HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - City Council - 09/03/2024CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
Participation Options
In Person: 180 Market Street, Main Floor, Auditorium
Assistive Listening Service Devices available upon request
Electronically: https://meet.goto.com/SouthBurlingtonVT/citycouncilmeeting09-03-2024
You can also dial in using your phone (408) 650-3123 Access Code: 695-288-165
Regular Session 6:30 p.m.
1.Pledge of Allegiance (6:30 p.m.)
2.Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency and review of technology options – Jessie
Baker, City Manager (6:31–6:32 p.m.)
3.Agenda Review: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items (6:33–6:34 p.m.)
4.Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda (6:35–6:45 p.m.)
5.Councilors’ Announcements and Reports on Committee assignments and City Manager’s Report
(6:45–6:55 p.m.)
6.Consent Agenda: (6:55–7:00 p.m.)
A.*** Consider and Sign Disbursements
B.*** Approve Resolution #2024-20 expanding the Economic Development Committee to
eight members
C.*** Approve appointments to policy committees and the associated terms as outlined in
the attached statement based on their qualifications by content area and representing a
diverse set of perspectives to serve on the relevant committees
D.*** Accept a combination of permanent and temporary easements on parcel 0570-01620
granted to the City by Warranty Deed signed August 13, 2024 for the construction and
future maintenance of the Dorset Street Shared Use Path between Old Cross Road and
Sadie Lane and associated drainage and utility infrastructure
7.*** Discussion: Receive a briefing from the Vermont National Guard on the AFFF spill on June
20 and 21, 2024 – Col. Jacob Roy, Construction and Facilities Management Officer (7:00-7:30
p.m.)
8.*** Discussion: Receive a report on the Common Area for Dog's 2023 survey on leashing dogs
–Betty Milizia, Chair of the Common Area for Dogs Committee (7:30-7:50 p.m.)
180 MARKET STREET, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT | (802) 846-4107 | WWW.SOUTHBURLINGTONVT.GOV
9.*** Possible Action: Approve Resolution #2024-21 charging the Charter Committee with
exploring all resident voting and outlining the membership of the Committee to include the City
Clerk and two members appointed by the School Board – Jessie Baker, City Manager (7:50-8:00
p.m.)
10.*** Discussion: Discuss Green Mountain Transit's (GMT) proposed service reductions and
options for moving forward – Clayton Clark, General Manager, GMT (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
11.*** Possible Action: Receive and approve the FY26 Budget Schedule – Martha Machar, Finance
Director (8:30-8:45 p.m.)
12.Possible Action: Consider action related to the negotiation or securing of real estate purchase or
lease options, and specifically the Long property – Council Request (8:45-9:30 p.m.)
a.Consider entering into executive session for the purposes of discussing the negotiation or
securing of real estate purchase or lease options, and specifically the Long property (1
V.S.A. § 313(a)(2)).
13.Other Business (9:30-9:40 p.m.)
14.Consider entering into executive session for the purposes of discussing the negotiation or
securing of real estate purchase or lease options, and specifically the Ruggerio land exchange (1
V.S.A. § 313(a)(2)).
15.Adjourn
Respectfully submitted:
Jessie Baker
City Manager
***Attachments included
NOTE: All times are estimates.
2024-20
180 MARKET STREET, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT | (802) 846-4107 | WWW.SOUTHBURLINGTONVT.GOV
180 MARKET STREET, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT | (802) 846-4107 | WWW.SOUTHBURLINGTONVT.GOV
MEMORANDUM
To: South Burlington City Council
From: Erica Quallen, DPW Deputy Director of Capital Projects
CC: Jessie Baker, City Manager
Date: September 3, 2024
Re: Dorset Street Shared Use Path Right-of-Way Easement Acceptance
The Dorset Street Shared Use Path project to design and construct a 10-foot paved path between
Old Cross Road and Sadie Lane has been progressing through the right-of-way (ROW) phase to
acquire the necessary easements to complete design and move into bids and construction. The
Council accepted easements from three property owners at the February 5, 2024 meeting and
one property owner at the March 18, 2024 meeting.
Since the March 18th meeting, we have received one additional signed warranty deed. The
Council is being asked to make the following motion to accept the easement which has been
offered to the City through the attached warranty deed.
“Accept the following easements for the construction and future maintenance of the Dorset Street Shared
Use Path between Old Cross Road and Sadie Lane and associated drainage and utility infrastructure:
•A combination of permanent and temporary easements on parcel 0570-01620 granted to the
City by Warranty Deed signed August 13, 2024.”
MEMORANDUM
To: South Burlington City Council
From: Robert Fischer, Water Quality Superintendent
CC: Tom DiPietro, Public Works Director
Jessie Baker, City Manager
Date: August 28, 2024
Re: Update on the release of Army Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)
to the South Burlington Airport Parkway Wastewater Treatment Facility
On June 21, 2024, there was a release of an estimated 800 gallons of Aqueous Film-Forming
Foam (AFFF, commonly referred to as “A triple-F”) at the Army Guard base located at the
Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. AFFF contains very high concentrations of
PFAS, PFOS and other per- and polyϐluoroalkyl substances commonly found in ϐireϐighting
foam. This class of synthetic compounds are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” since
they are resistant to natural breakdown. It is understood that approximately 650 gallons of the
foam was captured in the Army Guard facility by an environmental remediation company. Up
to 150 gallons of the foam entered the wastewater system owned by the Guard through a ϐloor
drain and eventually made its way to the City’s Airport Parkway Wastewater Treatment Facility
(WWTF). Subsequent to this discharge, a variety of water sampling and testing was undertaken
at the Airport Parkway WWTF. Full test results were previously provided to City Council. This
memo is intended to provide an overview of those results.
