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Center For Community and Neighborhoods (CCAN)
CCAN General
- Interviewing has begun to fill the Community Development
Specialist position that will focus on AmeriCorps programs.
Hiring will be complete by early October.
- CCAN welcomed several new faces to support our AmeriCorps
members. These team leaders will provide member support and
training to our three AmeriCorps programs:
- Lindsay Reid-A*State Team Leader. Lindsay served her first
year at BHS tutoring ELL students.
- Andrew Graham-A*VISTA Recovery Team Leader. Andrew came to
CEDO after serving a year with the National Civilian
Conservation Corps (NCCC) in Colorado and Texas.
- Katie Kearney-A*VISTA Team Leader. Katie served her first year
at the Stern Center for Language and Learning with the Vermont
Youth Tomorrow A*VISTA team. (Beth Truzansky)
CCAN Outreach & Communications (Publications, Buzz, etc)
- Some neighborhood canvassing happened in September to
promote NPA meetings in Wards 1, 2 and 3. Conversation and/or
flyers happened at approx. 250 different homes in those Wards.
- The BUZZ is sent out every Thursday to an email list of
approx. 2,000 Burlington residents.
CCAN Facilitation & Trainings
- 75 AmeriCorps*State and A*VISTA members and their
supervisors participated in a joint orientation on September 15,
16, 17 at Contois Auditorium. Organized by CCAN, the training
involved workshops on diversity, leadership, the legacy of
AmeriCorps service and specific demographics in Burlington. The
event closed with a public launch with speeches from Mayor Kiss,
an AmeriCorps supervisor, a current member, and an alumnus.
Local press was present, and a link to the full program can be
found here:
http://www.cctv.org/node/81988.
- A grant writing training was held on 9/11 led by Laura Hale,
A*VISTA alum and former A*State supervisor. Twelve A*VISTA
volunteers attended.
- Community Organizing Training was held on 9/29 at Norghgate
Community Center, led by Jonathan Kissam and Kate Kanelstein of
the Vermont Worker’s Center. 15 AmeriCorps and CJC volunteers
attended.
- Two Facilitative Leadership sessions are scheduled for this
winter: November 11 and 12, January 12 and 13. Information and
registration with kkearney@ci.burlington.vt.us. (Beth Truzansky)
Neighborhood Services (Neighborhood updates, events, problem
solving)
- Jenny Davis facilitated use of a 2007 CDBG for a dumpster
party at Franklin Square. The event was a success with residents
filling the roll-off while enjoying some refreshments and
fellowship.
Neighborhood Planning Assemblies
- September marks the official start of the new season of NPAs
with all five of them gathering for the first time since June.
- Neighborhood Improvement Nights started on September 22,
with the Wards 4/7 NPA hosting the Planning Commission and the P
& Z staff who are presenting and taking input on the Municipal
Development Plan.
Neighborhood Grants Programs
- Jenny Davis has been providing info on this program at each
of the NPAs this month.
AmeriCorps*VISTA Program
- The City welcomed 25 new A*VISTA members serving in 13
agencies throughout the state, with a focus on the greater
Burlington area. CCAN is managing 7 members who are serving in
AHS field offices as a special ARRA effort.
- VISTA members were also trained in grant writing and
community organizing during the month of September. (Maureen
Rees)
- A team meeting was held at the Library on September 11
followed by a service project to commemorate the 9/11 Day of
Service and Remembrance. Members worked on a mural at Bike
Recycle Vermont and planted trees with the Intervale
Conservation Nursery. (Beth Truzansky)
AmeriCorps*State Program
- The City welcomed 30 new A*State members serving in schools
and non-profits throughout the greater Burlington area. This
year, there is a very strong presence in the Burlington schools
with an A*State member serving in each of the middle and
elementary schools as well as A*VISTA members serving in the
administrative office. The A*State team is intentionally
diverse, composed of refugees, parents, seniors, young adults,
long-time Vermonters. (Beth Truzansky)
- We are currently recruiting to fill two A*State positions at
the Sara Holbrook Community Center and Community Justice Center.
Graffiti Removal Team
- Thanks to DPW and the Police Department, GRT has a vehicle
allowing the team to clean remotely. More than 241 tags were
removed in September. As for civic engagement, three groups
totaling 26 volunteers donated 74.5 hours to help beautify the
city. Among them included UVM Dewey House, UVM Community Works,
and IBM. (Nicky Beaudoin)
UVM Collaborations/Partnerships
- AmeriCorps, Graffiti Removal, and the CJC are partnering
with a UVM computer science class for service-learning. Details
about this partnership are still being finalized. (Maureen Rees)
Community Justice Center
August and September marked a time of very positive recognition
for the CJC:
- The highly successful Offender Reentry Employment Program is
being replicated in two other parts of the state. The CJC
coordinator and the Employment specialist will be providing
training and technical assistance to the two communities.
- The Center for Crime Victim Services announced earlier this
month that a request for proposals will be issued to the
Community Justice Centers next Spring for Parallel Justice for
Victims of Crime to be replicated in another CJC-supported
community.
- One of the CJC’s volunteers, Carol Usher, received the
United Way Annual Hometown Hero Award. This award honors the
impact that she has had on the lives of the individuals who come
before the restorative justice panels and the impact that she
has had on the community. Carol’s support for and leadership
helped to bring restorative justice to Burlington.
- The Essex Community Justice Center is looking to replicate
the CJC’s Victim Liaison Program in its community.
