HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - City Council - 03/03/2008 1111
BuRuNcror ve.' City of South Burlington
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Vo CITY MANAGER
dhEO+TOWN M►R CHARLES E. RAFTER
AGENDA
SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
575 DORSET STREET
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING 7:00 P.M. Monday, March 3, 2008
1) Comments and Questions from the public (not related to the Agenda).
2) Announcements and City Manager's Report.
* 3) Request from Lou Lertola for increase in disabled veterans' property tax exemption from$ 20,000
/4)
to $40,000.
Public information meeting on Ballot Items for March 4, 2008 vote: 1) Bond issue for$ 21.8 million
for improvement and expansion of Airport Parkway Waste Water Treatment Plant. 2) Use of
Conservation Fund.
* /5) Continued discussion of SAFER (Firefighter) Grant; Finalization of 2008-2009FY budget.
/
*' 6) Discussion of proposed Public Nuisance Ordinance.
/ 7) Consideration of appointment of Councilor Magowan as Representative to CCTA.
J 8) Annual appointment of Town Service Officer per 33 V.S.A. Section 2102.
*/ 9) Appointment of Town Health Officer for Three-Year term.
/ 10) Consideration capital equipment refunding note: Highway-Dump Truck.
*
1 11) Review agenda for Development Review Board meeting to be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2008.
* ,// 12 Review and approve minutes from regular City Council meeting held on February 19, 2008.
* 3) Review and approve minutes from special City Council budget session held on February 21, 2008
14) Sign disbursement orders.
15) Consider entering Executive Session to discuss personnel issues.
16) Adjourn
Respectfully Submitted:
C,0 41, tl-------'
Charles Hafter, City Manager
SOUTH BURLINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT
403 Queen City Park Road
South Burlington,VT 05403
Phone: (802)864-4361
Fax: (802)864-0435
March 3, 2008
Champlain Consulting Engineers
Mr. Martin Courcelle
85 Prim Road, Box 453
Colchester, VT 05446
RE: 1152 Williston Road
Dear Mr. Courcelle:
In response to your request as to the capability of the South Burlington water distribution system
to supply water to the above referenced project we submit the following:
1. Sufficient water storage is located at the South Burlington East Tank off Dorset Street in
South Burlington.
2. Based upon your allocation request, a water service connection fee according to the City
Water Ordinance Rate and Fee Schedule shall be applied to this project. It must be
recognized by all developers that the Rate and Fee Schedule established by the South
Burlington City Council may be modified at any time by resolution at an open meeting of
the City Council.
3. Your water supply requirement for this proposed project (including a dental office) can
be furnished by this Department without restricting or encumbering present South
Burlington water customers.
4. Water is supplied to the referenced area through 8" distribution water mains.
5. This letter of availability is valid for a five-year period commencing on today's date and
ending on March 3, 2013.
If you have any questions or I can be of further assistance,please do not hesitate to call me.
Sincerely,
South Burlington Water Department
47 A,p
Jay Nadeau
Superintendent
Cc. J. Fay
D. Pratt
C. Haller
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CHARLES F. HAFTER
February 28, 2008
Chair and City Council
South Burlington, VT 05403
Re: Appointment of Town Health Officer for Three-Year Term
To All Members:
The Vermont Department Health has notified the City that the three-year term of the
Town Health Officer is expiring on March 31, 2008.
I have served as Town Health Officer for many years and have been unable to find a
replacement; therefore I am willing to take on another term. The Town Health Officer
is a busy post in South Burlington and I average approximately 25 calls for service each
year. Most of the calls have to do with the enforcement of the rental housing code; animal
bites are a close second.
I have been appointed to five or six terms. I have never had to swear an oath before to
serve in this unpaid position- but now apparently I need to do so. If appointed I will take
the Oath.
Sii�ncerrely,
,,,
Charles Ha K.
