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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/09/2017 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 9 JANUARY 2017 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Monday, 9 January 2017, at 6:30 p.m., in the Conference Room of the South Burlington Police Station, 19 Gregory Drive. MEMBERS PRESENT: H. Riehle, Chair; P. Nowak, M. Emery, T. Chittenden ALSO PRESENT: K. Dorn, City Manager; T. Hubbard, Deputy City Manager; Department Heads: D. Kinville, City Clerk; J Murray, Community Library; J. Ladd, Human Resources; M. Leugers, Recreation; J. Rabidoux, Public Works; A. Reed, IT; P. Conner, Planning & Zoning; Chief T. Whipple, Police; Chief D. Brent, Fire; I. Blanchard, Project Manager; H. Baker, Recreation Dept; S. Swanson, B. Brittain, C. McQuillen, J. Kochman 1. Approve Disbursements: Ms. Emery moved to approve the disbursements as presented. Ms. Nowak seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 2. Budget Presentations: Mr. Hubbard outlined the guidelines under which the proposed budget was prepared. He noted that the Council had asked to keep the tax increase under 3%, and this budget is at 2.97%. It maintains the current level of service, meets all contractual and bond obligations, funds 2/3 of the CIP, meets all annual assessments and Social Services funding, supports the Housing Trust Fund, and maintains the existing level for the sick bank and stewardship. Some factors influencing the budget include a reduction in both Property/Casualty Insurance and Worker’s Compensation insurance, a slight increase in the local option tax revenue, and full funding of the City Center reserve fund which brings the fund to $860,000. There is also a reduction of $18,000 in the CCTA assessment. There are no new positions being proposed. Mr. Hubbard noted that the Grand List growth of 1.5% was negated by the Burlington International Airport negotiated settlement. There is also an increase in health insurance of 8%. The budget meets all contracts with the city’s bargaining units. The increased cost to the average single family home would be $49.00 for the year; the increased cost for a condo would be $33.22. Ms. Nowak asked how much more full funding of the CIP cost. Mr. Hubbard estimated $259,000. Ms. Riehle asked Mr. Hubbard to provide an estimate of savings for electricity and heating. Department heads then presented their proposed budgets as follows: a. Technology: Mr. Reed said software costs are up a bit due to new contracts. He added that there would probably be a slight increase in software each year, but not usually as large as this year’s.  They are also doing disaster planning now and adding a fiber connection (at this point they have only an estimate for this). b. Community Library: Ms. Murray said the budget is predominately flat. The major exception is an added $10,000 for Library materials ($6000 for adult materials and $4000 for on-line subscriptions). Ms. Murray also noted they have taken over management of the rain garden. c. Department of Public Works: Mr. Rabidoux said the $908,000 increase is misleading because of the re‐allocation of some projects and “pass‐through” money for the traffic signal project. There are reductions in fuel use and in salt. Mr. Rabidoux noted the budget does not address fleet items. He cautioned that eventually that will catch up with them, especially when new, larger neighborhoods come on line. The budget also does not address manpower for management of the city’s rec paths. He suggested the possibility of a dedicated bond for this. Ms. Nowak asked how the arrangement with the Winooski Valley Park District will affect Public Works. Mr. Rabidoux said WVPD will be doing mostly what Public Works hasn’t been able to do. Ms. Emery asked about a list of the roads to be done. Mr. Rabidoux said that would be available for the Town Meeting. Mr. Rabidoux then presented the Sewer budget. $268,000 of the $380,000 increase is for fleet purchases (a vactor and a loader). These will be shared with the Stormwater Department. $30,000 has been budgeted for the Hadley-Proctor disconnect which will result in significant future savings. The budget will be supported by a 2% rate increase, which will cost the average home $7.76 more a year. The Stormwater budget is up $422,000, much of which ($385,000) is pass-through money for projects. $60,000 is for water quality monitoring. Mr. Rabidoux noted that the State used to do this, but it has now turned this over to the communities. Revenue includes $80,000 from Shelburne for proposed work. Mr. Rabidoux noted revenue from VTrans which is now a normal rate payer. The Stormwater budget will be supported by a 2.23% rate increase which will result in an additional cost to all property owners of $1.80 for the year. Mr. Fay then presented the Water budget which is up $35,000. This includes $20,000 in capital projects (meter replacement). New billing software and an increased licensing fee will cost $10,000 for the year. This software will enable users to access their accounts on-line. Particular properties can be flagged if something unusual is noted. It will probably go on-line in March. The budget will be supported by a 3.27% rate increase which will cost the average home $8.72 more for the year. d. City Clerk: Ms. Kinville said expenses are down $5,000 due to fewer elections. There is enough