Transportation, Energy, and Utilities Committee

Regular Meeting

Burlington, VT · June 23, 2026

Minutes

CITY OF BURLINGTON, VERMONT CITY COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION, ENERGY & UTILITIES COMMITTEE c/o Department of Public Works 802.863.9094 VOX 645 Pine Street, Suite A 802.863.0466 FAX Burlington, VT 05401 www.burlingtonvt.gov/dpw Councilor Mark Barlow, Chair, North District Inquiries: Councilor Gene Bergman, Ward 2 Rob Goulding Councilor Becca McKnight, Ward 6 802.881-2278 Councilor Marek Broderick, Ward 8 rgoulding@burlingtonvt.gov Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee of the City Council Tuesday, June 23, 2026 – 5:30 PM --DRAFT MINUTES— See video for full meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE3UipuBW8c Councilors absent: None Councilors present: Chair Barlow, Councilor Bergman (joined via zoom at 6:45 pm), Councilor Broderick, and Councilor McKnight Chair Barlow calls the meeting to order at 5:33 pm. 1. Agenda Councilor Bergman moves to adopt the agenda as posted on civic clerk. Councilor Broderick seconds. All in favor, Unanimous approval 2. Minutes of 5/26/26 Councilor Bergman moves to adopt the minutes as posted. Councilor Broderick seconds. All in favor, Unanimous approval 3. Public Forum None 4. Deliberative Agenda 4.1 BED Initiative Updates (Emission reduction, Battery Storage) Darren Springer, General Manager, Burlington Electric Department presented information. Councilor Broderick asked about July battery storage and wood pyrolysis? Councilor Bergman feels the public needs a report that say this is where we are at. Chair Barlow wonders if we could dedicate a whole meeting to discuss where we are at with pyrolysis? Question about the state of the pyknosis project? Councilor McKnight likes ideas being discussed. Feels Burlington Electric Department has been doing a great job relaying information. AI generated minutes w/ slight staff revisions: The main discussion focused on an update on BED initiatives presented by General Manager Darren Springer. He outlined plans for a three-year efficiency budget (2027-2029) that would include new programs such as pre- weatherization efforts, electric panel upgrades for income-qualified customers, continued geothermal test well programs, and extended boosted electric vehicle incentives through 2029. The funding for these initiatives would come from energy efficiency charges and the TEPF thermal energy process fuel fund. BED provided updates on three energy projects. The first involves exploring a solar canopy installation in the parking area at 585 Pine Street, which would add approximately 130 kW of capacity alongside the existing 100 kW rooftop solar. The second major update focused on a proposed 5-megawatt battery storage project at McNeil, which would be located in the ash pit area and could dispatch 20 megawatt hours over a 4- hour period. BED plans to present this proposal to the Electric Commission on July 8th and the Board of Finance/City Council on July 13th. The third update discussed exploring wood pyrolysis technology as a potential demonstration project, following an RFI that received limited responses, with BED noting the need for a demonstration opportunity before proceeding with this technology. 4.2 Carbon Pollution Impact Fee Update William Ward, Director of Permitting and Inspections provided information. Councilor McKnight hears from folks who are trying to make improvements that it is challenging for them. Chair Barlow – clarify that you have not collected and Carbon Impact fees? AI generated minutes w/ slight staff revisions: Director Ward presented an update on building energy standards and carbon impact fees, reporting that 74 permits were issued for new units in 2024, though 90% were actually additions to existing homes rather than new construction. He identified that only 4% of new construction projects used heat pump technology, and highlighted specific compliant projects including geothermal installations at Integrated Arts Academy and Monte Christi. The department plans to implement monthly reporting on compliance through John Ryan and Kim Ianelli's team, with DPI working with Darren from BED and Katherine Schad from the CTs office to establish where the carbon impact fees will be processed and budgeted. DPI recommended that constituents with concerns about compliance requirements should reach out to Darren's Energy Services team for assistance. 4.3 Rental Weatherization Ordinance Compliance Update William Ward, Director of Permitting and Inspections presented information. Councilor Bergman asked how many buildings are using 50,000 BTUs or more. Chair Barlow asked about the workforce development in weatherization trades. AI generated minutes w/ slight staff revisions: The meeting focused on rental housing weatherization compliance, with DPI reporting on enforcement progress and challenges. There are currently 503 rental properties using 50,000 BTUs or more, with 131 properties identified as top priorities for compliance action. The team discussed ongoing delays in weatherization work due to limited staffing and outdated BTU usage data, with Vermont Gas now requiring fees for energy audits beyond single-family homes. The committee unanimously agreed to participate in a statewide public transit funding advocacy campaign led by 350 Vermont. The discussion also covered the weatherization ordinance, noting that while 83% of rental units are now in compliance, only about 10% progress has been made since the ordinance began. A specific case was mentioned involving a property with failed inspections and significant fees, which resulted in an appeal to the Housing Board of Review. 5. Director’s Report None 6. Councilor Items Chair Barlow - Working list – Mass Transit, GMT Funding – possible symposium? Councilor Bergman – 350 Vermont Transportation Group – possibly join? Councilor Bergman made a motion to have the TEUC participate in this effort that was communicated to us by the transportation group of 350 Vermont. Councilor McKnight seconds. All in favor, Unanimous approval Councilor Broderick - Solid Waste/ Recycling - add to the working list. Councilor McKnight – Open Space Plan – add to the working list. 7. Next Meeting July 28, 2026, 5:30 pm at 645 Pine St. 8. Adjournment Chair Barlow adjourns meeting at 7:39 pm.

