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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 06/26/2023 CITY COUNCIL 2023 The South Burlington City Council held a Policy Priorities &Strategies Retreat on Monday, 26 June 2023, at 4:00 p.m., in the Kevin Dorn Senior Center, 180 Market Street. MEMBERS PRESENT: H. Riehle, Chair; M. Emery,T. Barritt, T. Barnes, A. Chalnick ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager; Chief S. Locke, Deputy City Manager and Fire Chief; C. McNeil, City Attorney; D. Kinville, City Clerk; Chief S. Burke, Police Chief; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning;T. DiPietro, Public Works Director; D. Brayton, Director of Human Resources; H. Rees, Recreation Director; M. Lyons, City Assessor; M. Machar, Finance Director; J. Murray, Librarian; I. Blanchard, Community Development Director; G. Yandow, Physical Plant Director; M. Mittag 1. Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency and review of technology option: Ms. Baker provided instructions on emergency exit from the building and reviewed technology options. 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 Reports on Committee assignments and City Manager's Report: Council members reported on recent meetings and events they had attended. 5. Consent Agenda: a. Approve and Sign Disbursements b. Approve a Recreation Impact Fee Credit request from O'Brien Brothers Agency for O'Brien Eastview c. Approve the Bike Share Memorandum of Understanding with the Chittenden Area Transportation Management Association CITY COUNCIL 26 JUNE 2023 PAGE 2 Ms. Emery moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Fy24 Policy Priorities & Strategies Retreat: Ms. Baker reminded attendees that the focus of the Retreat is on strategic work that furthers the City Council's and community's vision, and does not include the core government services that staff provide daily. Ms. Baker then asked attendees to introduce themselves and to relate what they were most proud of in FY23. Responses included the following: Ms. Baker: The hugely successful election with the passing of all ballot items Chief Locke: Having the Fire Department fully staffed Mr. Barnes: To be part of this community and the Council though the trend in the US is not to be involved in city service. Ms. Emery: The passage of the budget and her involvement in the Juneteenth presentation Mr. Barritt: The growth that has happened in City Center Ms. Reed: "Illuminate Vermont" which was completely supported by every department and looking forward to becoming City Clerk Mr. Yandow: The repair of the 375 Hinesburg Rd. pump station (after it was hit by a car) and the rental of space to CSWD at 19 Gregory Drive Mr. DiPietro: The positive vote on the wastewater bond and the modernizing of some systems Ms. Riehle: The adoption of the city's Climate Action Plan Chief Burke: The implementation of the "best practices" plan Mr. Chalnick: The city's leadership in addressing the climate crisis Ms. Brayton: Given the opportunity to work for the city Ms. Lyons: Having Emily added to her team (noting that tax bills will go out on time) Ms. Blanchard: Community outreach and participation Ms. Machar: The passage of the budget Mr. Conner: Seeing City Center coming together and the public participation by the public in the putting together of the Comprehensive Plan Ms. Murray: Working with many other departments and groups and having an inroad to getting more teenagers interested in the Library. CITY COUNCIL 26 JUNE 2023 PAGE 3 Overview and Background: Ms. Baker reviewed some "vital statistics" relating to South Burlington including the following: Population—20,624 (12%of whom are foreign born) Those living in owner-occupied housing—60.2% B.A. degree or higher—62% Median household income -$85,750.00 Those over age 65—15.9% Language spoken at home— 12.7 language other than English White—17,904 Asian —969 Black—348 Ms. Baker noted that the housing trend is changing with more people moving into multi-family dwellings. Mr. Conner added that 2/3 of the homes built in the last 20 years have been multi- family which represents a big shift. Ms. Baker noted that city government is comprised of policy people (City Council) and implementation people (city staff). She said these are the people who make the city "go," and they are very passionate about what they do. She then showed a chart of City Council and staff responsibilities and stressed that none of these are "solely owned" and the majority of ownership can shift. She added that staff has the obligation to advise, but decisions still rest with the City Council. Day-to-day management is mostly a staff responsibility. Building on Existing Systematic Change: Ms. Baker noted that the city's Land Development Regulations are now focused on conserving habitat, redevelopment, and housing for all through inclusionary zoning. City successes in the past year include the final TIF bond vote,the vote on refurbishing the Bartlett Bay Treatment Facility, and the Climate Action Plan. The city's "big picture" includes the following: FY23 Grand