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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Natural Resources Committee - 07/01/2019 NATURAL RESOURCES MEETING MINUTES 07/01/2019 Attending: Ashley Parker, David Crawford, Linda Chiasson, Duncan Murdoch, Lisa Yankowski, Allyson Chalnick, Laura Williams, Tim Hess & Ray Gonda Missing: Jean Chalfont Clerk- Lisa; Time Keeper- Linda. The Meeting started at 6:03 PM. 1) Ashley reviewed emergency procedures. 2) Introductions by the current committee members and a welcome to our newest members. 3) No comments or visitors from the public. 4) Meeting minutes from 06/05/19- a few spelling errors were corrected, Duncan moved to accept, Linda 2nd- approved. 5) Election of Officers a) Chairperson - Duncan nominated David Crawford, Laura 2nd. David elected to remain the Chair. b) Clerk - Linda nominated Lisa Yankowski, Allyson 2nd. Lisa elected to be the clerk. c) Vice Chair - Laura nominated Linda Chiasson, Lisa 2nd- Linda elected to be the vice chair and timekeeper. 6) Committee Organization There has not been any original “City Council Charge” paperwork found, yet. Coralee is still searching. a. South Burlington has signed onto the conservation area partnership with Shelburne & Williston. Tim asked if the NRC should modify our mission statement to include working with this partnership in identifying and preserving conservation areas in the participating towns. Ashley advised waiting since this group is still evolving and changing. No changes to the NRC-Mission Statement document. b. NRC-Committee Composition and Operating Procedures. No changes to the document. c. NRC-Expectations and Protocol for Committee Operations. Laura had a question about Robert’s Rules about it’s strictness and being able to express opinions or ideas. Ray suggested we can always go around the table for each member to speak. Robert’s is a means to help keep order but is flexible to situations and groups. Raised hands also works. No changes to the document. d. NRC- Work Plan- We need to work on this, and it will evolve in a different format. e. SB Conflict of Interest and Ethic’s Policy for Elected and Appointed Officials- copy provided to each committee member. We each need to be aware of any possible conflict of interests between NRC activities and other activities each may become involved in. We understand the need to adhere to the ethics policy as designated by the city. 7) Discussion & Action on Leadership Committee We have several reports to get ready for the City Council for August 26 and information for a symposium on September 26. Ray made a motion to form groups to get these reports done, Duncan 2nd. The symposium is to try and get the various City groups together with the City Council to synergize, collaborate and communicate together. a. The Annual Report will be done by Linda, David & Tim. The Work Plan is Lisa, Ray & Duncan. Allyson, Jean & Laura will work on the September Symposium b. David wants us to think about what other work groups we may need to form to get other projects going like LDRs with the Planning commission, Scenic views, Tree canopies and overall city planning changes. We will need to find out what new developments will be coming along. We want to be able to say the Planning Commission we would like to see these changes in the hope they will translate to changes in the LDRs used by the Development Review Board in approving new developments. 8) Recommendations / Discussion of Revisions to LDRs for City Council Comm. Delegates We need to start working on the changes to LDRs a #1 priority on the work plan. If we can get this task accomplished in time, we may be able to present it at the symposium. a. Linda wanted everyone to know that O’Brien Bros will be doing lots of planting in their new development on the hill between Old Farm Rd & Kennedy Dr. Since preserving the tree canopy is a priority and many trees had been taken down for construction. 9) Members & Staff Reports a. Chair’s Report- refer to the page from David. b. IZ (Interim Zoning)- Allyson & Duncan- they have been further refining the document/tool that has been created. David was impressed by it. Duncan thinks our committee should be trained on it then have Jens Hilke come back. They are working on getting public input on the “tool”. c. Dog Park- they have been approved for a spot at Wheeler between the house and Veteran’s Park. It will be accessible for many, away from neighborhoods and they have a budget to work with. It is flat with some sloping and some trees- variety. There will be two areas. One very small wetland that Justin Rabideaux will look at. They hope to open this fall. d. No other committee member comments. e. Staff Report - refer to the page from Ashley 1. Towns are slowly getting signed onto the Regional Conservation Partnership. 2. Trail assessments are in for Red Rocks and work will start soon along with erosion control measures. Weed Warriors were in Red Rocks on Saturday 06/29. They will be at Wheeler 07/24, if you would like to join them. We believe there may be a new Peregrine hatchling at the cliffs in Red Rocks. The park is officially open for the season. There has been a rash of car break-ins and dogs off leash has been a major issue along with bikes on the paths. More signage has been added. The SB Police have been trying to monitor the parking area outside more. 3. Ashley mentioned Lake Champlain Sea Grants toward a new campaign called, “Raise the Blade”. Promoting healthier, natural lawns that encourage letting grass grow longer and cutting it longer. The NRC may want to write a letter to the Public Works Department in support of this campaign. Ray made a motion of support to write the letter, Laura 2nd. Ray will write the letter with Laura’s help. a. This is an action we will want to incorporate into changes for management plans in new developments. 10) Review of Agenda Pending Items We are going to wait due to the new items we need to do. THE NEXT MEETING IS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7, 2019 6:00 PM Motion to Adjourn Lisa motioned to adjourn; Laura seconded. The Meeting ended at 8:02 PM. .