Advisory Committee on Accessibility — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-04-21
Time: 15:00

Advisory Committee on Accessibility



  Monday, April 21, 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington,
 Vermont and online over Zoom.

Meeting Invite information
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92356452507?pwd=Zk6QCJswEJla4hSa3seazYvWwFa3Uh.1
Webinar ID: 923 5645 2507
Passcode: 120399
1. Adopt the Agenda

2. Adopt Minutes
  Subject 2.1. Advisory Committee on Accessibility Monday, March 17th Meeting Minutes


  Meeting April 21, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday, April 21,
 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont and online over
 Zoom.
  Category 2. Adopt Minutes
  Department Other


  Type

  Subject 2.2. Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Playground Subcommittee meeting
 April 10th Meeting Minutes
  Meeting April 21, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday, April 21,
 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont and online over
 Zoom.
  Category 2. Adopt Minutes
  Department Other


  Type

3. Committee Member Introductions

4. Public Forum
5. News and Updates
  Subject 5.1. Communication: HR Committee - Councilor Litwin appointment of member
 of the public to the committee
  Meeting April 21, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday, April 21,
 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont and online over
 Zoom.


  Category 5. News and Updates

  Department Other


  Type Communication


  Recommended Action waive the reading and place the communication on file

  Subject 5.2. Communication: Scottie Taylor - comments on Universal Design -
 Subcomitee on playground Accessibility
  Meeting April 21, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday, April 21,
 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont and online over
 Zoom.


  Category 5. News and Updates

  Department Other


  Type Communication


  Recommended Action waive the reading and place the communication on file

6. Discussion on Parks Foundation Draft Universal Design Policy

7. Follow up Discussion on BPRW Design by Subcommittee

8. Discuss filling final 2 positions required for committee and next steps

9. Other Committee Business

10. Adjournment
  Subject 10.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting April 21, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday, April 21,
 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont and online over
 Zoom.


  Category 10. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action
11. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Subject 11.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. 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. 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 April 21, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday, April 21,
 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont and online over
 Zoom.
  Category 11. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Department Council and Board


  Type

Advisory Committee on Accessibility



  Monday, April 21, 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon
 Bushor Conference Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington,
 Vermont and online over Zoom.

Meeting Invite information
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92356452507?pwd=Zk6QCJswEJla4hSa3seazYvWwFa3Uh.1
Webinar ID: 923 5645 2507
Passcode: 120399
1. Adopt the Agenda

2. Adopt Minutes
  Subject 2.1. Advisory Committee on Accessibility Monday, March 17th Meeting Minutes


  Meeting April 21, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday, April 21,
 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont and online over
 Zoom.
  Category 2. Adopt Minutes
  Department Other


  Type

  Subject 2.2. Advisory Committee on Accessibility - Playground Subcommittee meeting
 April 10th Meeting Minutes
  Meeting April 21, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday, April 21,
 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont and online over
 Zoom.
  Category 2. Adopt Minutes
  Department Other


  Type

3. Committee Member Introductions

4. Public Forum


 Page 1 of 15
5. News and Updates
  Subject 5.1. Communication: HR Committee - Councilor Litwin appointment of member
 of the public to the committee
  Meeting April 21, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday, April 21,
 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont and online over
 Zoom.


  Category 5. News and Updates

  Department Other


  Type Communication


  Recommended Action waive the reading and place the communication on file

  Subject 5.2. Communication: Scottie Taylor - comments on Universal Design -
 Subcomitee on playground Accessibility
  Meeting April 21, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday, April 21,
 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont and online over
 Zoom.


  Category 5. News and Updates

  Department Other


  Type Communication


  Recommended Action waive the reading and place the communication on file

6. Discussion on Parks Foundation Draft Universal Design Policy

7. Follow up Discussion on BPRW Design by Subcommittee

8. Discuss filling final 2 positions required for committee and next steps

9. Other Committee Business

10. Adjournment
  Subject 10.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting April 21, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday, April 21,
 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont and online over
 Zoom.


  Category 10. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action



 Page 2 of 15
11. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Subject 11.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. 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. 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 April 21, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Monday, April 21,
 2025, 3:00 PM, This hybrid meeting will take place in the Sharon Bushor Conference
 Room, first floor of City Hall 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont and online over
 Zoom.
  Category 11. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Department Council and Board


  Type




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Page 7 of 15
2025-04-10

BACA Subcommittee Meeting
645 Pine Street Front Conference Room and Zoom

In Attendance:

Nate Besio
Karen Downey
John Thomas
Shelby Glass
Scottie Taylor
Sophie Sauvé


Members of the subcommittee introduced themselves and their role on the Burlington Advisory
Committee on Accessibility.

Sophie provided an overview of Universal Design (UD) Principles, which BPRW is adhering to for the
replacement of all city playgrounds going forward. While the City is required to adhere to ADA
guidelines, UD goes above and beyond ADA and targets making spaces more inclusive and accessible on
multiple layers.

A summary of the Seven Universal Design Principles can be found here: Universal Design Principles |
Disability Access & Compliance

Sophie reviewed the Pomeroy Park Playground Project history to date, site analysis, public engagement
and proposed concept design. The Pomeroy Park Playground Project evolved out of the removal of the
playground’s Tot Lot in 2021 due to safety concerns and strong support for its replacement. BPRW bid
out the project in 2022, however, no bids were received. Upon evaluating the playground as a whole
and the timeline for all of its replacement against other playground replacement needs in the city, the
BPRW team decided that combining the full replacement with the tot lot would likely generate
competitive bids, be more efficient and less disruptive to the park/playground as a whole.

