[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6085309,"mediaKeyId","2903880-f42c9482221789cbc913de8287803395","parentId",2903880,"title","Veterans Park field study: city explores PFAS‑free artificial turf, council asks for lifecycle and drainage comparisons","audioSeconds",470,"startMs",6090000,"endMs",6560000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903880-f42c9482221789cbc913de8287803395&start=6090&end=6560","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903880-f42c9482221789cbc913de8287803395/thumbnail_6090000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085309/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Veterans-Park-field-study-city-explores-PFASfree-artificial-turf-council-asks-for-lifecycle-and-drainage-comparisons","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085309-751e73896a68a35a0fa89b9a12b85320/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155829&Signature=n2aja1MwaeWoIXum6-IJkKhZyLXgaEb20fgDzSGzVg3tGizKROzTUQpssqwcStFE20zY5LnkAacc2YhH3j8jz5pbcbecWilMZYGvnNl0TK~kHw43twjLxiNgHmZVprTeOnZn~iEq65ImzpvlIjXQzGzLBW1YlnS33mwMKOy9dVVo5hujQynQMYm-2tz~oXEF5exCLyS5-6Mcv-NcRPDa3PyW6pE-M1FoR17YnucUEMG4A8-z~rg4f9wCFrYBOiym24qt5UPX8fYIdxPdy4cQ-qIrOv5BDQPaq8X4ZX7LR0APppJaCUFD~IB0-HliP7En6dZtZDl-ly-jHgSTMTTV8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Burlington City, VT","date","2025-04-09T03:51:33.843Z","article","City staff briefed the City Council on proposals to address chronic wet conditions at Veterans Park athletic fields and to close a roughly $115,000 funding gap to complete the current improvement package.

Silkem Kirschner, project manager for transportation and open space, and the recreation and parks director described three CIP projects at Veterans Park (field drainage and upgrades, new storage, and field surfacing). Kirschner said recent state legislation bans PFAS-containing artificial turf, but staff identified a PFAS‑free turf product that uses a proprietary soft‑wood infill intended to perform for the full life of the turf without crumb-rubber infill.

“We would be the first PFOS free artificial turf in the state,” Kirschner said, describing the vendor’s claim that the wood infill both absorbs water and reduces the bounce associated with crumb-rubber infill.

Staff provided preliminary cost estimates: a vendor quote for turf materials of about $335,000, a subbase estimate (aggregate and grading) of roughly $116,000 based on recent local installations, and engineering fees of about $44,700 — bringing the turf‑option subtotal to approximately $500,000 (not including the other park improvements). By contrast the one‑time cost of building a new grass field was estimated in staff materials at $175,000–$225,000. Staff noted a remaining CIP funding gap of roughly $115,000 to deliver the complete project as scoped.

Staff and the public also discussed maintenance and life‑cycle questions. The parks staff estimated current mowing time for a soccer field at roughly 180 minutes per week per field (mowing only; does not include striping and other work). The vendor literature supplied by staff said the wood infill is intended to last the life of the turf and to be less prone to “splash” or transfer into players’ gear compared with crumb rubber; staff said they would request references and lifecycle data from the vendor.

Councilors and several public speakers urged the city to compare alternatives before committing: prepare a life‑cycle cost comparison (capital, annual maintenance and replacement costs over the expected service life), study whether improved drainage and irrigation could make a grass field perform acceptably, gather references for the vendor’s wood infill, and estimate any environmental tradeoffs (material manufacture, disposal, and microplastics/resin questions). One councilor asked that staff present a per‑day cost‑of‑use estimate to show the financial trade‑offs if turf allows substantially higher field‑use days per year.

No formal action was taken; councilors agreed the city should continue scoping the turf option while also developing a grass‑field alternative with drainage and lifecycle comparisons. Staff said the next step is to gather vendor references, produce a lifecycle maintenance/ownership cost matrix, and include drainage-improvement options and potential grant/partner funding sources.

