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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/21/1983CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 21, 1983 CORRECTIONS TO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 21, 1983 ADDITION On Page 4, it is noted that Mr. Marvin questioned why the City should have to pay $12,000 of the $15,000 computer maintenance contract cost. CORRECTION On Page 5, it is noted that two possible means of raising the City's $500,000 for highway projects -- either a tax of $100,000 per year for five years or a bond issue for $500,000. The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, February 21, 1983, at 7:30 p.m., at City Hall Conference Room, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; Leona Lansing, Michael Flaherty, Hugh Marvin Member Absent William Burgess Others Present William Szymanski, City Manager; David Minnich, Assistant City Manager; William J. Schuele, Natural Resources Committee; Marnie Kneeland, Ethel M. Schuele, Community Library; Diana Snyder, Fine Arts Committee; Bruce O'Neill, Tom Hubbard, Recreation Department; Albert C. Audette, Street Department; James W. Goddette, Sr., Fire Department; Peggy Picard, City Clerk; Dennis Snyder Read Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 14, 1983 Mr. Szymanski noted that on page 5 the designation "bituminous" should precede the word "concrete" in reference to the surface of Berard Drive. Mr. Marvin then moved that the Minutes be approved as amended. Ms. Lansing seconded with unanimous consent. Sign Disbursement Orders Disbursement orders were signed. Review of Proposed 1983-1984 City Budgets a) Recreation: Mr. O'Neill noted that there were two items that did not appear in the proposed budget that he felt were of prime importance. The first of these was a request for $5,000 for a complete refurbishing of the tennis courts behind the high school. Among the needed repairs is the need for new posts to support the nets and complete resurfacing. The second request is for $1,300 to replace lighting on these tennis courts and for lighting on the new courts on the Potter property which should be in use this year. Original fixtures are burning out; at one point last year only 6 of 24 lights were working. Mr. Farrar asked how many people participated in recreation programs now as compared to several years ago. Mr. O'Neill indicated that last year's participation was 30,700, and it's been going up steadily. Mr. Farrar then asked if there are any programs that should be eliminated. Mr. O'Neill replied that he didn't feel there were any; however, there would be changes in the way certain programs were operated. For example, bus service will no longer be provided for the Middle School bowling program, and the fee schedule for such items as lighting of the softball field would be revised. He also indicated that for the first time a minimal fee would be charged for swimming lessons at Red Rocks Park. b) Fine Arts: Mr. O'Neill said they were not anticipating any new programs or increase in programs with the exception of the new Low Brass Ensemble. This group gets together once a week with a volunteer leader. They have given several public performances at the University Mall. He indicated they would like to offer a small remuneration to the leader in the amount of $150 salary and $50 for supplies. Mr. O'Neill indicated that the Adult Education program is self-sustaining. He noted that a $20 fee for Saturday morning art lessons (5 or 6 week sessions) is being charges, but he did not anticipate that fees would be this high for other programs. c) Library: Mrs. Schuele presented the Council with a comparison of budget figures for libraries of similar size. She indicated that their highest priority request was for an additional person for 10 hours per week. She noted that library use is up 30% from November and January of last year. Until now, they have been fortunate in receiving matched funds from the Council on the Humanities, but this fund is almost drained. There will also be no incentive grants this year. Ms. Lansing asked whether the Library's total budget comes from the City or if the School Department pays any part. Ms. Schuele replied that a large part of their financing comes from the school. In addition, two 20 hour per week persons are funded by CETA. d) Natural Resources: Mr. Schuele noted that there were no total increases in routine items. He said there were two high priority items. The first is a "fitness trail," which they have been trying to get for a number of years. An offer of aid from Wells Fargo Bank and another offer from a local citizen mean that this is the closest we will ever come to getting the facility at almost no cost. The second request is for bicycle trails. Mr. Schuele noted that the concept has been in the budget for many years but was included under the Street Department where it was a minor part of a big budget and usually got lost. He said many people who would like to ride bicycles feel they cannot do so safely. He hoped that when road construction occurs, the money would be there to add bike trails since it is less expensive to provide this facility at that time rather than re-doing a road specifically for a bike trail. Mr. Farrar asked if there was any specific area in mind for bike trails. Mr. Schuele indicated that a start had been made on Spear Street when paving was done, but this was only a small patch. There are a lot of bikes ridden there now and it is already a hazard. Other areas to be considered are Swiftland Dorset Streets, Hinesburg Road, Kennedy Drive, White Street, and Airport Drive. Mr. Marvin asked how far the $6,000 request would go. Mr. Audette replied that in view of the physical nature of Spear Street, that money would not go very far. e) Fire Department: Mr. Goddette noted there was very little change from last year's budget. He said they are in good condition as far as major equipment is concerned. He noted that the engine on Engine 2 had been rebuilt which saved a considerable amount over buying a new engine. He added they are also looking into building their own reel instead of purchasing one which the manufacturer said would run about $10,000. Mr. Goddette indicated that their additional request for $1,300 would be for vehicle and equipment maintenance tools. Mr. Farrar asked what would happen if the Fire Department did not get this