List- $4,059,604,300.00 Property Tax Revenue -$18,079,306.86 CITY COUNCIL 26 JUNE 2023 PAGE 4 FY23 Tax Rate—0.4455 A 1% increase in the Grand List raises $180,855.37 The total cost for an average employee - $106,400.00 Ms. Lyons advised that the Grand List will see an increase in a little over 2.1%. Council members then participated in a "focused recommendation" exercise, identifying their individual priorities and items to possibly stop working on. In making their decisions, members were asked to consider the included Leadership Team recommendations, recommendations from city committees and FY23 accomplishments. Following the Council's exercise, Ms. Baker reviewed with the full membership the items which received the most Council support, as follows: a. Electrification of residential and commercial buildings: Mr. Chalnick asked whether there is the authority to regulate existing buildings. Mr. McNeil said the city has the ability to regulate heating. Mr. Chalnick asked if someone's system gives out in 2028, can the city require non-fossil fuel to be used. Mr. McNeil said there is that authority. Mr. Barnes expressed concern with the cost to residents and business owners. Mr. Barritt said that at the least they should be required to do an assessment and cost analysis. Ms. Baker stressed that all of this will require City Council debate. The question is whether to devote staff time to it. It was agreed to keep it on the list. b. Coordination with School District re: long-term capital planning: Ms. Riehle spoke to the need for more collaboration and for both sides to be collaborative. She stressed that they can't keep going as they have been and waiting for the "next shoe to fall." Mr. Barritt noted that more housing means more children. Ms. Riehle said the School Board needs to be part of the housing discussion because the impact is enormous. It was agreed to keep this on the list. CITY COUNCIL 26 JUNE 2023 PAGE 5 c. Activate Market Street with Events: Mr. Chalnick said that for him it doesn't rank with addressing climate change and added that they can't do everything. Ms. Emery said that in order to get people walking, you have to give them something to walk to and something to enjoy when they get there. It was agreed to keep this on the list pending resources. d. Modernization of the City's Website, etc. Mr. Chalnick had the same comment as with Market Street events. He asked if the system is broken enough to make it a "must." Ms. Riehle said there is an expectation among the public that they can go on line and get everything they need to have/know. Ms. Baker said the website is oriented to a city government structure, not to practically messaging the community (who we are and what we are trying to do). It is also not engaging for new people. Mr. Barnes said he is alarmed at the number of people who are not engaged. Mr. Barritt said that in this age a digital presence is of primary importance. He felt the website needs work. He also said it would be great if every municipality could have the same interface. Mr. Chalnick didn't see how the website could be made significantly better than it is now. Ms. Riehle said the website is an important channel, and communication is a key. She noted the Council keeps talking about outreach, and this item is not just about the website. Ms. Baker said she and staff will see how to better articulate the goal. e. Update Ordinances: Ms. Kinville explained the problem: there is no ability to know what ordinances say, how they have been updated, or if they are even legal any more. It was agreed to keep this on the list. f. Increase Community Gardens throughout the city: Ms. Emery said this should definitely be done. She added that there could be raised beds in the open lots in her neighborhood. Ms. Rees said that would involve several departments. Mr. Chalnick suggested that housing PUDs require a community garden. CITY COUNCIL 26 JUNE 2023 PAGE 6 It was agreed that staff will bring back recommendations. g. Modernize regulations on Common Places for Dogs: Mr. Chalnick said this needs to be a requirement for PUDs. Mr. Conner said larger projects must have a civic space; how they do that is up to them. The O'Briens's are doing a dog park. Mr. Barritt said this could be an amenity that attracts new residents. h. Work with Green Mountain Transit: Ms. Emery said it is important to bring the two sides of the city together. She noted that the work on 1-189 won't be started for at least 20 years. i. Opportunity Oriented: It was noted that an updated Peddler's Ordinance is needed, among other things. j. Transportation Demand Management: Ms. Riehle said this is a "must do." k. Sidewalk Inventory: Mr. Chalnick said they spend so much money on roads, and he felt sidewalks are more important to promote biking and walking. He added that sidewalks are in a state of disrepair. Mr. Barnes said he would support a sidewalk evaluation. Mr. Barritt said that knowing where the bad sections are is important. I. Municipal Services (equity in planning; finding shared goals): Ms. Emery raised the possibility of mentoring