Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/26/1996CITY COUNCIL 26 February 1996 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 26 February 1996, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; James Condos, Robert Chittenden Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Asst. City Manager; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Sonny Audette, Street Dept; Jim Ploof, Fire Dept; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Dept; Claire Buckley, Library; Ed Clodfelter 1. Other Business: a. Mr. Cimonetti gave members copies of a letter sent to the Shelburne Selectboard regarding the Ramsey Farm development which Shelburne appealed to the Environmental Board. The Board upheld South Burlington and found the project to be in compliance with the city's Comprehensive Plan. The Shelburne Selectboard is considering yet another appeal. Mr. Cimonetti said he has asked them to consider the South Burlington Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and By-Laws. He stressed that South Burlington honors other communities' Zoning and Comprehensive Plans. Mr. Chittenden asked what the city will do if Shelburne files in the Supreme Court. Mr. Cimonetti said he understood they have not yet filed and the deadline is this week. b. Mr. Hafter noted the following: 1. The grand opening of The Pines is March 7, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. 2. On the Planning Commission agenda tomorrow are the proposed U-Mall addition and the golf course. 2. Recommendation of Contract Award for Reappraisal: Mr. Hafter said that staff is making 2 recommendations. They received 6 bids for the reappraisal. Ed Clodfelter of Adamant, Vt. is the city's choice at a price of $128,000. Mr. Hafter said that Clodfelter had interesting ideas on how to get through the process and deal with the public. He would also help set up the computer system. Mr. Hafter said that staff recommends doing the appraisal in 1998 instead of 1997. This will enable the public to be more involved. Mr. Hafter also noted that at this time the city does not have an assessor. Mr. Clodfelter said he is now in the process of converting data. He noted that in Vermont, appraisers didn't always collect the right data. He added that he has been using the state's system for 5 years. Mr. Clodfelter said his strengths are that data is consistent and that he believes in communicating with people and making them feel comfortable. Ms. Strait noted that Mr. Clodfelter is ready to go on 1 March, as soon as the contract is signed. Mr. Cimonetti asked when the city would have information on the Grand List for the 1998 budget. Mr. Clodfelter said they would have it in March. Mr. Hafter said they can use an estimate to begin the budget process. Mr. Chittenden asked what happens is a person does not allow an assessor to come into their home. Mr. Clodfelter said he would not get into a fight with anyone. Mr. Condos stressed that South Burlington doesn't want to get into the crisis situations that other towns in the County have gotten into. He asked how the Council can help dispel fears about reappraisal. Mr. Clodfelter said he would favor community meetings and a real communication effort. Mr. Clodfelter then reviewed his background. He has been an appraiser for many communities and has consulted and had training all around the country. His staff includes 3 or 4 persons with whom he has worked closely before. Mr. Chittenden moved to accept the bid of Ed Clodfelter in the amount of $128,500 for a city-wide appraisal to take place over a period of 2 years and further to authorize the City Manager to sign the contract for these services. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter estimated that the total cost for all aspects of the reappraisal would be about $200,000. 3. Consideration of Request from Pines Senior Living Community for Waiver of Impact Fees Related to Senior Center: Mr. Cimonetti noted the City Attorney has said that the Council cannot grant a waiver from impact fees. Therefore, no action will be taken. The developer will be notified of this. 4. Review of 1996-7 City Budget: a. Fire Department: Mr. Hafter began by reporting on the condition of the Fire Chief who will have additional medical tests. The Department's supply budget is down from last year. Some vehicle repair costs will be down because of the 2 new trucks. Utilities are also down because of the new doors. There is a capital request of $92,000 for the first of 2 payments for the diesel exhaust system installed last year. There is also $52,000 budgeted for vehicle replacement. Mr. Hafter gave members the information on the funding mechanism for the 2 new pumpers. A $9500 item for fire fighting equipment includes a defibrilator. Department people will be trained in its use. The Department will try to find a way to raise money for a second one as well. b. Natural Resources Committee: Mr. Hafter said that $500 was maintained for resource improvements. Special projects funds have been reduced. Ms. Snyder expressed concern with the reduction for education which has been used to send 2 members to a seminar. c. City Clerk: Ms. Picard said the budget is up due to the elections this