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Annual Report July 01, 2014 - June 30, 2015
at i 1 �, _ _�v��,;,. _ .'t-. :y.��. cif �„.� .- •�• - i`rt tt 1 1 / J `VSCA;q r �t1fillIP low . d.� �ir CORPORATE[) IN 1972 ANNUAL REPORT Y lei PAGES City Officials and Committees 1 City Clerk Vital Statistics &Election Results 5 Board of Civil Authority Report 7 Zoning Administrative Officer's Report 8 Planning and Zoning Department Report 9 Development Review Board Report 11 Recreation &Park Department Report 13 Annual Bicycle and Pedestrian Report 16 Annual Garden Report 19 Recreation and Leisure Arts Report 20 Police Department Report 22 Fire Department Report 24 Community Library Report 26 Planning Commission Report 28 Natural Resource Committee 31 Department of Public Works Report 32 City Center Update 33 Energy Committee 34 South Burlington School District Report 35 Champlain Water District Report 36 Chittenden County Transportation Agency 40 Winooski Valley Park District 41 Elected Officials Term Expire City Council Pat Nowak, Chair 98 Logwood St 863-5315 2 year 2017 Meaghan Emery 27 Myers Court 264-9636 2 year 2016 Chris Shaw, Vice Chair 57 Moss Glen 864-1515 3 year 2016 Helen Riehle 1559 Hinesburg Rd 864-5460 3 year 2018 Tom Chitteriden 1600 Dorset Street 233-1913 3 year 2017 City Clerk Donna Kinville 82 Fieldstone Dr 862-5238 3 year 2018 School Directors Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Chair 95 Holbrook Rd 865-4554 3 year 2018 Martin Lalonde 304 Four Sisters Rd 863-3086 3 year 2016 Julie Beatty 59 Dorey Rd. 862-9627 3 year 2017 Patrick Leduc 9 Woodbine Street 862-2856 2 year 2017 Dan Fleming 339 Golf Course Rd 864-6460 2 year 2016 Champlain Water District Commissioner Dennis Lutz 9 Lupine Lane 863-1514 3 year 2017 Justin Rabidoux (Alt) 104 Landfill Rd. 658-7961 City Representatives Michele Kupersmith 23 Brewer Parkway 863-1814 District 3-7 Ann Pugh 67 Bayberry Ln 863-6705 District 3-8 Maida Townsend 232 Patchen Rd 862-7404 District 3-9 Helen Head 65 East Terrace 862-2267 District 3-10 Diane Snelling Ginny Lyons David Zuckerman Philip Baruth Michael Sirotkin Timothy Ashe Richard Mazza US Representative Peter Welch US Senator Patrick Leahy US Senator Bernard Sanders Patrick Benner Chuck Bolton William Burgess Kim Burgess Agnes Clift Tracy Harrington Maurice Mahoney Bob Nowak Pat Nowak Margaret Picard Ann Pugh Chris Shaw Michael Sirotkin Peter Taylor Lynn Vera Chittenden Countv State Senators 304 Piette Rd. Hinesburg, VT 05461 241 White Birch Ln, Williston, VT 05495 2083 Gilman Rd 87 Curtis Ave., Burlington, VT 05401 80 Bartlett Bay Rd. South Burlington, VT 05403 45 Lakeview Terr., Burlington, VT 05401 777 West Lakeshore Drive 482-4382 863-6129 598-1986 503-5266 860-6428 318-0903 863-1067 Congress Representative 1404 Longworth House Office Bldg, Washington, DC 20515 433 Russell Senate Building, Washington, DC 20510-4503 332 Dirksen Senate Bldg, Washington, DC 205104503 Justice of the Peace Feb. 1, 2015-Jan.- 31, 2017 3 Woodside Dr 355-0245 5 Prouty Parkway 864-0552 5$ Simpson Court 343-2823 58 Simpson Court 393-8672 34 Victory Dr 310-9520 28 Hayes Ave 598-3168 69 Joy Dr G-1 658-6353 98 Logwood St 598-3312 98 Logwood St 238-2059 33 Peterson Terrace 864-7396 67 Bayberry Lane 863-6705 57 Moss Glen Ln 363-0339 $0 Bartlett Bay Rd 9994360 4 Mayfair Street 238-8365 11 Pavilion Ave 363-3133 `I EnUill 00 _, ti. ', City Manager. &Deputy City Manager Kevin Dorn -City Manager Tom Hubbard- Deputy City Manager City Treasurer &Assistant City Treasurer Tom Hubbard 575 Dorset St 8464112 Janice Ladd 575 Dorset St 846-4118 Term Planning Commission Jessica Louisos, Chair 8 Valley Ridge Rd 578-2016 3 year 2017 Bernard Gagonon 4 Myers Court 864-0111 3 year 2018 Ted Riehle 1559 Hinesburg Rd 862-5460 3 year 2016 Sophie Quest 134 Spear St 238-4927 4 year 2016 Tracy Harrington, Vice Chair 28 Hayes Ave 862-6263 4 year 2016 Art Klugo 102 Fairway Drive 373-8112 4 year 2019 Duncan MacDonald 29 Deerfield Road 863-2323 4 year 2019 Zoning Administrative Raymond Belair 575 Dorset St 846-4106 Assoc. Planner & Assistant Zoninq Administrator Cathyann LaRose 575 Dorset St 8464106 Development Review Board Mark Behr 38 Moss Glen Lane 865-9245 3 year 2017 Tim Barritt, Chair 71 Meadow Rd 658-6490 4 year 2019 John Wilking 1437 Dorset Street 863-5341 4 year 2018 David Parsons 108 Laurel Hill Drive 922-8768 4 year 2017 Bill Miller, Vice Chair 7 Lupine Lane 864-0361 4 year 2016 Jennifer Smith 43 Imperial Drive 863-1428 3 year 2016 Matt Cota 51 Winesap Lane 318-2190 3 year 2018 Desian Review Committee Adam Davis 340 Patchen Rd 497-1819 2 year 2016 Jean-Sebastien Choulot 27 Myers Court 264-9636 3 year 2016 Marcel Beaudin 102 S. Beach Road 658-4023 3 year 2017 Chittenden County Transportation (CCTA) Steve Magowan 149 Holbrook Rd 660-2017 2 year 2016 Jackie Weinstock 26 Brewer Parkway 656-2058 3 year 2017 Burlington International Airport Commission Pat Nowak 98 Logwood 863-5315 4 year 2018 Recreation Committee & Leisure Arts Rebecca Poquette 27 Sunset Ave 859-0970 3 year 2017 Glenn Sproul G-8 Stonehedge Drive 658-5769 3 year 2017 Jennifer Kochman 75 Hadley Rd 862-8281 3 year 2016 Edie Robenstein 909 Dorset Street 862-8917 3 year 2016 Elizabeth Robitaille 12 Hopkins St 658-6695 3 year 2016 Naa Addo 378 Limekiln Rd. #418 399-2633 3 year 2018 Mike Simoneau 33 Iris Lane 233-2011 3 year 2018 George Donovan 49 Kirby Road 864-0716 3 year 2018 Mary Olmstead B6 Stonehedge 488-4044 3 year 2018 Red Rocks Lisa Yankowski 35 Central Ave 862-6081 3 year 2016 Erwin Cohen 39 Bower St 658-4488 3 year 2016 Melissa Cuke 156 South Point Drive 399-7606 3 year 2018 BICVCIe and Pedestrian Committee Robert Britt 3 Adams Court 863-9176 3 year 2018 Amanda Holland 23 Appletree Court 31 0-1 539 3 year 2018 Jamieson Goodwin 81 Floral Street 497-2703 3 year 2018 Dana Farr, Chair 39 Bower St 658-4488 2 year 2017 Catherine Frank, Vice Chair 138 Upswept Lane 862-1816 3 year 2016 Donna Leban 7 Iris Lane 965-2839 3 year 2016 Roy Neuer 13 Deane Street 863-5750 3 year 2016 Library Board of Trustees Mark Coel 21 Floral Street 497-0849 3 year 2017 Bonnie Finnigan 35 Dubois Dr 860-1635 3 year 2017 Jake Jurmain 211 Laurel Hill Dr 715-379-5034 3 year 2017 Don Jenkins 38 Brewer Pkwy 233-2676 3 year 2016 Jay Pasackow 9 Oak Hill 862-8797 3 year 2016 Kathy Mackin 91 Stonington Circle 660-8425 3 year 2016 Susie Merrick 30 Moss Glen Lane 23&1054 3 year 2015 Beth Wood 410 Farrell St 497-0472 3 year 2015 Chittenden Solid Waste District Paul Stabler 75 Butler Drive 862-9283 2 year 2017 Mark Boucher (Alt) 20 Knoll Circle 863-2588 2 year 2017 Winooski Valley Park District Joseph Payne 71 Juniper Dr 912-660-1724 3 year 2016 3 11111II&AU1101 11 � Natural Resource Committee ' Russell Agne 110 Country Club East 863-5304 3 year Jeff Dickson 27 Meadow Rd 406-39&2528 3 year Patrick Clemins 7 East Terrace 414-807-4064 3 year Elizabeth Millzia 2304 Brand Farm Dr 658-7419 3 year Melissa Cuke 156 South Pointd Drive 399-7606 3 year Citv Charter Committee Donna Kinville 82 Fieldstone Dr 862-5238 3 year Agnes Clift 34 VictorygDr 65&0690 3 year Peter Taylor 4 Mayfair St 862-9455 3 year Chuck Halter 44 Barrett Street 923-6997 2 year Naa Addo 378 Limekiln Rd. #418 399-2633 3 year Cemetery Committee William Szymanski 4017 Williston Rd 862-9880 City Clerk Appointments Laura Kimball- Deputy City Clerk Lori Pilus- Assistant to the City Clerk City Manager Appointments Tom Hubbard Deputy City Manager Trevor Whipple Police Chief Douglas Brent Fire Chief Justin Rabidoux Director of Public Works Paul Conner Director Planning & Zoning Maggie Leugers Recreation Director Jennifer Murray Director Community Library Janice Ladd Human Resource Director Sgt. Andy Chaulk First Constable Deputy Chief Paul Edwards Second Constable Sexton at City Cemeteries Edlridge Cemetery W. Szymanski Shelburne Rd. Cemetery W. Szymanski Resurrection Park Catholic Diocese of Burlington, Alan Yergeau Anavath Gerim Louis Lisman Hebrew Holy Society 2017 2016 2018 2018 2018 2016 2017 2018 2017 2016 southburlington CITY CLERK P Lill (< L+ URI 'IME (Lit L W CLERK Vital Statistics During the period from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, there were 183 births, 131 deaths and 1886 marriages recorded in the City Clerk's Office. Revenue generated by the Clerk's Office Recording © fees: deposited to general fluid Civil Marriage Licenses: 153 licenses issued @ $45 $ 65885 Paid to state treasurer $ 5,355 Transferred to general fund Animal Licenses: 1,037 dogs 237 cats Deposited to general fiend Dog Control Kennel Fees: Motor Vehicle Renewals: Green Mountain Passport: deposited to general fiend deposited to general fiend deposited to general fiord Beverage Licenses: deposited to general fluid 1 St, 2°`� class, tobacco licenses, entertainment $ 150,970 $21,986 $4,503 $ 799 $ 314 $ 9,665 Elections: 2016 is going to be a VERY busy year for elections. There will be the Presidential primary on March 1 along with our annual town meeting, the State's primacy on August 9t1i, and the Presidential Election on November 8"'. Please make sure that your vote counts by registering to vote and then casting your ballot on Election Day. If you are unsure if you are registered to vote please contact our office. New voters in South Burlington can register up until the Wednesday prior to Election Day. If you are going to be out of town or can't make the polls on Election Day don't forget about your ability to cast an early ballot. Call the clerk's office for more information. I wish to thank the Board of Civil Authority for all their help in running the elections for the City. The Secretary of State's office has implemented an on-line voter registration (https:olvr.sec.state.vt.us/) and a My Voter Page (https://mvp.sec.state.vt.us/) which allows voters to make changes to their voting information as well as request absentee ballots. 5 Agog/tCat Licenses: The City of South Burlington is working hank to rilake sure that all dogs and cats that reside in the City are registered on a yearly basis as required by state law and City ordinances. Why do to work so hard to register your pets? It is an important part of the health of our community. Unfortunately there are typically several reports of dog bites each year and having these records has saved people from undergoing the rabies prevention treatment. We chose ow• Second Annual Top Dog and First Feline Contest winners. Lucy is ow• 2015 Top Dog and Simon is our 2015 First Feline. They each have their photo in City Hall lobby (see below) as well as receiving tag 1 or tag 2 along with a fantastic prize package of gifts donated by various businesses in the South Burlington area. Our sponsors for 2015 included Pet Food Warehouse, Guy's Farm and Yard, Chittenden County Humane Society, Bow Meow, Green Mountain Animal Hospital, Crate Escape Too and Oh My Dog. Thanks to all our sponsors, this contest would not be as successful as it is without their help. How does your dog or cat become the Top Dog or First Feline? There are no tickets to buy or forms to fill out, just register your pet(s) between January 1, 2016 and April 1, 2016. At the first council meeting after the April 1" deadline the winners will be drawn and announced. For more information call the clerk's office or visit www.sburl.com and go to the Clerk's page under departments. Registrations can be completed by coining into the office, by mail or on-line by credit card or debit card. 1��•ojects: ILand Records: The land records (deeds, mortgages, liens, trusts, maps .....) are kept in a paper format as per State Statues. In addition to these paper originals, the City Clerk's office has put these documents into a computerized system back, to 2004. By computerizing the biggest advantage is that this allows the documents to be retrieved in the case of a disaster to City Hall as they are backed up on several servers throughout the country. It also protects the original documents as the computer is used to loot, at these documents causing less wear and tear on the originals. We will continue, as time and money permits, to go back further and put more of our records into the computerized systern. City Cou►icil 1Vl0 nutes: The City Council minutes from 1989 to current have been converted to word searchable documents and can be fowid on the City's website (�vww.sburl.com). This will aid both City staff as well as the public in locating topics of interest just by typing in the search field their criteria. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your City Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Donna Kinville, City Clerk Top Dog Lucy First Feline Simon South Burlington Board of Civil Authority (BCA) 2015 Annual Report December 2015 The South Burlington Board of Civil Authority (BCA) is responsible for hearing appeals of city tax appraisals and together with the City Clerk's Office is responsible for federal, state and local elections. The BCA also serves as the South Burlington Board of Abatement. The BCA is composed of the elected Justices of the Peace, the City Clerk and the members of the South Burlington City Council. From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 the Board held 3 meetings of which 1 was for election preparation and 2 for appeals to city property tax appraisals. The members of the BCA also held 3 meeting as the Board of Abatement to consider requests for abatement of taxes. The BCA also continued to work with the Assessors Office and City Manager to better ensure that residents are informed of the Assessment process and related timelines for appeals. The BCA oversaw 1 election in 2015. The City and School Annual Meeting on March 5 in which 2,701 voters cast their ballots which equaled a 23.7% voter turnout. The Board would like to remind city residents that in 2016 they will have 3 opportunities to express the fieedom of our democracy by voting. The first is Town Meeting Day on ill also be our Presidential Primary Election Day. The second March 1, 2016 which w election will be August 9, 2016 in which the State has their primary for Governor, Lt. Governor, etc. The third opportunity will be the Presidential Election on November 8, 2016. All 3 elections are expected to be busy so we encourage city residents check with the City Clerk's office to verify if you are registered to vote and if not, register by the election's deadline. We look forward to seeing you at the polls for each election. We would remind voters that they may also cast their votes using the absentee ballot process. We would like to thank all the citizens of the City who assist us as Assistant Election Officials on Election Day. Their duties range from checking in voters and everything up to and including counting of the ballots at nights end. We wish to also acknowledge and thank South Burlington City Clerk Donna Kinville and the staff of the City Clerk's office for their excellent support during the past year including management of the voter check list, registering voters, mailing and processing returned absentee ballots and polling location set up. The City Clerk's office continues to be aggressive in insuring the accuracy of the voter checklist and conduct of all citywide elections and votes. In February 2015 we welcomed our new Justices who were elected in November. The 2015 Board of Civil Authority members are: Patrick Benner, Vice Chair; Chuck Bolton; Bill Burgess; Kim Burgess; Tom Chittenden; Agnes Clift; Meaghan Emery; Tracy Harrington; Maurice Mahoney; Pat Nowak; Robert Nowak; Peg Picard; Ann Pugh; Helen Riehle; Michael Sirotkin; Chris Shaw; Peter Taylor, Chair; Lynn Vera and Donna Kinville. Respectfully Submitted, Peter Taylor, Chair Patrick Benner, Vice Chair � PERMITS 43 Residential (143 units) 143 Residential Additions & Alterations 1 Residential Garages 4 Commercial Buildings 90 Commercial Additions & Alterations 91 Other 5 Non -Taxable 390 CONSTRUCTION COST $251540,222 $31401,029 $30,000 $9,553,743 $141635,916 $709,913 5/2644502 $59,135,325 PREVIOUS YEAR COMPARISON PERMITS 42 Residential (119 units) 165 Residential Additions & Alterations 4 Residential Garages 6 Commercial Buildings 76 Commercial Additions 39 Other 25 Non -Taxable 357 &Alterations CONSTRUCTION COST $191392,515 $41726,164 $111,500 $27,262,058 $41901,781 $208,263 15,641,554 $72,243,835 Residentia! construction increased slightly this year over the previous year. The number of units increased from 119 units to 146 units reflecting a strong demand for housing. The 143 units represent 33 single family dwellings, 10 two- family dwelling units, and 100 multi -family dwelling units. The value of new commercial construction was down from the previous year as the number of new commercial building permitted during the year decreased from six (6) buildings to four (4) buildings. The number of new commercial buildings constructed each year is small hence the greater variability in the value from year to year. Each year we remind residents the need to obtain a zoning permit when making repairs or renovations which exceed $5,000 OR if you are changing the footprint of your home (deck, porch, sunroom, etc.) regardless of cost, as well as any accessory structure (shed, detached garage, etc.) also regardless of cost. If you have any questions about whether your project requires a permit, please call the Planning & Zoning office at 84&4106. South Burlington Department of Planning & zoning Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report The Department has two main areas of responsibility: advancing the long range planning for the city, through plans and regulatory tools, and administering and enforcing the city's land use regulations. For the City's volunteer Planning Commission, the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations were the main focus of FY 2015. The Commission delivered the draft Comprehensive Plan to the public in the summer of 2015. This document reflects several years of work by the Commission, committees of the City, and citizens, and is a complete revision from the prior Plan. It sets clear direction for the future of the community, building off success of the past and envisioning the community's future. The Commission also brought the most substantial amendments to the LDRs in a decade to being ready for public hearings in the fall of 2015. These amendments included: ® Replacing the Central Districts with the City Center Form Based Code • Establishing new Open Space standards in City Center reflecting its urban character ® Requirement for the inclusion of affordable housing in housing developments in City Center ® Updated low impact development standards for stormwater management city wide ® Consistent energy standards for all new principal buildings city-wide ® Tidying and revisions to definitions, uses, submission standards, and review & appeal procedures Both documents are anticipated to the completed and adopted in FY 2016. .................. On the development review side, FY 2015 was marked by several larger projects and a number of smaller ones taking place within the City 's designated development areas: City Center, Williston Road, and Shelburne Road. Notable projects included approval of the first multi -family housing in City Center, along Market Street, approval of a redevelopment of the former restaurant property at the SW corner of Dorset and Williston Road, and approval and/or start of construction of an office building and two mu family residential structures along Shelburne Road. The Department, as always, worked closely with several departments within the City, our Regional Planning Commission partners, and citizen committee on a range of projects from park planning at the recently -acquired Underwood property to initiating a project to develop a vision & plan for the Chamberlin Neighborhood, to transportation projects throughout the city. Some highlights of work completed this past year: 1. The Natural Resources Committee completed the first -ever Management Plan for fihe Wheeler Nature Park and delivered it to the City Council. See details of this and other projects in the Natural Resources Committee chair's annual report. 2. A special City Council -appointed task force was created and delivered a proposed Vision Framework for the recently -acquired Underwood Property along Spear Street. 3. The Sustainable Agriculture Subcommittee of the Planning Commission prepared outreach anA recommendations for the integration of agriculture with future development. 4. The Development Review Board: Hosted bi-weekly meetings to review development and re- community input; and issued decisions in accordance with the City's Land Development Regulations. See details in the Development Review Board Chair's annual report. S. The Planning Commission. Held bi-weekly meetings on a wide range of subjects, including the Land Development Regulations, Comprehensive Plan, and Official Map; provided input to the Vermont Public Service Board on renewable energy and telecommunications infrastructure applications, and hosted a number of community meetings. See details in the Planning Commission Chair's annual report. 6. City Center and Tax Increment Financing: worked closely with the City Manager's office to advance the Market Street reconstruction project; renew the City's New Town Center designation with the Vermont Downtown Board; prepare a 3D visualization for what a portion of City Center could look like based on the draft FBC; and initiate planning for the Garden Street and Dumont Park designs. 7. Regional and statewide planning: staff participated in numerous committees and research projects related to planning at the regional and statewide level, including adoption of the Regional Plan. 8. Website enhancement and grant administration: continued to improve website availability of all planning & development review board materials, 9. The City's Form Based Codes Committee wrapped up its final City Center FBC draft and delivered it to the Planning Commission for review and integration into the full Land Development Regulations. 10. Worked with the newly -established the Chamberlin Neighborhood -Airport Planning Committee, which began to meet in the Spring of 2015 to develop a vision for the future of the neighborhood. 11. City wide planning supporfi: Issued permits for development, pursed ordinance violations, and supported legal defense of decisions as applicable. Raymond J. Belair, the Cifiy's Zoning Administrative Officer, provides an overview of the development activities in his annual report. The Department is grateful to the continued collaborative supporfi with other departments throughout the city and especially to the many volunteers who serve tirelessly on committees, commissions, boards, and task forces in support of the community. Finally, a brief note to remind members of the public that we welcome input, feedback, and guidance from residents in all of our planning and development review efforts, and will be working to make sure that we provide the information and avenues for this. It is an honor to work in support of this community. Respectfully submitted, Paul Conner, AICP, Director of Planning &Zoning On behalf of: Cathyann LaRose, AICP, City Planner Raymond J. Belair, Administrative Officer South Burlington Development Review Board Fiscal Year Report July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 South Burlington's Development Review Board (DRB) reviews new and changing development projects in the City. The DRB is a quasi judicial board that reviews proposed site plan applications, subdivision requests, conditional use and variance requests along with other minor administrative matters. The Board's responsibility is to interpret the City's Land Development Regulations and apply them to proposals brought before the DRB for its review. The Board then welcomes input from applicants and the general public on all items for how proposed projects meet the standards of these regulations. Updates and revisions to the Land Development Regulations are the responsibility of the Planning Commission with the approval by the City Council. The Board met on its usual first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. except for the first meeting in August which was cancelled by tradition. Additionally the board met frequently at 60.30 p.m. on these dates for deliberative sessions to vote on draft decisions drawn up after closed hearings at the previous meeting. This early meeting was a method to prevent long meetings having to go longer. Once again the board was fully supported by the well -prepared, detailed and lengthy review notes written in advance by staff. We are very lucky in this city to have that knowledge and scope of regulatory understanding in the Planning and Zoning office. And mostly because of that staff, the Board was honored in June with the Vermont Planner's Association 2015 Citizen Board of the Year award. The VPA said in their announcement that ................. "...the South Burlington DRB is among the busiest, if not the busiest in the entire state and has processed an incredible 427 different applications, or over SO per year. The sheer volume of applications does not, however, tell the true story of this DRB's work. Many larger applications span multiple, productive meetings, and each application includes individual quirks and needs. South Burlington's Land Development Regulations include a total of fifty (50) different zoning districts and overlay zoning districts and Land Development Regulations exceeding 300 pages in length." Current chair Tim Barritt and former chairs John Dinklage, Mark Behr, and Al Klugo were on hand at the City Council meeting to accept the award. The board again has 7 members consisting of Mazlc Behr, Tim Barritt, Bill Miller, Jennifer Smith, David Parsons, and John Wincing. Art Klugo Left the board in early 2014 to be replaced by Brian Besland. In July, Tim Barritt was re-elected chairman. The agendas and packets for the meetings were moved from the city web site to Clerk Base. The board was busy over the year but with several projects. Blackbay's 12 units of housing are now under construction on Market Street at the intersection with Hinesburg Rd. On Dorset .. Street, the new Homewood Suites Hotel was completed. Next door, the Board approved a CVS pharmacy to replace the Friendly's restaurant. In the Eastwoods neighborhood, the Pizzagalli office building on Hadley Road and the five story apartment building by Eric Farrell on the Eastwoods Avenue were completed. In the Meadowland Industrial Park, construction on Northeast Territories, Super -Temp and Logic Supply were completed and 2 new general office buildings were approved for Blackrock. Dorset Street's Willowbrook, Goldberg, and Williams subdivisions have all broken ground. South Village Phase I1 was approved. On Shelburne Rd. near Green