people for committees, community services, etc. Ms. Baker questioned how to build up the pipeline in order to take the next step. People usually start with something simple, then move up. Ms. Emery said the city is not getting representation from the growing minority populations. CITY COUNCIL 26 JUNE 2023 PAGE 7 m. Complete a Utility Rate Study to meet capital needs: Ms. Baker said staff is very close to bringing such a study to the Council. n. Develop a data base re: standards for affordability: Ms. Baker said the city has a great ordinance but does not have the ability to monitor it, track it, etc. o. Climate Action Plan: Mr. Barnes said his concern is how to pay for it along with other priorities. Ms. Riehle suggested looking at impact fees to see if they are up to date. Mr. Chalnick felt it was important to update the LDRs to go along with the Climate Action Plan. Mr. Barritt said that should include car charging at all new buildings. Mr. Barnes questioned whether they were introducing items that will drive up the cost of housing. He asked why there should be charging stations if most people living in affordable housing buildings do not have cars. Members agreed this was a discussion item. p. City Center: Dorset Street signals were a definite "yes." Ms. Baker noted that the next 10 years of TIF will be how the city maximizes the district. Completing right-of-way acquisition for Garden Street was a definite "yes." Ms. Blanchard noted that for the right-of-way along the south side of Williston Road and along Midas Drive for connecting the water line, etc., will not involve the buying of any land as the city will be changing people's access. Ms. Baker said the property owners already know about this. Ms. Emery asked what it would cost to underground the utilities. Ms. Blanchard said it would be very expensive. The better option is to go behind the buildings. There is, however, one area where wiring will go underground. CITY COUNCIL 26 JUNE 2023 PAGE 8 q. Renewal of"New Town Center" Designation: Mr. Conner explained that this was the foundation to do the TIF district. It also allows some priority projects to avoid going to Act 250. Wastewater fees at the State level are also significantly reduced. Mr. Conner also noted that at some time the City will be able to say "we are a downtown," and the "New Town Center" designation is the start of that. It also makes it easier to do some projects. r. Village Green/City Center/Double-decker Parking: With regard to a possible village green, members suggested getting a consultant to evaluate what is available/undeveloped. Ms. Emery cautioned against putting a parking structure where green space should go. Mr. Barritt said a parking structure can't now be TIF funded as it is too late for that. He would give more support for a "village green." s. Municipal "green" purchasing: Mr. Chalnick said city purchasing should be done through a "green lens." He added that if the city can't do it, it is hard to expect others to do it. He added that new municipal vehicles should be EV only. Ms. Baker said that would have to be operationally feasible. t. Prohibit mowing in wetland buffers: Mr. Conner said that in the city's regulations, buffers are supposed to be left in a natural state. A big part of this is education. People assume the buffer is part of their backyard. Mr. Conner noted that the DRB requires a physical delineation of the buffer. In addition, if land is for agricultural soil mitigation, it has to be brush-hogged every few years to keep it viable for farmland. Mr. Barritt noted some lands that don't have to be mowed (e.g., Technology Park) and wishes they weren't. Mr. Barnes said he would not want to tax city staff with having to enforce this. Ms. Baker questioned whether an ordinance is the right tool or should the city educate the public. She stressed that an ordinance is not the only tool the city has. Members agreed to continue the discussion. u. Ban of Pesticides: CITY COUNCIL 26 JUNE 2023 PAGE 9 Ms. Emery noted that State law would have to be changed. Ms. Baker reminded the Council that they voted to use a pesticide on ash trees, and the public sees this as the same thing. Mr. Chalnick said the difference is that with the ash trees,the pesticide doesn't go into the air. Mr. Chalnick said he would enact an ordinance even if it is not enforceable. Mr. Barnes said he was not comfortable with that and did not want to set such a precedent. Chief Locke added that it would be difficult to ask staff to support an ordinance that is not enforceable. Ms. Riehle said there could be a policy on city property. Mr. Mittag said there are organizations, including UVM, that are "poisoning children." Members agreed to continue this discussion. v. Look into further habitat of conserve: Ms. Baker said she would need more staff to do this. Mr. Chalnick suggested identifying unbuilt lands that should be conserved. w. Recreation Center: Ms. Baker said if the city is not going to go forward with a Recreation Center, groups need to be brought in to discuss recreation in the city. Members agreed that a city-supported