City Manager
South Burlington Health Officer
d`\®VERMONT
Vermont Department of Health Agency of Human Services
Environmental Health [phone] 802-863-7220
io8 Cherry Street-PO Box 7o [fax] 802-863-7483
Burlington,VT 05402-0070 [toll-free] 800-
439-8550
healthvermont.gov
February 25, 2008
Chair of the Selectboard
Town of South Burlington
Town Clerk's Office
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
Dear Sir or Madam:
Your Health Officer's term of office will expire on March 31, 2008. We would like to have a recommendation
from the Selectboard for a Health Officer to serve for the next three years and have enclosed a
recommendation form, which should be completed and returned to this office as soon as possible.
The Department of Health feels that you should recommend someone who is interested in responding to
and resolving environmental health problems associated with rental housing and septic systems, since
these two problems usually make up the bulk of the Health Officer's work.
If you designate a new individual to be appointed to this position, please ensure that the recommended
individual takes the enclosed oath/affirmation in the presence of a person authorized to administer
oaths/affirmations. This must be returned to the Health Department in tandem with the recommendation
form. We will be unable to process the appointment of the new Health Officer until we are in possession of
the completed oath. For electronic copies of the Town Health Officer Recommendation and Oath Forms
please consult the Vermont Department of Health's Town Health Officer webpage which is located at:
http://www.healthvermontgov/local/tho/tho.aspx
The law provides that the Department of Health appoint a Health Officer "upon recommendation of the
selectmen." Thus, we urge you to give this matter your immediate attention.
If you have any questions please contact me at 800-439-8550.
Sincerely
Kevin P. Doering
Environmental Health Programs Chief
Vermont Department of Health
Enclosures (2)
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VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
OATH/AFFIRMATION
of LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER
In taking actions as a Local Health Officer under the authority of 18 VSA Chapters 3 and
11, I do solemnly swear/affirm that I will be true and faithful to the State of Vermont, and that I
will not, directly or indirectly, do any act or thing injurious to the Constitution or Government
thereof, so help me God (oath)/under the pains and penalties of perjury (affirmation).
I do solemnly swear/affirm that I will faithfully execute the office of Local Health Officer
for the municipality named below and therein do equal right and justice to all persons, to the
best of my judgement and ability, according to law, so help me God (oath)/under the pains of
penalties of perjury (affirmation).
(Signature)
(Name Printed)
Local Health Officer for the Municipality of
State of Vermont )
SS
County of )
Subscribed and sworn/affirmed before me this day of in the year
•
Notary Public
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<��'M CITY MANAGER
BNfO�TOWN M'a�� CHARLES E. HAFTER
February 27, 2008
Chair and City Council
South Burlington, VT 05403
Re: Consideration of appointment of Councilor Magowan as Representative to CCTA
To All Members:
I have served as one of the City's two representatives to the CCTA Board for several
years. Bill Wessel is the other representative. I have sought an individual to replace
me on that Board and Steve Magowan has volunteered to do so. Steve has previously
served on the Board and has a great deal of knowledge regarding CCTA.
If the Council wishes to appoint Mr. Magowan, please do so effective May 1, 2008 as
that date works best with Councilor Magowan's schedule. I will then formally submit
my resignation.
CCTA has many issues concerning financing and service on its plate. It will be helpful to
have an elected official representing the City.
Sincerely,
,tr •
—
uck Halter
City Manager
RURUNOipN,YF
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TOWN OP'C CITY MANAGER
CHARLES E. HAFTER
February 26, 2008
Chair and City Council
South Burlington, VT 05403
Re: Annual appointment of Town Service Officer per 33 V.S.A. Section 2102
To All Members:
The City Council is required by state statutes to annually appoint a Town Service Officer.
(If Council does not do so, the Council Chair automatically assumes that role.) I have
been appointed TSO for many years and I am willing to do so for another term.
The role of the TSO is to find overnight or weekend shelter for transients or other
individuals/families in need during periods when the State agencies are closed. All costs
are eventually reimbursed by the State. I am called upon, always at night, approximately
three-four times a year. Last year, I assisted three families and helped with a request
from the battered woman's shelter. The TSO's from the various local towns also back
each other up as we are not always home or reachable.
