Church Street Marketplace Commission

Regular Meeting

Burlington, VT · June 18, 2025

Minutes

CHURCH STREET MARKETPLACE DISTRICT COMMISSION June 18, 2025 9:00 AM Location: City Hall, Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St. Attendance: Commissioners: Mark Bouchett, Becky Holt (Zoom), Linda Magoon, Sam Tolstoi, Erik Monsen, Sarah Beal, Chris Haessly, Romeo von Hermann Staff: Kara Alnasrawi - Executive Director, Jessica Dudley - Marketing Manager, Aida Washburn - Projects & Event Specialist, Andrew Bacher – Marketplace Coordinator, Samantha McGinnis – Assistant Director, City Attorney Emmet Wood and members of the public both in person and online. I. COME TO ORDER a. Meeting is brought to order at 9:05am II. APPROVE AGENDA a. Agenda approved unanimously III. APPROVE MINUTES a. Minutes approved unanimously IV. PUBLIC FORUM – GENERAL a. Members of the public address the commission on a variety of issues V. COMMISSIONER UPDATES a. Sarah Beal addresses the commission on a variety of issues b. Erik Monsen addresses the commission on a variety of issues c. Linda Magoon addresses the commission on a variety of issues d. Romeo von Hermann addresses the commission on a variety of issues e. Becky Holt addresses the commission on a variety of issues f. Sam Tolstoi addresses the commission on a variety of issues g. Chris Haessly addresses the commission on a variety of issues VI. PUBLIC FORUM RULES AND TIME LIMITS a. Discussion between commissioners around rules and time limits. Request to see what the rules are for City Council including language read ahead of public forum. Time limit options for 2, 3, 5 minutes discussed with the opportunity for an extension with a majority vote. Ask Attorney Wood clarifying questions surrounding flexibility on time limits based on attendance. a. VOTE ANTICIPATED i. MOTION: Allow 5 minutes per person during public forum with the option to make changes on the limit based on the number of people in attendance. 1. Moved by Linda Magoon, Second by Romeo von Hermann 2. Discussion: Time limit for public forum discussed 3. Amendment: the addition of a limit of 30-minutes for public forum (proposed by Commissioner Monsen). Accepted by Commissioner Magoon. Seconded by Commissioner von Hermann. 4. Vote unanimously approved. II. CSM GOVERNANCE a. Discussion surrounding the governance of the Church Street Marketplace. Chair Bouchett leads discussion, prompted by Mayor’s previous comments at the May Commission meeting. Ideas discussed to keep the current model, move to a public private non-profit partnership, sunset the Marketplace. i. Commissioners discuss III. DPW PRESENTATION ON CHERRY & BANK STREET PROJECT a. Julia Ursaki, Public Works Engineer, gives presentation and updates on Cherry Street project slated to start in late 2026 or spring 2027. IV. DPW REQUEST TO REMOVE AWNING ON CHERRY ST (OLD BUS STATION) 1. Motion made by Commissioner Tolstoi 2. Seconded by Commissioner Monsen 3. Vote unanimously approved. V. TREASURER’S REPORT a. Commissioner Tolstoi reports that a majority of line items are underbudget with the exception of sponsorships/donations, which has been noted previously. Discussion on challenges of fundraising locally and nationally. States he feels confident we will land the budget. VI. DIRECTOR’S REPORT a. Kara reports on recent events, construction coordination and updates with DPW, demands on marketing requests to CSM marketing team, bringing ARTA 2.0 amendment to City Council full occupancy for South tower in City Place (what is this called now) July 1, spending time on transitioning into the new roles and merger, work with incoming Director McGinnis devise future models for the Church Street Marketplace. Gives thank you and closing remarks for her time serving at Marketplace Director. VII. CHAIR’S REPORT a. Thank you to Director Alnasrawi and congratulations on her new role. Had conversation with Bella and Theresa on the OCP request to communicate often, let us know about planning, let us know how we can support so we can know what your concerns are, very early in the process. To reach out to CC to encourage them to take advantage of the Commission in making decisions, take advantage of this body. Discussion on divisiveness in downtown and message that we need to continue to be positive. VIII. ADJOURN a. Meeting is brought to close at 11:09 am Next Meeting: July 16TH , 2025