Ending: Staff will return with a vendor due‑diligence report (references and lifecycle data), a drainage/grass-improvement option with lifecycle costs, and a final cost comparison before any final funding or construction decision is made.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","South Burlington City Council - 4/7/2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented a PFAS‑free artificial‑turf option for Veterans Park and councilors asked for lifecycle cost comparisons and drainage alternatives before making any funding decision.","taxTitle","South Burlington City, Chittenden County, Vermont","taxId",2752,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085314,"Council extends hot‑water exemption in heating ordinance; staff directed to prepare ordinance language and further research",1007,5425000,6432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903880-f42c9482221789cbc913de8287803395&start=5425&end=6432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903880-f42c9482221789cbc913de8287803395/thumbnail_5425000.jpg","/articles/6085314/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Council-extends-hotwater-exemption-in-heating-ordinance-staff-directed-to-prepare-ordinance-language-and-further-research","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085314-39cff37366a08065722ff83049747795/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155829&Signature=aOyEW9ldakb00NJORGZxvfrZngos5HiWGuZQ4PVHt2FOQzxEo-CGlch2js3GrXYX9KsOwjoxl4l7suY88sjNu~lFw7V-NLJ8vBS-dmRrFJiWbqkBNlTGga3jUIndXW1D4cKFknJ6Vj0Uj8Ku2iZOBsFBwYYipSTa6utfK~VwEILlAHJMtqiXgdO7uVNaIdIG06RWHyK0XM7RR5PFHQx7NcmUn~fFthN3J2QvD87QPQbflrbZCdX4jNqn5eAIO~Y9H25h19D2e28paIQIuLVq7S7n6mxOsiSq8sTP8T-Wl5bHQXoZ7ySNGeCNVXjNUGxllkFX08lgTjyUI6Ahqg~gAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors directed staff to prepare ordinance language to extend a temporary exemption for service hot-water systems in the city’s 2022 heating and service-water-heating ordinance and asked staff to do additional technical research before a formal ordinance vote.

Bettina Migas, Climate Action Manager, summarized the ordinance background and the original exemption: “This ordinance was approved on 11/07/2022. It took effect 02/15/2023,” she said, adding that the ordinance required renewable primary heating systems and renewable service-water-heating systems and that the 2-year hot-water exemption had expired on 02/15/2025.

Staff told councilors the exemption was originally added because of limited availability and performance of heat-pump hot-water systems for large circulation systems, and staff reviewed building permits filed during the exemption window. Those permits included one mixed‑use building, nine triplexes or four‑plexes, 11 duplexes and 48 single‑family homes, a set of project types staff said were not the most common new construction in the city.

Staff proposed a stepped approach: extend the exemption for multi‑unit residential and mixed‑use projects while removing the exemption for commercial “low hot-water users” (which staff said can be defined using water‑meter size — Champlain Valley Water District characterized heavy hot‑water users as those requiring more than a 1‑inch water‑meter connection). Staff recommended drafting clearer definitions and making the exemption time‑limited to allow fuller review of technology and cost changes.

A council member moved that staff prepare ordinance language to extend the exemption and pursue additional research; the motion was seconded and approved by a vote the clerk recorded as three in favor, one opposed and one absence. The council did not adopt final ordinance text at the meeting; staff will return with draft ordinance language and more detailed research before a first reading and public hearing.

Ending: Staff will prepare draft ordinance language and additional technical and cost analysis (including comparisons to other jurisdictions cited by councilors) and return to council for formal readings.

