Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/07/2003CITY COUNCIL 7 OCTOBER 2003 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 7 October 2003, at 7:30 p.m., in the conference room, Audette Public Works Building. 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; Rep. A. Audette, T. Hubbard, Recreation Director; L. Murphy, C. Jones, Community Library; A. Johnston, The Other Paper; B. O'Neill, M. Prattle, K. Ballard, D. Weaver, K. Killian, M. Young, M. Schaal, L. Robetaille, M. Provost, M. Feilberg, K. Bresnahan 1. Comments & questions from the audience not related to agenda items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcements/City Manager's report: Mr. Hafter advised that the city Charter Committee will meet on 21 October to discuss the effects of Act 68 on the Charter and also the possibility of a local sales or meals tax. A meeting will be held tomorrow as part of the Public Health Law Project to discuss responses in the case of quarantine procedures. On 16 October, 2 p.m., a meeting will be held to present details of the Courthouse repairs and financing for the work. Mr. Hafter cannot attend and asked if any Council members can be there in his place. There will be a CUSI meeting at Noon on 9 October. At the 20 October City Council meeting, UVM President Fogel will speak about his vision for UVM and how it may impact South Burlington. Mr. Hafter noted that the Conference Room in the Audette building is available for public use for meetings. 3. Presentation of further information on Community Center Feasibility Study: Mr. Prattle began the presentation with the review of the work that has gone on to date including public involvement. He noted that in this amended study, they were asked to look at several options. Mr. Prattle noted that some of the facilities proposed for the Center would be free, some would be at cost to users. Facilities could include a teen room, baby sitting area, pre-school, senior center, arts & crafts area, gym, pool, etc. The current study looked at a number of options at different costs including facilities with and without a fitness center. Costs considered ranged from $6,000,000 to $11,500,000. Mr. Prattle noted they were asked specifically to look at a $7-8,000,000 facility with no fitness center. This facility would be about 39,700 sq. ft. Mr. Prattle then showed a possible plan for such a facility including space for a gym, senior center, teen area, pool, multi-purpose rooms, baby-sitting, and an upper level track. He noted that this facility is about 18,000 sq. ft. less than the $11,500,000 plan. The aquatic center is reduced by 1000 sq. ft., there are two multi-purpose rooms instead of three. Some programs that would have had their own areas in the larger facility would now use the multi-purpose rooms. Mr. Prattle then showed some slides of a similar facility in West Virginia. It is constructed of masonry and glass and features covered walkways. Mr. Ballard then addressed issues of operating costs. These costs would include full and part time staff, insurance, utilities, contract services, training, chemicals, supplies, uniforms, advertising, printing, trash collecting, and capital replacement funds. Revenues to offset these costs could come from daily admissions, annual memberships, corporate/group rates, rentals, programs (aquatic and general), a pro shop, special events, vending, babysitting, etc. Mr. Ballard said they estimate annual expenses of $979,500 that would be offset by revenues of approximately $811,500. This would leave about $168,000 to be covered by subsidy. Mr. Hafter said that with those figures, a home valued at $150,000 would pay about $96.23 a year to cover both the capital bond and subsidy. Mr. Ballard estimated that an annual family membership of $585 would cover a $168,000 subsidy. A less expensive family membership would increase the amount of subsidy needed. He said that 1000 annual passes would be a conservative number and would represent about 2.7% of households in the area. Mr. Ballard stressed that there would be many ways for people to access the facility, not only the annual membership. There would be daily rates, possibly a 20-visit pass, payment for a particular program (swimming lessons), etc. Mr. O'Rourke asked whether this size facility could accommodate 1000 annual passes. Mr. Ballard said it could but there would not be excess capacity, and there would be a time when the facility was at its maximum. Mr. O'Rourke asked whether $600 annual fee is comparable to other facilities. Mr. Ballard replied that it is less than the private sector. He added that whatever rate is charged there will be some percentage of the population that can't afford it, and he felt some sort of scholarship program would be appropriate. He also felt there should be options for payment such as credit cards, monthly payment plans, etc. Ms. Killian asked if there would be different rates for South Burlington residents and non-residents. Mr. Ballard said there would be a 25% lower rate for residents. Ms. Killian asked what a membership for a single person (as opposed to a family) would be. Mr. Ballard estimated about $300. Rep. Audette said people would have to understand what they are giving up from the original ($11,500,000) plan. He cited problems with the City Hall building which is now a "white elephant" because it was so scaled down that it doesn't do what it needs to do. Mr. Young noted that the scaled back project costs $72,000 more a year in subsidy. He felt this was a step backwards and that the community deserves a good facility. Mr. Schaal, Chairman of the South Burlington New Directions Coalition, said that the youth of South Burlington need a place. He asked that there be options for youth to be included, especially those who can't afford family memberships. He stressed the need to "know where our youth are." Mr. Schaal also noted that on 24 October there will be a New Directions Youth Leadership Council, and it would be great to hold such an event in this type of facility. Mr. Weaver said he was on the original and the alternatives committee and shared the concerns about a scaled down facility. He noted that the fitness facility was high on the list of what people wanted from a community center. He felt the center would lose a lot of appeal if that option were left out. He also noted that the scaled down pool won't accommodate local swim teams and clubs. He asked the Council not to be "penny wise and pound foolish." Rep. Audette noted that people buy homes in South Burlington because of the rec path. He felt a good community center would attract people and would increase the value of homes in the city. Mr. O'Neill said that one thing that was cut from the original proposal is a multi-purpose room. He felt this was very important as there will be a jam-up with