressing neatly and maintaining personal hygiene, and no smoking in vehicles.
• Uber drivers will have to prominently display an Uber logo or decal on the vehicle, or they may be fined.
• Uber will ensure that each driver has primary liability insurance coverage of at least $1,000,000 from the time they accept a ride request on the app until the passenger leaves the vehicle, and $50,000/$100,000 coverage during the time they are logged in but have not yet accepted a ride request.
• Uber will not discriminate against any driver or applicant, and its drivers will not discriminate against riders because of sex, race, religion, age, etc.
• Uber will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including applicable Vermont labor laws. 
• Uber drivers have the right to drop off and pick up passengers at the Burlington International Airport.
• Uber will establish a Geo-Fence to manage its Airport business and will pay the Airport a monthly fee of $2 for each pick up and drop off at the Airport.
• Uber will pay the City a flat fee of $5,000 during the period of this Agreement.

The Administration will now begin working with the City Council Ordinance Committee and transportation stakeholders to adopt permanent revisions to the Vehicles for Hire Ordinance that continue to protect the public, while enabling ridesourcing and ensuring a level playing field among all vehicle for hire companies. The Agreement will be in effect until amendments are made to the Vehicles for Hire Ordinance or, at most, for one year. The City Council Ordinance Committee has scheduled meetings to discuss possible amendments to the ordinance for July 20 and August 13, beginning at 5:00 pm. The City Council also established a November 2015 deadline for the City Council Ordinance Committee to report back.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 8, 2015
Contact: Nicole Losch, Department of Public Works
                802.865.5833

City of Burlington Kicks Off City-wide Planning Effort to Increase Active Mobility
planBTV Walk Bike Events and Workshops Offered This Week

Burlington, VT – The City of Burlington is hosting a series of public events to kick off planBTV Walk Bike, a City-wide effort to increase active mobility. The events provide an opportunity for members of the public to help shape the pathway towards a more walkable, bikeable Burlington – the vision of Burlington’s “Go for Gold” Blueprint, unveiled by Mayor Miro Weinberger in 2013.

“It is exciting to participate in this collaborative effort today, and our City team looks forward to receiving the community’s feedback throughout this important process,” said Mayor Weinberger. “One of our Administration’s goals is to make Burlington a world-class City for walking and biking, not just as a means of recreation, but also as a viable mode of transportation and as a necessary component of an economically healthy and vibrant City. PlanBTV Walk Bike will help get us there.”

Welcoming as many people as possible in a variety of ways, the City is including a series of “Handlebar” and “Walkabout” surveys in the event program. These surveys allow members of the public to physically bike and walk key corridors with the project team, documenting and discussing challenges and opportunities along the way.

Members of our community are encouraged to participate in the surveys and kick-off events below:

For more information and to RSVP, please visit: www.planbtvwalkbike.org.

PlanBTV Walk Bike will culminate with the creation of the City’s first Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, as well as a scoping study of priority bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects.

“Burlington has a well-established community vision for walking and bicycling, articulated in every transportation-related plan adopted by our community over the past decade,” said Department of Public Works (DPW) Transportation Planner Nicole Losch. “PlanBTV Walk Bike will capture the community’s vision and goals for walking and biking in Burlington, outline our strategies for achieving our vision, and present specific projects for rapid implementation.”

Work on the planBTV Walk Bike initiative will be led by DPW and a consultant team consisting of the planning and engineering firm DuBois & King, The Street Plans Collaborative, and Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. The project team will receive guidance from Technical and Advisory Committees, representing residents, local businesses, and key stakeholder organizations at the local, regional, and state levels.

Through planBTV Walk Bike, the City hopes to turn Burlington’s well-established community visions for a walkable and bikeable City into actionable projects that are prioritized by the community. This process will involve:

• Developing a City-wide walking and biking network plan that will allow every resident to access safe and comfortable facilities;
• Identifying priority corridors that connect Burlington’s residential hubs with key destinations, such as downtown and schools;
• Identifying projects and policies that will make walking and biking safe, comfortable, and convenient for people of all ages and abilities; and
• Identifying strategies and performance measures to guide the planning, funding, and implementation of recommended projects.

For additional information, please visit: www.planbtvwalkbike.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 7, 2015
Contact: Jennifer Kaulius
                802.324.2505

Mayor Miro Weinberger Appoints Brandon del Pozo as Burlington’s New Police Chief

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today announced the appointment of Deputy Inspector Brandon del Pozo as the City’s next Police Chief.  Del Pozo comes to Burlington following more than 18 years of service with the New York Police Department (NYPD), including a number of command-level positions.  The Mayor has asked the City Council to approve the appointment at its July 13, 2015 meeting, and if approved, del Pozo would take up his position from Acting Chief Jannine Wright effective September 1, 2015. 

“For 150 years the Burlington Police 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.  “Deputy Inspector Brandon del Pozo has the experience, education, and perspective to carry on these traditions, strengthen the Department and its ties to the community, and lead the City’s efforts to address our new and growing public safety challenges.”

