HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - City Council - 09/21/2009 ikr4
southburlingtou
Charles E. Hafter, City Manager
AGENDA
SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL
CITY}FALL CONFERENCE ROOM
575 Dorset Street
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT
Regular Meeting 7:00pm Monday Sept. 21 , 2009
1) Comments and Questions from the public (not related to the Agenda).
2) Announcements and City Manager's Report.
• Bookmobile Usage Report; Louise Murphy
• Recreation Department Program Report; Tom Hubbard
• Next steps on Police Station; Trevor Whipple
• 3) Update on progress from Dog Park Committee; Lisa Ventriss, Chair
4) Update on Burlington International Airport projects: Parking Garage Expansion, Noise
Control and Property Acquisition; Brad Worthern, Community Relations Liaison
• 5) Presentation and public comment on proposed use of Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) of
$13,849.00 for patrol rifle program; Trevor Whipple, Chief of Police
6) First reading of an Ordinance to amend South Burlington Impact Fee Ordinance to
eliminate School Facilities Impact Fee; Scheduling of Public Hearing (suggest October
19, 2009)
• 7) Review the agenda for the special Development Review Board meeting, Sept. 23, 2009.
8) Review and approve minutes from regular & special City Council meetings held July
24 and Sept. 8, 2009.
9) Sign disbursement orders
10)Consider entering executive session to discuss personnel issue.
11)Adjourn
Respectfully Submitted:
Charles Hafter, City Manager
575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 tel 802.846.4107 fax 802.846.4101 www.sburl.com
CITY COUNCIL 8 SEPTEMBER 2009
The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 8 September
2009, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St.
Members Present: M. Boucher, Chair; J. Knapp, M. Emery, F. Murray
Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; Chief T.
Whipple and other members of Police Department; D. Kinville, City Clerk; S. Dopp, M.
Young, E. Lesser-Goldsmith, B. Stuono, M. Kozar, L. Kalagnes
1. Other Business & Announcements:
Mr. Lesser-Goldsmith updated the Council on the Faninier's Markets which have been
held at Healthy Living this summer. There have been more than 40 vendors at each event
paying only a small fee to participate. The hope is to do this more often next summer and
to have the City become involved in a more active way. There is also a hope to one day
move the event to the City Center.
2. Announcements & City Manager's Report:
Mr. Boucher: noted receipt of letter from the Casavants regarding concerns with a recent
discussion about allowing the keeping of chickens in some neighborhoods. Mr. Young
asked about contingency plans if avian flu returns to the area. Ms. Emery noted there are
birds everywhere, and any plan adopted by the City would follow federal guidelines to
protect the populations.
Mr. Hafter: 2 additional resignations to add to the agenda.
Reminded members of Steering Committee meeting, 21 September, 6 p.m., prior
to City Council meeting. Mr. Hafter provided members with minutes and an agenda for
the Steering Committee meeting.
Asked for a Council person to participate on the committee that allocates social
services funding.
Fire Department Open House, 13 September, 3-10 p.m., includes a barbeque.
Mr. Hafter will be at the International Conference of City Managers in Montreal
from 11-15 September but will return in time for the vote on the 15th
3. Interview with Applicants for City Center Design Review Committee:
The Council interviewed Jean-Sebastien Chaulot for appointment to the City Center
Design Review Committee. Mr. Chaulot said he has lived in South Burlington for 7
CITY COUNCIL
8 SEPTEMBER 2009
PAGE 2
years. He believes the City Center is crucial for the city and is interested in being
involved with that development. He would like to make a positive contribution to the
city.
4. Informational Hearing on 15 September 2009 Special City Meeting to vote
on acquisition and development of a Police facility at 19 Gregory Drive:
Mr. Knapp reviewed the history of the process. He said that in considering this site, the
functionality of the building, its cost, and availability and timing were thoroughly
considered. Chief Whipple has indicated that the building will be perfectly functional for
police use.
Mr. Knapp then outlined the `plus' aspects of the site:
1. It would recycle an older building
2. The building has a lot of life in it
3. There would be limited construction
4. The City Engineer has pronounced the building sound
5. State permits can be acquired quickly because the building is already approved
for commercial use.
