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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 06/01/2020CITY COUNCIL 1 JUNE 2020 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 1 June 2020 at 5:30 p.m., via remote technology. MEMBERS PRESENT: H. Riehle, Chair; M. Emery, T. Barritt, T. Chittenden, D. Kaufman ALSO PRESENT: K. Dorn, City Manager; T. Hubbard, Deputy City Manager; A. Bolduc, A. Lafferty City Attorneys; I. Blanchard, Project Manager; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; J. Rabidoux, Director of Public Works; T. DiPietro, Stormwater Superintendent; M. Cota, M. Mittag, B. Sirvis, A. Demetrovitz, C. Lamaroux, J. Charest, W. Sudbay, E. Churchill, L. Patterson, J. Louisos, J. Holliday, J. Langan, D. Crawford, M. Morris, V. Bolduc, R. Greunevald, D. Saladino, C. Baker, W. Parker, B. Sullivan, J. Stern. S. Dooley, J. Illick, P. Stabler, S. Reeves, P. Calkins, D. Albrecht 1. Additions, deletions or changes in the order of Agenda items: No changes were made to the Agenda. 2. Possible Executive Session to discuss pending or probable civil litigation to which the public body may be a party and confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services to Council: Mr. Barritt moved that the Council meet in executive session to discuss pending or probable civil litigation to which the public body may be a party and confidential attorney-client communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services to Council and to invited Messrs. Dorn, Hubbard, Conner, Rabidoux, and McNeill to attend all of parts of the session. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously via a roll call vote. The Council entered executive session at 5:36 p.m. and resumed open session at 6:40 p.m. 3. Comments and Questions from the public not related to the Agenda: No issues were raised. 4. Announcements and City Manager’s Report: Members reported on recent meetings and public contact. Ms. Riehle publicly acknowledged Police Chief Shawn Burke for his talk to the Police Force and his letter to the public following the recent tragedy in Minneapolis resulting from a police CITY COUNCIL 1 JUNE 2020 PAGE 2 action. Mr. Barritt suggested a City Council resolution condemning the Minneapolis murder. Members voiced their support for such a resolution. Mr. Dorn: Did a public service announcement with Chief Burke earlier today. There are now over 100 residents at the Holiday Inn. There were a few small incidents over the weekend, but it has been generally quiet. The Community Library will open one full day a week under recommended guidelines. They will continue curbside service on 2 other days a week. Steel is going up fast on 180 Market Street, and work on the parking lot is progressing at a fast pace. 43 employees are on furlough, most working part time. The anticipation is that City Hall won’t open until at least 30 June. Appraisers want to get back into field work and have been authorized to do only commercial property as of 15 June. Appraisers will have to follow health protocols. When appraisers get to residential properties, homeowners will have the option of saying “no” to appraisers entering their homes. 5. Consent Agenda: a. Consider and Sign Disbursements b. Approve Minutes of 9 March, 6 and 20 April, and 4 May 2020 Ms. Emery moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mr. Kaufman seconded. Motion passed unanimously via a rollcall vote. 6. Update on status of Kimball Avenue Bridge Project: Mr. Rabidoux noted this is the 3-month anniversary of the culvert failure. The bridge that is in place is temporary (on loan from the State). The solution is to install a new culvert. This work will result in a 3-month closure of the bridge. There is a conceptual design for this work, and the City Council has endorsed $2,000,000.00 for this work. The cost will be split 50-50 with the Town of Williston. CITY COUNCIL 1 JUNE 2020 PAGE 3 Mr. Rabidoux noted there are 2 choices that can be made. The 3-month project as originally outlined or a “speeded up” project which would take 1 month and cost $500,000.00 more. Mr. Rabidoux said he recommends sticking with the 3-month plan as the extra money is too expensive. The hope is to reduce the cost even further with grants that have been applied for. The project would be bid over the winter and be in the ground by this time next year. Council members supported the 3-month plan as presented. Mr. Hubbard advised that the funding for this project is not coming from the General Fund but is from Enterprise Funds. 7. Council discussion and possible direction to staff related to closing some South Burlington roads to through traffic: Mr. Rabidoux showed a picture of signs that are being used in the City of Burlington to reduce the width of roads. They do not obstruct or delay traffic. Residents of the Proctor Avenue area have asked for similar signs to protect neighborhood children. Mr. Rabidoux said the signs would cost between $2,000 and $3000 for that one neighborhood, and the expectation is that other neighborhoods would want them as well. Mr. Rabidoux also noted that the South Burlington doesn’t have the resources that Burlington has, and South Burlington is also working with furloughed and minimal staff. Mr. Dorn noted that the closing of a street is a City Council decision under State law. Ms. Emery thought that with kids on bikes, it seemed reasonable. Ms. Riehle asked if Burlington would lend So. Burlington some signs. Mr. Rabidoux said he could reach out to them. Mr. Barritt noted that Burlington placed the signs in March, and things are now relaxing, so he didn’t see the need for them at this time. He added that there are no school “rush hours” and not much traffic at all. Children can bicycle in the Rice parking lot, which is empty. Ms. Riehle said she is convinced this is the wrong timing, and there is no money in the budget. She felt that filling in potholes was a higher priority. Other Council members agreed. CITY COUNCIL 1 JUNE 2020 PAGE 4 8. Final Public Hearing for $625,000 in Vermont Community Development Program grant, awarded to the City of South Burlington for the recently completed Garden Street Apartments at 310 Market Street: Ms. Emery moved to open the public hearing. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Demetrowitz said they are ready to close the grant. She thanked city Messrs. Dorn, Hubbard and Conner and other city staff on behalf of Champlain Housing and noted that the city also provided funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Ms. Demetrowitz noted that the Garden Street Apartments offer 60 units of housing built by Snyder-Braverman. All units are now occupied, and Champlain Housing has taken ownership of the building. Residents include 45 people earning less than 80% of median income, 11 of whom were previously homeless. 11 residents are in the 80-100% of median income range. There are several 3 and 4 bedroom units which have been leased to larger families. Ms. Dooley said the Affordable Housing Committee fully supports this work. Mr. Barritt asked if there had been any “surprises.” Ms. Demetrowitz said the 3 and 4 bedroom units leased so fast, and they will continue to provide those in other projects. She also noted that residents are very pleased with the location. Ms. Emery moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Presentation on “Raise the Blade,” a method of providing greater stormwater runoff control: Ms. Patterson, a Water Quality Educator with Lake Champlain Sea Grant, explained that there are 33 programs in the country related to climate change and water quality. They deal with stressors such as road salt, runoff, etc., with the intention of protecting resources and the economy. They also educate students and teachers and offer workshops for real estate professionals who pass the information along to their clients. CITY COUNCIL 1 JUNE 2020 PAGE 5 “Raise the Blade” is an initiative to educate people to mow lawns to a 2-3-inch height and to leave the clippings on the lawn as a natural fertilizer. The program targets commercial businesses, homeowners, and communities. South Burlington would be the first municipality to sign on. Dave Wheeler has said he would place signs around the city (signs would be “personalized” to South Burlington). He would also provide connections to homeowners to provide information regarding chemicals and other issues. Ms. Patterson asked the City Council to approve this. Mr. Rabidoux noted that the Public Works people are already doing the 3-inch cuttings. Members agreed to take action on this at their next regular meeting. 10. Presentation and possible action on the proposed Chittenden Solid Waste District FY21 budget: Mr. Stabler thanked CSWD for its actions during the COVID 19 crisis. Ms. Reeves also thanked Mr. Stabler for representing South Burlington on the CSWD Board. Ms. Reeves then presented the CSWD FY21 budget. She reminded members that CSWD funding includes no tax money, no fee to members, and no assessments. They have 3 sources of revenue: The solid waste management fee charged to haulers (28% of revenue), user fees (51% of revenues) and material sales (16% of revenues). Ms. Reeves noted that the proposed budget will require constant monitoring. They are assuming that 40% of restaurants will not open to full capacity, and some may not open at all. This could result in a 15-20% reduction in food scraps. Budget details include materials management (the movement of materials) where costs, especially glass, have gone up a lot, cuts in travel, training, printing, advertising, postponing of data base development, and improvements at compost facilities (under the capital program). CSWD will be pursuing credit card services for the facilities. The bottom line would leave them $80,000 short, which will be provided from the “rainy day” fund. Mr. Barritt thanked Ms. Reeves for the work CSWD has done during the pandemic. Ms. Emery moved to approve the CSWD budget as presented. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously via a rollcall vote. CITY COUNCIL 1 JUNE 2020 PAGE 6 11. Interviews of Applicants for South Burlington Boards, Commissions, and Committees: The Council interviewed the following applicants: Vince Bolduc ………………….. Affordable Housing Committee Michael Mittag ……………….. Planning Commission Dan Albrecht …………………… Planning Commission (second choice DRB) Jessica Louisos ………………… Planning Commission (3-year position) Tricia Stratman………………… Public Arts Committee William Sudbay ……………….. Recreation & Parks Committee (second choice Bike/Ped Committee) William Barber …………………. Recreation & Parks Committee James Langan …………………… Development Review Board Brian Sullivan ……………………. Development Review Board John Stern ………………………… Planning Commission Ms. Riehle explained the selection process. 