Restorative Justice Panels
- The numbers are “in.” The Department of Corrections, one of
the primary funders of the restorative justice work that happens
at the CJC, tracks all of the individuals served by the CJCs
across the state. Our CJC served 348 offenders in FY09 – which
is more than 3 x’s the amount of the next largest CJC. This
speaks to the support of the criminal justice system –
particularly the State’s Attorney’s Office and the Burlington
Police Department and the community’s endorsement of this
alternative approach to holding low level offenders accountable.
- The CJC is planning the third part of a training series on
Motivational Interviewing for the volunteers and other community
members.
Youth Restorative Justice
- Ashley Elder, this year’s UVM Bachelor’s in Social Work
intern, began her work with the youth restorative justice panel.
Along with her social work background, she brings advocacy for
patients with mental health issues experience and a desire to go
to law school.
- The Youth Restorative Justice Panel will start working with
Burlington High School this year. A half-time AmeriCorps member
will work with BHS staff to design a referral system, training
for the school and a truancy pilot.
Offender Reentry Employment Program
- Our new VISTA volunteer is working hard on
building/expanding the relationships we currently have with
employers and other service providers.
- Some of the areas she is focusing on: Training resources,
pre-employment preparation and planning, women, pre-release
planning for men and women. She did and excellent job getting
the resource room organized for job seekers to use.
- Christine will be certified as an Offender Workforce
Development Specialist by the National Institute of Corrections
and the National Career Development Association at some point
this year. This rigorous and highly selective
training/certification involves 3 full weeks of training and
field practice.
- ORP Partners include: TRIAD, Recycle North (now called
ReSource), City of Burl, Lead Program, COTS, Vermont Works for
Women, CHVT – ST Albans, CWA – Chittenden Workforce Alliance.
- Tuesday “9 to 5” Employment Group continues to serve as a
point of contact for job seekers and a source of referrals to
other local service providers, training opportunities, job
opportunities, education opportunities, etc.
- ORP has directly assisted 3 people in the past 3 months get
employed in full time jobs and assisted 4 employers in taking
advantage of the WOTC – work opportunity tax credit equating to
$9,600.00 in tax credits for local businesses.
- Christine assisted one employer in taking advantage of the
Free Bonding that is offered providing up to $25,000.00 of
coverage for the employer. Bonding covers things like
dishonesty, destruction of property, etc.
Community Support Program
- CSP convened a hoarding task force earlier in the summer.
This group continues to meet to determine ways to address this
highly recalcitrant issue that can have a direct impact on the
safety of community members.
Parallel Justice for Victims of Crime
- With autumn comes opportunities for outreach. This August,
the UVM Community Coalition distributed welcome bags to students
living off campus which included information on Parallel
Justice. Working together with the BPD, the “Ounce of
Prevention” car vandalism campaign entered its second phase.
Timed to coincide with the return of students to Burlington, and
building on our success of the summer pilot campaign, several
more neighborhoods were canvassed to remind residents to lock
their car doors and keep valuables out of sight. In September,
one Parallel Justice Specialist spoke to the Church Street
Marketplace Commission about what the program does and to ask
for input from business owners about what their greatest needs
are in the wake of crime.
- Volunteers and interns: Barbara Shaw Dorso from the
Community Justice Center helped spread the word about Parallel
Justice at the Champlain College Service Fair. We have one new
volunteer who is in training, Carly Deschamps, and out two new
interns for the school year, Sarah Blaisdell, working on her
masters of social work at UVM and Rachel Roy, a Psychology major
working on her bachelors at St. Mikes both joined up in
September.
- Program support: The Parallel Justice team is working on
creating and honing a 3-year strategic plan under the tutelage
of our CCVS liaison, Sharon Davis. The Parallel Justice
Specialists from the BPD and the CJC were able to take advantage
of several local training opportunities on victims’ rights,
working with immigrants who may have a history of trauma,
domestic violence and youth. The program is also formalizing the
ways it interfaces with other CJC programs, such as the
Restorative Justice Panels’ victim liaisons.
