I served on the Burlington City Council from 2004 to 2009. This experience helped me quickly become familiar with the concerns of towns throughout Chittenden County. I played a key role in many important issues in my years on the Council, but it is only through partnerships with colleagues and with residents that things get done. This is a sampling of the things I was able to achieve with others. – Tim
Saved Taxpayer Money - Along with Councilor Sharon Bushor (I-Ward 1), proposed investing the City’s retirement fund with VPIC, the State of Vermont’s retirement fund. This has already saved the City thousands of dollars in reduced fees to investment managers.
Increased Affordable Homeownership Opportunities – With former Councilor Carmen George (D-Ward 7), led passage of an amendment to the City’s “condo conversion” ordinance. This eased condo conversion rules in neighborhoods with very low rates of homeownership. New homeowners are now benefiting in the Old North End and the City’s South End. These new units are among the only ones in the city affordable to first-time homeowners with modest means.
Helped Create New City-Owned Park – Played a lead role on the Council to purchase an open plot of land on Myrtle Street in order to create a community garden park. Myrtle Street is situated in a densely populated neighborhood with a shortage of green space. Residents will now have a park in their midst. This will hopefully become a model for future purchases for public benefit.
Put Residents in Leadership Roles on Environmental and Energy – With Councilor Bill Keogh (D-Ward 5) and Councilor Jane Knodell (P-Ward 2), sponsored and passed a resolution creating the City’s new Environmental and Energy Coordinating Committee. This group, composed of residents, practitioners, and city staff, have met for the past year and created a series of forward-thinking proposals for the City to pursue. The committee will become a vehicle for harnessing public efforts on energy, transportation, and environmental issues.
Created Green Building and Public Art Bonuses – In consultation with members of the Vermont Green Building Network, led the effort to include a Green Building bonus in the City’s development regulations. This bonus will encourage builders to incorporate environmentally-friendly building in new development. Also wrote and passed the Public Art bonus, which will allow builders/architects/others to incorporate significant “public art” features into new projects.
Strengthened Mixed-Income Communities – Along with Councilor Russ Ellis (D-Ward 4) and former Councilor Cheryl McDonough (P-Ward 2), successfully urged the Council to amend the City’s inclusionary zoning ordinance to make it less likely that future developments will not include affordable housing. The new ordinance would require developers to pay $100K into the City’s Housing Trust Fund for each unit that they fail to build in a mixed-income building.
Held Municipal Tax Rate Constant for Third Year in a Row – Worked with fellow members of the Finance Board to develop and pass a municipal budget that held taxes level for the third year in a row. This represents an inflation-adjusted decrease of approximately 10% for Burlington taxpayers. This is a tremendous accomplishment at a time of double digit increases in health care, workers compensation, and fuel costs.
Protected Local Workers and Workers Rights – Worked with former City Councilor Phil Fiermonte (P-Ward 3) to pass Outsourcing and Union Deterrence Ordinances. Together, these ordinances make it the policy of the city to not issue contracts to firms who outsource their work or who engage in unlawful anti-union work.