What is the Burlington Forward resolution?

We have a critical update, and we want you to be in the know: Burlington’s Democratic city councilors just introduced a major proposal addressing public safety, homelessness, substance use, mental health, and the condition of the City’s public spaces.

The proposal is called Burlington Forward. [https://burlingtonforward.info] It is expected to come before the full City Council on Monday, August 3, and has already drawn a strong response from Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak. The debate is moving quickly, and many residents still don’t know what is actually in the resolution. So we’re here to break it all down for you.

Burlington Forward is a broad policy framework. Right away, you should understand that by itself it would not hire any new staff, open a shelter, relocate a public health program, or remove an encampment. Many of its proposals would still require funding, legal review, administrative action, or another City Council decision.

At its core, the resolution asks the City to:

* Increase positive activity, maintenance, and visible public safety resources in public spaces.

* Expand temporary shelter or sanctioned camping options when existing shelter is unavailable, while responding more quickly to camping in places where it is prohibited.

* Continue supporting housing, treatment, recovery, harm reduction, and behavioral health services while assessing how much Burlington can sustainably provide.

* Seek greater responsibility and investment from the State and surrounding communities.

* Require a public zoning process for syringe service programs and overdose prevention centers, support syringe services elsewhere in Burlington, and oppose locating these programs in the downtown district.

* Establish clearer measurements and public reporting on public spaces, encampments, emergency shelter, and existing City initiatives.

The Mayor has come out against the resolution in its current form. She says the City is already doing much of this work and worries that some of the proposals on encampments and public health services could take Burlington in the wrong direction. The councilors behind the resolution say the City needs clearer priorities, better measurements, stronger accountability, and more help from the State and surrounding communities.

The resolution is expected to come before the City Council on August 3, though it could still change before a final vote.

BBF is continuing to review the proposal and the concerns that have been raised. We will share our position before the Council takes action.

READ THE RESOLUTION [https://burlingtonforward.info/]

READ THE MAYOR’S RESPONSE [https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/3859]

Thank you,

Sam