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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - City Council - 11/15/2010 IP Om southbu VFAMONT AGENDA SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL City Hall Conference Room 575 Dorset Street SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT Executive Session 6:00pm Monday, Nov. 15,2010 1. Consider entering executive session to discuss personnel, contract negotiations, real property and litigation: John Roe, Vermont Land Trust. Regular Session 7:00 P.M. Monday, Nov 15, 2010 1. Comments and Questions from the public(not related to the Agenda). 2. Announcements and City Manager's Report. 3. ***Interview for appointment to City Charter Committee; Donna Kinville, City Clerk/Treasurer 4. Update on the plans for the 2011-2012 Triathlon, Bill Cimonetti & Peter Delaney 5. ***Update of the Lake Champlain Byway; Dan Senecal-Albrecht, CCRPC 6. ***Consideration of approval of application for a State of Vermont Municipal Planning Grant, Paul Conner, Director of Planning &Zoning. 7. ***Public Hearing of Ordinance to Amend the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations; No parking on both sides of Airport Drive from Williston Rd to White Street. Second reading of the same. 8. ***Review and approve minutes from the regular meeting held Oct. 25 & Nov. 1, 2010. 9. Sign disbursement orders. 10. Consider entering executive session to discuss personnel, contract negotiations, real property and litigation. 11. Adjourn Respectfully Submitted: Sanford I. Miller, City Manager 1110444 ,1111.44. south Sanford I.Miller,City Manager smiller@sburl.com AGENDA SOUTH BURLINGTON STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING CITY HALL LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20,2010 6:00 P.M. ✓ I. Approval of the May 19, 2010 Steering Committee meeting minutes. II. City/School Finances: a. Unfunded pension obligations; b. Recession economics and consequences; c. Auditor(responses to the RFP are due Sept. 20th); i. Selection process; ii. Review committee. III. Space Utilization —575 Dorset Street: a. City needs; b. School needs; '�"'� �� �� s» - c. Opportunities for sharing service IV. i-. Other items. hax-l- ,n,G f r r-c - A" V. - Adjourn. S(,. ,„4 pr!,rc�-o eon y0 0-46':- �aii Respectfully Submitted, -7 pt{,i< ? CrwY HR ?J Sanford I. Miller City Manager Any person requiring special accommodations to attend this meeting should contact the City Manager's Office, 846-4107 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. STEERING COMMITTEE 19 MAY 2010 The South Burlington Steering Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, 19 May 2010, at 6:00 p.m., at the Frederick Tuttle Middle School,Dorset Street. Members Present: City Council: J. Knapp, S. Dooley, M. Emery, F. Murray; D. Gravelin, Acting City Manager; School Board: E. Fitzgerald, A. Clift, M. Lalonde, R. Cassidy; J. Everitt, Superintendent of Schools Also Present: D. Young, Assistant Superintendent of Schools: J. Stewart. School District 1. Election of Officers: Ms. Clift opened the floor for nominations for Chair. Mr. Knapp nominated Ms. Emery. Ms. Dooley seconded. There were no further nominations, and Ms. Emery was elected unanimously. Ms. Emery presided over the remainder of the meeting. She asked for nominations for Vice Chair. Ms. Clift nominated Mr. Lalonda. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Approval of Minutes of 21 January 2010: Ms. Dooley moved to approve the Minutes of 21 January 2010 as written. Mr. Murray seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Discussion of F-35's: Ms. Emery noted that the City Council has invited the Air Force to a future meeting. The Council has not had a formal discussion on the F-35 issue,but the School Board has. Ms. Clift cited the difference between taking a position on the F-35's and looking for information on the effect of noise on students/learning. Mr. Lalonde also cited the potential impact on the number of children coming to school if the DNL contour is expanded and also the impact on the tax base that pays for schools. Ms. Fitzgerald added that the School Board is seeking information from school boards in communities where these planes have been flying. Ms. Emery noted that she lives in the area directly affected by Airport noise and has been doing a lot of research. She cited lower test scores, lower reading levels, and more speech problems in areas affected by noise. In Germany, when an airport relocated, student test levels went up in the area the planes left and went down in the new airport location. Ms. Emery also cited studies on the effect of noise of stress levels in children STEERING COMMITTEE 19 MAY 2010 PAGE 2 and teachers and on parents raising children. One study described a"learned sense of helplessness"because people cannot control their environment. Conditions such as elevated blood pressure and physiological stress have been identified as well. The anticipation is that the F-35's will be 4 times louder than the Concord which was at 100 decibels, and this will be only 4 blocks from Chamberlin School. Ms. Fitzgerald said the School Board talked about the baseline for the affected area. There is already a baseline established for the contours, and there are an additional 80 homes that will be affected by noise. Ms. Dooley said the City Council is working with the Airport to get some measurements done. The concern is that demolishing homes will result in increased noise levels for remaining residents. Ms. Fitzgerald said the fundamental question is the frequency of flights and the times of day planes will be flying. Ms. Emery said the anticipation is they will fly at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and return 2 hours later. There would by 3 or 4 aircrafts taking off and landing right after each other. Depending on training, there could also be early morning or night flights. Mr. Knapp noted that baseline testing can't be done until the F-16's return in mid- September when the runway repaving is completed. Ms. Emery added that the Air Force has said that the baseline the city gets will have no affect on their calculations. Ms. Emery then cited potential mitigation measures that could eliminate the need to remove so many houses. She said it is in the interest of the Airport to have that land for commercial development, and they have not been willing to consider mitigation devices. Ms. Emery added that loss of affordable housing has been a long-time City Council concern. The Airport has agreed to try to help replace affordable housing in the city. Ms. Emery noted that in Madison, Wisconsin, they have installed blast deflectors and very high (20-foot)berms, and they have not had to remove any homes. Chicago has used insulation in homes, schools and churches. 4. Continued discussion About Shared Space in the Future: Ms. Emery noted that the Police Department is now in its new home on Gregory Drive. Mr. Gravelin said the City had been waiting for the Police to leave City Hall, and is now ready to look into other use for that space. He thought the space would need to be re- engineered inside for"flow"if it were to become administrative school offices. All the mold has been cleared up, and the building is safe. STEERING COMMITTEE 19 MAY 2010 PAGE 3 Mr. Gravelin said the bigger question is whether City Hall remains there for any length of time. Supt. Everitt said there are now some administrative offices in the Middle School and some in the High school. Mr. Young said he can provide information regarding space needs. He felt it would be helpful to revisit the master planning that the City and School District did. Ms. Emery asked if the School District would be interested in a move to City Center, if that option became available. Supt. Everitt said location is not as critical as the collaboration. Educational governance is also an issue and whether there could be change in governance. There are tax incentives for consolidation. He stressed that "everything is on the table." 5. Other Items to Come Before the Committee: Ms. Dooley noted that the Legislature did not increase the tax rate. Supt. Everitt said this will result in an unanticipated decrease in taxes amounting to $33.00 per$100,000 of home value. Supt. Everitt also noted there is a$23,200,000 shortage to pay for education in 2012. The state is trying to come up with a formula that weights kids in poverty, whether you can have controlled spending, etc. By 2015, communities will have to tell the Commissioner if they will meet the target that has been set. Supt. Everitt also noted that Sen. Sanders is trying to get ore money into the State in order to save teacher jobs. As there was no further business to come before the Steering Committee the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Clerk N AGENDA SOUTH BURLINGTON STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING SOUTH BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL (cafeteria 1) TUESDAY,NOVEMBER 30,2010 6:00 P.M. I. Approval of the September 20, 2010 Steering Committee meeting minutes. J II. Budget discussion—FY 2011 &FY 2012. P( , j III. Audit update—RHR Smith FY 2010 audit. jIV. Vacant space—City Hall (see enclosure). ! S V. Other items. L 3_ 1 trw, t VI. Adjourn. Respectfully Submitted, Sanford I. Miller City Manager Any person requiring special accommodations to attend this meeting should contact C6y'Riall Space Analysis Performed by:Will Doupe Checked by:Justin Rabidoux Date:Nov 5,2010 Based on plans titled"South Burlington Municipal Center',dated 8/29/80 by Wiemann-Lamphere Architects Room ID Use Square Feet PD 1st Floor 125 Corridor 220 126 Locker Room 583 127 Men's Restroom 114 128 Shower 37 129 Women's Restroom 104 130 Storage 266 131 Garage 377 132 Electrical 86 133 PD Vacant 575 134 PD Vacant 88 135 PD Vacant 109 136 PD Vacant 180 137 PD Vacant 84 138 PD Vacant 87 139 PD Vacant 88 140 PD Vacant 88 141 PD Vacant 381 142 PD Vacant 34 143 PD Waiting Area 247 144 PD Vestibule 42 Total 1st Floor PD 3789 PD 2nd Floor 203 PD Entry Corridor 95 204 PD Vacant 575 205 PD Vacant 195 206 PD Vacant 95 207 PD Vacant 140 208 PD Vacant 108 209 PD Vacant 190 210 PD Vacant 200 211 PD Vacant 95 212 PD Vacant 283 Total 2nd Floor PO 1976 Total Unused PD Space 5765 I City Gov't 1st Floor 145 Corridor 100 147 Hallway 27 148 Women's Restroom 98 149 Hallway 27 150 Storage 30 151 Men's Restroom 98 152 Clerk's Waiting Area 550 154 Main Conference Room 2304 157 Clerk/Assessor Corridor 235 158 Assessor's Office 301 159 Book Keeper 245 160 BK Storage 157 161 Storage 41 162 Clerk/Research Space 775 163 Vault 366 Total 1st Floor City Gov't 5354 City Gov't 2nd Floor 202 Storage 446 No# Small Conference Room 165 215 Corridor 75 216 Display Space 43 218 Corridor 298 219 Rec.Conference Room 201 220 Rec.Dir.Office 111 221 Rec.Asst.Dir.Office 135 222 Rec Admin Support 205 222B Storage 30 223 Zoning Enforcement 135 224 Planning Director 135 225 Asst.Planning Director 168 226 Plan Storage 234 227 City Manager Waiting Area 229 228 Human Resources 135 229 Asst.City Manager 135 230 City Manager 200 231 Break Room 157 232 storage 32 233 Mens Rest Room 27 234 Worsens Rest Room 27 Total 2nd Floor City Gov't 3322 I Total City Gov't Space 8677 General Space 1S1/2S1 PD Stairwell 270 1S2/2S2 Front Stairwell 440 1S3/2S3 Rear Stairwell 226 Total General Space 936 City Hall Space Analysis Performed by:Will Doupe Checked by:Justin Rabidoux Date:Nov 5,2010 Based on plans titled"South Burlington Municipal Center,dated 829/80 by Wremann-Lamphere Architects Room ID Use Square Feet PD 1st Floor 125 Corridor 220 126 Locker Room 583 127 Men's Restroom 114 128 Shower 37 129 Women's Restroom 104 130 Storage 266 131 Garage 377 132 Electrical 86 133 PD Vacant 575 134 PD Vacant 88 135 PD Vacant 109 136 PD Vacant 180 137 PD Vacant 84 138 PD Vacant 87 139 PD Vacant 88 140 PD Vacant 88 141 PD Vacant 381 142 PD Vacant 34 143 PD Wading Area 247 144 PD Vestibule 42 Total 1st Floor PO 3789 PD 2nd Floor 203 PD Entry Corridor 95 204 PD Vacant 575 205 PD Vacant 195 206 PD Vacant 95 207 PD Vacant 140 208 PD Vacant 108 209 PD Vacant 190 210 PD Vacant 200 211 PD Vacant 95 212 PD Vacant 283 Total 2nd Floor PD 1976 Total Unused PD Space 5765 City Gov't 1st Floor 145 Corridor 100 147 Hallway 27 148 Women's Restroom 98 149 Hallway 27 150 Storage 30 151 Men's Restroom 98 152 Cleric's Waiting Area 550 154 Main Conference Room 2304 157 Clerk/Assessor Corridor 235 158 Assessor's Office 301 159 Book Keeper 245 160 BK Storage 157 161 Storage 41 162 Clerk/Research Space 775 163 Vault 366 Total 1st Floor City Gov't 5354 City Gov't 2nd Floor 202 Storage 446 No# Small Conference Room 165 215 Corridor 75 216 Display Space 43 218 Corridor 298 219 Rec.Conference Room 201 220 Rec.Dir.Office 111 221 Rec.Asst.Dir.Office 135 222 Rec Admin Support 205 222E Storage 30 223 Zoning Enforcement 135 224 Planning Director 135 225 Asst.Planning Director 168 226 Plan Storage 234 227 City Manager Waiting Area 229 228 Human Resources 135 229 Asst.City Manager 135 230 City Manager 200 231 Break Room 157 232 storage 32 233 Mens Rest Room 27 234 Womens Rest Room 27 Total 2nd Floor City Gov't 3322 Total City Gov't Space 8677 I General Space 1S1/2S1 PD Stairwell 270 1522S2 Front Stairwell 440 1532S3 Rear Stairwell 226 Total General Space 936 south Sanford I. Miller, City Manage- smiller@.sburi.com 2010/2011 LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST DISCUSSION SERIES South Burlington Community Library Wednesday, December 1, 2010 7:30 a.m. I. Introductions II. TIF Legislation: a. Standardization of TIF benefits(e.g. with Milton and Burlington); b. Relaxing current size limitations. Ill. County budget process—making municipal input meaningful. IV. Vermont Municipal Bond Bank—refunding pension obligations and similar municipal debt. V. 1 Energy incentives—continuing/expanding tax credits&grants. VI. -/ State highway aid—to cease reduction of, and withholding, highway payments to municipalities. VII. \/ State buildings and general service department—extending state bid and pricing information to municipalities. VIII. J Worker's compensation—sole proprietorship hold harmless agreements—help with State DOL. IX. Other items. X. Adjourn. 