Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Recreation and Parks Committee - 04/10/2023 South Burlington Recreation & Parks Committee Meeting Monday, April 10th – 5:30pm to 7:00pm Draft Minutes Committee Members Present: Michael Simoneau, Will Sudbay, Erin Buzby, Cyndi Freeman, Oliver Pierson Absent Committee Members: Ravi Vankataraman, Jonathan Pence Staff Members: Holly Rees; Director of Recreation & Parks Call Meeting To Order: Simoneau calls the South Burlington Recreation and Parks Committee Meeting to order at 5:32pm. Approval of the March Meeting Minutes Motion by Sudbay, seconded by Buzby to approve the South Burlington Recreation & Parks Committee March Meeting Minutes. So voted. ARPA Update Rees states the South Burlington City Council will be updating the public on the remaining allocation of the ARPA Funding. Simoneau believes that no specific action will be taken at the next City Council Meeting. However, on Monday, May 1st the City Council allowed time for discussion of how to utilize the remaining ARPA funds. Rees states the Committee submitted a letter regarding the remaining funds on November 1st, 2022. The Committee made a large ask for funds for deferred maintenance and the Red Rocks beach house. The Committee also asked for a $150,000 comprehensive park study and an assessment to be conducted. Simoneau reminds the Committee of an over-riding theme that the Committee may want to keep in mind is how “transformative” our Recreation and Parks programs can be for those who participate. Simoneau emphasizes that these programs foster and grow a strong sense of community from youth to seniors and in between. Promoting recreational programming as a transformative element within our community seems to be an excellent reference point. Simoneau encourages Committee members to attend in person or virtually, and/or also writing a letter to the City Council and City Manager. Buzy inquires what the Climate Action Committee will do with the ARPA funding. Simoneau states that if ARPA money is steered towards the Climate Action Committee, heat pumps would be earmarked or an earmark would be provided for new City positions to assist the City of South Burlington to address Climate Action goals. Pierson recommends to spread the ARPA funds to other initiatives such as the Recreation and Parks area. Pierson refers to the previous memo that the Recreation and Parks Committee sent to the South Burlington City Council in regards to ARPA funding. Motion by Sudbay, seconded by Freeman to re-engage the South Burlington City Council to encourage ARPA funding recommendations by the Recreation and Parks Committee as noted in the November 1st 2022 letter. So voted. Rees emphasizes that there is not a lot existing State or Federal grants for upkeep in the areas of Recreation and Parks. Simoneau encourages the Committee to attend the next the upcoming South Burlington City Council meetings. Green Up Day Rees overviews South Burlington’s Green Up Day event which is slated for Saturday, May 6th from 9am to 1pm. Community members are encouraged to pick up Green Up Bags at the Clerk’s Office at 180 Market Street. It is encouraged to drop off bags at 577 Dorset Street (School District Office/Old City Hall). Rees states that Recreation and Library staff will be on site to support the drop-off event. Rees mentions that advertising for the event will be distributed in the Other Paper as well as in other public buildings. Sudbay encourages Rees to reach out to South Burlington High School to see if students are interested in participating. Comprehensive Plan Update Rees overviews the South Burlington Recreation and Parks Comprehensive Plan Update with the Committee. The comprehensive plan will be fully vetted by the Committee before it gets finalized. Simoneau states the Planning Commission is reviewing this tomorrow at their meeting, which will provide opportunities for feedback for the Parks and Recreation Committee. Rees will follow-up on attachments and send them to the Committee for review. Hubbard Park Update Rees states the Hubbard Parks update was started in 2015 and protected a lot of space for hiking, recreation, farming, community gardens, have a pump track as well as a viewing pavilion. The goal is to preserve 50% to 60% of the ‘green’ space. Simoneau inquires about the size of the proposed community gardens and emphasizes that it looks slightly bigger than anticipated. Simoneau also inquires if the project is fully approved and funded. Rees states the City of South Burlington is still in the design phase and is almost complete. Simoneau recommends the Committee see the design materials before moving forward and emphasizes that it is important for our Committee to be kept up to speed on the progress of the Hubbard project. Domestic Animal Ordinance in Parks Review Rees states the Committee on Common Areas for Dogs has a tracking sheet of unfortunate dog incidents and emphasizes that the City of South Burlington does not have a strong leash ordinance in place. Sudbay asks Rees for the South Burlington Dog Ordinance to be provided to the Committee for further review. Directors Report Rees overviews the Directors Report with the Committee and inquires if there are any questions about upcoming events, projects or city staffing updates. Adjourn Motion by Sudbay, seconded by Freeman to adjourn the South Burlington Recreation and Parks Committee Meeting at 7:02pm. So Voted.