The ϐirst graph shows that background levels of PFAS and other forever chemicals are typically
very low in the Airport Parkway efϐluent (i.e. the wastewater leaving the facility). Following the
release of AFFF, on 6/21/24, the total PFAS levels spiked to nearly 2,000 parts per trillion (ppt)
after the event but have shown a steady decline in subsequent testing. There are currently no
State or Federal PFAS discharge limits for wastewater efϐluent in Vermont.
180 MARKET STREET, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT | (802) 846-4107 | WWW.SOUTHBURLINGTONVT.GOV
The second graph tracks the level of the ϐive PFAS compounds that are regulated in drinking
water in Vermont. The Vermont drinking water standard is currently set at 20 ppt for these 5
PFAS compounds. At this time, there is no established PFAS 5 standard for wastewater efϐluent.
Similar to the total PFAS samples, PFAS 5 levels spiked shortly after the release, but have
declined over time.
The ϐinal graph shows the level of total PFAS compounds in the Winooski River downstream
of the Airport Parkway WWTF discharge point. We do not have data from the Winooski River
prior to the AFFF release at the Army Guard. There are no established standards for PFAS
levels in surface water in Vermont. Again, sampling results show elevated PFAS in the river
immediately following the event, but a sharp reduction in subsequent sampling.
180 MARKET STREET, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT | (802) 846-4107 | WWW.SOUTHBURLINGTONVT.GOV
South Burlington Water Quality staff will continue to work with the Army Guard and VTDEC to
address this situation. Based on a discussion with the Army Guard on 8/27/24, it is our
understanding that there is no further testing of the wastewater in the Airport Parkway WWTF
or the Winooski River planned by the Army Guard. The City has requested that the Army Guard
conduct another round of testing both upstream and downstream of the Airport Parkway
WWTF efϐluent discharge, as well as additional upstream testing to better understand
background levels from other potential sources discharging to the Winooski River. To date,
costs associated with sampling have been borne by the Army Guard.
In addition to the PFAS chemicals discharged through the efϐluent of the Airport Parkway
WWTF, the Army Guard captured approximately 60,000 gallons of a mixture of ϐireϐighting
foam and wastewater in the days following the leak. This material is being stored in frac tanks
and treated with granularly activated carbon (GAC). The Army Guard initiated contact with the
Water Quality Division two weeks ago, on disposal of the material in the frac tanks into the
South Burlington collection system if the laboratory testing results show that carbon treatment
has removed the PFAS compounds. Discussions were held with VTDEC last week on this topic.
No release of the treated water will be allowed without sign off/analysis from VTDEC and
relevant City entities after review of all data.
If council has additional questions, please send them to Bob Fischer, South Burlington Water
Quality Superintendent. We will work with VTDEC and the Army Guard to provide Council
with all requested information.
TO LEASH
OR NOT
TO LEASH
SURVEY OVERVIEW
The Committee on Common Areas conducted the “To Leash
or Not to Leash” survey in September and October 2023.
South Burlington opened the Wheeler Dog Park in
November 2022. While it is enjoyed by dozens of dogs and
their owners/guardians every day, no matter what the
weather is like, some people forego the dog park for off-
leash time on trails and natural areas. The committee
thought it was important to find out why.
The Recreation Department staff liaison received dog-related complaints and began updating
the committee whenever she received one. However, various other departments also received
complaints, with no centralized mechanism to track and maintain knowledge of the incidents.
The committee developed a spreadsheet to track incidents and gained some perspective on the
frequency, nature, and locations of incidents (which, surprisingly, included the newly opened dog
park). In addition, the committee followed any related discussions posted on social media.
The committee decided a survey might shed some light on why people choose to take their dogs
off-leash, as well as where and when they do. The survey was disseminated through various
avenues. It was posted on the City’s website and posters at City parks, bike paths, trails, and
retail locations. It was also advertised in The Other Paper, Seven Days, Front Porch Forum, and
community Facebook pages.
SURVEY OVERVIEW
Survey questions primarily focused on dog owners/guardians but allowed for anyone to respond.
The survey received 858 unduplicated responses, including 629 from dog owner/guardians and
229 from people without dogs.
Questions were designed as “single choice,” “multiple choice,” and “comments.” Individuals
could respond to all questions and skip others. Over 400 people responded with comments to
particular questions. In addition, 471 people responded to Question #17 “Comments.”
The following pages include the questions and responses. They are followed by a Survey
Summary and Recommendations. Due to the fact that there were more than 800 comments, an
extensive sampling of comments are highlighted at the end of the document. They represent the
variety and commonality of the hundreds received.
Completed 10/2023
SURVEY OVERVIEW
1
386
451
20
Under 18
years old
18 - 50
years old
Over 50
years old
Prefer not to
answer.
2. My age is:
707
143
8
South Burlington Outside of South
Burlington but
within
Chittenden
County
Other (please
specify)
1. I reside in:
629
229
I AM a dog owner
(guardian)
I am NOT a dog owner
(guardian)
3. My status is:
Answered: 858 Skipped: 0 Answered: 857 Skipped: 1 Answered: 858 Skipped: 0
177
153
354
Small (under 30
lbs.)
Medium (30 -
40 lbs.)
Large (over 40
lbs.)
5. My dog/s sizes are:
501
120
9 4
224
1 dog 2 dogs 3 dogs 4 or more
dogs
Do not
have any
dogs.
4. My household includes
Answered: 858 Skipped: 0 Answered: 637 Skipped: 221
291 301
337
172
111
Dog park Open space Trails or
Wooded
Areas
I do not take
my dog off-
leash.
Other
(please
specify)
6. I take my dog/s off-leash at:
191
211
112
41
Less than a
mile
1 - 2 miles 3 - 4 miles 4+ miles
7. How far do you like to walk
your dog off-leash?*Respondents could choose more than one answer
Answered: 677 Skipped: 181 Answered: 555 Skipped: 303
8. HOW WE GET THERE:
251
12376
190
22
221
17
204
Walk to an off-leash area.Drive to an off-leash area.