Economic Development
Renewal Community
- 2008 Implementation plans approved by HUD (Ed Antczak)
- Commercial Revitalization Deduction marketed to property
owner on Church Street (Bruce Seifer, Ed Antczak)
Technical Assistance for Business
- Provided technical assistance to 18 clients (Jon Adams-Kollitz)
- Provided technical assistance to 4 clients (Ed Antczak)
Broker and Developer Relations
- Asked 4 brokers to help find space for clients looking to
develop Holiday window display (Jon Adams-Kollitz)
Commercial Space Database
- Distributed 21 copies of commercial space database (Jon
Adams-Kollitz)
- Total Listed Space: 543,575 square feet o Office Space:
425,200 square feet o Retail Space: 176,718 square feet o
Industrial Space: 47, 685 square feet o Studio Space: 31,253
square feet *Numbers don't reconcile due to multiple space use
overlap (Zac Nuse)
Business Loan Program
- Renegotiated loan with downtown business owner extending
terms one additional year (Kathy Longe, Ed Antczak)
Business Call Program
- Visited 2 downtown businesses to find out if operations were
going smoothly and if any assistance was needed (Ed Antczak)
BED and Burlington Telecom Support
- Provided lead to Telecom for potential commercial customer
(Jon Adams-Kollitz)
BE3
- Arranged Burlington Electric energy audit for ONE business
(Jon Adams-Kollitz) North Street Business
- Provided assistance to 7 ONE businesses (Jon Adams-Kollitz)
Downtown Business
- Welcomed 2 new downtown businesses, told them about our
services (Jon Adams-Kollitz)
Airport Industrial Development
- Measured square footages of old Heritage Flight building to
include in marketing piece for potential tenants (Ed Antczak)
- Met with principal of new Flight School regarding
incorporating the business and teaming on the new Aviation Tech
Center project (Ed Antczak)
Miscellaneous
- Installed new Church St. sandwich board sign promoting our
business services, will also feature rotating “They Chose
Burlington” images. Sign was donated by a Southend business (Jon
Adams-Kollitz)
- Met with Clean Energy Assessment District project group to
develop the City’s underwriting guidelines for financing future
energy and energy efficiency projects (Ed Antczak)
- Met with Intervale Center Board and City project group to
finalize lease agreement for land transfer associated with the
Food Enterprise Center (Ed Antczak, Larry Kupferman, David
Weinstein, Richard Haessler)
Finance and Administration
CDBG
- The Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report was
presented to City Council, with a Public Hearing, on September
21. The public comment period closed on September 28, and the
Report has been submitted to HUD. It remains available for
viewing on CEDO’s website. (Margaret Bozik)
- First quarter reporting for CDBG Recovery funds is due by
October 10. This reporting is in addition to the normal CDBG
reporting. (Margaret Bozik)
Housing
Homeownership – Downpayment Assistance & Rehab
- North Avenue single family home: Rehab is 90% complete on
this owner-occupied rehab project. Scope of work involved
bathroom rehab, total rewire, and correcting miscellaneous
deficiencies. Weatherization work is completed. Project will be
closed out after minor interior repairs and replacement of
asphalt roofing shingles. Awaiting pricing on latter scope. HOME
commitment: $22,097. (Todd Rawlings & Lisa Chicoine)
- Peru Street single family home: Working with owner of this
permanently affordable CHT property on a HOME rehab project.
Scope includes structural, plumbing, electrical, lead hazard
reduction, and exterior improvements. CHT helped secure $30,000
in additional funding. Owner has moved back in the home, and the
original scope of work has been completed. Lead Abatement
Contractor completed exterior painting. GC contract for
additional minor interior and exterior work scope of work is
complete. Prior to closing the project out, will determine
whether storm windows can be added to front porch. HOME
commitment: $84,218. (Todd Rawlings & Lisa Chicoine)
- Park Street single family home: Substantial rehab of this
CHT single family home is complete and unit was sold to low
income household in mid-August. HOME commitment: $33,000. (Todd
Rawlings & Lisa Chicoine)
- Decatur Street duplex: Contract closing for duplex purchase
was held on June 12th. Did follow up Inspection in August. Final
closeout pending confirmation that additional repairs were
completed. EDI/HOPWA commitment: $20,000. (Todd Rawlings & Lisa
Chicoine)
- Lafountain Street Single family home: Application received
for rehab of electrical system, window replacement, and exterior
repairs. Professional building inspector inspected property.
Meeting with owner to discuss feasibility and scope of work.
Estimated HOME commitment: $70,000. (Todd Rawlings & Lisa
Chicoine)
- Oak Street single family home: Met and did walkthrough with
owner interested in miscellaneous improvements. HOME rehab
application was received, second site visit has been scheduled
to start working on scope of work. Estimated HOME commitment:
TBD. (Todd Rawlings & Lisa Chicoine)
- Elmwood Avenue duplex: Working with Habitat for Humanity to
determine the feasibility of putting HOME funds in the project
involving the rehabilitation and conversion of this structure to
a single family home. Estimated HOME commitment: TBD.
Non-Profit Housing Developments
- Sophie’s Place: Burlington Housing Authority developed 11
units of service enriched housing for battered women coming out
of the Women Helping Battered Women’s shelter. Working with BHA
on federal and local procurement compliance; both buildings are
99% complete, and 5 units are occupied. Landscaping required to
complete project; total completion expected by end of October.
HOME commitment: $285,000 (Todd Rawlings & Brian Pine)
- King Street Housing: At 88 King Street, the Champlain
Housing Trust is 99% complete on its project to create 20 rental
units on the former BankNorth parking lot. Working with CHT on
federal and local procurement compliance. Landscaping required
to complete project; total completion expected by end of
October. HOME commitment: $372,000; HTF $70,000 (Todd Rawlings &
Brian Pine)
- 30 Blodgett Street: CHT developed an owner-occupied duplex
and is converting 10 adjacent rental units to limited equity
condos. Construction on new duplex is complete. All units sold
or under contract. HTF: $70,000. (Brian Pine)
- Salmon Run: CHT and Housing Vermont are proposing to
purchase and rehabilitate this 79-unit apartment complex and
convert 20 market units into affordable units for a total of 56
affordable units. CHT has requested that the City “roll-over”
the $7 million of HoDAG principal and interest that has accrued
since project completion in 1990. Working on procurement and
other federal and local requirements. Closing scheduled for
October 9. Proposed HOME funding commitment: $285,000. (Todd
Rawlings)
- 3 Cathedral Square: HUD approved CEDO’s request to permit
restructuring the HOME affordability period for this project
allowing more HOME funds to be allocated to the planned rehab
project. Closing scheduled for September 30. Proposed HOME
funding commitment: $100,000. (Todd Rawlings)
- Cathedral Square, CHT and private developer Eric Farrell
were chosen by the State to undertake a mixed-use development on
the former DMV/Thayer School site. Project includes mixed-income
apartments for 60 senior households and 40 low and moderate
income families (Brian Pine)
- Northgate Resident Ownership Corp. now owns the property,
and Boathouse celebration planned for late summer/early fall.