7 Fi)i-v-r,2, )IA', )-(-1 4.s104"-- U e Respectfully Submitted, -:�•,. I(-f" 4 - „ Sanford I. Miller, City Manager 0-7 C �� � _,,�� 575 Dorset Street South Burlington,VI 05403 tel 802.846.4107 fax 802.846.4101 smiller©sburl.com www.sburl.com c) - r•- ►.ISu- 2,4 J Lsio ckt1.1.0- t\) ii P`tL& • orsiA C, I1 south d ow kif AGENDA SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL&PLANNING COMMISSION City Hall Conference Room 575 Dorset Street SOUTH BURLINGTON,VERMONT Executive Session 5:45pm Monday, Nov.29,2010 J 1. Consideration entering,executive sessionl� to discuss personnpl and contract negotiation. V Dv.. . c � $r.oI,-�ad'f.0 - .rob.. 17-'� fir' s , (,ti ro 4-....o/'ro„. n).aG, Nye is f�cnt yC "<i n" °ag ``4�"&) �itcc.A/e, / Special Session 6:30 P.M. Monday, Nov 29,2010 1. 6:30 p.m. - CCMPO Presentation on History of Exit 12B/13 Studies (30 minutes) G 3S 2. 7:00 p.m. - Comments by Interested Groups (up to 10 minutes each) a. Smart Growth Vermont 8 SMwP" -l_ f b. Vermont Natural Resources uouncil c. Burlington International Airport N 7: 31 wotK I d. Chamber of Commerce -I TO, e. Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation-77:y ��,,.� c;0c �"e'�1ons C ocwra'rtt $o 3.1:So and Questions from the Public i✓peb2,� 4. 9:00 (estimated) p.m. - Planning Commission: Comments and Questions (up to 20 q; 0 q minutes) 5. 9:20 p.m. - City Council: Comments and Questions (up to 20 minutes) 6. Next Steps—Subsequent Meetings 7;? ' Mom 2 4fe/3-, CorrLcto, &kali /Aire' 4,r~ 7. Sign Disbursement orders. /c 8. Adjourn a-r &Z lL U,ovtd yo ,mwd-,co uq¢, ,„„l I bay l 7 out Respectfully Submitted: .Q V 10,h ms A� 0— kJ Sanford I. Miller, City Manager South Burlington Legislative Breakfast • TIF legislation—There are a couple of types of issues which could impact SB and should be addressed. o First, there are a number of clauses which Milton has in legislation which should be expanded to SB and other potential TIF districts. There pertain to such things as whether a single vote on all projects must be take or could they be multiple votes as well as the type so financing available. o Second,there is an issue with respect to the size of the TIF district being limited to the size of the New Town Center, which itself is probably too small to maximize the advantages of having a TIF district. So, we think we need to ask for a larger area. • County budget process—Currently,the County budget process is put together in a way which involves almost no input from municipalities. It is done through the side judges and the County Clerk. Should we consider asking for a change in this budget-making process to allow a council of municipal representatives to oversee this process? • Vermont Municipal Bond Bank: The VMBB should be required to provide financing to municipalities which have circumstances like our unfunded pension obligation. • Energy incentives—wind turbines/solar: Should we ask the Legislature to continue or expand State tax credits and grants for small wind and solar projects? • Stop the practice of withholding/reducing State Aid to Highway payment to municipalities in mid- year. • State Buildings and General Service Dept.: This department should keep up to date bid and pricing information and institute policies to allow municipalities to more easily take advantage of State pricing and bids. o -Co-r USA io✓tv�Ory ,r� a4—;-1 ; l ) Sandy Miller From: Justin Rabidoux Sent: Monday, November 15, 2010 9:43 AM To: Sandy Miller Subject: FW: Airport Drive No Parking Zone in front of the Airport. Sandy, I spoke with PD's traffic safety officer, Todd LeBlanc, about the proposed parking changes on Airport Drive. He approves of the change and agreed to provide written comments, which are below. They may be worth forwarding to the Council in advance of tonight's meeting. Justin From: Todd Leblanc [mailto:tleblanc@sbpdvt.orcfl Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 2:08 PM To: Justin Rabidoux Subject: Airport Drive No Parking Zone in front of the Airport. The police Departments concern of allowing people to park along the east side of Airport Parkway is as follows: We are averaging approximately 5 to 8 collisions a year in this area. #1 -The Roadway is not wide enough to accommodate parked vehicles, many cars have to go left of center(into oncoming traffic)traveling North on Airport Drive. #2 - Many vehicles park in front of Elizabeth Street and the old Airport Grocery causing a traffic hazard for vehicles exiting Elizabeth Street or backing out of Airport Grocery. #3-A safety concern for the drivers trying to get in and out of their vehicles. #4- Many vehicles are parked the wrong direction. (Left side to curb) This causes a serious danger when pulling out, the driver must pull out into oncoming traffic and no visibility. The Police Department in the past has found that the biggest violators of the 15 minute rule were the employees of the various businesses at the Airport. I believe the garage is free for the first hour and the price after is not very expensive. There has been a serious speed issue on this roadway also, which I have address and believe it has decreased considerably. Airport Drive was checked for speed and usage in both 2008 and 2009, the total #of vehicles in a 48 Hour time period in October 2008 was 5570 vehicles. For a 31 hour time period it was 4100 vehicles in 2009. This road sees a considerable high amount of traffic during the day and evening. Cpl. Todd M. LeBlanc South Burlington Police Traffic Safety Division 19 Gregory Drive South Burlington, Vermont 05403 (802) 846-4194-Voice Mail (802) 846-4102 - Fax tleblanc@.sbpdvt.orq- Email 1 Sandy Miller From: Justin Rabidoux Sent: Monday, November 15, 2010 9:43 AM To: Sandy Miller Subject: FW: Airport Drive No Parking Zone in front of the Airport. Sandy, I spoke with PD's traffic safety officer, Todd LeBlanc, about the proposed parking changes on Airport Drive. He approves of the change and agreed to provide written comments, which are below. They may be worth forwarding to the Council in advance of tonight's meeting. Justin From: Todd Leblanc jmailto:tleblanc(asbpdvt.orgl Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 2:08 PM To: Justin Rabidoux Subject: Airport Drive No Parking Zone in front of the Airport. The police Departments concern of allowing people to park along the east side of Airport Parkway is as follows: We are averaging approximately 5 to 8 collisions a year in this area. #1 -The Roadway is not wide enough to accommodate parked vehicles, many cars have to go left of center(into oncoming traffic) traveling North on Airport Drive. #2 - Many vehicles park in front of Elizabeth Street and the old Airport Grocery causing a traffic hazard for vehicles exiting Elizabeth Street or backing out of Airport Grocery. #3-A safety concern for the drivers trying to get in and out of their vehicles. #4 - Many vehicles are parked the wrong direction. (Left side to curb) This causes a serious danger when pulling out, the driver must pull out into oncoming traffic and no visibility. The Police Department in the past has found that the biggest violators of the 15 minute rule were the employees of the various businesses at the Airport. I believe the garage is free for the first hour and the price after is not very expensive. There has been a serious speed issue on this roadway also, which I have address and believe it has decreased considerably. Airport Drive was checked for speed and usage in both 2008 and 2009, the total#of vehicles in a 48 Hour time period in October 2008 was 5570 vehicles. For a 31 hour time period it was 4100 vehicles in 2009. This road sees a considerable high amount of traffic during the day and evening. Cpl. Todd M. LeBlanc South Burlington Police Traffic Safety Division 19 Gregory Drive South Burlington, Vermont 05403 (802) 846-4194 -Voice Mail (802) 846-4102- Fax tleblancCa).sbpdvt.orq- Email i Sandy Miller From: Louise Murphy[Imurphy@sbschools.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 3:57 PM To: Sandy Miller Subject: Please review for Other Paper Hi Sandy, As you probably know, I submit a weekly library article and calendar of events to The Other Paper. I would like to make our patrons aware of some of the limitations and decrease in services that we are experiencing as a result of staff cutbacks. If you are not comfortable with me doing this, I will understand and not write anything. However, I think our community would want to understand why we are not offering Children's programs in December and other service cutbacks. I wanted to give you an opportunity to review and give feedback before I submit it to The Other Paper. My articles are submitted every Thursday of each week. And, ultimately I am seeking either your advice about the article and/or opinion as to whether you want me to submit this information at all. My two cents worth: I think that the community should know that we are making every effort to address our budgetary issues internally before we consider increasing taxes or going out for a bond. This is the general idea of what I would like to write: PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN: We are sorry to announce that we are unable to offer Children's Story Hours, and children's programs during vacation week, or special holiday events for our children this year, as we have in previous years. The Children's Librarian's hours have been reduced from 28 hours per week to 14 hours per week until June 30th, 2010. Outreach services to local daycare centers, pre-schools, schools, and other children's programs such as Early Essential Education have been cancelled at the present time. We hope to resume these in the future. We look forward to seeing our Story Hour friends back in January when we will resume our weekly Story Hours. REDUCTION IN STAFF HOURS: Effective September 28th, our part-time library staff have had their hours reduced. We apologize for any inconveniences that this may cause and for the reduction in services. Our Interlibrary Loan Librarian will no longer be able to search out-of-state libraries when books are not available in-state. Other areas where you may experience a reduction in services will include a slower response in telephone messages, less available staff time for personal assistance (computer help, reference assistance, troubleshooting printer problems, etc),timeliness of processing new books and getting them on the shelf, and updating the South Burlington Community Library website. The good news is that we are not planning any reduction in library hours at this time. Our library staff will continue to do everything we can to give the best service possible in a friendly manner. We ask that our patrons please try to be considerate of the library staff s limited time. We would like to thank our patrons for their patience and understanding during this challenging time. WE ARE GRATEFUL: We would like to thank the many people in our community who have come forward to offer volunteer assistance in the library over the past several months. The help we have received from the community is validation for the appreciation South Burlington residents have for their community library. We would also like to thank The Friends of the Library Organization who have provided volunteer services to the library and who are working hard to raise funds so we can continue to offer high quality library programs. Thank you for taking the time to review this Sandy. I look forward to your feedback. Louise Murphy 1 rat T _.N•, • I list CONSERVING LAND FOR.THE I'L TURI OF V:ERMONT Mark Boucher, Chair S. Burlington City Council S. Burlington,VT 05403 Dear Council Members, As requested by the Council, this letter constitutes on offer on behalf of the Vermont Land Trust (VLT), and John and Susan Jewett, to sell 19.6 acres to the City of South