recreation center has to come after School District needs. x. An Ordinance re: Gas Leaf Blowers Mr. Barnes said he is against anything the city hasn't the ability to enforce. Mr. Chalnick said there needs to be a law. Chief Burke cautioned against asking police to enforce anything environmental. Chief Locke agreed and asked the Council not to create more ordinances the city can't enforce. y. Rental Units Mr. Chalnick said Burlington is requiring most inefficient buildings to be weatherized or they can't have heat pumps installed. He favored having a South Burlington system that would regulate heating systems. Mr. Barritt noted that to replace a furnace you might need a permit, so that could be an opportunity for education. He also noted the cost could be an extra $25,000. Ms. Baker asked if there are any other City Council priorities. CITY COUNCIL 26 JUNE 2023 PAGE 10 Mr. Chalnick raised the issue of the carrying capacity of the city and whether the city should keep growing and "let the chips fall where they may." Ms. Emery said there are towns that have said no to more building permits because there is no water available, but South Burlington isn't there and she didn't feel the city has the ability to stop building. Mr. Barnes noted how hard it would be if the city didn't have the National Guard fire people; the city would have to have another fire station. Ms. Riehle said there is a lot to do on the list, but there is a point where there is no more capacity. She added that they don't yet know what the education needs are. Ms. Baker said the city isn't yet ready to do that kind of analysis. She also questioned interrupting the market. Mr. Chalnick said he didn't see stopping building, but he felt the city needs a long-term plan. He suggested having "working group" meetings like this meeting, but more informal. Mr. Barnes expressed concern for public safety and with providing people with the resources to keep the public safe. Chief Burke said the Police Department has not been fully staffed since he has been Chief, and he would like to know how it feels to be fully staffed. He felt good that they can respond to crime at the moment, but he would like to look at the needed size for the years to come. He noted that there are two St. Michael's EMTs who have joined the Department as summer park patrol, one of whom wants to be a Police Officer. They remind people to have dogs on leashes, are in the Mall when it is raining, and also use bikes to move about. They work 8-hour shifts, 7 days a week. The Chief also noted that crimes against persons are very low in South Burlington, but the property crime rate is high. The Department is addressing a number of recidivists who are making people feel less safe. Ms. Baker said South Burlington has invested in public safety for many years and also innovatively. She questioned how to remain sure that the city stays invested in the things over which it has control. Mr. Barritt suggested 3 safety actions: lock cars at night, use U-locks on bikes, and do not click on attachments to emails that you don't understand. CITY COUNCIL 26 JUNE 2023 PAGE 11 Ms. Riehle suggested the possibility of one more session like this one each year, especially to see what progress has been made. Ms. Baker said they can also discuss how the budget is to be done. Ms. Baker then noted that in the next few weeks,the team will go over all that was done at this meeting and prepare a report to go into the City Council's priorities. Items would be finalized in early July. Mr. Barritt expressed gratitude at being surrounded by so many caring people. Ms. Riehle said she was confident that staff will have thoughtful responses to issues that have been raised that go beyond what they feel can be done with available resources. She thanked the staff for helping to make South Burlington a wonderful community. 7. Other Business: No other business was presented. 8. Consider entering a possible executive session for the purpose of discussing contracts: Mr. Barritt moved that the Council make a specific finding that premature general public knowledge of the Council's discussion about the Lease Contract between the City of South Burlington City and School District for 575 Dorset Street and confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services to the Council would clearly place the Council and the City at a substantial disadvantage. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Barritt then moved that the Council enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing the Lease Contract between the City and South Burlington School District for 575 Dorset Street and confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services to the Council and inviting Ms. Baker, Chief Locke, and Mr. McNeil into the session with the Council. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Council entered into executive session at 8:00 p.m. CITY COUNCIL 26 JUNE 2023 PAGE 12 As there was no further business to come before the Council Mr. Barritt moved to adjourn. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m. Clerk