HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Recreation and Parks Committee - 03/13/2023
South Burlington Recreation & Parks Committee Meeting
Monday, March 13th – 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Committee Members: Michael Simoneau, Ravi Venkataraman, Will Sudbay, Erin Buzby, Cyndi Freeman,
Jonathan Pence, Oliver Pierson
Staff Members: Holly Rees, Director of Recreation & Parks; Brett Leonard, Recreation Specialist; Rebecca
Isham, Recreation Specialist – Senior Center; Travis Ladd, Operations & Event Specialist; Nick Pillsbury,
Recreation Specialist
Call Meeting To Order:
Simoneau calls the South Burlington March Recreation and Parks Committee Meeting to order at
5:32pm.
Rees states the Recreation and Parks Committee did not have February Meeting Minutes since the
Committee did not have a quorum to conduct the meeting.
Staff Introductions & Discussion:
Rees states the Department is without a registrar on the 3rd floor, however the Department has found
ways to fix this.
Rees would like for the City of South Burlington to invest in the functionality of the registrar position.
Rees also contributes this to programming hours outside of office hours.
Chair Simoneau reviews the meeting materials that were provided which include the 2022 Annual
Report, SB Play Spring 2023 addition, Senior Center Monthly Activities Guide.
South Burlington Recreation and Parks team members introduce themselves to the South Burlington
Recreation & Parks Committee.
Holly Rees, Director of Recreation & Parks; Brett Leonard, Recreation Specialist; Rebecca Isham,
Recreation Specialist – Senior Center; Travis Ladd, Operations & Event Specialist; Nick Pillsbury,
Recreation Specialist
Simoneau inquires if employees are encouraged to provide input regarding the Recreation & Parks
Comprehensive Plan.
Employees discuss transportation as a main issue to incorporating programs, GMT does not provide a
bus line to City Hall or Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Rees notes a shared ARPA request for a service delivery mobile, however this is not viable for
passengers.
Ladd states the City of South of Burlington would enjoy more field/athletic space. Ladd notes that aging
irrigation system at Veteran’s Memorial (18 years). Requesting an increase in garden community plots,
waitlist of 55 people and a backlog since 2020.
Budget Passing Means for Recreation & Parks:
Rees states that an additional Recreations & Parks attendant will be added in FY23.
Rees will send the list of CIP to Sudbay to add into the minutes.
Director’s Report:
Rees overviews a few brief highlights of the Recreation & Parks Director’s Report.
Comprehensive Plan & Next Steps:
Freeman discusses accessibility as a main concern for the Recreation and Parks Committee.
Pierson discusses projected population growth as it pertains to Recreation and Parks and keeping up
with the demand of enjoyment and usage.
Simoneau echoes these comments as it pertains to the acquisition of land and other amenities to keep
up with population growth.
Venkataraman asks to put an objective, which would enable collaboration with local partners to create
accessibility for recreation and parks amenities. Creating linear parks along VTrans corridors such as
Route 7 and Williston Road would be beneficial for connectivity.
Further discussion occurs surrounding the Comprehensive Plan.
Adjourn:
Motion by Sudbay, seconded by Venkataraman to adjourn the South Burlington March Recreation and
Parks Committee Meeting at 7:02pm.