Parks, Arts, and Culture Committee — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-06-02
Time: 12:00

City Council - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee

 Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 12:00 PM, 235 College St.- Fletcher Free Library

MEETING TO BE HELD IN PERSON AT 235 College St.- Fletcher Free Library AND VIA ZOOM
ZOOM INFO:
https://zoom.us/j/92356310466?pwd=8abLJY901LttNTZadYMgcgkOf1EMmN.1
Webinar ID: 923 5631 0466



1. Call to Order
  Subject 1.1. Call to Order
  Meeting June 2, 2026 - City Council - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee - Tuesday, June 2,
 2026, 12:00 PM, 235 College St.- Fletcher Free Library
  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 June 2, 2026 - City Council - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee - Tuesday, June 2,
 2026, 12:00 PM, 235 College St.- Fletcher Free Library
  Category 3. Public Forum
  Department


  Type

4. Agenda
  Subject 4.1. Summer Programming at Fletcher Free Library (10 mins)
 Meeting June 2, 2026 - City Council - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee - Tuesday, June 2,
 2026, 12:00 PM, 235 College St.- Fletcher Free Library


 Category 4. Agenda

 Department Fletcher Free Library


 Type

 Recommended Action

 Subject 4.2. Upcoming Downtown Festivals & Events (10 mins)




 Meeting June 2, 2026 - City Council - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee - Tuesday, June 2,
 2026, 12:00 PM, 235 College St.- Fletcher Free Library


 Category 4. Agenda

 Department Fletcher Free Library


 Type

 Recommended Action

 Subject 4.3. Update on Urban Reserve & E-Bike Concerns (15 mins)




 Meeting June 2, 2026 - City Council - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee - Tuesday, June 2,
 2026, 12:00 PM, 235 College St.- Fletcher Free Library


 Category 4. Agenda

 Department Fletcher Free Library


 Type

 Recommended Action

 Subject 4.4. Lake Champlain Chamber Marketing Campaign (25 mins)
 Meeting June 2, 2026 - City Council - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee - Tuesday, June 2,
 2026, 12:00 PM, 235 College St.- Fletcher Free Library


 Category 4. Agenda

 Department Fletcher Free Library


 Type

 Recommended Action

5. Adjournment
 Subject 5.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting June 2, 2026 - City Council - Parks, Arts and Culture Committee - Tuesday, June 2,
 2026, 12:00 PM, 235 College St.- Fletcher Free Library


  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.

PARKS, ARTS & CULTURE COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes – June 2, 2026 DRAFT
MEETING CONDUCTED IN PERSON AND VIA ZOOM

Attendance:
Committee Members: Chair Councilor Allie Schachter, Councilor Carter Neubieser (Zoom)
City Staff: Samantha McGinnis (Marketplace), Mary Danko (Fletcher Free Library), Phil Lewis (Parks,
Recreation & Waterfront), others present in room and on Zoom
Guest: Jeff Lawson, Lake Champlain Chamber




1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 12:02 PM by Chair Councilor Allie Schachter.




2. Approval of Agenda

Chair Councilor Allie Schachter moved to amend the agenda due to a compressed schedule. The
Lake Champlain Chamber marketing campaign (originally Item 4.4) was moved to the top of the
agenda, immediately following public forum.

Motion to adopt the amended agenda passed unanimously.




3. Approval of Previous Minutes

Chair Councilor Allie Schachter noted that the prior two sets of minutes did not appear in Civic Clerk
for all committee members.
Due to visibility and posting issues, approval of past minutes was postponed to the next meeting.




4. Public Forum

Public forum opened at 12:07 PM.
No members of the public wished to speak.
Public forum closed at 12:07 PM.
5. Lake Champlain Chamber Marketing Campaign Presentation

Guest presenter Jeff Lawson, VP for Tourism, Lake Champlain Chamber, shared an overview of the
Hello Burlington campaign and the new “Don’t Dream It, Be It” regional marketing initiative.

Key points included:

 • Tourism significance: Chittenden County accounts for roughly 25% of statewide visitor
 spending.
 • Downward trends: 2024–2025 saw steep declines in occupancy and visitor activity compared
 with peer regions.
 • Campaign goals:
 o Inspire both visitors and local residents to re-engage with Burlington.
 o Use a flexible “Be ___” visual system (e.g., Be Bold, Be Home, Be Inspired).
 o Encourage community to serve as local ambassadors.
 • Media rollout:
 o Digital ads, print features, video assets, social media, and expanded regional
 targeting (NYC, Boston, DC, Chicago, flight-path markets).
 • Local activation:
 o Posters in welcome centers, collaboration with BTV Airport, window clings for
 businesses, potential murals, and exploration of large public “B” sculptures.
 • Campaign funding is constrained due to occupancy-based revenue declines; collaboration
 with the City will amplify impact.

Committee members expressed appreciation for the work and emphasized the importance of
positive narrative-building for Burlington.

Chair Councilor Allie Schachter requested that campaign links and materials be shared for the
minutes and Civic Clerk.

Councilor Neubieser departed slightly early due to a schedule conflict.




6. City Department Updates (Rapid Reports)

Marketplace / Downtown Events – Samantha McGinnis

 • Launch of Summer in the City: over 100 free events downtown this season.
 • Program highlights:
 o Passeggiata (a traditional Italian cultural ritual of an evening stroll through town )
 Wednesday evening strolls with strong business participation.
 o Jazz Festival school bands, Top Block Stage, and Opera Block activations.
 o BCA summer concerts, Splash Dance, Waterfront performances.
 o Burlington Watches Together FIFA viewing events.
 o Juneteenth, BTV Market, July 3rd fireworks.

Fletcher Free Library – Mary Danko

 • Youth Summer Challenge underway with theme “Unearth A Story.”
 • Outreach with free books and programming across city parks.
 • Collaboration with “Summer in the City” for shared promotion.

Parks, Recreation & Waterfront – Phil Lewis

 • Summer camps begin June 22.
 • All waterfront activation sites (Boathouse, Oakledge, North Beach) opened May 15.
 • Encouragement for residents to enjoy expanded summer programming.

Remaining agenda items (e-bikes and Urban Reserve updates) will be taken up in July due to time
constraints.




7. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 12:37 PM.