Public Works Commission — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-04-15
Time: 18:30

Public Works Commission

 Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM, To Attend in Person - 645 Pine St. Main
 Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM

6:30 pm, Main Conference Room, 645 Pine St OR Remotely via ZOOM:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83495330508
Or Telephone: Dial US: 301-715-8592 Webinar ID: 834 9533 0508
Channel 17 also often livestreams this on their YouTube channel and airs it over the air at a later date.
Note that comments on YouTube are not monitored.
1. Call to Order

2. Agenda - 5 Minutes
 Subject 2.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda
 Meeting April 15, 2026 - DPW Commission Agenda - Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM, To
 Attend in Person - 645 Pine St. Main Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


 Category 2. Agenda - 5 Minutes

 Department Public Works Department


 Type Action


 Recommended Action Motion to Approve

3. Public Forum - 3 Minutes per Person Time Limit - 10 Minutes

4. Consent Agenda - 5 Minutes
 4.1. Approval of Draft Minutes of 3-18-26

5. Elmwood & Intervale Avenue Traffic Calming - 20 Minutes
 Subject 5.1. Communication, P. Pezeshknejad & P. Peterson
 Meeting April 15, 2026 - DPW Commission Agenda - Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM, To
 Attend in Person - 645 Pine St. Main Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


 Category 5. Elmwood & Intervale Avenue Traffic Calming - 20 Minutes

 Department Public Works Department
  Type Action


  Recommended Action Motion to Approve

6. DPW Director 6-Month Review of Goals - 40 Minutes
  Subject 6.1. Informtaion, C. Spencer & C. Damiani
  Meeting April 15, 2026 - DPW Commission Agenda - Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM, To
 Attend in Person - 645 Pine St. Main Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 6. DPW Director 6-Month Review of Goals - 40 Minutes

  Department Public Works Department


  Type Information


  Recommended Action None

7. Director's Report - 10 Minutes
  Subject 7.1. Communication, C. Spencer
  Meeting April 15, 2026 - DPW Commission Agenda - Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM, To
 Attend in Person - 645 Pine St. Main Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM
  Category 7. Director's Report - 10 Minutes
  Department Public Works Department


  Type Information



8. Commissioner Items

9. DPW Director Annual Review - Executive Session - 30 Minutes

10. Adjournment & Next Meeting Date -May 20, 2026
  Subject 10.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting April 15, 2026 - DPW Commission Agenda - Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM, To
 Attend in Person - 645 Pine St. Main Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 10. Adjournment & Next Meeting Date -May 20, 2026

  Department Council and Board


  Type Action


  Recommended Action Motion to Adjourn

Public Works Commission

 Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM, To Attend in Person - 645 Pine St. Main
 Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM

6:30 pm, Main Conference Room, 645 Pine St OR Remotely via ZOOM:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83495330508
Or Telephone: Dial US: 301-715-8592 Webinar ID: 834 9533 0508
Channel 17 also often livestreams this on their YouTube channel and airs it over the air at a later date.
Note that comments on YouTube are not monitored.
1. Call to Order

2. Agenda - 5 Minutes
 Subject 2.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda
 Meeting April 15, 2026 - DPW Commission Agenda - Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM, To
 Attend in Person - 645 Pine St. Main Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


 Category 2. Agenda - 5 Minutes

 Department Public Works Department


 Type Action


 Recommended Action Motion to Approve

3. Public Forum - 3 Minutes per Person Time Limit - 10 Minutes

4. Consent Agenda - 5 Minutes
 4.1. Approval of Draft Minutes of 3-18-26

5. Elmwood & Intervale Avenue Traffic Calming - 20 Minutes
 Subject 5.1. Communication, P. Pezeshknejad & P. Peterson
 Meeting April 15, 2026 - DPW Commission Agenda - Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM, To
 Attend in Person - 645 Pine St. Main Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


 Category 5. Elmwood & Intervale Avenue Traffic Calming - 20 Minutes

 Department Public Works Department



 Page 1 of 40
  Type Action


  Recommended Action Motion to Approve

6. DPW Director 6-Month Review of Goals - 40 Minutes
  Subject 6.1. Informtaion, C. Spencer & C. Damiani
  Meeting April 15, 2026 - DPW Commission Agenda - Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM, To
 Attend in Person - 645 Pine St. Main Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 6. DPW Director 6-Month Review of Goals - 40 Minutes

  Department Public Works Department


  Type Information


  Recommended Action None

7. Director's Report - 10 Minutes
  Subject 7.1. Communication, C. Spencer
  Meeting April 15, 2026 - DPW Commission Agenda - Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM, To
 Attend in Person - 645 Pine St. Main Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM
  Category 7. Director's Report - 10 Minutes
  Department Public Works Department


  Type Information



8. Commissioner Items

9. DPW Director Annual Review - Executive Session - 30 Minutes

10. Adjournment & Next Meeting Date -May 20, 2026
  Subject 10.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting April 15, 2026 - DPW Commission Agenda - Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM, To
 Attend in Person - 645 Pine St. Main Conference Room OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 10. Adjournment & Next Meeting Date -May 20, 2026

  Department Council and Board


  Type Action


  Recommended Action Motion to Adjourn




 Page 2 of 40
Page 3 of 40
Elmwood and Intervale
Traffic calming
  April 15th 2026
  DPW commission meeting

 Page 4 of 40
Where?




