Parks, Arts, and Culture Committee — Burlington, VT
Date: 2024-09-26
Time: 12:00

City Council - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee




 Thursday, September 26, 2024, 12:00 PM, 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room

MEETING TO BE HELD IN PERSON AT 645 PINE ST FRONT CONFERENCE ROOM AND VIA ZOOM
When: Sep 26, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: PACC meeting
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1. Call to Order
  Subject 1.1. Call to Order
  Meeting September 26, 2024 - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee Meeting - Thursday,
 September 26, 2024, 12:00 PM, 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room
  Category 1. Call to Order
  Department


  Type

2. Approve Agenda & Minutes
  2.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda
  2.2. Motion to adopt previous meeting's minutes

3. Public Forum
  Subject 3.1. PUBLIC FORUM - Verbal Comments
 Meeting September 26, 2024 - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee Meeting - Thursday,
 September 26, 2024, 12:00 PM, 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room
 Category 3. Public Forum
 Department


 Type

4. Agenda
 Subject 4.1. Pomeroy Park Update
 Meeting September 26, 2024 - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee Meeting - Thursday,
 September 26, 2024, 12:00 PM, 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room


 Category 4. Agenda

 Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront


 Type

 Recommended Action

 Subject 4.2. Kieslich Park and Open House Update
 Meeting September 26, 2024 - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee Meeting - Thursday,
 September 26, 2024, 12:00 PM, 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room


 Category 4. Agenda

 Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront


 Type

 Recommended Action

 Subject 4.3. Fletcher Free Library Capital Campaign Update
 Meeting September 26, 2024 - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee Meeting - Thursday,
 September 26, 2024, 12:00 PM, 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room


 Category 4. Agenda

 Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront


 Type

 Recommended Action

 Subject 4.4. BCA Update (funding challenges, etc...)
 Meeting September 26, 2024 - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee Meeting - Thursday,
 September 26, 2024, 12:00 PM, 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room


 Category 4. Agenda

 Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront


 Type
  Recommended Action

5. Adjournment
  Subject 5.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting September 26, 2024 - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee Meeting - Thursday,
 September 26, 2024, 12:00 PM, 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room


  Category 5. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

6. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements

 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. The City
 is also committed to providing proper access to services, facilities and employment opportunities. The programs
 and services of the City of Burlington are accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals who require special
 arrangements, auxiliary aid, service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to
 participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Burlington, should contact the office of the Title II
 Burlington ADA Coordinator at 802-865-7000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled
 event.

CITY OF BURLINGTON Councilor Becca Brown-McKnight, Chair, Ward 6
PARKS, ARTS & CULTURE COMMITTEE Councilor Mark Barlow, North District
 Councilor Carter Neubieser, Ward 1

 Staff: Holli Bushnell, Office Assistant
 Lakeview Cemetery
 hbushnell@burlingtonvt.gov
Minutes
Parks, Arts & Culture Committee Meeting
Thursday, September 26, 12:00pm
MEETING CONDUCTED IN PERSON AT 645 PINE ST, FRONT CONFERENCE ROOM, AND VIA ZOOM

Attendance:
Committee Members: Chair Becca Brown-McKnight, Councilor Mark Barlow, Councilor Carter Neubieser

City Staff: Sophie Sauve – BPRW, Dan Cahill – BPRW, Mary Danko – Fletcher Free Library, Sara Katz -
BCA, Holli Bushnell – BPRW

Meeting called to order at 5:06 pm by Chair Becca Brown-McKnight

Approval of Agenda
Mark Barlow moved to approve the agenda, Carter Neubieser seconded, and all were in favor.

Approval of Draft Minutes from 06/26/2024
Approval of the minutes were postponed until the next meeting.

Public Forum
Public forum was opened at 12:08pm. As no one present wished to speak public forum was closed at
12:08pm.

Pomeroy Park Update –

Sophie Sauve was present to speak on Pomeroy Park. Pomeroy currently has no tot lot in the
playground area. The playground was up for renovation and BPRW decided to completely re-do it. The
surrounding neighborhood asked about removing the large hedge in the park as they feel it encourages
drug use and general misuse of the park (as a dog walk area). The NPA and neighborhood were trying to
understand what exactly was desired in terms of the hedge and the playground. The decisions are still
coming. There is a 6” drop going into the playground, so it’s not accessible to all; BPRW will be looking
at park as a whole in order to improve accessibility in all areas. The work is in its early days – they
completed an aerial survey of the park, but BPRW is looking for more information from PACC to inform
design. They will be doing public outreach as well.