8. How we get there:
1/4 mile - 1 mile from home 1 - 2 miles from home
2 - 5 miles from home Greater than 5 miles from home
*Respondents could choose more than one answer
Answered: 548 Skipped: 310
WE VISIT OFF-LEASH AREAS…
218
326 298
163
60
Early
morning
(6am - 9am)
Mid-day
(9am - 3pm)
Late
afternoon
(3pm - 6pm)
Evening 6pm
- 9pm)
Other
(please
specify)
11.
432 442
Weekdays Weekends
10.
189
233
107
Daily Weekly (1
time or more
per week)
Monthly (1
time or more
per month)
9.
*Respondents could choose more than one answer for #10 and #11
22 Off-leash time varies
27 Do not take dog off-leash
6 Do not have a dog
5 Results already populated above
Other:
Answered: 529 Skipped: 329 Answered: 527 Skipped: 331 Answered: 556 Skipped: 302
240
359
271
370
200
44
Play and
socialize
with other
dogs and
people.
Exercise /
hike / run
on our
own.
Walk trails
in natural
areas on
leash.
Explore
nature off-
leash.
Visit
beaches
off-leash.
Other
(please
specify)
12. My dog and I prefer to:
44
147
211
147
208
139 148
283
118
197
13. We choose off-leash areas
instead of dog parks because*Respondents could choose more than one answer
Answered: 602 Skipped: 256 Answered: 430 Skipped: 428
165
299
505
116
211
42
31
15
Off-leash dogs allowed in public spaces/parks/trails and natural areas anytime.
Off-leash dog areas located in a portion of public parks and natural areas.
Off-leash specific dog parks/dog runs/exercise areas.
Off-leash dogs in existing public parks/natural areas on specific days.
Off-leash dogs in existing public parks/natural areas during specific hours.
Skipped Question: Do not have a dog
Skipped Question: Do not take dog off-leash
Skipped Question: Reason unknown
14. There should be:
*Respondents could choose more than one answer
Answered: 770 Skipped: 88
63
45
209
15
146
113
84
Location Size of Area Safety Quiet Time Explore Nature Exercise Other (please specify)
15. What is the most important factor for you using off-leash areas:
*Respondents could choose more than one answer
Answered: 591 Skipped: 267
16. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE SOUTH BURLINGTON FRIENDS OF DOGS?
202 respondents entered contact information. 656 respondents skipped this question.
SURVEY SUMMARY
Dog-related issues are experienced in almost every community. The most
contentious of these are off-leash dogs and dog waste left behind. The majority of
municipalities establish ordinances and regulations that are ineffective due to the
lack of resources that would be necessary to enforce them. The reality is that an
incident occurs and is over before any official can get there.
Understanding the reasons that dogs continue to be taken off-leash is the first step in
developing strategies with the potential to be effective at reducing the frequency of
unwanted incidents, not eliminating them.
Survey responses provided a variety of ideas and
recommendations that can guide in the creation of
incentives and practices, and develop policies that
allow all members of the community (including dogs) to
enjoy our public spaces and activities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Where should dogs be allowed off-leash?
The vast majority of survey respondents agree that:
•The city should provide additional publicly owned space for dogs to
be off-leash
•Existing public open space, dog-specific parks, dedicated portions
of existing parks, or acquire new space
•Off-leash space should vary in size and location (neighborhood,
region of the city, etc.)
•Off-leash space should vary in environmental elements, location,
and usage/purpose
RECOMMENDATIONS 1/4
Access to off-leash areas?
There should be off-leash areas (size/amenities based on use and
location) within walking distance from a neighborhood or a short
drive, within the city
Areas need to meet ADA requirements
Where should dogs be required to be on a leash?
Most survey respondents agree that:
Dogs should be leashed when on paths specifically for cyclists and
walkers
Dog guardians should be “trained” for 100% recall of their dog, in
ALL situations
RECOMMENDATIONS 2/4
When should dogs be allowed off-leash? (time of day,
weekday/weekend)
Dogs and their guardians report use off-leash areas throughout the
day, weekends, and seasons. But usage is typically recognized
either between “hours of” or “dawn to dusk.”
(Alternating times each day or by locations are hard for people to
follow)
RECOMMENDATIONS 3/4
Health and safety precautions, education, training (difficult to
enforce, but should still be pursued):
Dogs must be vaccinated
Dog guardians must carry leashes at all times
Offer professional training on “recall,” handling dog aggression
Provide training and information on “Good Canine Citizenship”
Develop volunteer “rangers” or ambassadors to patrol parks and
trails
Organize volunteer clean-up days/events for parks and trails
RECOMMENDATIONS 4/4
Members of the Committee on Common Areas for Dogs
Robyn Birgisson, Vice-chair
Molly Joy, Clerk
Elan Curran
Betty Milizia, Chair
Jason Smith
Lisa Yankowski, NRCC Representative
CONTACT INFORMATION
You may contact the Recreation & Parks department at 802-846-4108 or email
recreation@southburlingtonvt.gov. Learn more about the Committee on Common
Areas for Dogs by visiting www.southburlingtonvt.gov.
People are encouraged to reach out to the Committee on Common Areas for Dogs
by attending committee meetings (in person at the City offices or virtually) on the
2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
Question #6
Additional comments:
•“My own back yard”
•“Fenced in yards”
•“Private land”
•“I live in the country and take my dog off-leash there”
•“Rivers, state parks”
•“Trails outside of Chittenden County”
•“Corn field”
•“Cemetery”
•“Remote trails”
•“Beach”
SURVEY COMMENTS
Question #11
Additional comments:
•“Late night”
•“1am-3am”
•“Whenever we all need fresh air and time to reflect”
•“Do not take my dog off-leash”
•(There were also comments from people who don’t have dogs and don’t support
off-leash areas except dog parks.)