Burlington. You have shared an appraisal that the City had done on the property with both VLT and the Jewetts. This work indicated a fair market value of just$361,000 for the property. I feel that appraisal made a mistake when determining highest and best use. It treated the property value as a combination of its low utility land value and the market value of the property's 23 transferable development rights (TDRs) as determined by zoning. One of the key factors that was not correct is the recognition that the property potentially has three different accesses. Even without assuming substantial development(under zoning the land has a right to 10 residential lots) at the very least the highest and best use determination should have treated it as one estate sized lot and the remaining TDR value. This would have resulted in a significantly higher value given the privacy and space to have a barn and horses such a lot would afford a buyer. Clearly the intent of the SE Quarter Zoning was not to make all of the value in a landowner's land rest in TDRs. Without creating a guaranteed buyer of TDRs, to do so would have made is nearly impossible for someone to sell land at a time of their choosing, and would have greatly devalued the land to that of low utility land. Instead, the zoning gives landowners some of their value by providing some rights to develop it outright. An appraisal that does not acknowledge any value to those on-site development rights means either the zoning or the appraisal is flawed. The fact that the Jewett's land is zoned a"sending" area for TDRs creates some unique problems when one's goal is to pass outright ownership of the land to the City for public use, rather than just undertaking a conservation project to create open space. Neither VLT nor the Jewetts can afford to absorb the difference in value between fair market value and low-utility land value to get the land into City ownership. Either the City has to be willing to acquire TDRs outright (something the city attorney has been strongly discouraging) or has to be willing to extinguish TDRs associated with the acquired land (something the City Council has strongly discouraged in other conservation work) for the city to directly acquire land in fee. Outlined below are several aspects that I think the Council should consider. These speak to why the value of the Jewett land most likely exceeds the appraised value you have been given, and underscore the property's conservation importance. 1. First, this parcel is a high priority component of the City's open space plan. It is the last link needed to build on the past investments of creating open space along the drainage into Shelburne Pond, from Cheesefactory Road up into the more urban developed areas, and ending at existing city owned conservation land. 2. It abuts the entire northern property line of the City's Scott property and enlarges that into a size that will provide a very important future park for public use. Most importantly, the Jewett land provides the only opportunity for vehicular access to that city property. 3. As mentioned above, the property has development potential under zoning. Access for development purposes is not a significant problem. There is relatively easy access from the Wedgewood development to the south and then across other Jewett land. Access was also a condition of the approval from the Cider Mill 1 development to the north. Finally, under city regulations the private Autumn Hill Road can provide access for one more dwelling. Zoning provides that up to 10 housing units could be built on these 19.6 acres, and the land would easily accommodate that in a mix of townhouses and single family dwellings. 4. It will complete the integrity of a proposed recreational trail which will run from the north through this property, the Scott property, and the old Leduc Farm and connect into the trail system in Shelburne. My offer from VLT is to sell the 19.61 acre parcel, currently owned by John and Susan Jewett, in fee to the City of South Burlington for$515,000. We would need a binding contract well before December 31, 2010. Ideally, we would close shortly thereafter. Payment would be either $515,000 at closing, or$300,000 at closing with$225,000 paid by 12/31/2011. As a means of solving the problem of the City owning TDRs, I would also propose a conservation partnership with VLT. VLT would be willing to hold the TDR rights for the benefit of the City's land protection fund in exchange for a conservation easement or some other legal interest on the 19.6 acres that assures it will remain undeveloped conservation land. We would sell the TDRs at the direction of the City after,under the principle of first-in-first out, VLT has sold all the TDRs associated with the Leduc Farm. I would propose that any proceeds exceeding$515,000 be split in some fashion to be determined at that future point in time. I'm thinking this approach to the TDRs will create enough separation and sense of a potentially shared asset in the future that it might remove any problems of a fee purchase arrangement by the City to protect this land outright. We would still have to solve how to fund the appropriate stewardship endowment for monitoring the easement. The Jewetts are not in a position to gift this land to the City, and so I would urge the Council to act on this opportunity. Land conservation opportunities in urbanizing areas rarely have second chances, and this opportunity fits precisely with the City's long term plan. Sincerely, John H. Roe VP for Land Conservation 41a ��► City of South Burlington 4* City Clerk's Office Donna Kinville, City Clerk Date: October 5, 2010 To: South Burlington City Council From: Donna Kinville, City Clerk and Treasurer Re: Application to South Burlington's City Charter Committee I am writing to express my interest in becoming a member of the South Burlington City Charter Committee. I have been contemplating applying for this committee for several years as I see that the city clerk could be an asset to this committee. There are 3 reasons that I feel that I am qualified and would be an asset: 1) As a long time South Burlington resident for over 25 years, I have been able to view the city from "outside" of city hall. 2) I have worked for the South Burlington Water Department as a bookkeeper and the South Burlington School District as a Staff Accountant in the Business Office so I have a unique understanding of how these 3 entities (city, school and water) and the city works. 3) I have served this community over the years in several areas such as: PTO Treasurer for Chamberlin and the High School for approximately 7 years, active member of PTO's for over 12 years, served on the Community Education Fund when Act 60 first came out (formerly known as the Freeman Fund Committee), Girl Scout Leader for 5 years, assisted with Little League for approximately 6 years, coached Recreation Softball and basketball for 2 years each, and continue to offer my time when available for various events in the city such as Recreation functions and PACT events. 4) As your current City Clerk and Treasurer I offer the following assets to the committee: a) Since I am elected City Clerk, I can freely speak my thoughts and concerns. b) I would bring the history of the city to the committee,assist them consider changes to the election section in the charter while helping them understand the ever changing election laws and most importantly bring the interests of the people who elected me to this committee. c) As a member of this committee, I would be able to express my thoughts regarding a charter change proposal while it was still in committee and if I had any concerns, I could address them before it was brought to the City Council for approval. This would hopefully lead to a positive and productive charter change instead of a possible confrontational one. I look forward to meeting with the City Council to discuss my application for the City Charter Committee so that we may further discuss why I would be a positive and active addition to this committee. Thank you. 575 Dorset Street South Burlington,VT 05403 802-846-4105 dkinville@sburl.com 411 glv-1 PS0.0laa"" City of South Burlington, 575 Dorset Street,VT 05403 802-846-4107 Website:sburl.com Commission, Boards and Committee Application Form Note to applicants, including incumbents: After submitting a completed application to the City Manager's Office you will be required to attend a City Council meeting to be interviewed. You will be advised of the date and approximate time of the Council meeting when you will be interviewed and your application considered. Please print clearly Legal Full Name: Donna S Kinville Date of Birth: 01 / 20 / 1960 -- Other Names/Nicknames Used: Present Mailing Address: 11 South Henry Court How long at this Address? 25 years Legal residence:(if different from above) Home Phone: 862-5238 Business Phone: 846-4119 Cell Phone:355-7079 E-mail donnakinville@yahoo.com or dkinville@sburl.com Current Employer: City of South Burlington Years of Service: 9.5 yrs Employer Contact Person and Phone: Janice Ladd 846-4118 Are you a legally registered voter in the City of South Burlington? Yes X No Position(Commission,Board or Committee)applying for:1) chart pr 2) 3) Term 3 (Please provide your 1st, 2nd, &3`d choices) Please give detail stating why you want to serve in this capacity and list qualifications you have which you believe may be beneficial to the commission,committee or board you are applying to(please use back of form or attach additional sheets as needed). Do you have any violations other than minor traffic violations? Have you ever been charged with,or convicted of,a criminal offense? If so,provide complete details(use back of form or attach additional sheets as needed). No By signing here you acknowledge:All information provided is accurate and complete to the best of your ability;and,you understand the City Council has the authority to remove members appointed by them in accordance with the City Charter and Vermont State Statue,as applicable,for misrepresentation f any statement ma e on thi applica .dn Please sign here: Date: 10 /05 J 2010 By signing here you understand a Criminal Convictions Records History will be obtained by the City of South Burlington Duly Authorized Agent from the Vermont Criminal Information Center,as permitted by law. Any and all confidential information(birth date,etc)will not be shared with any outside part and will be solely us-d b •e City A- e. Signature: Date:_ID /`--/ ?.A( City Manager's Office Use Only Application has been notified by(phon a-mail:etc) i F\ ',t_ ._: to attend Council meeting on j/ //5 /_i h(date) Notification made by(staff person) (: it,t (r.0r Term of appointment(to-from) Voter registration verified by(staff pers n) 0 ,r,i; it: r�,0 Date / / For incumbents-attendance during the past year hias been(provide numerical information) • kal south PLANNING & ZONING MEMORANDUM TO: South Burlington City Council & City Manager FROM: Paul Conner, Director of Planning&Zoning DATE: November 15, 2010 SUBJECT: Consideration of Municipal Planning Grant Application Once again this year the State has made available funding for towns and cities to undertake planning activities in their local. Just as with the last round,however, the funding has been cut in half to a maximum of$400,000 statewide. Communities are eligible for a maximum of$15,000 each. The Planning Commission met last week and considered several different projects that would be eligible activities under the grant program. Two projects in particular were considered: a city- wide citizen survey and a refurbishment of the zoning regulations for city center. The Commission agreed that both were excellent projects and city priorities. After consideration, they determined that the City Center zoning update project would be the best fit for this particular grant source and have the greatest potential for being funded under the competitive criteria issued by the State. In 2010, these priorities include bylaw updates, infrastructure planning,planning for designated downtowns &new town centers, and municipal plan updates. In addition, the grant program is offering important bonus points for projects that relate to a designated New Town Center, which the City received last winter. In brief, the project would be to do the following: Revise City Center zoning to allow and require the development envisioned by the Conceptual Master Plan. The zoning for this area predates all of our visioning work from the past five years. Revisions to the zoning here would allow us to integrate transitional districts,building height minimums and maximums,public space requirements, and others. At present,the zoning does not require the vision put forward by the public and the city to be implemented on the ground per our regulations. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council authorize the city to apply for up to $15,000 in State grant funds. This would require a city match of$3,500 in cash. Staff recommends that these matching funds be drawn from the Biachi fund and/or Planning&Zoning consultants' budget. 