","The council instructed staff to draft ordinance language extending the temporary hot‑water exemption in the city’s heating and service-water-heating rules for certain building types and to research technology and cost implications; the motion passed 3–1 with one absence.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085319,"South Burlington staff outline $850,000 in climate-focused CIP spending, council asks for clearer net-cost accounting",3767,328000,4095000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903880-f42c9482221789cbc913de8287803395&start=328&end=4095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903880-f42c9482221789cbc913de8287803395/thumbnail_328000.jpg","/articles/6085319/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/South-Burlington-staff-outline-850000-in-climate-focused-CIP-spending-council-asks-for-clearer-net-cost-accounting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085319-c3c76abfeada60be7d5d1ae30186c9bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155829&Signature=BtUJVSH7KPz9Xm22saUfFYJ8sbs6tbM6fzU6SEaE~ZGxx8kpSw504mPDk17Vxke-SQ6C8jORfWzG9OwByPay45cNHA0OCAQWlpGjQd246hpwVCoKYVLWyCg3qd66iOmWF2Iuj8MXMRO-wBYO5sA44ob-PNz6RsKTzJ99bUG3ObeHkYG5wMeP9N4mCZ-n8E2lkjrCcIzQ15GuwBWMf-WnFEk1r9SV5n~NqytyWuSB9ARNZ46A~FuZJbVar9jvSTWzD0abByMRgkNMw4IUYUSptKJ4nH3FqF4Dg1YGzz5rDxaamyYEOMq-~kLpzIjbLpMglr8MAxLKZnbKQ3bfBOaVMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Burlington City staff presented an update on climate-related items in the fiscal year 2025 and 2026 capital improvement plans, saying the municipal government portion of the effort includes building weatherization, fleet electrification and installation of electric vehicle charging equipment.

“We have $505,000 allocated in FY25 and then another 345 for FY26,” Climate Action Manager Bettina Migas said during the council meeting, summarizing the line items staff included in the CIP for government operations.

The presentation split investments into two categories: government operations (municipal buildings, municipal fleet, small equipment and studies, and EV infrastructure) and transportation (active-transportation projects and public transit funding). Staff listed specific projects and estimates: rooftop-unit replacements and boiler work for municipal buildings; purchase of four electric administrative vehicles (Hyundai Konas) and fit-out costs; and EV chargers at Public Works and Fire Station 1. Bettina told the council staff also plan to pursue solar at Public Works and to use revolving-fund dollars where available.

Staff gave several budget figures during the presentation: a comparability number for four electric administrative cars (including fit-up) of about $140,000 versus about $128,000 for the equivalent gasoline vehicles (an incremental “climate” cost of roughly $12,000) and an expected rebate package from state and utility programs that staff estimated at $16,800 for those vehicles. For boilers at one municipal building, staff said a high-efficiency unit would cost about $58,000 compared with $43,000 for a baseline unit (a $15,000 difference), with an estimated simple payback of about 4.6 years before rebates. Migas said the FY25/26 package would increase the city-operations greenhouse-gas mitigation from roughly 12 to about 60 metric tons CO2e over the baseline period shown in the presentation.

On transportation, staff noted $1.0 million in bike-and-ped investment in FY25 (about 56% external funding) and $2.0 million in FY26 (about 55% expected external funding). A larger city-center package in the CIP totals roughly $13.0 million, staff said, and staff credited grant work that brings matching funds.

Councilors repeatedly pressed staff to present these numbers on a net basis — that is, to show the incremental cost after expected rebates and to separate revenue sources (general fund, Energy Project Revolving Fund, federal/state grants, utility incentives). “It seems to me we should present it net so we know the true difference,” one councilor said. Bettina Migas and other staff agreed to revise future material to show net costs, how rebates and revolving-fund dollars affect the net burden on taxpayers, and clearer funding-source detail.

Council members also asked for more precise operational estimates (e.g., actual annual mileage for vehicles used by specific departments) and for a clearer accounting of EV infrastructure installation costs that are required to realize fleet savings. Members of the public who spoke during the meeting asked for itemized rebate assumptions and cautioned staff not to overstate federal or state incentives.

The council did not take a formal vote on the CIP presentation. Staff said they will return with a revised packet that shows net costs after rebates, a clear breakdown of funding sources, and sensitivity scenarios for differing rebate outcomes.