SURVEY COMMENTS
Question #12
Additional comments:
•“We don’t consider dog park enough exercise.”
•“Short off-leash at park as long as other people and dogs are not around”
•“Where it is quiet”
•“Where I go, so do my dogs”
•“Do not visit off-leash spaces. Dogs/owners are too unpredictable”
•“Beaches that are dog friendly”
•“Doggie daycare”
SURVEY COMMENTS
Question #13
Additional comments:
•“Running in the woods is extremely healthy for dogs”
•“My dog is temperamental”
•“You never know what you will get in a dog park”
•“Dog parks are fine for socializing your dog, but they’re too small and confined to
enjoy the outdoors or get exercise”
•“My dog prefers stimulation from trails to dog parks”
•“My dogs like other dogs, but they don’t play with them”
•“They won’t run in dog parks. Would rather explore run on their own in woods or
fields”
SURVEY COMMENTS
Question #13 (continued)
•“My dog is not spayed”
•“Stressful environment for my dog”
•“Dogs need to be dogs. Investigate nature and see and do new things”
•“My dog is shy around other dogs”
•“Dogs are unpredictable off-leash”
•“I want to hike and I want to bring my dog and let them explore the woods with
me”
•“Big dogs chase my little dog and try to eat her”
•(There were also comments from people without dogs, who don’t support off-
leash dogs or off-leash areas except dog parks)
SURVEY COMMENTS
Question #15
Additional comments:
“My dog needs to run”
“Use a very small portion of a park that no one uses during the times we are
there”
“Dogs that are prone to attacking other dogs”
“Physical and mental exercise”
“I have a disability and need to use walking sticks. Dog walks are my physical
therapy”
“I don’t use off-leash areas except for dog parks with fewer than 5 dogs”
(There were comments from both people who have dogs and non- dogs owners,
communicating they are against off-leash dogs)
SURVEY COMMENTS
Question #17 “comment only”
There were 471 total comments to this question, from 161 people who don’t have
dogs and 310 people who have dogs. There were 387 respondents who skipped this
question.
Many comments expressed were already reflected in previous questions. Many
comments were similar or repeated the same perspective. What follows is a
representative compilation of the comments to Question 17.
SURVEY COMMENTS
Question #17
Sample of comments:
“There are not enough dog parks.”
“Dog parks are not safe for dogs or people.”
“There are too many dogs at the dog park.”
“People are on their cellphones and don’t pay attention to their dogs.”
“It’s important for me to have off-leash spaces, as I don’t have a yard of my own.”
“Well behaved dog owners are often punished by lack of courtesy and common
sense by other dog owners.”
“Dog parks are unhealthy.”
“People don’t pick up after their dogs.”
“There is no open space for dogs to be off-leash and experience nature.”
SURVEY COMMENTS
Question #17 comments (continued)
“Fear of physical contact with dogs and being knocked over or bitten.”
“Dog owners say their dogs are friendly, but they’re not.”
“Dogs interfere with cyclists and pedestrians on the bike path.”
“Fear of dogs confronting other dogs.”
“Confrontations between people with off-leash dogs and people who don’t have
dogs.”
“Dogs threaten wildlife and damage natural areas.”
“All dogs should be on leashes in all public spaces.”
“Dogs should be kept in their own yards.”
“There are already enough dog parks.”
“People shouldn’t have dogs if they don’t have yards.”
SURVEY COMMENTS
Question #17 comments (continued)
“People aren’t respectful of leash laws that do exist.”
“Dogs should be allowed anywhere.”
“People don’t pay attention or have control of their dogs.”
“Provide more dog parks throughout the city.”
“Require developers to include dog parks in their plans.”
“Create a dog park in the Chamberlin area.”
“Please create off-leash space (besides dog parks).”
“Designate a portion of an existing park, to be specifically for dogs.”
“Have an off-leash area in a natural area, clear signage and respectful of others.”
“Designate a large open space specific for dogs to experience nature.”
“Provide opportunities for people to run and exercise with their dogs.”
SURVEY COMMENTS
Question #17 comments (continued)
“Provide educational opportunities and training.”
“Training for voice control/recall, obedience.”
“The town should fund good canine citizen training classes.”
“Awareness for “everyone” on ecological impact of both people and dogs.”
“Offer dog/canine etiquette information, including posting in different
locations.”
“Encourage respectful and helpful communication between people with dogs”
“Share knowledge of “leash reactive” dogs.”
SURVEY COMMENTS
Question #17 comments (continued)
“Equal opportunities for off-leash and on-leash and that they are advertised and
signs placed to distinguish them.”
“Put signage along the bike path to encourage people to have their dogs on-leash
and to pick up after their dog.”
“I visit states like Colorado where they have ambassadors to patrol parks and
trails.”
“Offer an option for visiting people to purchase a license for their dog to be off-
leash.”
“Offer a class where dog owners could earn off-leash certification through an off-
leash evaluation and give a tag or “off-leash” license for certain areas.”
SURVEY COMMENTS
180 Market Street, South Burlington, Vermont 05403 | 802-846-4107 | www.southburlingtonvt.gov
2024-21
City Council Resolution
Convening a Charter Committee to Consider Updates to the City’s Municipal Charter
related to All-Resident Voting and Determining Future Membership
Setpember 3, 2024
WHEREAS the City of South Burlington’s (City) municipal charter (24 App. V.S.A. ch. 13, §§ 101 – 2101) was
last amended in 2024; and
WHEREAS on August 5, 2024 the Council received a request from the South Burlington Democratic
Committee that “a ballot initiative be placed for the March 2025 voting cycle, allowing all legal residents of South
Burlington to participate in local elections on Town Meeting Day and for any supplementary city, school, or bond
votes”; and
WHEREAS the Council wants to codify the previous success of having School Board and City Clerk representation on
the Charter Committee moving forward;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the South Burlington Charter Committee convene to discuss a
potential ballot item, which if passed, would allow for all legal residents of South Burlington to participate in local
elections on Town Meeting Day and for any supplementary city, school, or bond votes and to bring back a
recommendation to the City Council on November 4, 2024; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that from this point forward until amended in the future, the composition of the
South Burlington Charter Committee shall include:
•Five members appointed by the City Council for rotating three year terms
•Two members appointed by the School Board for rotating three year terms
•The elected or appointed City Clerk of the City of South Burlington.