Mountain Drive, the two multi -family apartment building projects by Snyder Homes and Pizzagalli were approved; the latter is under construction. On Hinesburg Road a commercial lcennel and dog care facility was approved. Further north near Kenned Drive, three 8 unit apartment buildings were approved and are under construction. Respectfully Submitted, Tim B at�ritt5 Chair Bill Miller, Vice -Chair David Parsons, Clerk Jennifer Smith Jolui Wincing Mark Behr Brian Bresland 12 Director: Maggie Leugers, CPRP o IEngaging South I�u�°iington Citizens ➢ 92% Residence among program participants ➢ 9% Non -Residence ➢ 3892 Volunteer service hours for programs, events and committees. This is a financial savings to the city of $46,704 ➢ 10 Events produced including (Senior Holiday Dinner, Senior Picnic, Father -Daughter Valentine Dance, Kites in the Park Day, Halloween Pumpkin Glow, Halloween Spooktacular and Trunk or Treat, Drive In Movie, Summer Fest, EMS Demo Day, and Cityfest ➢ 377 Different Program Activities ➢ 50 Seasonal Employees ➢ 1500 Mini Bus and School Bus ridership ➢ 2500 School Busses/Department Mini Bus Programs/Events ➢ 17 Parks & 440 acers: Planning, managed and maintained ® Program Participation ➢ 377 Programs including Health &Wellness, Camps, Enrichment, Trips ➢ 5,496 Enrolled participants including youth, teens, adults ➢ 13,211 Program Class Hours 225,643 Participation hours ➢ 5,000 Event Participation ➢ $26,000Youth Scholarships o Satisfaction Participant Survey Report ➢ Questions/concenls addressed satisfactory 87% excellent ➢ Will you attend programs again 86% yes ➢ Strength of relationships with staff/coaches 82% Excellent ➢ Program safety 82%excellent ➢ Program fees 82%excellent ➢ Will you recommend program offerings to others 78% yes 13 ➢ Professional boundaries 73% excellent ➢ Overall experience 73 % excellent ➢ Ability for feedback 72% excellent ➢ Responsive to individual needs 69% excellent ➢ Programming schedules 67% excellent ➢ Enrichment opportunities 56% excellent ➢ Program location 51 % excellent ➢ Program time/space 48% excellent ➢ 'UVheele�• Nature Park: This summer a University of Vermont Environmental Studies Intern and the Vermont Youth Conservation Corp team accomplished significant improvements during a three week period. The work included re-routing trails, improving signage, creating drainage measures, trimming corridors, and improving some the current punch -ins by adding safety skids and wooden planks. This project saved the city $24,000. ➢ Red Rock Park: Change in management supervision improved the overall patron experience in the park. We developed a NEW reusable car - hanger parking pass, and created a NEW more user friendly path map. Due to excellent summer weather we also exceeded our revenues. ➢ Underwood Community Task Force and SE Group: Developed a vision for the Underwood Property, with significant input from the community. The vision balances themes for natural and low key ecologically sensitive design, sustainable agriculture and locally sourced food, multi -generational and multi -dimensional recreation space, and innovative approaches. In the near future, the department will develop a Master Plan for this property and for city -owned and managed open space. RECREATION ® Events: ➢ Ci Fest: Was a HUGE success that included; live music, carnival rides, exhibitor displays, touch a truck, local food trucks ending the evening with a spectacular FIREWORKS display. Thanks to all our community : South Burlington Rotary Club, city departments, school partnership district, Cain's Arena, and community businesses. 14 ➢ Vehicles: We have a small used vehicle fleet including a utility truck to transport equipment and mini -bus for participant field trips. ➢ Activity Guide Enhancement: After reviewing our community responses about how participants receive our information we refined the guide to including more photo's, greater number of pages, larger print, youth camp grid, and improved park map. The community response has been very positive and we look forward to continuing our marketing and social media improvement effort. ➢ Monthly newsletter: We now have one monthly newsletter that we share with our participant user groups and interested community partners "Keeping You Current" of the department happenings. ➢ Staffing levels: With interim changes over the past year the department has currently stabilized. ➢ Staff Retreat: We attended a %2 day retreat at NoYthern Lights Rocic &Ice in Essex, Vermont focused on TEAM BUILDING, building professional capacity, and long-range planning. Department Goals and Objectives ➢ Develop a Master Plan for City -owned parks and open space ➢ Work with city administration, boards, and departments to acquire additional parkland and recreational spaces, path easements and pedestrian trails. ➢ Continue to develop partnerships with local businesses to provide new and innovative program and events for our community. ➢ Continue to work with UVM Lands program, Place Program, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps and SBNRC to conduct and analysis of our natural areas, and implement recommendations ➢ Continue to advocate and pursue funding for indoor recreation programming spaces. I want to thank the Recreation &Parks staff for their continued commitment during a transitional year and commend all for their professionalism and dedication in serving our South Burlington Residents and Business Community. 15 2015 Annual Report —Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee Meetings: The Committee meets the second Wednesday of every month beginning at 5*30 pm in the upstairs conference room of the Municipal Office Building. All meetings are open to the public. Mission: The Bicycle &Pedestrian Committee is an advisory committee of seven to nine volunteer citizens of South Burlington, who are appointed by the City Council. The mission of the committee is to oversee the general operation of the city's many recreational paths and facilities devoted to alternate transportation, including recreational paths, bicycle lanes, field and forest trails and sidewalks, and to advise the City Council of operational needs and future development plans for the path network. Overall Focus in 2015: Our bike and pedestrian facilities and sidewalks are an important part of South Burlington's recreation facilities and programs as well as the city's transportation infrastructure. As our roads become more crowded with commuters, more people are demanding safe ways to bike and walk to where they want to go. With this in mind the committee, well served by the Director of Parks and Recreation, Maggie Leugers, has tried to recreate closer ties with the Department of Public Works. It is also critical that we keep up to date with new developments being proposed. The Development Review Board is increasingly sending developers to us to get our input on the bike and sidewalk needs for proposed developments. Also communication with South Burlington's Planning Department has been essential in keeping us abreast of planning issues and provides us the opportunity to comment on the new Comprehensive City Plan. Members of the Bilce-Ped Committee also participated in many public meetings related to road and rec path transportation infrastructure planning in the City Center development area as well as in Dumont Park and Underwood Park properties. Community Input: The committee has reached out to the community by publishing several articles on bike-ped safety in Tl1e OtlTer Ptcper. We have invited people to participate in a poll asking what bike-ped obstacles are most troublesome to them, and in November the committee started a process of inviting citizens from each of South Burlington's 4 quadrants, one quadrant per month, to share with us the biggest problems in their neighborhoods. We will summarize and use the results of these meetings to help revise our CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) where appropriate for the next 5 years. 16 The most recent feedback indicates that the biggest impediments to cyclists and pedestrians exist along Shelburne Road, Williston Road and Spear and Dorset Streets. The issues that have been conveyed to the Committee include: • Right turn on red from vehicular traffic hampers the use of pedestrian crossing lights. • Crosswalks and shoulder (fog) lines are faded in spring and not being repainted before prime use starting in May. • Pedestrian crossing signals at traffic lights require adequate time for some pedestrians to cross the street. Short crossing timing can be a problem especially on Shelburne Rd and the intersection of Kennedy Drive and Dorset St. • Use of Solar powered flashing pedestrian crossing lights are either ignored or not understood by drivers and frequently malfunction. The Committee will continue to provide education to the public (both drivers and pedestrians) on what action to take when approaching an activated crossing. Improving Existing BikelPed Facilities —South Burlington was a pilot community for the SeeClickFix.com website which allows community members to post issues for resolution by DPW. This site continues to serve us well and we encourage the public to use it for reporting malfunctioning pedestrian crossing lights, repairs needed to the _- recreation paths and sidewalks, and encroachment by trees and bushes onto these facilities. The Department of Public Works needs citizens to report problems as they cannot possibly know of each need across the city. Challenges going forward -Connecting Gaps and Long Term Improvements: In reality, the primary method of expansion to the bike and pedestrian infrastructure in the recent years has come through requirements that developers include these additions in their plans. This leaves many gaps in our system. More often than not problems brought to our attention such as connecting gaps in our current path or extending the path to unconnected neighborhoods require major capital expenses for which there is a very limited set of resources. An example of this is the petition by residents of Link Rd, Cider Mill, and Dorset Farms, requesting that the bike-ped path on Dorset Street be extended to aHow all neighborhoods safe access to the Mill Market and Deli. Despite a donated easement to allow at least part of the connection the money is not being allocated from city budgets in the near future to complete them. In November the committee enthusiastically supported the Department of Publics Works request to the City Council to add a staff member to the Public Works staff who could among other things apply for available grants to help complete some of our capital path projects. The Committee is dedicated to finding sources of funding, whether to build new paths, or use as matching funds for grants. Recognition of Outgoing Members The committee would like to thank Matt Boulanger for his service to the committee and extend its appreciation also to David Jacobowitz. 17 Respectfully submitted, Dana Farr, Chair Cathy Frank, Vice Chair; Jamieson Goodwin, Secretary; Bob Britt; Amanda Holland; Donna Leban; Roy Neuer Maggie Leugers, Recreation & Parks Director m for the vegetable and flower gardens Wheeler Garden Park 1100 Dorset Street (does not include the Community Garden plots - a separate entity) In 2015 the Volunteer Group planted, maintained, and did Fall clean-up from May to August every Thursday, and then on every Wednesday from September to November, from 10 a.m. until 2 to 3 p.m. Total hours donated by volunteers for the 2015 season: 617 Value : 617 hours @ $11.00 hour = $6,787.00 A list of the volunteers and the hours they contributed is attached. Gardens include the Cottage, Butterfly, Pollinator, Grandma & Grandpa's Heirloom, All America Selections Display, the Berm, and Children's Gardens. The flowers and vegetables are grown from seed and donated by the volunteer group. Value of donation is approximately $550.00 Amount of vegetables donated to the Food Shelf on N. Winooski Ave.: 670 pounds Compost from Champlain Valley Compost Co. 150.00 Flowers at the entry sign 50.00 The volunteers plant, maintain, and provide Fall clean-up of six of the gardens, and the vegetable gardens, but it isn't possible for the few volunteers to also maintain the Pollinator Garden and all of the Berm Garden along the bike path as well. Summer employee Evan Abelson from the Parks Department was invaluable part of the 2015 season for the garden maintenance and was gratefully apreciated. Submitted December 22, 2015, by Jan DeSarno Volunteer Coordinator 4 Ladd Point, Grand Isle, Vt. 05458 phone: 372-4058, cell: 343-0847 e-mail: jandesarnoCa@gmail.com Recreation and Leisure Arts Committee Annual Report 2015 January, 2016 The Recreation and Leisure Activities Committee is appointed by the South Burlington City Council to serve the residents of South Burlington by acting in an advisory capacity to the Recreation and Parks Department and the City Council. The Director of the Recreation and Parks Department serves as the staff liaison for the Committee. From January through March Betsy Terry, president of Vermont Recreation and Parks Association, served as Interim Director. We thank her for her service. In March, three members of the Committee, together with an outstanding group of community members and City staff, selected Maggie Leugers, who had served for 28 years in Burlington's Department of Parks & Recreation to become Director in April. Maggie has brought abundant enthusiasm and a wealth of experience to her role as Director. The South Burlington Comprehensive Plan articulates a vision and aspirations for the City. Throughout the year members of our committee and Recreation and Parks Department staff have devoted considerable time and focus to insuring that issues related to recreation and open space are included in the Plan. Chief among those are the need for indoor recreation and program facilities, creation of sufficient playing fields to accommodate demand and maintenance, and the goals for open space as presented in the South Burlington Open Space Report. We thank the Planning Commission, Paul Conners, Cathyann Larose, and the City Council for their time and attention to our recommendations. One of our committee's roles is to recommend to the department and the city the plans for use of city - owned land, including neighborhood parks. In 2013 residents of the Baycrest neighborhood approached us with a request for amenities to be added to their 1.7 acre park. We held a number of public discussions throughout the year, and on December 7. 