money in case of a special election. e. Recreation: Ms. Leugers noted an increase of $3,000 in printing costs. The department’s brochure will go from 32 to 40 pages and will include city‐wide information. It will include maps, stories, etc. There are also plans for an interactive map of the city. Increases in supplies and advertising are related to City Fest and Bites and Bikes events. The aim is to use the city’s parks for more than the usual activities. Ms. Riehle asked if there will be any advertising in the brochure. Ms. Leugers said they bring in about $5000 in sponsorships. Regarding Red Rocks Park, Ms. Leugers noted that this past year revenues exceeded expectations. In the coming year, the park will open earlier and stay open later. To do this, there will be an increase in seasonal staffing which should be supported by the additional revenue. Mr. Hubbard noted that one major project at the park will be the rebuilding of the pathway to the beach. Ms. Leugers added that the path will meet ADA standards. The Winooski Valley Park District will be doing that work. The budget also includes funding for equipment for Baycrest Park. It is hoped that half of that funding will come from donations. Ms. Nowak said it would be helpful to have a breakdown as to where park funds are going to and to let people know the plans for each area. Ms. Riehle said this could be accomplished by an appendix sheet in the budget. Ms. Baker then explained that enrollments in activities are down. Traditionally, there were a lot of after school programs, but children are now engaged at school programs after school. It is also harder to find space for programs. There is only one facility that they can “call their own,” and the spaces that do exist are not appropriate for adult fitness programs. The Department is also looking at the current fee structure and trying to stay competitive at the same time. Ms. Leugers then reviewed the results of public surveys. 57% of people are satisfied with the location of events (the national average is 90% satisfaction), and 44% are satisfied with the time and space for events (the national average is 90%). This points up the need for activity space, especially during the regular day. Ms. Baker noted that the senior luncheons have doubled in attendance in recent months, but this, too, is outgrowing its space. Ms. Leugers also noted that thanks to the Junior Recreation Program, the scholarship fund could be reduced from $26,000 to $8000 because families can now get subsidies. f. Human Resources: Ms. Ladd advised that employees will now be able to log in their hours on a time clock. There has been a reduction in Workers Compensation premiums. Ms. Ladd cited the city’s safety efforts which are helping to keep these payments down. Mr. Hubbard noted the 6-8 month process to go to bid on insurances. He suggested doing this every 5 years. Ms. Ladd also pointed out the increased pension costs due to the less than anticipated returns this year. g. Planning and Zoning: Mr. Conner said they anticipate the same revenues as this past year. Expenditures are also similar with a slight reduction in postage. He then outlined the ongoing and new projects and their use of the consulting budget as follows: 1. Phase II of the Tilley Drive/Community Drive project to address transportation needs in that area 2. Scoping of bike/ped projects (with matching funds from CCRPC) 3. Scenic View Standards 4. Updating highway impact fees and overlay districts 5. Phase II of the PUD project 6. The bike/ped crossing at I-89 7. Transportation project for the north side of Williston Road 8. Form standards for Shelburne Road 9. Airport area planning 10. New standards for “end of trip” facilities (showers, bike storage, etc.) Ms. Emery asked about possible city-wide form based codes. Mr. Conner said they first want to see how it works in City Center, but elements for form based codes are being used in various places. He noted that the Department has just received the first building plan for City Center. h. Police Department: Chief Whipple noted a decrease in funds from the District Court due to more “negotiated” fines. He noted the city does not have a system for parking tickets as there are almost no “controlled” spaces. That could change in City Center. Ms. Riehle noted that holiday pay always seems to be significantly underbudgeted. Mr. Hubbard said they have worked to come with a more realistic number. Chief Whipple noted that “lease expenses” at the Police Station are offset by revenues from rented spaces. Building maintenance and building repairs have now been combined into one line item. Chief Whipple noted the focus on officer wellness, especially dealing with stress. There is now an on-staff clinician who is present at rollcall and is available to deal with stress-related issues. The Chief also noted reductions in computers. Some of the projected costs will be addressed in the FY17 budget where there is room due to the shortage of 3 officers. One vehicle has been removed from the budget. The Chief said this is OK for one year, but if there is a significant surplus, they will look to add that vehicle at the end of the year. i. Fire and Ambulance: Chief Brent noted that most of the increases are due to one-time purchases. These include winter jackets for 1/3 of the crew. There is also funding for “active shooter” training and equipment (including