Approved this 3rd day of September 2024.
SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL
__________________________________ ________________________________
Tim Barritt, Chair Andrew Chalnick, Vice-Chair
__________________________________ ________________________________
Michael Scanlan, Clerk Laurie Smith
__________________________________
Elizabeth Fitzgerald
From:Clayton Clark
To:Eliana Fox; Marshall Distel; jbrown@leg.state.vt.us; knugent@leg.state.vt.us; bminier@leg.state.vt.us;mlalonde@leg.state.vt.us; gstebbins@leg.state.vt.us; tbluemle@leg.state.vt.us; brachelson@leg.state.vt.us;mstone@leg.state.vt.us; bcina@leg.state.vt.us; theadrick@leg.state.vt.us; jkrowinski@leg.state.vt.us;klogan@leg.state.vt.us; Carol Ode; rhooper@leg.state.vt.us; pbrennan@leg.state.vt.us; saustin@leg.state.vt.us;aarsenault@leg.state.vt.us; ebrady@leg.state.vt.us; CTaylor@leg.state.vt.us; schase@leg.state.vt.us;dberbeco@leg.state.vt.us; tsmall@leg.state.vt.us; kndolan@leg.state.vt.us; Lori Houghton;ldodge@leg.state.vt.us; rgarofano@leg.state.vt.us; ablack@leg.state.vt.us; jandrews@leg.state.vt.us;egraning@leg.state.vt.us; TSquirrell@leg.state.vt.us; Phil Pouech; cevans@leg.state.vt.us;klalley@leg.state.vt.us; jbrumsted@leg.state.vt.us; Noah Hyman; ekrasnow@leg.state.vt.us;cataylor@leg.state.vt.us; cmattos@leg.state.vt.us; mgulick@leg.state.vt.us; pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us;tvyhovsky@leg.state.vt.us; iwrenner@leg.state.vt.us; Kesha Ram Hinsdale; Thomas Chittenden;vlyons@leg.state.vt.us; Charles Baker; Chapin Spencer; Elaine Wang; Jessie Baker; todit@hinesburg.org; GregDuggan; Brittany Tradup; Don Turner; Aaron Frank; Regina Mahony; Erik Wells; Matt Lawless; Robert Goulding;Phillip Peterson; Laura Wheelock; Joe Magee; Gene Bergman; Mark Barlow; Evan Litwin; Marek Broderick; IlonaBlanchard; Bryan Davis; Abby Bleything; James Smith III; Katie Martin; Sandy Thibault; Kristine Lott; BrynOakleaf
Cc:Jamie Smith; Christopher Damiani; Board; MacDonald, Ross; Currier, Dan J
Subject:EXTERNAL: GMT Draft Service Reduction Plan
Date:Wednesday, August 28, 2024 10:14:00 AM
Attachments:DraftServiceReductionPlan-Final.pdf
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Hello Municipalities, Partners, and Legislators in our Urban Service Area,
Thank you to those folks who attended yesterday's meeting to discuss the Draft Service
Reduction Plan for GMT's urban operations. This message will provide backgroundinformation, and the Draft Service Reduction Plan is attached.
Key points:
The GMT Board of Commissioner did NOT approve a service reduction planyesterday. They approved the release of a draft service reduction plan.
GMT must conduct a public hearing process to reduce service, and releasing a draftservice reduction plan starts the public hearing process. I expect feedback during public
hearings and discussions with municipalities, VTrans, and partners will lead us to makechanges. We want to make sure folks know that now is the start of discussions, and that
no decisions have been made on what will or will not be cut.The Draft Service Reduction Plan identifies $3 million in savings through service
reductions. Based on work we have already done, some with the assistance of VTrans,we've been able to decrease our funding gap to ~$2 million. This means if our
projections hold and we have no surprises there will be ~$1 million in reductions wewon't have to make.
Although the public hearing process will continue to gather input, we have alreadyreceived hundreds of survey results from riders, municipal partners, employees, and our
board. There has been consistency that folks want a prioritization of local service overcommuter service, to prioritize weekday service over weekend, and to keep high
frequency service where transit is doing well. This helped staff create the draft plan. We will continue to receive feedback through September, and we will continue to
improve the plan through the process.
Municipal friends... some of you have already reached out to invite me to come to your city
council or selectboard... Please reach out if you'd like me to come talk to your community. We'll also be putting together municipality by municipality breakout of the draft plan so it is
easier to see how it could impact your community.
During the meeting, we discussed that there will be opportunities to make positive changes. Although yesterday was focused on identifying cost savings, I want to make sure everyone
knows as we go through this process over the next year we will continue to look foropportunities for improvement.
We have a press conference this morning, and 7 Days is already covering the topic in this
week's issue. I apologize that I don't have better background info and possible talking pointsto you yet... Hopefully I'll have that out to everyone by the weekend.
Thank you,
Clayton
Clayton Clark
General Manager, Green Mountain Transit
Pronouns (he/him)
Follow me on LinkedIn.
Follow GMT on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
July 9, 2024, Guest HaikuHumidity, heat
Permeate Vermont summers.Our A/C greets you.