2015 we recommended a plan to City Council. The proposed plan would include the city's first natural playground. In the course of developing plans for Baycrest, we studied the provisions of the Open Space Report, whI ch was completed in spring 2014, and received the highest award from Vermont Public Places Awards in spring 2015. One sentence from that report seemed particularly relevant: "The City of South Burlington will preserve, create and restore adequate public and private Open Spaces throughout the city that address the needs for Recreation and Leisure Arts, Agriculture, Habitat, Environmental Stewardship and important public scenic views." Future projects for city lands include developing a Master Plan for Parks, which will incorporate the Red Rocks Study, the Wheeler Management Plan, and ADA accessible requirements. Collaboration with other committees has become ever more important in recent years. Most notable is on -going collaboration with South Burlington Natural Resources Committee: ourtwo committees approved the Wheeler Management Plan, and representatives from both committees have met to discuss mutual interests. We thank Betty Milizia for her role in these efforts. Formally and informally, we have also met with John Painter to discuss plans for improving multi -use trails behind the Middle School and High School; we held a preliminary meeting with Nick Warner, Executive Director of the Winooski Zo Valley Parks District, our chair participated in the Underwood Visioning Task Force; and members of the Committee have participated in visioning sessions for Market Street and Dumont Park. Two of our members, Linda Janes Cl"d Cassandra Chase, ended their terms this year; we thank them for their service. This summer City Council increased our committee members to nine, and we welcome new members George Donovan, Mike Simoneau, Mary Olmstead, and Naa Addo. This year we conducted a formal orientation for new members, and we continue to consider changes to our by-laws as our role in City business evolves. We are excited to begin 2016 with our committee at full strength and working ever more closely with Maggie Leugers and her exceptionally talented and committed staff. Respectfully submitted, Glenn Sproul, Chair, on behalf of the Recreation and Leisure Arts Committee 21 South Burlington Police Department 2015 Annual Report This past year has provided many situations that highlighted the need for positive relations between the community and police. In South Burlington we are fortunate that such relations are well established. The women and men of the South Burlington Police Department (SBPD) are proud of this and will continue to live up to our mission statement: It is the mission of the South Burlington Police Department to foster a safe envij°onment which promotes a high quality of life within our community. We will accomplr.'sh thr.'s by reducing the level and fear of crime and facilitating safe highways; by addressing community concerns; by actively seeking input and responding to issues brought to our attention, by managing our organization responsibly utilizing effective, efficient, and rational planning; by recruiting, retaining, and nurturing the development of the most qualified personnel to meet the needs of the community and the police department. We will abide by a core set of values, being: integrity, loyalty, dedication to duty, professionalism, teamwork, fairness, and respect. We have been working hard to keep up with changing trends, staffing changes and overall community needs. Upon reviewing our data and planning for the future a request was made and accepted by the city council to add another police officer to our ranks. As our calls become more involved, the added officer will help to share the added work load. I have compiled some basic statistics in order to provide a representative sample of what our department handles during the course of a year. It is important to realize that our police department is comprised of more than just police officers and without our support staff we simply could not function. Dispatchers, records clerks, community justice center staff and citizen volunteers all help to keep SBPD operating smoothly. 2013 2014 2015 Arrests 723 562 687 Vehicle Stops 4005 4581 5228 Traffic Tickets 1668 1771 2175 Traffic Warnings 2337 2810 2932 Crashes investigated 868 863 812 Total calls for police service 15,307 14,834 15,651 22 Criminal Complaints 2013 2014 2015 DUI 100 61 111 Drug possession 77 36 43 Marijuana possession 32 3 2 Heroin possession 18 10 12 Burglary 114 32 42 Theft from vehicles 288 171 82 Shoplifting 322 220 191 Domestic Assault 64 49 35 2015 saw the police department handling more calls for service, making more arrests, stopping more cars, and writing more tickets than the year before. All this while working to fill one vacancy and training three new officers. I am proud of the effort put forth by the men and women who make up the South Burlington Police Department. Officers arrested 81%more DUIs than the prior year. Most of these cases are identified by road officers who have a strong commitment to keep our highways safe. Thefts from vehicle and shoplifting calls declined. Using data from the prior two years officers worked to target high crime areas and work directly with merchants on theft reduction. Calls concerning possession of marijuana have continually decreased since the possession of small amounts were decriminalized in 2013. There were 32 cases in 2013, three in 2014 and two last year. I continue to encourage our legislature to hold off on any decision to legalize marijuana until more data is available to determine what challenges face states that have chosen to legalize the drug. The department and our community continue to struggle with the impact of opiate addiction. Please encourage anyone who may have trouble with addiction to seek treatment. We continue to offer a drug disposal box in our lobby so that anyone can anonymously dispose of unneeded medication. Please don't risk having medication in your home that is not need and might be subject to abuse. We have some of the finest people in law enforcement working in our department. We continue to learn and grow by receiving feedback from our community. I encourage you to take time to offer your thoughts, whether it be a compliment, a suggestion or a concern. You can do this with a phone call to the on -duty supervisor (8024464111), completing the form on our website (www.sbpdvt.org), sending a letter or by contacting me. And, as always, you should never hesitate to contact me directly. Respectfully si S: Trevor S. Whipple Chief of Police twhipple r@sbpdvt.org (802) 8464111 23 Calls for fires and emergency medical services in South Burlington continue to increase. We saw a definite increase in responses during Fiscal Year 2015. Emergency responses or calls for service totaled 3,227, 991 were fire related responses and 2,236 were medical responses. This was an increase of 177 responses or 5.75%. We remain the second busiest fire department in Vermont. Our fire marshal's office continues to be busy. This year he performed 1412 inspections and issued 344 permits. He also received 2,750 requests for information. By providing these inspection services our customers have reported it being easier, quicker, and more customer friendly having it done locally rather than having the State of Vermont do it. We are pleased to announce that as of January 1, 2016 we will be providing electrical inspection services as well. South Burlington remains a fairly fire safe community. Newer style, fire safe construction seems to be the primary reason we don't see many catastrophic residential fires. Up to date fire alarm systems and the installation of fire sprinklers are helping as well. However, we have seen several fires in some of our older buildings in the city. There are several contributing factors which seem to be at the seat of these incidents; deteriorating infrastructure such as electrical systems and heating systems. It is hoped that having a city electrical inspector may help to prevent these types of incidents in the future. We must remain diligent and practice fire safety at all times. Annually we provide fire safety education to all public school children from K thr•u Grade 5 as well as to several local daycare centers. This year that accounted for just about 1000 children and 80 faculty members who received training. We also hosted a "dinner with the firefighters" supper at the fire station for the student winners and their parents for the Fire Prevention Poster coloring contest. We have gone for over a year now without having a fire started by a child playing or experimenting with fire. I am sure that this has a lot to do with our in school fire prevention education for children. This year we received a riew pumper to replace a tired 1996 unit. This replacement was based on the citywide Capital Improvement Program which has allowed us to better plan large vehicle and equipment purchases. A new replacement ambulance is due to be received in 2016 as well. Because of this plan we will go several years without having to replace any major equipment. AMBULANCE SERVICE Since 2004 the South Burlington Fire Department has provided this vital service to our community. We have worked hard to increase the level of care that we deliver to our citizens and have received awards recognizing this accomplishment. Fire departments continue to be the leaders in providing pre -hospital medical care and are the largest single providers of emergency medical care and transportation in North America. Page — 2 We have extr ernely dedicated Fire/EMS personnel with an intense desire to serve the community. They maintain an in depth familiarity of the city and its citizens and have quick response times from our two stations. Their clinical competence coupled with our continuity and consistency of care gives our patients a greater sense of security and a high level of trust in our system and providers. Since we started using paramedics on our ambulance, the quality of care given by our personnel has increased dramatically due to increased skill levels. We continue to provide numerous medical interventions in the field which were previously only available in the hospital emergency room. We try and make sure that we have paramedic coverage at both stations to assure our citizens receive the highest level of field care available. I again remind people, all patients that are transported by the ambulance are charged a fee for service. Our fee schedule is maintained at rates which are consistent with other neighboring Chittenden County ambulance services. The revenues collected are used to offset almost all of the costs of this service to the.taxpayers. I wish to thank the citizens of our• community for their continued support of their fire and ambulance services. Thanks to the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, the City Council as well as the other city departments. As always, my special thanks to the officers and firefighters of the South Burlington Fire Department. Please stay fire safe and have a working SMOKE DETECTOR and CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR. Should you have any questions or problems that I or this department can assist you with, please feel free to stop by or call. Respectfirlly submitted, Douglas S. Brent Chief of Fire and EMS South 13urlingfion Community Library Annual Report FY 2014-1.5 Library Statistics July 1., 201.4 #v June 30, 201,5 Libraryvisits averaged over 1,500 per week, with an overall increase of 8% circulation �147,100 items were checked out). 