 Page 5 of 40
Outreach so far

 • Ward 2 NPA meeting

 • 3 rounds of flyers and mailers

 • Neighborhood outreach (emails and phone calls)

 • Coordination with businesses

 • Coordinated with GMT


 Page 6 of 40
Elmwood Ave (Parking chicane)
A parking chicane uses parked cars and painted extensions to create a slight curve in the
roadway, which naturally slows traffic

No parking space loss for chicanes, two parking spaces lost for crosswalk.




 Page 7 of 40
Elmwood Ave (Parking chicane)
A parking chicane uses parked cars and painted extensions to create a slight curve in the
roadway, which naturally slows traffic

No parking space loss for chicanes, two parking spaces lost for crosswalk.




 Page 8 of 40
Intervale Ave (Speed tables)
Speed tables are not scheduled for this year




 Page 9 of 40
Intervale Ave (Speed tables)
New crosswalk at 1 Intervale Ave




 Page 10 of 40
Time frame
 Construction Season
 Task Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Design
Outreach and review
Regulatory and approvals
Construction preparation
Implementation




 Page 11 of 40
Next steps

 • Ordinance changes preparations

 • Construction preparations (majorly internal)




 Page 12 of 40
Questions

  Contact info:
  Parsa Pezeshknejad, Ph.D., Project manager
  ppezeshknejad@burlingtonvt.gov
  802-734-2208

  Phillip Peterson, PE, Senior Transportation Engineer & Planner
  ppeterson@burlingtonvt.gov




 Page 13 of 40
 City of Burlington
 Department of Public Works

 Technical Services Engineering Division
 645 Pine Street, Suite A
 Burlington, VT 05402
 P 802-863-9094 / F 802-863-0466 / TTY 802-863-0450
 www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPW




Memo
Date: April 15th, 2026

To: Public Works Commission

From: Parsa Pezeshknejad, Public Works Transportation Engineer

CC: Madeline Suender, Public Works Engineer

Subject: Elmwood Ave Parking Chicane


Staff recommends the DPW Commission relocate (Attachment-1):

Section 7 No-parking areas:

 (1) – (45) As written.

 (46) On the west side of Elmwood Avenue, between North Street and Spring Street.
 (Reserved)

 (47) – (591) As written.

 (592) On the west side of Elmwood Avenue, from North Street to the north side of the
 driveway at 179 Elmwood Avenue.

 (593) On the east side of Elmwood Avenue, from the south side of the driveway at 182
 Elmwood Avenue to the north side of the driveway at 196 Elmwood Avenue.

 (594) On the west side of Elmwood Avenue, from the south side of the driveway at 185
 Elmwood Avenue to the frontage of 211 Elmwood Avenue.

 (595) On the east side of Elmwood Avenue, from the south side of the driveway at 212
 Elmwood Avenue to the north side of the driveway at 238 Elmwood Avenue.




 Page 14 of 40
 (596) On the west side of Elmwood Avenue, from the south side of the driveway at 237
 Elmwood Avenue to Archibald St.

NOTE: Final language of the amended ordinances is subject to final review and approval of the
City Attorney's Office.


Purpose & Need:
As part of a neighborhood traffic calming and safety project, the Department of Public Works
(DPW) is planning to install parking chicanes on Elmwood Avenue and a new marked crosswalk
at Cedar Street and Elmwood Avenue. The purpose is to reduce vehicle speeds, improve
pedestrian safety, and respond to neighborhood concerns supported by recent traffic and
pedestrian data collection.

Project Checklist:
 N/A Yes No Reference
 Aligns with MUTCD X Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG)
 standards and/or City of Burlington Traffic Calming Manual
 established City Policy? MUTCD
 Aligns with City plans? X
 Followed Public X These Traffic Regulation changes are defined as an
 Engagement Plan? INVOLVE project in the Public Engagement Plan (PEP).

Summary and Conclusion:
The proposed changes are expected to improve safety and reduce vehicle speeds on Elmwood
Avenue while addressing community requests for traffic calming. Based on staff analysis and
public feedback, DPW recommends advancing these improvements. The street will lose two
parking spaces in front of Cedar Street to accommodate the new crosswalk. For the parking chi-
cane, the overall impact is net zero. The design adds one parking space on the north side of the
street (shown in green on the map) and removes one space on the south side (shown in red).

Public Engagement:
In preparation for the April 15, 2026 DPW Commission meeting, DPW staff distributed flyers
(Attachment 4) to residents and businesses near the Elmwood Avenue area. Staff also gathered
verbal feedback during outreach efforts, NPA meetings, and other flyers, which was generally
supportive of the proposed changes. Public Input is provided in Attachment 3.

