HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Natural Resources Committee - 07/01/2015South Burlington Natural Resources Committee
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.sburl.com
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
6:00pm
South Burlington Municipal Offices, 575 Dorset Street
MEETING MINUTES for Regular Monthly Meeting
APPROVED 8/5/2015
Present: Betty Milizia (NRC Chair), Larry Michaels (NRC Vice Chair), Patrick Clemins (NRC Clerk),
Russell Agne (NRC Member), Cathyann LaRose (NRC Staff Liaison - SB City Planner), Tom
Chittenden (City Council), Sarah Dopp (SB Land Trust)
The meeting was called to order at 6:08pm.
6/3/15 Minutes: Milizia moved to approve the draft minutes and Agne seconded. The motion
passed unanimously.
Wheeler Nature Walks at 150th Anniversary Celebration: The Committee agreed to organize
two guided walks during the celebration on Saturday, August 15th. Each walk will be 45 min to 1
hr in duration. Clemins will work with the celebration organizers to schedule times for the walks
where they do not compete with other family events. Milizia will check with the Recreation
Department to see if they are planning to create a new storybook walk, and if that is the case,
the Committee will host a third guided walk along the storybook route. She will also work with
the Recreation Department to target some trail improvements and maintenance that can be
completed before the celebration as the safety of some of the trails have been compromised,
especially following the recent heavy rain. LaRose and Milizia will contact a few potential guides
for the walks to see if they are willing to lead a walk that weekend. The Committee (lead by
Milizia) will also create a handout / brochure which includes a trail map so people can go on
their own self-guided walks throughout the day.
Wheeler Nature Park Management Plan: LaRose is working to have the Wheeler Nature Park
Management Plan presented to City Council at their July 20th meeting. Milizia volunteered to
present the plan to the Council. The Report has been posted to the city website under the NRC
section – http://tinyurl.com/qchjtf8.
Update: Comprehensive Plan: LaRose noted that the next Planning Commission meeting is July
14th. The Commission is splitting time between the Form-Based Code and the Comprehensive
Plan. Therefore, it’s unclear which will be the topic of discussion at this upcoming meeting. It is
expected that there will be 5-6 weeks for public comment and that the Commission will host a
number of public listening sessions.
Action Items:
• Milizia, Clemins and LaRose: Work out details for the Wheeler Nature Park walks during
the 150th Anniversary Celebration.
• Milizia and LaRose: Schedule (Reschedule) visits from the Fellowship of the Wheel and
Bernie Paquette at a future Committee meeting.
• Milizia and LaRose: Contact the Recreation Department about putting up trail signs and
removing unauthorized / inappropriate trails at Wheeler Park.
• Michaels: Reach out to the Energy Committee regarding the Georgetown University
Energy Prize and how our Committee could help.
Next Meetings: The Natural Resources Committee normally meets on the first Wednesday of
each month.
The next meeting will be:
• August 5, 6:00pm – Finalize Wheeler Park walks for 150th Anniversary Celebration.
Meeting adjourned at 7:17pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Clemins