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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/02/2009CITY COUNCIL 2 MARCH 2009 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 2 March 2009, at 6:00 p.m., at F. H. Tuttle Middle School, 500 Dorset Street. Members Present: C. Smith, Chair; S. Magowan, M. Boucher, S. Dooley, M. Emery Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; D. Kinville, City Clerk; Chief T. Whipple, Police Department; C. Corbin, Fire Department; Rep. A. Pugh, Rep. Albert Audette; J. Everitt, Superintendent of Schools; A. Clift, School Board; D. Sachs, T. Audette, M. Dugan, B. Dattilio, M. Lyons, S. J. Milbury, T. Bradeen, M. Young, D. Bugbee, M. Machia, J. Baird, R. Lawson, R. Boucher, C. Limanek, D. & J. Labrecque, E. Magowan, R. Greco, H. Harmon, P. Walcott, M. Kutin, J. & J. Beatty, J. Baron, P. Dustin, S. Weber, L. Thisman, J. Widlak 1. Comments & Questions from the Public, not related to Agenda items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Magowan: Could not attend most recent CCTA meeting. Ms. Emery: Reminded members and the public of Library session with Channel 17 on 11 March. Mr. Hafter: Reminded members and the public of the City Council reorganization meeting on 9 March, 7 p.m. to be followed by an Executive Session regarding property acquisition. 3. Recognition of Service of Chair Smith and Vice-Chair Magowan: Chris Corbin, President of South Burlington Fire Fighters Association: expressed the appreciation of the members of the Fire Department to outgoing Council members Chris Smith and Steve Magowan for helping the insure a new level of safety for Firefighters in the city. He cited the recent SAFER grant and the initiation of the South Burlington ambulance service. Fire Fighter Corbin then present plaques to Mr. Smith and Mr. Magowan. Chief Whipple thanked Council members Smith and Magowan on behalf of the Police Department for their concern for public safety. He also expressed appreciation for support for a new Police facility. Chief Whipple then presented citations to both outgoing Council members. Mr. Boucher thanked Mr. Smith and Mr. Magowan on behalf of the City Council and on a personal level. He noted that even though he and Mr. Magowan were at opposite ends of the political spectrum, they could work together on behalf of the city on a non-partisan basis. He also noted that Mr. Smith, as Chair of the Council, has promoted better dialogue among Council members and with the public. Mr. Boucher then presented plaques and Resolutions of Appreciations to both outgoing Council members. Both Mr. Smith and Mr. Magowan expressed their appreciation for the kind words and said they will continue to serve the city in other ways. 4. Consideration of Approval of Resolution for Vermont Community Development Program Grant Application for 24 units of affordable senior housing on Farrell Street; Cathedral Square Corporation: Ms. Dugan reviewed the history of the program. She noted that a public hearing was held on Friday attended by 25 community members including residents of existing housing and those looking for housing. Ms. Dugan noted that some people have been on the waiting list for senior housing for 5 years. The Resolution authorizes the City Manager to be the contact person for the grant process. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the Resolution for the Vermont Community Development Program Grant Application as presented. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Presentation of City and School Budgets: Mr. Hafter presented the proposed City Budget for 2009-2010. He noted that the goal in preparing the budget was to come in at an increase below the cost of living increase of 4%. The budget increase being proposed is 3.28%. The tax rate increase is 1.3 cents. This translates to a $42/year increase for the average South Burlington single family home and $28/year for the average South Burlington condo. Mr. Hafter then showed a graph of the trend in city tax rates over the past years. Cost drivers in the proposed budget include: Salaries (covered by contracts) Health insurance premiums (up 21%) Liability insurance premiums Pension Fund ($271,000) - Mr. Boucher noted that the city has made a commitment to keep up with the funding, unlike the City of Burlington that has an underfunding of $60,000,000 Mr. Hafter cited the efforts of Department Heads and the City Council to keep costs down. Some things that were cut from the budget included: elimination of 2 part time bike path patrol persons, part time help in Public Works, tree planting, conferences, etc. Mr. Hafter noted that the City Council budgeted in a different way this year. Instead of looking at line items, they focused on programs and considered what programs are essential in the city. Some programs they decided to cut or reduce in funding include: Public Works: mailbox replacement installation (mailboxes will now be given to homeowners to install at a savings to the city