6. There is easy access to Kennedy Dr.
7. There is expansion potential within the building which will be within the City's
control.
8. No additions would be required.
9. The City can lease extra space until needed and recover some funds
10. There is substantial parking
11. There is an existing Act 250 permit which will require one small amendment
12 There is only 1 small exterior wall change; all the rest of the work is inside
13. No temporary relocation of the Police Dept. would be needed.
14. City Hall remains where it is.
Mr. Knapp then reviewed the general costs as follows:
Building cost $4,400,000
Fit Up/general 1,320,000
Special Fit Up 950,000
Permitting 20,000
Contingency 227,000
Other fees, costs (architects, etc.) 283,000
Total $7,200,000.
CITY COUNCIL
8 SEPTEMBER 2009
PAGE 3
Mr. Knapp then outlined the funding mechanism for the project:
On September 15,the voters will vote on a$7,200,000 general obligation bond.
Repayment would be from a portion of the city's rooms and meals local option tax(this
would be applied to the principal) and from general fund tax revenues (which would be
applied to interest payments). Mr. Knapp said using the rooms &meals tax shares the
burden with those who use city services but may not live/pay taxes in the city.
Mr. Knapp said other options the city had looked at would have cost $2,500,000-
$3,000,000 more. They would also have taken much longer to be ready for use. The
Gregory Drive building could be ready for use in 6-8 months from a voter approval.
Chief Whipple then reviewed some advance work done with the architectural company of
the building owner. They have decided to isolate 90% of the building use to the first
floor. Only the locker room and small fitness room will be upstairs. The lobby will be
redesigned to a public area which will include a training room (seating about 60). When
Police are not using this room, it can be available for public meeting use. The lobby area
will also include public rest rooms. The building will have generator power so that in
case of an emergency it could provide shelter for those in need.
Youth Services will be moved to the new building. A Police presence will remain in the
schools.
Chief Whipple felt the architect has done a very good job with natural light location.
The secure area of the building will include all areas for prisoner handling and will be
totally separate from the other part of the building.
Chief Whipple explained some small renovation to the back exterior corner of the
building to square off the corner. There will be 3 sally ports.
The Chief showed the area of extra space which the city could make use of for city
functions or could lease. He also indicated the part of the building which the city won't
be buying. Mr. Miller has set up a system whereby the city could purchase the building
in the future; however, if the city hasn't purchased it within 20 years, Mr. Miller will give
that part of the building to the city.
Regarding the location of the site, Chief Whipple said he has had officers drive from
there to various parts of the city. They are resoundingly in agreement that the location is
OK. The Chief said he also contacted other communities which have moved Police
facilities away from a city center location (e.g., Barre, Hartford, VT, Lebanon,NH, and
SEPTEMBER 10, 2009
Charles Hafter, City Manager
South Burlington,Vt.
Dear Chuck,
After forty three years of being elected to city offices I have decided to leave South
Burlington and therefore must resign as the Commissioner of the Champlain Water
District. It has been an honor and a previliage to serve the city in many capacities,
especially the district. With Bill Szymanski and you as backups I feel the district is in
good hands and it makes my decision much easier. I know the district will continue to
prosper and give the city what it always has: the best water possible at the lowest cost.
Sincerely,
Pet L. J ob
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Dorset Street South Burlington,
VT 05403 tel 802 846 4106 fa
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575
MEMORANDUM
Date: 21 September 2009
To: South Burlington City Council
From: Peter Plumeau,Airport Commissioner
Subj: Information on Airport-related Planning and Development Matters
As I will be out of town for tonight's City Council session related to Burlington International
Airport,I am providing this memo to summarize my perspective on key airport issues.
