Church Street Marketplace Commission — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-10-08
Time: 09:00

Church Street Marketplace Commission



Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/7366336595
1. Adopt the Agenda

2. Adopt Minutes
 Subject 2.1. Adoption of Minutes
 Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street
 Type Minutes


 Department Church St. Marketplace




 File Attachments
 1. CSMC DRAFT Meeting Minutes 17SEPT25 CSMC DRAFT Meeting Minutes 17SEPT25.pdf

3. Public Forum
 Subject 3.1. Verbal Comments
 Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street
 Category 3. Public Forum
 Department Church St. Marketplace


 Type Discussion



4. Commissioner Updates (Marketplace Updates: Up to 5 minutes per
commissioner)

5. Reports
  Subject 5.1. Treasurer's Report
  Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street
  Category 5. Reports
  Department Church St. Marketplace


  Type Report


  Subject 5.2. Director's Report
  Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street
  Category 5. Reports
  Department Church St. Marketplace


  Type Report


  Subject 5.3. Chair's Report
  Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street
  Category 5. Reports
  Department Church St. Marketplace


  Type Report



6. Adjournment
  Subject 6.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street


  Category 6. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

7. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Subject 7.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
 information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
 Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities
 who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged
 to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in
 advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air
 on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm
 and repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. The City of
 Burlington will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the
 basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of
 birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status,
 veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic
 information.
Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street
Category 7. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Department Council and Board


Type

Church Street Marketplace Commission



Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/7366336595
1. Adopt the Agenda

2. Adopt Minutes
 Subject 2.1. Adoption of Minutes
 Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street
 Type Minutes


 Department Church St. Marketplace




 File Attachments
 1. CSMC DRAFT Meeting Minutes 17SEPT25 CSMC DRAFT Meeting Minutes 17SEPT25.pdf

3. Public Forum
 Subject 3.1. Verbal Comments
 Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street
 Category 3. Public Forum
 Department Church St. Marketplace


 Type Discussion



4. Commissioner Updates (Marketplace Updates: Up to 5 minutes per
commissioner)

5. Reports

 Page 1 of 8
  Subject 5.1. Treasurer's Report
  Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street
  Category 5. Reports
  Department Church St. Marketplace


  Type Report


  Subject 5.2. Director's Report
  Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street
  Category 5. Reports
  Department Church St. Marketplace


  Type Report


  Subject 5.3. Chair's Report
  Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street
  Category 5. Reports
  Department Church St. Marketplace


  Type Report



6. Adjournment
  Subject 6.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street


  Category 6. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

7. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Subject 7.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
 information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
 Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities
 who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged
 to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in
 advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air
 on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm


 Page 2 of 8
 and repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. The City of
 Burlington will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the
 basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of
 birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status,
 veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic
 information.
Meeting October 8, 2025 - Church Street Marketplace Commission Agenda 10/08/2025 -
 Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 9:00 AM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium, First Floor, City Hall
 149 Church Street
Category 7. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Department Council and Board


Type




 Page 3 of 8
 CHURCH STREET MARKETPLACE DISTRICT COMMISSION
 September 17, 2025
 9:00 AM
Location: City Hall, Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St.



Attendance:

Commissioners: Mark Bouchett, Becky Holt, Linda Magoon, Kara Tobin, Sam Tolstoi, Erik Monsen,
Sarah Beal (Zoom), Chris Haessly, Romeo von Hermann

Staff: Kara Alnasrawi – CEDO Director, Samantha McGinnis – CSM Director, Isa Paredes – Marketing
Coordinator, Aida Washburn – Project & Event Coordinator, Kimberly Rojas – Community Engagement
Coordinator, Colin Storrs - Public Art and Grants Program Manager at BCA

  I. COME TO ORDER
 a. Meeting is brought to order at 9:08am
 II. APPROVE AGENDA
 a. Agenda approved unanimously
III. APPROVE MINUTES
 a. Minutes approved by Mark Bouchett, Linda Magoon, Kara Tobin, Sam
 Tolstoi, Erik Monsen, Chris Haessly, Romeo von Hermann.
 b. Becky Holt and Sarah Beal abstain. Not at August 20, 2025 meeting.
IV. PUBLIC FORUM – GENERAL
 a. Ava Stanley: submitted RFP for 62 Church St. Currently owns Olive &
 Ollie. Gave background on her history with the space and her goals.

 V. COMMISSIONER UPDATES
 a. Chris Haessly: AC hotel will be opening on September 18, 2025.
 b. Romeo von Hermann: Fly by 5k at BTV airport on September 20, 2025.



