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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/20/2003CITY COUNCIL 20 FEBRUARY 2003 The South Burlington City Council held a budget presentation on 20 February 2003, at 7:00 p.m., in the conference room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members present: J. Condos, Chair; C. Smith, T. Sheahan, S. Magowan, D. O'Rourke Also present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; Chief D. Brent and other members of the Fire Department; G. Dow, WPCD; L. Murphy, C. Jones, S. Isaac, C. McCandless, Community Library; B. O'Neill, T. Hubbard, Recreation Department; J. Nadeau, Water Dept. Mr. Hafter praised the work of department heads in preparing their budgets. He also noted that this is the last year of the special highway tax voted on by citizens. The Council has met the goal of adding funding for road repair/upgrade to the operating budget. Mr. Hafter then reviewed the general budget restraints. Because of the increase in the Grand List, the maximum budget is $8,900,000. The actual budget is $8,600,000. The total raised from taxes is $7,184,000. The maximum operating tax rate is 51.3 cents, and this is the rate proposed. The general budget rate increase is 5.8 and the increase for the entire budget is 12.1. Some funds from the fund balance and from impact fees have been used. Mr. Hafter noted there is a fairly aggressive capital plan this year. 1. Library: Ms. Murphy thanked the Council for its support this year. She noted the Library has an excellent Board of Trustees and introduced three of its members: Charlie Jones, Susan Isaac, and Chris McCandless. Because of increased demand, hours of operation will be expanded on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Library will also provide regular service to shut-ins by bringing books to retirement homes in the city. A life-long learning program was begin this year, and the Library plans to continue to improve the quality of its collections and to develop new programs. Other activities that have been developed include a children's book discussion group, winter concert series, poetry group, outreach to day care facilities, and a story time for fathers and children. Spending on on-line databases will have to be increased. The budget also includes continuing education opportunities for Trustees and the Librarian. New equipment includes a new scanner, color printer, and replacement sensitizer. There will also be an upgrade of staff workspace. Personnel cost is up due to the increased hours. The capital budget is about the same as last year. Mr. Jones said he felt the Library has set the foundation for heading into the future. Mr. Condos asked what the Library will do with the Freeman Foundation money this year. Ms. Murphy said the funds will be used for a larger children's space and updating the meeting room. 2. City Council: Mr. Hafter said the overall budget is $1,000 less than last year. 3. Administrative Insurance: Mr. Gravelin reviewed pension numbers. He said increases are due to the market and public safety adjustments to the contract. Mr. Hafter said he is pleased in the change in the pension administrator. There is a 13.7% increase in medical insurance costs. Worker's compensation is up 5%, and there is no increase in property/casualty insurance costs. Mr. Gravelin felt the move to VLCT was very good for the city. Life and Dental insurance premiums are about the same. 4. City Manager: There is a small increase in travel and training. Mr. Hafter said he would like to replace the yellow chairs in the conference room. Members suggested looking into government surplus. Significant purchases include: power point projector, new laser printer, and a laptop for the City Manager. 5. Fire Department: Chief Brent said personnel costs are up $57,000. The Chief explained how costs are tracked. There is a built in incentive program for "call" firefighters to encourage them to get more training. Hepatitis testing is being done for personnel. There is a $1,500 per person item for coats & pants. Fuel costs are up. Capital items include phase 2 of the information management system upgrade. There is a much better link with Station 2 which provides for much better efficiency. There is also a payment for the thermal imaging equipment. Chief Brent gave members a "this is where we are" written presentation. He noted a steady increase in responses and many more simultaneous calls (even triple calls). He also cited the impact of new development, particularly the concern with turning radiuses, building heights, road widths, and landscaping that blocks accesses. Auto accidents were down slightly but fires were up 50% last year. Overall, calls were up 11%. Chief Brent said they are still waiting for federal money for Homeland Defense. He was concerned that no information on community preparedness has been given to local departments. Mr. Condos suggested that Chief Brent and Chief Graham do something for The Other Paper on home preparedness. Chief Brent noted that some EMT's have been upgraded. South Burlington will be hosing the VFSTC Firefighting Training. The department is also reviewing the equipment and personnel that would be needed for a city ambulance service. It is hoped that the hydraulic rescue equipment will be operative soon. This was received via a grant. The Chief noted that Matt Vinci has been appointed by the Governor to be on the new Homeland Defense Council. Mr. Smith asked if impact fees are enough to cover the affect of development on the fire department. Mr. Hafter said no. He felt the city estimated too low, and he has asked the police and fire departments to track this very carefully. Chief Brent noted there is a lot of activity at the new Lime Kiln development, and that is a particularly long run for them. Mr. Condos said the city is very serious about moving forward with an ambulance service. Chief Brent said there is unanimous support in the department for this. Mr. Hafter noted that UVM has asked to be on the 17 March agenda about this possibility. Mr. Magowan asked if a new east-west road would help the Fire Department. Chief Brent said his people seem to feel it would, particularly when they have to go from one call to another. 6. Recreation Department: Mr. O'Neill noted this is his 31st budget presentation. Most of the department's increases are in full-time personnel. He reviewed the activities of the department and noted they work with a number of appointed committees and also schedule all facilities. Most of the department's programs are supported at least in part by fees. Mr. Hubbard addressed the issue of background checks. He said he gave Mr. Hafter a proposal on how the department would administer background checks. He felt such a process was appropriate at this time. There is an agency in Georgia (Southeastern Securities) with which the city could be aligned. It would cost $17 per individual, not including fingerprinting. The department is working to get the state to provide the process needed to get access to the sex offender registry. Mr. Hafter said the city would pay for background checks for coaches. Mr. Condos asked how often water at the beach is tested. Mr. O'Neill said at least twice a week. He cited the very close relationship with the Water Dept. Capital requests for the department include: refurbishing of the tennis courts at Szymanski Park, $2,000 for carpeting in the O'Brien Center, several projects for the Rec Path Committee, replacing some playground equipment at Szymanski Park. Mr. Hafter noted that the city will be getting lightning sensors. 7. Water Pollution Control Department: Mr. Dow said there is an aggressive sewer inspection program, so more salaries have been allocated in that area. They are holding the line on chemicals. Some community outreach will be done, possibly in the form of a newsletter. Capital expenses include: landfill filter to meet new regulations, sewer line from Oak Creek to Dorset Park (2 pumping stations will be eliminated), Shelburne Rd. line relocation, Overlook pump station upgrade, some pump replacement, repairs under I-89. Mr. Hafter said a 10% increase in sewer use rate is proposed. Equipment is getting older, and better maintenance is being done. Revenue projections are also not being met. The cost for an average family would be about $14.00 a year more. Mr. Dow noted that the new discharge permit goes into effect in April. 8. Water Department: Mr. Nadeau said a 10% increase in water rates is also being proposed. It would cost a family about $13.50 a year. The increase is needed because connection fees are down, interest income is down, debt service is up $65,000, and CWD is proposing a rate increase. There have been some glitches in the radio-read system, so a new unit was produced for the city. The system is now working well, and they hope to have the whole city done by July. Part time employees will be used to paint hydrants. Meters and backflow devices will be put in city hall and the fire department to help track water usage. A required "vulnerability assessment" will be done. Mr. Hafter said the city tried to absorb the CWD water rate increase but couldn't. It is estimated that the proposed CWD increase should hold through 2008. One problem is the drop in usage for IBM. They are now down to 1/3 of all usage from ½. The budget presentation will continue on 6 March, 7 p.m. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.