HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Recreation and Parks Committee - 08/18/2020
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
5 PM-6:30 PM
Rec and Park Committee Meeting Minutes
Present: Jon Pence, Mike Simoneau, Jennifer Kochman, Lauren Wedam, Katie Langrock, Bill
Barber, Caroline Henne, Will Sudbay
Staff: Holly Rees
Absent: Christy Pilsucki
Guests: Barbara Sirvis, Michael Mittag, Tom Hubbard, Larry Kupferman, Carol McQuillen
The meeting was called to order at 5:04pm by Katie Langrock.
Changes or additions to the agenda
None
Open Discussion and Potential Proposed Amendments to Common Roots Lease Agreements
for the Underwood Property and Wheeler Homestead with Carol McQuillen
Tom Hubbard welcomed new committee members to R&P committee. He provided background
information about the history of Wheeler House. Carol McQuillen added details regarding Farm
to School programs, food shelf, South Village summer learning for children (500-1,000 kids).
When Common Roots first considered the Wheeler House location for office space, they
reviewed budget in consultation with investors and started to plan over span of two years how
to expand partnership with South Burlington Schools, South Burlington Food Shelf and City of
South Burlington. As part of the plan, Common Roots established partnerships with 4 local
caterers, and more recently with a Vermont wedding planner that has extensive experience and
can inform Common Roots of strategy surrounding upcoming events and impact to local
churches and organizations in terms of parking and compliance with city ordinances. In
conjunction with the vision and goals set forth by the City of South Burlington agricultural
committee, Common Roots has worked to enrich the Underwood Property and to develop the
soil to be productive. They have also spent a lot of time and resources to update the Wheeler
House to make it work for programs that fulfill their mission.
Jon Pence inquired about whether Anthony Jones is still involved. He is an executive chef that is
on the Common Roots committee to oversee design and construction of outdoor oven.
Jennifer Kochman inquired about the prospect of an R & P executive meeting (Katie Langrock,
Lauren Wedam, Christy Pilsucki) with Carol McQuillen, Tom Hubbard, and Kevin Dorn to finalize
the details of the lease agreement with concerns surrounding conservation easement at
Wheeler and making sure that the lease acknowledges them.
Holly confirmed that she had a discussion with Carol in July to review some of the initial
comments that were circulated in the email by Katie Langrock after July meeting. She
recommends, along with Tom Hubbard and Jennifer Kochman, to move forward with a separate
meeting to finalize the details of the lease agreement.
Kevin Dorn encouraged all committee members to submit all comments to Katie and/or Holly
for review prior to the proposed executive committee meeting with Common Roots and the
City.
Member of the public, Sarah Dopp, expressed concern about the potential conservation
easement and making sure that the current plan considers the Frame Work that was developed
by the Wheeler Task Force that is currently sitting with the City Council.
Caroline Henne highlighted the plan that is currently posted on the City of South Burlington
web site and whether boundary lines and well as trail work is to continue as planned?
Larry Kupferman inquired if there will be a boundary delineated in the lease particularly to the
south where the dog park will be created?
Katie and Holly both commented that these questions will be considered at proposed executive
committee meeting with Common Roots and City Council members currently present, Tom
Hubbard and Kevin Dorn. Holly will reach out to Justin Rabidoux to get a copy of the delineated
Dog Park Map ahead of the executive work session.
Jennifer Kochman welcomed new members and asked to plan upcoming orientation for new
members.
No further comments recorded.
Approval of minutes from July 13, 2020 meeting
Jennifer moved to approve. Jon seconded motion. Unanimous approval of minutes.
Meeting adjourned at 5:53pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lauren Wedam