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Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPAs) are
grassroots, neighborhood organizations that were established in each of
Burlington’s seven Wards to encourage citizen participation in City
government. Working as neighborhood advocacy groups, Neighborhood
Planning Assemblies help improve communication between the citizens of
Burlington and City government through regular meetings scheduled in
each Ward. |
How do they work?Bylaws: Each Neighborhood Planning Assembly has its own set of bylaws or guidelines. Although most meetings work in the same general way, the bylaws provide rules for the way that decisions are made and recorded. Membership: Membership is open to all residents of a Ward who are on the City of Burlington voting checklist. To become a member, an interested citizen must attend a meeting of the Neighborhood Planning Assembly. Steering Committees: Each Neighborhood Planning Assembly has a steering committee that is elected by the membership at large. The members of this committee are responsible for scheduling the meetings, setting the agendas, moderating the meetings, and making sure that everyone who wishes to, has an opportunity to speak. Steering Committee members also serve as contacts with City departments and other Neighborhood Planning Assemblies. The Steering Committee is responsible for recording the minutes of each meeting so that they are available for public inspection. Steering Committee members are elected by the Neighborhood Planning Assembly and generally serve for a one-year term. Agendas: Agendas are established by the Steering Committee with the participation of Neighborhood Planning Assembly membership. Any member of a Neighborhood Planning Assembly may request that an item be placed on the agenda for discussion. Open forum time is set aside at each meeting for members to freely express their views and concerns about the assembly or topics of public interest. City of Burlington Community & Economic Development Office (CEDO): The Community & Economic Development Office in City Hall is responsible for maintaining administrative records, providing technical assistance, administering Neighborhood Planning Assembly funded projects, updating Neighborhood Planning Assembly mailing lists and sending out Neighborhood Planning Assembly agendas and mailings. CEDO also helps keep Neighborhood Planning Assembly Steering Committee members aware of City proposals and plans, and encourages Neighborhood Planning Assembly involvement in the development and implementation of those plans. What do they do?Each of Burlington’s neighborhoods has its own unique history, resources and problems to be solved, and the Neighborhood Planning Assemblies reflect this diversity. Because many of the Neighborhood Planning Assemblies grew out of existing neighborhood groups, each has a different character and a different approach to resolving issues. However, the Neighborhood Planning Assemblies share the power and the resources of their members and the ability to involve people in the process of City government. As active members of the Neighborhood Planning Assembly, citizens have the power to influence public policy and work with others to bring about changes in the neighborhood and City. Resolutions: NPAs influence public policy in several ways. One way NPAs express their sentiments and concerns about particular issues is in the form of resolutions. These resolutions are then distributed to the Mayor, City Councilors and appropriate City departments and commissions, ensuring that elected officials and Department heads know what residents are thinking about particular issues before they make decisions. Neighborhood Planning Assembly resolutions are shared with Steering Committee members of other Neighborhood Planning Assemblies in order to keep each other informed about their opinions on issues or projects of public concern. Community Development Block Grant fund allocation: Neighborhood Planning Assemblies also participate directly in the allocation of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds by electing representatives to sit on the CDBG advisory board. CDBG funds are used to support many critical human services, housing, and neighborhood community development needs related to issues of poverty. Neighborhood Planning Assemblies also submit applications each year seeking the award of CDBG funds for neighborhood projects in the Neighborhood Development Grant Program. Any member of a Neighborhood Planning Assembly can apply for funds for community development projects that reduce poverty and/or revitalize low and moderate income neighborhoods. Each project will be presented at a fall NPA meeting and approved before it can be submitted by the December 18, 2009 deadline.
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Page last updated February 03, 2010
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