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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/18/2021CITY COUNCIL 18 OCTOBER 2021 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 18 October 2021, at 6:30 p.m., in Room 301, City Hall, 180 Market Street, and by Go to Meeting remote participation. MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Emery, Acting Chair; T. Barritt, T. Chittenden, M. Cota ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager; A. Bolduc, Deputy City Manager; C. O’Neil, City Attorney, I. Blanchard, Community Development Director; H. Rees, Recreation Director; B. Sirvis, S. Dooley, M. Mittag, R. Greco, M. Simoneau, B. Lead, 1. Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency and review of technology options: Ms. Baker provided instructions on emergency exiting of the building and reviewed technology options. 2. Additions, deletions or changes in the order of Agenda items: No changes were made to the Agenda. 3. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda: Ms. Greco shared information from 2 articles in the Burlington Free Press, one related to a development in South Burlington and regarding the potential extinction of bumblebees, one cause of which is pesticides. She felt the development project should include information on the use of fossil fuels and that pesticides should be banned in the city 4. Announcements and City Manager’s Report: Council members reported on meetings and events they had attended. Ms. Baker: The Public Works Department is installing 3 new crosswalks on Hinesburg Road. The new Firefighters are being introduced to the city through “drive-arounds” in fire trucks. The Planning & Zoning Department has posed “spotlights” regarding the new proposed Land Development Regulations. CITY COUNCIL 18 OCTOBER 2021 PAGE 2 The Stormwater Department is providing technical support to Shelburne. The first bills for this support will go out this week. South Burlington is seen as a regional leader in this area. Registration in Recreation programs is up. There will be a number of Halloween activities The Senior Center is now serving 2 meals a week. . The FY21 audit starts this week. Upcoming meetings include: Pension Committee on the 26, Steering Committee on the 27th, Allard Square Focus Group on the 28th at 5 p.m. to focus on Mary Street, the City Council retreat on the 30th. 5. Consent Agenda: a. Approve and Sign Disbursements b. Approve Minutes from 20 September meeting c. Receive All Hazards Mitigation Plan Update d. Approve an agreement with the Howard Center to Develop and Operate the Community Outreach Program through 30 June 2027 e. Approve request to apply for a FY22 Municipal Planning Grant to support the Climate Action Plan development Ms. Emery suggested removing item “d” so that Mr. Cota could receive a briefing on the Community Outreach Program. Mr. Barritt moved to approve Consent Agenda items a, b, c, and e. Sen. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed 4-0. Ms. Baker then provided a brief overview of the Community Outreach Program which began in 2018 under the leadership of Kevin Dorn. Shelburne, Williston, Winooski, Colchester, and Essex are now part of the program and Milton is about to join as well. The aim is to provide intervention at the lowest possible level at instances of mental issues. The proposed agreement gives certainty to the program for 5 years. CITY COUNCIL 18 OCTOBER 2021 PAGE 3 Mr. Barritt asked what happens with events that occur at 2 a.m. Ms. Baker said Howard has a first call agreement. She noted that officers will often report on an event to Howard for them to follow up on. Ms. Baker also noted that the City of Burlington has a similar program on Church Street. Mr. Barritt then moved to approve Consent Agenda item “d” as presented. Sen. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 6. Approve appointment to the Climate Action Plan Task Force from the Bike and Pedestrian Committee: Ms. Baker noted that the previous appointee cannot serve, and the Committee has nominated Donna Leban. Sen. Chittenden moved to appoint Donna Leban to the Climate Action Plan Task Force. Mr. Cota seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 7. Discuss next steps related to an indoor Recreation Center and provide direction to staff: Ms. Blanchard reviewed the history. She said the city has now gone back to the consultant to initiate a feasibility study at Veterans’ Memorial Park and also to upgrade the existing schematic. They have also asked for a response to climate change and what can be done in terms of greenhouse gases. In response to some voiced concerns, the city has also been looking at commercial sites along a developed corridor. They have talked with the City Assessor regarding land values and have found they are in the million dollar range. The city is now looking for direction from the City Council. Ms. Baker said they do not expect a vote tonight. Sen. Chittenden said he didn’t feel he is ready to vote on a plan in March. He feels a pool must be a part of the next project that the city undertakes. He noted that the new Burlington YMCA with a pool cost $20,000,000 CITY COUNCIL 18 OCTOBER 2021 PAGE 4 Mr. Barritt said he agrees with David Kaufman that it makes more sense to have the Recreation Center at Veterans’ Memorial Park with its connection to the skating arenas. The city owns the land and there is already a stormwater design. Mr. Barritt questioned whether a Rec Center at the Park could take advantage of heat waste from the 2 skating arenas. He felt the city should move forward with the current design. Mr. Cota said he would be open to phasing the project. Ms. Emery paraphrased Ms. Riehle’s comments. She is very keen on using an already developed site because of climate concerns. Ms. Emery said she personally shares the reticence to have a March vote. She agreed that there is synergy with the Cairns Arenas. She also wants there to be a thoughtful environmental design. Mr. Mittag said that using 6+ acres of the Park is a huge amount of space. He noted that the Burlington YMCA was built on 1.5 acres. He suggested the Dorset Street site of the former Champlain Oil