(Brian Pine)
For-Profit Housing Developments (Brian Pine)
- 114 College Street: VT Supreme Court ruled that applicant
did not meet the requirements for a parking waiver as granted by
both the DRB and the District Environmental Commission and
denied the permit.
- 237 North Avenue: 25 condos issued a zoning permit and Act
250 approval. VT Supreme Court ruled in favor of the applicant,
but this project is on hold due to concerns about the market.
- 354 Manhattan Drive: Dennis Rouille built 15 new condos.
Market units begin at $168,500 and 2 IZ units at $143,000 with
$10K grant. Only 1 IZ unit has sold. Developer seeking release
from the perpetual affordability requirement to make the unit
more marketable.
- Sunset Cliff/Scarlet Circle/Starr Farm/Von Turkovich:
Developer exploring senior housing options. Permit previously
denied.
- Appletree Point Lane: Bill Niquette, Infill Development
Services LLC, proposing Planned Residential Development +/- 160
mixed-income elderly housing units on the former Wick estate –
25% IZ requirement would yield 40 perpetually affordable units.
Developer has not submitted a revised plan, so the permit
process is inactive.
- 173-193 St. Paul Street: Stuart Chase developing 32-unit
condo complex that will include 4 IZ units priced at around
$120,000 for one-bedroom and $150,000 for two-bedroom units and
28 market units priced between $150,000-$435,000.
- 155 Plattsburgh Ave. Paul Presseault developer. Preliminary
plat review of a 13-unit Planned Unit Development (4 existing
and 9 proposed new). Rental housing to include 2 IZ units.
- 198 East Ave. Nate Hayward developer. Change of use from
single family to planned residential development consisting of
original building plus sixteen dwelling units. Adjacent on south
to Co-Housing – concerns about maintaining solar access and
proximity of new building.
- 151-157 South Champlain St. BHA and King Street Neighborhood
Revitalization Corp. still attempting to develop housing on this
site.
- 159 South Champlain St. Marvin Fishman developer. CEDO
assisted with a CCRPC-funded Environmental Site Assessment (ESA).
ESA found that contamination is migrating from the neighboring
property.
Miscellaneous Housing Updates
- Since 2003 when the City of Burlington began receiving HOME
funds directly from HUD, 80 units of low income housing have
been assisted and/or crested with HOME funds. The income of
assisted households is as follows:
- Rental housing: 62% were below 30% of median income, 36% were
between 31% and 50%, and 2% were between 51% to 60%.
- Homeowner rehabilitation: 100% were between 31% and 50% of
median income
- Homebuyer units: 15% were below 30% of median income, 45% were
between 31% and 50%, 20% were between 51% and 60%, and 20% were
between 61% to 80%.
- Burlington Lead Program is an Award of Excellence,
second-place winner of the 2009 Lead Safe for Kids’ Sake grant
program from the US Conference of Mayors and DuPont. CEDO will
receive $50,000 for a variety of lead safety activities.
- Collaborating with CVOEO Fair Housing Project on a
HUD-funded effort to train CEDO staff, conduct outreach to
property owners who use our programs and update our Analysis of
Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. (Brian Pine)
- Working with the City Attorney’s Office on enforcement of
noncompliance of written agreements on several HOME and EDI
funded units. (Lisa Chicoine)
- Working with a group of residents and Thelma Maple Co-op
about future ownership options (i.e. staying co-op, straight
rental, condo, whether to form a new the tax credit partnership,
etc.)
- Active Davis-Bacon Projects (Todd Rawlings):
- Heineberg Senior Center lift: working with owner; contract
executed and work scheduled to be complete by the end of July.
- Northgate playground project: Initial meeting with Abby
Russell. Work expected to occur this summer.
- Edmunds Middle School sign project: Initial meeting scheduled
for June.
- Burlington School’s Food Service: working with CDBG applicant
to schedule initial meeting.
- Cathedral Square solar panels: Initial meeting with developer
regarding requirements.
- Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) Community Housing Development
Organization (CHDO) operating funds (Todd Rawlings):
- Executed an agreement with CHT for program year 2008.
Completely disbursed and closed out.
- Working with CHT to execute an agreement for program year
2009.
- The most recent (2nd quarter of FFY2008) HOME performance
report ranked our HOME program in 77th percentile overall and at
100th percentile in several categories. Next SNAPSHOT comes out
mid-October. (Todd Rawlings)
- Executed FFY2008 HOME award grant agreement with HUD.
Allocation for this year is $489,759. (Todd Rawlings)
- Replacement materials on historic buildings. Continue to
advocate a more balanced approach with the Planning Commission.
(Brian Pine)
Ordinance Development (Brian Pine)
- Lead Safety ordinance in now in effect and City stakeholders
are working on implementation.
Ordinance Administration (Brian Pine)
- Condo conversion activity continues to pick up steam as
owners seek ways to sell for highest and best use. Ordinance
change will encourage conversions, but some owners are concerned
that they will be unable to make the numbers work with 25%
affordable requirement. We are exploring some options to address
this concern.
UVM Housing (Brian Pine)
- UVM is once again proceeding on the next phase of Redstone
Apts. City working with UVM to identify sites for more student
housing.
