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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 07/11/2022 CITY COUNCIL& LEADERSHIP TEAM RETREAT 11 JULY 2022 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting and Leadership Team Retreat on Monday, 11 July 2022, at 6:30 p.m., in the Kevin L. Dorn Senior Center, 180 Market Street. MEMBERS PRESENT: H. Riehle, Chair; M. Emery,T. Barritt, Sen. T. Chittenden ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager; A. Bolduc, Deputy City Manager; D. Kinville, City Clerk; C. McNeil, City Attorney; Chief S. Locke, Fire Department; Lt. G. Jager, Police Department; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; T. DiPietro, Public Works Director; G. Yandow, Plant Manager; M. Lyons, City Assessor; H. Rees, Recreation Director; M. Machar, Finance Officer; I. Blanchard, Project Manager; J. Murray, Librarian; B. Sirvis, S. Dooley 1. Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency and review of technology option: Ms. Baker provided instructions on emergency exit from the building. 2. Additions, deletions or changes in the order of Agenda items: No changes were made to the Agenda. 3. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda: There were no comments or questions from the public. 4. Announcements and City Manager's Report: Council members reported on meetings and events they had attended. Ms. Baker: Welcomed new Fire Chief Steve Locke. The Council will be meeting with the Planning Commission on 26 July. 1452 ballots have already been received for the August primary election. Ms. Kinville and her staff are doing yeoman's work in preparing for that election. The Public Arts Committee has approved an exhibit for the play area. The Library Board will be hosting a "birthday party" on 23 July, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate the Library's first year at 180 Market Street and 50th anniversary. CITY COUNCIL & LEADERSHIP TEAM RETREAT 11 J U LY 2022 PAGE 2 Public Works is repairing a lot of potholes. Residents should phone if they see any that have been missed. 5. Consent Agenda: A. Consider and Sign Disbursements B. Approve a resolution expanding the Library Board to 12 members C. Appoint the FY23 Volunteers to Boards and Committees D. Award the Stonehedge Drainage Improvement Project contract to Engineer's Construction, Inc. E. Award the Lindenwood Drive Stormwater Project to Engineer's Construction, Inc. Ms. Emery noted a lot of trees having been taken down in conjunction with the Lindenwood Drive project. Mr. diPietro explained the nature of the project and the necessity for the tree removal. Ms. Emery moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 6. Approve the FY23 Tax Rate: Mr. Bolduc explained that they fell just short of the estimated 1.4 increase in the grand list which resulted in an increase in the tax rate. The good news is that the State education tax rate dropped 2%, so the overall tax rate increase was only .08%. Mr. Bolduc also noted that the allocations for the Open Space Fund and "Pennies for Parks" have now been separated out. Ms. Emery moved to approve the FY23 tax rate as presented. Mr. Barritt seconded. The motion passed 4-0. 7. Approve a Council Resolution establishing the FY23 Water, Sewer and Stormwater Rates: CITY COUNCIL & LEADERSHIP TEAM RETREAT 11 JULY 2022 PAGE 3 Mr. Bolduc explained that this is the first time the Water, Sewer and Stormwater Rates are being established by Resolution. Ms. Baker said this is related to the fact that the City Council also serves as the Water Commission. She added that this will be an area of upcoming focus. Ms. Emery moved to approve the Resolution establishing the FY23 Water, Sewer and Stormwater rates as presented. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed 4-0. Ms. Sirvis expressed concern with people having to pay for water use when they are not in residence for a month or more. She also objected to paying for the water use of people who are not as careful about overusing water. She said as the potential for drought increases, this might be a way to get people's attention. Ms. Riehle asked if all the new meters have been installed. Mr. diPietro said they have not yet completed that process. Ms. Riehle asked if that would all for water monitoring. Mr. diPietro said they will be talking about water use this year, and it will be a good time to have that discussion. 