HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Economic Development Committee - 11/22/2021 Adopted: 12/14/21
MEETING MINUTES
Economic Development Committee, South Burlington
Meeting of 11-22-2021 held in Room 301 South Burlington City Hall, 180 Market Street
Members Present: John Burton, Tom Bailey, Jacob West and Sriram Srinivasan
Members Absent: John Wilking, Linda Norris and Seth Bowden
Staff and Guests: Jessie Baker, City Manager, Ilana Blanchard, City Special Projects, and
remotely Janet Bellavance and “Wayne”
The Meeting was called to order by John Burton, Chair, at 5:35 PM.
(1) AGENDA: The agenda was reviewed and approved.
(2) PUBLIC COMMENT: John Burton acknowledged and welcomed the guests who chose
to make no public comments at that time.
(3) MINUTES: Tom moved and Sriram seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the
October 25, 2021 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
(4) FUTURE MEETINGS: The next meeting of the committee was scheduled for December
14th at 5:30 PM, tentatively. The members present acknowledged that all the members
should be consulted about scheduling future meetings.
(5) PROPOSED LDR AMENDENTS: Jessie indicated that City Councilors Chittenden and
Cota are interesting in the economic consequences of the proposed amendments and how
future development would be affected. She added that the staff is doing an analysis of
them. Tom expressed that the committee should provide data-based guidance to the City
Council with regard to major policies being considered such as the proposed
amendments. There followed a ranging discussion among the members. John opined his
concern about how the removing of “conserved” land from the tax rolls would erode the
tax base. A discussion of the tax effects of conserving land and current use followed.
(6) UPDATE ON REQUEST FOR DATA/RESEARCH FROM UVM: John summarized his
efforts in utilizing likely research resources at UVM. He suggested that UVM could
provide a “snap shot” for the economic status of the county with South Burlington data
included, which committee members found promising. Sriram suggested a focus on the
commercial side of the economy is important and perhaps zoning permits and grand list
data should be mined for this. John indicated he would report further.
(7) POLICY AND STRATEGIES: The committee discussed the FY22 Policy and Strategies
approved by City Council as a basis for the committee’s work plan for 2022. John had
already excerpted from the document the items that applied to the committee and will
circulate it to the members.
(8) CITY MANAGER UPDATES:
(a) Ilana briefed the committee on the acquisition of federal funds for the bike/pedestrian
path adjoining Williston Road.
(b) Jessie noted that the Vermont legislature had passed a policy that allowed individual
municipalities to adopt mask mandates, and committee members opined as to the
practicality of them. The SBBA was apparently considering them.
(c) Jessie pointed out that the City budget will first be presented at the December 6th
meeting of the City Council, and that strategic use of ARPA funds would be on the
agenda.
(d) Jessie announced that Kelsey Peterson has been hired by the City as part of the
Planning and Zoning staff and summarized her background.
(9) FUTURE MEETING TOPICS: The committee members suggested that the committee
should collect data on why people move into South Burlington and why they leave, and a
discussion of possible data sources followed.
(10) ADJOUNMENT: Before adjournment, Joyce commented on the value of natural
resources to the City. Then Jacob moved to adjourn and Sriram seconded. The meeting was
adjourned at 6:55 PM.