General
My observation to date is that the Airport administration views maintaining a good
relationship with the community to be important and essential for smooth implementation
of plans for expansion and property acquisition. I believe the administration has taken
positive steps in this regard,such as the hiring of a Community Relations Facilitator(Brad
Worthen),the establishment of an email list for interested parties and airport neighbors
and the convening of occasional public meetings and information sessions on general and
specific issues. I think the administration should maintain this positive direction by taking
advantage of other options for ensuring transparency,including establishing a"Community
Relations"page on its website and providing periodic informational updates to The Other
Paper and Front Porch Forum.
My thoughts on specific issues are as follow:
Properly Acquisition
I believe the airport has been fairly open and forthcoming to neighbors and the City with
information on the status of the property acquisition process,at least since I joined the
Commission earlier this year. Two purchase offers have been made in the last couple of
months,with the potential for up to 20 purchases during this fiscal year. The
administration is copying me on all substantive correspondence related to purchases.
I believe the City and airport may need to work together to consider how to address issues
related to those properties that abut,but do not fall within,the designated noise zone,as
these neighbors may have concerns regarding long-term property values and quality of life.
Living Wall
The"Living Wall"project on Airport Drive is proceeding,although it is behind the original
schedule. On September 15,the DRB approved the Airport's conditional use application for
construction of the Wall. The Airport was hoping to have the Wall installed this fall;
however,the District Environmental Commission (DEC)recently informed the Airport that
the Wall is snhipet to Art 2.r0 which is likely to delav the Airnort's ahility to nrnceed with
construction. I believe the administration and its consultant are still clarifying details of the
Act 250 issues.
Parking Garage Expansion&Ground Access Issues
The airport continues to pursue the addition of two new levels and a"green roof'to the
current parking garage. The Airport Commission has discussed options for phasing and
financing of this project in the aftermath of Burlington voters'defeat of a revenue bond
request this past March. Existing forecasts point to an existing and long-term need for
additional parking. An updated parking needs forecast is currently being completed by a
consultant;the results of this forecast have not yet been provided to the Commission.
The administration is also attempting to address other ground access issues. For example,
on average,between 30 and 40 percent of cars using the garage are from Canada. Thus,the
administration is continuing to pursue express bus service to the Airport from Montreal. In
addition,the administration is accelerating plans for creating a"cell phone waiting lot"on
the airport grounds to help minimize the number of cars that"orbit"through the airport
access road and Airport Drive while waiting to pick up arriving passengers.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact me with questions or to provide additional
direction regarding specific City Council concerns or issues.
cc: C.Hafter,City Manager
B.Searles,Airport Director
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Memorandum
To: Chuck Hafter,City Manager
From: Trevor Whipple, Chief of Police
Date: 7/16/2009
Re: Justice Assistance Grant
The South Burlington Police Department has been awarded$13,849.00 through the
Justice Assistance Grant(JAG)funding. A requirement of the grant process is
that the expenditure plan be reviewed by the local governing body. It also
requires that there be a period for public comment. The public comment can be
met by warning the review as an agenda item at a council meeting and then
providing a time for any public comment during the meeting.
I would respectfully request this be warned for the next council meeting with a brief
time allowed for public comment.
The attached detail of funding outlines the equipment and training necessary to
begin a patrol rifle program at the South Burlington Police Department. We are
the only agency in the immediate area that does not have patrol rifles at our
immediate disposal. Not having immediate access limits our ability to respond
to active shooting incidents. Our country continues to be plagued with acts of
violence in communities both large and small. It is my belief that having access
to patrol rifles and being trained in their use would allow us to better protect the
residents and visitors to our city.
Justice Assistance Grant(JAG) funding 2009
South Burlington Police Department Patrol Rifle Program
Budget Narrative
Below is a synopsis of expenditure plan for the formula allocation of$13,849 to the South
Burlington Police Department.
Patrol Rifles $2,697
Purchase of three Bushmaster M4a3 carbine patrol rifles. Complete with flip up rear
sight and hard case.
Eotech Holographic Sights $1,227
Each patrol rifle will be equipped with the appropriate sighting mechanism for accuracy
and ease of use.
Front Grip $207
Weapons will be equipped with added front grip for accuracy and ease of use.
Ambidextrous Sling $75
Weapons will be equipped with slings so that officers can safely carry weapons even if
their hands are not available.