Brown-McKnight stated that this item was on PACCs agenda because she used to live there and still
receives see-click-fix updates. Brown-McKnight has noticed a lot of camping updates on see-click-fix and
wants to see it treated a little differently as it’s the only playground/green space in the area. She also
feels that if there are predictable issues BPRW can get ahead of things. Councilman Bergman has asked
for CSLs to come by Pomeroy Park to deal with camping issues, but has not had a response.
CITY OF BURLINGTON Councilor Becca Brown-McKnight, Chair, Ward 6
PARKS, ARTS & CULTURE COMMITTEE Councilor Mark Barlow, North District
 Councilor Carter Neubieser, Ward 1

 Staff: Holli Bushnell, Office Assistant
 Lakeview Cemetery
 hbushnell@burlingtonvt.gov
Also, people have been parking on the grass in the evening. When basketball takes place on Tuesdays
there are cars driving over sidewalk and just parking wherever. No cars are supposed to be driving in
those areas. Overall it’s great to get the neighborhood involved in what needs to be fixed is great.

Sauve noted that she can’t address camping directly as it’s not part of her job. She does planning,
designing, and construction, and is only aware of issues happening when they’re out doing the work.
Brown-McKnight explained that Urban Park Ranger Neil Preston provided some info; the hedge appears
to be an issue according to him. Sauve explained that she would remove the hedge, but a community
discussion is needed first. When there’s a fence around a playground it’s to protect kids from getting
into danger, but that’s not the case with the hedge. Is there a better way to set up the playground so
that it’s safe but less secluded? Driving where they shouldn’t be is happening everywhere, but BPRW
can add signage and blockages to those spots where there are big problems when we know about them.

Barlow shared that he had also heard about hedge controversy and wondered if the decision on the
hedge could be made separately from other park design ideas. Sauve explained that BPRW wants to
know why people want to keep it. If it’s a desire for more vegetation that’s easy to address, whereas
containment would be something to look at from a design perspective. Ultimately, the shrubs need to
be moved as they are past their prime and are too high to see into space.

Barlow shared that he noticed people parking all over the place at Leddy, in locations where they never
parked before. This causes issues for emergency vehicles as well as regular users others. A couple years
ago BPRW started using parking services to manage parking lots. Is this a function of parking services to
enforce? Or is this an urban park ranger job? Who is responsible for managing this new bad behavior.
Sauve shared that this behavior would fall under the auspicious of parking services. The Urban Park
Rangers are pretty stretched with unhoused issues. Sauve did not that signage helps reinforce rules.
During comprehensive plan study for Leddy, the found they needed more signage for arena parking.
There’s tons of parking there and no reason for visitors to have to park on the street.

 Neubieser thanked staff for their hard work. He just downloaded see-click-fix recently and found the
volume of reports to be overwhelming. He’s really appreciative of the BPRW staff’s hard work and is
surprised we don’t have more trouble than we do addressing these issues.

Kieslich Park open house and update –

Dan Cahill shared that next Thursday from 4 to 630pm BPRW is holding a neighborhood park open
house at the Redstone Cottage and Kieslich Park. This will be the first look for general public. Cahill is
really excited to provide community with opportunity to find out what we’re doing in this super dynamic
park. The open house will provide a chance for folks to learn about multiuse path and memorial
installation for voices of St. Joseph’s Orphanage. Information about forest ecology and land
management (happening throughout Burlington) will also be available. There will be a deep dive on the
Redstone Cottage history and renovation and info on the community garden expansion. Wildways will
present to talk about multiuse trail. There will be food grown from the community garden, music, and
kids activities. This has been a long time coming with all the enhancements staff has made to the space.
CITY OF BURLINGTON Councilor Becca Brown-McKnight, Chair, Ward 6
PARKS, ARTS & CULTURE COMMITTEE Councilor Mark Barlow, North District
 Councilor Carter Neubieser, Ward 1

 Staff: Holli Bushnell, Office Assistant
 Lakeview Cemetery
 hbushnell@burlingtonvt.gov
It’s very exciting! Cahill asked councilors to attend the event on 10/3 from 4-6 pm. Cahill will send more
info on the event once he gets the OK. Brown-McKnight shared her excitement for the event. She feels
that PACC meetings are often all about the problems, it’s nice that there’s a happy thing going on there
too. Celebration of the important work that people can appreciate. Cahill feels like they’re making
lemonade from lemons with the previously removed trees. People can sign up for planting days to help
with restoration as well.