Attachments:
 1. Traffic Regulation Amendment
 2. Site Map
 3. Public Input
 4. Flyers and Mailers




 Page 15 of 40
 1 CITY OF BURLINGTON
 2
 3 In the Year Two Thousand Twenty-four Sponsor(s): Public Works Commission
 4 Action: ___________________
 5 A Regulation in Relation to Date: ______4/15/2026___________
 Attestation of Adoption: 6
 Rules and Regulations of the Traffic 7
 Commission — __________________________________8
 Section 7, No-parking areas Madeline Suender, EIT. 9
 Public Works Engineer, Technical Services 10
 Published: ________________________11
 Effective: _________________________
 12
13
14
15 It is hereby Ordained by the Public Works Commission of the City of Burlington
16 as follows:
17
18 That Appendix C, Rule and Regulations of the Traffic Commission, Section 7, No-parking areas of the
19 Code of Ordinances of the City of Burlington is hereby amended as follows:
20 Section 7 No-parking areas.
21
22 No person shall park any vehicle at any time in the following locations:
23
24 (1) – (45) As written.
25
26 (46) On the west side of Elmwood Avenue, between North Street and Spring Street. (Reserved)
27
28 (47) – (591) As written.
29
30 (592) On the west side of Elmwood Avenue, from North Street to the north side of the driveway
31 at 179 Elmwood Avenue.

32 (593) On the east side of Elmwood Avenue, from the south side of the driveway at 182 Elmwood
33 Avenue to the north side of the driveway at 196 Elmwood Avenue.

34 (594) On the west side of Elmwood Avenue, from the south side of the driveway at 185 Elmwood
35 Avenue to the frontage of 211 Elmwood Avenue.

36 (595) On the east side of Elmwood Avenue, from the south side of the driveway at 212 Elmwood
37 Avenue to the north side of the driveway at 238 Elmwood Avenue.

38 (596) On the west side of Elmwood Avenue, from the south side of the driveway at 237 Elmwood
39 Avenue to Archibald St.

40 ** Material stricken out deleted.
41 *** Material underlined added.
42
43 BCO Appx.C, Section 7
44 4/15/26




 Page 16 of 40
 Cedar St




 Elmwood Ave

 Elmwood Ave Elmwood Ave

 Elmwood Ave Elmwood Ave




 g
 Int
 e rin
 Sp
 rva Archibald St
 le St
 Av
 e Waln
 ut S
 t




 g
 rin
 Sp
 St
 Gain 1 parking spot
 Lost 1 parking spot


 W17-1
 W16-7p




 1'-0"

 g
 rin
 Sp
 St
 6'-0"
 8'-0"
 6'-0" 1'-0"




 W17-1
 W16-7p




 Int
 e rva Archibald St
 le
 Av
 e g
 rin
 Sp
 St
 0 70' 140'
 Elmwood Ave and Intervale Ave
 traffic calming
 SCALE: 1" = 70'




Page 17 of 40
Attachment-3: Public Feedback.

1/20/2026




1/14/2026




1/5/2026




1/12/2026




 Page 18 of 40
1/8/2026




Received one phone call related to parking chicanes on 1/7/2026


The resident expressed support for both the speed tables on Intervale Avenue and the parking changes
on Elmwood Avenue. They also requested additional speed tables on other sections of Intervale Avenue.
The resident was guided through submitting this request via SeeClickFix. They also expressed support for
the project during the Ward 2 NPA meeting via Zoom.




 Page 19 of 40
Attachment-4. Flyes and ailes



 City of Burlington
 Department of Public Works
 Technical Services Engineering Division
 645 Pine Street, Suite A
 Burlington, VT 05402
 P 802-863-9094 / F 802-863-0466 / TTY 802-863-0450
 www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPW



Dear Old North End Residents,
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is responding to neighborhood requests for
traffic calming on Elmwood Avenue and Intervale Avenue. Recent speed data
shows that both streets qualify for traffic‑calming measures. The concepts below
are early options based on current conditions and are meant to start a conversation
with residents.
  Elmwood Avenue: Parking chicanes to slow traffic while keeping on‑street
 parking, and a new marked crosswalk at Cedar Street.
  Intervale Avenue: Speed humps, a marked crosswalk with a curb extension
 at Spring Street, and added green space near the North Street intersection.
These are the most feasible designs for how each street functions today and will be
discussed at an upcoming Neighborhood Planning Assembly (NPA) meeting,
where staff will walk through the concepts and gather feedback.
Ward 2 NPA Meeting: Jan 8th 2026, 6:30 pm @ O.N.E. Community Center
The Ward 2 NPA meets on the second Thursday of each month from 6:30 PM to
8:30 PM at the Old North End (O.N.E.) Community Center, located at 20 Allen
Street.
Join us then in-person or virtually (https://shorturl.at/mXNLv) to provide feedback
on the project.
Thank you!
Comments, Questions, or Concerns?
Parsa Pezeshknejad, PhD.
Transportation engineer
Desk: 802-734-2208
Email: dpwplanning@burlingtonvt.gov