of $6000) Public Works: not building a second salt shed this year Not rejoining the National League of Cities Reduced social services funding by 15% City Clerk: office will no longer be open one evening a week Library: closing 2 hours earlier on Saturdays Not funding National Night Out (will look for private funding) Limited staffing at Red Rocks Park The only new personnel position in the proposed budget is one police officer. Mr. Hafter noted that the average monthly cost for all city services is $94 to a home owner and $69 to a condo owner. He also noted that Police, Fire and Public Works funding represents 75% of the city budget. Mr. Hafter then reviewed ballot items for voter approval: a. Use of the rooms and meals tax revenue to fund road repair/upkeep. Mr. Hafter noted that the City Council will be appointing a new Maintenance Committee to deal with upkeep of City infrastructure. b. Revisions to the City Charter: Mr. Gravelin reviewed the process for the Charter revisions including 10 citizen committee meetings, 2 public forums, and 2 City Council public hearings. Some of the changes include: 1. gender neutrality language 2. a new section to allow for reserve funds 3. revisions to comply with changes in State law 4. change of annual meeting date to March 5. institution of neighborhood forums Mr. Gravelin noted that the Committee spent a lot of time discussing the form of city government and agreed that for a city of this size, the current form of government is best. Mr. Hafter noted that next year's budgeting will be even harder, and people will have to begin thinking about costs of services. Mr. Boucher said the Council's goal was to not add to unemployment by reducing staff. Mr. Magowan added that they tried to maintain the City's standard of services. He cited the core of professionalism in the City and stressed the importance of maintaining infrastructure so that problems don't escalate. Ms. Emery applauded the responsible City staff. Rep. Audette cited the importance of keeping budgets as low as possible as the State is expecting a $250,000,000 shortfall next year. Mr. Smith said South Burlington is the best run city in the State. He cited the benefit of changing the way the Council looked at budgeting. He said it allowed for spirited debate about what the City needs and doesn't need. A member of the audience asked how much was spent on City Hall repairs. Mr. Hafter said approximately $335,000. An audience member asked how much was spent on San Remo Drive. Mr. Hafter explained that the City received a $250,000 enhancement grant for that work which required a $100,000 local contribution. An audience member applauded the change in voting from May to March when everyone else is voting. Mr. Hafter stressed that the City of South Burlington is in very good financial shape. Spending is in line with revenues, and there is a very low level of bonded debt. Mr. Boucher said the hope is to have a plan in place next year so that money can be put aside each year for maintenance of public facilities. Superintendent Everitt then presented the proposed 2009-2010 School Budget: He began by outlining the goals of the budget including: 1. Maintain Quality: a. Student Outcomes b. Learning Opportunities (especially at the high school level; a pilot program will be geared to student interests, including internships, etc., to help prepare students for their futures) c. Facilities Stewardship (an effort is being made to deal with facilities upkeep within the budget so voters will not be asked to approve bond issues for that work) 2. Make Improvements: a. Curriculum & Instruction (various initiatives) b. Strategic Plan (has been in place for several years; continuing focus on communication) c. Operation Efficiencies 3. Financial Sustainability: a. Tightening Controls b. Future Financial Obligations Total enrollment at South Burlington schools is estimated at 2408 for the coming year. This includes 147 tuition students. An effort is being made to encourage tuition students. Supt. Everitt then reviewed budget considerations including reductions in administrative costs. He noted that the per pupil cost will increase by 5.75%. The total budget increase is 3.55% (4.37% with a new federal grant). The residential tax rate would actually go down one cent; however with the CLA adjustment it increases by 4.5 cents. The increase in taxes per $100,000 of assessed value is $45.00. A member of the audience asked about the "two vote" budget vote process. Supt. Everitt explained that any district whose budget increase above a certain percent has to divide the budget vote into two steps (one at the allowable percent and one item for the amount over that). He noted that South Burlington falls far below the level that would require two ballot items. Following the budget presentations, Mr. Smith invited members of the audience to remain to hear presentations from the candidates for City Council 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.