Access Program (Lisa Chicoine)
- Lafountain Street: Technical assistance for proposed access
ramp for rental unit. VCIL is funding the project.
- Johnson Street: Technical assistance for access ramp, stair
glide and bathroom modifications for rental unit. Tenant is
exploring relocating to accessible unit.
Free Exterior Paint Program (Lisa Chicoine)
- CEDO is not funding the paint program this paint season
because of the lack of funding.
Burlington Lead Program (Jeff Tanguay)
- Total number of units tested: 69
- Total number of units enrolled: 134
- Total number of units in progress: 173
- Total number of units treated/cleared: 27
- Total number of people trained (EMP): 349
Outreach and Education Activities: (Lindsay White)
- Educational presentations offered weekly at BHA for section
8 tenants.
- Worked with CVOEO to distribute BLP and Lead Poisoning
information to community members
- Home visits for dust wipes and education
- Attendance of monthly RISPNet meeting
- Distributing new and revised BLP brochures and DVD’s
- Facilitated a fun learning activity for children and parents
at the Winooski Family Center
- Corresponding with parents regarding blood testing for
parents with children enrolled in the Lead Program.
- Total number of people accessed by O & E activities: 38,218.
Special Projects
Recovery Act (ARRA)
- Continuing to research funding opportunities through ARRA.
- City notified that its proposal for energy efficiency and
photovoltaic panels at Barnes School (EPA Climate Showcase
Communities) was not chosen for funding.
- $3.15 million DOT TIGER Discretionary Grant proposal for
Waterfront North under consideration – competition is fierce;
for every dollar available, there are $38 dollars in requests.
- Decision imminent on BED/BURDES application to Clean Energy
Development Fund for district heat.
- Exploring feasibility of applying for Economic Development
Administration for Waterfront North and/or Moran. Working with
BED, School Dept and New Generation Partners on proposal to VT
Public Service Department to install solar panels on schools
across Burlington.
Federal Funding Priorities
- FY10 appropriations bills mostly passed by House and Senate.
The Senate CSJ bill includes $1.5 for the Aviation Technology
Center; the E&W bill has $500K for Burlington Harbor; the THUD
bill has $1M for runway improvements at the airport, $1M for the
Church and Side Streets project, and $2M for CCTA, including
planning and design for the downtown transit Center; and the
Interior bill has $375K for the Quad. Working with Leahy’s
office regarding last few remaining issues related to the city’s
federal funding priorities for FY10.
- Working with Leahy and Sanders regarding transportation
reauthorization priorities. Looking likely that there will not
be a reauthorization bill this year that has specific project
earmarks.
Tax Incremental Financing District
- Joint Fiscal Committee approves Burlington’s plan to use tax
incremental financing revenues from the current district to
finance new infrastructure within the district for a five-year
period beginning on January 1, 2010.
- With CAO, participated in Vermont Economic Progress Council
panel discussion regarding TIF debt instruments.
- RFP process for consultant to prepare application for new
downtown TIF district temporarily suspended pending redrafting
of TIF application by VEPC (Letter of Intent already submitted
to VEPC).
Intervale Food Enterprise Center
- GMP still needs to sign indemnity agreement for .3 acre
parcel of land.
- Met with Intervale Center staff and board to iron out last
items regarding MOU between BCDC, the city, and Intervale
Center. Target date of January 4 for signing.
- Working with the City Attorney’s office to draft documents
to transfer the land from city to BCDC, including mortgage docs.
Burlington Community Development Corporation
- BCDC meets to accept retaining Doremus, Roesler and Kantor
as BCDC counsel, in particular, for FEC project.
- Gilbane appraisal complete, documents submitted to FTA,
closing on land within a few months.
Brownfields
- New $200,000 EPA grant has begun. Two assessments already in
the field at 151/157 South Champlain as part of a Burlington
Housing Authority/King Street Neighborhood Revitalization
Corporation housing development.
- Proposals being reviewed for Phase I ESA’s on thirteen
properties owned by Champlain Housing Trust. These properties
are the oldest in the CHT portfolio, and are being “bundled”
into a new Tax Credit Partnership which will conduct renovations
that will deal with energy efficiency, environmental and
historic issues.
- The latest round of cleanup at Moran is complete, with
residual asbestos and debris removed, and the building sealed up
against pigeons. This work has been completed with State DEC
grant funds.
- Technical assistance is being provided for a 3500-gallon
tank pull, and on several other sites now in the permitting
process.
Aviation Technical Center
- Through Senator Leahy, a $1 million earmark is finalized
through NASA for the Aviation Tech. Ctr. Will be used for
equipment, salaries, and major training aids including retired
helicopters, and provide resources to CEDO for continuing the
effort to expand into a new facility at the airport. Vermont
CDBG grant being prepared for A/E services, Vermont Technical
College is developing an Aviation Tech. Associates Degree, and
two foundations are being approached for major support.
College Street Stormwater
- Major funds are available through the USACE for
environmental infrastructure projects. New rules have been
approved making it easier for the City to access these
resources. Megan Moir, the City’s new Storm water Administrator,
is now working closely with CEDO, the USACE and the Lake
Champlain Basin Program on a new approach to working with the
USACE. A meeting in late October is being scheduled with all the
parties.
Asset Building and Economic Mobility
- Another free Credit Report Review Day was held on September
30. Households with income up to $42,000 were able to get a free
credit report and score (courtesy of Northfield Savings Bank),
and to sit down with a credit counselor to review the report,
learn how to correct errors and how to raise their scores.