8. Conduct the FY23 Policy Priorities and Strategies Council and Leadership Team Retreat: Ms. Baker invited team members to introduce themselves and tell what accomplishment they have been most proud of since the last retreat. Members responded as follows: Holly Rees (Recreation): Szymanski Pickle Ball Court and fencing happening now at the Dog Park Colin McNeil (City Attorney): Negotiating agreement with all bargaining units. Meaghan Emery (City Council): passing the city budget and passing the LDR amendments. Martha Machar (Finance): passing the city budget Tom DiPietro (Public Works): many projects moving forward. Martha Lyons (Tax and Assessment): reappraisal and surviving the appeals; getting the grand list squared away with more than 200 change of appraisal notices and only one going to the BCA. CITY COUNCIL & LEADERSHIP TEAM RETREAT 11 JULY 2022 PAGE 4 Greg Yandow (Physical Plant): the new facility. Sen. Tom Chittenden (City Council): SoBu Night Out and negotiating the three labor agreements Tim Barritt (City Council): being named in a lawsuit by a developer and getting re-elected. Ilona Blanchard (Projects): appointment of Tom diPietro and the 1-89 bridge project Andrew Bolduc (Deputy City Manager): passing of the budget Helen Riehle (City Council): so many volunteers willing to continue, passing the LDRs, Creation of the Climate Task Force and having a city that focuses on the future. Jessie Baker (City Manager): the many new folks brought onto the team and how welcoming people have been. Paul Conner (Director of Planning &Zoning): helping residents navigate the new LDRs, work done by volunteers, and the new downtown/being able to walk across the street and get a cup of coffee Lt. Jager (Police): having the Police Department more "professionalized," maintaining the high services during COVID Steve Locke (Fire): being part of a professional team. Jennifer Murray (Library): having an equity group, having over 600 children participate in programs during June. Ms. Baker then reviewed some community graphics as follows: Population —20,292 Median Age of Residents—41.7 Residents over 65— 18.5% Total number of homes—9,650 Ms. Baker stressed that between those elected and those appointed, all have an obligation to uphold policy decisions. She said she has been very impressed with how willing people are to CITY COUNCIL & LEADERSHIP TEAM RETREAT 11 JULY 2022 PAGE 5 use the established policies and priorities. Many of the previous priorities will continue into the future. Ms. Baker then outlined the "big picture" looking forward and enumerated the key elements as the city heads into the new budget year: a. Starting FY23 in the red b. Expecting the Climate Action Plan in September that is very aggressive and will probably need funding c. Planning capacity d. Bartlett Bay Treatment Plan upgrade e. Final TIF vote f. Fire/EMS strategy plan Additional needs include data and reporting capacity and code enforcement (with the possibility of a rental code/enforcement). Ms. Baker noted that one cent on the city budget yields $406,000. One percent yields $180,000. She added that South Burlington has the lowest tax rate in Chittenden County and the third lowest equalized tax rate in the County. Mr. Barritt asked what about the current CLA (common level of appraisal). Ms. Machar said it is 100.99 as of January 2022. Ms. Baker said the city's three overarching priorities entering the new fiscal year are: City Center/TIF, the update of the city's Comprehensive Plan, and the Climate Action Plan. She noted that people will not be asked to comment on these unless they feel there are steps they feel are not the right ones. Ms. Baker noted that city committees are at different stages with using the Policies and Priorities, and committee recommendations will be provided separately. Attendees then engaged in a generative exercise, looking at posted Comprehensive Plan values, making comments and then brainstorming what may be missing. Following the exercise, Ms. Baker enumerated many of the comments as follows: CITY COUNCIL & LEADERSHIP TEAM RETREAT 11 JULY 2022 PAGE 6 a. Work of the City Charter Committee b. Question of the number of Planning Commission and DRB members c. Scoring system for traffic calming requests so they can be ranked moving forward d. Expediting the process for energy efficient projects (Mr. Conner noted they now use a program for permitting. It is very hard to track projects as they come in. There is also not a good structure for the review process (back and forth emails). He noted that in recent years, options for communities the size of South Burlington have increased. The City of Burlington now has a system that cost in the range of$40,000 to set up and $40,000 a year to maintain. The system would be helpful for those seeing projects as well (i.e., "where in the system is my project"). e. Camping on public property. Lt. Jager said this has not been as prevalent this year, though there has been some. f. Re: Fire Department—a 3-5 year plan for staff and community engagement (how the department is governed, needs, balance of mutual aid, etc.) g. Streams that are chlorine impaired h. "Walkable" city—use of Regional Planning funds to help with city projects i. Partnering with the City of Burlington for a Regional Tech Center (South Burlington does not have a Tech Center) j. Research approaches via technology re: emissions, etc. k. A 2-day city event in December I. Identifying city spaces where people can meet people like themselves (e.g., the immigrant community). Lt. Jager noted they are partnering the provide interpreters, etc., and this has been successful so far. Ms. Murray