Parks Commission — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-12-09
Time: 17:30

Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 5:30 PM, 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room or
 Remotely via Zoom

5:30pm 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom:
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/99467889879
Or One tap mobile, US: +16469313860
Webinar ID: 994 6788 9879




1. Agenda
 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda

2. Public Forum
 Subject 2.1. Verbal Comments
 Meeting December 9, 2025 - Harbor Commission Meeting - Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 5:30
 PM, 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom
 Category 2. Public Forum
 Department Council and Board


 Type

3. Deliberative Agenda
 Subject 3.1. Waterfront Update
 Meeting December 9, 2025 - Harbor Commission Meeting - Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 5:30
 PM, 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom
 Category 3. Deliberative Agenda
 Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront


 Type

4. Adjournment
 Subject 4.1. Motion to adjourn
 Meeting December 9, 2025 - Harbor Commission Meeting - Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 5:30
 PM, 645 Pine St., Front Conference Room or Remotely via Zoom


 Category 4. Adjournment

 Department Council and Board


 Type

 Recommended Action

Harbor Commission Minutes

December 9th, 2025 at 5:30pm

645 Pine St., Front Conference Room & Zoom



Commissioners in Attendance: Lantieri, Bergmann, Johnson, Boehm & Etter

Staff in Attendance: Lewis, Moreau, Sauve, Kaeding, Peterson, McClenahan & O’Daniel

Public Present: none



 1. Waterfront Update
 Moreau began by sharing screen and explaining that she and her team would be sharing
 an overview of the season. She touched on the many cancellations of Canadian tourists
 that dramatically impacted revenues, but shared that they have taken steps to try to
 address those losses. Moreau continued that the largest encampment in Burlington
 right in between the marina and the campground at the Urban Reserve came with many
 challenges including site security issues that have affected their operations at North
 Beach and campground reservations. She shared that despite many efforts including
 overnight patrol/security and solar-powered motion lights in the woods, among others,
 that they endured break-ins and theft that was difficult for staff and patrons.
 Peterson introduced himself and shared an overview of the Marina, noting that despite
 the challenges they had with decreased Canadian traffic, it was an overall successful
 year with a lot of projects, a great staff and lots of marina usage. He continued by
 sharing that despite a 24% decrease for moorings and slips, overall revenue went up
 thanks to fee increases which were approved by the Commission, selling extra
 commercial slips and allowing for extended stays.
 Etter asked how the total of nights people stayed compared from this year to last.
 Peterson answered that it actually increased. He continued that they embarked on new
 commercial boating operations, where people could rent a 20ft boat to take out on the
 lake, as well as a fishing boat that people could charter. They also added a commercial
 banner program to promote the various businesses operating in and around the
 Boathouse. Peterson continued that they began selling Community Boathouse specific
 branded merchandise and that they also added new deck furniture that was available to
 the public, which were heavily used. He shared that they hosted 2 public events this
 past season – the Lake Champlain Poker Run and the Antique Boat Show. Peterson
 continued that they worked on a lot of projects this summer, including re-decking the
 Perkins Pier Marina, upgraded the mooring field, invested in public safety by installing
 lighted buoys and doubled the amount of swim buoys in all of the swimming areas. He
 shared the past 4 years of customer satisfaction noting that this year’s was the highest
 so far – 4.92 out of 5!
 Etter asked if there were the same amount of reviews as years past.
Peterson answered that they were down a bit, but despite that he feels they’re trending
in the right direction. He continued that this is the 2nd year that they achieved Elite Fleet
status and noted that this is because of the incredible customer service the staff
provides. Peterson closed by sharing that his winter will be filled with contract work and
planning capital projects to get ready for 2026!
Etter asked if the boat rental piece could be added to the website.
Peterson confirmed that he would.

Public Forum was opened at 6pm. With no one present for it, it was closed at 6:01pm.

Kaeding opened by sharing that the start to the season was a little tough but things
finished out okay and that they officially have their own logo now which they’re excited
about. He then echoed Moreau that revenues were down 20% across the board and
noted that this was mostly due to the lack of Canadian traffic and that this was in
alignment with businesses throughout Burlington, but that some cancellations were due
to site security concerns. He continued by sharing data about beach closures due to
Cyanobacteria, noting that there were many more closures than last year because it was
so hot and the water levels were so low. He continued by touching on the positive
contracts with vendors at both North Beach and Oakledge.
Kaeding and Moreau noted that there were some issues at the beginning of the season
with underage drinking and rowdy behavior, but BPD was helpful and Kaeding shifted
his schedule to help with enforcement. They continued that it was difficult to have
seasonal staff interfacing with aggressive people and behaviors, and that they were
fearful for their safety.
Moreau shared that most of the behavior happened in a specific part of North Beach
and were domestic disputes, but that it was still disturbing to witness and problematic.
She acknowledge that this is not an issue specific to North Beach, but City-wide, and
that they will welcome any support available moving forward. Kaeding chimed in that
there were many no-trespasses issued this season, most at North Beach but one at
Oakledge.
Moreau circled back to explain that there is a seasonal staff team dedicated to checking
all of the municipal beaches for Cyanobacteria multiple times a day. She shared that this
high level of monitoring is why Burlington’s beaches are closed more often than others.
Lantieri noted that the total number of closures and alerts combined are similar to last
year, just flipped so there were more closures than alerts this year, so it tracks.
Boehm gave kudos to the team for aligning with the State and having an incredibly well-
used system for everyone to be in-the-know about the alerts and closures. She then
asked if the Cyanobacteria closures impact anything other than swimming.
Kaeding answered yes, that they get Campground cancellations based on closures and
parking revenue goes down.
Moreau chimed in that despite that, they are very insistent that people know because
first and foremost is the safety of all patrons.
Kaeding continued by sharing actual numbers for the difference in numbers from
international rentals, noting the drastic decrease between 2024 and 2025. He shared
 that to try to off-set these revenue losses, they are going to have 5 seasonal campsites
 for long term rentals, transition tent sites to “primitive camper” sites available for small
 campers/vans without electricity hook-up, selling branded items with the new logo,
 focus on a new design and location for the playground area as well as adding volleyball
 courts, and increasing parking spots.
 Moreau closed by sharing that the goal is to address the issues at hand in a safe and
 humane way, with an openness to trying different approaches and innovating. She feels
 confident that her team is up for the challenge.
 Boehm shared her gratitude for the Waterfront team, and the Campground specifically,
 noting that she had not heard of any of these issues from people she knows who
 camped there this summer.
 Lantieri asked how the Commission could support them moving forward.
 Moreau responded that sharing the history of initiatives they have tried and is always
 helpful to get out there. She continued that they want the community to know they
 recognize when there are issues and do not try to cover them up, but instead continue
 to try to face them head-on. She closed by noting that the team values feedback from
 the community, so sharing anything that comes to Commissioners would be extremely
 welcomed and helpful.

2. Adjournment
 Boehm made a motion to adjourn the Harbor Commission and re-open the Parks
 Commission, Etter seconded. The meeting was closed at 6:27pm.