12. Council discussion and guidance on the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission I-89 Corridor Study: Mr. Baker reviewed the history of the study and indicated that the project area includes all of I- 89 in Chittenden County, adjacent interchanges, and issues with Exit 14. The study is in its early stages following 3 rounds of public outreach and community input. Goals of the study include: a. Enhance safety along the corridor and interchanges b. Promote compact growth that supports livable/healthy communities c. Improve efficiency and reliability d. Provide environmental stewardship e. Economic access Improvements at interchanges that are being considered include: a. Bolton b. 12B c. 13 (full) d. Simple U-turn at 13 CITY COUNCIL 1 JUNE 2020 PAGE 7 e. Exit 13 hybrid f. 14N (Airport proposal) g. 15 (full interchange in Winooski) h. 17N (Milton) Mr. Baker showed the scoring matrix for these improvements and explained that they were determined by consistency with the Regional Plan and the impact to Exit 14 traffic (these 2 considerations were double-weighted). Ms. Riehle asked if these improvements are meant to reduce traffic at Exit 14. Mr. Baker said they are trying to get Exit 14 to work better and to improve Williston Road. Ms. Emery said Exit 13 seems the most reasonable, including cost. She asked if the cost included purchase of property. Mr. Saladino said it does. Ms. Emery then asked if this was vetted with South Burlington business people. Mr. Baker said it was. Ms. Dooley said she finds a “disconnect” between public input and what is being presented. She noted the public asked for reduced traffic, high-occupancy travel lanes, and more public transit. 40% of public comments did not relate to interchanges. Mr. Baker said this is not truly a disconnect, just a very early attempt to put together the interchange package to resolve interchange issues once and for all before dealing with the issues raised by the public. Ms. Dooley noted that new interchanges tend to increase new development and create additional traffic. She felt 12B would affect the quality of life in the Southeast Quadrant. Mr. Baker said that in the second round of screening, they will do a deeper dive and look at such things as secondary growth where it is not wanted. That will be done over the summer. Ms. Dooley asked if there has been any measuring of the impact of the pandemic with more people working from home. Mr. Baker said some impacts are positive. However, when people are scared of using public transit for fear of having the virus transmitted, that’s bad. Mr. Baker said that at the “implementation” stage, they will ask what would trigger an investment. They do not want to do anything too early or wait too long so that conditions get more severe. Mr. Mittag said the 2 most important issues to the pubic at the visioning sessions were Bike/Ped at Exit 14 and the U-turn at Exit 13 because they had the highest cost/benefit. Very few people were impressed with 12B. CITY COUNCIL 1 JUNE 2020 PAGE 8 Mr. Barritt saw a lot of opportunity but also a lot of needed scrutiny. Ms. Emery felt the full Interchange at Exit 13 “kills 2 birds with one stone” and is competitive with cost. The downside is that it would take homes. Mr. Baker said the hybrid plan avoids the property impact. Ms. Emery said the hybrid takes on 11% of traffic from Exit 14 instead of 18%. 13. Council discussion and possible approval of a name for the City building locate at 180 Market Street: Mr. Dorn said a name will be needed within the next week or 2. Ms. Dooley suggested naming the building for Consuela Northrop Bailey, the first female Speaker of the Vermont House, first female Lieutenant Governor in the country and the first woman to practice before the Supreme Court. Other suggestions were: a. City Hall b. South Burlington Downtown Civic Center c. City Hall Center d. Market 180 e. City Center It was noted that the individual uses in the building (City Hall, Library, Senior Center, Auditorium, etc., could be named for individuals as well. Members agreed to make a decision at the special Council meeting on 8 June. 14. Consider and possibly approve an instrument to assure that a future Council will enter into a conservation easement on the Wheeler property exclusive of the Homestead: Ms. Lafferty presented a potential amendment to the City Charter regarding city-owned land, not only the Wheeler property. The benefits are that it would avoid some of the costs, keep the process in-house, and it still meets the same goals. Mr. Dorn said they could also do a Charter change just for the Wheeler property. CITY COUNCIL 1 JUNE 2020 PAGE 9 Mr. Chittenden noted that since Council’s change, he liked this idea as it puts decisions in the hands of the voters. Both Ms. Emery and Ms. Riehle felt they needed to think about this. Mr. Mittag said the voters have already spoken and said they want a conservation easement. He felt that’s what the city should do. The Charter change would be great for other properties. Mr. Mittag also felt the Wheeler property shouldn’t be encumbered with Act 250 mitigation. Mr. Dorn noted this would be an expenditure from the Open Space Fund, and if the public wants to use that money for this use, OK. Ms. Riehle said the Council will consider this further. 15. Appointment of person to serve on Green Mountain Transit Board: Ms. Riehle nominated Ms. Emery. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Riehle thanked Mr. Chittenden for having served in this position. 16. Reports from Councilors from Committee Assignments: No reports were presented. 17. Other Business: No other business was presented. As there was no further business to come before the Council Mr. Barritt moved to adjourn. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:38 p.m.