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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/01/1983CITY COUNCIL MARCH 1, 1983 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, March 1, 1983, at 7:30 pm in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; Leona Lansing, Michael Flaherty, Hugh Marvin, William Burgess Others Present William Szymanski, City Manager; David Minnich, Assistant City Manager; Richard Carter, Police Chief; Brian Searles, South Burlington Police Department; Wayne A. DeForge, SSTA; Donald Whitten, Water Pollution Control Department; Margaret A. Picard, City Clerk; James W. Goddette, Sr., Fire Chief; Danny Parot, Ken Dattillo, Paul Joppe-Mercune, George Brady, J. Patrick Brennan, South Burlington Fire Fighters Association; Albert C. Audette, Street Department; Sue Hayes, Susan Metcalf, Kirby Road Sidewalks Committee; Pat Burgmeier, The Other Paper Read Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 21, 1983 The Minutes were amended as follows: On Page 4, it was noted that Mr. Marvin questioned why the City should have to pay $12,000 of the $15,000 computer maintenance contract cost; on Page 5, it was 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. Mr. Flaherty then moved that the Minutes be approved as amended. Ms. Lansing seconded with unanimous approval. Sign Disbursement Orders Disbursement Orders were signed. Meet with Representative of Special Services Transportation Agency to Review Subsidy Request Speaking for the Agency, Mr. DeForge noted that they have asked the City for a total of $4,000. (a $3,300 appropriation plus a $700 administrative fee). He indicated that the service is working better than expected. All of the towns, with the exception of Essex, have held service down to where there is a real need. In Essex, the need has been tremendous. He indicated that there were not a lot of people looking for a free ride. Mr. Minnich noted that a trip costs a town $4.30. He asked if the Agency had ever looked into the possibility that a taxi service might be cheaper, since service from downtown Burlington to the Airport, for example, is only $2.85. Mr. DeForge replied that originally their contract did not allow them to go to a secondary source but this year they are revising the contract to allow for this possibility. He also mentioned that they are investigating the possibility of a mileage charge and other formulas. Continue Review of 1983-84 Budget A) Police Department-Chief Carter noted that $1,500 had been taken from the request for uniforms. He questioned whether this was possible since the Association has designated they be given the amount of uniforms the contract calls for. Concerning additional requests currently not budgeted, Mr. Farrar asked what would be the top priority. Chief Carter said he thought the upgrading of Dispatchers was at the top of the list. He noted it is a very technical job and that these people do extra work for the Fire Department. He presented a comparison study of dispatcher salaries (attached) and said he felt the South Burlington dispatchers were very much underpaid. He indicated his next priority would be office space for Troop Commanders. He felt they might partition the dispatchers room to make another office. Mr. Szymanski asked if they could not use the large room in the back, and Chf. Carter indicated that they needed that space for other uses. Mr. Marvin asked whether the City Manager agreed that the space was needed. Mr. Szymanski replied that he did, but he did not necessarily agree with the choice of space the Police Department had made. Regarding personnel, Chf. Carter indicated that they initiated a new concept in the past year based on a team approach. In order to do this effectively, they had to increase from 21 to 24 patrolmen, which they accomplished by "borrowing" people. They now feel they have to "return" some of these people. He presented a chart (attached) indicating how successful the new approach has been, especially pointing out a 40% decrease in sick leave. He added they would like to have 8 people in each patrol but will have to cut down from 24 to at least 22 if they don't get additional personnel. He added that they have not had any increase in personnel since 1976, with the exception of half a dispatcher. Mr. Marvin asked Chf. Carter what would happen if the price of gas goes down and there is extra money available from that appropriation. Chf. Carter replied that would be up to the City Manager. B) Highway - Mr. Audette indicated that this is just about the same basic budget