Participating counselors from Chittenden Bank, VSAC, Consumer
Credit Counseling Service of NH and VT, and the Champlain
Housing Trust volunteered their services. (Margaret Bozik)
- Applications on behalf of the CASH Coalition have been
submitted to the IRS and to the D2D Fund to support the free tax
sites next year. (Margaret Bozik)
- A successful advocacy effort resulted in the Treasury
Department’s agreement to allow taxpayers to buy U.S. Savings
Bonds directly out of their tax refunds next year. The advocacy
was based on a pilot program in which Burlington participated.
(Margaret Bozik)
- Sofia Nelson has begun her year of VISTA service in support
of the CASH Coalition and the city’s free tax site. (Margaret
Bozik)
- A UVM intern is redesigning the CASH Coalition website,
funded and maintained by CEDO. (Margaret Bozik)
- CEDO will be presenting and participating at a Poverty
Reduction Peer Network meeting funded by the National League of
Cities. (Margaret Bozik)
Legacy
Admin/Office Updates and Outreach
- The Legacy Plan, first compiled and ratified by the City
Council in 2000, is being reviewed and updated in preparation
for the 2010 Legacy Town Meeting. Joe Speidel (Steering
Committee co-chair) and Legacy Staff meet to consider what this
update process will entail and how to best capture community
needs, interests and considerations. Two of the five sectors
have been visited and analyzed with the help of “sector
experts.” The economic section of the plan is being reviewed in
October. These meetings are intended to identify how well
Burlington has done to date in meeting its goals, where we have
succeeded and where we have fallen short.
- Legacy staff continues to add context to the new website.
The new site can be found at: http://burlingtonlegacyproject.org/.
Burlington School Food Project and Food Council
- Legacy continues to play a role on the FC’s strategic
planning committee although FC operations have been turned-over
to the Intervale Center. To help with this transition period,
Legacy supported the Intervale Center with a one-time check of
$2,500.
- Legacy, along with other FC strategic planning members,
submitted a request for funding through the Brighter Planet
Project Fund. The Brighter Planet Project Fund is an initiative
to support projects in U.S. communities that fight climate
change and/or help people adapt to its consequences. Money
awarded through this initiative would help to fund the FC’s work
to educate on food systems and the importance of access to
healthy local food, in addition to the role local food can play
in mitigating climate change. To vote for the Food Council,
community members are being asked to visit: http://brighterplanet.com/project_fund_projects/13.
Climate Action Plan and the Burlington Sustainability Action Team
- Spring Hill Solutions, a locally-based comprehensive carbon
management, clean energy, and business sustainability consulting
firm, signed a contract to begin phase 2 of the climate action
plan update process: a cost-carbon-energy analysis for the
Climate Action Plan. Work will begin immediately and is
scheduled to be complete by the close of 2009.
- Union Street Media continues to develop the CAP website.
Graduate student Rosemary Mosco, along with Legacy and DPZ
staff, are working to populate the site. A launch date is set
for October 16.
- Legacy continues to support the work of the Mayor’s
Burlington Sustainability Action Team. On September 16, Legacy,
along with other members and the CSWD, hosted a City Hall waste
sort to analyze the composition of trash buckets. The findings:
approximately 2/3 of what was thrown away could have been
composted or recycled. The BSAT meets in early October to devise
a waste reduction strategy based on the findings of this
exercise.
ICLEI and Other Membership News
- Burlington’s Legacy Project joined 65 other sustainability
directors from cities and counties in the U.S. and Canada at the
first annual Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN)
gathering in Chicago on September 23 to 25. Funded by the Surdna
Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers
Fund, and the Blackstone Ranch Institute, the USDN was formed to
enable public sector sustainability leaders to learn from each
other and accelerate achievement of ambitious city
sustainability goals. Legacy was joined at the meeting by
sustainability colleagues from New York, Seattle, Portland,
Boston, and others.
- Legacy was invited to form a team of regional and city
planners to attend ISC’s Climate Leadership Academy in Chicago.
The newly formed team, comprised of MPO, CCTA and City
Transportation representatives, met with other city teams in
Chicago on September 21-23, 2009. This Academy focused on best
practices on climate-friendly transportation, housing and
land-use planning/urban development. At least two more Climate
Leadership Academy events are planned for 2010—one focused on
climate adaptation and the other on green job generation.
Other Noteables
- Legacy met with members of GE’s City Solutions team to
explore possible partnerships. A follow-up phone call was held
between Legacy, BED, and GE to learn more about GE’s corporate
giving and opportunities for the city.
Youth On Boards
- 9/17/09 met with BHS principle Amy Mellencamp to discuss
refining the application process of the YOB program.
- 9/21/09 Wanda met Lea Terhane, Jennifer Davis; CCAN, Peter
Potts; Planning Commission Chair, Ralph Montefusco; Commission
member and BHS junior student YOB seat placement Atiya Harris at
the Bagel Bakery. We gathered to provide Atiya a welcomed
orientation about the YOB and overview of the Planning
Commission.
- Overall,YOB has been working hard to better refine the
recruitment process: “Here are the getting started steps:”
- Outside request for a YOB must be initiated by the
Commission/Board if there is a seat open.
