Church Street Marketplace Commission

Regular Meeting

Burlington, VT · October 8, 2025

Minutes

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

Agenda

Packet

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