Charter Change Committee

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Bushor Conference Room, 1^st Floor City Hall and via Zoom (Remote)

DRAFT MINUTES

Members Present: Councilor Bergman (Chair), Councilor Carpenter, Councilor Traverse

Staff Present: Kim Sturtevant (Acting City Attorney)

Others in Attendance: None.

 

Meeting called to order at 5:31 PM.

1.0   Agenda

1.01 Motion to Amend Draft Agenda

Motion by Councilor Carpenter, Seconded by Councilor Traverse.

Final Resolution: Motion Passes.

Yes: Unanimous.

 

2.0 Adopt Minutes from 11/02/2022

2.01 Motion to Adopt Minutes from 11/02/2022

Motion to Adopt Minutes from 11/02/2022.

            Motion by Councilor Bergman to table adoption of draft minutes.

Final Resolution: Motion Passes.

Yes: Unanimous.

 

3.0 Public Forum

 

No members of the public present.

 

4.0 Charter Change Deliberation

4.01 Councilor Compensation

Bergman: This can be a form of a status update on this issue.

 

Carpenter: We need to do some research on this matter, but the City offices are already understaffed.  I am wondering if we could hire someone or reach out to a third party to get an idea on what other municipalities are doing.

 

Traverse: I concur, we should look into outside groups to answer this question.  On a related note, the next ballot will have a proposition for a local control board that will have compensation.  If that passes, we will likely have to look into this issue more broadly.

Bergman: I am wondering if the City Attorney’s Office can check with HR about their thoughts on an outside consultant for this matter.  We do have Council project funds.  We would need to inquire with the CAO about the budget for that fund.  There is also a possibility of getting a paid intern to work on this.  I think the scope should be for Vermont and for New England/Eastern New York.

 

Kim Sturtevant: I can check with VLCT on this issue before our next mission.

 

Carpenter: I would be fine with contributing some of my own funds if necessary.

 

Bergman: I am not opposed to that, but I think the funds should come from elsewhere if possible.

Traverse: On a side note, I would love to get a better idea on councilor funds if possible.

 

Carpenter: When we did just cause research the three of us pitched in money to fund an intern quickly, which may not be necessary in this case.

 

4.02 Non-Charter Redistricting

Bergman: I believe we already have unanimous support for not having to go through charter change for redistricting.

 

Carpenter: I agree, I think making this an April item will work well.

 

Traverse: I think we should consider this for Town Meeting Day 2024.

 

Bergman: Okay.  I don’t think there is any value to move on this before the next election.

 

Carpenter: I just hope that some version of the redistricting passes.  I do not think there is much left to do beyond leaving this for the Council.  It seems like there is support for this and won’t be a lot of pushback.

 

Bergman: Kim, if you could find what we already have and perhaps I could do a report for March.  I see affirmatives from Councilors Carpenter and Traverse.

 

4.03 Participatory Budgeting

Bergman: This is a democratic item I campaigned on.  This is an opportunity for citizens to make budgetary decisions.  It can be advisory and at any scale that we would want.  New York City has system like this.  I will be looking for studies that look into this.  When my NPA meets, it seems like attendance goes up when more money is up for decisions.  That is just my recollection, but I would like to engage with the idea.  This would definitely have to be a charter change.

 

Carpenter: I like the idea.  I do think this probably needs to be a charter change.  The question is how to implement or structure the system.  This issue seems like a great opportunity for a paid internship.

 

Bergman: The charter gives budgetary power to the Mayor right now.  There could be ways to work with that, but I think it would require a change.

 

Traverse: I agree.  I encouraged giving more money to NPAs to provide further local funds.  We don’t know the make up of the next Committee, but it could be the three of us again.

 

Bergman: We could plan a meeting on this in March.  I move to bring this question to CEDO on behalf of the Committee.  By unanimous consent, motion passes.  I appreciate you hearing my piece on this item.

 

 

5.0 Adjournment

Traverse: Would the Chair entertain a question on other committee business?

 

Bergman: Yes, of course.

 

Traverse: I have expressed some concern about the community control board on the ballot.  I think even the proponents should have concern about the change going through Montpelier.  I think we will have to see in March if it passes, but I think we do need to move on this issue regardless of if the community control board measure passes. 

 

Bergman: Was the Police Commission powers discussion before Public Safety Committee?  I think the sentiments that have been raised need to be addressed if possible.  If this committee can work on the charter authority side of this issue, I would be interested.

 

Carpenter: If the ballot measure passes, I do not think it will go through the legislature as is.  It would serve us to be proactive in this conversation regardless of what happens in Montpelier.  I think we should also have an agenda item to keep us reminded to discuss these issues.

 

Bergman: If someone wants to get something on the agenda, definitely email or text me and we can make sure we can get to everything. 

5.01 Adjournment

Motion to Adjourn.

            Motion by Councilor Traverse.  Second by Councilor Carpenter.

Final Resolution: Motion Passes.

Yes: Unanimous.

 

Committee Adjourned at 6:15 PM.