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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Charter Committee - 11/09/2022CITY CHARTER COMMITTEE Approved Minutes 9 NOVEMBER 2022 The South Burlington City Charter Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, 9 November 2022, at 4:00 p.m., in Conference Room 201, City Hall, 180 Market Street. MEMBERS PRESENT: P. Taylor, Dr. T. Childs, A. Lalonde, C. P. Engels, D. Kinville, C. Hafter, C. Higgins ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager, C. McNeill, City Attorney; D. Allaire, Rutland City Mayor; M. Emery 1. Welcome and Introductions: Mr. Taylor welcomed members and guests who then introduced themselves. 2. Agenda Review Mr. Taylor asked to add the letter to the School Board following Agenda Item #8. 3. Comments & Questions from the public not related to the Agenda: No issues were raised. 4. Approve Minutes from the 12 October 2022 meeting: It was noted that on p. 2, paragraph 6, the word “but” in the first line should be “about,” on p.3, second paragraph, the word in the 3rd line should read “facilitates,” and on p. 4, paragraph 7, the word “then” on the second line should read “than.” Ms. Kinville moved to approve the Minutes of 12 October 2022 as amended. Mr. Hafter seconded. Motion passed with all present voting in favor. 5. Discussion of the Executive Mayor form of government with Rutland City Mayor, David Allaire: Mr. Allaire said that in Rutland, the Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer of the city and takes care of the funds. He recommends actions to the Board of Aldermen and runs the day-to-day operations of the city. The Board of Aldermen has 11 members who serve staggered 2-year terms. The Mayor is elected every two years (odd years). The city’s Treasurer and Assessor are both elected. Department heads are appointed with approval of the Board of Aldermen. CITY CHARTER COMMITTEE 9 NOVEMBER 2022 PAGE 2 Ms. Kinville asked whether being elected every 2 years changes how the mayor goes about the job. Mr. Allaire said the election cycle is very much in his mind, especially in the first term. He noted that the City of Burlington recently extended the mayor’s term to 3 years. As for terms of city councilors, Mr. Allaire said 2-year terms were fine. Mr. Taylor noted that South Burlington is looking at the possibility of voting by districts/wards and asked how Mr. Allaire felt about that. Mr. Allaire said all Rutland Aldermen are elected at large. They had explored voting by wards, but the voters rejected it. They also looked at the City Manager form of government with a “weak mayor,” and this was also rejected by the voters who wanted direct contact with the mayor. Ms. Kinville asked if the vote on wards was overwhelming. Mr. Allaire said it was not. Mr. Hafter asked whether the Rutland mayor has veto power. Mr. Allaire said he can veto an action of the Board. The Board can override a veto with 7 votes. Mr. Hafter also asked if the mayor runs under a political party. Mr. Allaire said mayoral candidates do not run by political party. Mr. Taylor asked if Mr. Allaire had a second job. He replied that he did not as the mayor job is 24/7. He noted that it was part time until 1987, and mayors then had second jobs. Mr. Hafter asked the mayor’s salary. Mr. Allaire said it is $85,000-86,000. Mr. Taylor asked if Rutland city employees are unionized. Mr. Allaire said there are 4 unions. Ms. Baker asked whether unions endorse mayoral candidates. Mr. Allaire said there is language that discourages that. Ms. Lalonde commented that there is nothing to prevent someone with no relevant experience from becoming mayor. Mr. Allaire said that is true. He noted that he had legislative experience and had also been on the Board of Alderman prior to becoming mayor Ms. Lalonde asked if the mayor sets priorities for the Board of Aldermen. Mr. Allaire replied that it depends on who is on the Board. There have been younger people elected recently who want change to happen quickly, so he has had to “watch the pennies” more closely. Mr. Engels asked whether most mayors come from the Board of Aldermen. Mr. Allaire said mostly, but not all. CITY CHARTER COMMITTEE 9 NOVEMBER 2022 PAGE 3 Mr. Taylor noted that most of South Burlington’s City Council members come from one district in the city and asked how that works out in Rutland. Mr. Allaire said it mostly works out well. People are not too hung up on where candidates come from. He added that it might be more of a problem if they went to wards. He also noted that South Burlington is more spread out than Rutland is. Mr. Higgins asked if there are any disadvantages to a strong mayor form of government. Mr. Allaire said there could be if someone who is not qualified got elected, but the electorate is usually very smart about that. Mr. Engels asked how much it costs to run for mayor. Mr. Allaire said he spends about $3,000- 4,000, possibly $5,000 