Attached is the appointment form which must be approved by City Council.
Sincerely,
Chuck Hafter
City Manager
g VERMONT
Department for Children and Families Agency of Human Services
Economic Services Division (phone) 1-800-287-0589
103 South Main Street 802-241-2800
Waterbury,Vt.,05671-1201 (fax) 802-241-2830
www.dcf.state.vt.us
MEMO TO: Chairman, Board of Selectman
FROM: Joe Patrissi, Deputy Commissio / ' A....—
DATE: February 15, 2008 •
SUBJECT: Town Service Officer Appointments in accordance with 33 V.S.A. §2102
The term of office of your present Town Service Officer expires on April 14, 2008. Vermont law
provides for the appointment for a Town Service Officer by the Selectmen for each town on or before
April 15th of each year.
I'd like to suggest that you give serious consideration to the following when you consider persons for
this appointment:
➢ Does the candidate really know the people of your community?
➢ Is the candidate available to meet emergencies when the local Department for Children and
Families (DCF) office is closed(nights or weekends)?
➢ Can the candidate be depended upon to maintain in complete confidence (as required by law)the
names of people who are receiving assistance?
To ensure continued availability of a Town Service Officer to assist needy individuals in your
community,please provide the name, address, and telephone number of the person named to fill the
position as soon as possible. If the selectmen experience difficulty determining an appropriate
candidate for the town service officer position,the law permits alternative ways that the selectmen may
fulfill their statutory responsibility. Because the law allows an appointed town service officer to serve
simultaneously for more than one town,you might consider making arrangements to share a town
officer with an adjacent town. In addition, a selectman may be a town service officer and is expected
to act on behalf of the town service officer in his or her absence.
Please complete the enclosed form even if you appoint your current Town Service Officer to a
subsequent term and return it in the enclosed, self-addressed envelope by March 31, 2008.
If you do not respond by that date,the Town Service Officer currently listed for your town will remain
on file in our records and may get telephone calls in emergencies.
Thank you for your assistance.
/sa
Enclosure
cc: District Managers
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southburlington
PLANNING & ZONING
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
AGENDA
March 4, 2008
Deliberative Session 7:00pm
Regular Meeting 7:30pm
City Hall Conference Room
1. Other business/announcements.
2. Minutes of February 19, 2008.
3. Consent Agenda
a. Design Review Application #DR-07-13 of Patrick Malone to amend a
master signage permit for the property located at 222 Dorset Street in the
Dorset Street/City Center Sign District. The master signage permit would
reaffirm the design scheme for the wall signs on the property and also
permit a freestanding sign, 222 Dorset Street.
b. Design Review Application #DR-08-01, Patrick Malone for design review
for exterior modifications to a 33,733 sq. ft building consisting of office
and retail food use, 222 Dorset Street.
4. Sketch plan application #SD-08-11 of Robert L. Provost for a planned unit
development on a 0.57 acre lot developed with a single family dwelling with an
accessory residential unit. The proposal consists of: 1) adding a second single
family dwelling, and 2) creating footprint lots for each single family dwelling, 27-
29 Birch Street.
5. Continued preliminary plat application#SD-08-03 &final plat application #SD-08-
04 of South Village Communities, LLC to amend a previously approved planned
unit development of Phase I consisting of 156 residential units and a 100-student
educational facility, of a 334 residential unit project. The amendment consists of:
1) reducing the front yard setback from 10' to 5', and 2) adding utility cabinets,
1840 Spear Street.
6. Final plat application #SD-09-10 of Joseph & Susan Mack to amend a previously
approved four(4) lot subdivision. The amendment consists of amending
condition #6 of the Sept. 6, 2005 final plat approval #SD-05-68 to eliminate the
requirement that the house on lot#4 have a residential sprinkler system, 54
Westview Dr.