Agenda

Packet

City Council - Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 5:30 PM, Join in Person: Front Conference Room, 645 Pine St. Burlington, VT 05401 Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/84603122855 To call into the meeting, including to speak during public comment: Phone: 312-626-6799, Webinar ID: 846 0312 2855 1. Agenda 1.1. Motion to adopt/amend 2. Adopt Minutes 2.1. Minutes of 5/26/26 3. Public Forum 4. Deliberative Agenda 4.1. BED Initiative Updates (Emission reduction, Battery storage) - 30 min 4.2. Carbon Pollution Impact Fee Update - 20 min 4.3. Rental Weatherization Ordinance Compliance Update - 30 min 5. Director's Report 6. Councilor Items 7. Next Meeting 7.1. Tentative,7/28/26, 5:30PM 8. Agenda 9. Adjournment Page 1 of 4 CITY OF BURLINGTON, VERMONT CITY COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION, ENERGY & UTILITIES COMMITTEE c/o Department of Public Works 802.863.9094 VOX 645 Pine Street, Suite A 802.863.0466 FAX Burlington, VT 05401 www.burlingtonvt.gov/dpw Councilor Mark Barlow, Chair, North District Inquiries: Councilor Gene Bergman, Ward 2 Rob Goulding Councilor Becca McKnight, Ward 6 802.881-2278 Councilor Marek Broderick, Ward 8 rgoulding@burlingtonvt.gov Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee of the City Council Tuesday, May 26, 2026 – 5:30 PM --DRAFT MINUTES— See video for full meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uymws3oxw-k Councilors absent: None Councilors present: Chair Barlow, Councilor Bergman (joined via zoom at 6:45 pm), Councilor Broderick, and Councilor McKnight Chair Barlow calls the meeting to order at 5:33pm? 1. Agenda Chair Barlow makes recommendation to change the order of the agenda to: 4.3 as 4.1 - Champlain Parkway – Post Construction Monitoring 4.1 as 4.2 - GMT Updates: Route 1/ Route 11 Downtown Routing 4.2 as 4.3 – Unaccepted Streets Briefing Councilor Broderick moves to adopt the agenda as changed. Councilor McKnight seconds. All in favor, Unanimous approval 2. Minutes of 4/28/26 Councilor Broderick moves to adopt the minutes. Councilor McKnight seconds. All in favor, Unanimous approval 3. Public Forum Cara Simone – Ward 6 – Talked about concerns about unaccepted streets – lives on Chittenden Dr. 4. Deliberative Agenda 4.1 Champlain Parkway – Post Construction Monitoring Corey Mims, Senior Public Works Engineer presented information. Page 2 of 4 Councilor McKnight asked about tracking accidents while getting used to the new road. Chair Barlow asked questions about current data collections – have you been monitoring the intersection at Maple St & Pine St? AI generated minutes w/ slight staff revisions: Corey Mims from Public Works presented the Champlain Parkway monitoring plan, which includes traffic counts at specific intersections, signal operations monitoring using MileVision technology, and incident reporting for two years post-construction. 