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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 08/13/2018 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 13 AUGUST 2018 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 13 August 2018, at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: H. Riehle, Chair; M. Emery, T. Barritt, T. Chittenden, D. Kaufman Also Present: K. Dorn, City Manager; T. Hubbard, Deputy City Manager; I. Blanchard, Project Manager; J. Murray, Librarian; H. Rees, Head of Recreation Department; S. Roy, J. Stetson, J. Kochman, T. Duff, M. Mittag, S. Dooley 1. Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency: Mr. Dorn provided instructions on emergency evacuation of the building. 2. Agenda Review: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items: No changes were made to the Agenda. 3. Comments and Questions from the public not related to the agenda: No issues were raised. 4. Council work session on public facilities in City Center: Ms. Blanchard said that since the last presentation, work has been continuing with 2 teams, one working on design and one on cost estimating. Both teams then got together to look at cost savers. Since the last meeting, they learned that costs for such things as grading and sidewalks have been going up. They also have better figures for foundations related to soil issues. They have also incorporated some saving features which do not affect the building’s performance. Some of these may reduce initial costs but could cost more in the long run. Reductions of $800,000 have been taken for such items as: a. Reduced material for walls b. Stairs to the roof c. Removal of the elevated platform in the Auditorium d. Simplifying of counters e. Removal of wood baseboards in all but the most important rooms f. Changing solid surface window sills to hardwood g. Removing daylighting in the downstairs corridor h. Revising stair design Additional changes that don’t yet have numbers include: a. Requirements for external materials and assemblies b. Potential to change concrete slab Mr. Roy then showed an exterior view of the building from Market Street including a covered bike storage area and an area for the U.S. and State flags. He noted the less expensive metal panels for the building’s top edge and indicated a glass railing for the Library terrace. He also indicated the entrance with visual identity for the City Clerk’s office. There are vertical elements to reduce glare and a zinc material at the top of the building. Mr. Kaufman noted an article he read regarding concrete and asked the team to take a look at it. Mr. Stetson said they would but noted they were using granite because it is a Vermont product. Ms. Emery questioned whether concrete met the durability standard like granite. Mr. Roy then showed a bird’s eye view from the southeast and indicated the roof terraces. The building would be “green roof ready,” which would not necessarily be done for opening day. There is a 10,000 sq. ft. buildable area above the terrace. Mr. Roy cited that cost and impact to the system. Mr. Roy noted they have school approval for the design. It has been sent to the Allard Square people for review. Meetings have been held with Snyder- Braverman regarding Allard Square access issues. Mr. Roy showed the area for driveway access to the Allard Square garage. That would have to be kept open during construction of the City Hall building. Mr. Roy then showed the project site plan and indicated the land involved in the swap with the School District. He pointed out the school parking and parking for the City Hall building. In a plan for the first floor, Mr. Roy indicated the various sections. The information desk would have “local touches” to the finishes, possibly the use of local stone. They are still working on the stairs and feel they can improve functionally and still maintain the “wow factor.” The Auditorium would still have retractable seating but no raised platform (stage), though the stage could be added later. They could build a tiered floor with permanent seating, but this would limit the use. Mr. Roy then indicated the Senior Center space with some special finishes. There would be a kitchen and fireplace with activity center space. On the second floor, Mr. Roy indicated the continuation of the stairs into the Library. He pointed out the “quiet reading” room and some “special zones.” There is a teen area with raised platform and space for classrooms. They will be using the South Burlington path system as a model for carpeting and/tile or ceiling. On the third floor, Mr. Roy pointed out the city offices and meeting rooms. He showed examples of what the spaces could look like. Mr. Blanchard said they are very aware of the decisions that need to be made if there is to be a November vote. The present number they are working with is $23,500,000 including the solar array roof and $21,000,000 without that roof. $4,640,000 of this amount is TIF eligible. The remaining amount would result in 1/10 of a cent on taxes or $26,000 a year. That tax rate could be reduced by a capital campaign, facilities impact fees ($180,000) and the Blanchette Fund ($350,000). In answer to a question regarding a parking garage, Mr. Roy said the numbers for a parking garage were such that they didn’t feel it was appropriate for this building. It would also require a different kind of foundation. Mr. Chittenden asked whether it is necessary to include City Hall in the municipal building. Ms. Emery asked if the current Library space in UMall could become a Senior Center so the proposed building would be only a Library-City Hall. Mr. Dorn said the deal with the Mall is for 3 years which would probably not be extended. Ms. Blanchard noted they would still have to have space to fit utilities, access to Allard Square, trash facilities, and the new street with access to the school. Given cost increases, Ms. Emery cited the need to think differently from what has been put in place. She said the Library is the main thing. There will be senior spaces in Allard Square, and seniors can walk in UMall. She felt they should consider just a Library with the Auditorium on the land with some parking so they wouldn’t need the MOU with the school.  