- 1 -
575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 tel 802.846.4106 fax 802.846.4101 www.sburl.com
7. Continued preliminary plat application #SD-07-76 &final plat application #SD-07-
77 of Chittenden Bank re-opening the hearing to amend a previously approved
planned unit development of a 704,655 sq. ft. GFA shopping complex with
618,846 sq. ft. of GLA. The amendment consists of: 1) razing a 4879 sq. ft. drive-
in bank, 2) constructing a 7310 sq. ft. drive-in bank, and 3) installing a 1330 sq.
ft. temporary drive-in bank. This hearing is being reopened to correct errors in the
decision dated 12/13/07, 55 & 155 Dorset Street.
8. Continued sketch plan application #SD-08-08 of Merchants Bank for a planned
unit development to amend a previously approved plan for a 100,932 sq. ft. retail
building (40, 205 sq. ft. vacant), and a 724 sq. ft. bank with a drive-through
facility. The amendment consists of: 1) enlarging the bank's leased parcel to
1.02 acres, 2) razing the existing bank building, and 3) constructing a new 2121
sq. ft. bank building with a drive-through facility, 929 Shelburne Road.
9. Preliminary plat application #SD-08-09 of Precourt Investment Co., LLC to
amend a previously approved planned unit development consisting of three (3)
buildings of 9800 sq. ft., 3800 sq. ft., and 4500 sq. ft. for a multiple number of
tenants and a multiple number of uses. The amendment consists of constructing
a fourth building consisting of 3200 sq. ft. of medical office use, 1152 Williston
Rd.
10. Site plan application #SP-08-12 of Neagley & Chase Construction to construct a
12,000 sq. ft. general office building, 60 Kimball Avenue.
Sincere
1.(
Raymo d J. Belair
Administrative Officer
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AGER
- HAFTER
March 3, 2008
Chairman and City Council
City of South Burlington
South Burlington, VT 05403
RE: Consideration capital equipment refunding note: Highway- Dump Truck
To all Members:
Please approve the attached capital equipment refunding note for:
Public Works-Highway - 2005 International 6-Yard dump truck ($68,796).
This $27,519 loan will be the 3rd of a planned 5-year purchase at an interest rate of
3.7%. This payment has been included in the 07/08 Budget according to an
approved schedule.
Sincerely,
L:,,,,j,e1. ,___
Charles Hafter
City Manager
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GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER ( LCO
On. Every Day. VETO
Gorge Area Reinforcement
Project Summary
The Gorge Area Reinforcement("GAR") is the second phase of a three phase plan to maintain reliability in
northern Chittenden County as the area load increases. At historical load growth rates it will be required in
2011. The GAR is made up of the following components:
• The construction of a new 115 —34.5 kV substation ("Gorge VELCO substation") in South
Burlington across the Winooski River from the existing Gorge GMP substation. It will be partially
located in the existing VELCO K-25 and GMP 3307— 3308 line corridor. In addition to project
requirements the design will provide for future 12 kV distribution feeders.
• The reconstruction of approximately 700 feet of the existing 3307 and 3308 34.5 kV line between
the new Gorge VELCO substation and the existing Gorge GMP substation. The 700 feet of
reconstruction is necessary to upgrade the conductor of one line and to separate the lines that now
share a common structure. The existing 3307 line capacity is increased because it will be the major
tie beiw eeri Gorge GMP and Gorge Vt LGO. The exiting 3308 line will become an extension of the
existing 3321 line, which will terminate at Gorge VELCO instead of Gorge GMP.
• A major upgrade of the Gorge GMP substation. The upgrade replaces an antiquated wood-pole
structure with a six-breaker ring bus to accept the increased load and fault current from Gorge
VELCO. In addition to the project requirements, the upgrade will also allow for the future voltage
conversion of the Gorge 4 kV distribution feeders (16J1 and 16J2)to 12 kV, a third 34.5 kV feeder
position (16Y3)when the Winooski area load requires a third distribution feeder, and substation
capacity to allow the replacement of the existing Gorge Gas Turbine with a larger unit.