medical equipment, helmets and vests). Nine people will be trained next year, 3 from each shift. Training is provided jointly with other towns. The budget includes $32,000 to replace 1/3 of turnout gear and $32,000 for replacement of a cardiac monitor in an ambulance. Revenues are projected to be about the same as last year. Chief Brent said they may come in with an adjustment in ambulance transport fees as they are now the lowest in the County. An increase in Medicaid fees will help to offset a new “ambulance tax” imposed by the state. Chief Brent noted the Department gets some income from transporting helicopter crews from patient transport. j. Finance: Mr. Hubbard noted the only change is in postage for the mailing of checks. k. Community Development: Ms. Blanchard said planning for a new Library will begin in FY18. Funding will also include City Center Park, the beginning of Garden Street planning, and contributions for Market Street work. There is a potential to begin work on the Williston Road streetscape (not the roadway). There are also design and preliminary engineering costs for a bridge over the Interstate. If funds are available, there will also be some planning for a recreation center. Mr. Chittenden asked if there is a need for a Community Development person. Ms. Blanchard said they are doing the groundwork for an Economic Development person. Public comment was then solicited: Mr. Brittain of the Bike/Ped Committee cited the importance of improvements in the rec path system. He noted the Committee has received 12 pages of public comment on this. The Committee also supports Mr. Rabidoux’s request for a “bike/ped coordinator,” someone to get grants for work that needs to be done. This could be supported by a 1 cent tax or a dedicated bond. Mr. Brittain noted that the paving budget hasn’t grown for 4 years although the number of people has grown. He noted that the Comprehensive Plan calls for a focus on “non‐vehicle transportation.” He questioned whether they are “walking the talk” on that. Mr. Swanson of the Energy Committee noted there is no place in the budget where energy efficiency has its own place and also no commitment to energy efficiency in the stewardship funding (which was cut back). He was concerned that this “pulls the rug out” from all the work they have been trying to do. He noted that some things are very cost effective. He asked that the stewardship funding be restored to $100,000. Mr. Hubbard noted that about $250,000 in cuts was needed to reach the City Council’s goal of no more than a 3% increase. He stressed that all cuts were of worthy items. Ms. Nowak said the Council has to look at every resident and the ability to pay. There were also some unanticipated issues (including a poor year for the pension fund and settlement with the Airport). Mr. Swanson said there is no indication of how much of the $75,000 is available for energy. He asked the Council for assurance that a significant amount would be available for the work to be done. Mr. Hubbard said Mr. Rabidoux is working with engineers to identify projects. Some work will take precedence because of legal issues. Mr. Hubbard also noted that a lot of energy projects have been funded from the contingency funds. Some of that can possibly be carried over to FY18 stewardship. Ms. McQuillen of Common Roots addressed the Council regarding Wheeler expenses. She reviewed what they have been doing to upgrade the building. Their projects include feeding 15 families every Sunday and teaching nutrition to young people. In order to have programs in the building, the building must be sprinklered (a full coded system). They have been offered free sprinklering from the Sprinkler Association (a $40,000 value) and also got full drawings of every room (a requirement) as a gift. They now need a 4-6-inch water line which will cost about $75,000. Mr. Hubbard said this amount could be reduced if Public Works does some of the work. Ms. McQuillen said they will also have to cover all of the radiators and deal with basement soil flooring. Ms. McQuillen said they are asking to expand their lease from the 2 remaining years to 10 years. She stressed that the building is a gem and needs to be more utilized. Ms. Riehle said that would have to be a warned agenda item. Ms. Nowak noted that the Council heard that it is hard to find children to fill recreation programs. Ms. McQuillen said they are serving mostly pre-school children who are in their care while their parents are working. Members agreed to continue this discussion at the next meeting. Ms. Nowak expressed concern with “eleventh hour” budget requests. She asked Mr. Hubbard to provide a list of priorities if there is a surplus at the end of FY17. Mr. Hubbard stressed that negating the Grand List growth was not typical, and it meant a loss of more than $200,000. Ms. Riehle said the Council will vote on the budget at its next meeting. Mr. Dorn noted the City and School budget will be presented at a Steering Committee meeting on 24 January. Ms. Emery noted that she checked on the Assessor’s website and found that some Airport area homes sold below assessed value but most were selling over the assessed value. Ms. Nowak said they should know if homes were sold by the owner. As there was no further business to come before the Council, Mr. Chittenden moved to adjourn. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.