South Burlington City News - 12.15.2020

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South Burlington City News

December 15, 2020 •  Local Government News Direct to You 

All City offices will be closed Friday, December 25 and Friday, January 1.

 

Happy Holidays

Winter Holidays

The safest way to celebrate winter holidays is to celebrate at home with the people who live with you. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others. 

Travel and gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase your chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the fluRead more from the CDC about safely celebrating this holiday season.

 

Message from City Council Chair Helen Riehle

Listen to City Council Chair Helen Riehle as she reflects on 2020 and the current state of affairs in the City. Wishing you all a joyous holiday season from the City Council. Click the image below to listen.

 

Helen Riehle - Dec 2020
Scam

ALERT: Increasing Scams 

The South Burlington Police have been receiving an increasing number of reports of fraud being perpetrated via phone, text, and e-mail.  In many cases the suspects impersonate the IRS or represent that the victim has won a prize, all in an effort to convince the victim to disclose their personal or financial information. 

Read more. 

Food Shelf - food on shelves

Meeting Needs at the Food Shelf

Each month, the South Burlington Food Shelf provides 75 pounds of food to more than 370 households in our community. This is made possible through the generosity of our residents and businesses. See how you can help.

Read more.

Library taking shape

Progress at 180 Market Street

Work on the new South Burlington Public Library and City Hall continues with the exterior faces almost completed. 

As the exterior work has continued much has been accomplished inside the building.  The most progress has been made on the first and second floors which will accommodate the Library, Senior Center, City Clerk’s office and the Auditorium.  Great progress is being made on the second floor as well which is completely Library. 

Consistent with the build-out schedule, the third floor where City Hall will be located is lagging behind the other floors and will be the last space in the building to be occupied. At this point it looks like a phased in occupancy of the building will commence in June 2021.

See more pictures INSIDE!

Environmental Protections - CC Update - Map

Planning Commission Briefs Council on Draft Environmental Protection Standards

Planning Commission chair Jessica Louisos gave the City Council an update on a series of amendments they are working on to the Environmental Protection Standards contained with the City’s Land Development Regulations.

Read more.

Climate Action

Creating a Climate Action Plan 

South Burlington is a member of the Vermont Climate Communities coalition, a network of cities and towns that have pledged to meet the targets of the State of Vermont and of the Paris Climate Accord. In the time since the City Council adopted this pledge in 2017, the City has hired an energy projects manager and pursued a number of key projects reducing our energy and carbon footprints.

Read more about developing a plan or watch the video.

Planned unit development

Council Adopts Zoning Amendments

The City Council unanimously adopted amendments to the City’s Land Development Regulations last Monday, following a public hearing.

Read more.

Traffic Light at Kimball and Gregory

New Traffic Light at Kimball Ave at Tech Park

A stoplight has now been installed at the easterly corner of Kimball Avenue and Community Drive, replacing the 4-way stop that had previously controlled traffic at that sight. 

This light has been installed as part of an overall traffic flow improvement project to accommodate extra traffic anticipated to begin with the opening of the FedEx building on Community Drive. 

The light has been set at “blinking red” as is required to notify drivers of the installation.  The light will soon turn to be fully functioning.

FedEx Building Construction Progress

FedEx outside

FedEx Building (outside)

FedEx Inside

FedEx Building (inside)

The FedEx building on Community Drive has now reached the point where it is closed in and interior work will contiunue.  The approximately 150,000 square foot building is expected to open mid-2021.

Airport Parkway - Penny for paths

PENNY FOR PATHS SPRING PROJECTS:
Allen Road and Airport Parkway

There are two Penny for Paths projects that are nearing the finish line, and will likely be constructed in the spring or summer of 2021.  Both of these projects were slightly delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more.

Search for Next City Manager Underway

City Council has commenced the search for the City's next City Manager. The process will take place through the opening months of 2021. The selected candidate will replace Current City Manager Kevin Dorn, who will retire at the end of June 2021. 

Applications will be accepted through January 4, 2021 to the Human Resources Department. See the position posting for more information, to read the full posting, access the job description, and for requirements for application.

School District Events

SB School District logo

South Burlington School District FY22 Budget Community Forums 

January 5

All forums will take place via Zoom and run from 6-7:30 pm. Links to agendas and participation information will be posted at www.sbschools.net

Regular School Board meeting December 16 
Agenda can be found at www.sbschools.net

Parking ban

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

For a complete list of meetings & events, please visit the calendar at www.sbvt.gov

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, December 21   |  6:30 pm | Virtual

  • UPDATE: Impact Fees
  • UPDATE: Sewer Ordinance Review
  • DISCUSSION: Local Control
  • Preliminary overview of FY22 General Fund Budget
  • Garden Street Extension / TIF
  • CCTV Annual Report

Full agenda and meeting minutes

Phone (audio only):(646) 749-3122
Access Code: 561-719-573

Watch the City Council Meeting on YouTube

Want to see what happened during the latest City Council meeting? Can't attend the live session online?  We've got you covered. You can watch the recorded December 7 meeting on YouTube

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Proposed Amendment to
Capital Improvement Program (FY2022-2031)

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT the South Burlington City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 7 P.M. to obtain public comments regarding the proposed Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2022-2031, prior to Council action to amend the Capital Improvement Program. The hearing will be held remotely via GoToMeeting.