Fletcher Free Library Capital Campaign –

Mary Danko shared that Fletcher Free Library is moving along on transformational remodeling work.
The Friends of Fletcher Free Library (a 501c3) is taking on the majority of work. They have hired a
capital campaign manager for this project (Ashana Trombley) and are also working on adding extra
programing at FFL. Robert Putnam coming as well as Barbara McQuaid (10/29) to talk about
disinformation for example. They are also looking at additional grant opportunities to fund the
renovation. FFL is working on an EPA grant for 20mil on climate resiliency, serving folks who have been
harmed by pollution or taken on a disproportionate struggle in climate crisis. They are looking at
existing needs as well as what might be needed in the future in terms of climate disasters. FFL is very
focused on sustainability, but being a climate resilience hub means they need to step up a bit more to
help educate folks before a disaster, provide respite during a disaster, and help people recover post-
disaster. Library serves the community a lot in these ways (cooling and warming shelter, safe air quality
spaces) in addition to lending books. This grant will help them provide more of these extra services.
Dank is vcery optimistic about moving forward.

The proposal for a social worker, whose position was added as part of funding for library, just sent
packet to mayors/attorney’s and CAO office. It explains FFLs plan to partner with Howard center to
embed someone at the library. The Howard Center would manage hiring, onboarding, and supervising
this individual, but will be at the Library. This will be coming before the city council shortly.

FFL is also hoping to add in-house security. With security staff as part of team they can ensure cultural
competencies, less turn over, access to city services, and provide staff with id badges for access. This
might actually be a cost saving project, however the program is only in it’s pilot stage. It is, however,
supported by AFSCME and may be a pilot for other departments as well.

Brown-McKnight shared that City Council hears about the library a lot. There’s lots of concern and love
for FFL. She would like to get job descriptions/responsibilities/expections for the new in-house security
and wondered if they’ll be handling the outdoor space as well. Danko confirmed that the in-house team
will be handling the exterior spaces at FFL as well. She thinks staff do a really good job when we’re
open, but they’re the second largest building in the city, and they are a hot spot for unhoused activity.
What she’s been hearing is that when they’re not open it’s hard to get to the bookdrop. FFL is working
with BPD to do more drivebys in the off hours. They are also working with CSLs to stop by more often
and engage with folks in off hours. Unfortunately, staff has very little control over what goes on in the
off hours, and negative behaviors are a struggle to combat.
CITY OF BURLINGTON Councilor Becca Brown-McKnight, Chair, Ward 6
PARKS, ARTS & CULTURE COMMITTEE Councilor Mark Barlow, North District
 Councilor Carter Neubieser, Ward 1

 Staff: Holli Bushnell, Office Assistant
 Lakeview Cemetery
 hbushnell@burlingtonvt.gov
Barlow shared that he has also noticed issues after closing. BPD should be clearing people off property
in off hours. He then questioned whether FFL should be a space for congregation in off hours or if the
city should we trespass these folks. Danko shared that some have already been trespassed and just
come when they’re closed. FFL staff is working with BPD to identify trespassed folks, and they have had
some arrests of trespassed folks. It is a heightened atmosphere, and, unfortunately, BPD is understaffed
too.

Neubieser shared that he agrees with concerns around security, but that it’s good to hear what they’re
doing to combat issues. He feels the staff goes above and beyond what a library traditionally is or
should be. FFL is a social service hub and it’s very hard work that staff is being asked to do. He’s excited
about the grant to help us hold on to public assets without burdening property taxes.

Danko wanted to add that, in relation to trespasses, the library has specific ordinance. People who have
been trespassed there can appeal and go through restorative justice. They are not trying to be putative
or harsh, but FFL needs to maintain a welcoming atmosphere as well as be a substance free space.
There are paths for people to come back to the library if they are trespassed.

