By Kolby R. LaMarche

Burlington city councilors last night tackled ongoing concerns surrounding the relocation of Food Not Cops, a group providing free meals to the city’s homeless, from the Marketplace Garage to City Hall Park, as recently covered by Burlington Daily News.

The move, prompted by complaints from over 150 businesses and a mid-July deadline set by the council, has continued to stir debate about public safety, the management of public spaces, and the enforcement of city ordinances.Earlier this month, Food Not Cops—after stating in deleted social media posts that they wouldn’t leave the garage—relocated to City Hall Park, joining another free-food organization.

Since around July 8, Food Not Cops has been handing out meals at City Hall Park, followed hours later by another meal: dinner, provided by People’s Kitchen.

According to Democratic Councilor Becca Brown McKnight, in the days after Food Not Cops left the garage, open drug use, overdoses, public urination, defecation, and sex solicitation dropped significantly—some by as much as 70%, she said, with open drug use alone decreasing by 50%, data she says she sourced from the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Office.

Another Democrat, Councilor “Buddy” Singh, expressed frustration with the group’s unpermitted move to City Hall Park, stating it’s not a sustainable solution. He noted that business leaders near the park he spoke with feel the relocation has not alleviated their concerns and may have worsened downtown challenges.

The business community had previously argued that the meal distribution site in the garage created an uncomfortable atmosphere for customers, contributing to a decline in foot traffic and a drop in sales over the past year. Singh’s comments suggest that City Hall Park, a central public space, may not be the right fit for the program either.

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, tasked with presenting a relocation plan by July 14, has not yet delivered a proposal, drawing criticism from McKnight and others. “I’m disappointed that the mayor hasn’t listened to residents,” McKnight said, pointing to the administration’s failure to address multiple ordinances related to public behavior in City Hall Park. The mayor’s office had previously indicated efforts to work with Food Not Cops on a cooperative relocation, but the group’s unilateral move complicated those plans.

Council Progressives argued that Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak did, in fact, have a plan, but Democrats derailed negotiations. The mayor had originally wanted to move Food Not Cops to a local church, but, they said, the tone of the Democrats’ resolution soured talks, and Food Not Cops dug in their heels.

Democratic Councilor Evan Litwin noted in discussions that the $10,000 allocated to Food Not Cops, as provided in the original relocation resolution, came from the Department of Parks and Recreation’s “Parking Garage Fund” to support the relocation, which is now in question. The fund, according to Litwin, is $3 million in debt, only able to cover interest payments, and has seen a $60,000 drop in revenue at the Marketplace Garage.

More actions are expected as the council continues to seek a resolution to the relocation.