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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 11/01/2021CITY COUNCIL 1 NOVEMBER 2021 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 1 November 2021, at 6:30 p.m., in the Auditorium, City Hall, 180 Market Street, and by Go to Meeting remote participation. MEMBERS PRESENT: H. Riehle, Chair; M. Emery, T. Barritt, T. Chittenden, M. Cota ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager; A. Bolduc, Deputy City Manager; I. Blanchard, Community Development Director; A. Parker, Project Manager; B. Sirvis, J. Bossange, M. Mittag, P. Tompkins, Wayne, Q. Mann, M. Biama 1. Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency and review of technology options: Ms. Baker provided instructions on exiting the building in case of an emergency 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: Mr. Bossange suggested changing the name of the “Land Development Regulations” to “Land Use Regulations.” He then noted the 3 students who spoke at last week’s Planning Commission public hearing about their fears for life on our planet. He said that at their age, he was looking toward a bright future; he is not sure those students are doing that. If nothing is done to protect the environment, they will have no long-term future on the planet, but they will find hope if they see positive things happening here. He urged the Council to think toward 2030 and 2040 and the need for wise and appropriate development and environment protection. Ms. Greco asked for permission to treat the ash tree in front of her house, at her expense. She was told treatment is 100% effective, but you have to treat the tree forever. She is willing to do that. The cost is about $62 a year. She felt some of her neighbors would be willing to do that as well. 4. Announcements and City Manager’s Report: Council members reported on meetings and events they had attended. CITY COUNCIL 1 NOVEMBER 2021 PAGE 2 Ms. Baker: Thanked the Council for its time on Saturday for the Council’s retreat. The Climate Action Committee will be meeting this month. There will be some water disruption happening this week. All affected property owners have been notified. The Kimball Avenue bridge is scheduled to reopen the week after Thanksgiving. The Allen Road shared use path is now complete, and there are already people using it. Basketball registration closes on 4 November. At latest count, there have been 1000 new Library members since the new Library opened. There will be a special City Council meeting on Monday evening. The Council will get the proposed FY2023 budget at the first meeting in December. Following an altercation between two groups of males at UMall today, shots were fired. Regarding “camping” at the Shelburne Road Cemetery, the city is trying to ensure that those folks have the services they need and get into better homes. Chief Burke is aware of this. 5. Consent Agenda: a. Approve and Sign Disbursements b. Approve Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program grant application c. Approve an agreement with US Fish & Wildlife Service & Audubon VT to conduct habitat management work at Wheeler Nature Park d. Execute a Stormwater Agreement with Windridge Condominium Association and Accept related documents for the Stormwater Easement and Permit under the City’s MS4 Permit CITY COUNCIL 1 NOVEMBER 2021 PAGE 3 e. Execute a Stormwater Agreement with Hayes Avenue Homeowners Association and accept related documents for the Stormwater Easement & Permit under the City’s MS4 Permit. Mr. Barritt asked to remove item “c” from the Consent Agenda. Ms. Emery then moved to approve Consent Agenda items “a,” “b,” “d” and “e.” Mr. Cota seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Barritt asked Mr. Bolduc if there is any possibility that the Agreement in item “c” would run contrary to the Conservation Easement on this property. Mr. Bolduc said they had that discussion, and there are no issues. Mr. Barritt said brush hogging should happen only once a year after October 1st. He felt they are doing it too soon now. Mr. Cota moved to approve Consent Agenda item “c” as presented. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consider approving Resolution amending the Public Art Selection Committee Purpose: Ms. Tompkins noted that the Committee has been in place since 2016 and has supervised 2 big projects (the geese in the park and the clock in the library), both in City Center, in addition to smaller projects in the city. The Committee is asking to broaden its scope and change its name to Public Art Committee in an effort to broaden awareness of the arts. Ms. Tompkins noted the new art gallery in City Hall and the new art exhibit which was hung today. The paintings include work by 3 South Burlington artists. Ms. Emery moved to approve the Resolution as presented. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL 1 NOVEMBER 2021 PAGE 4 7. Approve a Tourism and Economic Recovery Marketing Grant Application: Ms. Blanchard noted that one issue in Vermont is that there are no winter activities that are not athletic in nature. She said Market Street is great for events, and she and Ms. Rees have discussed putting together a proposal for such an event. The budget would not exceed $30,000 and they would look for a match or to use some ARPA funds. Sen. Chittenden said he was sure the Rotary would be willing to help. He also noted that January and February are very cold, and there used to be an outdoor ice rink at Marcotte School. He would love to see that again. Sen. Chittenden moved to approve the Grant Application as presented. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Interview Applicants for appointment to South Burlington Development Review Board: The Council interviewed Michael Biama and Quinn Mann for appointment to the DRB. 9. Consider entering executive session for the purposes of considering appointments to the Development Review Board with the intention to return to regular session to vote: Mr. Barritt moved that the Council meet in executive session to discuss appointment to the Development Review Board, inviting into the session Ms. Baker and Mr. Bolduc. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Council entered executive session at 7:48 p.m. and resumed open session at 7:55 p.m. Mr. Barritt then moved to appoint Quinn Mann to the Development Review Board through 2023. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Cota commented on how good it is to see younger candidates. 10. Councilors’ Reports from Committee Assignments: No reports were presented. CITY COUNCIL 1 NOVEMBER 2021 PAGE 5 11. Other Business: No other business was presented. 12. Consider entering executive session for the purposes of discussing pending litigation to which the City is a party and receive confidential attorney-client communications regarding the same: Mr. Barritt moved that the Council make a specific find that premature general public knowledge of the Council’s discussion about the O’Brien Eastview PUD Environmental Court Appeal to which the City is a party would clearly place the City at a substantial disadvantage. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Barritt then moved that having so found, the Council meet in executive session for the purpose of discussing the O’Brien Eastwood PUD Environmental Court Appeal, inviting into the session Ms. Baker, Mr. Bolduc, and Ms. Lafferty. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Council entered executive session at 8:00 p.m. Following the executive session, as there was no further business to come before the Council Mr. Barritt moved to adjourn. Sen Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m.