additional funding, and Mr. Goddette replied they would live through the year. He did note that in looking ahead to next year, there will be some training schools coming up and that they would very much like to see the training program upgraded but that for this year they had stayed within the guidelines. Mr. Farrar said that from what he had heard, it appeared that Mr. Goddette was indicating that the Fire Department could make it through the next five years with no additional capital equipment. Mr. Goddette replied that barring an unforeseen accident this was the case. f) City Government: Mr. Szymanski noted that the entry for Council salaries included the secretary's salary. He said that with regard to transportation for the handicapped, this item remains open since they had not received the budget request for this. Mr. Minnich said the request is due next week and that this is now administered by the Community Fund. Mr. Flaherty commented that as the City had bought vehicles with lifts for the handicapped, there could be a problem in this regard in the future. Mr. Farrar asked how insurance costs compared with last year. Mr. Minnich replied that life and dental will increase by 10% and health insurance by 20% approximately. Mr. Farrar suggested that they might look around and see if any of these can be gotten for less cost. He then asked why the life insurance rate was going up, and Mr. Minnich said he would check. Regarding expenses for the computer, Mr. Minnich noted that in the past the City has been charged with half the programmer's salary. The School Department now indicated that they expect the City to pay an additional $12,000 of the $15,000 maintenance contract cost. Mr. Farrar said there would be no objection to this provided there is the assurance this apportionment is arrived at fairly. Mr. Farrar then asked whether the City will be able to handle updating once assessment is completed without additional staff. Mr. Minnich said he expected they would with a few dollars for some programming packages. Mr. Farrar then asked Mr. Minnich to find out whether the unfunded liability on the pension fund has been increasing or decreasing. Concerning the budget for the Planning Commission, Mr. Szymanski noted there was a request to continue traffic & hydrological studies. Mr. Farrar asked what action the City might take with the knowledge gathered from these surveys. Mr. Spitz answered there would be an indication of whether we're making problems worse by additional development. Hydrological studies would involve flow checks and calculations of the amount of runoff under various circumstances. Mr. Farrar asked whether the science is such that anything more than a rough estimate could be gotten. Mr. Spitz replied that such studies would be going beyond the scope that developers have given us. He said we don't know yet what questions to ask developers. With regard to cost, Mr. Spitz noted he had talked to two university people who feel that about $4,000 would give a way to see what's happening out there and what should be considered in planning. Mr. Marvin then asked what could be done to correct the problems. Mr. Spitz replied that we might see what further steps should be required of developers and what the City might have to do that developers could not be asked to do. Mr. Szymanski noted that the budget total was $2,700,765 (not including sewers) and that anticipated revenues would amount to $2,700,804. He indicated that the revenue figure was based on a projected 4% increase in the grand list. Mr. Farrar said that he felt they could project a higher percentage based on past experience. Mr. Minnich said this was possible, but they did not predict this would happen and suggested the Council not budget on that basis. He added that with regard to computing the personal property tax for the coming year, they will use either the average of April 1, 1982 and April 1, 1980 or 80% of actual value, whichever is less. Mr. Minnich stressed the point that expenses are growing faster than revenues and that cutbacks will have to be made sooner or later. He suggested the Council start cutting back now, since it is easier to plug in additional funds later if they become available than to cut out items that have been budgeted. g) Possibility of Bond Issue this Spring: Mr. Marvin said he felt strongly that the Council should express itself to the people on the three major road projects. Mr. Farrar added that he had reviewed Mr. Audette's list of last year and found that with another $150,000 of City funds they would be able to include the Kirby Road sidewalks and other smaller projects. Thus the City would need to raise $500,000 during the next five years. Mr. Flaherty asked when they would have to make a decision in order to have the bond issue on the ballot this Spring, and Mr. Minnich replied that the notice must be published by April 26th. Mr. Marvin then indicated that he thought the Council should also express itself to Montpelier, indicating that the bond issue will be presented to the people. Mr. Spitz said he felt this might be helpful in advancing dates somewhat. Metropolitan Planning Organization Mr. Spitz clarified a point that had been raised at the last meeting as to whether Federal funds go directly to the MPO or must be channeled through the State. He said that he had been told that highway funds would not come directly to the MPO unless a special agreement had been made with the State. Mr. Marvin questioned whether this would offend the Agency of Transportation. Mr. Flaherty said that he would be more concerned about leaving the decisions up to the State and not having a voice in the process. Ms. Lansing asked if the MPO concept might lead to bickering and hard feelings among member communities. Mr. Farrar said he felt this might actually decrease since actual decision-making would now be at the local level. Mr. Flaherty then moved that the Council endorse Mr. Spitz's Memo #4 (undated) entitled Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Ms. Lansing seconded with unanimous approval. Council members agreed to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, March 1, 1983 to continue budget hearings and other business. Mr. Flaherty moved to adjourn. Mr. Marvin seconded with unanimous consent. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.. 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