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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 06/08/2020CITY COUNCIL 8 JUNE 2020 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Monday, 8 June 2020 at 6 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; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; J. Murray, Librarian; P. Leduc, P. Tompkins, D. Bugbee, S. Take, M. Larkspur, D. Bates, R. Acland, J. Leas, kB. Sirvis, M. Clark, S. Dooley, R. Gonda, J. Rankin 1. Additions, deletions or changes in the order of Agenda items: No changes were made to the Agenda. 2. Comments and Questions from the public not related to the Agenda: Ms. Take read a statement in response to the murder of George Floyd and asked people to sign on to the Resolution 3. Consider and possibly approve a resolution related to the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the protests and violence that has occurred in the aftermath: Mr. Barritt read the proposed resolution. He also noted that the Burlington Police and Mayor have been working on a change of policy. Mr. Dorn added that it also looks like the State is working on changes in policy as well. Mr. Barritt noted that Police Chief Burke has posted a long statement regarding his sympathies and stating how the South Burlington Police Department functions. Mr. Kaufman suggested possibly saying “people of color” instead of “black and brown” people to provide a wider scope. He also suggested that the sentence in the second “Resolved” read in part: “…seeking equality and justice,” instead of only “justice.” Ms. Larkspur spoke in favor of maintaining “black and brown” instead of generalizing because it is specific violence against black people that is the issue. Ms. Emery suggested adding “…live in freedom” to the second “Resolved” as well. Members agreed on “…justice, equality, and the enjoyment of freedom.” SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 8 JUNE 2020 PAGE 2 Ms. Emery suggested adding something about recruitment, noting that there are white supremacists infiltrating police forces. Ms. Larkspur spoke in support of “defunding” police departments. She noted that the South Burlington budget contains $5,110,000 for the Police Department. She felt the role of the police should be decreased and noted that Minneapolis voted to eliminate its Police Department and go a different route. She also felt South Burlington should be sure the police it does hire haven’t been fired elsewhere for being brutal. Mr. Mittag felt that psychological evaluation of new recruits should be a top priority in recruiting. Mr. Leas spoke of the role of prosecutors who, in many places, support the police and often determine not to prosecute police officers accused of brutality. He felt there should be an “independent special prosecutor” to handle those allegations. Members agreed to add the word “recruitment” to the final “Resolve” along with the word “training.” Ms. Riehle said she was not interested in “defunding” police and felt that citizens would be astounded at that idea. What makes sense is for South Burlington to be the example of how to recruit and operate and train police so what happened in Minneapolis doesn’t happen here. Ms. Emery said she trusts Chief Burke when he says South Burlington’s Police Department has embraced the 21st century police guidelines and are not “warriors” but “guardians.” She did not sense that South Burlington residents had lost confidence in its police. Ms. Riehle noted what has been done to have mental health workers accompany police to help defuse situation of domestic violence, potential suicide, etc. Ms. Take asked to add a statement about police actions during protests. Members felt they wanted to focus on George Floyd’s murder but stressed that the conversation is not over. Mr. Barritt moved to approve the proposed Resolution with the amendments agreed upon. Mr. Chittenden seconded. The motion passed unanimously via a roll call vote. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 8 JUNE 2020 PAGE 3 4. Consider and possibly approve a resolution related to asking the City of Burlington/Burlington International Airport to apply for grant funding to support active noise monitoring at the Airport consistent with the Noise Compatibility Program: Ms. Riehle advised that at a press conference which she, Mayors Lott of Winooski and Weinberger of Burlington, and Airport Manager Gene Richard were a part of, Mr. Richard said that last week the Airport did submit an application for 100% noise monitoring from the FAA. Mr. Richards also sent a strongly worded letter to the National Guard and the U. S. Air Force should implement this monitoring at our Airport. The proposal is for 20 monitors spread throughout Burlington, South Burlington, and Winooski with funding for 5 years. Ms. Emery showed the proposed resolution and felt it should still be passed to boost the grant proposal. Mr. Chittenden moved to pass the resolution related to grant funding in support of active noise monitoring at the Airport as presented. Mr. Kaufman seconded. Motion passed unanimously via a roll call vote. 5. Consider and possible approve a resolution related to the wearing of face coverings in public locations in South Burlington: Mr. Chittenden noted that the resolution is similar to one passed in Montpelier and enumerates appropriate exemptions (e.g., children under age 2, people eating in restaurants, etc.). He also noted that the words “city of Montpelier” in the first line needs to be changed to “City of South Burlington.” Mr. Kaufman said it is important to do this right away and cited instances where he saw people without face coverings in public locations. Ms. Riehle suggested changing the work “shall” to “must” in the same first sentence. Mr. Gonda said it was important to fully support the resolution. He noted that at a store with a sign indicating that people would not be served unless they wore masks, he saw this sign being ignored. When he asked why, he was told “that sign is from corporate and we can’t require it here.” He felt people are getting “careless” about taking precautions. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 8 JUNE 2020 PAGE 4 Mr. Dorn asked about enforcement expectations. Ms. Riehle said she didn’t have enforcement expectations; this is just a very strong statement from the City Council that it is important for businesses to require masks. Mr. Mittag suggested the SBBA be approached regarding enforcement. Mr. Kaufman moved to approve the resolution related to the wearing of face coverings in public locations in South Burlington with the 2 amendments noted in the discussion. Mr. Chittenden seconded. The motion passed unanimously via a roll call vote. 6. Consider and possibly approve a resolution by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns calling on Congress to allocate fair and direct federal support to all of America’s communities, regardless of population size: Mr. Dorn noted that VLCT is asking all of Vermont’s community legislative bodies to support this resolution. Mr. Chittenden moved to approve the Vermont League of Cities and Towns resolution asking Congress to allocate fair and direct federal support of all of America’s communities, regardless of population size. Mr. Kaufman seconded. Motion passed unanimously via a roll call vote. 7. Consider and possibly approve a name for the city building to be located at 180 Market Street: Ms. Riehle noted receipt of a number of suggestions from the public. Mr. Barritt asked how much space there is for a name. Mr. Dorn said there is enough roof for City Hall and Library. Mr. Leduc of the Library Board of Trustees, said the Board wants “South Burlington Public Library” to be part of the name. Mr. Murray noted there would be room inside the building for naming individual uses. Mr. Chittenden then moved to name the building located at 180 Market Street “South Burlington Public Library and City Hall.” Mr. Kaufman seconded. The motion passed unanimously via a roll call vote. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 8 JUNE 2020 PAGE 5 Mr. Barritt said he’d like the Council to see the final design of what the name will look like on the building. 8. Consider and possibly endorse the “Raise the Blade” project: Ms. Riehle noted the presentation at the previous Council meeting. Ms. Sirvis said she did some research on the web and found there is concern with leaving grass clippings on lawns, particularly in public places. If there are weeds, leaving the clippings could encourage more growth of weeds. Ms. Riehle asked if city mowers mulch as they mow. Mr. Dorn said they just cut the grass. Mr. Kaufman said he has read that it is good for the grass to leave the cuttings and felt that everything on the web shouldn’t necessarily be believed. Mr. Gonda said it is not necessary to cut at the 3 inch height at all times; it should be done mostly in early spring. He felt city mowers should use their judgment. Mr. Kaufman moved to endorse the “Raise the Blade” project as a participant as presented at the previous City Council meeting. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously via a rollcall vote. 9. Update on proposed new date for a vote on the FY21 School Department budget: Mr. Hubbard explained that the School Board will be meeting tomorrow night regarding the setting of a new voting date on the FY21 budget. He noted that this is about the time of year to establish a tax rate and the dates for payment of property tax installments. He suggested waiting to establish the tax rate and dates until the new vote is held. If the vote passes, the city can send out one tax bill and costs can be covered without borrowing. If the vote fails, the city will have to send out a tax bill regardless, and Mr. Hubbard suggested doing this as soon as possible after the vote as they have to allow at least 30 days for payment. In the event of a failure of the vote, the State will provide an interim tax rate (the current FY20 rate). Then, when a new school budget is passed, the city would have to send out a corrected tax bill. Ms. Riehle asked how this will affect installment dates. Mr. Hubbard said the City Council will have to establish the installment dates. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 8 JUNE 2020 PAGE 6 Mr. Barritt noted that Ms. Kinville advised that it would cost $40,000 to mail ballots for the school budget vote to all registered voters. He asked who would pay for that. Mr. Hubbard said ultimately it is the taxpayer who pays. For just a school vote, the School District should be required to pay. Superintendent Young is aware of this. Ms. Riehle noted that money in the city budget is very tight at this time. It was noted that there will be a Board of Civil Authority meeting on Thursday evening at which time a decision will be made as to the method of voting on the school budget. 10. Other Business: Mr. Conner said there is good news to report. In an email received from the Vermont Land Trust, the city was informed that 191 acres (Parcel “A”) of the Auclair property was permanently conserved as of today. There will be a press release on this shortly. 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 8:02 p.m. Mr. Barritt then moved that the Council meeting in Executive Session to discuss pending or probable 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 discuss negotiating or securing of real estate purchase or lease options, and to invited into the executive session Messrs. Dorn, Hubbard, Conner, and McNeil. Mr. Chittenden seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The Council entered executive session at 8:04 p.m.