people trying to take advantage of the facility. Mr. Magowan stressed that the Council only asked to see what other alternatives existed. There has been no decision on any alternative. Mr. Condos noted that a 1% rooms and meals tax would give the city $600,000 a year, and that would support a lot of the debt service. Mr. Sheahan said his concern is the potential in operating costs. Mr. Ballard stressed that their original projection for the $11,500,000 facility was a conservative approach, and the risk for that facility was much lower than for the scaled down facility. Ms. Robetaille encouraged the Council to take this issue to the voters. She felt the community needs this facility. Mr. Provost said it would be cheaper for non-residents to go to Twin Oaks. He felt the facility would be a liability to the community Mr. Weaver noted that Mr. Provost's private facility targets people in the $75,000 income range and up. He indicated that he personally supported the hockey rink even though he doesn't use it. He also supports Dorset Park, even if he doesn't use it because of the community spirit it fosters. Rep. Audette added that people in South Burlington have pride in their community. Mr. Ballard said that public facilities typically attract 25-30% of the population but they are only projecting 2.7% with annual membership. They estimate that 50% of the population will enter this facility for some use during a year. He stressed that the market for this kind of facility is very different from the market for a private sector facility. Mr. O'Rourke asked if median incomes were considered in the calculations. Mr. Ballard said they were. They also looked at YMCA rates. Mr. O'Rourke asked what would be a typical amount for scholarship programs. Mr. Ballard said maybe in the $20,000 range. Mr. Condos noted that there is a plan for Dorset Park that includes many of the amenities being proposed here. He said he was very impressed with the number of people he sees using Dorset Park on a daily basis. Mr. Hafter said that on 2 recent nights there were over 1000 people in the Park to view Mars. Mr. Schaal said there are a number of good private facilities, but they will never be community centers. He felt that if a fitness center will help bring people into a community facility and help support it, so be it. Mr. Condos suggested a large public meeting on this issue. Other members disagreed and felt it was time to make a decision. Mr. Smith stressed the need to educate the public before a vote happens. He felt the Council needs to make a commitment within the next few meetings. Members agreed to put the issue on the first November meeting agenda. 4. Update on South Burlington Community Library: Ms. Murphy reviewed operations statistics. There are now 4.46 full time FTE's, including one funded by the Freeman Fund. There are also volunteers who work up to 33 hours a week. The Library is open 56 hours a week, including Saturday hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ms. Murphy noted that on the first Saturday they were open, there were 75 people in the Library; 2 weeks ago there were over 200. The Library averages 203 visits a day, a total of 65,000 visits last year. Circulation increased 10% this year. Over a 5 year period, circulation has increased 59%. Ms. Murphy then reviewed the use of space in the Library including the new Children's Room, the moving of the Librarian's office, the converting of the old Children's Room to a school district meeting room, expanded non-fiction shelving, and new carpeting. There is also a plan to improve office space. Mr. Jones reviewed the needs of Library patrons including popular adult and children's programs, outreach to daycare and senior facilities, extended Saturday hours, and new subscription to Vermont Online Libraries. Ms. Murphy reviewed fundraising results over the past year including the second year of the Freeman Foundation grant ($70,932), a grant from the Vermont Council on the Arts ($750), Vermont Council on the Humanities ($1,500), Paul Post Grant ($300), South Burlington Rotary ($1,075). They continue to investigate other grant options. Ms. Murphy said the third year of the Freeman grant will be about $40,000. Mr. Jones noted that the Blanchette bequest is now climbing once again into the positive grant. Ms. Murphy said they are working with the Dana Medical Library for consumer health education workshops, a website and collection development. Other new programs include poetry "slams", music appreciation, story time for fathers and kids, Sunday afternoon concert series, and a series on the Middle East that starts tomorrow. A contribution from Adelphia provided 2 power links that were installed in the Adult Reading Room. Ms. Murphy expressed concern with the results of new laws regarding children's access to the Internet. Mr. Jones said strategic planning is taking place in a number of areas including increased public awareness of the Library, use of technology, use of space, staff development, and sources of fundraising. He felt the Library is providing the best value it can this year. Mr. Hafter cited the improvement brought about by the new access from the parking lot. He also said that having the Community Librarian has made all the difference. 5. Consideration of authorization of City Manager to execute contract with Forcier and Aldridge for review of EPA application and environmental review of state and tribal assistance grant (STAG): Mr. Hafter said South Burlington will get about $500,000 from the grant. The cost of the contract would be about $1,900 to the city (costs are being shared among a number of communities) and Mr. Hafter felt this was very reasonable. The money from the grant will be used for 2 projects: final design and construction of a detention pond near exit 14 and construction of parts of a system to treat runoff near I-189. Mr. O'Rourke moved to authorize the City Manager to execute the contract with Forcier and Aldridge as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consideration of approval of refunding notes and resolutions for: 1) 1-ton truck, 2) tandem dump, 3) thermal imaging cameras: Mr. Hafter said all the notes are at 2.1% interest and funds are in the 2004 budget to cover the amounts ($12,000 for 1-ton truck, $66,000 for tandem dump, and $14,133 for thermal imaging cameras). Mr. Smith moved to approve the refunding notes and resolutions as presented. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Review Development Review Board agenda for meeting of 7 October 2003: No issues were raised. 8. Review minutes of 8 September and 15 September 2003: Mr. Magowan moved to approve the Minutes of 8 and 15 September 2003 as written. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement orders were signed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.