HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Natural Resources & Conservation Committee - 10/09/2024
NATURAL RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING
AGENDA
October 9, 2024
ParƟcipaƟon OpƟons
In Person: 180 Market Street, Third Floor, Room 334***
Assistive Listening Service Devices available upon request
Electronically: https://meet.goto.com/184552141
Access Code: 184-552-141
United States:+1 (312) 757-3121
Regular Session 6:00 p.m.
1. Welcome (6:00 p.m.)
2. Additions, deletion, or changes in order of Agenda Items (6:01)
3. Comments from the public not related to the agenda (6:05)
4. *Adoption of meeting minutes (6:10)
5. City updates (6:15)
a. Staff
b. Council
6. Review FY25 Policies Priorities & Strategies (PP&S) adopted by Council (6:30)
7. NRCC FY25 Workplan (6:45)
a. Identify tasks that the committee can carry out that align with the FY25 PP&S
b. Vote on work plan to be presented at November Council meeting
8. FY26 Budget: Discuss any proposed recommendations on the FY26 budget. (7:00)
a. https://www.southburlingtonvt.gov/departments/ϐinance/fy_26_budget.php
9. Homegrown National Parks – Members to review materials and discuss (7:15)
10. Green Mountain Transit: Review letter from PC to GMT and consider drafting letter from
NRCC. (7:30)
180 MARKET STREET, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT | (802) 846-4107 | WWW.SOUTHBURLINGTONVT.GOV
11. Member updates & reports: (7:45)
a. Follow up from AVCC meeting
b. Book Reading w/Library
c. Review any DRB applications that members bring forward
12. Other business
13. Adjourn (8:00) Next meeting: November 6, 2024
NATURAL RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
September 04, 2024
Regular monthly meeting starting at 6:00 PM at 180 Market St, Third Floor, Conference Room 301
with electronic option and phone option available.
Members present: D. Wheeler, City Liaison; J. Chaulot, Chr.; K. Boyk; L. Yankowski, M. Korpos; J.
Bossange; L. Smith, City Council Liaison.
Public attendees: R. Doyle, F. McDonald, E. & R. Waibel, F. Mazur, S. & C. Gardner, C. Geste.
1. Mr. Chaulot welcomed everyone.
2. No changes to the agenda.
3. No public comments not related to the agenda.
4. City Updates- Staff & Council.
1. We are looking for a committee member to work with and help co-ordinate a presentation of
a new book- How to Love a Forest, with and written by VT State Forester, Ethan Tapper.
Ms. Yankowski and Ms. Korpos expressed an interest. They will reach out to the library.
2. No additional trees have been found with Emerald Ash Borers except the 2 already reported
and removed at the DPW.
3. Chittenden County and Northern Vermont is under alert for EEE. A deadly mosquito
borne disease known as Eastern equine encephalitis, also known as EEE or triple E
4. The city is working on an upgrade to the website and we need to decide what
changes or updates we would like to see to the NRCC page(s).
1. Ms. Boyk, Ms. Yankowski and Mr. Chaulot will work on this at the library,
Monday 09/09 at 5:30 pm.
5. The VT Army National Guard reported to the city council, Tues
09/03, with updates to the AFFF spill that happened and mitigation work. (This was a spillage of
PFAS, a known carcinogen, that happened due to a failed seal.)
6. The City Council have approved the water/sewage billing. They have been looking at how Queen
City Park is charged since there are no meters for water or sewage volumes.
7. CRO Planning & Design has been selected to develop the Open Space Plan. Mr. Wheeler will
arrange a time for them to meet with the NRCC.
8. The VT Association of Conservation Commissions (AVCC), has a conference Thursday, 09/05. Ms.
Korpos and Ms. Yankowski are registered and will report back our next meeting. . 9. Tree LDRs- The
Planning Commission has it's first discussion as part of the agenda for September 24, on tree
regulations. Looking for possible policy intersections. Members may want to attend.
10. The upgrades for the DPW facility are moving ahead with plans for adding a wash bay, EV
charging stations and a stormwater treatment site.
11. Katherine Boyk and John Bossange were re-appointed to the NRCC. We have 6 of 9 seats currently
filled. The are no current plans for midterm appointments. Long term thinking- should we try and have
the city reduce the number of seats? Can we have it raised back we it is lowered? We are concerned
with having a quorum for voting. Mr. Wheeler will inquire if this is a possibility.
12. Perhaps we may want work with the Energy Committee. They are looking at recycling urine, this
more our area than theirs.
13. Per Mr. Smith- The Land Trust is working with the city to conserve some of the Long Property on
Spear St. Conserve some since it borders a conserved area along “The Great Swamp” and turn some
into Habitat for Humanities Housing.
5. Public meeting- Bartlett Bay Road Culvert, a VTrans grant funded project-South Burlington
TAP TA23 (26).