The presentation and follow-up questions highlighted two lines of uncertainty staff said they will clarify: the timing and eligibility of some federal and utility incentives, and the precise expected mileage and duty cycles for the new electric administrative vehicles and patrol/admin replacements, which materially affect payback and GHG calculations.

For now the council’s direction was procedural: staff should repackage the CIP climate material to show net incremental costs, funding-source impacts, and clearer lifecycle-cost comparisons before the FY26 budget is finalized.

Ending: Staff said they will return with updated, netted numbers and clearer funding-source tables ahead of final budget decisions so councilors and the public can judge the fiscal and climate trade-offs with the full offsets shown.","Climate Action Manager Bettina Migas told the City Council staff plan to spend roughly $505,000 in fiscal 2025 and $345,000 in fiscal 2026 on municipal building upgrades, fleet electrification and EV chargers, plus transportation projects; councilors asked staff to return with net costs after rebates and clearer funding-source breakdowns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085300,"Votes at a glance: council approves consent agenda and proclaims Fair Housing Month; liquor licenses granted",347,1867000,2214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903880-f42c9482221789cbc913de8287803395&start=1867&end=2214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903880-f42c9482221789cbc913de8287803395/thumbnail_1867000.jpg","/articles/6085300/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-consent-agenda-and-proclaims-Fair-Housing-Month-liquor-licenses-granted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085300-2ee2bd573949d83529e963b68090c26c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155829&Signature=ojYf8PdGyfkPZ4j-bMFe2ziIfHjGFUIY~KQEUaYgarRrzMLYufSU3os-bGKskkKrdtxhuUL0WJsPybiZWTJ~DclVz8gzpBJ41Fi9PTofm0VLER04gHh6CYTkyD9mIORHMeQVFy3eSkYtHQgd7XaZO5FOGczZ-yOn4dWSRIX4LEuZOo4z~bPBvHLW2Ko7WtWxFR3vIvlJLuwXa0MH9ar6R5ZUU3Go3tuC45kIOt5oS7X0z8wrxUafExB89wifN2OPnt2mi0RQLi3HoAxpptau9JHoQYAEXzXTj5Kn69SN5hc3JNvy8dhY47RXnWxFFkBgkyYw11SePqR-LDBNgPpSNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved several routine and resolution items during the meeting, including a consent-agenda package, a Fair Housing Month proclamation, and liquor-license applications.

Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda, which included authorization for the city manager and finance director to reassign $70,000 within the fire department fiscal‑year 2025 capital investment plan (approximately $60,000 toward a powered patient‑loading system and $10,000 toward thermal imaging cameras) and authorization to award the engineering design contract for the Heintzberg Road shared‑use path to VHB, plus approval of an updated local emergency management plan. The clerk recorded the vote as unanimous with one absence.

Fair Housing Month resolution: The council approved Resolution 2025‑7 proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month and supporting outreach and education activities; the motion passed unanimous with one absence.

Liquor Control Commission actions: The council convened briefly as the Liquor Control Commission, reviewed the listed license applications on the consent list and approved them as presented; the clerk recorded the liquor approvals as unanimous with one absence.

Other procedural motions: The council also took the routine procedural votes to convene and adjourn as the Liquor Control Commission; those procedural actions were passed unanimously with one absence.

