INTERIM REPORT of the QUALITY OF LIFE MAPPING GROUP:
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACTS, RESPONSES & PARTNERSHIPS

A. INTRODUCTION

Several months ago, Departments of the City of Burlington and the University of Vermont began a dialogue about the variety of quality of life issues that face Burlington's neighborhoods. Calling itself the Mapping Group, representatives began meeting to "map" the City's and the Universities' "assets" (programs and activities) that were being utilized to respond to quality of life issues in our neighborhoods.

This is an Interim Report on the work of that group.

The group firmly believes that issues impacting the quality of life in Burlington need to be addressed through partnerships of the City, UVM, and neighborhood residents and through a comprehensive program that utilizes prevention, intervention and restoration strategies.

The group also firmly believes in community based problem solving.

Based upon feedback from the community through the work of the individual members, the group has identified several quality of life issues and created the following "categories" to assist us in our analysis:

1. Disruptive Behavior 
2. Trash/Litter 
3. Property Conditions 
1. Parking/Lack of Parking 
2. Loss of Green Space 
3. Housing Condition 
4. Fire Safety 
5. Overcrowding 
4. General Safety
1. Suspicious behavior, vandalism, drug dealing, inadequate lighting, graffiti, etc. 
2. Speeding Vehicles 
3. Dog/Pet Owner Behavior 
5. Alcohol/Drug Use 
6. Neighbor-to-Neighbor Relationships

The group established several goals:

1. Strengthen the partnership that exists between the City of Burlington, University of Vermont and neighborhood residents in addressing quality of life issues; 
2. Map existing needs, programs and activities; 
3. Identify gaps in programs and activities; 
4. Support opportunities for new initiatives; 
5. Avoid duplication; 
6. Create efficiencies; 
7. Collect and analyze data as it becomes available; and 
8. Clarify the outcomes that are desired as a result of our efforts.

The group has or is on its way to accomplishing goals 1 and 2 above, and has initiated efforts to accomplish the rest. The group recognizes that the Interim Report is a work in progress, and, as a result, are open to suggestions.

The following sections are included in this Interim Report:

• A chart of the issues impacting Burlington's neighborhoods and responses to them; 
• A list of the partners and the quality of life initiatives and programs involved in responding to these issues; 
• A matrix that attempts to combine both the chart of the issues and partners; 
• Finally, another way to look at the issues: a summary of the prevention. Intervention and restoration strategies.

Participants in the group include:

• Ray O'Conner, Director, Code Enforcement 
• Rich Long, Lieutenant, Police Department 
• Michael Monte, Director, CEDO 
• Yiota Ahladas, Assistant Director for Community Development, CEDO 
• Amanda Van Vranken, Community Development Specialist, CEDO 
• Brooke Hadwen, Community Support Program, CEDO 
• Gail Shampnois, UVM City Relations Office 
• Bruce Duncan, UVM Conflict Resolution Office

Page last updated May 15, 2003