7,514 attendees attended 378 programs, with Summer Reading attendance up by 605 to 2081, E-book and &audio book downloads from the Listen -Up Vermont consortium are up by 21%, with residents downloading over 5500 items. Social media contact is up with close to 600 people receiving our e-calendar and 665 getting our daily Facebook posts and the Rec Department included the Library in a bi- annual cable TV program. Services Staff continued to offer 1:1 computer and device assistance and reestablished a relationship with Tech4Tomorrow, which offered a series of classes, Online magazines were added to our databases and e book, eaudio book holdings. Volunteers continued to deliver books to homebound patrons and staff added a visit to older adults at the VNA and to the Rec Department's "Young at Heart" program. Programs Library staff continued to evaluate programs towards the best allocation of staff time and financial resources. In addition to high attendance at summer programs, our Children's Librarian continued to fill our program space for the weekly programs for kids 0-5 and their caregivers. Those programs are set aside during school breaks when the public was offered themed programs for all ages that include cookie - decorating, movies, games and scavenger hunts. The Library hosted a parenting series, an energy series, knitting, an environmental series and several programs on Italian culture with area non -profits, Staff again presented informational and entertaining programs such as: the Lifelong Learning Music series and a Read�and�Discuss series co -sponsored by the Friends of the Library and the VT Humanities Council; our volunteer led "English as a Second Language" classes; another Winter concert series; monthly Brown Bag Lunches, Great Discussions and book discussion groups here and at outside locations, New this year, staff offered a family Author's Night during National Library Week in support of the literary arts and City Fest. Collections Staff working with Adult and Children's materials continue to order new materials that reflect the interests of the community in various formats. Staff relocated the DVDs and books on CD to create room near the entrance for Large Print and paperbacks. Varied displays near the entrance and 'sn the Children's area introduced people to books they may have missed. SBHS and Library staff worked together to reduce the Reference collection and the back storage area was rearranged to allow for additional items to be kept. Facilities &Administration Staff attended VT Library Association meeting and participated in short technology and reader's advisory training at monthly staff meetings, All job descriptions and several polices were updated. SBHS replaced carpeting in the entryway and additional shelves were provided by the Friends for the Large Print shelves, hoard of Trustees The Trustees consulted with a fundraising professional in anticipation of plans for a capital campaign and initiated a Visioning Process with the VT Department of Libraries to get community input towards planning for a new Library. Respectfully submitted, fer Murray;'Library Director ie Finnigan, Board of�rustees, Chair 27 South Burlington Planning Commission Report July 2014 —June 2015 The Planning Commission submits this report as a summary of the work accomplished over the course of the year. Some projects underway are very large, with efforts extending into and out of this fiscal year. The work of the Planning Commission would not be as extensive or as well achieved without the tremendous we have received from the Planning and Zoning staff. Their positive attitude, strong technical knowledge, and work ethic make our planning work possible. On behalf of the entire Planning Commission, we would like to acknowledge and commend the efforts that the staff has dedicated to accomplishing the Planning Commission's goals. We also acknowledge the many South Burlington residents that attend our meetings and workshops to participate in our planning efforts. The following is a partial listing of Planning Commission accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2015: ® Maintained a master list of planning commission projects. Reviewed and updated items on the Staff Review Committee master project list. These lists were reviewed multiple times throughout the year and used to help prioritize the planning commission's time. ® Worked on significant changes to the Land Development Regulations: o Completed extensive public outreach on City Center FBC draft legislation including direct mailing to nearby and affected property owners, email notices to committees, Front Page Forum, posting on City website, printed copy at library, city center e-news, Other Paper, Facebook, CCTV appearance. Reviewed and considered all input. o Adjusted FBC building envelope standards. o Implemented new public notice requirement for City Center FBC. o Reviewed and revised the Table of Uses and Definitions. o New cul de sac standards. o Street tree standards. o Met with concerned City Center landowners to discuss parts of new FBC that could be difficult for them. o Discussed implementation of block length, implementation of new streets, and block definition. o Determination of when FBC is triggered during renovation. o Non -conformities language. o Inclusion of different standards for Primary and Secondary streets and where they are located. o Exemptions for door spacing standards. o Review of possible rooftop uses, sustainability incentives or requirements. Including presentation from UVM Student project. o Adjustment of SEQ-Neighborhood Residential North / JAM Golf Amendments. o Legal review and discussion of results. ® Worked on significant updates to the Comprehensive Plan: o Reviewed multiple iterations and drafts and discussed additional changes. o Reviewed and revised goals. o Presentation on and inclusion of new demographics information collected during School Visioning. o Review of recommendations from many committees including Open Space, Affordable Housing, Form Based Code, Sustainable Agriculture, and the Energy Committee. o Overall discussion of plan layout, structure, and inclusion of items. o Consideration of using information from City branding study. o Identification and discussion of conflicts. o Future Landuse Map outreach, discussion, and changes. o Set outreach strategy to gain public input. 28 ® Reviewed changes to the City Center area of the Official Map, to include proposed streets. ® Joint meeting with the City Council. ' Viewed and discussed the 3D model video of City Center prepared by Wiemann-Lamphere Architects. ® Formed and considered input from a subcommittee FBC Technical Items Task Force. ® Maintained a Sustainable Agriculture Subcommittee, including approval of member change, receiving of status reports; review of subcommittee tasks and scope, and approval of work products including letter to large landowners about farm leasing. ® Received ongoing reports on work of other committees including Underwood Property Visioning Project, School Master Planning/Visioning, Airport Demolition, and City branding. ® Initiated and gave input and selected Planning Commission representative (Tracey Harrington) forthe � Chamberlin Neighborhood /Burlington International Airport Planning Project. ® Discussed future landuse with large landowners including Jeff Nick about the Hill Farm and Larry Michaels f about Old Farm Road and Ms. Jeffors about South Village. ® Received Open Space Report from the IZ Open Space Committee. � ® Learned about the Georgetown University Energy Prize and provided letter of support to the Energy Committee. ® Discussed city wastewater capacity and long range projections and provided information and recommendation to the City Council regarding sewer capacity allocations. ® Received information about the Williston Road Network study and discussed findings and next steps. ® Reviewed City Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2016-2025 and provided feedback. ® Discussed and approved 2015 Municipal Planning Grant Applications. ® Discussed and approved CCRPC Unified Planning Work Program Projects for FY2016. ® Received information on the Garden Street Design project and approved the Purpose &Need Statement. ® Received information on the Dumont Park Design project and approved the Purpose &Need Statement. ® Provided feedback to the Vermont Public Service Board on telecommunications facilities siting. ® Received information from the Regional Planning Commission staff on recent changes to state statutes regulating development including Act 250 requirements. ® Reviewed preliminary feedback and results from LDR changes implemented in 2014. ® Reviewed Land Development Regulation requests from the public including: o Request to add a portion of a parcel presently zoned R12 to FBC T4 district on Quarry Hill Road. o Request to add a portion of a parcel presently zoned Industrial -Open Space to the SEQ Neighborhood Residential District on Hinesburg Road. o Request to allow pet grooming as an accessory use in the I/O District. o Request from South Village for changes in zoning to allow additional commercial, possibly rezoned as Village Commercial. o Request for increased lot coverage in the C-1, C-1 Auto, and C-2 zoning districts. o Request to allow personal instruction in the SEQ Village Commercial district. ® Approval of proposed street names: o Rye Circle o Landon Road o Winter Lane o Fall Street o Preserve Road o Willowbrook Lane o Chaplin Lane ® Reviewed planning related changes in adjacent communities including: o Williston Draft Amendments to Unified Development Bylaw o Colchester draft regu{ation amendments —two rounds o Shelburne draft regulation amendments —two rounds 29 ® Reviewed Public Service Board submittals: o New Cingular Wireless communications facility at 1270 Shelburne Road. o Two Megawatt solar array at South Burlington Landfill. Planning Commission meefiings are held currently on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month afi 7:00 PM at the City Hall. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Respectively submitted, Jessica Louisos, Chair on behalf of members Tracey Harrington, Vice -Chair; Gretchen Calcagni, Clerk; Barbara Benton; Bernard Gagnon; Ted Riehle; and Sophie Quest. 30 A major portion of the Natural Resources Committee's work throughout I 2015 centered on the development of an Open Space Report providing recommendations for open space in future development in South Burlington, with an emphasis on the future "City Center". The Report was the product of the Open Space Committee comprised of representatives from the City Council, Planning Commission, Recreation and Leisure Committee and NRC. On March 19th, 2015 members of the Open Space Committee attended a reception at the Statehouse where South Burlington was awarded the 2014 Vermont Public Spaces Award. In spring 2015, the Natural Resources Committee completed the Wheeler Nature Park Management Plan providing an overview of Wheeler Nature Park's 80+ acres of natural area and its additional parcel known as the Wheeler Homestead. The Plan includes a description of the Park's history, an inventory of the Park's ecology and wildlife habitat and the critical resource it provides for our community and beyond. Most importantly, the Plan provides recommendations and guidance on the future maintenance and possible uses for the Park. During the work of the Open Space Committee a more collaborative relationship developed between the Natural Resources and Recreation and Leisure Arts Committees on areas of common interest, nterest, such as management of natural areas in city owned parks. Together, the NRC and the Recreation Department presented the Wheeler Nature Park Management Plan to the City Council in July 2015. Throughout FY 2015, the Natural Resources Committee meetings invited various individuals representing city departments, other community organizations and the University of Vermont. The South - Burlington City Arborist, Craig Lambert provided the NRC with information regarding the status of city trees in South Burlington. Former Director of Recreation, Todd Goodwin, provided information on the past and current uses of the Wheeler Homestead. Sam Swanson, a member of the South Burlington Energy Committee shared information on its participation in the Georgetown Energy Prize. Walt Poleman, Senior Lecturer at the UVM - Rubenstein School, discussed the potential of the Wheeler Nature Park as a learning environment for students, including the maple sugaring process. The Natural Resources Committee has participated and attended meetings regarding City initiatives such as: the visioning processes for the future uses of the Underwood property, Garden Street and Dumont Park, and the Energy Prize Kick-off event. Members of the NRC also volunteered to assist with events such as: the South Burlington Rain Barrel Workshop, sponsored by the Chittenden County Stream Team. NRC members organized educational walks at Wheeler Nature Park guided by Walter Poleman, Keith Thompson (Chittenden County Forester). The Natural Resources Committee membership transitioned throughout FY 2015. Current membership includes: Elizabeth Militia (chair), Patrick Clemins (vice -chair &clerk), Russell Agne, Jeff Dickson, Melissa Cuke and Sean Devine. Cathyann Larose, South Burlington City Planner provides her expertise, support and encouragement to the NRC's work. The NRC will continue to identify new projects and collaborations that contribute to the natural resources and quality of life for the South Burlington community. 31 South Burlington Department of Public Works Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report The Department of Public Works has 36 employees and is comprised of the following Divisions: Highway, Parks, ,Sewer, Water, Stormwater, Technical Services and Fleet Maintenance. We maintain the City's 90 miles of roads and the hundreds of miles of utilities that lie underneath them. Additionally, the Sewer Division is responsible for two wastewater treatment plants and over 30 sewer pump stations. 