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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Economic Development Committee - 05/24/2021South Burlington Economic Development Committee Monday, May 24, 2021 Minutes Meeting Called to Order at 5:35 PM Members in attendance; J. Wilking Chair, S. Bowden, Vice Chair, J. West, J. Burton Others in attendance; K. Dorn, City Manager, T. Bailey, Avalon Ashley-Stiles 1. Welcome, agenda review and approval 2. Approve minutes from April 15, 2021 and April 26, 2021 meetings J. West moves to approve. J. Burton, seconded. The minutes for both meetings were approved by unanimous vote 3. Public comments on items not on the Agenda There were no public comments 4. Update on BETA technologies plans for expansion to include discussion about supporting businesses. K. Dorn briefs on the recent BETA press release laying out the company’s plans for growth in South Burlington. The Committee was asked to appoint a member to the special Planning Committee subcommittee to review the need for a zoning change near the Kirby Road extension as part of the overall plan by the Airport to accommodate the proposed BETA growth. J. Wilking nominated J. Burton to serve in this role. S Bowden seconded. The nomination was approved by unanimous vote. The committee decided to ask A. Klugo of BETA to appear before the committee to explain what might be needed from the Committee and the City to support the project. S. Bowden talked about the need to get with BETA staff to work through any punch lists of things that the company needs from the City. We need to have a strong line of communication with the company – both ways. Quebec has a large aviation sector and there could be good partnerships with companies across the borders. We should also ask who their suppliers might be so we can communicate with them on possible establishment of operations here in South Burlington. 5. Committee discussion and guidance on City Council Covid 19/Masks in public places resolution. K. Dorn briefed on the mask ordinance and the upcoming meeting of the Council to discuss. SBBA has informed their members that the requirement still exits. Some businesses are enforcing, others are not. S. Bowden stated that whatever notice goes out needs to include a statement that business owners are free to decide whether or not they still want to enforce mask requirements in their businesses and on their premises. J. Wilking noted that some national franchises are going to continue to require masks and have no indoor seating. 6. Airport property rezoning effort update. Appointment of Committee member to serve on special Planning Commission subcommittee In a prior discussion (see above at item 4) the Committee appointed J. Burton to represent it on the special Planning Commission Committee to review the request for re-zoning of the area near Kirby Road extension for Airport uses. 7. Update on City-wide reappraisal K. Dorn briefed on the reappraisal project noting that our schedule has gotten extended due to problems in Burlington. J. Burton noted that there is a lot of misinformation out on social media. J. Wilking will get fact sheets out to the SBBA. 8. Update and Committee discussion about Council position related to the I-89 Corridor Study. K. Dorn briefed on the Council meeting with the School Board to hear any concerns about Exit 13 and traffic on Dorset and Kennedy, near the High School and Middle School. The CCRPC is shifting focus short term to traffic demand solutions. J. Wilking thinks both exits – 13 and 12B - need to be pursued but recognizes the challenge the cost of such a proposal would bring. S. Bowden noted the challenges in making these decisions and endorsed some of the new focus on traffic demand. 9. Update and discussion related to Federal funds under the Recovery Act that will be coming to South Burlington K. Dorn briefed on the ARPA and the approximately $5.4 million projected to come into the City of South Burlington, specifically the funding that may be available for small business. J. Wilking asked what is a “small business” and who might be eligible. J. Burton suggested reaching out to Joan Goldstein at the DED to ask them what businesses they have in their databases that may need funding. Also, Ted Brady at the VLCT. S. Bowden noted that the RDCs were coordinating the technical support from the prior program and since funding is likely to be only a couple of thousand dollars for each business it would not resolve the direct fiscal problem for any business. However, what was effective was providing technical assistance grants where a service provider was paid to so something for a business like a new website or accounting help. Everyone has demonstrated need so providing cash will not work. What was identified in the prior program was that financial literacy is a challenge for many businesses and that might be an area for which we could structure a service. S. Bowden stated that we should wait to see how much money we are going to get and where it can be invested most effectively. J. Burton endorsed supporting the food trucks at Veterans Park who provide a good service to the public. K. Dorn briefed on the earmark program and requests being made to the Congressional delegation. J. West talked about the challenge in getting employees back to work and suggests some kind of a bonus to be given employees from the ARPA funds to get them back to work. The current program disincentivizes employees, particularly in the travel and hospitality industry, to return to work. 10. Other Business J. Wilking asked for an update on the University Mall. K. Dorn reported on how VEPC would view a TIF district boundary change with now development agreement or commitment of the owner to invest. There is a high likelihood VEPC would not approve such a request. 11. Adjourn (6:55 pm)