Staff directed to report back to City Council this fall on establishing a Burlington Resiliency Fund

In response to recent severe weather events, earlier today at the August 7 Special Council Meeting,  Burlington City Council considered a Motion Memorandum from myself that aims to provide the community with better support during natural disasters or emergencies. The motion directed City staff to report back to the Committee of the Whole on October 7 with options and recommendations for establishing a Burlington Resiliency Fund.

The push for this fund comes in the aftermath of the July 15 storm, which saw approximately 65mm of rainfall within three hours, followed by additional rainfall later that day and on July 16. This resulted in the flooding of 1,288 homes in Burlington, causing significant damage and unexpected financial burdens for many residents. The flooding highlighted that Burlington lacks a centralized resource for both the intake of charitable donations and for the distribution of support.

Relief funds are crucial for helping communities recover from both natural and human-made disasters. There are various ways the City can explore the development of this fund. As staff review options and recommendations for a Burlington Resiliency Fund, staff will consider various factors, including the administration of the program, sources of initial and ongoing funding, eligibility criteria, types of covered costs, and the scope of natural disasters included. They will also evaluate the eligibility of different types of properties, such as businesses and residential properties, including rentals.

We look forward to City staff providing City Council with options and recommendations for establishing a Burlington Resiliency Fund. This necessary fund would serve as a vital resource for assisting residents impacted by severe weather and other emergencies.

I look forward to hearing back from staff this October.