total as last year and this was accomplished by juggling, cutting down on construction. He noted an increase of $5,000 in highway maintenance directly reflects the shape of the City's roads. He noted that with the purchase of the last 2 trucks, they have had to go to smaller engines, since that is all that is available. This means the use of more gas and more parts. Mr. Marvin asked what would be done with any extra money in the gasoline account should the price of gas go down. Mr. Audette said he would recommend it be put into paving, but it would be up to the City Manager. Mr. Szymanski noted that such funds would have to be held until the end of the year before a determination could be made. He noted that there was a problem with the roof on the old shed, and the salt shed was about to fall down. He felt these could be solved over the next two years. Mr. Marvin questioned which pieces of equipment on the list the Department was planning to replace. Mr. Audette said they were #2, #4 and #20. He noted that on the #2 and #4 small dump trucks there were problems with clutches, transmissions and the drive gear. He added that they want to use #20 with a flat bed to haul pipe, etc. In addition, #20 won't pass inspection next time around. Mr. Marvin asked what the mileage was on the vehicles. Mr. Audette did not have this information available but said mileage was not necessarily a determinant. What the vehicle does is more significant and these trucks are used every day since they don't want to use large trucks for small work. Mr. Marvin asked if Mr. Audette would provide the mileage on the vehicles at the next meeting. Regarding additional requests, Mr. Audette noted that every project on the sidewalk list (attached) has an outstanding safety factor. Mr. Farrar asked what the cost per foot would be for the approximately 4+ miles of needed sidewalk. Mr. Audette said it would vary, since streets such as Kirby Road also have drainage problems. Mr. Audette added that his list did not reflect any priority order. He estimated that $10.00 per foot seemed a reasonable estimate, not including City Labor & Equip. Mr. Marvin asked what Mr. Audette felt would be the top priority if the City did raise additional funds for highway work. Mr. Audette said he felt Spear Street was a top choice, since it will be much more heavily used when work begins on Shelburne Rd. He stressed that the more we can fix up, the less that will be needed for day- to-day maintenance. Mr. Marvin said he believed that the Council should lay out a plan on how the roads situation will be taken care of and when. He asked if Mr. Audette could present a projected work plan. Mr. Audette said that basically they had worked from what money was available. He noted that they did an evaluation study of all the City's streets which he will have distributed to the Council. This will provide a rating and tell the condition of each street. Mr. Marvin also stressed the need to inform the public of the need and of what plans are being made to correct the problems. He stressed that if these are not corrected they will become worse and cost more in the future. The representatives from Kirby Road again made a plea for high priority for sidewalks on that street before a child is seriously injured. C) Water Pollution Control Department - Mr. Whitten noted that the increased cost of power at Bartletts Bay was due to an increase by Green Mountain power. He also noted that Soil and Sludge Analysis was a new item required to meet State standards. He added that they are just moving to get the sludge to the farmers, which seems to be the best way to dispose of it. He indicated that they are looking into pre-treatment at Airport Parkway to see if they can increase the present facility. He believes they can do this with pre- treatment and are starting to test at this time. Mr. Farrar asked how close they are to capacity. Mr. Whitten replied that they are operating at 1 million gallons but that the 200,000 remaining capacity has been allocated for future projects. Ms. Lansing questioned the item "Use of Burlington Lines." Mr. Whitten explained that the City pays Burlington to treat sewage for the Proctor Avenue section. This saves money, since the City would need to maintain a pumping station otherwise. Mr. Szymanski noted this agreement has no expiration date. Mr. Marvin asked how long it would be before Bartletts Bay would have to be updated. Mr. Whitten said it wouldn't be very long. He added that this will not be eligible for federal money, so costs would depend on whether it