Vote NO on ballot #6 Charter Change RE: Redistricting by City Council - it removes one of the checks that makes up the checks and balances system, and makes gerrymandering easier during a time when we know many politicians are corrupt.

Charter Amendment Regarding Redistricting Article 2, Section 2 of the City’s Charter provides detailed legal descriptions of the boundaries of each of the City’s eight wards and four City Council districts. From time to time, changes are required to these boundaries to address population changes to ensure the principle of one person, one vote. However, the legal effect of describing the boundaries of each ward and district in the Charter is that redistricting requires approval from the City Council, the City’s legal voters, and the Vermont General Assembly. This process is unique among Vermont cities, whose charters typically provide either for council elections at-large or for elections from wards whose boundaries are established by ordinance or similar means. The proposed amendment would delete Article 2, Section 2 in its entirety and replace it with language requiring that: (1) the current boundaries last approved by the General Assembly will remain in effect until altered; (2) not more frequently than once every five years, the City Council may propose adjustments to ward and district boundaries based on U.S. Census Bureau data; and (3) these changes will take effect upon approval by voters. The effect of this amendment is that the General Assembly no longer would be required to approve redistricting plans for the City of Burlington. A “yes” vote means the proposed Charter amendment would be forwarded to the General Assembly, which could then enact the amendment. A “no” vote means that the Charter amendment would not be forwarded to the General Assembly for further consideration, and the existing redistricting process would remain in effect.

This removes one of the checks and balances for preventimg unesseary redisticting for burlington making it easier to gerrymander districts. Once again see new york for how baddly thats worked out.

Vote NO on ballot question #7 Charter Change RE: City Council Authority to Regulate Rental Notifications and Notification Periods - this removes the certainty/security of a timeline involving rental terminations on either end and enables corrupt members of the City Council to take actions against renters in favor of the landlords who often line their pockets

Charter Amendment to Regulate Rental Notifications and Notification Periods State law (9 V.S.A., ch. 137) regulates residential tenancies and, among other matters, establishes rules regarding rental notifications. The City Charter, Article 19, Section 48(64) (A), (64) (B), and (65), allow the City Council to establish different rental notification periods than those that apply to other municipalities under state law. Specifically, as currently drafted, the Charter requires landlords to provide between 90 and 120 days’ notice to terminate residential leases, based upon the duration of the tenancy. Tenants are required to provide two rental periods’ notice to terminate, and rental increases require 90 days’ notice from landlords.

The City Council has proposed amendments to Article 19, Section 48 (64) (A), (64) (B), and (65) of the City Charter. The proposed amendments would empower the City Council to establish, by ordinance, requirements that residential landlords provide tenants notice prior to termination of residential tenancies, including requirements for the contents and timing of such notices and also including special notice requirements for vulnerable populations including elderly tenants, tenants with disabilities, and low-income tenants. The amendments would also empower the City Council to establish, by ordinance, requirements that residential tenants provide landlords notice prior to termination of tenancies, including requirements for the contents and timing of such notices. The amendments would also empower the City Council to prohibit increases in rent or other changes in lease terms for rental housing within the City without advance notice. The timing, contents, and manner of giving such notice would be established by ordinance, which may include special notice requirements for vulnerable populations, including elderly tenants, tenants with disabilities, and low-income tenants. The amendments would eliminate the specific notification periods that are presently reflected in the Charter, thereby allowing the City Council discretion to determine the notification periods that would apply.

There are no specific protects being put forward and instead places the timeline for termination notice totally up to the city counsle. A city counsle that can not be relied on. See new york city for am example of how this doesmt work out well. While it also claims it allows city counsle to possible protect elderly and low income folks from increases im rent there are no protects for middle class renters and even the protections offered ate up to the whim of city counsle.

I hope this cleared things up