Agenda

Packet

Church Street Marketplace Commission Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 AM, Sharon Bushor Room, Ground Floor City Hall Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/7366336595 1. Adopt the Agenda 2. Adopt Minutes Subject 2.1. Adoption of Minutes Meeting June 18, 2025 - Church St. Market Commission Meeting - Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 AM, Sharon Bushor Room, Ground Floor City Hall Category 2. Adopt Minutes Department Business and Workforce Development Type 3. Public Forum 4. Commissioner Updates (Marketplace Updates: up to 5 minutes Per Commissioner) 5. Deliberative Agenda Subject 5.1. Public Forum Rules and Time Limits Meeting June 18, 2025 - Church St. Market Commission Meeting - Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 AM, Sharon Bushor Room, Ground Floor City Hall Category 5. Deliberative Agenda Department Church St. Marketplace Type Action Subject 5.2. CSM Governance Page 1 of 9 Meeting June 18, 2025 - Church St. Market Commission Meeting - Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 AM, Sharon Bushor Room, Ground Floor City Hall Category 5. Deliberative Agenda Department Church St. Marketplace Type Discussion Subject 5.3. DPW Presentation on Cherry & Bank Street Project Meeting June 18, 2025 - Church St. Market Commission Meeting - Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 AM, Sharon Bushor Room, Ground Floor City Hall Type Presentation Department Church St. Marketplace File Attachments 1. 240523_Cherry and Bank Overall_36x108 240523_Cherry and Bank Overall_36x108.pdf 2. OGE Cart Vendor Location OGE Cart Vendor Location.pdf Subject 5.4. DPW Request to Remove Structure on Cherry Street (Old Bus Station) Meeting June 18, 2025 - Church St. Market Commission Meeting - Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 AM, Sharon Bushor Room, Ground Floor City Hall Type Action Department Church St. Marketplace Recommended Action Marketplace staff recommends the Commission approve the removal of the Cherry Street structure as a part of the Great Streets Reconnecting Bank & Cherry project. File Attachments 1. Memo Removal of Cherry Street Structure Memo Removal of Cherry Street Structure.pdf 6. Reports Subject 6.1. Treasurer's Report Meeting June 18, 2025 - Church St. Market Commission Meeting - Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 AM, Sharon Bushor Room, Ground Floor City Hall Category 6. Reports Department Church St. Marketplace Type Report Subject 6.2. Director's Report Meeting June 18, 2025 - Church St. Market Commission Meeting - Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 AM, Sharon Bushor Room, Ground Floor City Hall Category 6. Reports Department Church St. Marketplace Page 2 of 9 Type Report Subject 6.3. Chair's Report Meeting June 18, 2025 - Church St. Market Commission Meeting - Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 AM, Sharon Bushor Room, Ground Floor City Hall Category 6. Reports Department Church St. Marketplace Type Report 7. Adjournment Subject 7.1. Motion to adjourn Meeting June 18, 2025 - Church St. Market Commission Meeting - Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 AM, Sharon Bushor Room, Ground Floor City Hall Category 7. Adjournment Department Church St. Marketplace Type Recommended Action 8. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements Subject 8.1. 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 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 June 18, 2025 - Church St. Market Commission Meeting - Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 9:00 AM, Sharon Bushor Room, Ground Floor City Hall Category 8. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements Department Church St. Marketplace Type Page 3 of 9 CHURCH STREET MARKETPLACE DISTRICT COMMISSION May 21, 2025 9:00 AM Location: City Hall, Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St. Enter at street level Conference room on the right In-person or via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/7366336595 ATTENDANCE: Commissioners: Mark Bouchett, Becky Holt, Linda Magoon, Sam Tolstoi (leaves early and rejoins via phone), Erik Monsen (Zoom), Sarah Beal, Cara Tobin (Leaves briefly and rejoins via Zoom), Chris Haessly, Romeo von Hermann Staff: Kara Alnasrawi - Executive Director, Jessica Dudley - Marketing Manager, Aida Washburn - Projects & Event Specialist, City Attorney Emmet Wood, several members of the public both in person and online. I. COME TO ORDER a. Meeting is brought to order at 9:03am II. APPROVE AGENDA a. Agenda approved unanimously III. APPROVE MINUTES a. Minutes approved unanimously IV. PUBLIC FORUM – GENERAL a. Members of the public address the commission on a variety of issues V. MAYOR ADDRESSES COMMISSION a. Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak joins the meeting at approximately 9:20am. She explains her reasoning for appointing Kara Aln asrawi to the role of CEDO Director and announces her decision to appoint Samantha McGinnis as the new Marketplace Director in FY26 VI. FY 26 DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FEES a. Jackie Esperti (Parking Services Division Director for DPW) and Chapin Spencer (DPW Director) give a presentation on parking usage and revenues. The presentation outlines how the DID annual fees are spent. DPW recommends that DID fees remain the same at $0.035 per $100 of assessed value Page 4 of 9 b. Recommendation to leave DID rates unchanged passes unanimously VII. MATHEW’S MONTREAL FAMOUS CART SCHEDULE CHANGE a. Commission votes unanimously to allow Mathew’s Montreal famous cart to operate with their new menu but only between 10pm to 2am in order to