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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/21/1991 (2)STEERING COMMITTEE 21 March 1991 The South Burlington Steering Committee held a meeting on Thursday, 21 March 1991, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: City: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Paul Farrar, Michael Flaherty, James Condos, John Dinklage, William Cimonetti (Chairman) School District: Frederick Tuttle, Superintendent; School Board Members: Theodore Manazir, Dennis Snyder, Julie Duppstadt, Karen Shilgalis, Barbara LeWinter Also Present: Leo Brown, Lawrence Lecours, School District; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Brian Searles, Police Chief; Lisa Scagliotti, Free Press; Tony Cairns, Michael Gilligan, Willard Nalchajian, Michael McNamara, Larry Austin, Daniel Haley, Peter Tousley, Rocky Martin, Kenyon Smiht, Randall Koch, H. William Koch, Betty & Tom Havers, Jim Goodrum, John Burton, Andrew Burton, Deborah Burton, Susan Griffin, Tom Lockerby, Dan Petherbridge, Jonathan Leopold, Edd Merritt, Diane Dayvie, Mary Nelson, Barbara Leaf, Dina Child, Brian Wolfe, Tom and Elaine Bacon, Terry & Stephen Taylor, Tom Macken, Robert Holdridge, Diane Bell, Vincent Bell, Roger White, Michael O'Day, Juanita Clifford, Doris Koch, H. William Koch, Jr., A. Rooney, Bonnie Hausner, Jerry Tucker, Joseph Finnigan, Bob Torney, Richard Huestis, David Boehm, Andrew Griffiths, Steve Lovejoy, David Rice, George Moller, Rick Stevens 1. Receive Progress Report from Committee on Indoor Hockey Rink: Mr. Cairns reported that a firm had been hired to do a study on what it would take to raise money for the rink. The report was not good, indicating that only about $300,000 could be raised independently. They then tried to bring the cost down to a bare bones figure and came up with $900,000 for a facility that could be expanded later. Three banks were then approached on the possibility of lending the city $900,000. Each provided a letter of commitment at about 7% interest. Mr. Cairns then showed a schedule for utilization of ice time for 8 am to 8 p.m. and said that about $180,000 could be raised in income each year between October and March. The yearly cost of the loan would be $88,000. That would leave a surplus of $120,000 a year for expenses such as a manager, utilities, etc. There could also be added income for snack bar facilities, a pro shop and for other uses the rest of the year. Mr. Cairns estimated a total of $120,000-150,000 a year for expenses. Mr. Cairns said the need for a rink exists as there is a lack of ice time in the area which is a detriment to various teams and programs. He said it will never be cheaper to build than it is today. He added that private attempts at fund raising would continue. Mr. Gilligan, UVM hockey coach, said Gutterson can't afford to give ice time to local interests because of the varsity ice programs. Mr. Dinklage asked if other rinks have been successful in bringing in off-time income. Mr. Cairns said that the Leddy rink holds boat shows there. At Leddy there are only 2 months of the year when there is no ice. In Rutland, they hold big bingo events and raise over $25,000. St. Albans has indoor soccer in the summer, and the Clifton Park rink holds antique shows and other summer events. Mr. Farrar asked for figures from these rinks. Ms. LeWinter said she would like to see a multi-use facility, not just one for one interest group. Mr. Cairns said that would depend on a creative rink manager. Mr. Dinklage asked how much more would a multi-use facility cost. The architect said that at $900,000 the facility would have full multi-use capacity. It would be 300 ft. long by 120 ft. wide. About 25% of that would be mechanical, lobby, and bath facilities. The rest would be multi-purpose, with a surface of 225 ft. by 120 ft. Mr. Flaherty asked what was cut back to get to the $900,000 figure. The architect said seating, completion of the locker room area. The $900,000 is a bare bones figure. Mr. Cairns noted the old boards from Gutterson have been given to the project and are being stored. Mr. Condos noted that when he ran for the Council, the most mentioned issue was the new park. People want to see something happen now. He felt there should be a committe formed to look further at the proposal. A resident noted that they are a 2-sport family: swimming and hockey, and that they can't do either in South Burlington. He noted that people want to know why they don't get the facilities for the amount of taxes they pay. Jerry Tucker of the Harwood Hockey Association said they have 135 skaters and are very pressed for ice time. They would like to be the first out of town customers. Ms. Duppstadt asked how many children would benefit from the rink and how many more would benefit from something else. She noted that their family is a skiing family. Various coaches advised that there are 90 minimites (ages 4-7) and 110 on teams from age 6 through 8th grade. There are also 75 to 100 girls in the figure skating club. Another citizen noted that for most people skiing is too expensive and that skating is cheap. She said that many adults would use the skating facility. Mr. Gilligan noted that UVM students use the rink from 8 am to 3 p.m. for general skating. Citizens noted that the rink would add other income to the community from restaurants, gas stations, etc. A citizen said the bike path is the first positive move he'd seen in the community. He felt there has to be something in the park to go to and this would be a good start. He added he would like to see a 5-10 year plan for development of the park. Mr. Farrar then moved that a committee be formed to further investigate costs and other factors, the committee to include the City Manager, School Department, Recreation Director and 4 members from the citizens group. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Minutes of 15 March 1990: Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the Minutes of 15 March 1990 as written. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Review of Proposed City and School Budgets: a. City Budget: Mr. Hafter noted the new format for the budget book and thanked Karen Shilgalis for her work on it. The 1991-92 estimated grand list is 6,912,000. Last year's grand list was 6,693,750. This represents a growth of 3.25% which means the maximum operating budget tax increase is 3.25%. The maximum operating budget tax rate is .635. The maximum operating budget is $5,468,203 with $4,389,120 allowed to be raised from taxes. The budget tax rate for the 1991-2 budget is .663. The bonded tax rate is .102 for a total tax rate of .765. Mr. Hafter noted a contract with Colchester to service their sewer needs. This saves S. Burlington citizens from a sewer rate increase this year. Mr. Hafter noted there will be a 6.5% salary increase for employees. There is also a 25% increase in costs for benefits, mostly medical insurance, and Mr. Hafter said these rising costs will have to be dealt with. Health insurance choices will be offered to employees. There is a total increase of $327,000 in personnel costs. Department heads were asked to fund the rest of the budget within the budget so there are no extra out-of-budget items. He noted that the $25,000 received by the police department for seizures in the drug program is also in the budget. Mr. Hafter then outlined the road projects for the year. He noted that agreements have been signed with 2 utilities on Dorset St. and it is expected the project will start in July. Other projects include: Joy Drive, Farrell Street, Baldwin, Richard Terrace and Newton. The Patchen Rd. project underway is a state project. It is also hoped to have the Lime Kiln Bridge work complete and the bridge reopened by 1 July. Mr. Hafter noted that S. Burlington is one of 4 cities in the state complying with the solid waste legislation by putting money in escrow for future landfill closure costs. He also outlined the sewer contract terms with Colchester. Mr. Farrar added that not only does Colchester reimburse S. Burlington for initial costs on the plant, but when more capacity is needed, Colchester will participate in that cost as well. Mr. Hafter noted that in the 10-year Capital Budget the new Lime Kiln Bridge has been put in for 1996. This is the replacement for the present bridge. In the 10 year operating plan, they city will have to make up in the next few years for additions not made this year. This plan requires that the economy start moving a bit in spring and that current personnel costs can be held down. The plan emphasizes road work. b. School Department: Mr. Tuttle said they are working with the same Grand List figures which result in an allowable operations tax rate of 1.978. $13,671,936 is allowable in taxes to support the operating budget. The allowable operating budget is $15,141,167. The actual operating budget is less than that at $15,049,677. Anticipated revenues are $1,661,140 leaving $13,388,537 to be raised from taxes resulting in a rate of 1.937 for the operating budget and .029 bonded debt, for a total tax rate of 1.966. Mr. Tuttle noted there is no increase in the School District tax rate this year. Enrollment is anticipated to be 2,076 which represents an increase of 36 at the elementary level 23 at the Middle School and a decrease of 29 at the High School. The teachers and Board have approved the fact finders recommendation and the settlement is within the budget for this year and for the proposed budget. Mr. Tuttle noted the School District is utilizing Managed Health Care. Negotiations are underway with administrators and support staff. The new starting salary for teachers will be $25,355, a 5% increase. The maximum salary would be $50,710 (for a Master +60 or a PhD plus 12 years experience). The average estimated teachers salary for 1991-2 would be $44,289. Regarding tuition students, this year there are 93 in the district, most at the high school. The tuition rate for next year is 6,000 in grades 7-12 and $5700 in the elementary grades. The pupil teacher ratio is 18.1 to 1. The average cost per pupil is $7052 this year and anticipated to be $7458 next year. It is anticipated that Special Ed funds will be lost from State financing. $57,000 has been put in the budget to comply with requirements from the public school approval process. This are mostly in the area of buildings. $10,000 has been appropriated in the area of technology. Mr. Tuttle noted that Mark Kennedy will go from principal to assistant principal next year and will retire the following year. In the bonded debt area, the high school addition will be paid in 1996-7, the roofing/energy package in 1993-4. Mr. Hafter noted that for a home assessed at $100,000, a taxpayer would pay $17.00 more this year than last year. Mr. Farrar moved to accept the budget as presented and present it to the citizens at a Public Hearing on 11 April. Mr. Manazir seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.