VI. SKINNY PANCAKE RESCISSION




 Page 4 of 8
 a. Discussion between commissioners around The Skinny Pancake cart on
 Church Street. Cart operated as scheduled beginning in June 2025.
 However, on August 14, 2025, Kate Litke, cart manager, contacted
 Marketplace staff to inform us that the cart would cease operations for the
 remainder of the 2025 season due to ongoing staffing issues. She also
 requested a full or partial waiver of the cart vendor fees for August and
 September.

 The cart was active on the Marketplace during the first week of August but
 did not vend afterward. Ms. Litke has expressed continued interest in
 participating in future vending seasons.

 a. VOTE ANTICIPATED
 i. MOTION: To consider the rescission of The Skinny Pancake cart
 1. Moved by Linda Magoon, Second by Romeo von Hermann
 2. Discussion: Commissioners discussed the precedent their
 actions would be setting and whether or not they should
 establish a standard process for similar vendor inquiries.
 Commissioners support adding language for vendors
 seeking rescission for next season.
 3. Amendment: To not rescind the contract and keep the full
 monthly fees for August and September in place.
 4. Vote in favor: Mark Bouchett, Becky Holt, Kara Tobin,
 Sam Tolstoi, Erik Monsen, Sarah Beal (Zoom), Chris
 Haessly, Romeo von Hermann
 5. Vote opposed: Linda Magoon
II. 62 CHURCH STREET LEASE
 a. Director Samantha McGinnis provided the following background: the
 Church Street Marketplace issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify
 a new tenant. We first posted the RFP in June 2025, and it closed on July 1.
 We did not receive any responses to this RFP. The RFP was reposted from
 August 6th – August 29th. We received two applications from this RFP.
 The applications were reviewed by a committee composed of City staff and
 Marketplace Commissioners and graded on the four criteria outlined in the
 RFP (see attached). After scoring and reviewing the applications, the
 Committee chose to move forward with Ava Stanley's concept of a
 children's clothing store. She proposed an annual rent of $20,800 which
 meets the requirements laid out in the RFP. Previously the annual rent was
 $17,662. Ava has extensive knowledge of the space, having worked for the




 Page 5 of 8
 previous tenant for many years, is in good financial standing, with her
 current business free of debt and loans, and has a demonstrated a proof on
 concept within her first few months of operation. The Marketplace team is
 in the process of reviewing Stanley's financial references, personal and
 professional were provided, and the approval to offer her the lease
 opportunity for 62 Church Street is contingent on those going well.


 b. RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Marketplace RFP Review Committee
 recommends awarding a three-year lease for 62 Church Street to Ava
 Stanley of Olive and Ollie, contingent upon receiving a satisfactory
 recommendation from her financial institution. Her personal and
 professional references were positive.
 i. Commissioners discuss


 c. VOTE ANTICIPATED
 i. MOTION: To adopt RFP recommendation and award a three-year
 lease for 62 Church Street to Ava Stanley of Olive and Ollie,
 contingent upon receiving a satisfactory recommendation from her
 financial institution.
 1. Moved by: Chris Haessly
 2. Seconded by: Erik Monsen
 ii. Vote unanimously approved by the commissioners


III. BCA Presentation: Public Art Installation at Main St and Church St Intersection
 a. Presentation from Colin Storrs, Public Art and Grants Program Manager at
 BCA, of Block by Block by Vermont based artist Noa Younse.
 i. MOTION: To approve the installation of Block by Block on the
 Church Street Marketplace
 1. Moved by: Linda Magoon
 2. Seconded by: Sam Tolstoi
 a. Commissioners discussed
 ii. Vote in favor: Mark Bouchett, Becky Holt, Kara Tobin, Sam
 Tolstoi, Linda Magoon, Erik Monsen, Sarah Beal (Zoom), Chris
 Haessly
 iii. Abstain: Romeo von Hermann




