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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/01/2019 CITY COUNCIL 1 APRIL 2019 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 1 April 2019, at 6:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: H. Riehle, Chair; M. Emery, T. Barritt, T. Chittenden, D. Kaufman Also Present: T. Hubbard, Deputy City Manager; A. Bolduc, City Attorney; Chief S. Burke, Police Department; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; A. Parker, J. Binhammer, M. Cypes, L. Leavens, R. Greco, D. Leban, B. Davis, C. Frank, B. Dale 1. Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency: Mr. Hubbard provided instructions on emergency evacuation of the building. 2. Consider entering Executive Session to discuss matters related to the purchase or conservation of land: Mr. Barritt moved that the Council enter into executive sessions for the purpose of discussing the negotiation or securing of rea estate options, the first Executive Session regarding conservation lands to include Messrs. Hubbard, Bolduc, Conner, and Binhammer, and the second Executive Session to include Messrs. Hubbard and Bolduc and Ms. Blanchard. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Council entered executive session at 6:37 p.m. and resumed open session at 7:29 p.m. 3. Agenda Review: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items: Ms. Riehle asked to add two items to Other Business: a potential amendment regarding land purchase and a discussion regarding a request for a Steering Committee meeting regarding the development of the Community Center. 4. Comments and Questions from the public not related to the agenda: Ms. Greco spoke to the issue of littering, specifically cigarette butts, and suggested a reminder to the public about this. Ms. Riehle suggested this might be in conjunction with Green Up Day. Ms. Greco also noted that Nowland Farm Road has become a “speedway” and suggested some Police patrols in the area to insure the safety of people on the rec path. Mr. Cypes of the Homeowners Board at Dorset Farms reminded the Council of an Act 250 requirement that $20,000 be set aside for traffic calming on Midland Avenue. The Act 250 decision required a meeting with homeowners to insure that this happens. Mr. Cypes said this is a safety issue and residents want to have that work done. Mr. Conner said he was familiar with the $20,000 for this purpose and will follow up with Public Works. Mr. Barritt suggested it would be a good idea to get the work done while S.D Ireland is doing some street work in that area. Mr. Barrows, also a resident of the area, said a “STOP” sign is also needed and suggested traffic islands as well. Mr. Kaufman said that traffic islands need to look “respectable,” not like the one at Pheasant Way. Mr. Leavens spoke to the issue of avigation easements and noted that if people accept funds for noise abatement they can never again ask for compensation. He was particularly concerned with any funds that Chamberlin School would accept and said he didn’t want them to accept $60,000 and then lose a multi-million-dollar school. Ms. Riehle acknowledged that the avigation easement issue is very frustrating. 5. Announcements and City Manager’s Report: Council members reported on meetings and events they had attended in recent weeks. During her report, Ms. Emery read a letter which she has sent to the School Board addressing issues raised in a letter from a School Board member. Ms. Emery’s letter addressed factual errors in the School Board member’s letter with respect to the Community Library move and the siting of a stormwater treatment facility in connection with the new Community building in City Center. Ms. Emery cited the need for better communication between the Council and the School Board and suggested a Steering Committee meeting to air out issues. Mr. Hubbard noted that the City Manager is away this week. 6. City Councilor Committee Assignment Reports: Ms. Emery reported that the Interim Zoning Open Space Committee looked at a matrix to evaluate parcels for conservation. 7. Consent Agenda: A. Approve and Sign Disbursement B. Approve Minutes for 4 and 19 February and 4, 7, and 18 March C. Approve South Burlington Skating Association lease extension D. Continue public hearing on the Interim Zoning application #IZ-19-01 of Donald and Lois Kerwin to subdivide a 2.0 acre parcel developed with a single family dwelling into four lots ranging in size from 0.27 acres to 1.18 acres, and to construct a new single family dwelling on each of the resulting undeveloped lots, 1420 Hinesburg Road until a date no sooner than 23 April E. Accept Stormwater Easement on the Village at Dorset Park Stormwater System F. Approve a Resolution clarifying the City’s position with respect to limitations on municipal and school use of net‐metering credits Mr. Hubbard noted that item “D” will be on the 15 April agenda. It was also noted that in the Minutes of 4 March, it was Mr. McHenry who spoke to the issue of smoking, not Mr. Lalonde. Ms. Emery moved to approve the Consent Agenda with the above-noted correction. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Council review and discussion of crime and arrest statistics and trends: Chief Burke distributed written information. Ms. Riehle noted that the Chief has started providing weekly reports to the Council regarding criminal activity in the community. The Chief directed attention to a synopsis of 2 years of data. In that time, there were 29,000 incidents of which 1,360 involved criminal arrests. Most activity occurred between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, and 5% of total responses was for incidents at University Mall (that figure is now up to 6%). The top calls for service involve traffic stops (more than 6,000), “agency assist” (e.g., Fire Department), alarm responses/suspicious events, and public assist. The Chief stressed that there is not a lot of crime in the city, and much of their work involves service. Mr. Chittenden asked whether rooms/meals require enough police service to merit an increase in the rooms/meals tax similar to Burlington’s. Chief Burke said that would be interesting to look at, but he noted South Burlington does not have the number of alcohol-based incidents that Burlington has. The #1 arrest offense is for retail theft followed in order by driving with a suspended license, DUI, violation of conditions of release, and trespass. The Chief cited the great job being done by officers in connection with family issues and domestic violence. Ms. Emery asked whether the Council should consider a community discussion regarding domestic violence. The Chief said they should and noted that by the time the police get involved, it is often too late. He suggested looking at what other communities have done. The Chief also noted that the public can request information on-line. 9. Council review and discussion related to the proposed formation of a multi-community conservation district and review of possible accord to form the district: Ms. Parker noted the communities involved in addition to South Burlington are Williston, Shelburne, Hinesburg, St. George, and Charlotte. She then reviewed the history of the project and directed attention to the “accord” language. The goals of this partnership include prioritizing regionally significant parcels for conservation/protection, identifying “best practices” for stewardship of conserved land, maintaining connectivity and integrity of forest blocks, improving water quality of Lake Champlain, and developing a public engagement strategy. Council members spoke favorably regarding regionalization and the project goals. Ms. Riehle asked if “view corridors” have been considered. Ms. Parker said this has not yet come up. Ms. Greco asked how individuals can get involved. Ms. Parker said people can contact her. Ms. Leban asked the status of the conservation easement for the Wheeler property. Ms. Riehle said she would check on that. Mr. Hubbard stressed that the focus of this project is where communities have mutual interests across boundaries. 10. Presentation to the Council on matters related to the use of electric scooters in South Burlington and provide guidance to staff on the potential for a one-year pilot program to test electric scooter use in South Burlington: Mr. Dale provided a Bike Share overview and noted the movement to convert to all-electric pedal assist bikes. He showed the design of the new “Gotcha e‐bike” which provides users with an alternate means of transportation, especially in hilly areas. Mr. Dale then showed a model for new scooters. They are proposing a summer program to implement them into the bike system. There would be an easy sign-up process and several payment options. Riders must be age 18 and older and instructions require helmet use. They will try to have a “bank” of helmets. The maximum speed of the scooters is 15 mph (bikes are 20 mph). There can also be “no‐ride” zones protected by “geo‐fencing.” Mr. Dale noted that the scooters would be brought in every night, recharged, and placed back out by 7 a.m. Scooters would be available only during warm weather months while the e-bikes are available all year. Mr. Davis of CCRPC saw this as a unique opportunity. CCRPC is doing a study on how these options are performing and want to be sure the bikes and scooters are serving as a transportation option. Mr. Conner stressed that there is no request for funding and noted that Gotcha will be making a contribution to CATMA. Mr. Barritt noted that on a trip to California he saw a lot of scooters trashed by the side of the road and heard a lot of horror stories. Mr. Dale said some companies’ scooters have a one‐month life span, but Gotcha does not operate that way. He said there will not be a landfill full of scooters. Ms. Riehle said she felt it was worth a pilot program. Mr. Kaufman expressed concern with safety. Ms. Legan cite4d the need to have fog lines on the road painted as early in the season as possible so people are comfortable riding there. Ms. Frank of the Bike Ped Committee said the committee was at first skeptical but was convinced by the speed control and the option to be part of the design. She stressed the need to get rules/regulations in place and signage on the bike paths as to what is allowed. Mr. Conner noted that the City Attorney is working on 2 ordinances (Parks and Highway) to address rec paths. 11. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Chittenden moved that the Council convene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Members considered the following liquor licenses: Bourne’s Service Center – 2nd class Champlain Farms South Burlington (Williston Road) – 2nd class Duke’s Public House – 1st class Restaurant/Bar Fish & Chips – 1st class Commercial Caterer Green Mountain Suites Hotel – 1st class Restaurant/Bar and outside consumption permits Guild Tavern – 1st class Restaurant/Bar Homewood Suites – 1st class Restaurant/Bar and 2nd class license Interstate Shell – 2nd class Kenney Drugs #55 – 2nd class Lakeview Bar & Grill (Shelburne Road) – 1st class Restaurant/Bar and outside consumption permits Maplefields #52 (Williston Road) – 2nd class Marco’s Pizza – 1st class Restaurant/Bar Pour House – 1st class Restaurant/Bar Rotisserie – 1st class Restaurant/Bar Vermont Pool & Bar – 1st class Restaurant/Bar and outside consumption permit Club 35 – 1st class for Club Farmers and Foragers – 1st class Commercial Caterer Independent Brewers United, LLC – 2nd class Jolley Associates (977 Shelburne Rd) – 2nd class Jolley Associates (1110 Shelburne Rd) – 2nd class Shelburne Road Variety – 2nd class Slimain Handys Convenience Store – 2nd class Sugar Snap, LLC – 1st class Restaurant/Bar VT Koto, Inc. – 1st class Restaurant/Bar Ms. Riehle noted that in the past the Maplefields application had checked off “yes” for traffic violations dating back a number of years. This year they say “no.” Members agreed to pull this one from the list and check on it. Ms. Riehle also noted that Club 35 is on the National Guard base where there have been issues of not allowing women. She felt if the city provides a license, it should be to allow everyone to be served. Mr. Barritt questioned whether city inspectors were allowed on the premises. Members agreed to pull this from the list as well. Mr. Chittenden then moved to approve all the liquor licenses presented with the exception of Maplefields and Club 35. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Chittenden moved to reconvene as City Council. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Other Business: Members agreed to warn a future agenda item to discuss the $20,000 traffic calming project. Ms. Riehle felt it would be helpful to have a Steering Committee meeting to discuss issues with the School Board. Members felt this should take place as soon as possible. Ms. Riehle will extend an invitation to the School Board Chair and Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Chittenden said he would like to see the Council have an appreciation event for the Public Works Department for their work during the winter. He suggested the possibility of a barbeque at Wheeler Park. Mr. Riehle also liked the idea of a baseball game. As there was no further business to come before the Council, Mr. Kaufman moved to adjourn. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 p.m. ___________________________, Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works. South Burlington Water Dept. Accounts Payable Check Register Date: 04/02/19 Date Check No. Paid To Memo Amount Paid 4/2/2019 3532 Continental Utility Solutions, Inc. 12,240.00 Date Voucher Number Reference Voucher Total Amount Paid 2/15/2019 VI-14773 U23632 12,240.00 12,240.00 4/2/2019 3533 E.J. Prescott, Inc. 1,676.22 Date Voucher Number Reference Voucher Total Amount Paid 2/22/2019 VI-14774 5504974 996.42 996.42 2/15/2019 VI-14775 5503802 62.88 62.88 3/11/2019 VI-14777 5505396 417.98 417.98 3/11/2019 VI-14778 5508609 69.34 69.34 2/28/2019 VI-14779 5506511 129.60 129.60 4/2/2019 3534 Endyne, Inc. 75.00 Date Voucher Number Reference Voucher Total Amount Paid 2/27/2019 VI-14776 290748 75.00 75.00 4/2/2019 3535 Engineers Construction Inc. 13,225.79 Date Voucher Number Reference Voucher Total Amount Paid 2/13/2019 VI-14772 133 13,225.79 13,225.79 4/2/2019 3536 City Of South Burlington 253,116.80 Date Voucher Number Reference Voucher Total Amount Paid 3/5/2019 VI-14770 FEBRUARY 253,116.80 253,116.80 4/2/2019 3537 City Of South Burlington 108,989.08 Date Voucher Number Reference Voucher Total Amount Paid 3/5/2019 VI-14771 FEBRUARY 108,989.08 108,989.08 4/2/2019 3538 Ti-Sales Inc. 6,750.00 Date Voucher Number Reference Voucher Total Amount Paid 3/6/2019 VI-14780 INV0102123 6,750.00 6,750.00 4/2/2019 3539 Aldrich & Elliott, PC 2,954.14 Date Voucher Number Reference Voucher Total Amount Paid 2/26/2019 VI-14784 FEB STMT 2,954.14 2,954.14 4/2/2019 3540 E.J. Prescott, Inc. 201.10 Date Voucher Number Reference Voucher Total Amount Paid 3/8/2019 VI-14781 5508273 130.56 130.56 3/7/2019 VI-14782 5502532 70.54 70.54 4/2/2019 3541 Office Essentials 198.96 Date Voucher Number Reference Voucher Total Amount Paid 3/18/2019 VI-14785 35949 198.96 