• The reconstruction of the existing 3307 34.5 kV line between Gorge GMP and McNeil Substation.
This line is the major tie between these two stations. The upgrade is required to increase power
transfer capability so that one station can backup the other.
• The removal of GMP's 3323 and 3328 lines (the Waterfront Lines). The proposed GAR project
allows for the removal of GMP's 34.5 kV waterfront lines. It is GMP's understanding that Burlington
Electric Department's distribution lines at the waterfront will be removed following completion of the
first phase of the three phase plan.
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GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER v "-Nimmigw"
On. Every Day. VET CO
February 22, 2008
RE: Gorge Area Reinforcement Project- Stakeholder Process
Dear Community Member:
We want to tell you about an electric transmission construction project in your community to maintain the
reliability of the electric system in northern Chittenden County. We invite you or a representative to join us at
one or more of the gatherings we are planning to learn more about the proposed Gorge Area Reinforcement
(GAR) project and to provide input into the design. To further acquaint you with the GAR project, please find
enclosed a project description and map.
We are holding a series of stakeholder meetings and open houses between now and the end of May to discuss
project specifics. The stakeholder meetings will provide an opportunity for you to look at the proposed project
and for us to listen to your concerns and suggestions for consideration prior to the Certificate of Public Good
filing (section 248 permit process), which is expected to occur in mid 2008. The open houses will present the
project to the general public, as well. At the gatherings, staff will explain the project, gather additional input
from the public and answer questions.
The first meeting will be held on Thursday, March 13 with check-in beginning at 8:00 a.m. and the meeting
starting promptly at 8:30 and ending at 10:30. The meeting will be held in the Ballroom at the Holiday Inn
located at 1068 Williston Road in South Burlington, Vermont. Subsequent meetings/open houses are
scheduled for Thursday, April 10 and Thursday, May 22. Please be sure to save these dates in your calendar.
In order to plan accordingly for the first meeting, please RSVP no later than Friday, March 7 to either:
• Dotty Schnure at Green Mountain Power at schnure(c.greenmountainpower.biz or 655-8418;
• Cathy Migiorie at VELCO at cmigiorief@yelco.com or 770-6212.
We hope you will be able to join us.
Sincerely,
41" C4,6".ZZ14 ,
John Donleavy Chris Dutton
President and CEO President and CEO
Vermont Electric Power Company Green Mountain Power Company
Enclosures
Assessing Department
(802}362-1373 Town of
j Manchester Planning&Zoning02)362-428n4
Factory Point Cemetery
(802)362-1313 Police&Fire Departments
Phone:(802)362-2121
6039 Main Street
Finance Department FAX: (802)362-0202
0202
(802)362-1197 Manchester Center
Highway DepartmentTown Clerk
Vermont 05255
PO Box 830,Manchester Ctr.,VT 05255
(802)362-3283 WWW.tOWn.manchester.vt.US (802)362-1315
Parks&Recreation Department Town Manager
Phone:(802)362-1439 Phone:(802)362-1313
FAX: (802)362-0200 FAX; (802)362-1314
Water&Sewer Department
Billing:(802)362-1197
Plant:(802)362-3339
February 20, 2008
Ms. Donna Kinville, City Clerk
City of South Burlington, Vermont
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
Dear Ms. Kinville:
Attached is a copy of a resolution that was adopted by the Town of Manchester's Selectboard on
February 19, 2008.
As a community that may be impacted by the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement and the
diversion of thirty percent of your local revenues to the State's Payment in Lieu of Taxes
(PILOT)program, the Town of Manchester encourages your community to consider adopting a
similar resolution.
If you have any questions about the attached resolution please do not hesitate to contact me at
(802) 362-1313.