1. The project information was provided by Marisa Rorabaugh, Stormwater
Superintendent
(802) 658-7961 ext. 6111, mrorabaugh@southburlingtonvt.gov
2. This project is to replace an existing culvert that carries North Brook underneath Bartlett
Bay Rd. This project has been in design since 2015-2019. The last 2 summers with
abnormal rain storms and the inability for the culvert to handle the flow has led to flooding
of parts of the neighborhood. The current design plan by Stantec calls for a box culvert.
Several of the residents attended the meeting offering information. Erwin Waibel, an
engineer who was employed with the State of VT, had comments, questions and suggestions
that may offer better options. He and Ms. Rorabaugh will consult with each other.
6. Homegrown National Parks
1. We are tabling this discussion until the next meeting. Please check out the website before
the meeting. Home - Homegrown National Park - Regenerate Biodiversity
7. Wildlife corridor mapping.
1. We want to discuss this subject with CRO- the company who will be developing the Open
Space Plan. We feel this needs to be incorporated into the plan and updated . Mr. Doyle
mentioned culverts which are used for water transportation under roads and as safer routes
for wildlife movement.
8. DRB Submissions
1. Mr. Smith inquired if we are contacted to review larger projects. We are not by planning or
the DRB. They can refer a developer over to us on a proposed project or a developer can
reach out to us directly. This is something we have been trying to figure out and hoping a
developer would have information on what we would look for as a project is developed.
9. Recruitment
1. We do not currently have a quorum. If a committee member knows of someone who may
be a good candidate......
10. Member updates and reports.
1. The Airport Landscaping Plan has been modified some. We had already talked to Nic
Longo about the project and offered suggestions. Questions were raised about soil testing
which have not been answered. Mr. Smith will reach out to Mr. Longo.
Adjourned 8:15 PM
NEXT MEETING IS OCTOBER 09, 2024 AT 6PM
FY25 Policy Priorities Strategies
Adopted by the South Burlington City Council on 9/16/24
Role of City Manager and Leadership Team NRCC Annual Work Plan FY25
"This is how we are accomplishing this vision."
City Center and TIF Action 142 Make a go/no go decision on creating a "city green" in City Center
Consider regulatory or incentive change to phase-out small gas engines (leaf blowers, hedge trimmers and string trimmers).
Goal 26, 45 Government Operations Sector Climate Action Implementation Plan: Present plans for efficiency as part of Bartlett Bay project
Climate - Transportation Goal 46; Actions 64, 65 Work with GMT to improve connectivity throughout the City: to include in-city connections, workplace connectivity, and safety (CAP-TIP)
Core Municipal Government
Backbone Improve communication and engagement
*Launch and promote new website
*Add new communications methods (such as short-form video) to help make government more accessible.
Goal 48, Action 58 Official Map
*Updates to City Center area to complement Form Based Code
*Update following completion of Active Transportation Plan
*Review for consistency with 2024 City Plan
Goal 79; Actions 4, 17 Consider changes related to Act 250 reform (H.687)
Consider regulatory or incentive change to limit chipping during construction
Recreation, Community Services,
and Culture
Goals - 55,56,57...Action 44, 87, 89 Complete the Parks & Open Space Master Plan (link to Active Transporation Plan)
*South Village Field: Determine future use and amend needed permit documents
Actions 90, 91, 147 Collaborate with Airport on walking paths/amenities adjacent to Chamberlin Neighborhood
Water and Utilities Goal 69, 70, 71, 72. Action 109,
115
With municipal partners, consider a regional stormwater collaboration
Plan for the unexpected:
*How do we plan for the impacts of climate change including natural disasters?
*How do we plan for the end of business as we know it as we face climate change?
Goal 54, 60, 61, Action 150 Hubbard Recreation & Natural Area: Consider a permanent conservation easement
Goal 39 Increase Community Garden
Core Municipal Government
Backbone Improve civic engagement strategies and activities to ensure voices are equitably represented at policy-making tables
*Improve the Committee structure and screening to most effectively implement the City Plan 2024
*Improve appointment process to outside organization
*Develop new Council engagement processes
Energy Action 42, 43 Review goals and objectives for trees in the City. Think about incentive options and regulatory framework.
Water and Utilities Revise Sewer Ordinance - Modify language in ordinance with regards to Queen City Park wastewater billing policy.
Water and Utilities Ordinance Updates
*Continue Water and Wastewater Rate discussion
Committee Action Item
Role of Council
"This is the vision for our community"
City Plan Section City Plan 2024 Goals/Actions Staff Action: implementation, work, and operational effort
Climate - Energy
Land Use
FY26 Bike Rack
FY25 - Lower Priority with progress made as able
Recreation, Community Services,
and Culture
Growth: Intentionally understand and plan for growth in South Burlington
Key Questions for future consideration
1