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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 06/16/1997CITY COUNCIL 16 JUNE 1997 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 16 June 1997, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: James Condos, Acting Chair; David Austin, Terrance Sheahan, Joan Britt. Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Assistant City Manager; Albert Audette, Highway Dept; Lee Graham, Police Chief; State Senator Ann Hallowell, State Representative Frank Mazur, Correction Liaison Committee Members Daryl and Clarence Meunier, Moe Cloutier; John B. Murphy, Chittenden Correction Facility; Matt Sutkoski, Free Press; Anna K. Johnston, The Other Paper 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda items): Rep. Mazur and Sen. Hallowell spoke on the recently passed property tax bill. Mr. Mazur outlined the key provision noting that the bill takes property taxes for education away from the local communities and gives them to the state which then issues block grants to the communities in an amount of $5,000- 6,000 per pupil. Mr. Mazur noted that South Burlington currently spends about $7,300 per pupil and would thus have to raise $2,000 on an equity yield formula based on the Grand List. Because of this formula, the city would have to raise $3,000 in order to get the additional $2,000. The other $1,000 would go to other communities. Mr. Mazur said the formula is obviously based on the belief that the "gold towns" will continue spending those extra dollars. He felt this would not happen, and he felt that other taxes would have to be raised in order to support the formula. Sen. Hallowell said that part of the bill makes sure that all children have an equal chance for an education. She said that the original House bill contained some elements objectionable to her (e.g., Powerball) which the Senate wrote out of the final bill. Sen. Hallowell also noted that the implementation of the bill will take 4 years, with each year treated differently, so towns with a large impact will have a "softer landing." She added that there will be opportunity for adjustments during those 4 years. There are some protections built into the plan including an index that allows increases, an education surplus fund for unexpected spending, a requirement that the joint fiscal and tax department must make a recommendation before the legislature can change anything, and the setting up of a number of studies (e.g., special ed funding, economic development impact, jobs impact, etc.). These could result in adjustments to the plan. The bill does not go into effect for a year, and there might be some minor adjustments during that time. Sen. Hallowell said it was her hope that when equity is reached issues such as parental choice can be dealt with. She felt there would be a lot of changes made and that a lot of input will be sought in an ongoing process. Mr. Condos said he hoped he was wrong but he felt the plan would drive good schools into mediocrity. He felt that nothing good would happen to South Burlington, and he was afraid of what would happen to jobs and economic development in the state. Mr. Condos said he was most concerned that nobody seems to know the impact of the bill, and he felt time should have been taken to assess potential impacts. Sen. Hallowell said there is a large assessment piece of the bill that does address quality of education. She wished there could have been more. She added that she felt a lot of businesses are now relieved because they know what they have to deal with. Mr. Sheahan said he is a business owner and he is no more comfortable now than he was before. He felt the state acted too quickly and that it may be headed down a very dangerous path. 2. Announcements and City Manager's Report: Mr. Hafter made the following announcements: a. The city is working to put together a Steering Committee meeting on the property tax issue some time in August. b. Mr. Hafter will be attending a Town Managers' Meeting on Wednesday through Friday. c. The new Fire Chief will be inducted on 26 June at 6:30 p.m. at the Fire Station. d. Also on June 26, at 7:00 p.m., there will be a meeting on a travel information study conducted by consultants. The major issue will be signage. e. The Vermont League of Cities and Towns has a Policy Development Committee which deals with all aspects of concerns to Vermont cities and towns. Mr. Hafter said he is on the Quality of Life subcommittee, Mr. Audette Chairs the Transportation Committee. Membership is invited on all committees. f. The Winooski Park Committee is opening the new park on 28 June. g. Interviews for city Boards and Committees will be held on 7 July. Candidates are needed especially for Planning and Zoning Boards. h. The City got good news from the state. Thanks to the city's representatives, the city got a no interest loan for the expansion of the Bartlett Bay Sewer Treatment Plant. This saved taxpayers over $2,000,000. Mr. Sheahan noted that he had spoken with Linda Seavy of UVM. They are rewriting their Master Plan which will contain a very specific land use plan. UVM is seeking input for this. Mr. Sheahan suggested it might be good to have UVM discuss their plans with the Council in August. Mr. Condos noted a Solid Waste District Executive Board meeting on Wednesday. 3. Discussion on Status of Northwest Regional Corrections Facility in South Burlington; Current Population and Future Plans: Mr. Hafter introduced members of the city's Correction Center Liaison Committee. He noted that Supt. Murphy has always been very cooperative and anxious to address the city's concerns. Supt. Murphy then gave members a packet of information and a copy of the incident report on the recent escape. Supt. Murphy cited continued crowding in the booking area. He also noted that the female population is climbing. The capacity for female prisoners is 38, and there are now 43. The male population is averaging 179 against a capacity of 150. Even with the overcrowding, the demand for prisoner space is growing. Supt. Murphy stressed that the recent escape was not caused by the overcrowding. The perimeter security system failed. Ms. Britt asked if supervision has increased with the numbers of prisoners. Mr. Murphy said it hasn't, but he stressed that no officer was at fault in any way for