Conservation Board

Burlington Conservation Board Open Space Subcommittee 645 Pine Street Burlington, VT 05401 www.burlingtonvt.gov/dpi Telephone: (802) 865-7188 Open Space Subcommittee Meeting Minutes April 6, 2026 at 4:30 PM Remote Meeting Present: Scott Gustin, Dan Cahill, Zoe Richards, Rebecca Roman, Dale Azaria, Alan Reichard & Sharon Bushor. I. Discussion Item - Ecosystem services assessment RR recapped the recent meeting with Trust for Public Land: - Return on investment analysis, or economic benefit of parks in cities. - No recreation study done for Burlington yet. - How can we move away from scarcity and towards collaboration? - We’re already implementing some of the strategies, like no parking minimums. DA, I mostly heard reference to recreation benefits. What about clean water, flood attenuation, biodiversity? ZR said TPL did speak to ecosystem services. They also noted capacity to do some things a la carte. What do we want them to do for us? RR, maybe we should recruit someone from Planning Commission to be in a workgroup for this. ZR agreed. ZR, we want to be in a position to include TPL’s findings in a civic assets study. DA, are there any others besides PC we’d like to bring into this work? Dan Cahill, maybe try to include DPW. ZR, DPW owns a fair amount of land. DA thinks about DPW as an arm of the city that benefits from ecosystem services – i.e. like stormwater management. Green infrastructure benefits hard infrastructure. RR, let’s also include a Parks Commission rep, and Sarah Morgan. ZR, we could ask someone from UVM, like Brenan Fisher, about participating. RR, let’s assemble a group to review TPL’s menu and continue as a working group. ZR, request 10 minutes on an upcoming Planning Commission agenda to address this item. 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 or genetic information. The City is also committed to providing proper access to services, facilities, and employment opportunities. For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at 865-7145. SG recapped: Assemble the working group, including reach out to Planning and Parks Commissions before making any decisions as to TPL. This analysis will cost money. It seems to fit within the conservation education and acquisition framework consistent with the Legacy Fund. ZR, ecosystem services are a benefit to the city. Dale & others requested seeing the work that was done with U Colorado Boulder master’s student a few years ago. II. Public Comment Sharon touched on DPW and stormwater management. III. Adjournment 5:13 PM.