"I,
To , :r ager ,
Attachment: SSTA Resolution
TOWN OF MANCHESTER,VERMONT
SELECTBOARD
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The State of Vermont became a member of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project and
adopted the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement(SSTA), effective January 1,2007; and,
WHEREAS, According to the Vermont Department of Taxes, the adoption of the SSTA has
increased State sales tax collections by $328,000 in Fiscal Year 2007 and $401,700 in the first
half of Fiscal Year 2008; and,
WHEREAS, The State of Vermont consciously made a policy decision that increased State sales
tax revenues; and,
WHEREAS, It appears that the gradual increase in sales tax collection as a result of the SSTA
will continue to increase in the future; and,
•
WHEREAS, The State of Vermont authorized certain towns to impose a one percent local option
tax on sales, meals, alcohol and rooms in order to offset the unfair impact of Acts 60 and 68; and,
WHEREAS, The Town of Manchester imposed a local option sales tax in 1999 and a local option
meals and alcohol tax in 2007; and;
WHEREAS, The State of Vermont, as noted by the Vermont Legislature's Joint Fiscal Office
that stated the SSTA will "have a slight or significant impact on municipal revenue collections,
depending on the make-up of the local tax base," knowingly made a change to policy that
impacted local option sales tax revenues; and,
WHEREAS, Since the implementation of the SSTA in Vermont on January 1, 2007 the Town of
Manchester has realized a dramatic 33.42 percent decrease, compared to 2006, in local option
sales tax revenues through the quarter ending September 30, 2007; and,
WHEREAS, Specifically, for the quarter ending March 31, 2007 the Town of Manchester
received $157,265.12 in local option sales tax revenues, compared to $248,537.85 for the same
quarter of 2006, representing a 36.72 percent decrease; for the quarter ending June 30, 2007 the
Town of Manchester received $196,539.45 in local option sales tax revenues, compared to
$254,315.43 for the same quarter of 2006, representing a 22.72 percent decrease; for the quarter
ending September 30, 2007 the Town of Manchester received $216,841.14 in local option sales
tax revenues, compared to $354,213.64 for the same quarter of 2006, representing a 38.78
percent decrease; and,
WHEREAS, As local option sales tax revenues have decreased as a direct result of the SSTA,
administrative fees charged by the Vermont Department have continued to increase, thereby
resulting in a further decrease in local option sales tax revenues for the Town of Manchester;
and,
•
WHEREAS, The Town of Manchester has budgeted only $800,000 in local option sales tax
revenues for Fiscal Year 2009, compared to $1,100,000 for Fiscal Year 2008; and,
WHEREAS, Thirty percent of all local option taxes are diverted to the State's Payment In Lieu
Of Taxes (PILOT) program and the PILOT program is a State responsibility and should not be
funded using local option tax revenues; and,
WHEREAS, The State of Vermont has enacted a policy that is beneficial to itself and harmful to
some of its municipalities; and,
WHEREAS, The increase in State sales tax revenues and the decrease in local option sales tax
revenues is undeniably a direct result of the State of Vermont adopting the SSTA;
BE IT RESOLVED, The Town of Manchester Selectboard calls on the State of Vermont to
repeal the thirty percent diversion of local option taxes to the Payment In Lieu Of Taxes
(PILOT) program and to redirect one hundred percent of all local option sales taxes to the
communities that have enacted local option taxes; and to fund the PILOT program using
the additional state sales taxes collected as a result of the SSTA and State General Funds;
and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution shall be filed with the Manchester Town
Clerk and entered into the Town records, and that copies of this resolution shall be transmitted
forthwith to the Governor of Vermont, the Clerk of the State Senate, the Clerk of the House of
Representatives, the Manchester Senate and House Delegation, the Commissioner of the
Department of Taxes, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and the Town Clerks of the other
Towns collecting local option taxes and impacted by the Streamlined Sales Tax.Agreement.