Mounted lights $297
Each patrol rifle will have Streamlight TLR 1 lights mounted on them for use in reduced
light environments.
Switch for light $210
Mounted Streamlights will be equipped with remote activated switch.
Spare magazines $135
Each rifle will have three spare 30 round magazines
Duty Ammunition $375
500 rounds of duty ammunition will be supplied for the three rifles.
Practice Ammunition $4,000
8,000 rounds of practice ammunition will be supplied for training and familiarizing.
Training $300
Two firearms instructors will be trained as patrol rifle instructors at the in state police
academy.
Firearms trailer $3,500
A 6' by 12' trailer will be purchased to transport all firearms supplies to and from the
firing range. The current trailer is no longer structurally sound and is too small.
Modifications to Firearms Trailer $826
The new trailer will require interior fit up,to includes racks and shelving to hold supplies
and equipment.
TOTAL FUNDING $13,849
TO: City Council
FROM: Tom Hubbard
• RE: Dog Park Committee
DATE: September 17, 2009
The Dog Park Committee will attend the City Council meeting on Sept. 21 to present an
update on the status of a potential dog park at the covered landfill. Lisa Ventriss, Chair
of the committee will share with the Council that based on the final report from Sanborn-
Head Environmental Group, it will require a substantial investment to make this site a
suitable location for a dog park. The committee has already begun to explore other sites,
and requests permission from Council to work with city staff to have conversations with
appropriate individuals, including representatives from the airport,to discuss the potential
for a dog park on land that has been taken as part of the Airport's Land Purchase
Program.
"Rita Book"
The South Burlington Community Library Bookmobile
Summer 2009
The Friends of the Library and the Rotary Club of South Burlington organized a
Bookmobile Kick-Off and Ribbon Cutting Celebration at Dorset Park on May 231d. It
was a beautiful sunny day, a local high school band performed in the Bandshell,music
cake, and balloons,were enjoyed by all, and Rotarians served hot dogs and hamburgers.
The bookmobile was officially named"Rita Book"and Sandra Dooley, City
Councilwoman,accepted the keys to the bookmobile from Nick deTarnowsky,President
of the South Burlington Rotary Club. Participants filled out forms to request a
bookmobile visit to their neighborhood.
Mary Rutherford, a former elementary school Principal from Central School,was hired as
the Bookmobile driver. We had three wonderful high school students who volunteered
on the bookmobile, Katie Gray, Sevdenur Akgul,and Chelsea Douglas. The bookmobile
was launched the first week of school summer vacation and continued to run through the
week that school re-opened in September. A schedule of stops was posted on our website
and in the Other Paper. The stops were revised throughout the summer as usage was
determined.
At summers end,Rita had made 137 stops in South Burlington neighborhoods and
summer school programs and we had 1,247 visitors. The total cost to date for the
bookmobile operation this summer is$2185.00 (Repairs- $501.06; Gas - $197.49;
Driver's stipend- $1,486.00).
We are continuing to visit several neighborhoods on Saturday afternoons this fall,where
usage and demand are high. The Schools-Out Director at Orchard School has requested
that we visit their program a few times this fall.
We approached our first summer on the Bookmobile as a"work-in-progress"and we
look forward to using our learning experiences to improve on the program next summer.
We were gratified by the appreciation and enthusiasm that South Burlington residents
expressed for this city sponsored service. We observed that the Bookmobile promoted a
sense of community in South Burlington and brought people together in their
neighborhoods. Our visits were fun for parents,caretakers, grandparents,teachers,
volunteers,children and of course the librarians too! While our literacy achievements
may not be measurable,we know that we circulated 1,910 books, and know that we kept
books in the hands and minds of children during the summer months. We were clearly
able to reach people who did not know that library cards were free, others who did not
know about the library, and many that would not otherwise have been able to get to the
library for books. We had quite a few requests to include one shelf of adult reading on
the bus, and we plan to do that next summer. Overall,we felt it was a very successful
first year-the goodwill engendered,the many times we heard kids say"Wow,this is
cool!"and the smiles on the children's faces made it very worthwhile.
