Parks Commission

Daniel Dickerson Carolyn Grodinsky Bill Johnson Fabienne Pattison Sarah Swenson Geoff Beyer, Parks Director Alec Ellsworth, Parks Caretaker Montpelier Parks Commission Meeting Minutes - June 20, 2017 Meeting Location: Montpelier Police Department Conference Room Present: Carolyn Grodinsky, Bill Johnson, Fabienne Pattison, Sarah Swenson, Acting Chair Agenda approval June agenda was amended to include a discussion on the multi-use trail working group and then approved (Moved Bill Johnson, Seconded Fab Pattison) Budget update Geoff Beyer reported with the end of the fiscal year approaching it appears that the Parks Department will end FY 2017 approximately $4,000 below budget. Multi-use trail working group Group is seeking a city-wide network of multi-use trails accessible for biking that would connect to a regional trail network and include some access to trails within Hubbard and North Branch parks. Minutes approval May minutes were amended to reflect the appointment of Fabienne Pattison to fill the opening on the Parks Commission created by the resignation of Bryan Pfeiffer. Then both March minutes and May minutes were approved (Moved Bill Johnson, Seconded Carolyn Grodinsky)) Zoning/Master Plan update Carolyn continues effort to coordinate an effort with Conservation Commission to have an official map incorporated into the update of the City’s Master Plan that reflects both the Conservation Commission’s identified priority natural land uses and the Park Commission’s Greenprint. www.montpelier-vt.org/464/Parks-Commission parks-commission@montpelier-vt.org 802.223.7335  Daniel Dickerson Carolyn Grodinsky Bill Johnson Fabienne Pattison Sarah Swenson Geoff Beyer, Parks Director Alec Ellsworth, Parks Caretaker June 20, 2017 Minutes – Page 2 City Dog Ordinance, Canine Code of Conduct education effort and potential for the creation of fenced “dog park” areas within the City Sarah reported that it is unlikely that revisions to the City’s Dog Ordinance would include changes affecting Montpelier parks. Sarah and Fab will reach out to stakeholders to create an informal working group to promote education opportunities to improve the experience of park users involving but not limited to promoting the Commission’s Canine Code of Conduct. Geoff suggested that there was the need to build as many as two fenced in “dog park” areas with the City that would provide space for off-leash dogs that lacked sufficient training to be off-leash elsewhere in Hubbard Park. Director / Caretaker updates Geoff reported considerable progress in June in the removal of invasive plants and park trail work through the efforts of Americorp volunteers. July will see more park maintenance assistance becoming available through the International Volunteers for Peace and other groups. Alec discussed the efforts involved in planning for the July summer festival – “HOWLfest” - to be held in Hubbard Park. Executive session (regarding caretaker housing and potential land acquisition) (Moved by Bill, Seconded by Fab) Adjournment (Moved by Carolyn, seconded by Bill) www.montpelier-vt.org/464/Parks-Commission parks-commission@montpelier-vt.org 802.223.7335