Approved this day, February 19, 2008, by the Manchester Selectboard:
, 9... 0.0a.--
Iva 'Beattie, Chair ichael I burn, Vice-Chair
Wayne ell,Meibber Carol Lattuga,Me ber
teven cho ,Member
0 drx suNUNorop,eq
J° " • City of South Burlington
1 ! i�;� 575 DORSET STREET
sfit;�iii�r�l / # SOUTH BURLINGTON VERMONT 05403
TEL. (802) 846-4107
_ •`b FAX (802) 846-4101+e
p��M CITY MANAGER
BNF�A iowN ... CHARLES E. RAFTER
February 29, 2008
Chair and City Council
South Burlington, VT 05403
Re: Discussion of funding of SAFER(Firefighter) grant and finalization of FY 2008-
2009 FY budgets
To All Members:
Staff has made the changes to the budget approved by Council at the recent workshops.
As far as I am aware, the only outstanding item is if, and how, to fund the SAFER grant
and how to present it to the public. Council needs to come to a decision on this, if the
appropriation is to be included in the 2008-2009 budget; if the decision is to have the
public vote a special appropriation the funds would not be included in the budget until
after the vote in May. A decision is needed so the budget can be presented to the
Steering Committee and the budget details formed into the budget book that goes to all
taxpayers.
At the last meeting, information was presented that the City is unable to change the terms
of its grant application. Council's option is to either withdraw the application or continue
to seek six new firefighter positions. Council was unanimous that they are seeking a
method to fund these positions.
The options discussed were:
• Include the necessary allocation for the first year of the grant ($75,000) in the
regular budget and have voters vote on the complete budget. This would increase
the overall budget expenditure increase from 4.01%to 4.4% and the general fund
increase from 4.34%to 4.99%. The estimated tax rate would increase from the
projected rate of.342 to .345;this would still be a decrease of.06 from the current
rate of.405.
The concern with this option is not the impact in year one, but the built-in future
costs that must be funded once the grant is accepted. As the attached analysis
shows, particularly in years three and five, the increase in necessary city match
will put severe strain on other department expenditures in the budget.
If Council chooses this option, voters will have to be made aware of future
impacts and that future tax increases to fund those impacts will likely be higher
than the CPI.
• Include the necessary funds on the ballot as a special appropriation which would
fund the necessary city costs over five years ($1,089,000). These costs would be
"outside" the general fund and should be envisioned similar to a bond issue that
voters have approved and must be funded, but are not included in the general fund
calculations.
There are two concerns here. First, it may appear that the City is trying to make
an "end run" on the ability of voters to manage the budget in future years,
although voters could still reject proposed budgets due to over-all increases.
More importantly, the City would have to have the discipline to plan for the sixth
year when the grant would terminate. The sixth year appropriation of$382,604
would be difficult to fund as a one-time increase in the budget.
• I have developed a new option that has not been discussed by Council. It would
involve a ten-year plan that uses a combination of general tax revenue and sales
tax revenue. The plan gradually builds up the city's property tax portion of the
city's obligation and reduces equally the sales tax appropriation. Please see the
attached payment schedule and projected tax impact.
The fiscal year 2008-2009 budget includes a full-year of sales tax revenue.
However, in order to be conservative with our projections, the full-year consists
of three quarters from the 2007-2008 year and one quarter from the 2008-2009
year; thus keeping three quarters in reserve. A portion of this reserve can be used
to implement this plan with no impact on the tax rate in year one.
The concern here is the dedication of a portion of sales tax revenue for a ten-year
period of time. Residents may be concerned that the sales tax revenue is not
being used, as promised, to reduce the tax rate. However, if Council is going to
add six firefighters, the attached ten year plan illustrates that the sales tax will
definitely reduce the tax rate.
Based on the above, it seems appropriate to put an item on the ballot that would
detail the ten year plan and ask the voters if they wish to have the City dedicate
the use of sales tax funds in this manner. If they agree, the funds could be added
to the budget; if they do not the SAFER grant would be declined (If awarded.)
I hope this memo has focused some of the discussion. If I did not capture the full range
and extent of the discussion at the last meeting, I have done my best.
Sincerely,
C arles Hafter
City Manager