Parks Commission

Carolyn Grodinsky Bill Johnson Bryan Pfeiffer, Chairman Sarah Swenson Geoff Beyer, Parks Director Alec Ellsworth, Parks Caretaker Montpelier Parks Commission – Meeting Minutes November 15, 2016 Commissioners Present: Bryan Pfeiffer, Carolyn Grodinsky, Dan Dickerson, Bill Johnson Staff: Alec Ellsworth and (for budget items by telephone) Geoff Beyer Guest: Jesse Baker Meeting Start: 7:03PM Meeting Minutes – Carolyn moves to approve October and November meeting minutes. Second: Dan. Unanimous. Community Services Department Bill Johnson gave an update about the Community Services steering committee outcomes. Geoff added some comments, and Jessie Baker added some input as well. The commission discussed the interim plan and the 2018 budget implications. Jessie Baker asked/recommended that the Parks Commission weigh in on the long term plan that will be presented to the City Council at the next November meeting. The Commission expressed support for the process and interest in seeing the results of the next steps to make sure that the Parks are well represented and continue to benefit as the process unfolds. Dan suggested that Parks define some metrics whereby it can judge how the parks are faring currently, and then keep track of the metrics over time to see if the parks are improving. Bryan agreed to draft a letter to the City Council expressing support and concerns about the Community Services Department. Budget discussion Bill asked Jessie for an update on the budget context for this year. The city council indicated that they are interested in about a 1%-1.5% increase in the budget. The management team is attempting to find a budget that represents this increase. They plan to present a fully funded budget (~a 3% budget increase with some creative budget negotiations) and give the council some options on how to reach their goals. Parks Director and Caretaker Reports Geoff gave an update on what is happening in the Park with this extended good weather. Highlights include bridge work, the vernal pool, invasive species, road work, and other tree work. Alec gave an update about a proposal for AmeriCorps/NCCC housing near the park office/house. The parks commission likes the idea in concept and wants to hear some more info regarding design and budget. www.montpelier-vt.org/464/Parks-Commission parks-commission@montpelier-vt.org 802.223.7335 8:31: Letter to the Planning Commission from the Parks Commission Carolyn wanted to get the Commission’s approval on the letter to the Planning Commission about protecting open space in Montpelier. She suggested that the commission reiterate its prior support to conserve a portion of Sabin’s pasture, as well as other open space within Montpelier consistent with the new zoning. Bryan and Carolyn will draft a letter to the City on this. Budget Geoff reported some changes in the capital equipment budget from the finance director. The Commission expressed that it would like to keep that money in the budget as it pertains to signs. The Commission discussed what a responsible budget would look like for the parks in 2018. The commission agreed to submit the budget with the money for signs included, as well as an increased vehicle maintenance and training budget to reflect the reality of the park needs. Executive Session (on property negotiations) Carolyn motions to enter executive session; Dan seconds. Vote unanimous. Dan motions to come out of executive session; Carolyn seconds. Vote unanimous. No official action taken during executive session. 9:40: Meeting adjourned