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 tel 802.846.4106 fax 802.846.4101 www.sburl.com Sandy Miller From: Justin Rabidoux Sent: Monday, November 15, 2010 9:43 AM To: Sandy Miller Subject: FW: Airport Drive No Parking Zone in front of the Airport. Sandy. I spoke with PD's traffic safety officer, Todd LeBlanc, about the proposed parking changes on Airport Drive. He approves of the change and agreed to provide written comments, which are below. They may be worth forwarding to the Council in advance of tonight's meeting. Justin From: Todd Leblanc[ ailto:tleblancCalsbpdvt.orgl Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 2:08 PM To: Justin Rabidoux Subject: Airport Drive No Parking Zone in front of the Airport. The police Departments concern of allowing people to park along the east side of Airport Parkway is as follows: We are averaging approximately 5 to 8 collisions a year in this area. #1 -The Roadway is not wide enough to accommodate parked vehicles, many cars have to go left of center(into oncoming traffic) traveling North on Airport Drive. #2 - Many vehicles park in front of Elizabeth Street and the old Airport Grocery causing a traffic hazard for vehicles exiting Elizabeth Street or backing out of Airport Grocery. #3 -A safety concern for the drivers trying to get in and out of their vehicles. #4 - Many vehicles are parked the wrong direction. (Left side to curb) This causes a serious danger when pulling out, the driver must pull out into oncoming traffic and no visibility. The Police Department in the past has found that the biggest violators of the 15 minute rule were the employees of the various businesses at the Airport. I believe the garage is free for the first hour and the price after is not very expensive. There has been a serious speed issue on this roadway also, which I have address and believe it has decreased considerably. Airport Drive was checked for speed and usage in both 2008 and 2009, the total # of vehicles in a 48 Hour time period in October 2008 was 5570 vehicles. For a 31 hour time period it was 4100 vehicles in 2009. This road sees a considerable high amount of traffic during the day and evening. Cpl. Todd M. LeBlanc South Burlington Police Traffic Safety Division 19 Gregory Drive South Burlington, Vermont 05403 (802) 846-4194 -Voice Mail (802) 846-4102- Fax tleblanc dsbpdvt.orc: - Email 1 Chittenden County 3 0 2.3 4 6-4 4 9 0 1 802 Regional Planning Commission info@ccrpcvt.org ,• t www.ccrpcvt.org 110 West Canal Street * Suite 202 Winooski - Vermont 05404 s , f Qi Bolton - S,i., + , Duels Gore S •` Burlington Date: November 2, 2010 -- Charlotte -- ° ` ' ' » _ 'Colchester '4 Y t k' - r t Essex Junction To: South Burlington ?(. 'I �, ; � \° Essex Town i �+t ti HinesburgCity Council 7 s.w u i { .- Huntington ' 4 'i ; Jericho k` 4. J a - `., From: Dan Albrecht , ." „ t , ti Dtiiton �+. Richmond CCRPC r`�..,..o .x f St.George . g Senior Planner ;- � �, F',"; �, Shelburne ..w South Burlington t ! r` p i Re: LAKE CHAMPLAIN - Underhill --- sii Westford BYWAY: " 7./ Williston L ., 44 _° t II r s v 6,w Winooski `" s,.. '`_'y97 UPDATE ON * •` ' .{;h ': :'A _`,.; i. PROJECTS AND : •, ��;b f CORRIDOR "I it >_ -.. ;�:, • MANAGEMENT c - f PLAN . .-, -„„, c n Us a.r - f 3= I i4 ,? t i1. r i atanaxdlw 1 : i I r � 1 ', 3 1 N ara rw °�wrr r L lrr r.la*4.wl • I r d ■tea.. `. a s LAKE CHAMPLAIN BYWAY EXPLore vermonT's wesT coasT What is the Byway and who mana'es it? • CCRPC assisted communities in Byway planning in late 1990s through 2001. • Byway communities via governing bodies approve the Corridor Management Plan and request approval to join the Byway. • Byway communities are designated by the Vermont Transportation Board. • 2001: Middlebury and Vergennes were first approved Byway communities • 2002: CCRPC drafted required Corridor Management Plan and this was approved by the County's eight Byway communities. Communities approved by T-Board. • 2004: Lake Champlain Byway Council formed. Board members consist of: 1 member representing each of the following eight organizations: Northwest Regional Planning Commission Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce Addison County Regional Planning Commission Addison County Chamber of Commerce Lake Champlain Bikeways Lake Champlain Basin Program and 5 at-large at members. • 2003—present: implementation of various grants on behalf of members • 2010: begin process of updating Corridor Management Plan continued» Lake Champlain Byway Grants: History and Deliverables (adapted from CCRPC work program;does not include grants with deliverables exclusively outside Chittenden County) Objective: To implement projects in municipalities in the Lake Champlain Byway; Educate local residents &businesses and maintain &promote the Corridor& Byway; Participate in regional &state byway planning&implementation; Serve as fiscal agent for the Byway Council. Description:This Project is divided into seven sub-tasks based on funding agreements with VTrans. FY03 & FY06 grants are grants to CCRPC. Grants from FY07 to the present are grants to the Lake Champlain Byway Council with CCRPC as the fiscal agent and then one or more of the RPCs acting as subcontractors for the Council. FY03-#01, Wayfinding Signage and Interpretive Panels Project essentially completed but some funds still remain. Deliverables: 16 roadside trailblazers installed and 32 interpretive panels(four in each community) developed and installed. Remaining funds could be used for fabrication of new panels and for creation of short signage plan to outline potential future locations of trailblazers. FY06-#04, Signage and Municipal Projects The project will improve signage and visitor information, provide interpretive information, and create various minor improvements for multi-modal travel.This project started in August 2007 and should be completed by November, 2011. Deliverables: $11,000 for each of 8 Chittenden County Communities. Funds have been used for design of wayfinding systems, info kiosks, interpretive panels and trail improvements. Project can also fund fabrication and installation of brown OBDS signs. FY06-#06, Interpretive Materials and Outreach The project will include the creation of a brochure with maps and interpretive information; expanded development of the byway website; and development of cell phone audio tours at key interpretive venues. This project started in August 2007 and should be completed by November,2011. Deliverables:"Explore Greater Burlington" brochure and matching poster completed and distributed.Website developed. Cell phone audio interpretation project to be completed in winter 2010/2011. FY07-#01, Travel Information and Improvements CCRPC provides professional grant implementation services to the Lake Champlain Byway Council for its FY07 Byways grant. This project started in June 2008 and should be completed by late 2011. Deliverables: "Lake Champlain Byway" lure piece brochure completed in both English and French versions; Panel version created for use on tourist information plaza. Website completed. French version of website planned for 2011. Categorical Exclusion request and documentation submitted to VTRANS in June 2010 for trailblazer installation on Route 2 in the Champlain Islands and in 7 towns of Addison County and for construction of two portalet shelters in the Islands. continued>> FY08-#05, Corridor Management Plan Update and Capacity Building CCRPC provides professional grant implementation services to the Lake Champlain Byway Council for this grant.The project will fund staff time of CCRPC, Northwest RPC and Addison County RPC. Deliverables: RPCs will update their respective county's Byway Corridor Management Plans. This project started in March 2009 and should be completed by November, 2012 FY08-#06 Chittenden County Recreational and Cultural Sites Inventory CCRPC provides professional grant implementation services to the Lake Champlain Byway Council for this grant. Deliverables: recreational and cultural sites inventory completed in its 8 byway communities Grant allocates $2,500 on behalf of each town for designs and cost estimates for 1-2 prioritized improvements projects to use in future grant applications.This project started in April 2009 and should be completed by mid-2011. FY09-#02 Byway Publications This project, via subcontracts between the Byway Council and three RPCs, will design and produce several maps and guides to provide detailed interpretive information about the Lake Champlain Byway to travelers.This project started in May 2010 and should be completed by mid-2012. Deliverables:Two, county-level intrinsic resource locator maps and affiliated web content,several town-level maps with details on local intrinsic resources, and two,simple brochures, one a water recreation guide to Lake Champlain and the Byway's other waterways and the other, a winter activities guide. continued>> UPDATE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN BYWAY CHITTENDEN COUNTY CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN • First approved by member communities in 2002. • Updates required by FHWA and VTRANS • Key elements of a Corridor Management Plan (CMP) generally consists of: o an assessment of the Byway's intrinsic resources (archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic) o a strategy for maintaining and enhancing these qualities o a plan for how cooperating agencies, groups and individual will implement the plan o a strategy for accommodating existing and new development while preserving intrinsic qualities. o strategies for road safety, accommodation of traffic, signage, etc. o a strategy for marketing and publicizing the Byway o a strategy for how to explain and interpret the Byway's significant resources to visitors Update of Plan will be • overseen by formal 12-member"Planning and Implementation Committee" o 1 municipal staff from each of the 8 communities o 1 staff each from CCRPC, CCMPO, LCRCC and VAOT • with input from informal "Local Advisory Committee" comprised of interested citizens, business interests, tourism operators, museums, recreation groups, etc. • draft Plan will be finalized and then presented to municipalities for approval. Questions: Dan Albrecht, CCRPC Senior Planner 846-4490, x29 dsenecal-albrecht Q ccrpcvt.org Gateway Auto Directional Ef City Offices Alt^ '' [- 44 High School �' PM' + Middle School /" Dorset Park REVERSE VIEW Park Entry Recreation Path w..0..,10, overlook RECREATION ' SOUTH BURLINGTON PATH CITY PARK L I `' *It Overlook`' 9YWAV Park BASIC DETAILS Logo Panels for Gateway&Auto Directional Signs Cut Opaque Acrylic w/Applied Vinyl Graphic Sign Posts Stock Steel or Aluminum,Powder-Coated Dark Gray Sign Panels Stock-Weight Aluminum,Powder-Coated w/Applied Reflective Vinyl Lettering,Bolted to Posts w/Visible Hardware NOT TO SCALE COLORS APE REPRESENTATIONAL ON, 111—SIGN FAMILY SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT REVISED DESIGN • 10.15.10 228 Maple Street,Suite 32 I Middlebury,VT 05753 LandWorks AO 1404 ONli b4.9".."' south PLANNING & ZONING MEMORANDUM TO: Sanford Miller, City Manager FROM: Cathyann LaRose, AICP, Associate Planner RE: Byways Update DATE: November 12, 2010 Included in the packet of information for the City Council this week are updates regarding the Lake Champlain Byway from both Tom Hubbard, Recreation Director, and Dan Senecal-Albrecht from the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission. These updates highlight the excellent work of the RPC and the Byways program. South Burlington has been fortunate to have been on the receiving end of the efforts and funding of both groups. The Byways work has been an asset to the City. Though it is a very fine base and solid foundation, there remain many more opportunities to utilize this work. Staff is actively investigating options for the following: 1. Official Business Directional Signs (OBDS)- these signs are seen throughout the state and were implemented as a concession to what is commonly referred to as the "Billboard Law" which prohibits off-premise signs in Vermont. A sample copy is attached. Private businesses, social organizations, and municipal entities are all entitled to apply for these signs. Staff is investigating potential locations and costs for signs to parks and other municipally owned properties and buildings, and will report back to the Council with more information. 