 Page 20 of 40
Figure 1. Project overview




 Page 21 of 40
  Upcoming Intervale Avenue
Parking Regulations, Safety, and
 Curb Improvements
 Intervale Ave Residents and Business Owners,
 As part of a neighborhood traffic calming and safety project, the Department of Public Works
 (DPW) is planning a curb and streetscape improvement on the south side of Intervale Avenue near
 Elmwood, directly in front of nearby businesses.
 The overall planned traffic calming project can be found here:

 What’s Changing:
 The curb line will be formalized
 A green belt will be added
 Why this work is happening
 These changes are corrective and safety-focused. to address existing conditions that create:
 Blocked sightlines for drivers and people crossing
 Double parking and inconsistent curb use near the crosswalk
 The improvements also complement upcoming traffic calming changes planned




 Proposed parking updates and curb work on Intervale Ave and Elmwood Ave
 Project was presented and Ward 2 NPA on JAN 8th and will also be discussed at the Public
 Works Commission on Feb 18th.
 DPW is asking for your feedback regarding this change. To provide input, please:
 Submit via email (dpwplanning@burlingtonvt.gov) or phone (802-734-2208).
 Please respond via email or phone so your feedback may be considered during our evaluation.

Burlington Department of Public Works
645 Pine Street
Burlington, VT 05401
 Page 22 of 40
Upcoming Parking Regulation
 Changes, Safety, and Curb
 Improvements
Elmwood Ave Residents and Business Owners,
As part of a neighborhood traffic calming and safety project, the Department of Public Works
(DPW) is planning to install parking chicanes on Elmwood Avenue and a new crosswalk at Cedar
Street and Elmwood Avenue. These changes are intended to reduce vehicle speeds and improve
safety for all users.
The overall planned traffic calming project can be found here:

What’s Changing:
  Alternating on-street parking (parking chicanes) to naturally slow traffic
  New marked crosswalk at Cedar Street and Elmwood Avenue
Why this work is happening
  Neighborhood requests for traffic calming and is informed by recent speed and pedestrian
  data collected on Elmwood Avenue
  Improve pedestrian crossing safety at Cedar Street
  Support safer and more visible bus boarding




Proposed parking updates and crosswalk (Blue areas show parking spots)
 DPW will seek approval for this proposed changes at the monthly Public Works Commission
 Meeting on Wednesday, Arpril 15th at 6:30pm at 645 Pine St.
Feedback on this proposed change can also be shared at this meeting as well as via email
(dpwplanning@burlingtonvt.gov) or phone (802-734-2208).


Burlington Department of Public Works
645 Pine Street
Burlington, VT 05401 Page 23 of 40
 CITY OF BURLINGTON
 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
 645 Pine St. Suite A
 Burlington, VT 05401
 802.865.7200 VOX
 802.863.0466 FAX
 802.863.0450 TTY



 Chapin Spencer
 DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS




MEMORANDUM
To: DPW Commission
From: Chapin Spencer, DPW Director
Re: DPW Director FY26 Mid-Year Progress Report to the DPW Commission
Date: April 15, 2026


Below is a status update on the DPW Director’s FY’26 goals set in collaboration with the Mayor’s
Office. I have added additional context to a number of goals below to provide the Commissioners
more detail as some of my original responses were drafted for the Mayor’s quick review. With
committed staff, strong partnerships and savvy financial management, we are achieving
tremendous progress on many generational projects – while reliably maintaining Burlington’s
infrastructure 24/7.

The Commission’s charge to annually review the Director is laid out in the City Charter, Article 36,
Section 116. It reads:

The appointment by the Mayor to the position of City officer or department head shall be on the basis
of professional competency and/or meritorious performance relating to the duties of the position. In
making department head appointments and in evaluating their performance, the Mayor shall consult
with the applicable City commission…The full applicable commission shall formally participate in the
annual evaluation of a department head; and shall make a formal recommendation to the Mayor
concerning the reappointment of a department head.

I hope you find this mid-year review helpful. Please reach out with any questions.

 FY26 DPW Director Goals
 Goals Set – October 1, 2025
 Mid-Year Review – March 26, 2026
Goal 1: Strengthen City Government Thru Change Management, Systems Development & Employee-Centered
Policies
  Objective 1A: Recruit and retain a more diverse DPW workforce so that it better represents the
 community it serves
 o Motivated DPW staff to participate in job fairs seeking to cultivate local interest in Public Works
 careers. I led the organization of a table at Boys & Girls Club Career Night with a Street
 Maintenance Worker in November 2025 and another table at Essex Technical Center in April
 2026.
 o Advanced tiering in various positions across DPW to provide additional professional
 development, career growth, and overall recruitment and retention benefits. Prior to the
 An Equal Opportunity Employer
 This material is available in alternative formats for persons with disabilities. To request an
 accommodation, please call 802.863.9094 (voice) or 802.863.0450 (TTY).