After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1996, del Pozo joined the NYPD and rose to command two separate precincts – one in the Bronx and the other in Manhattan’s West Village, which includes New York University – each larger than the Burlington Police Department.  Del Pozo held a number of other command positions within the NYPD, which is a Department of over 34,000 officers, including managing strategic projects for the Police Commissioner, advising the Chief of Department, and leading the creation of the largest social media program in U.S. law enforcement. 

“I could not be more excited to serve as the next Burlington Police Chief,” said Deputy Inspector del Pozo.  “This City has high expectations of its police officers, and I am eager to lead a Department that strives to meet them.”

As the head of the Police Department, del Pozo will be responsible for directing the day-to-day operations of the 100 sworn officers and nearly 40 civilian employees and providing equitable and culturally competent police protection and service throughout the City.  Del Pozo and his family have ties to Vermont and the region, have made numerous visits to Burlington over the past two decades, and during his service with the U.S. Army National Guard he was posted at the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School in Jericho from July 2003 to July 2004.

Del Pozo’s appointment follows a national search that resulted in 18 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, and the members of the Search Committee are also named in a separate attachment.
 

Please see attached documents, including:

• Memorandum from Mayor Miro Weinberger to City Councilors dated July 7, 2015 requesting approval of appointment of Brandon del Pozo as Chief of the Burlington Police Department;
• Cover letter and curriculum vitae of Brandon del Pozo; and
• Police Chief Search Committee membership and affiliation.
   

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 2015
Contact: Mike Kanarick
                802.735.7962

Mayor Miro Weinberger, City Partners Unveil Burlington International Airport’s Solar Panel Additions
BTV’s Parking Garage Solar Garden Grows Renewable, Local Energy

Burlington, VT – Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger today joined the Burlington Electric Department (BED), Burlington International Airport (BTV), and Encore Redevelopment to formally unveil a 500 kW solar array atop the airport’s parking garage. This is the latest project in the City’s ongoing commitment to add more community solar to its portfolio and brings Burlington’s total installed solar photovoltaic to 81 projects, generating 1.8 megawatts of power for the City. Over the anticipated 30-year life of the airport solar project, BED expects to save $3.5 million in power costs, an average of approximately $117,000 annually.

“Burlington is proud to be a national leader in energy innovation,” said Mayor Weinberger. “Building community-scale solar has been one of the City’s key energy initiatives during the past three years. This solar array at BTV is the first major solar project constructed on City-owned property, and we intend to start construction on another array at the BED offices on Pine Street soon. Burlington’s future burns brighter because today we are rising to the challenge of building non-polluting, locally-sourced renewable power.”

This addition to Burlington’s renewable energy sources is good news for residents and businesses alike. It helps to ensure that low-cost and locally-generated power will be available during times of high use, such as hot summer days when demand for energy is greatest. Consequently, peak energy production and peak energy usage will coincide, offsetting costs and reducing reliance on more expensive energy sources.

“This solar garden is another way Burlington Electric sources 100% of its power from renewable generation like solar, wind, water, and biomass,” said BED General Manager Neale Lunderville. “In addition to keeping our energy dollars local, this solar array was made in the USA by American workers, and assembled here in Vermont by Vermonters. We are creating local jobs, generating clean energy, reducing stress on the grid, and keeping rates low and stable for customers – all at the same time. Initiatives like this are the key to a sustainable energy future that can support a thriving economy.”

The collaboration between BED and BTV will reduce the need to buy power from outside sources. The solar array will be yet another BED-owned asset, and BED will operate the system, like the McNeil Generating Station and the Winooski One Hydro Plant. Solar power systems have the advantage of integrating low maintenance, non-moving mechanical parts, which provide quiet operation. Even more important, constant sunlight is not required for solar to be viable; new storage technology allows for power to be generated, stored, and used when needed.

“The airport is pleased to now have two co-existing rooftop gardens, one solar and one green,” said Gene Richards, BTV Director of Aviation. “We expanded the parking garage years ago with the intent of installing a solar array, and we are pleased to make this vision a reality. It is my hope that passengers, especially visitors from afar, will gaze down from their aircraft windows and one of their first impressions, in addition to our gorgeous lake and mountains, will be our rooftop solar garden, showing Vermont’s strong spirit of innovation and independence.”

BED and BTV partnered with Encore Redevelopment, a Burlington-based company that focuses on innovation solutions for underutilized property and community-scale renewable energy systems. Encore managed the project design, permitting, construction, and commissioning.

“With every new solar panel raised, Vermont is lighting the path toward energy independence and environmental protection,” said Chad Farrell, Principal of Encore Redevelopment. “As a Burlington company, we are especially proud of working with the home team on such an important project. The Mayor’s vision for siting more solar power on underutilized City-owned property is the right approach and, once again, demonstrates Burlington’s passion for energy innovation.”

The airport solar array started producing electricity earlier this year. Since commissioning, the array has produced over 325,000 kilowatt hours of electricity.

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