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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/21/2011CITY COUNCIL 21 MARCH 2011 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 21 March 2011, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Councilors Present: S. Dooley, Chair; M. Emery, J. Knapp, P. Engels, R. Greco Also Present: S. Miller, City Manager; R. Rusten, Assistant City Manager; K. Murphy, City Manager’s Staff; Chief T. Whipple, Police Department; T. DiPietro, Stormwater Superintendent; L. Murphy, Community Library; S. Magowan, G. Wyman, J. Kearns, Mr. Scanlon 1. Executive Session: Ms. Dooley moved that the Council meet in executive session to discuss personnel, contract negotiation and litigation. Ms. Greco seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: 1. Agenda Review: Members agreed to move item #8 up on the agenda to accommodate a presenter. 2. Comments & Questions from the Audience not related to agenda items: No issues were raised. 8. Consider Approval for a Resolution Designating City Representation on the Chittenden County Transportation Authority Board of Commissioners: Mr. Miller said that because of the merger of CCTA and GMTA, the Commissioners of CCTA will be changing. There will be one representative and one alternate for all communities except for Burlington which will keep its 2 representatives and one alternate. Staff is recommending that Steve Magowan be the representative with Bill Wessel as alternate. Mr. Magowan is currently Vice President of the CCTA Board. Mr. Magowan noted that he has been on the CCTA Board for 3 years during this period of service. He was previously a representative when he was a City Councilor. He also noted that CCTA General Manager Chris Cole resigned a few weeks ago to take a position with the State. A search is underway for his replacement. Mr. Magowan also noted that service is growing and that he will be coming to the City Council for a higher level discussion regarding what CCTA is doing. He stressed that public transit is one way to drive down green house gases. Mr. Magowan praised the 37 years of service that Bill Wessel has given to the city as representative to CCTA (since its inception). He asked the Council to find a way to recognize that service. Ms. Dooley asked about the current status of the labor situation. Mr. Magowan said that is still pending, but the expectation is that it will be resolved soon. Mr. Knapp then moved to appoint Steve Magowan as representative to CCTA with Bill Wessel as alternate, effective 1 July 2011. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Announcements and City Manager’s Report: Ms. Dooley: Attended the MPO meeting last week. Most of the meeting was dedicated to discussion of the upcoming merger of the MPO and Regional Planning Commission. This will be on the 19 April City Council agenda. Mr. Miller: Issues regarding the Sewage Treatment Plant equipment are still being worked through. The equipment in question will not be installed, and the City is exploring its options. A Regional Planning meeting included discussion on workforce development, housing, etc. This will be part of the update of the MPO-s transportation plan and other regional plans so they are all in sync. 4. Update from Channel 17: Mr. Wyman said that the major thing they have accomplished in the last year is the renewal of the contract with Comcast. He thanked Council representative Emery for her participation in that effort. South Burlington is about one or two meetings short of its yearly allotment of meetings. There is space for any special needs that may arise. Meetings are getting between 10 and 40 viewings. Regarding the possibility of broadcasting meetings live, Mr. Wyman said this would need a “direct drop” or the use of an internet feed. Meetings would not be of “broadcast quality.” 5. Consider Approval to Apply to the Vermont Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Grant: Chief Whipple said they were invited to apply to send an officer to work on the Vermont Drug Task Force. He felt the city has an officer who would meet this very selective process. The city would receive full reimbursement for that office and also a vehicle and all fuel expenses. Other benefits include being listed on every forfeiture of things that are seized by the U.S. Government in drug-related cases. The application amount is $106,303. Ms. Greco asked what happens to that officer’s position. Chief Whipple said they would bring in someone as a full-time temporary hire. This officer would be lower on the salary scale, so there would be a potential savings. There is a lead on a potential candidate for this position. Mr. Miller noted the grant submission deadline was 15 March, and the application was filed. If the Council does not approve, the application can be withdrawn. Chief Whipple noted that interviews with candidates for the Drug Task Force are on 8 April. Ms. Emery moved to approve application to the Vermont Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Grant. Mr. Engels seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consider Approval for a Resolution Complying with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Permit: Mr. DiPietro noted this is required for compliance. The major components of the permit include public education/outreach and volunteerism. Mr. DiPietro noted South Burlington is doing this in conjunction with other communities. The cost of this is about $1800 a year. It involves stream clean-up, etc. The money is in the next year’s budget. Mr. Miller noted it would be more costly for the city to do this by itself, and it is a great example of inter-community cooperation. The other communities involved include Essex, Essex Junction, Colchester, Shelburne, Burlington, Milton, and also the Airport and UVM. Ms. Emery moved to approve the Resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and sign MOUs with other communities for the purpose of complying with MS4 permit requirements. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Consider approval for a Resolution Establishing an Annual Non-Residential Library Charge: Mr. Miller said this would involve a $10.00 a year fee, and would exclude non-residents who own property in South Burlington. Ms. Murphy said it would also exclude those in the Home Card system. About 375 people would be affected. Ms. Emery moved to approve the resolution approving an annual $10.00 non-residential library feed, effective 1 April 2011, with exemptions for those who own property in South Burlington and those in the Home Card system. Ms. Greco seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Discuss Appointing a City Council member to the Pension Advisory Committee and initiate the process to advertise for the community to apply for the Committee: Mr. Miller said this is part of the effort to make processes more transparent. Other members of the Committee include the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and representatives from bargaining units. Mr. Rusten noted there is discussion about providing training for Committee members. Ms. Dooley noted that Mr. Engels had expressed interest in being the Council representative. Ms. Emery moved to appoint Paul Engels to the Pension Advisory Committee. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Miller noted they are beginning the process to fill positions on other Boards and Committees. This position will be included with those that are advertised. He recommended a 3-year term for the Pension Committee member. Councilors were OK with this recommendation. 10. Discuss FY11 Budget Status and Deficit: Mr. Rusten said the original deficit projection was about $800,000. Because of actions taken by the City Council and the willingness of bargaining units to make changes, this projection is now about $300,000. The city is still looking at things to do, specifically making sure it is receiving all revenues it should get (e.g., sales tax, rooms and meals tax, etc.). Union representatives and staff members have been asked for ideas for savings, and there have been some good long-term suggestions. Mr. Miller said the health insurance coverage will be rebid, and there is discussion about switching more employees to the VMERS plan. Ms. Dooley asked how the deficit will be dealt with. Mr. Miller said it will become part of the cumulative deficit (from 2010) and then a plan will be devised to deal with it. He felt that some of the deficit could be written off (e.g., bad debts). 11. Consider Approval of Entertainment License Application for Franny O’s Yearly Annual Permit: Ms. Emery moved to approve Franny O’s yearly annual permit as presented. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Review and Approve Minutes from the Regular Meeting of 7 March 2011: Spelling of names was corrected. It was noted that on page 4, the motion should read “as presented and amended.” Ms. Emery moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting on 7 March 2011 as amended. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As the Minutes for the Organizational Meeting were not warned, they will be reviewed at a later meeting. 13. Sign Disbursement Orders: Mr. Miller noted the addition of $590,000 as payment of part of the Vermont Community Development program. This was reimbursed by the federal government. Disbursement orders were signed. 14. Liquor Control Board: Ms. Emery moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Miller presented the following Liquor and Tobacco License applications. He indicated that all were in order: Van Phan Sports The Rotisserie Moe’s Southwest Grill Gracey’s Store Champlain Farms (1800 and 1118 Williston Road) Outback Steak House Uno’s Bourne’s Service Ctr.Champlain Farms (1041 Shelburne Rd) Franny O’s Green Mountain Suites Hotel Jiffy Mart Kmart Mama Mia Pizzeria LLC Mr. Knapp noted he had a conflict of interest with the Champlain Farms applications. Ms. Emery moved to approve all but the Champlain Farms applications. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Knapp recused himself from consideration of the Champlain Farms applications. Ms. Emery moved to approve the Champlain Farms applications as presented. Ms. Greco seconded. Motion passed 4-0. Mr. Knapp rejoined the Board. Mr. Knapp moved to adjourn as Liquor Control Board and reconvene as City Council. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 15. Other Business: Mr. Miller noted that there is a grant request from the Library to apply for funds. The Council can’t consider it tonight because it was not warned on the Agenda. The application with be submitted to comply with a deadline. If the Council does not approve it, the application will be withdrawn. 16. Executive Session: Ms. Greco moved the Council meet in executive session to discuss personnel issues and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 17. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Ms. Emery moved adjournment. Mr. Knapp seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The council adjourned at 9:30pm. _____________________ Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.