198.96 Printed: March 27, 2019 Page 1 of 2 South Burlington Water Dept. Accounts Payable Check Register Date: 04/02/19 Date Check No. Paid To Memo Amount Paid 4/2/2019 3542 Ti-Sales Inc. 133.50 Date Voucher Number Reference Voucher Total Amount Paid 3/15/2019 VI-14783 INV0102465 133.50 133.50 Total Amount Paid: 399,560.59 SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Printed: March 27, 2019 Page 2 of 2 FIFTH AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT The parties to this Fifth Amendment to Lease Agreement (the “Amendment”) are the City of South Burlington (the “City”) and Dorset Park Skating Association, Inc. (the “Association"). Recitals A. The City and the Association entered into a Lease Agreement effective February 1, 1995 (the “Lease Agreement”) (a copy of which is attached hereto). The Lease Agreement provides for the lease (the “Lease”) of a portion of certain land located at Dorset Park, South Burlington, Vermont, together with a skating facility as more fully described in the Lease Agreement to the Association (as tenant) from the City (as landlord) (the “Facility”). B. The City and the Association amended the Lease Agreement on four prior occasions (copies of which are attached hereto). C. The City and the Association desire to further amend the Lease Agreement to extend the term of the Lease. D. The South Burlington City Council approved this Amendment on_________________________, 2019 and empowered Kevin Dorn, the City Manager, to execute the Amendment on behalf of the City. Amendment 1. Section 6 of the Lease Agreement, Section 7 of the Second Amendment to Lease Agreement, and Section 1 of the Fourth Amendment to Lease Agreement, are hereby amended to extend the term of the Lease. As amended, the Lease shall terminate on December 31, 2040. 2. Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Lease Agreement shall remain in full force and effect according to its terms (including all prior amendments hereto). 3. By executing this Amendment, the South Burlington City Council acknowledges and agrees that, pursuant to Section 11A. of the Lease Agreement, it has approved the planned improvements to the Facility by Dorset Park Skating Association, Inc.; namely, the construction of an entryway that will join the existing skating rinks and otherwise improve the Facility for the public’s benefit. This Amendment constitutes the written approval required by Section 11A. of the Lease. [SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS] Dated March ___, 2019. ______________________________ ________________________________ Dorset Park Skating Association, Inc. City of South Burlington By: Tony Cairns By: Kevin Dorn Its: President Its: City Manager Memo To: South Burlington City Council From: Tom DiPietro, Deputy Director of Public Works CC: Kevin Dorn, City Manager Justin Rabidoux Director of Public Works Date: March 27, 2019 Re: Acceptance of Stormwater Easement on the Village at Dorset Park Stormwater System The City of South Burlington and the Village at Dorset Park Homeowner’s Association recently (2018) finished reconstruction and improvement of the Village at Dorset Park stormwater treatment system. This project provides treatment of stormwater runoff for the entire neighborhood before discharging this treated water to tributary 7 of Potash Brook. This project will have significant benefits for Potash Brook and Lake Champlain. Now that the project is complete the City needs to officially accept the easements surrounding the stormwater system so that stormwater utility staff can access the area and maintain the treatment system going forward. Included with this memo please find a copy of the easement deed associated with this project. These easement documents were reviewed by the City’s outside legal counsel and are in good order. The project was completed as anticipated and a sufficient amount of time has passed so that we are confident that the quality of construction work performed is acceptable. I recommend that Council vote to accept easements around the Village at Dorset Park stormwater treatment system as described in the attached easement deed dated July 13-15, 2016. If you have any questions, please contact me at (802) 658 – 7961 x6108 or tdipietro@sburl.com. R-2019 - RESOLUTION A RESOLUTION CLARIFYING THE CITY’S POSITION WITH RESPECT TO LIMITATIONS ON MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL USE OF NET-METERING CREDITS WHEREAS, the City of South Burlington has an interest in reducing the City’s dependence upon non-renewable energy sources and reducing energy costs; and, WHEREAS, Objective 23 of the City of South Burlington Comprehensive Plan 2016 is to "Achieve a reduction of 20% in carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions from 2009 levels by 2020 through an increase in renewable energy production and reductions in energy use in the following sectors: transportation, commercial/industrial, residential, municipal/school;" and, WHEREAS, in Vermont, the primary mechanism that the State has provided to electricity users with which to realize the