Mr. Kaufman questioned whether the savings would be significant enough or whether they would still need the same infrastructure. Mr. Stetson said there are a lot of costs that will have to be paid regardless: utilities, roadway to Allard Square, roadway on Market Street, etc. Mr. Roy added that the Library takes up a large part of the first and second floors, so just having the Library wouldn’t change the footprint by much. Mr. Kaufman said he wasn’t up to paying all that money for just a Library. He noted the cost of building materials has gone up significantly in the last year, about $1,000,000. He understood the soil issue that requires more money for the foundation. Mr. Dorn cited the importance of differentiating between the total amount to ask the voters for and what the taxpayers actually have to pay. He noted the $860,000 already reserved and said if the Council maintains that amount annually and adds $26,000 to it, that would get the whole package. Ms. Emery said the Council has been told the city is on an “unsustainable course.” She cited the need to talk priorities. Mr. Barritt said he was concerned with things they may need and not be able to pay for. He cited rising health insurance costs. Mr. Chittenden said he wanted to know the cost of a Library with underground parking. He didn’t feel as much need for TIF burden for a City Hall. Ms. Kochman said she was feeling discouraged that the Senior Center might be removed from this building. She liked the fact that the proposed Senior Center would be comparable in “niceness” to the Library space. She also noted that the Senior Center can charge for some of its programs while the Library cannot. The space could also be rented for revenue. This allows for more creativity in programming. She felt that relegating the Senior Center to UMall would be “inferior.” Ms. Kochman said she has also talked with people and many of them want ballroom dancing. That could happen in this building. She added that what is proposed is ingenious and beautiful. It would be sad to take it out of this well-designed building. Ms. Dooley said this building is an investment. She saw a lot of synergy between City Hall and the Library. The building would also be an incentive to more City Center development. She felt the Council has to consider the whole building. Ms. Dooley also noted that 40% of the households in South Burlington are headed by seniors, and lifestyles and desires of seniors are changing. She felt there should be research as to the what the total population of seniors would like. Mr. Chittenden said he fully supports the Senior Center. His concern is the City Hall. Mr. Kaufman said he feels the proposed building enhances South Burlington as a place for families to live. In doing the calculation for required parking for just a Library, Mr. Kaufman came up with a requirement of 60 spaces. Mr. Roy said they can get only 30-35 on the site. Ms. Blanchard said they might not get even that many because of space for utilities. Mr. Hubbard said he understood the financial concerns. He noted that TIF funding lets them do some things they otherwise couldn’t do. He cited the $860,000 in funds already built by the Council. He said they are close to the point where voters could build up the local share so they wouldn’t have to use tax money. He felt they are doing what the city told voters they would do. Mr. Hubbard acknowledged that some deferred expenses are important and noted that some towns have a 2-cent tax for capital expenses. Ms. Blanchard then showed how the city could ease in the increase over time with an impact of less than 1/10 of a cent. Mr. Dorn added there is also the potential increase in the Grand List to factor in. Ms. Blanchard cited some cost savings for things that could be added in later (e.g., green roof, sun shades) which total about $800,000. Eliminating such things as some fireplaces, sidewalk snow melt, central skylight, etc., could save another $400,000. Mr. Hubbard said he was confident the city would have $300,000 in TIF money in 2020. Mr. Kaufman noted the difference from the original $18,000,000 to what is now presented is one cent on the tax rate. He felt that wasn’t a bad deal to get all that is proposed along with an investment in the future. He said he felt better about this than he did an hour ago. Just a Library with parking issues didn’t sound like a good deal to him. Ms. Riehle noted the schools also need administrative space; if they don’t get the current City Hall space, they will have to get space somewhere else at a cost to taxpayers. Mr. Chittenden said he would like to hear from the School Board on Wednesday how much they need this space. Mr. Pasakow said he loves the proposed building. Have everything together makes perfect sense. He was not thrilled with the idea of underground parking. Ms. Blanchard said that for Wednesday they would provide information regarding costs if City Hall is removed and what it would look like, also other possible cuts. Mr. Kaufman said an “educated guess” would suffice. Mr. Mittag said this building is South Burlington’s dream. This is the vision of an anchor for City Center. If the anchor is removed, City Center diminishes. Members then considered some specific potential cuts: Ms. Riehle asked about the sidewalk snow melt. Mr. Roy said it would cost $6500-7500/year to operate. Mr. Kaufman said you have to consider the damage to the inside of the building from salt, etc., as well as safety and maintenance. He said one slip and fall lawsuit would cost at least that much. Ms. Emery said she liked the sunshades. Ms. Riehle said she would give up future expansion potential and do the green roof later. Members did not want to lose the skylight. Mr. Kaufman suggested taking out the north terrace and leaving the eastern terrace. Members were OK with having just the downstairs fireplace. Ms. Blanchard explained what is involved in changing the elevators, and members agreed to leave them as is. They did agree to remove the generator. 5. Other Business: Mr. Dorn reminded members of the City Center Park dedication on Wednesday, 4 p.m., preceding the second special City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. Members agreed they wanted to hear from the School Board at that meeting. As there was no further business to come before the Council, M moved to adjourn. M seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.