2015 will be remembered in Public Works circles as the year winter never ended as evidenced by February being one of the coldest months in Vermont's 132 years of recorded history. Between the cold and snow, at one point Public Works performed winter maintenance on the roads for 36 straight days. The cold also greatly impacted our water distribution system, resulting in 22 water breaks around the City and about a dozen frozen services. Other noteworthy events and projects for the Department included: • Expanded support of the Community Gardens at the Homestead at Wheeler Nature Parlc off Dorset Street. This included additional plots and water lines for the very successful community gardens program. The public continues to fully utilize and enjoy this relatively new offering. • The Stormwater Division was successful in obtaining over $700,000 in grants for two important upcoming projects in the Village at Dorset Park and Oak Creek Village. These grants help keep the residents'_ share of their projects down as well as help us construct them ahead of schedule. • The Mayfair Park neighborhood stormwater project was completed; it added new stormwater infrastructure to deal with permitting, flooding and high groundwater issues. • The Stormwater Division also officially entered into an agreement with the Town of Shelburne to provide them with shared municipal stormwater services. This is a great opportunity for South Burlington to bring revenue in and for Shelburne to implement required stormwater practices at a reasonable cost. The shared municipal services model is something the City continues to explore with all its services. • The Stormwater Division successfully bid the large Bartlett Brook North (encompassing the Stonehedge and Laurel Hill south neighborhoods) stormwater project. This million dollar + project will begin in the spring of 2016. • The Water Division, which is managed by the Champlain Water District, completed year 3 of a multi -year project to upgrade and replace customers' water meters. This project will ensure metering accuracy, improve leak detection and efficiency in meter communications and reading. • The multiyear widening of Williston Road project near the Sheraton was completed and the pubic was able to benefit from the project's full utility, mainly less congestion and confusion for traffic traveling east in the project area. We would be remiss if we did not thank the public, City Council and City Administration for their support over the past year. Respectfully Submitted, Justin Rabidoux, Director K� Ilona Blanchard, Project Director The end of 2015 finds South Burlington moving towards the first TIF District vote on City SOUTH BURLINGTON Center improvements. The Vermont Economic Progress Council approved the CiLOY Financing Plan last Spring clearing the path. This year, staff will support the City Council in considering for which public projects to request financing (debt) authorization from voters. At a minimum, under consideration will be seeking voter authorization to use TIF District financing (serviced with TIF District increment from existing and proposed projects) to match Federal funds in order to begin to construct Market Street in 2016-2017. Outreach -Last winter, the City successfully engaged the legislature in preserving the right of the City to collect fees from property owners in for special services within the TIF District above and beyond those provided to the rest of the City. In February, the City briefed Congressman Peter Welch. In the summer, City Center was presented in Boston at a regional conference of retailers and developers and featured "Create Place" - a fun -filled Lego booth - at City Fest. This fall the public considered options for Williston Road as part of the Garden Street project; this outreach will continue as part of the Williston Road Network Analysis. Commc��lity Involvement -The City engaged residents and property owners in selecting alternatives for City Center - Dumont Park and Garden Street. A community -based organization focused on City Center has been initiated with the State of Vermont's assistance and is expected to begin activities this year. A Public Art Selection Committee has been appointed by the City Council and their first order of business will be Market Street. As additional TIF District projects are initiated, public guidance will be sought in their design. Advancing Public Projects - Market Street is firmly in the permitting and right-of-way acquisition stage; the recommended concept is nearing completion for Garden Street, and City Center - Dumont Park is in design and engineering. Additional projects, such as a Public Library are moving towards initiation. Private Development - Townhouses on Market Street are well underway and will anchor the east end. Other property owners have signaled intentions to redevelop and the City is in discussion. A policy which will guide public investment in infrastructure that supports pi rvate development is under consideration by the City Council. V TIF District Financing for 1st Approved 2013 TIF Project(s) j 2016 � �\ Public Vote on �� �\ City Center `� � Financing for �\ Construction j additional TIF begins 2016- project(s) 2017 / 2017 complete First Public , Projects 2018 r 33 SOUTH BURLINGT"IN ENERGY COMMITTEE —FISCAL YEAR 2015 ANNUAL REPORT The mission of the South Burlington Energy Committee is to promote energy conservation, energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energy resources among the city's residents, businesses, and in municipal affairs. The committee accomplished the following in fiscal year 2015: Georgetown University Energy Prize —Semifinalist in nationwide competition to increase energy efficiency and reduce consumption of fossil fuels. Created detailed program plan addressing: awareness, outreach, marketing, and education; residential and municipal electric and natural gas use; school curriculum, energy efficiency and renewable energy use; municipal energy efficiency planning; and municipal and residential photovoltaic generation. Received generous donations of time, funds and materials from community members and organizations. Obtained $25,250 in grants and sponsorship funds. Continued reaching out to and/or collaborating with ciiy councilors, municipal committees, and state representatives; electric, gas, and energy efficiency utilities; school educators, board members, facilities staff, and students (from kindergarten to university PhD); and residents, local businesses and nonprofit organizations. Shared motivational and educational information via: online, social and print media advertisements and messages; face-to-face conversations at energy house parties and at a wide variety of community, school, and municipal events; a monthly energy -related "Eye on the Prize" newspaper column and a digital newsletter; and monthly "how-to" In -It -To -Win -It Workshops led by experts. Proposed projects to local utilities and provided detailed feedback regarding those selected, e.g., mapping of household electric energy use by neighborhood, targeted social-norming mailings to high -gas -use consumers, and guidance for gas users not qualifying for free efficiency upgrades. Coordinated required baseline and quarterly usage data from utilities. Created residential solar installation consortium that donates funds to school district. Led solar lawn sign contest at high school. Wrote "how-to" paper to guide other towns in implementing closed - landfill solar projects. Tracked expenses and donations, and created quarterly spending reports for donors. Created library -lending program for electricity -usage meters. Solar energy production on South Burlington's landfill —Provided additional analyses and continued working with municipal, school, and project development company staff to encourage approval of 1.8 MW net - metered solar -electricity -generation project on city's closed landfill. Energy efficiency investment program —Supported city staff with data and input during the vetting of a public -purpose energy services company (Commons Energy) offering investment in cost -saving projects paid for with resulting energy savings. ,and Development Regulations &Form -based Codes —Continued to review and suggest changes to Land Development Regulations and Form -based Codes with particular emphasis on ensuring that new construction of buildings and transportation infrastructure minimizes non -renewable -energy usage via energy efficiency codes; renewable -energy -ready roofs; and ubiquitous, safe multi -use paths for non -motorized transportation. Other work —Helped address future energy -related needs by providing detailed input for the Comprehensive Plan and the municipal budget's capital improvement plan. Awards — 2014 Energy Committee Leadership Award of "Best Overall Energy Committee" given by VECAN (Vermont Energy &Climate Action Network). South Burlington Land Tilist's "Annual Award Honoring a Person or Group Whose Work Complements the Mission of the South Burlington and Trust." Meetings —The first Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Offices (lst or 2"d floor) or at Public Works (2"d floor, 104 Landfill Road). Please check the city's online calendar to verify time, date and location. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. K�� John Stewart Business Manager 550 DORSET STREET SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT 05403-6296 OFFICE: South Burlington High School Tel. 802/652-7055 FAX 802/6524013 Email: sstewart@sbschools.net SOUTH BURLINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DUNE 30, 2015 The Independent Auditors' Report for the year ended June 30, 2015 is reprinted in its entirety, as a separate report, which is available at the South Burlington City Clerk's office at 575 Dorset Street, South Burlington, Vermont and the School District Business office at 550 Dorset Street, South Burlington, Vermont, during normal business hours. It also can be accessed at the District website at http://district.sf.sbschools.net/ under the Business Office. 35 ,�Mf1dr `� III oe goo CHAMPLAIN WATER DISTRICT � AFE Dedicated to Quality Water & Service First In The Nation ~ Excellence In Water Treatment, Partnership For Safe Water Date: January 6, 2016 To: CWD Served Municipal Systems From: Jim Fay, CWD General Manager RE: 2016-2017 Fiscal Year Budget CWD's publicly elected Board of Water Commissioners has finalized the fiscal year budget for July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 setting the uniform wholesale water rate at $2.038/1000 gallons from the existing $1.978/1,000 gallons. This is an increase of 6.0 cents per 1000 gallons, or a 3.03% increase. Assuming this CWD wholesale increase is fully passed along in each retail rate within CWD's twelve served municipal water systems, the average family will see a 36 cent per month increase ($4.26/year) in water costs. We have attached a table entitled "Historical CWD Wholesale Rate Increase Impact on CWD Served Systems" which summarizes that the annual increase over the past seven years is $4.44 per year for a family using 71,000 gallons/year. Also please find attached a table titled "Comparative Retail Water Rates" which was just updated as of our December 2015 Survey of CWD served systems, as well as a table titled "CWD Wholesale Increase Impact on Served Municipal Systems". Please note that a family using 71,000 gallons/year (195 gallons/day), within CWD's twelve served municipal water systems in Chittenden County, has a present annual average water cost across CWD's served systems of $301.69 per year ($25.14/month). Of this $301.69/year, $140.44/year ($11.70/month) is paid to CWD under the uniform wholesale water rate, and the remaining $161.25/year ($13.44/month) is the average retained by the respective served CWD municipal water system. With CWD's rate increase from $1.978/1000 gallons to the proposed $2.038/1000 gallons, the average family using 71,000 gallons per year will see an increase of $4.26 per year (36 cents/month). If this CWD increase of 6.0 cents per 1,000 gallons is fully passed on, the average Retail water rate will increase an average of 1.41 %, with a high of 1.85%, and a low of 1.07%, given the varying retail markups to the CWD uniform wholesale water rate across the twelve CWD served municipal water systems. Please contact Jim Fay, CWD General Manager at 864-7454 (ext. 103) or by email at jim.fay(a�champlainwater.org, if you have any questions or need further information. 