 Page 6 of 8
 IV. HOLIDAY REVIEW
 a. Holiday presentation from Church Street Marketplace Director,
 Samantha McGinnis
  V. TREASURER’S REPORT
 a. Just over 20% through fiscal year. Received ~75% of annual revenue.
 Underbudget at this time - most expenses happen over the winter. Currently
 looking for new snow removal for street team.
 VI. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
 a. Samantha McGinnis reports that:
 i. Church Street Marketplace team has moved to City Hall
 ii. Twilight Block Party on Saturday 9/20
 iii. UVM weekend 9/26 - 9/28. Interactive brick sticker piece, mini
 golf and music.
 iv. Outright firetruck pull on 9/27 will be the last year of this event
 v. 10/4 Construction Fest, 10am-12pm
 vi. Dog costume contest Marketplace on 10/25
 vii. Great Streets: Main Street project update
 viii. High number of vacancies on Marketplace
 ix. Golden hour moving to 87 Church St. Will be keeping top block
 space
 x. Whizbangs now open
 xi. Weenies pivoted and will operate as a toy store under a new name.
 xii. Burlington nudity ordinance going to full council for vote soon.
 xiii. AC Hotel opening September 18, 2025
 xiv. Council accepted funds for overdose prevention center
VII. CHAIR’S REPORT
 a. Emphasis on the city and state working closely together. Positive ideas all
 around including the attorney general’s new system. Businesses bring
 incredible value to their community that goes beyond what’s within their
 stores.


VIII. ADJOURN
 a. Motion to adjourn
 i. Moved by Chris Haessly
 ii. Seconded by Romeo von Hermann
 b. Meeting is brought to close at 10:32 am




 Page 7 of 8
Next Meeting: October 8, 2025




 Page 8 of 8

CHURCH STREET MARKETPLACE DISTRICT COMMISSION
 October 8, 2025
 9:00 AM
Location: City Hall, Contois Auditorium, 149 Church St.



Attendance:

Commissioners: Mark Bouchett, Becky Holt (Zoom), Linda Magoon, Cara Tobin, Sam Tolstoi, Sarah
Beal (Zoom)

Staff: Kara Alnasrawi – CEDO Director, Samantha McGinnis – CSM Director, Jessica Dudley –
Marketing Manager, Isa Paredes – Marketing Coordinator, Aida Washburn – Project & Event
Coordinator, Kimberly Rojas – Community Engagement Coordinator

  I. COME TO ORDER
 a. Meeting is brought to order at 9:08am
 II. APPROVE AGENDA
 a. Linda Magoon - motion to approve
 b. Sam Tolstoi - seconded
 c. Agenda approved unanimously
III. APPROVE MINUTES
 a. Sarah Beal - Motion to adopt the minutes
 b. Sam Tolstoi - Seconded
 c. Minutes approved unanimously
IV. PUBLIC FORUM – GENERAL
 a. No members of the public present

 V. COMMISSIONER UPDATES
 a. Sarah Beal: Should we address the recent incident of a car driving on
 Church St?
 i. Could there be a tree, signage or chains put up?
VI. TREASURER’S REPORT
 a. Minimal changes since last month.
 b. Budget error where staff salaries were not on the correct line item.
 c. Still looking for corporate sponsors.
 d. Under budget ahead of holiday season
VII. DIRECTOR’S REPORT
 a. Samantha McGinnis reports that:
 i. The events of the last three weekends were well-attended
 1. Latin American connection event
 2. UVM Parent’s Weekend
 3. Construction Fest
 ii. Coming up:
 1. Zombie Walk on Saturday, October 11.
 2. Several retailers are doing a fashion show a Halverson’s on
 Sunday, October 12.
 3. Dog costume contest – sponsored by Northfield Savings
 Bank – on Saturday, October 25
 iii. Winter market will be indoors this year. One weekend at new BCA
 Community Room and one weekend in Contois Auditorium.
 iv. Working in conjunction with BCA to get more lighting throughout
 downtown
 v. Continuing to work on next steps of the Marketplace
 vi. Commission voted to not have holiday parking program previously,
 so there will not be a holiday parking program this year.
 vii. Difficult time getting sponsorships this year
 viii. Received downtown vibrancy grant through the state
 ix. Sam applied for winter placemaking grant with AARP
 x. Golden Hour moved recently to the space beside phoenix
 xi. Something is coming to the old Vermont Eclectic space
 xii. Pascolo is moving back to their old space
 xiii. A few vacancies still
 xiv. Two new public art pieces in the downtown
 xv. City circle starting up in the next month
 xvi. Nudity ordinance has been passed by City Council.
 xvii. 12 out of 53 units have been leased in Burlington Square
VIII. CHAIR’S REPORT
 a. Will be putting together an annual report and will be done by the end of
 October.
 b. Folks who have been causing frequent issues are being “held” now.
 c. How to get visitors to walk the full four blocks of the marketplace,
 especially City Hall Block
 d. How to draw in larger community outside of Burlington
 e. Create a holiday season with positive experiences and enhanced customer
 service.


IX. ADJOURN
 a. Motion to adjourn
 i. Moved by Becky Holt
 ii. Seconded by Mark Bouchett
 b. Meeting is brought to close at 9:58am


Next Meeting:
Wednesday, November 19th