Green Mountain Transit - Draft Urban Service Reduction Plan to Save $3,000,000 DRAFT ONLY
Day of
Week Description of Service Change Financial Impact
Estimated
Rides
Impacted
FY23 Cost/
Ride
Weekday
August 2024 - Restructured routing and timing of Neighborhood Specials for
2024-2025 School Year.($105,550.00)281 $6.25
Weekday
October 2024 - Transfer of 1 AM and 1 PM 116 Commuter runs to Tri Valley
Transit ($41,500.00)12 $44.82
($147,050.00)
Weekday Eliminate all 4 runs of the Jeffersonville Commuter ($84,600.00)25 $63.18
Saturday Eliminate all 10 runs of the #10 Williston/Essex Route on Saturdays ($21,950.00)70 $24.08
Saturday
Eliminate 12 runs on the #5 Pine Street on Saturdays to adjust headways from
30 minutes to 60 minutes ($12,950.00)91 $10.49
Saturday
Eliminate the last 5 runs of the #11 Airport on Saturday (18:45, 19:30, 20:00,
21:15, 22:30)($10,450.00)53 $12.27
Saturday
Eliminate 12 runs on the #8 City Loop on Saturdays to adjust headways from 30
minutes to 60 minutes ($10,350.00)78 $15.85
Saturday Eliminate 3 runs on the #6 Shelburne on Saturday (18:30, 21:15, 22:30)($4,750.00)54 $6.28
Fiscal Year 2025 - November/December 2024
Fiscal Year 2025 - Pre-November 2024
Page 1 of 8
Green Mountain Transit - Draft Urban Service Reduction Plan to Save $3,000,000 DRAFT ONLY
Day of
Week Description of Service Change Financial Impact
Estimated
Rides
Impacted
FY23 Cost/
Ride
Saturday Eliminate 4 runs on the #9 Winooski on Saturday (06:00, 20:00, 21:15, 22:30)($4,750.00)54 $6.32
Saturday Eliminate 3 runs on the #7 North Ave on Saturday (18:30, 21:15, 22:30)($3,900.00)50 $6.47
End contract with Village of Jeffersonville for Depot Street Park and Ride ($1,167.00)NA NA
End contract for Underhill Flats Park and Ride ($166.00)NA NA
Increase ADA Fare from $3.00 to $4.00 effective January 1, 2024 NA NA NA
($155,033.00)
Weekday Transfer to GMT Rural or Elimination of Montpelier LINK ($132,662.00)207 $22.35
Weekday
Consolidate St. Albans LINK and Milton Commuter - Transfer to GMT Rural 2 AM
and 2 PM runs ($83,350.00)127 $27.46
Weekday Eliminate Mid Day Milton Commuter run ($10,053.00)10 $27.46
Weekday Eliminate both AM runs of the #3 Lakeside Commuter ($2,567.00)3 NA
End Contract with Ride your Bike LLC for PARC Lot ($6,819.00)NA NA
End Contract for Collins Perley Sports Arena for the Collins Perley Park & Ride ($1,566.00)NA NA
Fiscal Year 2025 - February/March 2025
Page 2 of 8
Green Mountain Transit - Draft Urban Service Reduction Plan to Save $3,000,000 DRAFT ONLY
Day of
Week Description of Service Change Financial Impact
Estimated
Rides
Impacted
FY23 Cost/
Ride
End Contract with Common Associates for the Highgate Shopping Plaza Park &
Ride ($1,233.00)NA NA
($238,250.00)
Weekday Eliminate #11 Airport on Weekdays ($409,900.00)326 $11.41
Weekday
Reduce service to Saturday Plus Service on Weekdays during the Summer
Schedule ($212,500.00)NA NA
Weekday Eliminate all #8 City Loop Runs on Weekdays ($202,900.00)217 $6.75
Weekday Eliminate all #10 Williston/ Essex runs on Weekdays ($177,950.00)121 $13.23
Saturday Eliminate #11 Airport on Saturdays ($85,200.00)311 $12.27
Saturday Eliminate all #5 Pine Street runs on Saturday ($56,400.00)171 $10.49
Saturday On #2 Essex on Saturday move from 30 min service to 45 min service 6:30-20:00 ($43,150.00)250 $6.78
Saturday Eliminate all #8 City Loop runs on Saturdays ($40,100.00)105 $15.85
Sunday Eliminate all #11 Airport runs on Sundays ($31,050.00)112 $11.85
Saturday
On #6 Shelburne on Saturday move from 30 min service to 45 min service 6:30-
20:00 ($20,550.00)228 $6.28
Fiscal Year 2026 - June 2025 Implementation
Page 3 of 8
Green Mountain Transit - Draft Urban Service Reduction Plan to Save $3,000,000 DRAFT ONLY
Day of
Week Description of Service Change Financial Impact
Estimated
Rides
Impacted
FY23 Cost/
Ride
Sunday Eliminate #5 Pine Street on Sunday ($19,600.00)75 $10.09
Sunday Eliminate all #8 City Loop Runs on Sundays ($18,050.00)47 $15.30
Saturday On #7 North Ave on Saturday move from 30 min service to 45 min service ($16,950.00)126 $6.47
Saturday On #2 Essex on Saturdays remove last two PM trips at 21:15 and 22:30.($8,650.00)51 $6.78
Saturday On #1 Williston on Saturdays remove last two PM trips at 21:15 and 22:30.($8,500.00)52 $4.25
Weekday Carryover - Transfer to GMT Rural or Elimination of Montpelier LINK ($397,950.00)207 $22.35
Weekday
Carryover - Consolidate St. Albans LINK and Milton Commuter - transfer to GMT
Rural 2 AM and 2 PM runs ($250,050.00)127 $27.46
Weekday Carryover - Elimination of all 4 runs of the Jeffersonville Commuter ($145,000.00)25 $63.18
Weekday
Carryover - Restructured routing and timing of Neighborhood Specials for 2025-
2026 School Year.($105,550.00)281 $6.35
Weekday Carryover - Transfer of 1 AM and 1 PM 116 Commuter runs to Tri Valley Transit ($55,300.00)12 $44.82
Saturday
Carryover - Elimination of all 10 runs of the #10 Williston/Essex Route on
Saturdays ($37,700.00)70 $24.08
Weekday Carryover - Elimination of the Mid Day Milton Commuter run ($30,150.00)10 $27.46
