BBA Advocacy Update Oct 24, 2011
The Burlington Business Association: The Voice of Business in Burlington
Several issues recently in the news or before the Burlington City Council have the potential for impacting our downtown business community. Over the past few days, I have been working to learn more about these issues so that I can help keep you informed. Here is the list of issues that I are currently on the top of the BBA's Advocacy list. Click on any of the issues to learn more about the background of the issue. A summary of the BBA's advocacy plan for each appears with the read more link.
A new 25mph speed limit for Burlington will take effect in late November. This limit impacts all Burlington streets with a few exceptions. Certain streets exempted from that limit include; Battery Street, parts of North Ave., Rt. 127, and parts of Shelburne Road.
The BBA wrote to the DWP Commission to request that more studies be done before implementing a proposed 20mph speed limit for the designated downtown district, including Pearl Street to Main Street and South Winooski Ave to Lake Street, with the exception of Battery Street and Church Street. The BBA also advocated for a public information campaign to educate pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and other wheeled transportation users about safe practices on downtown streets. The Burlington Police Department also spoke out about concerns as to the 20-mph limit and issues with enforcement.
The DPW Commission decided to delay voting on the 20mph speed limit proposal and to take the matter up at a future meeting. The BBA will continue to work with DPW Commissioners to explore best practices for creating a safe environment for all in the downtown.
Organizers of OccupyVT have announced their intention to occupy City Hall Park beginning on Friday, Oct. 29th at 3:00pm. City officials will be releasing a formal statement in response to this planned use of the park sometime in the next few days. Of prime concern is addressing the fact that is it illegal to be in city parks overnight.
The BBA has been focused on revitalizing City Hall Park for the past two years. We plan to watch this development closely to determine what impact, if any, this occupation will have on the park and its role as our downtown green space.
The BBA plans to follow the Burlington Mayoral Race with three goals in mind:
1) Ensure that issues important to its members and the economic vitality of Burlington stay present in the debate
2) Create and publish a candidates report card that assesses candidate positions against BBA membership criteria on key issues
3) Hold a candidate debate led by the business community to hear from candidates on those same key issues.
Plan to hear more about BBA's work on this issue following the Democratic Caucus on November 13th.
Twinning Program with Drummonville, QB
The resolution put before the City Council creates a Twinning program between the cities of drummonville, QB and Burlington, VT USA. The measure was supported by The Burlington Business Association in conjunction with the Church Street Marketplace. City Council voted unanimously in support of the program. The program allows Burlington's Downtown stakeholders to work with their counterparts in Drummonville, QB to learn from each other and foster relationships that promote both cities.
Businesses that operate in Burlington are required to pay taxes on their business property or assets. These assets include items such as furniture and fixtures and office equipment. Councilors Paul and Decelles put forth a resolution to increase the exemption from this tax for businesses with assets valuing less that $25,000. The City Council voted to remand the resolution to the Board of Finance. The BBA will continue to follow this issue.
