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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 07/26/2012CITY COUNCIL 26 JULY 2012 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Thursday, 26 July 2012, at 2:15 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: R. Greco, Chair; S. Dooley, P. Engels, P. Mackenzie, H. Riehle Also Present: S. Miller, City Manager; R. Rusten, Deputy City Manager; D. Kinville, City Clerk; M. Lyons, Assessor's Office; J. Klesh, City Attorney 1. Agenda Review: Mr. Miller asked to add 2 Memoranda of Understanding regarding the Library and also a discussion of meeting schedules for interim zoning deliberative sessions. Ms. Greco asked to add audience comments & questions and City Manager's Report to the end of the meeting. 2. Review Library Charter Language; Consider Adoption of Language and consider scheduling public hearings August 27, 2012 and September 4, 2012: It was noted that the Council Chair and Vice Chair met with members of the Library Board of Trustees regarding Charter language. Trustees raised a number of concerns which have been incorporated into two Memoranda of Understanding. The word "manager" was also added after the word "city" in item #2. The Memoranda language was provided to the Trustees who have endorsed both and approved the proposed Charter change unanimously. They are pleased with this as it will allows them to focus on the "big picture" goal of a new Library. Ms. Mackenzie moved to accept the Charter Change as written and to compliment staff and the Library Board of Trustees for working together on this. Ms. Riehle seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Riehle moved to approve and adopt the document entitled Memorandum of Understanding Clarifying Intent Language of South Burlington Community Library 7/26/12 Charter Change, provided it is the City Council's intent that said document shall be amended as necessary to effect the intent of the Council and the Library Trustees should a charter amendment be enacted into law with language significantly different from what is featured in the draft under consideration by the City Council as of the date of this motion. Mr. Engels seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Riehle then moved to approve and adopt the document entitled Memorandum of Understanding Between South Burlington City Council, South Burlington Community Library Trustees and South Burlington City Manager, provided it is the City Council's intent that said document shall be amended as necessary to effect the intent of the Council and the Library Trustees should a charter amendment be enacted into law with language significantly different from what is featured in the draft under consideration by the City Council as of the date of this motion. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Review City Clerk Charter Change Language, consider adoption of language and consider scheduling public hearings August 27, 2012 and September 4, 2012: Mr. Miller noted this is the same language the Council has previously seen. It has 3 major provisions: 1. The City Clerk would become an appointed position beginning 2014 as appointed by the City Council. 2. All employees in the City Clerk's office would be appointed by the City Manager. 3. The City Council would not participate in the election work of the Board of Civil Authority (elected officials would not supervise their own election). Ms. Dooley noted that all the JP's who serve on the BCA are also elected officials. She asked if this Charter change would prohibit Council members who work at elections and deal with issues from doing that. She felt that would not be workable. Mr. Miller said if the Council passes this language, it can be amended at a later date. It is important to get it passed because of time lines to get something on the ballot. It could still be amended as late as the 4 September public hearing. Ms. Greco asked if Ms. Kinville oversees elections even when her name is on the ballot. She said you can't work at the polls if your name is on the ballot. Ms. Riehle moved to approve the proposed Charter Change language as presented. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Kinville said that she is circulating a petition, and to save the Council from additional meetings, they might want to put this on the warning with the other two items. Ms. Mackenzie asked if they could stipulate that the language be accurate and the signatures verified. Mr. Rusten read from State Statute. It was noted that 31 July is the last day to notice anything for the state ballot. Mr. Klesh said it is his understanding that until the language is in hand, there is no process. Ms. Riehle asked how the language at the public hearing would go...would there be "counterpoint" between the two petitions? Can the Council discuss both? Ms. Kinville said there is a possibility the Council could have both to discuss at the 4 September public hearing. Mr. Klesh said the substance of the petition could not be amended. Ms. Riehle noted that if it does not appear on the State ballot, there would have to be a cost for separate ballot. Mr. Miller said this could be an agenda item for the 6 August meeting, and that would save having a special meeting. He felt that could be a very short meeting. Possibilities will be looked at next week. 4. Scheduling of Meetings: Mr. Miller suggested a deliberative session prior to the 6 August. He suggested 4 p.m. Ms. Riehle said she could participate by phone, possibly. Members also agreed to a very brief meeting on 2 August at 1:30 p.m. 5. Announcements and City Manager's Report: Ms. Greco: Attended the Planning Commission meeting last night. The Commission is looking for better interaction with the Commission. Regarding the F-35's and specifically Valpariso's suit against the Air Force, the Valpariso people have said that once a decision is made by the Air Force, the only recourse is legal. Ms. Greco noted that the Air Force had agreed to noise mitigation in Norfolk, Virginia, but 12 years after that agreement, mitigation still has not happened. A citizen has suggested a possible meeting between the Council and the Air Guard to see if some common ground can be found. Mr. Engels: Attended the Open House of the Air Guard. They are willing to do "tours" for public officials. Members can arrange for this, no more than 2 at a time without having to warn it as a "meeting." Had a Form Based Codes Committee meeting prior to this meeting. The Committee is just getting started. Ms. Dooley: The Affordable Housing Committee had its first meeting on the 17th. Ms. Greco: The Sustainable Agriculture Committee will have its second meeting on 6 August. As there was no further business to come before the Council, Ms. Mackenzie moved to adjourn. Mr. Engels seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.