HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Economic Development Committee - 03/08/2022
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
March 8, 2022 at 5:30 pm
In person: Room 301 at 180 Market Street or virtually.
Minutes
Members in attendance: Linda Norris, Tom Bailey, John Burton, Sriram Srinivasan
Members Absent: Jacob West
Others in attendance: Jessie Baker (City Manager), Ilona Blanchard (Community Development Director),
Daylyn Peters, and Melanie Needle (CCRPC)
1. Welcome, agenda review and approval
The Meeting was called to order by John Burton, Chair, at 5:30 PM and agenda approved.
2. Public comments on items not on the Agenda
None
3. Approve minutes from February 8, 2022 meeting
Tom B motioned and Linda seconded. Minutes were approved.
4. City Manager Jessie Baker updates:
City mask mandate is discontinued and now " encourages" mask usage in City buildings / premises.
UMALL sale finalized to Eastern Real Estate Company.
Tom DePietro named head of Dept of Public Works. Also, there are two public works positions open for
hiring.
5. Criteria and process for economic impact studies
Process and LDR economic impact studies discussed. John Stewart example from March 2020 as
boilerplate. Is data too stale too post or list on city site? Tom B to keep pulse of this city topic.
6. Redevelopment of commercial properties into residential
Due to recent sale. Tabled discussion of UMALL redevelopment into industrial, commercial, residential
properties.
7. Economic data collection
CCRPC 's Melanie Needle reviewed plethora of data sources at Dept of Labor website. ELMI tool, ECOS
system scorecard, etc. Lengthy discussion ensued. Links will be sent to John B and Sriram S. Jessie
suggested a review of the 4-5 data inputs we have thus far to consolidate and discuss at APRIL mtg. All
members get top 10 data requests and top 2-3 audience preferences to John B and continue to work
toward baseline for SB Dashboard. CCRPC looking at dashboard software for VT municipalities.
8. Branding the South Burlington economy
John B bounced ideas of an SB "Green" Brand to Roland Groeneveld Founder of Onlogic . He is open to
giving feedback to SB as we ask for business input and gather suggestions for South Burlington Branding.
May be beneficial to await MARCH 21 CCouncil mtg on approval for surveying SB stakeholders on ARPA
funding ideas. Business roundtable potential as tool / forum for both topics? And intro new Mall owner,
Eastern Real Estate. Linda and Tom to follow up with Onlogic.
9. Updates a. Airport property rezoning committee activity and input b. ARPA 4.5M spending plans (encumbered by 2024, spent by 2026) c. Climate Action Taskforce
d. Comprehensive Plan (due 2024) e. Declaration of Inclusion
ARPA spending--as in #8 above, CC March 21 mtg to discuss community engagement process for ARPA.
Much to digest on the guidance and many potential uses discussed like tax credits, affordable housing,
storm water for $5.7 M funding ($1.8M already allocated & $1M for affordable housing ). Potential
Roundtable for SB Business input pending CC discussion at March 21 meeting. Approx. $3M open for
potential projects.
Srini briefed that Climate Action Taskforce - Transportation and Thermal Sector committee outputs
targeted to June timeframe.
Meeting adjourned 7:10pm. (Tom B moved and Linda seconded adjournment motion).
***NEXT MTG—Monday, April 12, 2022 -- 5:30pm