Neighborhood Planning Assemblies

-What is the status of the Southern Connector?

-Where did all these students come from? Where are the colleges and university going to put them?

-There is a giant hole in the middle of North Street. What’s up with that?

-The space down the street would be great for a park. Where could I get some money to put up a tire swing?

-Cars and trucks seem to fly down my street. Is there any way I could slow them down?

-I heard someone wants to build a gas station in my neighborhood, how could I have my questions answered?

NPAs serve as organized, democratic forums where neighbors can learn about public issues that affect them, and advise the City of their concerns and needs. From stop signs to major development projects, the NPAs offer you an innovative way to get involved in neighborhood and City issues and make your opinions heard.

NPAs elect representatives to a citizen board that approves neighborhood development grant applications. There are two grant programs providing assistance for neighborhood improvement projects such as block parties, clean up days, park and playground improvements, and street enhancements. A citizen board approves neighborhood grant applications.

NPA Highlights from 2005-2006:
-Neighborhood Improvement Night with the Burlington School District
-UVM & Champlain College Expansion
-Pedestrian Summit
-Burlington Telecom Roll Out Outreach
-Health Care Reform
-Moran Plant
-Champlain Parkway

Regular NPA Topics:
-Upcoming Ballot Questions and Candidate Forums
-NPA/Community Development Block Grant Proposal & Allocation
-Elections for Community Development Block Grant boards, NPA Steering Committees
-Development Projects in the wards
-Updates/status checks on street and sidewalk repair projects

Contact CEDO to join the mailing list to receive agendas.  If you're not sure of your ward, please check the map to the left and click here for a listing of City Wards and Districts by street. For more information, contact: Wards 2/3 & 4/7: Beth Truzansky, 865-7178, btruzansky@ci.burlington.vt.us Wards 1, 5 & 6: Ita Meno, 865-7172, imeno@ci.burlington.vt.us

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 (like park restoration, streetscape improvements, traffic calming) by attending a meeting, filling out an application, and having the project approved by a majority vote of the Neighborhood Planning Assembly. The Steering Committee is responsible for compiling the applications from the Ward and for sending a representative to the decision-making neighborhood Grants Board.  This year, the Neighborhood Grants Board awarded over $55,000 in CDBG funds to improve local parks, playgrounds, and streets, and on other projects.