The proposed concept plan for the playground includes adding in unitary surfacing throughout the
playground, but retaining the surrounding vegetation/trees that provide a great deal of shade to the
playground. Sophie is working with the City Arborist on identifying any care needed to preserve the
trees and any work that could be done under the trees to offer more natural interest in the playground
area. Interplanting was also discussed to stagger the tree stand’s age and to meet future needs.

The team discussed ways to improve accessibility for the visually impaired, especially children, at the
playground. There was discussion around tactile feedback, such as a sandpapery tape or texture
surfaces, to warn of drop-offs and provide additional warning. Exploring the use of bumps or cane
guides, such as those used in Japan, were also discussed. As was the potential for an area (maybe not at
Pomeroy, but at a larger playground like Leddy) where a rope guide could be set up for children who are
visually impaired to run, guided by the rope.




 Page 8 of 15
Other parts of the design were also discussed, including moving the fence to create more space for all
the different conceptual areas of the playground, elevation changes and intentional use of the surface to
add another layer of play to the playground. Discussion of a track around the perimeter of the
playground for kids who are learning to ride on balance bikes or for anyone to follow around the
playground, including kids who use mobility devices. Benches will include space next to them for a
mobility device, a person using a mobility device or a stroller. The need for an ADA parking spot and the
required space was also discussed.




 Page 9 of 15
Timothy Williams

From: Sarah Carpenter
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2025 4:11 PM
To: Evan Litwin
Cc: Katherine Schad; Lynn Reagan; Nate Besio; Timothy Williams
Subject: Re: Possible New Member for the Accessibility Advisory Committee

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged


If the process is approval by the HR committee I think we need to set a date (which we can’t do until we
appoint committees).

Lynn - do you have any agenda items for mid-late April.
I am also am letting Nate Besio know about this.

Once we have a date we should probably advertise.

Katherine - can you check with the CA to see if we have to do anything else. Can we just post on city website as
opposed to any paid notice. Thanks.

Sarah Carpenter

Sent from my iPhone


 On Mar 27, 2025, at 3:17 PM, Evan Litwin <elitwin@burlingtonvt.gov> wrote:


 Hi All,

 I recently reached out to Katherine because I have a constituent that seems like she would be an
 excellent addition to the committee and was advised that the next step, now that she has
 indicated strong interest to me, would be to schedule her to meet the HR Committee, who would
 then make a recommendation to the Council to appoint her. Katherine if I misunderstood that
 please do correct me. If that is the case. Sarah I was hoping we could add this to a future agenda
 of the HR Committee. Her name is Sharon Henault and she lives at Cathedral Square's Juniper
 House in Ward 7.

 I'm waiting to hear back from Sharon on her email address since I only had a phone number for
 her but once I hear back from you all we can coordinate via email.

 Thanks,
 Evan


 Evan Litwin (he/him)
 Ward 7 City Councilor
 1


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Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record
and may be subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.




 2


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Timothy Williams

From: Scottie Taylor <scottietaylorvt@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2025 4:17 PM
To: Sophie Sauvé
Cc: Nate Besio; Karen Downey; JThomas@vabvi.org; Glass, Shelby; Timothy Williams
Subject: Re: BACA - Playground Subcommittee Meeting

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged


[ WARNING ]: This email was sent from someone outside of the City of Burlington.

Hi all!

Glad to have been able to hear the meeting - I tried to unmute myself a couple of times and seemed to be on a
weird connection, so apologies that I *only* listened. I also ended up losing service with about 8 minutes to go
and didn't call back in.

My thoughts:
1. I love the information and details shared about past decisions, current plans, etc - thanks for all of it!
2. I love the idea of different textures for information gathering - either at the edge when up high or approaching
the end of the track edge we are considering for biking and exploring.
3. Universal design being considered for playground building is amazing and I love that we are using that
standard as compared to ADA compliance - thank you for that!
4. I'll keep my wheels turning - did I miss, at the end, scheduling for the next subcommittee meeting? If so, just
let me know and I can add it to my calendar! Otherwise I will look for the next "coordinating" email.

A little background about me, I have worked as a pediatric PT in the community for years and have accessed
*many* playgrounds in my work and look forward to collaborating on this project for our city and community
members! What a great opportunity we have.

Again, apologies I couldn't weigh in "live" but am really glad to be on this subcommittee!

--S

Scottie Taylor
[they/them]
802-345-9885


On Thu, Apr 3, 2025 at 3:32 PM Sophie Sauvé <ssauve@burlingtonvt.gov> wrote:

 Hi all!

 Looks like this is the best time for many – hopefully Karen too!




 1


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As the meeting must be hybrid, the front conference room at 645 Pine is available for in-person (and the
acoustics are pretty good for hybrid) and the parking is easy at this time. Let me know if you plan to join in
person. I’ll be here!



Tim- let me know what we need to post it for Open Meeting Law.



Thanks! Sophie



ZOOOMMMMMM**************************************



BPRW 1 is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.



Topic: BACA Playground Subcommittee

Time: Apr 10, 2025 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94352398741?pwd=N7RGw2MgGbyanoQlCzDJwoygio6B7B.1



Meeting ID: 943 5239 8741

Passcode: 039646



---



One tap mobile

+19292056099,,94352398741#,,,,*039646# US (New York)

+13017158592,,94352398741#,,,,*039646# US (Washington DC)



---
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Please note that this communication and any response to it will be maintained as a public record and may be
subject to disclosure under the Vermont Public Records Act.




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