is done piecemeal or with a plan 10 to 20 years into the future. He noted that when they purchase the equipment in the current budget, they will have the pumps and chemicals and will see if they can increase the capacity without increasing the facility. Mr. Whitten added that when they reach 80% of capacity, they will have to present a plan to the State showing what they plan to do. Mr. Burgess calculated that they are now at approximately 79%. Mr. Marvin then said that he would like Mr. Audette to come up with a cost for the Shelburne Road sidewalk and also to get a figure on what is needed for Bartletts Bay facility. If these are within reason, they might approach Fire District 4 to see if funds could be made available. He asked the City Manager for a letter to take to the Fire District. Mr. Farrar indicated that now that they had heard all the budget requests, the procedure would be to meet in a week's time to try to put the final budget together. Mr. Szymanski noted that the budget must go to the printer in mid-March so it can be mailed by March 25th. It was determined that the Council would meet on Wednesday, March 9. A 7 pm meeting with the Board of Civil Authority would precede the 8 pm Council meeting. Click here for Pension Plan – Unfunded Liability Sign Renewal Notes for Highway Equipment Mr. Szymanski indicated that the $5,000 payment would be the final payment on this vehicle. Mr. Burgess moved that the renewal note in the amount of $5,000 be signed. Mr. Marvin seconded with unanimous consent. Volunteer Firemen's Disability Policy Mr. Minnich reviewed the history of the matter noting that they wanted to insure several factors: first that all medical benefits would be paid by the City through Workman's Compensation; second that the income at disability would be the same and a firefighter would not lose income through disability; finally that an individual wouldn't have to wait for money from the insurance company. He then presented a set of calculations indicating that it would be possible under the proposed plan for a firefighter to earn more through disability than his normal income. Several firemen noted that there are added expenses incurred because of disability and that in fact, they would still be losing money and not getting more. Mr. Audette emphasized that all they had requested was that the procedure followed for the two recently injured firemen become part of the rules and regulations. Mr. Szymanski asked if it might not be possible for a Review Board to be set up to review individual cases to be sure that disabled firefighters are being equitably paid. Mr. Flaherty said he felt this might be the best way to handle individual cases. The firemen again stressed the point that the only way a firefighter would receive any compensation under the proposal was from a serious injury. Mr. Flaherty then moved that the City accept a standards procedure for handling injuries to Volunteer Firefighters, as follows: a) All medical expenses incurred as a result of an injury will be covered by the City as provided Workmen's Compensation. b) The benefit that the City will provide will be the greater of Workman's Compensation or a level of pay comparable to a Level 3, driver/pump opr. with credit for years of service as a South Burlington Firefighter. Coverage will be provided while the volunteer is under care or treatment for the injury and is unable to work. c) The City will pay an injured fireman, who is also a City employee, at a rate comparable to their Grade and Level. d) It is explicitly understood that as long as the City is paying their salary, members will return all Workmen's Compensation checks to the City. e) This procedural standard will be added to the personnel rules and regulations f) It is understood that the period of coverage extends for a maximum of 6 months, at which time each case will be reviewed individually by the City Manager to see if further benefits are warranted. Mr. Burgess seconded the motion, and it was approved by a vote of 4-1 with Mr. Marvin voting against. Mr. Audette thanked the Council on behalf of the Firefighters. Metropolitan Planning Organization Mr. Marvin moved that the Council approve Memo #5 as submitted by the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization, with the understanding that Milton may decline to participate. Ms. Lansing seconded with unanimous consent. Mr. Farrar noted that there would be a meeting on March 2, to put together a structure for the Governor. Mr. Flaherty moved that the Council adjourn. Mr. Burgess seconded with unanimous consent. The meeting adjourned at 10:25 pm. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works. DISPATCHER STARTING SALARY Burlington PD INFORMATION So. Bnrlington Police $4.95 These three departments have similar work- loads. Burlington and VSP utilize two dispatchers on duty at the same time, at least part of the time. SB dispatchers work alone on every shift. Comparison of Team Scll-eduling (1982) and ~ndividual Scheduliny (1981) in terms of- Cr irninal Statistics, Motor Vehicle Statistics dnd Sick Leave. 1981 (Individual Rotation) 1982 (Team Rotation) Serious Crime 1,013 Rape/Sexual Assault 12 Other Assault 66 Robbery 8 Breaking 6 Enterkny 111 Theft 816 Criminal Arrests (All) 257 Solve Rate 25% Motor Vehicle Traffic Stops Traffic Arrests DWI Accidents Sick Leave (Avg. days per emp. per yr.) 7.0 Patrol Admin . 8.0 Det. - 3.5 Disp. - 4.0 I I OUTH BUIILING'I'ON STREET DEPAKThIENT SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION PROGIM 1. Hanover St. 2. Richard Terr. 950 Ft. 1200 Ft. Williston Rd. at Animal Hospital 400 Ft. Hinesburg Rd. from Sunset Ave. to Kennedy Dr. 2400 Ft. Shelburne Rd. from Imperial Dr. to Green Mt. Dr. 2200 Ft. Shelburne Rd. from Proctor Ave. to Seaway Shopping 1500 Ft. Center Patchen Rd. from Richard Terr. to Kirby Rd. 1650 Ft. Kirby Rd. 2200 Ft. Dorset St. from Howard Johnson to Mall 800 Ft. . Swift St. from Jail to Shelburne Rd. 11. Barret St. from Hinesburg Rd. to O'Brien Dr. 1060 Ft. 950 Ft. 12. Dumont Ave . 1750 Ft. 13. Hadley Rd. 1500 Ft. 14. Dorset St. from Kennedy Dr. to Indian Brook 2000 Ft. 15. Farrell St. from Bridge to Tennis Club 2200 Ft. 16. Airport Rd. 1150 Ft. Total Footage 23,910 Ft. MEMORANDUM ---------- TO : South Burlington City Council FROM : David E. Yinnich, Assistant City Manager DATE : February 25, 1983 SUBJECT: Pension Plan - Unfunded Liability Paul requested the unfunded liability balances of our pension plan for the past several years and the date when this liability will be fully funded. UNFUNDED LIABILITY MONY (Mutual of New York) VALUATION REPORT 12-1-78 $369,274 CONNECTICUT GENERAL I1 II 12-1-81 335,600 We anticipate the liability to be fully funded by July 1, 2012. ~es~Ktful1~ submitted, October 21, 1982 From: The officers of the South Burlington Fire Fighters Association To: The city nanager and city council Subject: Proposed chznees to the fi-re fighters benefits Attached please find an article of proposed benefits 2nd a page outlining current l~ezlefits. T?e officers of the fire fighters association v:ould be lr~terested in meeting viith you at your earliest possible coiivellience to discuss; (1) the possibility of including this article into the city rules ad regulations and bg1a.s:~ (2) the current benefits and possible increases in weekly and total value a:!ounts to the Veraont r'ire Fighters Association Policy Ye feel t'nat these proposed ciiznges ;..:auld illlrove sorle deficiences in the current irlsural?ce bece?its. S.B.P.P.A. 12 TIC 123 Senefits to firemen ad the result of injury Or death while responding to and fron fires, at fires, and during trzining or other fire department functions 1GRECISE T11e illtent of this article is to provide a level of be!-iefits to nenbers of the fire de?art.ient lrho risk their health and life in <he fire service for t'ne city COVsRkG: A11 fire de2zrtr,el~t rLenhers q-p---?--, T.7- LA. ZJk A 1 ;> -.--.- A. -kll : leClcp-l exper-ses i?lcurred 2s a result of an injilry ill be covered by the city 3. The city l,:il_l pay 221 il-i>ur.ed fire~~ian at a rate co:ipnya!,le to 8 Segir:nir.g level 3 briver/ ~~,ir:lp operator 7,:itb credit for -jezr's of serlrice. Coverzge ill be co~sis+a~t xith tl2e 'cenefits provlced by 9;;or]~e~ls compens~tion aqd pro- vided abile the volunteer is under care or t$eztrilent for the Fn jury w~~ble to 170~1;. C. ?he city sill pay an injured firenm, \-iho IS ~lso 2 city euplogee, zt a rate conp~rable to tl?elr Gra6e and Level L D. Xs lorig zs .he city is payiEg iheir salary(see B), -- I_:G,-lbers nTT \?ill return vior~l~e~' s conpel?sztion ck3cl.Z~ to "L'_;e city -. m L- - 3. 9'-e itg i:iT-l s-L:--,ul~r b-. J 1-1 e i ~l~rou~h t%e T,7e~~;~o~l~ $+,z-;,e zfLi-.e --?< ,, L~- -i--'- - .. ,r-?s .'.ssoc5.~t-ion nolicy dd-d?hn-go-- -52-4- LAM Ad We$d c&- #--- --- - - @- Hugh Marvin's proposed addition to Section 2: "If the workmen's compensation, social security and $200. weekly disability insurance payments are greater than the normal weekly take-home pay, the difference above the workmen's compensation and social security disability payments must be refunded to the City."