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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Recreation and Parks Committee - 01/08/2024 PAGE 1 SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY – RECREATION & PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING January 8, 2024 The South Burlington City Recreation & Parks held a regular meeting on Monday, 8 January 2024, at 5:30 p.m., at City Hall, 3rd Floor, 180 Market Street, and by GoToMeeting remote participation. Members present: M. Simoneau, Chair; R. Venkataraman, Vice Chair; W. Sudbay, Clerk; J. Pence; E. Buzby; C. Freeman; B. Visger; A. Hayes Also present: J Larkin; Larkin Realty, Jeffrey Hodgson; Wagner Hodgson, Dan Albrecht; Senior Planner at CCRP 1. Call Meeting to Order, Changes or additions to the agenda, comments from the public not related to the agenda Mr. Albrecht introduces himself and states that he lives off Proctor Avenue in South Burlington. Mr. Albrecht states his opinion on enhancing park acquisition in South Burlington and emphasizing the need to acquire park & open space within the Route 7 corridor. Mr. Albrecht notes a vast number of residential services along the Route 7 corridor, however very little public amenities specifically on the west side of Route 7. Mr. Simoneau thanks Mr. Albrecht for his remarks and feedback to the Committee. 2. Joe Larkin – Property Development Update Presentation Mr. Larkin introduces himself and overviews the current Larkin Terrace Allenwood Park Concept to the Recreation & Parks Committee. Mr. Larkin discusses previous conversations between the South Burlington Development Review Board. Mr. Simoneau gauges whether this would be a community park for surrounding neighbors versus a broader community asset. Mr. Simoneau asks specifically about the size of the park and how many community members it will serve. Mr. Simoneau inquires if the Planned Unit Development would maintain the property or if the City of South Burlington deemed custodians of the property. Mr. Larkin states this specific project will be developed over an 8 to 10 year period and estimates a completion of both the Dog Park and Lower Park to be completed between 2028 & 2030. Mr. Venkataraman inquires about the feasibility of certain areas of the proposed park plan. SOUTH BURLINGTON RECREATION & PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING – JANUARY 2023 | PAGE 2 Mr. Visger asks about the total amount of open space, given the existing storm water, pond, etc. Mr. Hodgson follows-up with Venkataraman and Visger’s questions about certain areas of the Larkin Terrace Allenwood Park. Mr. Larkin states the total open space for the Larkin Terrace Allenwood Park is approximately 3.8 acres and the proposed dog park is about 0.5 acres. Mr. Simoneau asks if Mr. Larkin is planning to receive feedback from neighbors or the Committee on certain amenities offered within the park. Mr. Larkin defers to Wagner Hodgson’s expertise in landscape architecture and thanks them for their work in developing these park concepts to be shared. Mr. Larkin is open to feedback and thanks the Committee for their time. 3. Consideration of December 2023 Meeting Minutes Mr. Venkataraman motions to approve the December 2023 Meeting Minutes, which is seconded by Mr. Pence. So voted. 4. Director Update/Director Report/Budget Mr. Matth overviews his January 2024 Director’s Report with the Committee. Mr. Matth, discussed certain events that were a success such as the Spark The Park Kickoff, Winter Holiday Lights Contest, Complimentary Head Shots and Recreation and Parks Running Club. Mr. Matth notes upcoming events such as Bingo Night, Gaining Confidence in the Woods for Teens, Valentine’s Night Dance and Skate Night. Mr. Matth discusses that he held two interviews for the vacant Recreation Specialist positon. Mr. Visger inquires about the pool of candidates. Mr. Matth feels very confident with the search process and the recent applicant pool. Mr. Matth reviews CIP Projects the Department is tracking from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. These include a bleacher replacement at Veteran’s Memorial Park, dug out replacement at Veteran’s Memorial, park signage, beam replacement and safety light installation. Mr. Matth confirms the pavilion roof has been successfully replaced at Jaycee Park. Mr. Matth discusses upcoming Department Projects, which include Pop Up Summer Rec Meals, Summer Fitness Series in July, Illuminate Vermont, Direct Mailer and hosting Sponsorship Meetings with various South Burlington business and organizations. 5. Committee 2024 To Do List SOUTH BURLINGTON RECREATION & PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING – JANUARY 2023 | PAGE 3 Mr. Simoneau proposes creating a Recreation & Parks matrix, which would allow Committee members vote on which goals and priorities they would like to focus on. Mr. Simoneau and Mr. Matth plan on sending out a priority list, which will provide some foundation for what the Committee can categorize as action items. 6. Hubbard Park – Future of Parks Mr. Simoneau and the Committee discuss updates at Hubbard Park. Mr. Hayes inquires about the current conversation easement. Further discussion occurs surrounding Hubbard Park, it was noted the Recreation and Parks Committee approved a paved bike path, however the South Burlington City Council opposed the paved bike path as well as an overlook. The Committee plans on producing a more assertive statement on its current position. Members of the Committee plan on drafting another letter to the South Burlington City Council to be published in The Other Paper as well as Front Porch Forum. 7. Discussion Agenda Items For Next Meeting Mr. Simoneau provides a brief update on the Committee on Common Areas for Dogs. 8. Adjourn The South Burlington Recreation and Parks Committee was adjourned at 7:02pm.