Weekday Carryover of the end of the contract with Ride your Bike LLC for PARC Lot ($11,924.00)NA NA
Saturday
Carryover - Eliminate 3 runs on the #6 Shelburne on Saturday (18:30,21:15 and
22:30)($8,800.00)54 $6.28
Page 4 of 8
Green Mountain Transit - Draft Urban Service Reduction Plan to Save $3,000,000 DRAFT ONLY
Day of
Week Description of Service Change Financial Impact
Estimated
Rides
Impacted
FY23 Cost/
Ride
Saturday
Carryover - Eliminate 4 runs on the #9 Winooski on Saturday (6:00, 7:00, 21:15,
22:30)($8,800.00)54 $6.32
Weekday Carryover - Elimination of both AM runs of the #3 Lakeside Commuter ($7,700.00)3 NA
Saturday
Carryover - Eliminate 3 runs on the #7 North Ave on Saturday (18:30, 21:15,
22:30)($7,250.00)50 $6.47
Carryover - End Contract for Collins Perley Sports Arena for the Collins Perley
Park & Ride ($4,841.00)NA NA
Carryover - End Contract with Common Associates for the Highgate Shopping
Plaza Park & Ride ($3,700.00)NA NA
Carryover - End of the contract with Village of Jeffersonville for Depot Street
Park and Ride ($2,000.00)NA NA
Carryover - End contract for Underhill Flats Park and Ride ($500.00)NA NA
($2,428,165.00)
Total Savings
($2,968,498)
Legend:Day of Week - The day or days of the week of the impacted service.
Description of Service Change - Short summary of the change.
Financial Impact - Estimated cost savings based on the average hourly cost and
number of hours reduced.
Page 5 of 8
Green Mountain Transit - Draft Urban Service Reduction Plan to Save $3,000,000 DRAFT ONLY
Day of
Week Description of Service Change Financial Impact
Estimated
Rides
Impacted
FY23 Cost/
Ride
Estimated Rides Impacted - Based on FY23 rider data, the estimated number of
rides impacted by the reduction. Keep in mind that a round trip would count as
2 rides.
FY23 Cost/Rider - Based on FY23 rider data and costs, the total cost of the
service divided by the total rides.
#1 Williston - Total Rides 477,667
#1 - Weekday Average 1,471
#1 -Saturday Average 1,316
#1 - Sunday Average 636
#2 Essex Junction - Total Rides 417,134
#2 - Weekday Average 1,399
#2 - Saturday Average 725
#2 - Sunday Average 390
#5 Pine Street - Total Rides 87,578
#5 - Weekday Average 291
#5 - Saturday Average 171
#5 - Sunday Average 75
#6 Shelburne - Total Rides 267,447
#6 - Weekday Average 880
#6 - Saturday Average 662
FY23 Ridership Totals for Comparison
Page 6 of 8
Green Mountain Transit - Draft Urban Service Reduction Plan to Save $3,000,000 DRAFT ONLY
Day of
Week Description of Service Change Financial Impact
Estimated
Rides
Impacted
FY23 Cost/
Ride
#6 - Sunday Average 142
#7 North Avenue - Total Rides 269,945
#7 - Weekday Average 913
#7 - Saturday Average 523
#7 - Sunday Average 162
#8 City Loop - Total Rides 63,721
#8 - Weekday Average 217
#8 - Saturday Average 105
#8 - Sunday Average 47
#9 Winooski - Total Rides 170,676
#9 - Weekday Average 604
#9 - Saturday Average 299
#10 - Williston/Essex - Total Rides 31,340
#10 - Weekday Average 121
#10 - Saturday Average 70
#11 - Airport - Total Rides 105,261
#11 - Weekday Average 326
#11 - Saturday Average 311
#11 - Sunday Average 112
Jeffersonville Commuter - Total Rides 6,502
Jeffersonville Commuter - Weekday Average 25
Page 7 of 8
Green Mountain Transit - Draft Urban Service Reduction Plan to Save $3,000,000 DRAFT ONLY
Day of
Week Description of Service Change Financial Impact
Estimated
Rides
Impacted
FY23 Cost/
Ride
116 Commuter - Total Rides by GMT 3,057
116 - Weekday Average by GMT 12
Milton Commuter - Total Rides 13,193
Milton Commuter - Weekday Average 51
Montpelier LINK - Total Rides 52,994
Montpelier LINK - Weekday Average 207
St. Albans LINK - Total Rides 12,213
St. Albans - Weekday Average 47
Page 8 of 8
180 MARKET STREET, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT | (802) 846-4106 | WWW.SOUTHBURLINGTONVT.GOV
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jessie Baker, City Manager
South Burlington City Council
FROM: Paul Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning
Ilona Blanchard, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: South Burlington Public Transit Update
DATE: August 27, 2024
Last year Green Mountain Transit (GMT) leadership met with Michael Scanlan, the City’s GMT Board
representative, and City staff to discuss better coordination. City staff has met regularly with GMT
and Michael Scanlan since then to understand their service delivery model and to communicate
the needs of South Burlington. Fairly early on, the School District also began participating in these
meetings to better coordinate on how to approach City and student transportation needs
collaboratively. The City has also met with GMT Board members and town leaders from Williston
and Shelburne, Chittenden Area Transportation Management Association, UVM and UVM Medical
Center to discuss public transit service.
This summer, GMT communicated a timeline to address their ongoing fiscal challenges through
planning for and making service cuts. Today, a draft of these proposed service cuts were made
public and provided to the City.