- YOB Coordinator will request info from Commission/Board Chair
- The request is then posted on a generic YOB Open seat
announcement template
- Youth Advisory Committee and chair review application
- If agreed…meeting is set with youth member
- After youth member is selected; orientation is initiated
- Overall identified youth member commitment: attend
orientation, training and ongoing check-ins
- Available seat openings can be viewed on the Legacy Project
YOB webpage. The webpage has access to YOB application for
2009/2010. Note: on pages 3-5 there is a list of overall boards
and commissions participating in the YOB program and other
relevant info documents: City Gov 101 with Councilor list, What
is the Legacy Project?, YOB Questions, Get to know you and your
board worksheet and YOB Question & Answer worksheet. Check out
the YOB web link on the Legacy website:
http://burlingtonlegacyproject.org/projects/equity/youth-on-boards/.
Social Equity Investment Project
Bosnia and Hercegovina Family and Youth Association (BHFYA)
- 9/2/09--Met Mediha Jusufagic to help prepare VCF grant for
BHFYA. During grant preparation process it was revealed there
are very diverse populations of Bosnian and Herzegovina’s in
Vermont. The grant will support the Bosnian Lilies Dance Group
who reflect that diversity as they are one of a few diverse
groups working in the Bosnian Diaspora. Highly respected,
through traditional dances and songs the Bosnian Lilies ensemble
continue to bring Bosnian people of all religious and ethnic
groups together to share the customs and traditions of their
subcultures with each other and through performances, bringing
them to the larger community. Devoted community leader Mediha
and member of the Social Equity Advisory Committee believes it
is very important for the Bosnian community to introduce new
dances and songs into Bosnian Lilies’ already diverse reach
repertoire. To date, working from just her memory, she has
choreographed four dances representing four different groups
living in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and they are Roma, Kosovo,
Muslim, Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox. With support from the
VCF she is hopeful.
- Lastly, the Bosnian Lilies Dance Group are a gift to
Vermont; funding by the VCF will be an opportunity to preserve
and nurture an artistic new Bosnian–American musical heritage
which symbolizes the diversity that VT now represents.
Refugee & Immigrant Service Providers Network (RISPNet)
- On 9/10/09, Wanda attended the monthly RISPNet meeting
facilitated by Denise Lamoureux, State Refugee Coordinator;
AHS…nearly 40 social service providers were present. Special
guest included Judy Scott, the VT Refugee Resettlement Program
Director.
- Refugee arrival update included: 24 refugees had been
projected to arrive in September…bringing the annual total to
325. Also, over the course of the following year, new Americans
will continue to arrive from Bhutan, Burma, Somalia and Iraq.
- Refugee housing was a hot topic item as pointed out at a
special meeting on July 30th as next years’ resettlement plans
were reviewed with 60 social service providers. As noted then
and at the meeting…Refugee housing is a major concern due to
expensiveness coupled with low employment opportunity leaving
many families stressed and finding themselves likely candidates
for homelessness.
- Further shared discussion about the serious Refugee housing
revealed it is believed that about 20% of the refugee families
now “double-up” for housing with unrelated families. One
Reach-Up service provider stated they have a higher number of
cases especially with families in really stressful situations,
who are concerned about the lack of employment and being one
step away from homelessness.
- Wrapping up the discussion those in attendance agreed that
borrowing from already existing viable refugee relief programs
was not an option as impact would be very small. Many opted to
perhaps organize a meeting with key influential entities to
arrive at some long-term sustainable solution.
CCTV
- 9/12/09, Wanda attended the Non-profit leadership and mobile
matrix of change luncheon at CCTV hosted by Lauren Glenn-Davitian.
25 attended. The luncheon was an opportunity to better
understand up close shifting technology, finance and demographic
change as well as the many increasing demands for service. The
luncheon focused on the web stream which evidently powers the
mobile media matrix. Hmm..there was definitely a learning curve;
however, Lauren did an outstanding job highlighting effective
tools, training and resources to help us better navigate the
matrix. She has advised us all to stay tuned.
Uncommon Alliance (UA)
- Wanda Hines and Hal Colston Co-facilitated the Uncommon
Alliance meeting at Fletcher Library, September 16th. Wanda
presented a PowerPoint presentation of UA history,
accomplishments and success as a statewide model. The
presentation was also an opportunity for local community leaders
and law enforcement to provide feedback. Twenty local community
leaders and law enforcement personnel attended.
- A key area of discussion included a report pertaining to a
briefing by the VT Advisory Committee to the US Commission on
Civil Rights titled: Racial Profiling in VT. The report included
a 2-page introductory summary by Martin Dannenfelser; Staff
Director with Feedback and thoughts recommending that the UA be
used as a state model by all Vermont local law enforcement
organizations.
- The full 58-page report can be found on the following link:
http://www.usccr.gov/pubs/VTRacialProfiling.pdf.
- The UA has successfully applied for a grant through VCF
under Successful Communities grant support: Civic Engagement,
Diversity and Equity, Education. The purpose of the grant will
be to support broader data analysis, ensuring all participants’
concerns and needs are equitably met.
- The Final agenda item was open for discussion to brainstorm
about UA’s next step “area of focus.” Many recommended and
agreed focusing on the ethnic and cultural diverse disparity of
the Vermont Court System as well as working to grow UA’s
operating capacity such as stabilizing funding, hiring an
administrative assistant, board development, etc.
Uncommon Alliance Steering Committee (UASC) Recruitment:
- The UASC announced newly elected member, Robert Appel,
Executive Director of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, will
be serving on the steering committee that meets monthly to set
the agenda and identify next action steps. Highly respected,
Robert brings a depth of knowledge, understanding and influence
to better help address Vermont’s racial disparity within the
judicial system.