4 0 3 Q u e e n C i t y P a r k Road � S o u t h B u r l i n g t o n V T 0 5 4 0 3 The following list shows the CWD uniform wholesale water rate for the last six years. It also shows the annual average family using 75 gallons per day per person for an average household usage of 71,000 gallons per year. Assumes State average family of 2.6 people use 195 gallons/day (75gpd/person) for a total of 71,000 gallons per year. FISCAL YEAR ENDING CWD Uniform Wholesale Water Rate $ Per 1000 Gallons Annual Average Family Cost @71,000 Gallons/Year Annual Family $ Increase Over Previous Fiscal Year 2011 1.650 $117.15 $3.55 (30 cents/month) 2012 1.714 $121069 $4.54 (38 cents/month) 2013 1.782 $126.52 $4.83 (40 cents/month) 2014 1.840 $130.64 $4.12 (34 cents/month) 2015 1.913 $135.82 $5.18 (43 cents/month) 2016 1.978 $140044 $4.62 (38 cents/month) Proposed 2017 2.038 $144.70 $4.26 (36 cents/month) Note: CWD's seven (7) year annual average (2011-2017) increase is $4.44/family per year. COMPARATIVE RETAIL WATER RATES Survey Compiled December 2015 The following list represents the cost per 11000 gallons and the annual cost for the State %J Vermont average household occupancy (2.6 people per home) multiplied by 75 gallons per day per person for an average household usage of 71,000 gallons per year. The annual cost of water reflects individual characteristics of the communities water rates, i.e. any base rate per quarter, incremental rates based upon usage, or any minimum charges. Water System Total Cost per 1,000 Gallons (Including any Base Rates) Annual Cost Average Family CWD Wholesale (Uniform Rate) $1.978 $140.44 Village of Essex Junction $3.33 $236443 Colchester Town $3.49 $247.79 Malletts Bay Water Company $3.49 $247.79 City of South Burlington $3.68 $261628 Colchester Fire District #2 $4.09 $290039 Colchester Fire District #3 $4.27 $303.17 Town of Williston $4.60 $326660 Town of Essex $5.06 $359026 City of Winooski $5.17 $367.07 City of Burlington $5.35 $379.85 Town of Milton $5.59 $396.89 Town of Shelburne $5.61 $398.31 **Village of Jericho $3.25 $230.75 ***Colchester FD#1 $3.45 $244.95 *Bolded water systems are served by CWD Note: The annual average retail cost of water is $314.46 for the above "bolded" ten CWD served municipal water systems for a family using 71,000 gallons per year. Of this $314.46 average annual family cost, $140.44 (45%) is paid to CWD for the uniform wholesale purchase price, and the remaining dollars is retained by the respective CWD served water system. **Village of Jericho —Rate does not include Village Tax Rate assessment charge. ***Colchester FD#1-Rate does not include bond special assessment charge CWD UNIFORM WHOLESALE INCREASE IMPACT ON SERVED MUNICIPAL SYSTEMS The following list represents the cost per 1,000 gallons and the annual cost for the State of Vermont average household occupancy (2.6 people per home) multiplied by 75 gallons per day per person for an average household usage of 71,000 gallons per year. The annual cost of water reflects individual characteristics of the communities water rates, i.e. any base rate per quarter, incremental rates based upon usage, or any minimum charges. Assumes average family uses 195 gallons/day (75gpd/person) for a total of 71,000 gallons per year. Therefore, "CWD" increase is: $1,978/1000 gallons to $20038/1000 gallons = 6 cents/1000 @71,000 gallons/year = $4.26/year or 36 cents/month. CURRENT WHOLESALE RATE PROPOSED CWD RATE INCREASE $1.978/1000 Gallons For New Wholesale Water Rate of $2.038/1000 Gallons Water System December 2015 Retail Rate/1000 Gallons Current Annual Average Family Cost For New Wholesale Water Rate of $2.038/1000 Gallons New Annual Average Family Cost Estimate of Retail Rate Increase if CWD Increase Passed on 100% Village of Essex Junction $3.33 $236843 $3.39 $240469 1.80% Colchester Town $3.49 $247079 $3.55 $252.05 1.72% Malletts Bay Water Company $3.49 $247.79 $3.55 $252.05 1.72% City of South Burlington $3.68 $261928 $3.74 $265454 1.63% Colchester Fire District #3 $4.27 $303.17 $4.33 $307043 1.41 % Town of Williston $4.60 $326060 $4.66 $330486 1.30% Town of Essex $5.06 $359226 $5.12 $363252 1.19% City of Winooski $5.17 $367007 $5.23 $371233 1.16% Town of Milton $5.59 $396.89 $5.65 $401615 1.07% Town of Shelburne $5.61 $398031 $5.67 $402.57 1.07% **Village of Jericho $3.25 $230.75 $3.31 $235801 1.85% ***Colchester Fire District #1 $3.45 $244995 $3.51 $249.21 1.74% Served System Annual Average $4.25 $301.69 $4.31 $305,95 1.41 % CWD's Portion of Total Annual Average Retail Bill $1.978 $140.44 $2.038 $144.70 Proposed July 1, 2016 Annual average CWD Wholesale cost per family = $144.70/year @ 2.038/1000 gallons Proposed July 1, 2016 Annual percentage CWD Wholesale cost to average retail family cost of $305.95/year = 47.30% Proposed July 1, 2016 @ $2.038/1000 gallons increases average family cost an additional $4.26/year or 36 cents per month **Village of Jericho - Rate does not include Village tax rate assessment charge ***Colchester Fire District #1 = Rate does not include bond special assessment charge Getting you where you need to go! January 1, 2016 Mr. Kevin Dorn City Manager South Burlington Town Offices 575 South Dorset Street South Burlington, Vermont 05403 Dear Mr. Dorn: Pursuant to Act TvTumber 122 of 1973 of the Vermont General Assembly, which created the Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA), the Treasurer of the CCTA is required to notify the Treasurer of each member municipality and the chairman of the legislative body in each member municipality, of the amount of the annual assessment to each member in connection with the CCTA's budget. This letter serves to notify you that the share of your municipality for the fiscal period July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017, assessed in accordance with the Statute, is as follows: Fixed Route Operating Assessment $ 278,919 E&D Local Match 2,625 Paratransit Assessment 1834977 Total Assessment 46 22 The Statute provides that each member municipality "...shall add such assessment to its own budget and shall assess such tax as is necessary to raise the amount of the assessment. The amount of the assessment in each member municipality shall be paid to the Treasurer of the authority on or before July 15 in each year." Please review the components below, which explain your overall increase in your membership assessment of 2.68% over last year. CCTA allocates its fixed and variable costs to members through its fixed route assessment. The CCTA Board increased the fixed route assessment by 3%for FY17. The Paratransit assessment is r:�embea• specific and is determir.€d increase reflects the increased use of this program for the City assessment is increasing by 2% over last year. by actual paratransit usabe in your community, the of South Burlington. As a result, your Paratransit If you have any questions regarding this assessment, please feel free to contact Karen Walton, CCTA's General Manager. Sincerely, f A/ Commissioner Marti Powers Treasurer Cc: Tom Hubbard, City of South Burlington Deputy City Manager Tom Chittenden, CCTA Board of Commissioners Visit the WVPD's Parks: Colchester Pond Natural Area Delta Park Derway Island Nature Preserve Donohue Sea Caves Essex Overlook Park Ethan Allen Homestead Heineberg Wetlands __Macrae Farm Park Mayes Landing Muddy Brook Park Muddy Brook Wetland Reserve Old Mill Park Riverwalk Trail Salmon Hole Park Winooski Gorge Wolcott Family Natural Area Woodside Park Valley Ridge Tel: (802) 863-5744 info@wvpd.org www.wvpd.org Kevin Dons, City Manager South Burlington City Hall 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 Dear Mr. Dorn, Fax: (802) 865-0647 10/29/15 Thank you very much for the city's support of the Winooski Valley Park District's operations this year. As you may know, most of the WVPD's operating budget comes from its seven municipal members in the form of dues, based on each member community's relative population and the equalized property tax grand list. The WVPD is requesting a total of $55,114 for FY 2017 from South Burlington. This slight increase from FY 2016 is due to the annual recalculation of the funding formula, and changes in the equalized grand lists and populations of member towns. While the overall WVPD operating budget is increasing by 6.3% in FY17, we have level funded the overall municipal revenue line item at $304,500. This is achievable due to new revenues we have established through leasing and an expansion of our summer and vacation camp programs. WVPD will continue to seek new revenues that reduce the reliance on municipal shares for operations. The WVPD staff members will continue to work as hard as possible to multiply the dollars that South Burlington provides by motivating volunteers to help steward the parks, soliciting donations, and by writing grants. The WVPD also expands its services to the community through partnerships with community organizations including the Vermont Community Garden Network, the Association of Africans Living in Vermont, the Visiting Nurses Association, and the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum. Our proposed operating budget (attached) includes notes to explain the rationale and assumptions behind different line items. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support. member municipalities! Respectfully submitted, Nick Warner Executive Director cc: David Crawford The WVPD would not exist without its ►� 'FY42017 OFILKA I INU EMUE I (AFC UPI ) +;July 1 a 2016 - June 30, 2017) budget Goals and Assumptions, 1 j Maintain core services of preserving, maintaining, and ensuring safety at 18 natural areas for public use ?) Provide staff support for training, and provide health irtsurarla3 at 90% for employees and 509A for dependents (anticipated increase in premiums) 3) Control costs as feasible (seek grants, donations, etc) and establish neve, reliable revenue sources 9) Maintain contribution levels from member towns at same amount as previous year O�ie��titt� r�vec�ue 1, 2. 3, 4, 5. 7, 8. �uppOrt from Member Towns Interest tff House Rental I arm eld Rent .O,L,E, Camp Revenues Rental of Ed. CtOPlcnic Shelter/Pre-School Miscellaneous Prior Year Refunds € �iberatng Revenue i`bta Actual F4'2015 S�>34,999.00 $178,70 14,982,96 21130,00 i8,830.00 5,3MW 2,4a4,00 $O,OO Eudgeted FY2016 $304,500,00 WPM$151600,00 $1,050.00 $O.ao 2,500.00 $500*00 $0,00 324,75©.00 �ropt�s�ed FY2017 3304,500.00 $175.00 $15,600.00 $11050400 �2,075_00 11,000.00 $23000000 $0,00 � r< f,3ifferenee Prorn 'rev. Year 0.0% �242.9% C1.0% 0.0% 100.0% 77f3% 75.0% 0,0% 6.3 Operating Expenses �ttl�l udgeted Pr©posed FY2015 FY201 O FY2017 1. Staff Salaries $183tO89.94 $1591368M $205,527400 7.9% 2, u,O,L.E, Camp Staff costs $0,00 $0000 $4,260,00 100.00% subtotal Salaries $183,089.94 $1189,'368.00 $209,787,00 92414% Elmplo�ee B�eri�fits 2. FICA �12,216.5$ $14.48fi.65 $16,04$.00 0,7°/a 3. Vilorket`sCompensation .$51071,00 $51250,00 $5,25a.00 040% 4. Unemployment Insurance $51363.00 $0,250,00 $6,250,00 000% 5. Dental Insurance $1160180 $900000 $1,610,00 44,1% . Health Insurance $30,301018 $261000,00 $361662.00 29.1 % 7. Retirement .361480,53 $4,785400 $5,388.00 11,2% ubtotal Benefits $619036M $57y671,65 $71,208,00 19.0% Actual Budgeted Proposed % Diff rence FY2015 FY2016 F`(2017 From Prev, Year Rack Expenses $. Liability/Fire Insurance $10,886050 $124t000,00 $12,000*00 010%0 0. Travel/Auto $41029.39 $4,800,00 $4,250.00 -1219% 10. Education Center $31926.58 $8t200.00 $4,000000-105.0% 11. Utilities $51619.76 $5,000:00 a5700.00 12.3%0 12, Buildings Maintenance $928.40 $8,000:00 $3,000000-156.7%0 13, Parks Maintenance $61612A8 $.101500.00 $101500.00 0.4% 14. Snow RemovallSanding $960,00 $2,000400 $2,p00.UO 0.0%0 15, Contracted Work $9,517646 $14,300.00 $11,250400 y27.1 %n 16. Rubbish Removal $1,073,83 $11200.00 $1,200.M 0.0%aMIA �ubtotat Park Evpensa.. office E�perises 17. Phone, Email, Internet, and Fax 18, Postage 19. Computer/Glfce Supplies 20. Copies 11. Newspaper 22. Employee Trainings Membership subtotal Office Expenses Publicity Expenses N. Events 25. Printing/Advertising/Exhibits 26, Conferences Subtotal Publicity tither 27. L.egal Services �8. Capital Improvement Program 29. Operating Reserve Fund 30. Audit Fund subt6tal Omer $101402 $2,828.65 583962 $472.30 $645,00 7.93 $949.93 1,326.71 $477.58 ,754.22 $0.00 $10,(144.04 $8,932.65 $50.00 461 �4,700.�0 300,00 ,750600 $15(.00 $350.00 $0.00 $8,975.0 $800,00 $1,200.00 $450,00 ,a50600 $36A0 $1 t)0.00 $100.00 $50.00 25,00 $2,750100 $450000 $350,00 5500,00 $1$0,00 9,055600 $600.00 1,200.00 �35.44 $165.40 100,00 $ )VOID $35Q00 -380.0%Q 0.0% 0.00/0 0.0% 30,6% 0.0%a 33.3%0 0.0% �50.Oe/6 -1s.7�b 39,39°,�0 0.0°la a.o�ia 18.3°l0 ToUi 00drating Expenses 18,8+$5.23 324,750.00 �346,400.00 6.3% WINOOSKI VALLEY PARK DISTRICT FY2017 BUDGET NOTES Four grants have just been secured for FY2016, all of which support specific projects: $50k for Wolcott Family Natural Area trail development; $716 for safety gear; $2k for a new Champlain College partnership (student intern stipend) and; $ I k from IBM to support education programs and volunteer projects. These revenues are generally offset ojects, often with an in -kind match of labor/materials. Some indirect by the costs of the pr and administrative costs are built in to support WVPD's operating budget. Additional grants are pursued to offset any large projects/expenditures whenever possible. 1. 