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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/02/2020 - PreTown MeetingPRE-TOWN MEETING/PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL HEARING 2 MARCH 2020 The South Burlington City Council and School Board held a pre-town meeting public informational hearing on Monday, 2 March 2020, in the Cafeteria of the F. H. Tuttle Middle School, 500 Dorset Street. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: H. Riehle, Chair; M. Emery, T. Barritt, R. Chittenden, D. Kaufman SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Chair; M. LaLonde, B. Burkhardt, A. McHenry, B. Minier ALSO PRESENT: K. Dorn, City Manager; T. Hubbard, Deputy City Manager; D. Young, Superintendent of Schools; A. Bolduc, City Attorney; D. Kinville, City Clerk; State Senators, T. Ashe, M. Sirotkin; State Representatives A. Pugh, J. Saleski; City Department Heads: Chief S. Burke, Police Department; Chief T. Francis, Fire Department; J. Rabidoux, Public Works; H. Rees, Recreation; C. Holm, Community Engagement; I. Blanchard, Project Manager; P. Conner, Planning & Zoning; T. Leblanc, Assessor; G. Marcus, School District; members of the public 1. Public Informational Hearing on public questions and budget articles to be voted on by Australian ballot 17 V.S.A. Section 2680(g) and Title 24 V.S.A. 1758(c): a. Reading of the Warning Articles: Mr. Barritt moved to waive the reading of the Articles. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion was passed unanimously by both boards. b. Public Information Hearing on the School District’s Authorization to Issue General Obligation Debt for Capital Construction: Ms. Burkhardt reviewed the background of the ballot item. She noted the district’s stewardship plan for its facilities. Over the years, they have noticed the need for bigger ticket items that were harder to fit into the regular school budget. There was also a timing issue as some of the needs couldn’t be addressed during the summer and would involve disruption during the school year. Ms. Burkhardt then reviewed the process by which the School Board came its decision to present the ballot item. This process included visits to schools in other states, public information sessions and regular School Board meetings. PRE-TOWN MEETING PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL HEARING 2 MARCH 2020 PAGE 2 Ms. Burkhardt reviewed the needs which the School Board feels need to be addressed. She noted that in 2018, they found the Middle and High School buildings “were at the end of their usable life.” They needed extensive repair (e.g., HVAC, accessibility, etc.), and there were code issues which had to brought up to today’s standards. The Phase 2 study examined the educational model. They noted that today’s market place looked for different skills in its hirees, specifically people who will be life-long learners. There are also students with greater needs in the school system (e.g. social/emotional, special ed, etc.). South Burlington is also one of very few districts with a growing enrollment, and the High School is already over capacity with 100 additional students anticipated. Since the elementary school enrollment is also growing, this will add to the burden on the upper level schools. Ms. Burkhardt noted that the educational model is different from that of the past. The best way to engage students is through cross-learning of related disciplines. There are also different ways of demonstrating learning. Integration of the arts and technology add to learning, and the 2 buildings don’t support those needs. Space for collaboration (e.g., math and science) is needed as well as spaces where students can work together on projects. Mostly, there is a need for flexibility. Eight options were reviewed before the School Board determined that a total rebuild of the 2 schools was the chosen option. In making this decision, they considered access to the site, potential community use of the buildings, the impact on busing, potential interruption to learning, etc. The 2 new buildings would be connected, and there would be a connected recreational facility. They would be located to the rear of the existing buildings. Ultimately, the playing fields would be relocated to the front areas. Ms. Burkhardt then reviewed the characteristics of the new buildings and noted these could be reviewed on posters provided in the rear of the room. The original cost estimate was $199,000,000 ($173,000,000 in construction costs and $36,000,000 in “soft costs.” This figures out to $413 a square foot which is in the ballpark with construction costs in other communities. Tax impacts are available in printed form. Ms. Burkhardt noted that half of the city’s taxpayers are eligible for income sensitivity. If there is a positive vote, there would be another year of design work. Ground breaking is estimated for March/April 2021 with occupancy in 2024. PRE-TOWN MEETING PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL HEARING 2 MARCH 2020 PAGE 3 Public comment was then solicited and was received as follows: Question: Has the City Council weighed in on this. Answer: No. Question: Does the cost include demolition of the existing buildings. Answer: Yes. Question: We have heard that the state is going to contribute to capital construction as there are schools facing urgent needs. Answer: It is the School Board’s belief that South Burlington would be “at the end of the line.” Comment: The cost to the average homeowner would be $1500 a year increase in taxes. A lot of us live on fixed incomes. Question: If there is a need, and the final cost is too high, what then? Answer: I don’t know. “Plan B.” We will ask the community what they want to see. We have to do something. Comment: It is surprising that with all the effort, there isn’t a Plan B. Question: Is the increased enrollment coming from outside South Burlington? Answer: The enrollment from outside South Burlington is holding even. The increase is from new South Burlington residents, and projections are based on