Brown-McKnight thanked Danko for the updated and asked if there is anything FFL needs via city
council.

BCA Update –

Sara Katz shared that it’s currently a challenging funding environment for BCA. There are challenges
with City Hall Park programing both with funding and budget cuts. BCA added significant programs to
their 2020 budget/roster when CHP opened as renovated venue. Now BCA produces over 100 events in
CHP throughout the year. For the first couple of years there were additional sponsors filling in for long
term funding. The city was going to create an expanded VID district that would be funded by additional
fees, but that didn’t happen, so they pivoted and found needed funding.

As behavioral issues have evolved BCA has lost sponsors for CHP programing. They still have a few
sponsors who really love the work they’re doing, but this year they did have to cut back as they were
unable to replace lost funding. In addition, they’ve been absorbing new costs, such as security, that was
never part of the budget before. Now it’s part of their budget which takes away from funding for
programs. Security costs are also coming in higher than originally anticipated and BCA will have to cut
from Highlight to maintain budget.

In order to maintain sponsors, they aimed to cut back on components of programs rather than cut them
entirely. Half the number of Splashdances and 2 fewer evening concerts were planned for this season.
BCA cut June programing out of the 2025 budget entirely. If they manage to underspend they’ll add
things back in. Over all they’ve cut about 20 events total from lineup.

That said, Katz feels CHP has felt markedly improved this summer. Lots of behaviors coming back to
park that were absent over summer. Programs play a big role in making the park welcoming for
everyone.
CITY OF BURLINGTON Councilor Becca Brown-McKnight, Chair, Ward 6
PARKS, ARTS & CULTURE COMMITTEE Councilor Mark Barlow, North District
 Councilor Carter Neubieser, Ward 1

 Staff: Holli Bushnell, Office Assistant
 Lakeview Cemetery
 hbushnell@burlingtonvt.gov
Barlow asked if events had already been reduced by 20 or if there are more to come. Katz explained
that each summer, from June to Sept, CHP has had about 120 events for the past few years. This
summer they only had 100. The total number will be reduced further for next summer but cancelations
will be peppered throughout series so it’s less noticeable. The BCA center also sits right on the park and
has many exhibitions right there. BCA makes a pretty significant contribution to downtown vibrancies.
Engagement has been down a little bit over the summer (like most Church St vendors), but the bright
spot is that BCA has been able to focus on youth programing at the gallery. They are developing pilot
program with BHS – creating residency programs in schools where artists in residence go into schools
and then take students to tour exhibitions. Working with teens and youth is huge priority and these
programs have been overwhelmingly positive. In fact they are opening an exhibition tomorrow –
Passages – which is a mix of local and national artists, some of whom have been working with high
school students to prompt them to make new work. They will curate the student work at the BCA
gallery in January.

Brown-McKnight felt that if there’s student art being displayed City Council should really push to
support it. Barlow asked when the event is taking place and Katz confirmed that the opening for
Passages is kid friendly and will take place at 5pm.

Neubieser shared that he appreciates the staff’s creativity on the budget front.

Brown-McKnight felt that the Splashpad could be part of the climate story as well – it’s a back-up water
area for community to enjoy when the lake is unavailable. She was hoping for more splashpads
throughout the city and wondered if EPA or other climate grants might be an avenue to explore for
more splashpads. She also was interested in the interplay between events and overall perception of
community safety at park.

Danko interjected that she might reach out to Sauve to see about getting a mini-splash pad in front of
FFL. She definitely has had equity for water come up in the EPA grant for FFL. Sometimes the lake isn’t
available. Sauve shared that there is a correlation between activating a park and safety. A lot of people
feel like there’s no one ever using the park and that feels unsafe. When parks feel busier they feel safer.

Katz added that BCA is also getting ready for holiday market season starting Nov 15 and continuing
through Dec 22. Brown-McKnight asked if there is a formal process for winter activities in CHP. Sauve
shared that there are smaller interdepartmental group looking at winter placemaking. They are in the
piloting and funding.

Adjournement – Barlow moved, Neubieser seconded, all were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at
1:04pm. The next meeting will be held on 10/26 at 12pm at 645 Pine St and via zoom.