the first time he ran. Mr. Engels noted it is costing $20,000 in South Burlington, and 4 of the City Councilors come from the more affluent part of the city. Mr. Hafter asked how the mayor worked with the “new American” crisis. Mr. Alaire said the main issue was the process by which it happened, not an issue against the people. People were concerned that there was no public discussion on the impact, but it was not a bigotry issue. He added that once he was elected, he made it clear he wanted people of diverse ethnicity to come to Rutland. Dr. Childs asked what Rutland is doing to increase diversity. Mr. Allaire said Rutland has adopted the Declaration of Inclusion and has joined with the State “Ideal Program.” They are also trying to integrate that in the day to day hiring, etc. Mr. Allaire noted that many State initiatives are new to Rutland and they are being adopted. There are new people in the community, and they are thriving. Ms. Kinville asked about having 11 people on the Board of Aldermen. Mr. Allaire said it works for them as they can divide up the work. There are 6 standing sub-committees and a few other committees that meet as needed. That is where most of the work gets done, and everything must go through the committee process, and all open meeting laws must be followed. Mr. Allaire noted that it is hard to find people to run and to serve in sub-groups. Ms. Emery asked if the public attends those meetings. Mr. Allaire said usually only when there is something controversial, though a good number of people watch meetings on TV. CITY CHARTER COMMITTEE 9 NOVEMBER 2022 PAGE 4 Ms. Lalonde asked about continuity from one mayor to another. Mr. Allaire said the incoming mayor usually retains people who are in place for the sake of continuity, but if there is controversy, there could be a change. Ms. Kinville asked if there is anything that says a person can’t be on the Board of Aldermen and be mayor at the same time. Mr. Allaire said there is language about not holding 2 positions. Mr. Hafter expressed concern that with a strong mayor system, a candidate would need endorsement by the union(s). 6. Discussion of the Policy Mayor structure with Montpelier Mayor, Ann Watson: Ms. Watson was not present, and Ms. Baker said she will re-extend the invitation. 7. City Council comment on Planning Commission discussion: Ms. Emery said the City Council saw no reason to counteract the Planning Commission’s decision to remain at 7 members. Mr. Taylor showed a map of the city which identified the areas in which City Councilors and School Board members reside. He said that going to a district/ward system could have a major impact on the City Council which now has 4 members living in one area. Mr. Engels said the Council could be expanded. Ms. Kinville said it is always good to have an odd number. Regarding the School Board letters, Mr. Taylor asked for a summary. Dr. Childs said the School Board was OK with 5 or 7 members. She noted that if the city went to districts there could be 8, 9, or 10 members. Mr. Taylor said there could be 2 “at large” members or someone could represent more than one district. Dr. Childs said that with 2600 students, there should be more than 5 School Board members. Mr. Taylor said the City Charter Committee will discuss going to 7 members. There will be community input before a decision is made. Ms. Lalonde stressed that this hasn’t yet been discussed at a School Board meeting. Ms. Baker advised that at upcoming City Council meeting, members of the Climate Action Committee will be asking for a 2023 Charter change to authorize regulating heating/hot water systems in existing buildings and giving financial power to the city to tax those who don’t comply. CITY CHARTER COMMITTEE 9 NOVEMBER 2022 PAGE 5 Mr. Taylor said it would be a real strain for the City Charter Committee to make a recommendation in that time line. He suggested members attend that Council meeting. Ms. Emery asked why this would require a charter change. Mr. McNeil said the issue is the imposing of a tax. Ms. Baker said this issue will be on the 21 December City Council agenda. Mr. Taylor said he would be very disappointed if the Council did not send this request to the City Charter Committee, and it could have big ramifications. Ms. Emery said she would convey that. She asked if Burlington voters will be consulted. Mr. McNeil said his understanding is that Burlington is obligated to go to the voters before they impose such a tax. 8. Timeline and next steps: Ms. Baker noted that at the next City Charter Committee meeting, Helen Riehle will be talking about the role of the Chair of the City Council. Ms. Baker will also reach out again to Mayor Watson. Ms. Kinville suggested that for the next meeting members do a “pros and cons” of each form of government. As there was no further business, Ms. Lalonde moved to adjourn. Ms. Kinville seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m.