projects already permitted in the city. Question: Could you turn down tuition students? Answer: Yes, but they bring tax dollars into the community as there is a “per student” price charged to the other communities. c. Presentation of proposed School budget for FY2021: Supt. Young explained how students are calculated to get an “equalized student” figure. The Superintendent noted there is a 12.9% increase in health insurance coverage contributing to the proposed budget. There is also added staff (2 at Marcotte,1 at Chamberlin, guidance PRE-TOWN MEETING PUBLIC INFORMATION HEARING 2 MARCH 2020 PAGE 4 staff, 2 safety/security people, .8 person at the High School and .1 nurse liaison). There is also added supervision at athletic events, facility maintenance and interest on an existing bond. Supt. Young showed a chart of major budget drivers. He noted that the equalized pupil number is going up but estimated revenues are not increasing by much. He again noted that South Burlington’s student population is increasing which is not true elsewhere in the state. The proposed tax rate is 11.2%. Supt. Young showed a graphic of the tax rate history. Public questions and comments were then solicited and received as follows: Comment: The increase is triple the CPI. Answer: We have been responsive in the past. Some things are beyond our control. Comment: The city’s budget is close to the CPI. People won’t be able to afford to live here anymore. Answer: The only source of revenue for the schools is the property tax. The city has other sources of revenue. Comment: There will be even more of an increase next year when the contracts are up. Answer: We hear you. d. Presentation of proposed City budget for FY2020: Ms. Riehle said the Council’s major considerations in preparing the budget were: sensitivity to any tax rate increase and a desire to keep that under 3% (they have ended at 2.98%), maintaining the current level of services, honoring all contractual obligations and bonded debt obligations, support of the CIP (which includes paving), support for other entities (e.g., Green Mountain Transit, Winooski Valley Park District, Vermont League of Cities and Towns, etc.). contribution to the Affordable Housing Fund ($50,000), the energy efficiency program, and community outreach including giving the Police and Fire Departments the ability to deal with mental health issues in a better way. Mr. Hubbard then reviewed the City budget. The total budget is $57,200,000.00 of which $17,000,000 is to be raised by taxes. The increased annual cost to the average condo owner is $37 and to the single family home owner $54. PRE-TOWN MEETING PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL HEARING 2 MARCH 2020 PAGE 5 Mr. Hubbard reviewed the process by which the budget was determined including looking at “must haves” in the CIP, review of budgets with Department Heads, etc. Continued initiatives in the city budget include: Energy Roads Public Safety Equipment Preventative maintenance for buildings Pension Program (including a new plan for city employees) Health insurance (a 10% increase). Mr. Hubbard noted the city is looking at a “captive insurance” model to address rising costs Digitizing of records/documents Shared services (with the School District, Mutual Aid for fire/ambulance, community outreach to help de-escalate mental health incidents) Stormwater services to Shelburne (for which Shelburne pays) Ambulance service to Grand Isle (for which Grad Isle pays) A joint purchasing effort with the Medical Center to purchase supplies at a much reduced cost New river corridor standards which reduce the costs of mitigation projects Mr. Hubbard noted completing of energy projects which provide a cost savings: Dorset Street lighting, Police Station lighting, and a new pump station installation. There is one new position in the city in the Parks Department, and 2 library positions have been increased from 28 to 40 hours a week. The City has created a stabilization fund which puts money back onto the balance sheet. Mr. Hubbard then showed a pie chart of where the money goes. The city’s grand list grew by 1% which results in increased revenue. Other increases come from local option taxes (about $3,000,000 from the sales tax and $1,000,000 from the rooms and meals tax), energy savings, grant money, impact fees and the “Penny for Paths” initiative. Mr. Hubbard then reviewed the proposed utility rates. The combined increase for all three rates is $22.00 for the year. PRE-TOWN MEETING PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL HEARING 2 MARCH 2020 PAGE 6 The City is proposing 3 ballot items in addition to the budget, 2 City Council positions and a Water Commissioner. Public Comment was then solicited and received as follows: Question: Any large projects on the horizon for the city? Answer: The Williston Road Streetscape and a proposed Indoor Recreation Center Comment: Taxpayers are concerned that there are always new projects. The hope is the City and School Board can work more closely to present a comprehensive plan to the public. People appreciate the city’s effort to make good use of funds. Question: Why is there thinking about 2 recreation facilities? Answer: There is conflict for the use of the facilities at the same time. Both the School’s Athletic Director and the City’s Recreation Director have done an excellent job. It is hard for the city to get any time at School facilities because of school needs. Question: Why does South Burlington pay for water projects in Colchester and other communities? Answer: Those projects will serve South Burlington as well by providing higher levels of water. Comment: Thanked the city for providing river corridor regulations. Question: Why is there money for a Performing Arts Center: Answer: That was a “place holder,” but there has been no movement forward from the private sector. As there were no further comments and no further business to come before the boards, Mr. Chittenden moved to adjourn. Ms. Emery seconded. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.