 Page 24 of 40
 introduction of tiering in DPW, there was no mechanism to compensate skill-developing, high-
 performing employees, except having them wait for a higher position to open up. Tiering allows
 growth within a position by providing different tiers for different levels of proficiency. DPW was
 the first department beyond Burlington Electric Department to implement tiering. We’ve tiered
 4 positions so far that include over 25 employees and we have additional tiering proposals
 coming forward.
  Objective 1B: Actively engage in procurement and implementation of the City’s new financial software
 o Successfully advocated for a robust participatory process with the Administration.
 o Actively encouraged a one-platform solution between BED and City and was an early advocate
 for vetting and then selecting Oracle NetSuite.
 o DPW is a highly engaged department in the various work groups to ensure a smooth
 implementation.
  Objective 1C: Implement tiering further across department to incentive employees to grow their skills
 o Achieved City Council approval for tiering the fourth job description (Parking Services Agents) on
 3-23-26. The first three tiered job descriptions were approved in FY’25.
 o Currently advancing tiering for two additional job descriptions (one in Traffic and one in Water
 Resources).
 o Developed a proposal for formalizing tiering that was presented to the American Federation of
 Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) in March 2026.
  Objective 1D: Achieve DPW-oriented policy improvements in AFSCME CBA
 o Actively worked with the Administration and fellow departments to develop 6 substantive
 collective bargaining proposals to improve and clarify municipal operations. All proposals have
 been presented to the union as of April 9, 2026.
  Objective 1E: Implement employee directory page on intranet, intranet page with policies
 o DPW Intranet page is up with DPW policies and departmental directives.
 o DPW’s Public Information Manager has set up employee directory, but we now need to add
 photos to help co-workers get to know each other’s names.
  Objective 1F: Advance Charter changes that improve general City operations
 o Have engaged in the City Attorney’s charter change process and provided detailed suggestions
 for improvements (including raising the annual borrowing thresholds for GF capital bonding).
  Objective 1G: Resolve outstanding PILOT and franchise fee policy issues for Water Resources
 o Worked with the Assistant City Attorney on completing a consultant report on restructuring
 payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) and franchise fees.
 o Followed up with the Administration on report’s recommendations and we are mapping out a
 path towards adjusting Water Resources’ PILOT and franchise fee payments in a way that
 simultaneously 1) incentivizes capital reinvestment for Water Resources while 2) maintaining a
 stable revenue stream for the City’s General Fund.
  Metrics: Recruitment and demographics data, demonstrable improvements to CBA, ERP
 o Progress outlined in the bullets above. CBA proposals have been put on table. ERP process is well
 resourced with project management consultants.

Goal 2: Build infrastructure that unleashes housing development, bolsters community vitality and strengthens
our climate resilience
  Objective 2A: Design and secure funding for South End force main development to support SECORD and
 other South End development
 o Currently completing large hydraulic model for the South End collection system to better
 understand constraints and to enable us to develop impactful capital projects that will enable
 more South End development.
 o Collaborated with other City departments and external stakeholders to develop a conceptual
 development plan for the South End Coordinated Development (SECORD).


FY’26 DPW Director Mid-Year Progress Report to the DPW Commission Page 2

 Page 25 of 40
 o Worked successfully with Ride Your Bike developers to provide capacity to serve letters that
 required an interim wastewater storage tank solution that allowed them to get a DRB permit for
 Phase 1 (200+ housing units).
  Objective 2B: Successfully complete Champlain Parkway on-time and on-budget in 2026
 o Champlain Parkway continues to be on-budget and on-time. The contractor has restarted work
 this month. The Parkway is projected to open in June or July 2026. Remaining work includes
 energizing signals, paving, line striping, sign installation.
 o We are starting to explore what the opening event / public activity to open the facility will be.
 o This project has been a five-decade long effort and achieving a successful completion will be a
 notable moment in the City’s history and will allow the City to finally focus more energy on other
 transportation priorities.
  Objective 2C: Successfully complete GS Main Street on-time and on-budget in 2026
 o Main Street is expected to be completed on-time and within the overall project budget. It is
 expected to be completed in July 2026. Remaining work includes sign, art and amenity
 installation, tree planting, paving, line striping.
 o We are planning a Main Street celebration for July 2026. More information coming soon.
  Objective 2D: Skillfully manage WWTP upgrades (CMAR evaluation, secure grants, coordinate with GS
 Cherry, etc.)
 o Successfully secured voter support for $152M bond authorization in 2025 and have continued to
 advance design plans.
 o Have Phase 0 (headworks upgrade) underway at our wastewater plants.
 o Exploring construction manager at risk (CMAR) model with VT DEC and the City Council for
 constructing Phase 1.
 o Designs for Cherry Street have incorporated the sewer upsizing for turning East Plant into a
 pump station.
 o Worked with the Grants Team to apply for federal funding for the Cherry St sewer upsizing.
 o Expect Phase 1 upgrades to get underway in late 2027 or 2028.
  Objective 2E: Advance transit, bike/pedestrian, TDM projects for a multi-modal, climate-forward future
 o Implemented a suite of bikeway improvements early in FY’26 (Phase 1 of North Champlain St
 bikeway, Home Avenue bike lanes, Manhattan Drive bike lanes).
 o Coordinating transit / pedestrian improvements with BSD at North Ave / Institute Rd for new BHS
 o Necked down Park St / Manhattan intersection.
 o Included traffic calming into Archibald St repaving and completed EA Parkway traffic calming
 o Worked with the Council’s Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee to advocate for a more
 sustainable funding model for GMT.
  Objective 2F: Near completion of updated citywide transportation plan
 o planBTV 2050 is underway and DPW is actively working to support the mobility component.
 o Upcoming community open house on April 30 at 1 Main Street.
  Metrics: Demonstrable progress/success on all the capital projects listed above
 o Capital projects above are generally progressing on-time and on-budget, with substantial
 progress on other capital projects not explicitly listed in the Director’s FY26 goals. See below.
 o Final plans for Reconnecting Bank & Cherry Streets are currently being completed. This $40M+
 public ROW investment around CityPlace will reconnect Burlington’s downtown streetgrid,
 upgrade utilities to accommodate more housing, and develop a welcoming streetscape for all
 users. We have successfully secured two large federal grants and TIF funding so that the
 financial impact on local property tax payers is minimal.
 o Burlington is successfully working with Winooski, VTrans and FHWA to advance a multi-modal
 design for the Winooski Bridge and Colchester/Barrett/Riverside intersection. The Winooski
 Bridge project is current moving through its right-of-way phase. Construction is expected to start
 in 2027 or 2028. It is a major $70M reinvestment into this critical regional connection and due to
 grant writing and partnerships, Burlington’s all-in share is projected to only be $3.7M.
FY’26 DPW Director Mid-Year Progress Report to the DPW Commission Page 3

