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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/09/2007CITY COUNCIL 9 APRIL 2007 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Monday, 9 April 2007, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: J. Condos, Chair; C. Smith, D. O'Rourke, M. Boucher, S. Magowan Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; D. Kinville, City Clerk; R. Cassidy, C. Caldwell-Edmonds, School Board; D. Bedard, L. Leavitt, B. Bouvier, M. Emery, J. Zeitz, other community members 1. First Public Hearing on proposed City Charter Amendment. Shall the voters amend Chapters 3, 5 & 13 of the South Burlington City Carter to require voter approval of the City and School District budgets, and, if the voters defeat a proposed budget twice, to require that the budget be limited to an increase over the preceding year's budget that is based on the US Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index for the preceding year? Mr. Condos explained that the petition submitted by the citizens is valid and will be on the ballot. The Council is required to hold 2 public hearings on the proposed Amendment. The second public hearing will be on 16 April 2007. Mr. Condos read the wording of the proposed Amendment. He then asked for public comment. Ms. Leavitt said that the amendment is the result of a group of people who got together after the November election. They felt one aspect of the previous Charter Amendment was not in the best interest of the city and came up with an alternative. The alternative says that after 2 failed votes, the city and/or school budget would revert to the previous year's budget plus the cost of living index for the preceding year. Ms. Leavitt said they feel this is a compromise and is realistic and prudent. Inflation happens, and this would give the city and school some tools to work with. Mr. Bouvier said that although he's lived in the city for 30 years, he doesn't understand the original Charter. Mr. Cassidy said he felt the Charter has served the city and schools very well and gave a reasonable target to shoot for. He felt this petition honors the spirit of the original petition. Mr. Bedard said he was concerned with "budget apathy" and cited the small number of people who attended the recent public hearing on the proposed 2007-08 budget. Mr. Bedard also noted that the CPI could possibly be a negative number if there is a recession. Mr. Hafter noted that the city has managed in the past with no growth in the Grand List. Ms. Emery: Asked where voting would take place and asked if there would be a "Town Meeting." Mr. Condos noted the last Town Meeting in South Burlington was in 1972. There is a question as to whether the voting date would be changed from May to March to allow for additional voting dates if a budget got defeated. Voting would be by secret ballot. Ms. Emery was concerned that people would be voting with no attendance at a discussion of the budgets. Mr. Condos said that is how voting can work. Mr. Condos noted there will be a committee to review the entire City Charter and to come back to the City Council with recommendations. Mr. Magowan then moved to close the public hearing. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Consideration of approval of warning for May 15th 2007 annual meeting: Mr. Hafter read the warning. He then explained Article 3 regarding property exemption for disabled veterans. The amount of the exemption is being increased from $10,000 to $20,000. Mr. Boucher said the exemption increase is absolutely the right thing to do; however, if the veterans come under income sensitivity, they don't get a penny, and the taxpayers have to make up the difference. Mr. Condos said the Senate Finance Committee will be discussing this. Mr. Smith then moved to approve the Warning for the May 15, 2007 election as presented. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter noted that today was the deadline for submission of petitions for candidates for seats on the City Council and School Board. There will be one candidate running for unopposed for each of the 4 available positions. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.