energy generation benefit of renewable energy production in an efficient manner is net-metering credits; and WHEREAS, the City has developed or partnered with the private sector on several renewable energy net-metering projects but still uses more energy than is received and thus has additional capacity to produce renewable energy and receive the resulting net-metering credits; and, WHEREAS, the City is in the process of developing a new community building at 180 Market Street that includes the Library, City Hall and Senior Center and which is designed to have roof top solar; and, WHEREAS, the Public Utility Commission has established a rule whereby no customer may receive more than 500,000 kWh of net-metering credits, with the effect that the City may not receive net- metering credits generated by the proposed solar array, nor any future project; and, WHEREAS, this cap limits the ability of City taxpayers to benefit from public investments in renewable energy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED it is the position of the South Burlington City Council that customers that serve ratepayers, such as municipalities and schools, should not be subject to a net- metering customer cap and respectfully requests that the cap be removed from municipalities and schools. APPROVED this _____ day of __________, 2019. SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL __________________________________ ________________________________ Helen Riehle, Chair Meaghan Emery, Vice Chair __________________________________ ________________________________ Tim Barritt, Clerk David Kaufman __________________________________ Tom Chittenden 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 tel 802.846.4107 fax 802.846.4101 www.SouthBurlingtonVT.gov TO: Kevin Dorn, City Manager FROM: Ilona Blanchard, Project Director SUBJECT: Resolution regarding clarifying municipalities and schools should not be limited in the amount of net-metering credits they may receive. DATE: March 28, 2019 BACKGROUND: For some time, the City Energy Committee and City have been pursuing, providing education around, and implementing renewable energy development as part of the City’s sustainable future. The Energy Committee would like to advocate for the exemption of municipalities and schools from limitations on the amount of net-metering credits that municipalities and schools may receive. The City is the beneficiary or customer of three net-metering projects: the array at South Village, the array at Vet Memorial Park, and the array on the capped landfill. The School District also is a customer of the array on the capped landfill. Combined, these projects generate approximately 1,600,000 in kWh in net-metering credits per year for the City and a commensurate amount of renewable energy. This covers approximately half the City’s usage of electricity in a given year. The City is pursuing a fourth project, an array on the rooftop of the new City building, for which there is an intention to contract in the upcoming year. Background, Continued, Page 2 Since the time that the solar array on the capped landfill was developed, net-metering legislation and regulations have been further altered. Part of this alteration was at the legislative level, and changed the value and form of net-metering credits. They are worth somewhat less than before, but for a project in a municipality and on a roof, have more value than for other locations. The alteration which has a much bigger impact on municipalities and schools was at the Public Utility Commission (PUC) level. The PUC is responsible for writing rules and regulations, including setting tariffs. The PUC issued a regulation, at the request of power companies, which sets a cap on the amount of net-metering credits that the City or any other customer can receive at 500,000. While the City’s existing arrays are grandfathered in, the City receives an amount that is well above the cap, and this cap prevents the City from receiving additional credits. This does not restrict the City from building a solar array on the roof of the new building at 180 Market Street. It does, however, mean that City taxpayers may not be the beneficiary in part or in whole, and complicates the financing and number of entities allowed in the net-metering agreement. It also may increase the payback period for the project. Perhaps most significantly, it may be impossible for the City to ever realize the benefits that would otherwise accrue if the City were to over time secure ownership of the array. In such a case, currently against the rule, the realized benefits would reduce energy costs significantly for this building – estimated at 50%. Due to the cyclical nature of solar array energy generation, this is not achievable without net-metering. The reasoning that has been provided for the cap is that recipients of net-metering credits are not paying fees for transmission, which are born by all the other rate-payers. This is true, however, when a municipality or school receives Background, Continued, Page 3 net-metering credits, as this