Online: https://www.gotomeet.me/SouthBurlingtonVT/
city-council-meeting-01-04-2021

By phone:            (646) 749-3122
Access Code:      545-403-629

The purpose of the Capital Improvement Program is to serve as a fiscal tool, that is reviewed and amended each year and includes estimated public capital cost expenditures and revenues (funding sources) related to the following areas over the next ten fiscal years: Highway/Parks, Road Improvements, Fire and Ambulance Department, Police Department, Recreation and Parks,Open Space Projects, Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements, IT, Administration, Energy Projects, City Center, Sewer, Stormwater, and Water. The proposed Capital Improvement Program amendment is available for viewing online at http://www.southburlingtonvt.gov and in the Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 575 Dorset Street.

City Clerk's Office:
How to Access Services

Need to access the Clerk's office for a title search, vital records, or marriage license? 

Visit the City Clerk's page and see how to do so!

Red Rocks signage

OPEN SPACES:

Red Rocks Improvements

Staff have been diligently working on improvements to Red Rock Parks utilizing Open Space Project Fund monies for the last several years. These include new signage, work on trails and stormwater improvements.

Read more.

Recreation and Parks

cool dogs

Doing Your Part to Build a "Paws"itve Dog Community

Throughout the pandemic, there have been on-going dog culture concerns that are pervasive within our parks system, in particular our natural areas and open spaces.

Read Director Holly Rees' letter about building a positive dog community.

Turkey Take Out

HONK FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Senior Meal Drive Thru

It was a magical day as staff festively dressed and headed to the park to distribute holiday meals and goodie bags to our 120 registered seniors. 

Read more.

Spark the Park - ball lights

SPARK THE PARK: Coming soon!

Preparations in full swing to Spark the Park!

Our Recreation staff is working diligently to put assemble the pieces for the light installation that will soon be placed at Vet Memorial Park. Window frames are being made and wrapped in lights, bows are being placed on wreaths and giant gumballs are illuminated in the work area as the holiday music flows; getting us all in the spirit as we eagerly await next weekend’s light launch. 

We will be in the park Wed, Thurs and Friday next week preparing the site in anticipation of full illumination next weekend.  Keep checking our website and social media accounts for updates as we work together to Spark The Park.

Holiday lights on house

SHOW YOUR SPIRIT:

Community Decorating Contest

Who doesn’t enjoy riding around on a clear winter's eve checking out all of the seasonal decorations?  It’s an uplifting and COVID-friendly activity.  From the snowflakes on the lampposts on Market Street, to each and every neighborhood, there’s plenty to see. 

This year we are challenging community members to show their spirit and help to light up South Burlington for all to enjoy.  To encourage this, SBRP is sponsoring a Decorating Contest.  The contest is free to enter into the residential or commercial category.  Similar to the Halloween contest, SBRP staff will travel around the city and judge all entries the evening of Monday 12/21 so show us your spirit!  Though a small prize will be awarded for the winners of both categories, it’s the bragging rights and contributing to the wellness of the community that will be most rewarding.

To enter: Send your name and address by email  to bleonard@sburl.com  or by phone 846.4137

Deadline to register is 12:00 pm on Friday 12/18.

South Burlington Public Library

Holiday Fun & Games

Sharpen Your Pencils!

It's all fun and games...from the Library! The staff has pulled together some fun games and activities you can do over the next few weeks. So sharpen your pencils, get your thinkers thinking, and see if you can complete them all!

Get your puzzle/game packet.

The South Burlington Library is currently operating only curbside service. 

See the current hours.

While the Library is closed to the public, staff will continue to work on your behalf. Patrons may continue to place holds online, or call and email us to renew and request. Bags of surprise books are again available - just give us an idea of what books or topics you've enjoyed recently. These bags were made possible by Hannaford in the spring, and are now brought to you by Target.

Holds and requests are available for pickup M, Th and F 11-3 and Tu & Wed 2-6 in front of the library windows. If you can't come inside, call us from the parking garage and we will bring your items out during those hours. Check your receipts for due dates. Stock up for the holidays! 

Call us during pickup hours for more information or to get help with any of the resources on the web, 802-846-4140.

http://www.southburlingtonlibrary.org. 

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