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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/18/1999CITY COUNCIL 18 FEBRUARY 1999 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Thursday, 18 February 1999, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; James Condos, David Austin, Joan Britt Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peter Bestenbostel, Assistant City Manager; Margaret Picard, City Clerk; Lee Graham, Police Chief; Michael O'Neil, Fire Chief; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Department. Mr. Hafter began by reviewing the Charter limitations. There is an anticipated 1.8% growth in the Grand List. This allows for a maximum operating budget tax rate of 0.432 and a maximum operating budget of $6,664,384. The maximum amount that can be raised from taxes for the operating budget is $5,237,393. Mr. Hafter noted four items he worked hard to include in the budget: a feasibility study for the City Center ($15,000), reimbursement of the self-funded insurance ($20,000), a reserve in the City Manager's account to help fund benefits for a retiring long-time department head ($21,861), and a position classification study ($15,000). A. City Council: There will be no increase in compensation to Council members. There is an increase in the dues to the Coalition of Municipalities, from $150 to $2011. Mr. Hafter noted the success in keeping liability insurance rates low. B. City Manager: There is a 3% salary increase in all departments. The budget includes a new copy machine for upstairs. The older machine will be recycled to another department. C. General Ledger/Payroll: Printing costs are up slightly. Equipment contracts for the computer system will be increasing over time. Mr. Bestenbostel suggested discussion of this at the Council retreat. A file and chair will be replaced. D. Assessing and Tax: The budget includes a full time Assessor. It also includes a consultant to the end of the fiscal year when the full time position starts. E. Recreation: Mr. O'Neill said they are adding patrol of Red Rocks Park during summer months to try to control problems, especially people with dogs. They also propose to increase fees at that park, from $6.00 a season for residents to $10.00, and from $12.00 a season for non-residents to $20.00 (these are parking fees). Daily fees will also increase slightly. Mr. Cimonetti expressed concern with an enforcement position as part of the Park Department. Mr. O'Neill said the person would also help man ticket booths, parking lot, etc. F. Fire Department: Chief O'Neil said there will be a change in how overtime is handled. There is also an increase in overtime due to three men on extended medical leave. Chief O'Neil noted that there is the possibility of Station #2 being closed for a 24-hour period every third day. One more full time person would cover that situation. Mr. Hafter said he would like to find a way to get that extra person as of January. The cost would be about $16,000. Mr. Cimonetti asked if the increase at IDX will create a demand for more equipment. Chief O'Neil said no, but he was concerned with Station #2 being closed every third day, especially for medical situations. Mr. Hafter said there will be enough time to build up a reserve before a new fire truck is needed. G. Police Department: Chief Graham said there will be no increase in personnel this year. There is a new item for the R.A.D. program for behaviorally and socially challenged persons. This was previously funded through grants that are no longer available. Two vehicles will be replaced as part of the on-going program. The Department will also purchase another laser radar system. Chief Graham noted that costs for off duty work by police are offset by payments. H. Bonded Debt: Mr. Hafter noted that the city is in the last year of several big bonded debts including Overlook Park, the first Dorset St. bond, the Highway program, and the Water Pollution Control debt. I. Other Entities: CCTA will be level funded. Regional Planning and the MPO are up slightly. The Winooski Valley Park is down slightly. The County Court is up about $7,000. There will be a proposal to extend the highway bond which would add 2.1 cents to the tax rate. Mr. Cimonetti said he would like to see what the city could do without going outside the Charter for these funds. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.