accommodate brick and mortar locations on the street with similar menu items VIII. CAPADOCCIA REQUEST TO AFFIX SEASONAL FURNITURE a. Commission votes unanimously (Cara Tobin is not on the Zoom for the vote) to accept Cappadoccia’s request to seasonally affix a table to the Marketplace bricks IX. WHIM EARLY LEASE TERMINATION REQUEST a. Commission voted unanimously (Cara Tobin is not on the Zoom for the vote) to allow Whim to terminate its lease at 62 Church St. on May 31st vs July 31st, noting their commitment to stay on the street. X. LOCATION OF OVERDOSE PREVENTION CENTER (Commission Tolstoi leaves at 11:00am noting another conflict. Cara Tobin rejoins the Zoom) a. Members of the public address the Commission regarding an OPC center, whether one should exist in Burlington, and if it did where the preferred location would be b. Commission discusses the proposed resolution. i. Commissioner Holt moves to table the resolution. 1. In favor of tabling the resolution: Erik Monsen, Becky Holt, Sarah Beal, Cara Tobin 2. Against tabling the resolution: Linda Magoon, Romeo von Hermann, Chris Haessly, Mark Bouchett a. Vote ends in a tie. Motion to table the resolution fails c. Commissioner Beal moves to vote on the resolution i. Abstention from the vote: Erik Monsen, Cara Tobin, Becky Holt, Sarah Beal ii. Votes in favor of the resolution: Linda Magoon, Romeo von Hermann, Chris Haessly, Mark Bouchett d. City Attorney Wood confers with their colleagues as to how to proceed. Commissioner Tolstoi is reached by phone and agrees to vote. e. The vote roll is called again upon the instruction of Attorney Wood i. Abstention from the vote: Erik Monsen, Cara Tobin, Becky Holt, Sarah Beal, Sam Tolstoi ii. Votes in favor of the resolution: Linda Magoon, Romeo von Hermann, Chris Haessly, Mark Bouchett iii. Vote fails XI. TREASURER’S REPORT a. Sam Tolstoi is absent but has instructed Kara to let the Commission know that he has reviewed the budget and all looks stable and he has no immediate concerns XII. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Page 5 of 9 a. Kara reports on recent events, construction coordination with DPW, new stores coming into Church St., and indicates that most of her time has been spent with the City’s recent layoffs, merger of departments, and fielding questions about her new appointment XIII. CHAIR’S REPORT a. Mark reports that business is up and that he has hope for the summer months b. Discussion ensues that the commission should set clearer rules on public forum. Commissioner Haessly asks that Commissioner Updates be a standing agenda item. Chair Bouchett agrees to both requests. Both items will be taken up in the June meeting. XIV. ADJOURN a. Meeting is adjourned at 11:55am Next Meeting: June 18 TH, 2025 Page 6 of 9 CATHEDRAL OF VERMONT DEPARTMENT IMMACULATE OF HEALTH CVS CONCEPTION BEN AND JERRY’S Cherry St Cherry St FRANKIE’S DEAR LUCY OUTDOOR GEAR HOTEL DOWNTOWN BURLINGTON HIGH EXCHANGE VERMONT SCHOOL CITY PLACE BURLINGTON (TEMPORARY) (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) PARKING Battery St Pine St St. Paul St Church St S. Winooski Ave GARAGE HANDY’S PARKING SERVICE GARAGE CENTER KARLISE FINE HILTON JEWELERS Bank St Bank St PARKING GARAGE ALWAYS EL PHOENIX GAS Center St A SINGLE KEY BANK HENRY’S FULL CORTIJO BOOKS STATION PEBBLE DINER MARKET SCALE (ft) N 0 10 20 30 40 Page 7 of 9 Option 2: Temporary Food Truck Area and Seating Components: • Removeable Bollards • Large enough for up to 16’ Food truck • Electric hookup • Moveable furniture fills space when not in use Cherry St. Church St. Outdoor GEAR Exchange BUilding SCALE (ft) 0 5 10 15 20 Great Streets: Church And CHerry SW Alternatives Study May 13, 2025 Page 8 of 9 To: Church Street Marketplace Commission From: Samantha McGinnis, Assistant Director CC: Kara Alnasrawi, Director Date: June 13, 2025 Re: Removal of Cherry Street Structure Background: The structure located on the southwest corner of Church and Cherry Streets was originally constructed in 1981 as the Cherry Street Transit Terminal. At the time, it housed operations for the Chittenden County Transportation Authority (now Green Mountain Transit, GMT). Shortly after its completion, the facility was deemed undersized for the needs of the transit system. In response, the City of Burlington partnered with VHB and GMT in 2006 to identify a new location for the Downtown Transit Center. After extensive public engagement and analysis, the St. Paul Street site was selected in 2012, with the new facility officially opening in October 2016. Following the relocation of GMT’s operations, the original Cherry Street building was vacated. In the years since, the building itself has been dismantled, leaving behind only the structural frame, which remains on-site today. (See images below.) Request for Removal: As the Department of Public Works (DPW) finalizes the design phase of the Great Streets Reconnecting Bank & Cherry project—which will include streetscape improvements, utility upgrades, and enhanced connections between downtown and the waterfront—the future of the Cherry Street structure has been brought forward for consideration. DPW has shared several design concepts with Marketplace staff, all of which recommend the removal of the existing structure in order to maximize visibility, improve pedestrian flow at the Church and Cherry intersection, and create space for new, revenue-generating uses—such as a designated food cart location. Original Cherry Street Structure Structure Today Recommended Action: Marketplace staff recommends the Commission approve the removal of the Cherry Street structure as a part of the Great Streets Reconnecting Bank & Cherry project. Page 9 of 9