2. Long-term Sign Program- there are opportunities, arguably even a need, for signs outside of the Byways corridor. These include recreational path direction signs, park signs, and even gateway signs. Staff will present a sign package for the Council's review. Each sign will likely vary to a degree and the Council may wish to review all signs before construction, or may wish to review and approve a family of signs from which staff members may pursue construction of each fiscal year as appropriate. (over) 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 tel 802.846.4106 fax 802.846.4101 www.sburl.com 3. Sponsorship programs- Many communities across the US, and perhaps even in VT, have active sign sponsorship programs for the types of signs included in the numbered item above. Initial research indicates that these may run from simple payment with acknowledgement in City reports, to including sponsor logos in varying sizes on City owned signs. Staff is just beginning to research these programs and will present more detailed findings and recommendations to the Council in the near future. v..++,a...�... .�...,� . n ti ? ` +. 4$$i S-',l € b T. •• s., _ �. � `H r ,19 R Il }74 ;� ti _ a of • .•Infik ti ."•,„ . .,..i.,., isA ox Jp, sirtm34 RI • '4•1-3,, ,i,14: 4 :,„ ''''' 1:::','',:',..-.m.',0„,:f :,..!:'•' r ,�,i*', tnximisv, :, :i "fib fi la th: 4..,...* F ; 010,., �Z 9 ' . =fit €SI)C 4U f ork LinLCB BUSINESS DAY SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 13,2010 Municipal Bond Market Shudders BY MARY WILLIAMS WALSH nVE BER 1?,2010 Has the reckoning arrived for municipal bonds? That is the question investors are asking after mums — those old faithfuls of investing — took • their biggest hit since the financial collapse of ,- 2008. Nib Concern over the increasingly strained fi- nances of states and cities and a growing backlog of new bonds for sale overwhelmed the market last week. After performing so well for so long, munis and funds that invest in them fell hard.One California, led by Arnold Schwarzenegger, must sell nearly $14 billion of debt into the falling municipal bond market big muni fund,the Pimco Municipal Income Fund this month. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters) II, for instance, lost 7.5 percent. The fund is still up 6.75 percent so far this year. But the big question confronting this market is While the declines were relatively small given how state and local governments will manage the remarkable gains in these bonds over the last their debts.Many are staggering under huge pen- two years, the slump was swift enough to leave sion and health care obligations that seem investors wondering if this was a brief setback or unsustainable. the start of something worse. For months, some Certainties are impossible because govern- on Wall Street have warned that indebted states ments do not have to disclose the pension payouts and cities might face a crisis akin to the one that they will have to make in the coming years,as they brought Greece to its knees. do for bond payouts. "I think it's too early to say that it's more than California,for example,will have to sell nearly a correction,"said Richard A.Ciccarone,the chief $14 billion of debt into the falling market this research officer of McDonnell Investment month, because of its record delay in getting a Management. budget signed this year.The warnings keep corn- "The facts just don't support a serious conclu- ing.On Friday,Fitch,the credit ratings agency,is- sion that the whole market's going downhill," he sued a report saying that ratings downgrades for said. "They could.We've got some serious liabil- municipal bonds outnumbered upgrades for the ities out there." seventh consecutive quarter. The causes of the week's big decline are clouded And a few prominent defaults have made the by unusual factors like the looming end of the market jittery. Build America Boeds program, which has "This is what happens with our market now, prompted local governments to race new bonds with these fears of a systemic credit crisis," said to market before an attractive federal subsidy is Matt Fabian, managing director at Municipal reduced. Market Advisors. "Any weakness is related to Copyright 2010,The New York Times • THE NEW YORK TIMES SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 13,2010 2 fears of default." Yet the values of tax-exempt munis fell, defy- Standard & Poor's, meanwhile,issued a report ing those who said it was all a matter of supply last Monday observing that even troubled cities and demand. The last week also brought some like Detroit were still able to bring debt to market large tax-exempt bond issues, including one by a at what the rating agency considered favorable public authority in Massachusetts for Harvard rates. It said most government officials seemed University, which was reduced because of poor determined to honor their general obligations. investor demand. Analysts like Mr.Ciccarone said much of the de- Mr. Fabian said the downdraft could continue cline was concentrated among longer-maturity next week. bonds and bonds with lower credit ratings. Their "The risk is that you don't know," he said. values fell more sharply as investors watched the "You have an awful lot of money,including from Federal Reserve buying hundreds of billions of households, that simply follows momentum.."■ dollars of Treasury bonds and concluded the Fed's move would be inflationary over the longer term. That made some investors less willing to hold long-term municipal bonds, so the prices of the bonds fell. Until two weeks ago, the municipal bond mar- kets had been frothy, thanks in part to the inten- sifying interest of wealthy individuals in tax- sheltered investments as the sunset date on the Bush administration's tax cuts looms.People seek a tax shelter like municipal bonds because the in- terest is usually not taxed,and the bonds are con- sidered very safe. This year, however, tax-exempt municipal bonds have been harder than usual to find, be- cause the governments that normally issue them have switched over to taxable bonds. So investors were bidding up the prices. Mr. Fabian said that had fed into the prices of all of the municipal bonds held by mutual funds,which are assigned a value each day on the basis of a model because they may not trade. The reason for scarcity of tax-exempt bonds has been, in part, the Build America Bonds pro- gram, created as part of the fiscal stimulus pro- gram. That federally subsidized program is scheduled to expire at the end of this year, so states and cities have been rushing to take advan- tage of it. Copyright 2010,The New York Times - 111011t Lan _l111St CONSERV'ING LAND FOR.THE FUTURE OF VERMONT Mark Boucher, Chair S. Burlington City Council S. Burlington, VT 05403 Dear Council Members, As requested by the Council, this letter constitutes on offer on behalf of the Vermont Land Trust (VLT), and John and Susan Jewett, to sell 19.6 acres to the City of South Burlington. You have shared an appraisal that the City had done on the property with both VLT and the Jewetts. This work indicated a fair market value of just $361,000 for the property. I feel that appraisal made a mistake when determining highest and best use. It treated the property value as a combination of its low utility land value and the market value of the property's 23 transferable development rights (TDRs) as determined by zoning. One of the key factors that was not correct is the recognition that the property potentially has three different accesses. Even without assuming substantial development (under zoning the land has a right to 10 residential lots) at the very least the highest and best use determination should have treated it as one estate sized lot and the remaining TDR value. This would have resulted in a significantly higher value given the privacy and space to have a barn and horses such a lot would afford a buyer. Clearly the intent of the SE Quarter Zoning was not to make all of the value in a landowner's land rest in TDRs. Without creating a guaranteed buyer of TDRs, to do so would have made is nearly impossible for someone to sell land at a time of their choosing, and would have greatly devalued the land to that of low utility land. Instead, the zoning gives landowners some of their value by providing some rights to develop it outright. An appraisal that does not acknowledge any value to those on-site development rights means either the zoning or the appraisal is flawed. The fact that the Jewett's land is zoned a"sending" area for TDRs creates some unique problems when one's goal is to pass outright ownership of the land to the City for public use, rather than just undertaking a conservation project to create open space. Neither VLT nor the Jewetts can afford to absorb the difference in value between fair market value and low-utility land value to get the land into City ownership. Either the City has to be willing to acquire TDRs outright (something the city attorney has been strongly discouraging) or has to be willing to extinguish TDRs associated with the acquired land (something the City Council has strongly discouraged in other conservation work) for the city to directly acquire land in fee. Outlined below are several aspects that I think the Council should consider. These speak to why the value of the Jewett land most likely exceeds the appraised value you have been given, and underscore 'e score the property's s conservation importance. p p Y p 1. First, this parcel is a high priority component of the City's open space plan. It is the last link needed to build on the past investments of creating open space along the drainage into Shelburne Pond, from Cheesefactory Road up into the more urban developed areas, and ending at existing city owned conservation land. 2. It abuts the entire northern property line of the City's Scott property and enlarges that into a size that will provide a very important future park for public use. Most importantly,the Jewett land provides the only opportunity for vehicular access to that city property. 3. As mentioned above, the property has development potential under zoning. Access for development purposes is not a significant problem. There is relatively easy access from the Wedgewood development to the south and then across other Jewett land. Access was also a condition of the approval from the Cider Mill 1 development to the north. Finally, under city regulations the private Autumn Hill Road can provide access for one more dwelling. Zoning provides that up to 10 housing units could be built on these 19.6 acres, and the land would easily accommodate that in a mix of townhouses and single family dwellings. 4. It will complete the integrity of a proposed recreational trail which will run from the north through this property, the Scott property, and the old Leduc Farm and connect into the trail system in Shelburne. My offer from VLT is to sell the 19.61 acre parcel, currently owned by John and Susan Jewett, in fee to the City of South Burlington for$515,000. We would need a binding contract well before December 31, 2010. Ideally, we would close shortly thereafter. Payment would be either $515,000 at closing, or$300,000 at closing with$225,000 paid by 12/31/2011. As a means of solving the problem of the City owning TDRs, I would also propose a conservation partnership with VLT. VLT would be willing to hold the TDR rights for the benefit of the City's land protection fund in exchange for a conservation easement or some other legal interest on the 19.6 acres that assures it will remain undeveloped conservation land. We would sell the TDRs at the direction of the City after,under the principle of first-in-first out, VLT has sold all the TDRs associated with the Leduc Farm. I would propose that any proceeds exceeding$515,000 be split in some fashion to be determined at that future point in time. I'm thinking this approach to the TDRs will create enough separation and sense of a potentially shared asset in the future that it might remove any problems of a fee purchase arrangement by the City to protect this land outright. We would still have to solve how to fund the appropriate stewardship endowment for monitoring the easement. The Jewetts are not in a position to gift this land to the City, and so I would urge the Council to act on this opportunity. Land conservation opportunities in urbanizing areas rarely have second chances, and this opportunity fits precisely with the City's long term plan. Sincerely, John H. Roe VP for Land Conservation Sandy Miller From: Louise Murphy [Imurphy@sbschools.