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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/09/2023 - Organizational Meeting CITY COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 9 MARCH 2023 The South Burlington City Council held an organizational meeting on Thursday,9 March 2023, at 6:30 p.m.,in the Auditorium, 180 Market Street,and by Go to Meeting remote participation. MEMBERS PRESENT: H. Riehle, Chair; M. Emery,T. Barritt,T. Barnes ALSO PRESENT:J. Baker, City Manager; C. McNeil, City Attorney Ms. Baker presided over the meeting until the election of a City Council Chair. 1. Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency and review of technology option: Ms. Baker provided instructions on emergency exit from the building and reviewed technology options. 2. Additions,deletions or changes in the order of Agenda items: Ms. Baker asked to add to Other Business the submission of 4 projects to the Congressional delegation for consideration for funding to lower the amount needed to fill the funding gap. 3. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda: No issues were raised. 4. Under Section 13.303 of the City's Charter, Elect a City Council Chair,Vice Chair and Clerk(City Manager presiding): Ms. Baker opened the floor for nominations. Mr. Barritt nominated a slate of Helen Riehle, Chair; Meaghan Emery,Vice Chair;Tim Barritt, Clerk. Ms. Emery seconded. There were no further nominations, and the nominated slate of officers was passed 4-0. Ms. Riehle thanked the Council and pledged to continue leading thoughtfully and respectfully of different opinions. She said that Council members are welcome to request items for an agenda ahead of time and noted that there is a long-range agenda planner. Ms. Riehle also noted the CITY COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 9 MARCH 2023 PAGE 2 overwhelming support by the community of ballot items which she attributed to the work of the Council and the leadership of Ms. Baker. 5. Announcements and City Manager's Report: Council members reported on meetings and events they had attended in recent days. Mr. Barnes said he was very honored and enthusiastic to be a member of the Council. Ms. Riehle acknowledged the outstanding job done by City Clerk Donna Kinville at the election. She also noted that Ms. Kinville has agreed to help the new City Clerk with the election process. Ms. Baker: Orientation for new Council members will take place of 20 March. The appointment of City Council liaisons to committees will take place at the first meeting in April. Thanked voters for the 72-80%approval of ballot items. The State Auditor is half through the TIF audit. The cost for this audit is$83,367. It can be paid for from the TIF increment. The City is very actively moving forward on the Dorset Street shared use path. Easements will be purchased in the near future. The Meyers Court permit appeal will go to trial on March 22-23. Council information will be moving to "Share Point" instead of"Council Box." There will be 2 events at the Library on Saturday, 11 March a "Veterans'Journey" and a Veterans Town Hall. 6. Consent Agenda: a. Approve and Sign Disbursements b. Approve Minutes from meetings of 6 February and 21 February 2023 c. Award the landscaping bid to Vermont Stone and Horticulture CITY COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 9 MARCH 2023 PAGE 3 Mr. Barritt moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 7. Approve the annual appointments of various city officials pursuant to the City Charter, Chapter 13, Section 301(2)and relevant municipal ordinances: Ms. Baker noted that everyone one the list works for the City. She noted two changes from last year with Ms. Machar now serving as Treasurer and Mr. Gillies serving as Zoning Administrator. All appointments are for 1 year. The list of appointments was read into the record. Ms. Emery moved to approve all appointments as presented pursuant to City Charter Chapter 13, Section 301(2) and relevant municipal ordinances. Mr. Barnes seconded. Motion passed 4- 0. 8. Discuss and possibly approve the 2023-2024 City Council meeting schedule pursuant to the City Charter, Chapter 13,Section 305(a): Ms. Baker noted there is a meeting scheduled for 19 June which is"Juneteenth." She said this meeting could be rescheduled. There is also a meeting scheduled for 3 July which Ms. Baker recommended rescheduling to 10 July. That is the meeting at which the tax rate must be set to meet the required notice to taxpayers. Ms. Riehle suggested meeting on 19 June and reminding the public of what "Juneteenth" stands for. Mr. Barnes said he knows someone who could provide context for that discussion. Ms. Baker said she would see what she can put together. Mr. Barritt moved to accept the proposed City Council meeting schedule as presented by the City Manager. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 9. Designate the official paper of record (current The Other Paper): Ms. Emery moved to designate The Other Paper as the city's official paper of record. Mr. Barnes seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 10. Designate the official Depositories (currently TD Bank): CITY COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 9 MARCH 2023 PAGE 4 Ms. Riehle noted that TD Bank has been very good to the City. Mr. Barritt asked whether they have kept up with interest rates as some other banks have not. Ms. Baker said they have. Mr. Barnes suggested also working with Opportunities Credit Union which does a great job of including marginalized people. They have a branch in Winooski and one on North Avenue in Burlington. Ms. Baker said the City of Winooski partnered with them when she was in Winooski. She suggested thinking of them in regard to the Climate Action Plan and Affordable Housing. Mr. Barritt moved to designate TD Bank as the Official Depository for the next year. Mr. Barnes seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 11. Appoint City Council representative to the Pension Advisory Committee: Mr. Barritt indicated his willingness to continue to serve in this capacity. Ms. Emery moved to appoint Tim Barritt as City Council representative to the Pension Advisory Committee. Ms. Riehle seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 12. Other Business: Ms. Baker noted that Ms. Blanchard did a quick e-mail to each of the Congressional delegation and subsequent meetings were held with each representative. The City is requesting funding for projects that have already been approved in order to fill funding gaps. The projects are: a. East-west crossing bridge b. Williston Road streetscape c. Bartlett Bay Treatment Facility project d. Stormwater project at Farrell Street that needs to be revamped Ms. Emery moved to approve the request for Congressional funding as presented. Mr. Barnes seconded. Ms. Riehle noted burning issues that members need to be aware of in the coming months: 1. Working closely with the Legislature to be sure the proposed housing bill and associated bills don't run roughshod over local control and all of the work the City has done to be CITY COUCNIL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 9 MARCH 2023 PAGE 5 sure development is located where the City wants it to be. Ms. Riehle cited the importance of being very active in the discussions in Montpelier. 2. Engaging the public in new and different ways regarding meeting climate goals. Ms. Riehle cited the importance of listening to the public. Mr. Barritt noted that the great work done by the Council, City staff, and City committees over the past few years regarding Land Development Regulations is now in jeopardy. He also cited the need to address short-term rentals, particularly from a safety point of view. Ms. Emery said she is frustrated with mandates from the State that aren't always thought through. In addition to the housing bill, she cited a bill that would require all schools to educate 4 year olds. She cited the strain this puts on taxpayers. She stressed that she is "on board" with the spirit, but said the Legislature can't expect people in all communities to be able to deal with these things. Ms. Emery also cited the need to provide incentives for home ownership. She said that AirBnBs need to be taxed as commercial properties. Mr. Barnes said he is increasingly concerned with public safety and the ability to staff and provide services people expect. He said that historically the City has done a great job tempering the "asks," but he now wonders if the margins are a bit too thin. He cited the increase in crime in Chittenden County. Mr. Barnes also shared the concerns about the Legislature and was excited to engage with the State. He said this is a big step for the Legislature, and he hoped a "win-win" solution was possible for everyone, possibly a middle ground. Ms. Riehle said the City shares the goals and has been working for years to address those goals. The City now has rules in place to direct housing where the City feels it should be. There are, however, communities that have not addressed the need for housing. She agreed on the need to work with the Legislature. Ms. Emery questioned whether the City has had any conversations with Ms. Ram-Hinsdale. Ms. Baker said that she and Mr. Conner have provided significant testimony. Mr. Conner has also written 2 letters, one in conjunction with other communities. The second letter was sent to the Natural Resources Senate Committee where the bill in question is now being discussed. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION MEETING 9 MARCH 2023 PAGE 6 Ms. Emery asked if VLCT has approved something. Ms. Baker said VLCT people met with Ms. Ram-Hinsdale before the Legislative session. The League is providing testimony and is trying not to be a "voice for no." They want to provide for housing but also be a voice for local control. Ms. Riehle said she would like the City's concerns to fall on receptive ears at the Natural Resources Committee so that the work the City has done to identify and protect critical resources is not undone. Ms. Baker noted that the Council's direction to staff was to have Mr. Conner represent the City's concerns. That is the guidance staff is working with. Ms. Riehle noted the proposed bill will also go to the Appropriations Committee because there is also a lot of money involved as well. Ms. Riehle also noted she had met with School Board people regarding having a joint dinner of Councilors and School Board members to get to know each other. She stressed the need to work more closely with the School Board than in the past, especially if the City is building dense housing that will bring more children into the school system. Common Roots has indicated its willingness to provide a dinner. Ms. Riehle said she will work with the new School Board Chair, Alex McHenry to come up with a date, hopefully soon. She asked members to send her any dates that will not work for them. As there was no further business to come before the Council Ms. Emery moved to adjourn. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. Clerk