year. Mr. Condos asked how much of the budget does the Clerk's Office generate each year. Ms. Picard estimated about $100,000 from fees, etc. d. General Ledger & Assessing: This account represents monthly statements, weekly payroll, General List computation, ext. It is less than 2% of the overall budget. There is a capital item for a computer and a printer silencer. Mr. Cimonetti asked Ms. Strait if a capital equipment list is maintained. Ms. Strait said it is kept for insurance purposes. A fixed asset system will be implemented in the next few years. e. Recreation Department: Mr. O'Neill said they had changed the format. In the past, the budget was formatted by seasons. This year, they have put all salaries and general supplies together. There is a capital request for a computer. Mr. O'Neill also noted that the budget will be affected by the increase in minimum wage for summer people. Mr. Cimonetti asked about outdoor park lighting. Mr. O'Neill noted there is a problem with some lights near the ice rink which are not downcast fixtures. Mr. Hafter said an agreement has been made with Tony Cairns. If they can find $8,000, the city will also come up with $8,000 to do the lights as originally planned. Mr. O'Neill said there must be coordination between the Ice Rink and the Recreation Dept. or there will be problems with logistics, specifically parking. Mr. Chittenden questioned the dues and training budget. Mr. O'Neill noted his membership in the National Recreation and Park Association, the Learning Resources Network (re: adult education classes), and also purchase of video tapes for playground safety for volunteers. Mr. O'Neill also noted mandatory education credits which must be gotten every two years. He also listed conferences attended including Youth At Risk programs, ADA enforcement. He noted that he pays for his own meals, taxis, etc. The city pays only for air fare and registration. Mr. Condos noted the city's program and Mr. O'Neill are respected throughout the state. Mr. Cimonetti said he would like to see a way to better explain "Special Activities" and "General Receipts." f. Library: Ms. Buckley said they put in some funding for books and materials. There is a capital expenditure for book bins for the children's room. Mr. Hafter noted the city was to fund $9,000 for the computer this year, but the computer program has not moved forward and the funds won't be needed this year. $3,000 was put in for card conversion and whatever else can be done. Mr. Chittenden raised the question of salaries and what is paid by the city and schools. Ms. Buckley explained process by which her the city and schools share her services. He summer salary is paid for by the city as the schools are not in session during that time. Mr. Chittenden felt this figure was too high. Mr. Chittenden asked how a complaint about books would be handled by the library. Ms. Buckley explained that a committee would be formed from both the school and the community. g. Debt Service: Mr. Hafter noted that debt service is down about $50,000 because of the refinancing of 3 bonds. h. Other Agencies: Mr. Hafter noted that the city has no control over most of these items. The County Courthouse is up 8.5% in their operating budget. The Winooski Valley Park is up 3%. CCTA shows a slight decrease. Mr. Condos said the City of Burlington is trying to increase route miles at no cost to them. Mr. Hafter stressed that South Burlington is not paying for anyone else's services. There is a slight decrease in funding for the MPO. Mr. Chittenden expressed concern at paying $10,000 for the MPO to fight against what the city wants. h. Ten Year Operating/Capital Plan: Mr. Hafter said they are trying to build up highway maintenance and repair. The Capital Plan maintains the on-ramp at Dorset Street in 1997. The city's share would be paid from impact fees. The Kennedy Dr. repair has been pushed back to 1999 and Hinesburg Rd. bact to 1998. The plan for expansion of the municipal building has also been pushed back one year. The city may be able to get some use from the Calkins building. There are two main changes in the capital plan: 1. the $1.5 million for park acquisition has been dropped. 2. There will be money for design for the new public works building in the 1997-8 budget. It is costing the city money because they cannot get equipment under shelter. Mr. Cimonetti asked if there is anything this year for the Bartlett Bay Expansion. Mr. Hafter said there is and it will be paid from user fees. Mr. Cimonetti also noted there will be a state loan for the full cost of final design. Mr. Hafter said he would like to be under construction on this by next summer. Revenue Projections: Mr. Hafter said there is very little difference from last year. There are two questions outstanding: a. Payment in lieu of taxes: if the city doesn't get this, they will lease instead of buying the 2 police vehicles. b. $68,000 in leases from the pelletizing plant. If the decide not to open again, Mr. Hafter did not know where that money would come from. Mr. Hafter reminded members that the Steering Committee on the proposed city and school budgets will be on 21 March at 7:30 p.m. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.