said the Library has been involved in that partnership. m. Increased programs for underserved population n. "piggy-backing" on some things done by the schools (recreation) o. Getting information to neighborhoods regarding noise mitigation program p. Referring non-violent crimes to the Community Justice Center Attendees then engaged in a "dot exercise," to indicate their top three strategies in each policy area. Ms. Baker will tally these and share the results at meetings with individual groups. A member of the audience cited the challenges regarding child care and after school care especially for new families coming into the city. He asked which committee could take that on. Ms. Riehle said that is something the schools could also be involved in. Ms. Emery said the CITY COUNCIL & LEADERSHIP TEAM RETREAT 11 JULY 2022 PAGE 7 issue is that there is no capacity in the after school programs. She said the schools are asked to do a lot and felt the city should do its share for the well-being of residents. Ms. Baker said she would need to hear something more specific. She noted the cost of starting a day care center is enormous. She suggested the City Council could define a more lobbying focus which could include child care. Ms. Emery suggested this as a possible charge for the Economic Development Committee. Mr. Barritt noted the several years ago, the State added new requirements to in-home child care providers that ended up causing many to close their doors. Ms. Dooley expressed hope for a Rental Registry. She noted that the city's strategic plan traditionally focused on population. She asked what the city's goal is regarding population. She also hoped to see more housing in City Center, closer to where jobs are. Ms. Emery noted that UVM closed its child care center, creating a terrible upheaval during COVID. St. Michaels closed theirs as well. Ms. Dooley noted that South Burlington has a good reputation for using State funds for children to attend programs in other communities. Ms. Baker questioned whether that is the highest and best use of funds as opposed to fixing the reasons the child care centers closed. Next Steps: Ms. Baker said the Leadership Team will tally the votes and then present them to the City Council. In FY23, all efforts will be aligned and there will be reports of progress every other month. Ms. Riehle thanked Ms. Baker and the whole staff for the incredible amount of thoughtful and serious work they have done to develop the city's priorities and a road map for the year. 9. Councilors' Reports from Committee Assignments: No reports were presented. 10. Other Business: Mr. Barritt asked about progress on the solar panels. Mr. Yandow said the work will possibly be done by Friday or a day or two more. The panels will no longer have the "side to side swing." CITY COUNCIL& LEADERSHIP TEAM RETREAT 11 JULY 2022 PAGE 8 As there was no further business to come before the Council Ms. Emery moved to adjourn. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. 19‘ 174— Clerk 4:, _ 0,.. skli southburlington rig, VERMONT To: South Burlington City Council From: Jessie Baker, City Manager Date: July 11, 2022 Re: 2022-2023 Board and Committee Appointments At the June 6 and June 20, 2022, Council Meetings,the Council interviewed candidates to sit on City boards and committees. As discussed, please approve the following appointments for FY23. Commit Member Term to Expire Affordable Housing Committee John G Simson 1Yr-2023 Tom Getz 3Yr-2025 Sandra (Sandy) S Dooley 3Yr-2025 Emily Holt-Gosselin 3Yr-2025 Bicycle& Pedestrian Committee Donna Jean Leban 3Yr-2025 Joel Klug 3Yr- 2025 Ann Ellen Mason 1Yr-2023 Doug Goodman 3Yr-2025 City Charter Donna Kinville 3Yr-2025 Ann LaLonde 3Yr- 2025 Common Area for Dogs Lisa Yankowski 3Yr-2025 Robyn Birgisson 3Yr-2025 Development Review Board Dan Albrecht 3Yr-2025 Dawn Philibert 4Yr-2026 Economic Development Committee Harris Kenndey Linge Jr 3Yr-2025 Sriram Srinivasan 3Yr-2025 Charles Johnston 3Yr-2025 Mike Biama 3Yr-2025 Energy Committee Keith Epstein 3Yr-2025 Ethan Goldman 3Yr-2025 Ahmad N Abdel-Fattah 1Yr-2023 Carolyn "Carrie" McLaughlin 3Yr-2025 Frans (Tyler)Van Boden 2Yr-2024 Robert (Rob) Meader 3Yr-2025 180 Market Street, South Burlington, Vermont 05403 1802-846-4107 I www.southburlingtonvt.gov Housing Trust Fund Corn. Lawrence P Kupferman 1Yr-2023 Library Board: Lee T Freeman 3Yr-2025 Anne LaLonde 1Yr-2023 Stacey Pape 3Yr-2025 Holly Painter 3Yr-2025 Kevin Morgenstein Fuerst 3Yr-2025 Penelope Tompkins 2Yr-2024 Lauren Nicole Ballard Hatch 3Yr-2025 Natural Resource Committee Jean-Sebastien Chaulot 3Yr-2025 Lisa Yankowski 3Yr-2025 Michele Korpos 3Yr-2025 Linda M Bailey 1Yr- 2023 Pension Advisory Committee Larry Kaufman 1Yr- 2023 Planning Commission Monica Ostby 3Yr-2025 Public Art Committee Jean-Sebastien Chaulot 3Yr-2025 John R Killacky 3Yr-2025 Recreation & Park Committee Oliver Pierson 3Yr-2025 Cyndi Freeman 3Yr-2025 Erin Buzby 3Yr-2025 180 Market Street, South Burlington, Vermont 05403 1802-846-4107 I www.southburlingtonvt.gov