Submitted to the City Council on September 21 St 2009 by Louise Murphy,
Community Librarian
FY 2010-2011 BUDGET CALENDAR
November 16,2009 City Council receives City Manager's proposed budget
November 23, 2009 First budget work session (6:30 start)
December 3, 2009 Second budget work session (6:30 start)
December 10,2009 Third budget work session (6:30 start)
December 22, 2009 Notice published for Steering Committee meeting. Sent to Free
Press by December 16th(School responsibility this year 2010)
January 4,2010 Combined City Council and Steering Committee budget meeting,
7:00 P.M. (Not required by Charter,it has been tradition)
January 5,2010 Budget book sent to printers
January 8,2010 Budget book delivered to large conference room no later than 8:30
A.M. Volunteers from RSVP label books. A warning is published
for a public hearing to be held January 21,2010 for the City and
School District budgets. (School responsibility this year 2010)
January 11,2010 Budget books mailed to residents
January 21,2010 Public hearing held by City Council and School Board to consider
proposed budgets,7:00 P.M.
January 22-February 1, 2010 A majority of the Council should sign warning(special meeting may be
required),file the warning with the City Clerk,and put copies in City Hall and
at least six(6) other public places within the City. Copies of the warning must
be posted in at least two (2) public places within each voting district. If a
warning includes a bonding article,the bonding resolution must be signed by
the Council or School Board,incorporated in the minutes of the meeting,and
must be published three times (once a week) on the same day of the week. The
last publication cannot be less than five (5)nor more than ten (10) days prior to
the Annual City meeting(suggest February 9 for first publication). Mail ad to
Free Press by 02/02/10.
February 17,2010 The second publication of the warning in the Free Press,if the warning
includes a bonding article. If the warning does not include a bonding
article it need only be published once prior to the annual meeting. The
statutes do no specify when the publication takes place,however,Section
1303 of the Charter indicates that the warning must published at least ten
(10) days before the date of the annual meeting. Suggest this date if only
one(1)publication is necessary.
February 23,2010 The third publication of the warning in the Free Press if the
warning includes a bonding article.
March 1,2010 Town Meeting
March 2,2010 Annual City meeting
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER'S
MONTHLY REPORT
August 2009
PERMITS CONSTRUCTION COST
1 Single Family Dwelling (1 unit) $250,000
1 Multi-family Dwelling (3 units) $300,000
22 Residential Additions & Alterations
7 Non-Residential Additions & Alterations $103, 66
1 Fence $ 03,166
4 Sheds $1,477
1 Tennis Court 6,100
2 Demolition $29 000
5 Non-Taxable $2,500
44 $400,435
2009 YTD $12,189,867 $1,869 303
Taxable $9,203,978
August 2008
PERMITS CONSTRUCTION COST
2 Single Family Dwellings (2 units) $450,000
1 Two-Family Dwelling (2 units) $530,000
16 Residential Additions & Alterations $161,073
1 Non-Residential $10,530,350
10 Non-Residential Additions & Alterations $919,700
2 Sheds $4,000
2 Fences $4,800
1 Garage $28,000
9 Demolition
44 $100,000
2008 YTD $41,566,098 $12,727,923
Taxable $38,861,298
; ? SeIair •fte/
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' Administrative Officer
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Charles E. Hatter, City Manager
AGENDA
South Burlington Steering Committee
Monday, September 21, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall, 575 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT 05403
1. Review and approval of Minutes of June 10, 2009
2. Election of Officers for 2009-2010:
• Chair (School Board turn in rotation)
• Vice-Chair (City Council turn in rotation)
• Secretary (Superintendent Everitt)
3. Discussion of upcoming budget
• Review of zoning permits issued to date
• CPI expectations
• General discussion
• City and School budget preparation calendar
4. Initial school registration figures
5. Discussion of Legislative advocacy and effectiveness of Legislative
Breakfasts
6. Other items to come before the Steering Committee
7. Adjourn
575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 tel 802.846.4107 fax 802.846.4101 www.sburl.com