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 3:57 PM To: Sandy Miller Subject: Please review for Other Paper Hi Sandy, As you probably know, I submit a weekly library article and calendar of events to The Other Paper. I would like to make our patrons aware of some of the limitations and decrease in services that we are experiencing as a result of staff cutbacks. If you are not comfortable with me doing this, I will understand and not write anything. However, I think our community would want to understand why we are not offering Children's programs in December and other service cutbacks. I wanted to give you an opportunity to review and give feedback before I submit it to The Other Paper. My articles are submitted every Thursday of each week. And, ultimately I am seeking either your advice about the article and/or opinion as to whether you want me to submit this information at all. My two cents worth: I think that the community should know that we are making every effort to address our budgetary issues internally before we consider increasing taxes or going out for a bond. This is the general idea of what I would like to write: PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN: We are sorry to announce that we are unable to offer Children's Story Hours, and children's programs during vacation week, or special holiday events for our children this year, as we have in previous years. The Children's Librarian's hours have been reduced from 28 hours per week to 14 hours per week until June 30th, 2010. Outreach services to local daycare centers,pre-schools, schools, and other children's programs such as Early Essential Education have been cancelled at the present time. We hope to resume these in the future. We look forward to seeing our Story Hour friends back in January when we will resume our weekly Story Hours. REDUCTION IN STAFF HOURS: Effective September 28th, our part-time library staff have had their hours reduced. We apologize for any inconveniences that this may cause and for the reduction in services. Our Interlibrary Loan Librarian will no longer be able to search out-of-state libraries when books are not available in-state. Other areas where you may experience a reduction in services will include a slower response in telephone messages, less available staff time for personal assistance (computer help, reference assistance, troubleshooting printer problems, etc), timeliness of processing new books and getting them on the shelf, and updating the South Burlington Community Library website. The good news is that we are not planning any reduction in library hours at this time. Our library staff will continue to do everything we can to give the best service possible in a friendly manner. We ask that our patrons please try to be considerate of the library staff s limited time. We would like to thank our patrons for their patience and understanding during this challenging time. WE ARE GRATEFUL: We would like to thank the many people in our community who have come forward to offer volunteer assistance in the library over the past several months. The help we have received from the community is validation for the appreciation South Burlington residents have for their community library. We would also like to thank The Friends of the Library Organization who have provided volunteer services to the library and who are working hard to raise funds so we can continue to offer high quality library programs. Thank you for taking the time to review this Sandy. I look forward to your feedback. Louise Murphy 1 .� ,� City of South Burlington 4jr#� City Clerk's Office "Q:� Donna Kinville, City Clerk Date: October 5, 2010 To: South Burlington City Council From: Donna Kinville, City Clerk and Treasurer Re: Application to South Burlington's City Charter Committee I am writing to express my interest in becoming a member of the South Burlington City Charter Committee. I have been contemplating applying for this committee for several years as I see that the city clerk could be an asset to this committee. There are 3 reasons that I feel that I am qualified and would be an asset: 1) As a long time South Burlington resident for over 25 years, I have been able to view the city from "outside" of city hall. 2) I have worked for the South Burlington Water Department as a bookkeeper and the South Burlington School District as a Staff Accountant in the Business Office so I have a unique understanding of how these 3 entities (city, school and water) and the city works. 3) I have served this community over the years in several areas such as: PTO Treasurer for Chamberlin and the High School for approximately 7 years, active member of PTO's for over 12 years, served on the Community Education Fund when Act 60 first came out(formerly known as the Freeman Fund Committee), Girl Scout Leader for 5 years, assisted with Little League for approximately 6 years, coached Recreation Softball and basketball for 2 years each, and continue to offer my time when available for various events in the city such as Recreation functions and PACT events. 4) As your current City Clerk and Treasurer I offer the following assets to the committee: a) Since I am elected City Clerk, I can freely speak my thoughts and concerns. b) I would bring the history of the city to the committee, assist them consider changes to the election section in the charter while helping them understand the ever changing election laws and most importantly bring the interests of the people who elected me to this committee. c) As a member of this committee, I would be able to express my thoughts regarding a charter change proposal while it was still in committee and if I had any concerns, I could address them before it was brought to the City Council for approval. This would hopefully lead to a positive and productive charter change instead of a possible confrontational one. I look forward to meeting with the City Council to discuss my application for the City Charter Committee so that we may further discuss why I would be a positive and active addition to this committee. Thank you. 575 Dorset Street South Burlington,VT 05403 802-846-4105 dkinville@sburl.com o Ire City of South Burlington,575 Dorset Street,VT 05403 802-846-4107 Website:sburl.com Commission, Boards and Committee Application Form Note to applicants, including incumbents: After submitting a completed application to the City Manager's Office you will be required to attend a City Council meeting to be interviewed. You will be advised of the date and approximate time of the Council meeting when you will be interviewed and your application considered. Please print clearly Legal Full Name: Donna S Kinville Date of Birth: 01 / 20 J 1960 -- Other Names/Nicknames Used: Present Mailing Address: 11 South Henry Court How long at this Address? 25 years Legal residence:(if different from above) Home Phone: 862-5238 Business Phone: 846-4119 Cell Phone:355-7079 E-mail donnakinville@yahoo.com or dkinville@sburl.com Current Employer: City of South Burlington Years of Service: 9.5 yrs Employer Contact Person and Phone: Janice Ladd 846-4118 Are you a legally registered voter in the City of South Burlington? Yes X No Position(Commission,Board or Committee)applying for:1) ('.hart Pr 2) 3) Term 3 (Please provide your 1st, 2nd, &3rd choices) Please give detail stating why you want to serve in this capacity and list qualifications you have which you believe may be beneficial to the commission,committee or board you are applying to(please use back of form or attach additional sheets as needed). Do you have any violations other than minor traffic violations? Have you ever been charged with,or convicted of,a criminal offense? If so,provide complete details(use back of form or attach additional sheets as needed). No By signing here you acknowledge:All information provided is accurate and complete to the best of your ability;and,you understand the City Council has the authority to remove members appointed by them in accordance with the City Charter and Vermont State Statue,as applicable,for misrepresentation f any statement ma e on thi applica ' n. Please sign here: Date: 10 /05 / 2010 By signing here you understand a Criminal Convictions Records History will be obtained by the City of South Burlington Duly Authorized Agent from the Vermont Criminal Information Center,as permitted by law. Any and all confidential information(birth date,etc)will not be shared with any outside party and will be solely us-d b •e City A- e. Signature: _��.,.� _ - Date: le /.�/ Z4(D City Manager's Office Use Only Application has been notified by(phon e-mail etc) I INA...,, 'to attend Council meeting on/I// //a(date) Notification made by(staff person) a t.0 r,dd Term of appointment(to-from) Voter registration verified by(staff pets n) y to (�,d,� Date / / For incumbents-attendance during the past year as been(provide numerical information) Chittendon County c. 802.846-4490 ',,' 802 Regional Planning Commission — , info@ccrpcvt.org ,'.,:::3 www.ccrpcvt.org 110 West Canal Street 4 Suite 202 A Winooski 4 Vermont 05404 5141- 'VL.....44.—.., C. ...4 A Bolton .....—..r• I 1 41.4.14 tap*, Buels Gore ,, i-.-' Burlington Date: November 2, 2010 1 „ .41k - Charlotte — Colchester Essex Junction To: South Burlington Essex Town .. Hinesburg City Council 1, I .74...., Huntington i Jericho k. From: Dan Albrecht ,, , ' Milton *Richmond CCRPC 't I, t St.George Senior Planner i , r I —,.r,,, Shelburne South Burlington i ! r" . - 4 —, I Underhill Re: LAKE CHAMPLAIN ( .1 -.— ,i !-- , , Westford BYWAY: . ., Williston 1 *• .1 ' -44 chit r*visi Winooski Iti: ..t.i zl.4,4 Y •at.. ' UPDATE ON 'I , - _,, . -,, V.:, PROJECTS AND 4 , CU4401.44 CORRIDOR i 4 1‘ ,I , MANAGEMENT r,....„.1 - PLAN ( ,,:, ,• •-,,..14.4 .-. -- II - I 4, I / , r, Cc' - . , = , 1 i k .4- ./'1 \i- lei i 31- ---, - ,............. ...... , 1 .4,......... g mars tesvmaaora , I , ''' 1 , 1 , V. pry, E3 EEI LAKE CHAMPLAIN BY WAY Furore vermonT's wesT COAST What is the Byway and who manages it? • CCRPC assisted communities in Byway planning in late 1990s through 2001. • Byway communities via governing bodies approve the Corridor Management Plan and request approval to join the Byway. • Byway communities are designated by the Vermont Transportation Board. • 2001: Middlebury and Vergennes were first approved Byway communities • 2002: CCRPC drafted required Corridor Management Plan and this was approved by the County's eight Byway communities. Communities approved by T-Board. • 2004: Lake Champlain Byway Council formed. Board members consist of: 1 member representing each of the following eight organizations: Northwest Regional Planning Commission Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce Addison County Regional Planning Commission Addison County Chamber of Commerce Lake Champlain Bikeways Lake Champlain Basin Program and 5 at-large at members. • 2003—present: implementation of various grants on behalf of members • 2010: begin process of updating Corridor Management Plan continued>> Lake Champlain Byway Grants: History and Deliverables (adapted from CCRPC work pro.granz;does not include grants with deliverables exclusively outside Chittenden County) Objective: To implement projects in municipalities in the Lake Champlain Byway; Educate local residents&businesses and maintain&promote the Corridor& Byway; Participate in regional &state byway planning&implementation; Serve as fiscal agent for the Byway Council. Description:This Project is divided into seven sub-tasks based on funding agreements with VTrans. FY03& FY06 grants are grants to CCRPC. Grants from FY07 to the present are grants to the Lake Champlain Byway Council with CCRPC as the fiscal agent and then one or more of the RPCs acting as subcontractors for the Council. FY03-#01,Wayfinding Signage and Interpretive Panels Project essentially completed but some funds still remain. Deliverables: 16 roadside trailblazers installed and 32 interpretive panels(four in each community)developed and installed. Remaining funds could be used for fabrication of new panels and for creation of short signage plan to outline potential future locations of trailblazers. FY06-#04, Signage and Municipal Projects The project will improve signage and visitor information, provide interpretive information, and create various minor improvements for multi-modal travel.This project started in August 2007 and should be completed by November,2011. Deliverables:$11,000 for each of 8 Chittenden County Communities. Funds have been used for design of wayfinding systems, info kiosks, interpretive panels and trail improvements. Project can also fund fabrication and installation of brown OBDS signs. FY06-#06, Interpretive Materials and Outreach The project will include the creation of a brochure with maps and interpretive information; expanded development of the byway website; and development of cell phone audio tours at key interpretive venues. This project started in August 2007 and should be completed by November, 2011. Deliverables:"Explore Greater Burlington" brochure and matching poster completed and distributed.Website developed. Cell phone audio interpretation project to be completed in winter 2010/2011. FY07-#01, Travel Information and Improvements CCRPC provides professional grant implementation services to the Lake Champlain Byway Council for its FY07 Byways grant. This project started in June 2008 and should be completed by late 2011. Deliverables: "Lake Champlain Byway" lure piece brochure completed in both English and French versions; Panel version created for use on tourist information plaza.Website completed. French version of website planned for 2011.Categorical Exclusion request and documentation submitted to VTRANS in June 2010 for trailblazer installation on Route 2 in the Champlain Islands and in 7 towns of Addison County and for construction of two portalet shelters in the Islands. continued>> FY08-#05, Corridor Management Plan Update and Capacity