building. He didn’t know the attributes of the site and acknowledged that there could be oil residue. The property is assessed at $1,800,000. If it is a “brown field” site, it could be less. He felt there could be an indoor pool there. Mr. Lead, consulting architect for South Burlington and architect of the Burlington “Y,” said the “Y” has a 6-lane pool, small than what South Burlington wants, and only half a one basketball court. The South Burlington plan calls for 3 basketball courts and a turf court. Ms. Blanchard said the South Burlington pool would be larger, and the turf court would be the size of 3 basketball courts. Sen. Chittenden said that in order for a bond to pass, there has to be a pool. The question is whether it is indoor or outdoor. Ms. Dooley asked the Council not to do anything until next fall. She felt the School District has more pressing needs to bring to the community. She also felt that to address diversity issues, the Rec Center should be in the City Center. Ms. Dooley questioned why the Rec Center isn’t part of the policy strategy process. Ms. Baker said the Rec Center is part of the priority process. Staff wanted to provide additional information tonight to address questions raised by the Council. CITY COUNCIL 18 OCTOBER 2021 PAGE 5 Sen. Chittenden suggested opening a conversation with UVM for a joint venture that could address the need for a pool for UVM’s swim team. He felt the city should also broaden the conversation as there may be “dollars out there.” Mr. Cota said using Veterans’ Park would make it seem like the Rec Center is for the Southeast Quadrant. He felt other parts of the city could serve more people. He understood the benefit of owning the land, but felt it was worth looking at other options. Sen. Chittenden said Veterans’ Park is used by the Little Leagues, clubs, soccer teams, etc., and is not only used by Southeast Quadrant residents. He couldn’t see spending money for land when the city already owns the land. He noted that the city had already looked at the Champlain Oil site. He stressed that the Rec Center is a long-term investment for the health and well-being of the city’s residents. Ms. Emery noted that the Economic Development Committee felt the Champlain Oil site should be used to bring business to the city and more tax money or for residential use, which would also bring in tax money. She noted that the City of Burlington has several recreation facilities throughout the city. She wasn’t sure that was a South Burlington site that could serve everyone. She also felt it makes sense to have something at Veterans’ Park. 8. Review the Draft Tax Increment Financing District TIF Substantial Change request and consider setting a public hearing date of 15 November 2021 at 7:00 p.m.: Ms. Blanchard advised that the city is requesting a substantial change amendment to update the existing revenue model and project list. The current cost estimate is $97,000,000 of which the TIF contribution would be $54,998,000. The change would have the total cost reduced to $62,000,000 with a $26,000,000 TIF contribution. The amendment would remove the parking garage from the plan as well as the urban park/festival street along with some wetland mitigation and stream restoration. Mr. Barritt moved to set a public hearing on the TIF Substantial Change request for 15 November 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Cota seconded. Motion passed 4-0. CITY COUNCIL 18 OCTOBER 2021 PAGE 6 9. Review application for a Solar Field at Spear Street and provide direction: Mr. McNeil said this is an application by Spear Street Solar, LLC, for a solar farm at 600 Spear Street. It would be an electricity generating facility. It is coming to the Council because the Council has the ability to intervene, make comments, or request a hearing. The deadline for action is 22 November. Mr. McNeil noted the Planning Commission has made comments. Planning staff is currently working with the applicant and is not recommending anything. Mr. McNeil noted a fence is required because of the amount of electricity being generated. The applicant will allow an “agricultural fence” which allows small animals to pass through. The Planning Commission also wanted a walking trail around the facility which the applicant has agreed to. Mr. Barritt said there is a 1.2 megawatt facility in South Burlington without a fence. He didn’t feel it is a requirement and said it is waste of money. Sen. Chittenden agreed and said that money could be used for the sound barriers residents have been asking for. Mr. McNeil said he will put together a letter indicating the Council’s objection to the fence. 10. Approve a Temporary License Agreement with the School District for 577 Dorset Street in anticipation of a permanent Lease Agreement with an Option to Purchase: Mr. McNeil said this is an “after-the-fact” approval, and a long-term lease with an option to purchase is being negotiated. The temporary lease allows the city’s Recreation Department to continue to use the building. The School District is paying its share of utilities. Sen. Chittenden asked if the School district is happy with the building. Ms. Baker said they are happy to have all the administrators together. All conversations have been very amicable, and everything is positive. Sen. Chittenden moved to approve the Temporary License Agreement with the School District for 577 Dorset Street as presented. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed 4-0. CITY COUNCIL 18 OCTOBER 2021 PAGE 7 11. Councilors’ Reports from Committee Assignments: Mr. Cota: A contract agreement was reached with the Green Mountain Transit drivers, and there will be no strike. Fares are still free, but ridership is still not back to pre-pandemic numbers. Buses need to be at least 25% full. The 2 electric buses are too large for the city route but other issues have been worked out. 12. Other Business: Mr. Barritt thanked the Public Works Department for the paving projects. He suggested sealing up potholes before the snow flies. As there was no further business to come before the Council, Sen. Chittenden moved to adjourn. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.