HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Natural Resources & Conservation Committee - 03/08/2023NATURAL RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Meeting minutes - March 08, 2023 6pm
Attending: Dave Wheeler (Staff Liaison), Jean Sebastien-Chaulot (Chr), Larry Kupferman (Vice Chr),
Katherine Boyk, Michele Korpos (remote), Linda Bailey, John Bossage, Lisa Yankowski
Missing: Helen Riehle (City Council Liaison)
Public attendees: Roseanne Greco
1. Jean welcomed everyone.
2. No additions or changes to the agenda.
3. Public comments
a. Roseanne brought up VT House Bill H-68, Vt Senate Bill S-100. If passed, the bill would
undo some of the changes South Burlington has done to have denser development
closer to the city center helping to control outward sprawl. Paul Conner testified for the
city before the state natural resources committee, Roseanne testified for the Land Trust.
She feels the NRCC may want to make a public statement about the proposed bill.
Katherine asked if the NRCC committee could lobby as a group or as individuals. Jean
believes our zoning would still be honored.
b. Jean will contact his district’s rep Noah Hyman and we may want to get advice from
Helen & the city council. Dave sent the links to watch the recordings in Montpelier.
4. Meeting minutes from February 01, 2023- Larry moved to adopt, Linda 2nd. Approved
unanimously.
5. City updates.
a. Per Dave, there are concerns around the Vt Senate’s bill S-115 which would exempt
farms from municipal storm water fees. The thought is farms are being double charged
via state agricultural regulations and on the town level for storm water runoff. Dave is
going to verify the bill’s contents with Tom Chittenden.
b. Congressionally Directed Spending allows for Cities and Towns to ask for funding for
certain projects that meet the criteria. Dave is going to request funding for the
stormwater upgrade project that O’Dell/Eastwood will need.
c. The city budget was passed by the voters on Town Meeting Day- Tues. 03/07/23. This
includes funding for Ash Tree Management in FY24. And the Bartlett Bay upgrade was
approved.
d. The WRNCD is asking of proposals for brooks that should be monitored for water
quality. Potash is already being monitored, Bartlett Brook was mentioned.
e. Dave will have interns from UVM during the summer who may be helping and working
with the NRCC.
6. Comprehensive Plan aka City Pan 2024
a. The NRCC hosted the March 01, meeting – Ecology, Environment & Agriculture
b. We had submitted a list of the topics hoping to get feedback on from the public. We
went back through, discussed and will be submitting feedback and suggestions to be
considered when the new plan is updated. The new budget has additional staffing
positions. Katherine was composing as we discussed. John motioned to accept to these
additional thoughts, Lisa 2nd. Unanimously approved. They will be sent to Kelsey
Peterson in the SB Planning Dept.
7. Open space draft inventory will be discussed at our next meeting.
8. Member updates & reports
a. Chair- nothing.
b. Land Trust- sent a letter to the State of Vermont questioning the pending Senate Bill
S.100 and supporting the changes SB did with our LDRs.
c. Champlain Valley Conservation Trust- no update.
d. Weed Warriors- no activity this time of year.
e. Airport land use- Nick Longo, BTV Manager, emailed Jean to arrange a time to talk. Jean
will coordinate with Michele and set up a date to talk with Nick.
f. Open Space work group- has not met recently while the Comprehensive Plan public
meetings have been occurring. We would still like maps that are current.
g. Tree Canopy work group- the city is planning to update our ordinance to be consistent
with State requirements.
h. Herbicide/Pesticide Ordinance- after the tree ordinance is updated, the city will work on
an herbicide/pesticide ordinance.
9. Next meeting- we should meet with the Winooski Valley Park District.
Next NRCC meeting is APRIL 05, 2023 at 6pm
Agenda items for 04/05 meeting:
- Open Space
- Tree Farm— Larry had a reply back to his inquiry
- UVM glyphosate usage