benefit accrues to the whole community and all the taxpayers within it; it therefor also accrues to the ratepayers. In the past, the legislature has looked favorably on municipal projects, for instance, eliminating a project cap for municipalities in cases when the projects are located on a landfill. Some language has been drafted and introduced in a bill, H. 423, sponsored by Rep. Martin LaLonde. While it is not likely this particular bill would go forward, it would not be unusual for similar language to be advanced in another bill. RECOMMENDATION: Consider approval of the attached resolution ATTACHMENTS:  A Resolution clarifying the City’s position with respect to limitations on Municipal and School use of Net- metering Credits ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION The Energy Committee is advisory to the City Council. While individuals may speak for themselves, the Committee may not represent the City on an issue where the City Council does not have a policy position. DRAFT Southwest Chittenden County Conservation Partnership Accord: Overview – We are conservation partners and leaders in the southwest corner of Chittenden County in Vermont. We joined together in the spring of 2019 to demonstrate leadership and action on land conservation issues affecting all of our communities. The conservation partners are committed to working collaboratively to conserve and manage land at a regional scale in a way that will also educate and engage each partner’s residents. The partnership understands that there are numerous other local, regional, state, and national partners that could assist us in our work, and it is a priority for us to engage and work with other partners and landowners to achieve our mission. This partnership has emerged as land managers and landowners increasingly recognize that natural resources are not constrained by municipal boundaries, and thus the best way to conserve and manage those resources is through collaboration. Mission – First and foremost, this partnership between the City of South Burlington, Town of Williston, Town of Shelburne, Town of Hinesburg, the Town of St. George, and the Town of Charlotte seeks to conserve, restore, and enhance natural resources within and across our municipal boundaries. More specifically, the partnership aims to increase the amount of connected conserved land, improve water quality in streams and rivers flowing into Lake Champlain, protect agricultural land, and prevent the fragmentation of wildlife habitat and riparian corridors. In order to meet its mission, this group will use various tools, including: purchase of land and rights in land, upland habitat restoration, wetland and stream restoration, community outreach, land use planning, and the sharing of knowledge and experience. Vision – Our Vision is of a landscape that provides connected open space for wildlife and humans—and where open spaces are large enough to sustain a wide array of species. We recognize that our natural resources are not confined to our drawn landscape boundaries, and thus require landscape-scale management. Our efforts are collaborative, and the outcome of our efforts will be the improved connection of our shared natural landscape. Partnership Goals/Priorities – Working together, we aim to:  Prioritize regionally significant parcels for conservation/protection and to identify potential actions that would conserve/protect the parcels identified.  Identify “best practices” for the stewardship of conserved land.  Maintain the connectivity and integrity of forest blocks in an effort to promote biological diversity and allow for the movement of wildlife in response to climate and land use changes.  Improve the water quality of Lake Champlain by developing a strategy for wetland and riparian protection and/or restoration that can be applied throughout the partnership area.  Understand issues surrounding public access on conserved lands, and develop a plan that improves public access where appropriate and allows for connections throughout the partnership area where it makes sense.  Develop and apply a public engagement strategy that meaningfully involves our communities and other partners.  Share individual strategies currently in use within our own municipality to conserve/protect land, steward land, and engage the public so that the entire partnership can benefit from existing experience and knowledge and pave the way for a shared conservation approach that’s employed throughout the region. We, the undersigned Conservation Partners, agree to work together on matters of land conservation and stewardship that affect our region’s landscape. ________________________________ ________________________________ Representative of the City of South Burlington Representative of the Town of Williston ________________________________ ________________________________ Representative of the Town of Shelburne Representative of the Town of Hinesburg ________________________________ ________________________________ Representative of the Town of St. George Representative of the Town of Charlotte