HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Charter Committee - 09/14/2022CITY CHARTER COMMITTEE 14 SEPTEMBER 2022
Approved Minutes
The South Burlington City Charter Committee held a meeting on 14 September 2022, at 4:00
p.m., in the 2nd floor conference room and by remote participation at 180 Market Street.
MEMBERS PRESENT: P. Taylor, Chair; P. Engels, D. Kinville, C. Higgins, C. Hafter, A. Lalonde, Dr.
T. Childs
ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager; C. McNeil, City Attorney; M. Emery, City Council Liaison
1. Welcome and Introductions:
Ms. Baker welcomed new and continuing members who then introduced themselves.
2. Agenda Review and Approval:
Ms. Kinville asked to add a brief analysis of elections which the Committee had asked for.
3. Public comment on items not on the agenda:
No public comment was received.
4. Approve Minutes of 26 July 2022:
It was noted that on p. 3, 2nd paragraph, 3rd line, the word “in” should be inserted before “…the
charters of other communities.
Mr. Hafter moved to approve the Minutes of 26 July as amended. Ms. Lalonde seconded.
Motion passed with all present voting in favor.
5. Review and consider approve of a Charter Committee Workplan through July 2023:
Ms. Kimball noted that if there is to be a Planning Commission amendment, it has to get to the
City Council by December so it can be on the Town Meeting ballot in March. Mr. Engels noted
that the Planning Commission was generally in favor of increasing the number of members as it
would allow for sub-committees. Mr. Hafter said it would help to have an official Planning
Commission opinion. Mr. Engels said the Commission meets in 2 weeks, and he can get that.
Mr. Hafter asked where that potential amendment originated. Ms. Emery explained that
during interviews for committee members, an incumbent brought forward the need for the
Committee to have a member who is an engineer. Mr. Hafter asked about the DRB
membership. Ms. Emery said they were fine with 5.
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14 SEPTEMBER 2022
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Mr. McNeil noted that the State requires a minimum of 3 Planning Commission members and a
maximum of 9. The City Charter’s maximum is 7, so it would require a Charter change to
increase the membership to 9. Ms. Baker said a recent change now allows that Charter
amendment to happen without going through the State Legislature or the voters for approval.
Ms. Baker also noted that if they totally eliminate any number in the City Charter, the fall back
would be to the State regulation. Mr. Taylor said he is leaning to a definitive number. Ms.
Baker said staff will provide options.
Members then addressed the possibility of going to a “ward” system. Mr. Engels felt it was the
most important thing the Committee could do. He cited the lack of representation on the City
Council for a large portion of the community and also the cost of campaigning throughout the
whole city.
Mr. Taylor asked Dr. Childs if the School Board has discussed the “ward” issue. Dr. Childs said
they have not yet had that discussion but are planning to. She said that Board does not have
enough people, especially for negotiations, as you can’t divide 5 people enough to get
everything done. Mr. Taylor thought they might get more applicants with a “ward” system.
Ms. Baker said two other discussions will center on the issue of a “mayor” and the City Council.
Mr. Hafter suggested also discussing a “management” form of government as well. Mr. Taylor
suggested hearing from the Town of Williston which is currently growing in leaps and bounds.
Ms. Lalonde asked the difference between a city council and a selectboard. Ms. Baker said a
selectboard is usually from smaller communities though there is no legal difference. Mr.
McNeil noted that Rutland has a Board of Aldermen. Ms. Emery noted there has never been a
City Council discussion about the number of members. The Committee might asked the Council
to have that discussion.
Ms. Kinville urged keeping things as simple as possible.
Mr. Taylor stressed that he would like as much guidance from the City Council as they are the
ones who called the Committee into session. Ms. Baker noted that the Council did say they
want these discussions to happen in the community.
Regarding elections, Ms. Kinville said that the turnout can be affected by what is on the ballot
(e.g., the bond for a new high school or the new City Hall). The highest turnout was for the
presidential election when ballots were mailed to all voters. Some issues that didn’t draw a
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14 SEPTEMBER 2022
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large turnout were the Charter change to allow for local option taxes and the vote on sale of
tobacco to age 21 and up. Attendance tends to be down for special elections.
Mr. Hafter asked whether having the public vote on the city and school budgets has increased
voter participation. Ms. Kinville said it has not.
Mr. Taylor asked if there is anything in the City Charter that the City Clerk’s office would like to
change. Ms. Kinville said because voting now begins 45 days before “election day,” there is a
lot of pressure on the Clerk’s office. This will be a point of discussion at the BCA meeting next
week. Mr. Taylor said that could or could not affect the City Charter.
6. Other Business:
No other business was presented.
As there was no further business to come before the Committee, Mr. Hafter moved to adjourn.
Ms. Kinville seconded. Motion passed with all present approving. The meeting was adjourned
at 5:18 P.M.
____________________________
Clerk