 Page 26 of 40
Goal 3: Bolster base DPW operations and maintenance to deliver affordable, dependable services
  Objective 3A: Advance an FY’27 operations budget that has a greater Fix It First focus
 o Submitted FY’27 budget to the Administration that creatively improves DPW’s net budget
 without a significant level of service reductions.
 o DPW is scheduled to present our FY’27 budget to City Council on May 4, 2026.
 o Tackling the long simmering issue of unaccepted streets by initiating a concerted organizational
 effort to clarify ownership of unaccepted and private streets so that maintenance responsibilities
 can be clearly understood by public and private parties.
 o Successfully achieved voter approval on the 2025 $20M general obligation bond that is
 enhancing the paving and sidewalk reconstruction budgets in FY’27. We have developed and
 funded a workplan to replace over 3 miles of sidewalk (exceeding our 3 miles/yr annual goal) and
 pave over 3 miles of roadway (a bit shy of our 4 miles/yr annual goal) but well over previous
 production levels. We secured a $200,000 Town Highway Grant to extend our paving production
 another 0.3 miles.
  Objective 3B: Implement expanded Water Resources affordability program
 o We significantly increased affordability program participants by working with BED to auto-enroll
 their participants.
 o DPW WR is actively evaluating affordability program enhancements as part of our FY’27 budget
 proposal.
  Objective 3C: Decide on 3-5 year interim recycling operation so we can fully staff Street Maintenance to at
 least previous levels to meet workplan goals and revenue targets
 o Received Council support in March 2026 to transition municipal residential recycling collection to
 a contract operation starting 1/1/27.
 o DPW about to start a conversation with the TEUC and the DPW Commission on who pays the
 Solid Waste Generation Tax and whether there should be a two tiered tax for those households
 receiving municipal recycling collection and those who aren’t.
 o DPW will prepare to launch a feasibility study for a full consolidated collection system for trash,
 recycling and compost starting in FY’28.
  Objective 3D: Work with Fleet Committee to develop plan to sustainably fund fleet replacements and
 Equipment Maintenance operations
 o Fleet committee has a draft FY’27 fleet replacement proposal and we currently have budgeted a
 modest amount for fleet replacements in the draft FY’27 budget.
  Objective 3E: Design and construct modern and safe soil management facility at 201 Flynn Avenue
 o Successfully purchased 201 Flynn Avenue from CSWD in FY’25 and have done minor repairs to
 the garage to retain the tenants and be able to use the building for storage of municipal assets.
 o The design work for the new soil management facility is moving slowly given other more urgent
 priorities. We expect to have an RFP out soon for an engineering consultant to design the soil
 management facility – mainly the dewatering area.
  Objective 3F: Expand the Drop Off Center at 339 Pine St in partnership with CSWD and transfer 339 Pine
 building maintenance responsibilities to long term tenants
 o Successfully handed off Resource lease management to CEDO and convinced other City
 departments to relocate BCA storage so Resource could lease (and thus better maintain) more of
 the 339 Pine St building.
 o DPW signed agreement with BCA to store their event-related items at 201 Flynn Ave.
 o CSWD cannot expand until DPW relocates soil management to 201 Flynn which is moving slowly
 due to other priorities.
  Objective 3G: Use license plate reader (LPR) technology for efficient operations, expanded products
 o Recently secured Council approval for Parking Services Agent tiering which was a prerequisite for
 LPR implementation.
 o Developed a privacy policy to protect data collected through LPR operations.
 o Plan to implement vehicle mounted LPR on one Parking Services vehicle in early summer 2026.
FY’26 DPW Director Mid-Year Progress Report to the DPW Commission Page 4