4.2 GMT Updates: Route 1/Route 11 Downtown Routing. Clayton Clark, General Manager of GMT & Chris Damiani, Director of Planning at GMT provided information. Councilor Broderick asked if GMT had been to the other areas for updates? Would there be consideration of studying what it would take to extend a route to Tilley Dr? Chair Barlow asked if the federal funding approves like it might when would we have to make decisions about local & state match? Will it be the hospital or a GMT function to do the study for Tilley Dr? AI generated minutes w/ slight staff revisions: GMT discussed funding updates, noting that while some members may contribute additional funding, most areas are feeling stretched financially. He explained that if the federal funding bill passes this year, local fiscal year 28 assessments would need to be sent out in November. Clay provided an update on funding, noting positive developments with the State T bill and potential increased federal funding through stick factors, though additional state and local match funds would still be needed to address a $3 million funding gap. Chris then presented updates on bi-directional travel implementation on routes 1 and 11 in Burlington, scheduled for June 29th, which will include two new stops and improved service spacing along Main Street. He noted that any new service expansion would require financial clarity, likely in the fall, before considering implementation. Clarifying that GMT could only provide recommendations using their fixed route transit due to labor contract restrictions. 4.3 Unaccepted Streets Briefing Philip Peterson, Senior Transportation Engineer, Calvin Wuthrich, Associate Public Works Engineer & Laura Wheelock Assistant Director of Technical Services & City Engineer presented information. Councilor McKnight suggested starting with streets the city plans to accept to build trust and momentum in the process. Feels there should be a call for submission for public documents. Councilor Broderick curious how you would subdivide the different phases? How is it measured to get it up to standards? Chair Barlow asked if the process will be shared before a recommendation is made? Outsource research? Public comment - Cara Simone made a comment about costs being absorbed over time. AI generated minutes w/ slight staff revisions: DPW presented an overview of the unaccepted streets project, highlighting ongoing legal reviews and plans for a deep dive into land ownership records. Calvin Wuthrich discussed the development of a grading system for surface conditions and a draft phasing framework to assess streets based on infrastructure Page 3 of 4 acceptance risk. The team plans to continue land records and legal reviews, coordinate with other utilities, and produce a phased list of streets by August. The legal complexities of accepting streets were emphasized, with challenges in determining ownership and the necessary research required for condemnation processes. 5. Director’s Report Director Spencer spoke about: • Finishing up Spring NPA tour • Champlain Parkways Special Events • Main St Special Events – June 3rd and July 17-18 6. Councilor Items Councilor Broderick & Councilor McKnight– South Willard St & College St – finally have pedestrian lights – thank you all for your work. Chair Barlow talked about meeting with Councilor Bergman about planning future meetings for project updates for Burlington Electric & Department of Permitting & Inspections and other meetings about Passive Home & Building Code Standards, Efficiency Utilities, Airport & others. 7. Next Meeting June 23, 2026, 5:30 pm at 645 Pine St. 8. Adjournment Chair Barlow adjourns meeting at 6:59 pm. Page 4 of 4