Diversity and Equity Office/ Burlington School District (BSD)
- 9/22/09 Wanda met with Director Dan Balon and Mercedes Mack,
Equity Education Specialist. Primary discussion involved: W.K.
Kellogg Foundation Community-Based Racial Healing Grant…the
deadline was September 30 which the BSD made. Working in
partnership, the SEIP has committed to playing an important role
to help promote racial equity. Please note, the Diversity and
Equity Office is especially excited about this grant; the charge
is to strengthen and bolster community-based approaches for
racial healing and equity efforts targeting vulnerable and
marginalized children. Dan personally spent many hours providing
a sound solution within the required grant content. Overall
grant requirement was that the BSD must work to promote racial
healing within and between racial and ethnic groups as well as
identified geographic areas.
- Other discussion involved:
- Cultural competence leadership training opportunities for
educators, parents, grassroots community advocates and invested
community members in general. An integrated training menu list
is being prepared.
- Self sustaining, regenerating/pipeline leadership designed to
promote vision/goals and culture needs.
CCAN AmeriCorps Program
- State AmeriCorps*VISTA Orientation: 9/15/09 The SEIP was
introduced as valuable and gave summary of services available.
The Orientation was a 3-day event led by Beth Truzanski,
AmeriCorps Coordinator. The overall new members were very
impressive and the most reflective of Burlington’s current
population make up.
- 9/23/09 Met with Beth Truzanski, AmeriCorps Program
Coordinator. Discussion: What is the role and relationship
between SEIP and CCAN? Is it vision planning, collaboration,
partnering for transparent inclusive community building
projects, etc….Wanda sees the SEIP role as assisting with
effective programs designed to improve and promote culturally
diverse leadership vision/goals and cultural needs. Both agreed
primary goals would be to complement and support each other.
- State AmeriCorps Orientation: 9/23/09 The SEIP was invited
to attend luncheon as a resource guest. Wanda gave an overview
of SEIP creative methods which were designed help facilitate
positive social change. The orientation was organized by Team
Leader Sara Osaba who provided sound leadership and direction to
not only the State AmeriCorps but attending site placement
Directors. Other guests included Dan Balon, BSD Diversity and
Equity Director with assistant Mercedes Mack, Equity Education
Specialist. Mercedes, an AmeriCorps*VISTA member, is working
attentively to ensure the new Equity Resource Center is a
success.
- Sara provided a PowerPoint about a highly ethnic and
culturally diverse high school elsewhere and the measures they
have implemented to achieve extraordinary results. Quote
“extraordinary results---require extraordinary efforts.”
Conversations On Race Now (CORN)
- Wanda attended the CORN meeting at the Burnham Library,
Colchester Village, September 24th. The panel was predominantly
composed of educators. CORN holds the panels for quote, “For our
parent/educator panel conversation on education, equity and
diversity in our Vermont education system with community
participation and esteemed guest panel educators to converse and
dialogue with us.”
- Guest Panelists included: Robert Walsh, Dan Balon, Ryon
Price, and Ricardo Johnson. For more information contact at
CORN:
vhm84@hotmail.com/hhskl47@myfairpoint.net. Vivian Mason is a
member of the Social Equity Advisory Committee. “Conversations
On Race Now” promotes dialogue between people, emphasizing
respectful and courteous interaction. This valuable resource
which helps support and facilitates safe dialogue was inspired
by community leaders sharing their experience, hope and
strength.”
Association of Africans living in Vermont (AALV)
- Wanda met with AALV Director Jacob Borge to discuss the
following and explore other options: “How the local area housing
shortage has begun to impact and influence decision making
resulting in temporary agreed upon non-traditional living
arrangements.” Agreed upon next action steps in direct relation
to housing shortage and new American populations (seek other
successful models): globally UK and Australia and locally
Hartford, Connecticut and Lewiston, Maine.
- AALV Director Jacob continues to bring the required creative
and cautionary leadership to lift up and bring to scale newly
created and exciting programs that work to make possible
opportunities for new Americans to contribute to their own
economic growth and job creation. In fact, Jacob announced the
AALV has successfully secured level funding for Outreach and
Social Adjustment as well as Workforce Development Training
funds from refugee/immigrant federal sources to support creation
of sustainable quality of life opportunities. Lastly…Jacob
announced the AALV will be moving their office to a larger
location in the Old North End to better accommodate growing need
and more efficient delivery of services.
Waterfront
Moran Plant
- Lincoln Applied Geology completes initial clean-up work in
interior of building, paid for by a $100,000 grant from VT DEC.
Scope included removal of guano, asbestos, stabilization of lead
paint, dewatering and removal of scrap metal from the basement.
- Steve Weems, a consultant from Portland, Maine with
expertise in New Market Tax Credits, is retained as a
sub-contractor to David G. White to assess the feasibility of
utilizing NMTC as a financing mechanism for the project.
- City Council approves grant agreement with HUD for
$1,040,000 in Brownfields Economic Development Initiative grant
funds. Joint Fiscal Committee approves use of tax increment
financing revenue (see TIF section), which will cover the debt
service on a $2,091,000 Section 108 loan provisionally approved
as part of the BEDI financing package.
Oil Bollard Removal
- The USACE has reorganized, setting the bollard project back
6 months. However, part of the new changes brings a USACE staff
member to Vermont on a monthly basis, which will greatly improve
implementation over the long term. The bollard project is now
slated for the 2010 season.
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