 Page 27 of 40
  Objective 3H: Explore launching a new Parking Services venture to operate private parking lots at City
 rates to provide more affordable, predictable parking for downtown visitors – while increasing parking
 revenue for the City
 o We have put this on pause for now.
 o Courthouse Plaza turned down our proposal last fall to manage Courthouse Plaza garage, but will
 revisit the discussion with CEDO and the Mayor in the next couple of months.
  Objective 3I: Grow downtown parking revenue to pay down at least $300k in debt in FY26 and fund
 parking and transportation innovations (in longer term)
 o Both Traffic Fund and the Parking Facilities Fund are expected to beat FY26 budget – revenues
 are trending near budget, but expenses are trending significantly under budget.
 o The $300K buy-down of long-term debt in FY’26 is looking likely.
  Metrics: % of service requests filled within SLA, % of recycling positions filled, Parking Facilities Fund
 financial performance, Water Resources affordability program implemented
 o Parking Facilities Fund performance is on target despite soft downtown office market and slow
 recovery.
 o 2 of 4 recycling positions filled with a transition plan to support the employees in securing other
 positions in the City.
 o Will provide metrics on service level responsiveness in the coming weeks.
 o Water Resources affordability expansion under review as part of FY’27 budget proposal.

Goal 4: Enhance DPW Director’s leadership skills
  Objective 4A: Engage an executive coach to strengthen leadership skills
 o No progress made on this objective to date. Other priorities have taken precedence.
  Metrics: Coach engaged and Director receives positive performance review
 o Annual performance review for DPW Director underway.




FY’26 DPW Director Mid-Year Progress Report to the DPW Commission Page 5

 Page 28 of 40
Page 29 of 40
Page 30 of 40
WINTER MAINTENANCE
CHAPIN SPENCER , DIRECTOR
RICH THIBAULT , STREET MAINTENANCE WORKING FOREMAN
ROBERT GOULDING , PUBLIC INFORMATION MANAGER
LEE PERRY , DIVISION DIRECTOR - MAINTENANCE
 Page 31 of 40
2025/26 WINTER
This winter combined extreme cold and a
regional salt shortage. Crews maintained
safety while reducing costs and
environmental impact.

• 33 early call-ins to plow snow
• 10 early starts (~2am) to remove snow
• 3 overnight parking bans
• ~2,000 tons of salt used



 SNOW + FRIGID CONDITIONS



 REGIONAL SALT SHORTAGE



 BALANCING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH

 Page 32 of 40
• SNOW & ICE
  CONTROL PLAN
• BUDGET
• 2026 WINTER
  CHALLENGES & A
  MODIFIED APPROACH
• SALT SHORTAGE
• COMMUNICATIONS 24/7 operation, as needed.
 Picture of Mayor & DPW on Xmas
 Day Page 33 of 40
SNOW & ICE CONTROL PLAN
Full plan: burlingtonvt.gov/610/Snowfighting-Program

  • Truck and tractor routes are pre-assigned

  • For storms, crews are “on call,” effectively on standby to mobilize
 and head out on their route. This includes fleet technicians.

  • 11 Plow Trucks (includes 1 small for dead-ends, 1 spare)

 ⚬ Time to complete route: 5-7 hours

  • 11 Sidewalk Tractors (includes 2 spares)

 ⚬ Time to complete route: 6-7 hours; >8 hours if salting, >16
 hours if snow blowing

  • Priority Zones: Downtown, ONE, Schools
 Page 34 of 40
SNOW & ICE CONTROL PLAN
Full Team Effort:

  • Street Maintenance

  • Equipment Maintenance

  • Traffic

  • Water Resources

  • Parks, Recreation & Waterfront

  Winter rules in AFSCME CBA guide staffing between November 1 to
  April 15




 Page 35 of 40
FY'26 STREET MAINT. BUDGET
Budget for street/sidewalk/bike lane plowing is embedded in the general
Street Maintenance budget (101-19-152-481)

$2.9M Expenses ($2.5M in program budget, $2.9M once benefits incl.)
$1.7M Revenues (60% cost recovery)
 • Billable Revenues: ~$1.4M (Sidewalk construction, WR work, etc.)
 • Grant Revenues: ~$300K (Annual VT Town Highway grant)
-$1.2M Net w/ benefits included

Plowing is majority of the $1.2M unbillable work. Estimated costs:
 • $494K for street plowing and salting of 95 miles of roads
 • $529K for sidewalk plowing and salting of 130 miles of sidewalk

These numbers don’t include some indirect costs such as rent for space in
645 Pine Street, a pro-rata share of Customer Service support, etc.
 Page 36 of 40
SALT SUPPLY
• Road salt budget has not changed in nearly a
  decade - $285K. Council approves salt line in
  overall budget.