the escape. He added that he has 2 more security positions than he had a year ago, but these are not always filled due to the need for security people to go through academy training. Mr. Murphy said that 70% of the beds in the facility are filled with violent offenders. The others are people who can't function in the community. Mr. Sheahan asked if overcrowding has resulted in people being released into the community who shouldn't be. Mr. Murphy said no violent offenders are, but there may be others. He stressed that the system isn't perfect. Mr. Murphy also noted that about half of the prisoners have charges pending and cannot be moved. If they are charged in Chittenden County, the have to be kept here. There are, however, some prisoners in South Burlington because there is no room for them in Windsor or St. Albans. There are also up to 10 federal prisoners. Mr. Hafter asked what the future holds. Mr. Murphy said that in 4 years there will probably be an additional 450 beds available and probably 150 in a year at Newport. The challenge is to make it through that time. It may also be possible to move the female population to Waterbury. Mr. Condos asked if prisoners are being held in motel/hotels in So. Burlington on "furloughs." Mr. Murphy said he was not aware of any. Sen. Hallowell asked how "violent" is defined. Mr. Murphy listed crimes such as kidnap, stalking, assault, aggravated assault, murder, etc. A member of the audience said he thought there weren't supposed to be many violent criminals held in S. Burlington. Mr. Murphy said the need has gone up, and it is important to separate violent offenders from the public. Ms. Britt asked about the system to notify the public of an escape. She noted that in the recent incident there were school children on the field at nearby Orchard School. Mr. Murphy said the system did not work; in fact, this time it was the citizens who told authorities about the escaped prisoner. Mr. Cloutier asked if the security system is too dependent on the human element instead of more hi-tech equipment. Mr. Murphy said that is a good question and may be answered by the report. A citizen asked what percentage of the city is covered by a Neighborhood Watch. Chief Graham said about 50% of the city. Mr. Condos expressed the city's willingness to help in any way possible. 4. Further discussion of use of Overlook Park by tourist vans from Vermont Town Tours: Mr. Hafter said he had learned that the Overlook Park stop is about 5 minutes in duration. Sometimes passengers get out of the van, sometimes not. No loud music or noise is involved. It is just a stop to show the beauty of Vermont. Mr. Condos noted this is a public park and was put there for people to enjoy the view. 5. Information on Amendment to proposed Zoning Amendment on Site Plan Review warned for 7/7/97: Mr. Hafter noted the amendment is proposing a system by which certain applications would be reviewed by the City Planner. The Planning Commission will get a report on all decisions made by the Planner. Mr. Austin questioned the possibility of an appeal period beginning before there is public notice. Mr. Hafter said this will be looked into. If there is a change, it would be viewed as a minor change, and the item would not have to be rewarned. 6. Consideration of approval of Bond Issue Commitment; Resolution and Certificate; Loan Agreement; General Obligation Bond, and Arbitrage and Use of Proceeds Certificate associated with State Bond Bank sale of $425,000 municipal bond for purchase of fire tower truck: Mr. Hafter noted the bond had been approved by voters and the tower truck is now in use. The Vermont Bond Bank will be used to sell the bonds, and the Council would be authorizing a bond anticipation note till the bonds are sold: Mr. Austin moved that the Council approve the Bond Issue Commitment: Resolution and Certificate, Loan Agreement, General Obligation Bond, and Arbitrage and Use of Proceeds Certificate in the amount of $425,000 for the fire tower truck, as presented. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Acceptance of Letter from Dan King on his intention to leave service on the Zoning Board: Ms. Britt moved to accept the resignation of Dan King and to have the city manager send a letter of apprection for Mr. King's many years of service. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Review Minutes of 2 June 1997: Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the Minutes of the Reorganization Meeting and Regular Meeting of 2 June 1997 as presented. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Review Zoning Notices for Public Hearing on 23 June 1997: Mr. Austin noted that the variance in item #1 is for a building in Bartlett Bay. He noted such variances are routinely granted and he felt that area of the city should be looked at. He stressed that a zone should be planned not created through variances. Mr. Sheahan agreed and noted that variances are changing the character of several areas of the city. 10. Review Planning Commission Agenda for 17 June: Mr. Hafter noted a policy matter in item #5, retail use in the CD-3 zone. People who own the buildings are having a hard time finding tenants, but if the city allows building modifications to allow for retail use, it will end up with a lot of small retail uses for many years. He stressed that the City Council has always been committed to the City Center Plan and has realized it may take time and some pain to accomplish. Mr. Condos asked Mr. Hafter to convey to the Planning Commission that the City Council is still committed to the City Center concept. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders Disbursement Orders were signed. 12. Executive Session: Mr. Sheahan moved the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations, personnel issues, and real property negotiations and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session The City Council returned to regular session. Mr. Austin moved for a special council meeting on June 26, 1997 at 7 p.m. to consider a tax stabilization agreement for EZP Golfco Inc. project, Vermont National Golf Course. Ms. Britt seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Sheahan moved adjournment. Mr. Austin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Council Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.