Building CCRPC provides professional grant implementation services to the Lake Champlain Byway Council for this grant.The project will fund staff time of CCRPC, Northwest RPC and Addison County RPC. Deliverables: RPCs will update their respective county's Byway Corridor Management Plans. This project started in March 2009 and should be completed by November, 2012 FY08-#06 Chittenden County Recreational and Cultural Sites Inventory CCRPC provides professional grant implementation services to the Lake Champlain Byway Council for this grant. Deliverables: recreational and cultural sites inventory completed in its 8 byway communities Grant allocates$2,500 on behalf of each town for designs and cost estimates for 1-2 prioritized improvements projects to use in future grant applications.This project started in April 2009 and should be completed by mid-2011. FY09-#02 Byway Publications This project,via subcontracts between the Byway Council and three RPCs,will design and produce several maps and guides to provide detailed interpretive information about the Lake Champlain Byway to travelers.This project started in May 2010 and should be completed by mid-2012. Deliverables:Two,county-level intrinsic resource locator maps and affiliated web content,several town-level maps with details on local intrinsic resources,and two, simple brochures,one a water recreation guide to Lake Champlain and the Byway's other waterways and the other,a winter activities guide. continued>> ti UPDATE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN BYWAY CHITTENDEN COUNTY CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN • First approved by member communities in 2002. • Updates required by FHWA and VTRANS • Key elements of a Corridor Management Plan (CMP) generally consists of: o an assessment of the Byway's intrinsic resources (archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic) o a strategy for maintaining and enhancing these qualities o a plan for how cooperating agencies, groups and individual will implement the plan o a strategy for accommodating existing and new development while preserving intrinsic qualities. o strategies for road safety, accommodation of traffic, signage, etc. o a strategy for marketing and publicizing the Byway o a strategy for how to explain and interpret the Byway's significant resources to visitors Update of f Plan will be • overseen by formal 12-member"Planning and Implementation Committee" O 1 municipal staff from each of the 8 communities O 1 staff each from CCRPC, CCMPO, LCRCC and VAOT • with input from informal "Local Advisory Committee" comprised of interested citizens, business interests, tourism operators, museums, recreation groups, etc. • draft Plan will be finalized and then presented to municipalities for approval. Questions: Dan Albrecht, CCRPC Senior Planner 846-4490, x29 dsenecal-albrecht @ ccrpcvt.orq • Gateway Auto Directional 0 City Offices , NA 1*1106. . Oil VII 0 AHigh Schoolai A. Middle School l 4;.. ''''" We.** REVERSE VIEW Dorset Park Park Entry Recreation Path : .--- -----. Filli r%•0.,.... <)2r- j • overlook RECREATION 4,,,,,4 4 :), SOUTH BURLINGTON PATH imi PIRO CITY PARK � .: C Al *i '- tit Overlook BYWAY Park BASIC DETAILS Logo Panels for Gateway&Auto Directional Signs Cut Opaque Acrylic w/Applied Vinyl Graphic Sign Posts Stock Steel or Aluminum,Powder-Coated Dark Gray Sign Panels Stock-Weight Aluminum,Powder-Coated w/Applied Reflective Vinyl Lettering,Bolted to Posts w/Visible Hardware NOT TO SCALE COLORS ARE REPRESENTATIONAL ONLY 1111 SIGN FAMILY I SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT REVISED DESIGN • 10.15.10 228 Maple Street,Suite 32 I Middlebury,VT 05753 LandWorks ,t' soutnb fon PLANNING & ZONING MEMORANDUM TO: Sanford Miller, City Manager FROM: Cathyann LaRose, AICP, Associate Planner RE: Byways Update DATE: November 12, 2010 Included in the packet of information for the City Council this week are updates regarding the Lake Champlain Byway from both Tom Hubbard, Recreation Director, and Dan Senecal-Albrecht from the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission. These updates highlight the excellent work of the RPC and the Byways program. South Burlington has been fortunate to have been on the receiving end of the efforts and funding of both groups. The Byways work has been an asset to the City. Though it is a very fine base and solid foundation, there remain many more opportunities to utilize this work. Staff is actively investigating options for the following: 1 . Official Business Directional Signs (OBDS)- these signs are seen throughout the state and were implemented as a concession to what is commonly referred to as the "Billboard Law" which prohibits off-premise signs in Vermont. A sample copy is attached. Private businesses, social organizations, and municipal entities are all entitled to apply for these signs. Staff is investigating potential locations and costs for signs to parks and other municipally owned properties and buildings, and will report back to the Council with more information. 2. Long-term Sign Program- there are opportunities, arguably even a need, for signs outside of the Byways corridor. These include recreational path direction signs, park signs, and even gateway signs. Staff will present a sign package for the Council's review. Each sign will likely vary to a degree and the Council may wish to review all signs before construction, or may wish to review and approve a family of signs from which staff members may pursue construction of each fiscal year as appropriate. (over) 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 tel 802.846.4106 fax 802.846.4101 www.sburl.com _ t ` F` i.'££,- `Wi i' - � : fi t ,, S+ .,;3.,Y' �Y4':l Nb�k Alias?W '*, P - • , ;-:-;,..--11,,,,itek,,si,-.44,,kit• pv,.:-.1.-.,.,A,1,-_,,,o,17,41,;(..,,,,, frct.,;...‘402.4,4x so--,;ty...4,,',W.- ..:4,.;..,-,04p4-.t1r4-014t.4f 1:.kr.4Ci1:4-'l 7.:..`.-i,1, .E Yr�^v '.:ga., ..' # fit ''��,, k 'R - ,' ki41,..:5';.:2,4t°'?,'1,7 V l'';:?-3.41-,,',.,-;„..i.hibl.,e,,;,;',y;,-,i,,,:rtirA774,,,-*,77,,,,,vq,,i,,t,e, -,.... ,• , .0,o V=f ,.' •i. 3_ aTT}„- ig g 3 '"L F i 3p= ..€ �.r ' k ,`t�1 s e 4r ''' Esc. �"'5,1 ,5 xt ` h° • � n"- ��.y - ems. , - • 2'-. " 1 x , p "rr "`'^ "f'-s§§3 =i � Z a. ';r a',Al -..aye a-. s • cDV. c {,, 't E tY e ' r j 1 �a a' 3 § lx; me �z ,.ri-.�. i.s `-. .ki' „ ;11 4 s< Y "k t r K F.!• ow pic011 t.:. ....w south PLANNING & ZONING MEMORANDUM TO: South Burlington City Council &City Manager FROM: Paul Conner, Director of Planning&Zoning DATE: November 15, 2010 SUBJECT: Consideration of Municipal Planning Grant Application Once again this year the State has made available funding for towns and cities to undertake planning activities in their local. Just as with the last round,however, the funding has been cut in half to a maximum of$400,000 statewide. Communities are eligible for a maximum of$15,000 each. The Planning Commission met last week and considered several different projects that would be eligible activities under the grant program. Two projects in particular were considered: a city- wide citizen survey and a refurbishment of the zoning regulations for city center. The Commission agreed that both were excellent projects and city priorities. After consideration, they determined that the City Center zoning update project would be the best fit for this particular grant source and have the greatest potential for being funded under the competitive criteria issued by the State. In 2010, these priorities include bylaw updates, infrastructure planning,planning for designated downtowns &new town centers, and municipal plan updates. In addition, the grant program is offering important bonus points for projects that relate to a designated New Town Center, which the City received last winter. In brief,the project would be to do the following: Revise City Center zoning to allow and require the development envisioned by the Conceptual Master Plan. The zoning for this area predates all of our visioning work from the past five years. Revisions to the zoning here would allow us to integrate transitional districts,building height minimums and maximums, public space requirements, and others. At present, the zoning does not require the vision put forward by the public and the city to be implemented on the ground per our regulations. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council authorize the city to apply for up to $15,000 in State grant funds. This would require a city match of$3,500 in cash. Staff recommends that these matching funds be drawn from the Biachi fund and/or Planning&Zoning consultants' budget. 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 tel 802.846.4106 fax 802.846.4101 www.sburl.com ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE SOUTH BURLINGTON MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS The Council of the City of South Burlington ordains: Section 1: The South Burlington Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations Ordinance revision of April 28, 1958, and as amended from time to time thereafter, is further amended to modify Section 44 (j) as follows: Section 44: No person shall park any vehicle at anytime, unless otherwise indicated, on the City streets and roads designated below: (j) The west Both sides of Airport Drive from Williston Road to White Street, are designated as a, "NO PARKING ZONE,"and the east side of HOUR PARKING ZONE,"except in the area from the Airport Parking lot designated as a"15 MINUTE PARKING ZONE"(Resolution dated 12/19/1983). Section 2: This ordinance shall take effect from its passage, South Burlington, Vermont, this day of 2010 Donna S. Kinville, City Clerk Mark Boucher, Chair Sandra Dooley James Knapp Frank Murray Meaghan Emery -4 CITY COUNCIL 25 OCTOBER 2010 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 25 October 2010, at 7:00 p.m.,in the Conference Room, City Hall,575 Dorset St. Members Present: M. Boucher, Chair; S Dooley, M. Emery, J. Knapp Also Present: S. Miller, City Manager; R. Rustin,Assistant City Manager; P. Conner, Director of Planning&Zoning; K. Murphy, S. Dopp, M. Young, M. Kupersmith, B. Cimonetti 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience,not related to agenda items: Ms. Dopp asked about the item on the ballot regarding primaries. Ms. Emery explained that there is a move to allow those who will be 18 years old by the regular election but not by the primary to be allowed to vote in the primary. 2.Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Boucher introduced new Assistant City Manager Bob Rustin. Ms. Dooley noted that she attended her first MPO meeting last week. At this meeting priority funding was recommended for the following projects: Local Motion(a 7-day ferry project), Williston's shared use path on 2A, the Sunderland Brook project in Essex and a sidewalk project in Richmond. Ms. Emery noted a positive conclusion to the Channel 17 negotiation with Comcast. Mr. Miller: He and Mr. Rustin will attend the VMERS Board meeting tomorrow to follow up on the City Council request to allow new employees into the program. Mr. Rustin will stay on in Montpelier as part of the Challenge for Change bill activities. City Manager Miller attended the ICMA Conference last week in San Jose. He was particularly interested in technological solutions to various problems and in some incubator programs. 3. Appointment of City and School Auditor: Mr. Miller reported that the committee had met with applicants and unanimously recommended hiring R. H. R. Smith of Maine to provide audit services for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2010. When the audit is completed, they will appear before the City Council and the School Board to report. Mr. Miller noted that all three candidates thought this was a good idea. Ms. Emery moved to appoint R.H.R. Smith as City Auditor for the City and School r CITY COUNCIL 25 OCTOBER 2010 PAGE 2 District. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Discussion of DRB Alternate Procedure: Mr. Conner reviewed the history. He noted that he had spoken with VLCT and with the City Attorney on this. Many other communities have a"looser"policy while South Burlington's is more complex. The proposal is to have an alternate always serve with the Board, attending all meetings. If fewer than 7 regular members are participating, the alternate would serve in the vacant space. The day the hearing is closed; it would be decided who would vote. One issue that has been foreseen is the requirement that the alternate attend all meetings. Mr. Young asked if there would be a cost for this. Mr. Conner said this hasn't been addressed. He noted that DRB members get a stipend of about $500 a year. Ms. Dopp expressed concern with continuity. If an application continues for several meetings, it could be heard by a varying set of DRB members. Ms. Emery moved to approve the DRB alternate procedure as presented. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Update on Exit 12B and 13 and City Council and Staff Committee: Mr. Miller advised that he, Mr. Murray and Ms. Dooley came up with rules for a meeting to be held in November. This would include a presentation from the MPO on the history of studies followed by comments from various groups (Airport, Smart Growth, etc.), followed by comments and questions from the public. The goal would be for the Council to decide which approach it favors. Ms. Dooley said there might be some specific criteria the Council might come up with to ask the speakers to address. Mr. Conner noted that the Planning Commission discussed this. They are open to a greater analysis as to how to move forward. They don't feel that timing with the Comprehensive Plan is a critical issue because the Plan can be adjusted at any time. Mr. Boucher was concerned with the length of the meeting so the public doesn't have to waive 3 hours before providing input. CITY COUNCIL 25 OCTOBER 2010 PAGE 3 Members agreed to reduce the speaking time to 2 hours plus public comment and to hold the meeting on 18 November at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. 6. Liquor Control Board: Ms. Emery moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Miller presented a first and second class liquor license request from Aviation Deli and Fine Foods, Airport Drive. He said there are no outstanding issues. Mr. Knapp moved to approve the first and second class liquor license request for Aviation Deli and Fine Foods as presented. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Knapp moved that the Liquor Control Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Review and Approve Minutes of 4 October 2010: Approval of the Minutes of 4 October 2010 was deferred. 8. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 9. Executive Session: Ms. Dooley moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene in executive session to discuss personnel,real property acquisition, and contract negotiations and to return to regular session to take an action and/or adjourn. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Regular Session: Council returned to regular session. As there was no further business Mr. Knapp moved for Council adjournment. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Council adjourned. Clerk CITY COUNCIL 1 NOVEMBER 2010 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 1 November 2010, at 6:00 p.m.,in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: M. Boucher, Chair; S. Dooley, M. Emery, J. Knapp, F. Murray Also Present: S. Miller, City Manager; R. Rustin,Assistant City Manager; Chief D. Brent and Firefighters, Fire Department; J. Rabidoux, Public Works Department; J. Ladd, City Hall, K. Murphy, Planning Department; M. Young, S. Dopp, B. Stuono, C. Shaw, D. Donahue, A. Voldman, T. Braun,R.Greco Executive Session: 1. Consider entering executive session to discussed personnel, contract negotiations, real property acquisition and potential and ongoing litigation: Mr. Murray moved the Council meet in executive session to discuss personnel, contract negotiations,real property acquisition and potential and ongoing litigation. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: 1. Comments and questions from the Audience, not related to Agenda items: Mr. Shaw questioned whether there was a policy related to temporary political signs. Mr. Miller said the city needs to be sure signs aren't affixed to city trees or other city appurtenances. Mr. Young asked if there was anything to report regarding a potential real estate purchase. Mr. Boucher said not at this time. He added that the Council has been discussion the future of the Open Space Fund. Mr. Young said he would look more favorably on a"housing trust"rather than using that money to address pension plan issues. Mr. Miller said any discussion of this is purely speculative at this point. There has been no substantive discussion regarding that fund or any other. Ms. Dopp said it would be useful to prioritize some properties that the city might want to acquire with the Open Space Fund money. Mr. Donahue addressed the Council regarding the lack of building inspectors in the city. He cited and showed the Council evidence of poor workmanship in the homes he and his neighbors bought in recent years. He also noted that in some states there are inspectors at every step of a construction project. Mr. Boucher suggested that Mr. Donahue come back to the Council at budget time with some idea of how to finance this. CITY COUNCIL 1 NOVEMBER 2010 PAGE 2 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Miller: The City is now part of the VMERS system as of 1 October for non-union, non-public safety personnel. This will save the city thousands of dollars a year. The hope is to expand participation over time. The proposed 18 November meeting regarding Exit 12B/13 will have to be rescheduled as some groups cannot attend on that date. 3. Actuary Report for FY2010: Ms. Voldman advised that they had recently completed an actuarial report. She said that overall the results were pretty good, and the unfunded amount of the pension plan has gone down and assets have somewhat recovered. Last year's unfunded amount was $8,967,893. This year's amount is $8,169,040., which represents 57% funding as opposed to 50% funding. Mr. Miller said that this is still an alarmingly low level of funding, despite the improvement. Ms. Voldman said anything less than 80% is not a good place to be. She added that one of the purposes of the evaluation was to come up with a recommendation for a contribution to address the unfunded amount. There are 2 options for this contribution: A. to pay the unfunded liability over 20 years B. to pay the unfunded liability over 30 years Option A is more expensive and would cost $1,700,790.00 or 24% of payroll. Option B would cost $1,594,411.00 or 23% of payroll. Ms. Voldman then reviewed the plan assets. The assumed rate of return was 7.5%. The actual rate of return was 13.2%. The prior year was a-16%. The 13.2% is still 2.5% less than it was 2 years ago. Ms. Voldman noted that when the assets go down, the city has to make up the difference. Ms. Voldman said the city's Pension Board should meet with the investment advisors. Ms Voldman then addressed the plan's compensation changes. She noted this was the first year in which overtime for public safety has been recognized, up to 25% of base compensation. This was also the first year that total compensation for non-public safety personnel has been used in the valuation. That change is not yet reflected in the plan document. CITY COUNCIL 1 NOVEMBER 2010 PAGE 3 Ms. Voldman noted that for the 2011-12 fiscal years,the city's projected contribution is $1,400,000. Employee contribution would be$276,000. The assumed investment return is 7.5% and the assumed compensation growth is 4%. With option A(above), the 30 year option would result in a contribution of$1,620,000, and the 20-year option would result in a contribution of$1,725,000. Mr. Miller noted that the full actuarial report is on the city's website. Mr. Boucher said the Council needs to discuss its next steps and build a plan. Mr. Miller said they are looking at a number of different issues regarding expenditures. For example,moving people to VMERs, other benefit changes, etc. Mr. Rustin is working with the finance staff to put together a more detailed budget. Mr. Murray felt that there should be some options presented to the Council. Mr. Miller said one option could be a bond to fund the unfunded obligation. He added that those options will be developed in the next few months. The Council will be given a proposed budget in mid- December with discussion to take place in January. 4. Approval of South Burlington Firefighters Association Local 3671 Contract revised September 7, 2010: Mr. Knapp recused himself from this discussion and action. Mr. Miller said that the proposed contract will allow the city to move toward a paramedic service for residents. There will be a new billing fee schedule related to that service. A grant was received that allows 7 people from South Burlington to be put into the paramedic training program at no cost to the city. Trainees receive 1200 hours per person to gain paramedic certification. Training will be completed in September, 2011. The proposed contract will give the 7 paramedics 6% over base pay in 2011 and 8% over base pay in 2012. The additional cost would be$9,000. It is expected that there will be $40,000 in additional revenues through 2012. At full implementation, the estimated cost is $18,000 with revenues at$55,000. The proposed agreement allows for yearly review. Chief Brent said that Chittenden County is one of only 2 counties in Vermont without paramedics. Paramedic certification allows for more interventions in the field. Paramedics can give more drugs to stabilize patients, can do airway interventions, electronic pacing(temporary pacemaker), etc. This will enable them to save more lives. CITY COUNCIL 1 NOVEMBER 2010 PAGE 4 In addition, they will not have to transport at such high speeds. Ms. Emery asked if there is more liability. Chief Brent said there is no additional insurance cost. The liability is why there is more training and more oversight from the hospital. Mr. Murray moved to amend the city's collective bargaining agreement with the Firefighters to accommodate increased training, benefits and income to Firefighters who will become paramedics, with the provision that the City Council can review the contract on an annual basis. This will result in the saving of more lives and a dramatic increase in service to citizens. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed 4-0. Mr. Knapp rejoined the Council. 5. Approval of Ambulance Rate Increase: Chief Brent reviewed the proposed rates. Mr. Stuono asked why an engine responds with an ambulance. Chief Brent explained that a 2-person ambulance is a thing of the past. With a very sick patient, you can have 2 people just caring for the patient in the back of the ambulance. Ms. Dooley moved to approve the ambulance rate increase as described in Chief Brent's memorandum of 27 October 2010. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. First Reading of Ordinance to amend the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations: No Parking on both sides of Airport Drive from Williston Road to White Street: Mr. Boucher read the proposed amendment. Mr. Rabidoux explained the safety concerns and also the winter maintenance concerns. Mr. Murray moved to approve the First Reading and to set a public hearing for 15 November 2010. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Consideration of Approval to Change the Health Insurance Plans Management& non-Represented Employees: Mr. Miller said the recommendation is to shift to a higher deductible plan. There are 19 people in this group (3 have opted out). The savings would be $35,000 per year. This CITY COUNCIL 1 NOVEMBER 2010 PAGE 5 would take effect on 1 January 2011. Mr. Murray moved to approve the change to the Health Insurance Plans as presented. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Consideration of Approval to Change the Life Insurance Limit for Eligible Management and Non-Represented Employees: Mr. Miller said the savings would be$48,000 over current costs. The maximum life insurance benefit would be twice the employee's annual salary. Mr. Murray moved to approve the change to life insurance limit for eligible management and non-represented employees. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9.Review of ICMA's National Citizen Survey Program: Mr. Miller suggested deferring this discussion until budget time to assess costs. Mr. Boucher said the survey is long overdue. The question is whether this is the right tool to help understand people's priorities. He added that the Council now hears from a very limited number of people. Ms. Dopp said she is very disappointed with the delay as the Land Trust hoped to use this in relation to the revision of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Miller stressed that staff is trying to get a handle on the city's finances. At present, he cannot answer where the money to do this would come from. Ms. Emery asked if there might be an outside source of funding. Mr. Miller said that is possible. Mr. Murray said that given financial circumstances, it might be advisable to get interested people thinking about this now, without making a financial commitment. Ms. Emery said it would be good to know public opinion at budget time. Mr. Miller said they wouldn't have the information by budget time as it takes 17 weeks for ICMA to mail a final report. Mr. Young asked if this would be done yearly. Mr. Miller said probably 5-10 years. Ms. Dopp suggested the City making a proposal to the Land Trust for partial funding. 10. Review and Approve Minutes of 4 October 2010: Mr. Murray moved to approve the Minutes of 4 October 2010 as written. Ms. Emery CITY COUNCIL 1 NOVEMBER 2010 PAGE 6 seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Clerk