Also in the course of these meetings, GMT has recognized South Burlington’s shift in development
pattern since the bus routes were developed. At the City’s urging, GMT has secured funding from
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission to look at regional growth and plan how transit
services could be better aligned to serve today’s population concentrations. Concurrently, the
Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) issued a report which identified the #11 bus as having
less ridership than most of the other urban routes and in need of significant adjustment. The #11 is
a combination of the College Street shuttle and the South Burlington Dorset Street, Kennedy Drive,
Airport, Hinesburg Road loop and has service every 45 minutes.
Within South Burlington, two public transit goals have long been discussed with the public and are
included in the CityPlan 2024. These include linking Shelburne Road neighborhoods to City Center
and servicing Market Street with a bus. These goals are aligned with the School District’s
exploration of supplementing middle and high school students school access with public transit,
as occurs in neighboring communities.
Anticipating the announcements of potential service cuts combined with a possibility of increasing
funding asks, staff from both the City and School District identified a need for a clear response
from the City. To inform this response, the City sought a data-driven analysis of transit service
potential in South Burlington. GMT staff were strongly supportive of this effort and provided
important data to assist with the analysis.
In June, the City contracted with VHB to perform an analysis. They gathered housing data (existing,
recently constructed, and anticipated), student data (residences of middle and high school
students), employment data, community destinations, and census block income level information.
Pairing this with existing routing and ridership data, they took a fresh look at how fixed-route transit
service could be re-aligned to enhanced access and mobility in our community. They identified
180 MARKET STREET, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT | (802) 846-4107 | WWW.SOUTHBURLINGTONVT.GOV
potential minor adjustments to existing routes, such as the Williston Road (#1), re-imagined routes,
such as replacement of the Airport Route (#11) with a service connecting City Center to Shelburne
Road. Simultaneously, they examined the opportunity to better serve schools, areas of
employment and housing throughout the City.
The consultant provided City staff with GIS mapping of all of the data above, a series of possible
new routing options (with sub-options), and an analysis of proximity of each route to the various
data sets. This information was subsequently shared with GMT staff, School District staff, and with
the town managers and GMT Board representatives from Shelburne and Williston.
Based on this data-driven analysis, two options stood out:
1.Explore a new fixed route transit service connecting Farrell Street / Shelburne Road to / City
Center and UVM / UVM Medical Center via Swift Street, Veterans Memorial Park and Dorset
Street
2.Consider adjustment to the US Route 2 Burlington – U-Mall - Williston service to include
Market Street and the airport
GMT has issued their draft service cut proposal. This is a preliminary proposal, and has not yet
been through a public hearing process. GMT intends to make a request to the State legislature for
funding this spring. They will also continue to add data to their proposal to fine tune it. Many GMT
routes are performing very well (including the US Route 2 #1 or Red line), and they have heard an
interest in maintaining these services at this high level.
Recommendation
Listen to presentation, ask questions and confirm direction to continue exploration of route
proposals. These will be brought back to the Council as a full proposal once they have been
fleshed out by GMT and our other partners.
180 MARKET STREET, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT | (802) 846-4107 | WWW.SOUTHBURLINGTONVT.GOV
FY26 Budget Schedule
*denotes regular City Council meeting dates
AUGUST 27 Share draft budget schedule with department managers
SEPTEMBER 3* Council review and approval of FY26 Budget Schedule
SEPTEMBER 4 Department managers budget process presentation
SEPTEMBER 13 CIP Forms provided to Department Heads - SharePoint
SEPTEMBER 16* Council FY24 close-out and FY26 goal setting discussion
SEPTEMBER 18 Discuss Council goals with Leadership Team
SEPTEMBER 20 Budget Forms provided to Department Heads - SharePoint
OCTOBER 7 FY26 Budget listening session
OCTOBER 18 First Draft of FY26 Budget and CIP forms due from Department Managers
to Finance Team
OCTOBER 28-31 Department Heads meet with Finance Team to discuss their department’s
proposed budget
NOVEMBER 6 Management review of Draft FY26 Budget with Leadership Team
NOVEMBER 13 Management final review of draft FY26 Budget with Leadership Team
NOVEMBER 27 Proposed CIP and Draft FY26 Budget sent to Council
DECEMBER 2* City Manager - Overview of the Proposed FY26 Budget presentation
to Council
City Manager present Proposed FY26 Budget to all City Staff
DECEMBER 12
SPECIAL MEETING Budget Retreat - Departmental CIP, General Fund/Special Funds budget
presentation to Council
Administration
Clerk
Finance/Tax/Assessing
Human Resources
Information Technology
Legal
Planning & Zoning
Physical Plant
Library
Recreation & Parks
Streets & Highways
Stormwater
Wastewater
Water
Open Space
Penny for Paths
TIF Projects
Fire & Ambulance Services
Police & Dispatch
DECEMBER 16*/
JANUARY 6* Council warn a Public Hearing for FY26 Proposed Budget and CIP
JANUARY 13 FY26 Proposed Budget Public Hearing & Potential Council Budget approval
and Amendment of CIP. Council budget sent to steering committee (min. 45
days before vote-last day to steering committee Jan. 17)
JANUARY 20-24
SPECIAL MEETING Steering Committee Meeting (date TBD, post in paper 7 days in advance)
JANUARY 20-31 Budget book preparation & printing
Budget available to voters (min 20 days before Town Meeting Day)
JANUARY 21-
FEBRUARY 1 Post & Publish Warnings and Public Hearing Notices (min. 30 days, max 40
days) for March 3 Pre-Town Mtg. & Public Hearing and March 4 Town
Meeting Vote. Budget booklets available & posted on websites
MARCH 3 Pre-Town Meeting & Public Hearing on City & School District proposed
Budgets
MARCH 4 Annual City meeting vote