HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Natural Resources Committee - 10/01/2014South Burlington Natural Resources Committee
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
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Wednesday, October 1, 2014
6:00pm
South Burlington Municipal Offices, 575 Dorset Street
MEETING MINUTES for Regular Bi‐Monthly Meeting
Present: Betty Milizia (NRC Chair), Larry Michaels (NRC Vice Chair), Patrick Clemins (NRC Clerk),
Russell Agne (NRC Member), Jeff Dickson (NRC Member), Cathyann LaRose (NRC Staff Liaison ‐
SB City Planner), Vince Bolduc, Todd Goodwin (SB Director of Recreation and Parks), Sarah
Dopp (SB Land Trust), Sam Swanson (SB Energy Committee)
The meeting was called to order at 6:03pm.
Wheeler Homestead Public Meeting: Milizia began by giving Bolduc a background of the work
that has been completed thus far on the Management Plan. She then discussed the
Committee’s intention to hold a public meeting to solicit ideas on what to do with the Wheeler
Homestead now that the National Gardening Association no longer leases the land.
Goodwin noted that there are a number of other facilities in city parks that are rented out for
events and to various groups for their activities. He sees the Wheeler Homestead as an
opportunity to provide a more suitable venue for a number of groups that currently use other
city facilities.
Michaels reiterated his desire to open up the use of the Wheeler Homestead to a larger
number of South Burlington residents rather than have the parcel be used exclusively by
community gardeners. Goodwin noted that other uses of the Homestead have been
considered by the city, many of which could co‐exist with the community gardens. Milizia made
the point that many of the community gardeners have been there for about a decade and have
invested a significant amount of money in their individual plot. In response to a question about
appropriate use of tax dollars to maintain certain active recreation facilities, Goodwin explained
that facilities like ball fields are paid for completely by user fees; no tax dollars are used to
maintain these specific‐use areas.
There was a brief discussion about how it should compare to Red Rocks Park. The consensus
was that it should be a more natural area, with less developed walking paths than Red Rocks
Park.
The Committee agreed that the meeting should focus exclusively on the Wheeler Homestead
portion of the park and should encourage the sharing of creative ideas for the use of both the
structures and land in combination and separately. It would also be beneficial if the ideas could
be prioritized during the public meeting. The meeting should start with some context setting.
There was some discussion as to what funds might be available for marketing or improvement
of the property. Currently, there are no funds available for either. It was also discussed
whether the activities that ultimately take place on the parcel should be sustainable (i.e.
financially neutral).
Bolduc directed the committee to draft some (5‐10) questions that they would like answered by
this public engagement project. The committee will send these questions directly to Bolduc.
Then, focus groups, a public meeting, a response card in The Other Paper, or less practical for
this project, a poll, could be used to solicit comments from the public. Dopp suggested using
specific scenarios as prompts. In addition, the committee will look over the current draft
management plan and the Committee memo to the City Planning Office providing
recommendations for the use of the Wheeler Homestead from August 2011. LaRose will
compile a list of stakeholder organizations that would be interested in attending the public
meeting.
Georgetown Energy Prize: Swanson gave a brief background on the Georgetown Energy Prize.
They are currently in the process of submitting the final stage of the application to become one
of the 53 communities nationwide competing for the $6 million top prize. The reduction in
energy use is measured solely on electricity and natural gas use. Other judging criteria include
the creativity, innovation, and quality of solutions, whether the solutions are sustainable and
replicable, and the accessibility of the solutions to the general public.
Their current strategy is to form partnerships to share the workload. The ultimate goal is to get
current property owners to reduce their energy use. One initiative they have discussed is to
encourage residents to get an energy audit done on their home. Swanson would like the
Committee’s help to publicize the competition and would welcome volunteers from the
Committee for their various initiatives. In addition, Swanson would like to begin a more robust
relationship between the Energy Committee and the NRC.
9/3/2014 Minutes: Agne moved to approve the 9/3/2014 minutes. Michaels seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Current Project Review: The Good Ideas List discussion was tabled to a future meeting.
Ascension Lutheran Church Walking Path: Swanson announced that Ascension Lutheran is
nearly completion on a walking path through the wooded part of their property. They
encourage public use of the path.
Action Items:
Entire Committee: Draft a few questions (5‐10) that the Committee would like to see
addressed through the public outreach process. Send these questions directly to Vince
Bolduc.
LaRose: Compile a list of stakeholder organizations that would be interested in
participating in the public outreach process.
Next Meetings: The Natural Resources Committee normally meets on the first Wednesday of
each month.
The next meeting will be:
November 5th, 6:00pm – Planning for Wheeler Homestead public outreach.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Clemins