• Prices have continued to climb – 13% this year
  alone ($88/ton in 2025 to $99.50/ton in 2026).

• DPW / Admin / Council established a $250,000
  reserve fund in ~2017 for unforeseen spikes in
  salt, labor, fuel. Have not had to tap this yet.

• Due to more sophisticated salt application, we’ve
  reduced annual use from 4,000 tons to <3,000
  tons. This is good for the lake and for the budget.

• We ordered enough. Suppliers did not have
  enough salt on-hand for a stretch of winter.

• On site storage is limited.

 Page 37 of 40
 A COLD WINTER
• This was a frigid winter. While snow totals are in line
  with expected averages, the cold conditions present
  other challenges.


• Per WCAX, “From December 1 through February 11, the
  Burlington area experienced its coldest winter in 17
  years, with an average temperature of 20.1 degrees.”


• Salt is much less effective below 20 degrees. In
  extended sub>20°F conditions, no amount of salt
  produces bare pavement.


• Jan 25-26 storm: Snowed for a long time, snowed a lot
  and salting was less effective


• While lake health is a priority, and we were mindful of
  salt supply, temps drove the temporary post-storm
  road conditions
 Page 38 of 40
MODIFIED
APPROACH*
 DURING LONGER SIDEWALK CREWS These efforts have made our Winter
 STORMS, FEWER COMING IN LATER OT more sustainable, $203K YTD
PLOW TRUCKS ON DURING
  ROAD DURING OVERNIGHTS (4AM within $269K budget (versus actuals
  SECOND SHIFT INSTEAD OF 2AM) of $319K in FY 2025)

 CONTINUING SALT Salt budget, as mentioned, remains
 MODIFICATIONS:
 EQUIPMENT
 unchanged after nearly a decade
 CALIBRATION AND despite rise in material costs
 DE-ICING



*Still storm-dependent. Public safety remains the priority
 Page 39 of 40
COMMUNICATIONS
 SNOW BANS:
 VT-ALERT, WEBSITE, MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA, LIGHTS

 ROAD CONDITIONS & STORM CLEANUP:
 FPF & SOCIAL MEDIA

 INQUIRIES:
 SCF & CUSTOMER SERVICE



QUESTIONS?
 Chapin Spencer, Director, cspencer@burlingtonvt.gov

 Lee Perry, Division Director – Maintenance, lperry@burlingtonvt.gov

 Rob Goulding, Public Information Manager, rgoulding@burlingtonvt.gov
 Page 40 of 40

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
 645 PINE STREET
 BURLINGTON, VERMONT 05401
 COMMISSION MEETING April 16, 2026
 DRAFT MINUTES

 See video for full meeting – link below

Commissioners Present: Commissioner Barr, Chair Damiani, Vice Chair Fox
On line attendance: Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Munteanu
Commissioner Absent: Commissioner O’Neil-Vivanco; Commissioner Hays


ITEM 1 – CALL TO ORDER
 Chair Damiani called the meeting to order at p.m.
ITEM 2 – AGENDA
 Commissioner Barr made a motion to approve the agenda
 Commissioner Fox seconded
 Unanimous approval

ITEM 3 – PUBLIC FORUM
 Sharon Busher
ITEM 4 – CONSENT AGENDA

 4.1 – Approval of Draft Minutes 3-18-26
 4.2 – Elmwood & Intervale Avenue traffic calming

 Commissioner Barr made a motion to approve consent agenda
 Commissioner Fox seconded
 Commissioner Munteanu stated the only document he has seen is the sign in sheet for
 public for from March meeting. Minutes were not attached: Are they there for us to
 approve
 Information Officer Robert Goulding stated he is looking online and it seems there may
 have been a bad scan

ITEM 5 – ELMWOOD & INTERVALE AVENUE TRAFFIC CALMING

 City Transportation Engineer Parsa Pexeshknejad
 Senior Transportation Engineer Philip Peterson

ITEM 6 – SIX MONTH REVIEW OF GOALS

 Director Chapin Spencer

ITEM 7 – Director’s Report
 Director Spencer, Information Officer Rob Goulding

ITEM 8 – COMMISSIONER ITEMS

 Commissioner Barr thanking crews for filling potholes
 Commissioner Davis – update on ordinance change and language
 Director Spencer stated we will be coming back with a Standard Operating Procedure
 for feedback and we are prepared to do this in the May meeting. We will also have
 clean up and ordinance as well for Car Share spaces and Accessible Spaces.
 Commissioner Fox gave an update on the 127 path connection study

ITEM 9 – DPW DIRECTOR ANNUAL REVIEW – EXECUTIVE SESSION

 Commissioner Barr made a motion to move to executive session.
 Commissioner Fox proposed a motion to convene to executive session to discuss the
 annual review of the Public Works Director pursuant to 1 VSA 313A3
 Commissioner Damiani made a second motion to just adjourn the meeting immediately
 after executive session