Ending: Most items were routine and approved without extended debate; staff will proceed with the consents, award the engineering contract and implement the emergency plan updates as authorized by council.","At the meeting council approved the consent agenda (transfers within fire CIP and emergency plan approval) and adopted Resolution 2025‑7 proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month; the council also approved liquor-license applications and later voted to convene as the Liquor Control Commission.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085304,"City reports 417 rental properties registered; staff proposes fee mechanism to fund expanded inspection staffing and space",653,5327000,5980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903880-f42c9482221789cbc913de8287803395&start=5327&end=5980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903880-f42c9482221789cbc913de8287803395/thumbnail_5327000.jpg","/articles/6085304/South-Burlington-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/City-reports-417-rental-properties-registered-staff-proposes-fee-mechanism-to-fund-expanded-inspection-staffing-and-space","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085304-238a9f22aaa67d310651b3847b074595/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155829&Signature=dgL5LXORXrR8sfT0EDwJka7zMW-iWhszMZ2S5~R6cp~j7bxw9~Q2U7LnqzOlozwunANYzlf3J8dD1d0Dnh96XP4RZCczSQ4DdSm9S~VmBMkpOSeiSVy0S98c9DF8Aacf1gxWoS7JKEDsnason9v83-~-tcxysIm19FhIE-Jmcfs42QJRK97qq3A5mkbGy3NyKOK25dyCc4z19NpogJwY3LJ~K~JO1RDgTSiDkMR47IEGZsEmzUzvvgLyhX1CEVpuHLBEVNvICmbyYYD8Za4ttADl8yKqMLAtiWDpE1wL-7cdrBu7IQESF-JNgviX6NqxRBmQVEaBph8TLNC~2ccsjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Burlington staff updated the council on the city’s rental registry program, inspection work completed in the program’s first months, and a financing option for a modest office expansion to support the inspection team.

Staff reported that 417 properties representing 2,643 rental units have registered in the program to date. Of those units, staff said 762 are permanently affordable units and about 1,808 are conventional long‑term rental units. Short‑term rentals were split into two categories: 46 short‑term rental units paying the higher short‑term fee (owner‑occupied and non‑owner‑occupied distinctions apply) and an additional 27 owner‑occupied accessory‑short‑term arrangements.

“Shortly thereafter, about within a week or so, we submitted a very, rudimentary online way that you could, using a Microsoft form, register your property, to get the system going,” staff said. Inspections began in September; staff said they have completed on‑site inspections at 222 properties (753 units) with 975 separate inspection visits (follow‑ups explain the higher visit count), and they listed the most common violations: missing ground‑fault circuit interrupters near water sources, overdue heating/furnace inspections, missing or noncompliant smoke/CO alarms and missing handrails.

Staff described operational challenges: last‑minute appointment cancellations, difficulty sourcing contractors to make required repairs within short compliance windows, and occasional unpermitted changes of use (for example, bedrooms or accessory units added without zoning or building permits). Staff said many life‑safety violations have been corrected through the inspection process and highlighted some recent remediation work, such as removal of abandoned oil tanks.

To fund an approximately 2,000‑square‑foot addition to the fire‑prevention/inspection office that staff said is needed to support the inspection program, staff proposed a temporary 5% capital‑assessment fee on selected permits issued by the fire and building departments (construction, electrical and similar permits). Staff estimated that a 5% fee could generate roughly $70,000 per year and said they would propose the fee as a temporary mechanism and present a formal repayment/borrowing plan if council supported the concept.

Council members asked staff to prepare a fuller financial package and to continue exploring grants, and several councilors praised the inspection work that had already addressed life‑safety problems. Staff said they will return with a detailed financial plan and implementation timeline; no fee ordinance or vote was taken at the meeting.

Ending: Staff will return with a full financing and implementation proposal for the expanded inspection workspace and staffing, and the council asked staff to continue pursuing grants and to present a detailed impact analysis before any fee change is adopted.","City staff reported that 417 rental properties (2,643 units) have registered under the new rental-registry ordinance; inspections have started and staff proposed a temporary 5% capital-assessment fee on certain permits to finance a 2,000-square-foot addition to inspection/fire-prevention office space and ongoing inspection capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Veterans Park field study: city explores PFAS‑free artificial turf, council asks for lifecycle and drainage comparisons

Council extends hot‑water exemption in heating ordinance; staff directed to prepare ordinance language and further research

South Burlington staff outline $850,000 in climate-focused CIP spending, council asks for clearer net-cost accounting

Votes at a glance: council approves consent agenda and proclaims Fair Housing Month; liquor licenses granted

City reports 417 rental properties registered; staff proposes fee mechanism to fund expanded inspection staffing and space