1Vlember Support of ®perations Dues from member municipalities are based on the most current available data for 1) Population and 2) Equalized Municipal Property Tax Grand List. These two variables are given equal weight in a formula that determines the portion asked of each municipality. As an inter -municipal form of government, the WVPD has been supported by its member municipalities for the last 43 years. Elected officials signed an Agreement to create an inter -municipal conservation district in 1972. After that, a majority of voters from each member community voted to create the WVPD. The FY2017 budget is the first WVPD budget ever to utilize new revenues to accommodate increased costs as follows: The operations budget in FY2017 is estimated to be 6.3%higher than FY2016. ® Despite this increase, WVPD is requesting that the member towns pay dues based on the same amount as FY2016 (totaling $304,500); ® WVPD proposes to utilize new revenues from S.O.L.E. Camp and the lease of the EAHM facility to Forest Pre -School as a means to close the FY2017 budget « gap » 2. Interest Income High interest rates are pursued when possible by investing in FDIC insured Certificates of Deposits. However, in recent years these rates have been very low. 3. Staff House Rentals/Rebates This income is anticipated to remain the same as in FY2016. Two on -site caretakers provide site security and rental income at the Colchester Pond Natural Area and at the Ethan Allen Homestead. The caretakers pay $7,800 per year for rent. In exchange for this lower rent, each caretaker is generally available on weekends and after office hours to educate park visitors about park rules, open and close the park entrance gate year- round at dawn and dusk, monitor parking lot use, shovel snow for pedestrian access to information boards and fire hydrants, manage the picnic shelter at the Ethan Allen Homestead, and monitor the WVPD's other parks throughout the winter when the WVPD's seasonal maintenance crew is laid off. Caretakers are paid in pretax dollars at $8/hour in the form of a rental rebate for additional services above and beyond routine services, as they arise. These expenses are included as a parks maintenance expense. This income is anticipated to remain the same as in FY2016. The WVPD owns and leases farm fields at Colchester Pond in Colchester, the Ethan Allen Homestead in Burlington, and Muddy Brook Park in South Burlington. An additional farmfield is managed for free in exchange for services at the Macrae Farm in Colchester. The first three farmfields are leased to dairy farmers in a "break even" operation, where rental income is used to maintain the health of the soil. The benefit to the public is a scenic vista and full pedestrian access to the fields. The farm roads and bridges are maintained by the farmers and are used by the public. These acres are kept open and fertile, and could easily be converted to food production at a later date. 5. S.O.L.E. Camp Revenues This is a new source of revenue for the WVPD. Held for four weeks this past summer, the Sustainable Outdoor Leadership and Education — S.O.L.E. Camp provides conservation programming to 6.12 year olds. In FY2017 we anticipate eight weeks of camp, 24 kids per week at $200/per camper. We also anticipate granting the equivalent of five full scholarships. 6. Rental of Education Center/Picnic Shelter/Pre-School This will be an enhanced source of revenue for WVPD. There are two classrooms at the Education Center. One %J the classrooms has been rented out to the Burlington Forest Pre -School, solidifying an income stream for WVPD. The remaining Education Center classroom is used for the S.O.L.E. Camp for during the summer months. It is also occasionally used by the L.L. Bean program, and is rented out for other programmatic use when available. Rental rates are $20/hour, $120/day, or $550/week. It is mostly used by non-profit organizations. The Homestead's open air picnic shelter tends to be reserved most weekends from April through October. Rental rates are as follows: Less than 25 people: 26-50 people: 51-75 people: 76-99 people: : 100+ people $30/half day (4 hours or less) or $50/whole day $45/half day (4 hours or less) or $85/whole day $75/half day (4 hours or less) or $145/whole day $100/half day (4 hours or less) or $175/whole day $2.00/person Group sizes influence income so if smaller groups predominate, projected revenues may be overestimated. This figure does not account for operating expenses such as administration, electricity, water, and trash removal, which can amount to as much as 50% of the income for a smaller group rental, depending on their usage. Starting in calendar year 2016, the shelter and grounds will be marketed for weddings and other special events to boost usage, group sizes, and income. 7. 1l�Iiscellaneous This includes nominal rents, tuitions and donations from school groups and partners who help us provide educational opportunities at the parks. It also includes an annual fee paid by L.L. Bean for the use of Ethan Allen Homestead Park for snowshoeing programs and fly fishing clinics. None expected OPERA'TIl�TG EXPEI�ISES (vendors were contacted about expense projections where noted): 1. Salaries The WVPD has 3 full-time, year-round positions. An AmeriCoz-ps Environmental Educator and Resource Specialist through the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board also currently serves year-round, funded in part by the WVPD. The WVPD has 4.5 seasonal employees to maintain the parks April —October. They receive a $330 incentive for staying through the end of the season. The WVPD's 1 gate tender receive $75/month to open and close the park gates, and 2 caretakers receive rental rebate of $8/hour. 2. FICA This is calculated as 7.65% of salaries. 3. Workers Compensation This is covered through the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and is dependent on VLCT classifications and rates. It is anticipated to remain stable for FY2017. 4. Unemployment Insurance This is covered by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. It is anticipated to remain stable for FY2017. 5. Dental Insurance The WVPD provides dental insurance through the Vermont League of Cities and Towns for permanent, full-time staff. There is a slight increase in rates anticipated for FY2017. The WVPD provides health insurance through the Vermont League of Cities and Towns for permanent, full-time staff at 100% for employees and 50% for dependents. With few employees covered, a change in one individual's coverage status (i.e. from one person to two person coverage) can dramatically increase this line item. Employees have a $1,200 incentive to be covered by their partner's health insurance. Insurance rates have increased, as has the level of coverage taken by WVPD staff. The WVPD has a 457 plan (similar to a 401K) through the State of Vermont. Maintenance and administrative costs to the WVPD are minimal. Contributions by employees must be voluntary, by law. Assets are the property of the employee. The total contribution by the WVPD for the Programs Director and the Parks Superintendent is 3% of their salary, for an anticipated total of $2,500, An annual contribution of 5.125% of salary is made to the Vermont Municipal Employees Retirement System for the Executive Director. The total contribution by the WVPD is anticipated to be $2,888. �. Liability/Fire Insurance Level funded from FY2016. Coverage is provided by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. This line item includes a mandatory $700 management fee. 9. TraveUAuto The WVPD owns a 1995 Ford pickup truck and a 2002 Dodge van, both in good condition. -This category includes preventative maintenance for those vehicles. Employees who use their own vehicles for the WVPD's business are reimbursed for mileage at the federal rate. 10. Homestead Education Center Significant cut from FY2016. It is assumed that the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum's operations will be self-sufficient through FY2017. 11. Utilities Slight increase anticipated in FY2017. The WVPD will maximize the use of wood heat for its office in an effort to reduce costs. On -site caretakers pay for their own utilities. Overall, the WVPD's 10 buildings* Have been kept in good condition. More maintenance to the buildings is being done by the WVPD's seasonal crew as preventative maintenance instead of being contracted out as repairs. Even with more wear on the trails, increased park use, and more structures to maintain, it is estimated that level funding form FY2016 can be sustained. *Building Inventory: a. Ethan Allen Homestead (6 structures total): 1 historic structure (Ethan and Fanny Allen's restored farmhouse), 1 caretaker residence, 1 picnic shelter, 1 outhouse, 1 administrative building (the WVPD's office, public restrooms, and maintenance garage), and 1 large barn (converted to offices, classrooms, exhibit space, and public restrooms). b. Colchester Pond Natural Area (4 structures total): 1 caretaker house (historically significant), 1 detached garage/workshop, 1 milk house, and 1 barn. Level funded from FY2016. Vandalism is the single biggest factor that could unpredictably drive up this expense. Flooding also has a substantial impact on this expense. This category covers materials and equipment for work perfot�ned by the WVPD's seasonal crew who maintain its 18 parks. This work includes mowing lawns, maintaining 28 miles of trail, picking up litter, building and installing park signs, picnic tables, foot bridges, fences, beaver baffles, gates, water bars, benches, canoe access stairs, and informational boards. 14. Snow Removal Slight increase from FY2016. Two parks require snow removal and sanding. The new pre-school program at Ethan Allen will require additional work to accommodate increased use of the building. 15. Contracted Work Decrease from FY2016. This line item includes routine work that must be done by a professional because it requires equipment or expertise beyond that possessed by the WVPD's staff, for example. a. Hazardous Tree Removal: Removal of dead; standing trees that cannot be safely removed in-house. Heavy duty equipment is often required when the tree is close to a structure. b. Routine Services: This includes services for the WV.PD's fire extinguishers, 3 furnaces, 2 septic tanks, 1 office woodstove, 1 vault toilet, 4 overhead doors, 2 vehicles, 1 water filtration system, 1 alarm system, and 1 sprinkler system. c. IT Budget: Computer network maintenance and recommendations on new hardware and software purchases. d. Park Signs: Fabrication of one new park entrance sign per year at $1,000. e. Bookkeeping: WVPD retains a professional bookkeeper to prepare bills for payment, to update the WVPD accounting system, and help prepare for audits. f. Accounting: Preparation of the Form 990 and a compilation or review by an accountant. Level funded from FY2016. Illegal dumping can cause this expense to jump unexpectedly. This expense mainly covers garbage pickup by the WVPD's crew at its 18 parks. It also includes office rubbish and recycling. Level funded from FY2016. Level funded from FY2016. 19. Computers/®face Supplies Level funded from FY2016. This line item covers supplies for the printer, fax, and copy machine, as well as items for environmental education programs that are not covered by outside sources. WVPD will seek grant funds and/or donations to upgrade the overall computer system in FYI 7. 20. Copies Level funded from FY2016. This covers the increased cost in a yearly service contract for the copy machine. This category also includes the cost of color and/or oversized copies. 21. Newspapers Level funded from FY2016. Subscriptions will be rotated between the Burlington Free Press, the Colchester Sun, the Mountain Gazette, and the Williston Observer. 22. Employee Trainings New line item for employees to learn new skills and complete voluntary trainings. Slight increase from FY2016. This includes membership in the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, which is mandatory and extremely beneficial to WVPD. Memberships are retained for the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council, Vermont Statewide Environmental Education Program, and the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association — all organizations directly related to WVPD's programs and activities. Decrease from FY2016. This includes fees for exhibit booths, distribution of event posters, general supplies, volunteer enrichment events, and supplies for Conservation Field Day. 25. Printing/Advertising/Exhibits Level funded from FY2016. 26. Conferences WVPD staff participates in multiple professional development trainings in order to expand and build increased quality into programming and events. In addition, mandatory attendance of conferences is a condition of some grant sources. This line item increase translates directly into enhanced revenues for WVPD. 27. Legal Services The WVPD mostly engages pro-bono legal counsel each year, this amount reflects the need for recording fees and other small expenses. Capital Improvement Program Transferx This money is transferred to a separate capital improvement program fund to provide a stream of revenue for major repairs to buildings, the purchase of maj or equipment, and/or the scheduled upkeep of a concrete dam at Colchester Pond. 29.Operating Reserve Fund'' This fund was established in 2001 to offset any unforeseeable shortfalls in the operating budget. Eligible uses include 1) an increase in routine, essential expenditure beyond amounts budgeted for the year, 2) a decrease in grant income budgeted to supplement operations, 3) mechanical failure of essential equipment, or 4) extensive damage to essential park facilities. 30. Audit Fund Line item to build resources for regular audits *Three sources fund the Capital Improvement Program and the Operating Reserve Fund: 1) Staff finding reductions in actual expenses compared to those proposed, 2) dedicated grants that allow the limited use of their funds for routine operating expenses, and 3) salary savings due to employees taking unpaid leave.