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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Steering Committee - 03/06/2023 STEERING COMMITTEE 6 MARCH 2023 The South Burlington Steering Committee held a pre-election meeting on Monday, 6 March 2023, at 6:30 p.m., in the Auditorium,South Burlington City Hall, 180 Market Street, and via Gotomeeting remote technology. MEMBERS PRESENT: City Council: H. Riehle, Steering Committee Chair; M. Emery, T. Barritt, Sen. T. Chittenden; J. Baker, City Manager; School Board: Dr. T. Childs, School Board Chair; A. McHenry, C. Tillinghast, K. Badey; V. Nichols, Superintendent of Schools ALSO PRESENT: C. McNeil, City Attorney; P. Conner, Director of Planning &Zoning; J. Murray, Librarian; T.Jarvis, School District Director of Finance; Chief S. Burke, Police Department; Chief S. Locke, and Deputy Chief T. Francis, Fire Department; M. Machar, Finance Director; M. Lyons, City Assessor; T. DiPietro, Public Works Director; H. Rees, Recreation Director; I. Blanchard, Community Development Director; G. Yandow; A. Schwartz, F. Salese, B. Sirvis, Anna, H. Head, Sara, S. Dopp, K. Bailey, D. Bugbee, S. Schoenfeld, P. MacKenzie, E. Rowles, A. Hannaford, Rep. N. Hyman, K. Jarvis, C. Freeman, A. Chalnick, P. Engels, T. Barnes, B. Bolduc, J. Lees, other members of the community 2. Directions on How to Leave the Building in Case of an Emergency: Ms. Baker provided instruction on emergency exit from the building. 3. Agenda Review:Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items: No changes were made to the Agenda. 4. Comments & Questions from the public not related to the Agenda: There were no public comments or questions. 5. Steering Committee Minutes of 23 January 2023: Ms. Emery moved to approve the Steering Committee Minutes of 23 January 2023 as written. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed with all present voting in favor. 6. Presentation of FY24 School District Budget: Supt. Nichols thanked those who participated in the preparation of the School District budget. She then reviewed the priorities: STEERING COMMITTEE 6 MARCH 2023 PAGE 2 A. Meet student needs: academic, social & emotional B. Manage financial impacts of inflation, depleted ESSER funding, health insurance costs, negotiations C. Address chronic capacity issues in elementary schools D. Support students with return to pre-pandemic numbers Supt. Nichols noted that remaining ESSER funds were allocated to a full-time Student Engagement Coordinator and a full-time Math Interventionist at Marcotte School and a .4 FTE Art teacher. Other additions to the budget include: a .5 Communication Coordinator, full-time Math Interventionists at Orchard, Chamberlain and Tuttle (shifted from ESSER), a full-time Special Education Coordinator (half-time at the Middle School and half-time at elementary schools). There is a total reduction of 23.75 FTEs compared to the current budget program levels. The total tax rate increase is 3.93%. Significant contributors to this increase are health insurance costs and inflation. Supt. Nichols showed a pie chart of where the money goes, including 57%for salaries, 21.5%for benefits, and 11%for services. Mr. Jarvis then reviewed debt service which represents bonds previously approved by voters. This would increase if the voters approve a ballot item in tomorrow's election. Mr. Jarvis also reviewed factors that impact the school budget: a. Student enrollment: the School District is working with a demographer. A big enrollment increase is forecast for the Middle School next year. Facilities will be needed to address/support increasing numbers. b. Return of staff levels to pre-Pandemic levels c. Supporting students Mr. Jarvis showed a graph of Homestead Tax Rate Comparisons within neighboring districts. South Burlington is the lowest. The tax increase for the average condo owner will be $149 for the year or$12 per month. The STEERING COMMITTEE 6 MARCH 2023 PAGE 3 tax increase for the average home owner will be $223 for the year or$19 per month. Supt. Nichols then addressed the ballot item for the Zero Emission Modules (ZEMs). She noted that 91%of the $6,000,000 cost will be covered by impact fees. A second bond issue of $8,850,000 will cover maintenance of school facilities, some of which has been deferred in recent years. A member of the audience asked if the TIF district hurts the education fund. Ms. Baker explained that although TIF increment does not go to the schools, the State makes the schools "whole," so there is no loss in education funding. Mr. Chalnick asked if the tax rate is adjusted by the CLA (common level of appraisal). Supt. Nichols said that information is on the website. Rep. Hyman asked how the city can be sure it has the best educators. Supt. Nichols said that when she was first hired, there was a lot of staff turnover, principally in the main office. Since then, there has been significant work to create non-union pay grids to be sure they are aligned with the market. Supt. Nichols said South Burlington is one of the highest paying districts in the State, with significant numbers at the upper end of the pay scale, people who have been in the district for many years. She also stressed continuing training and professional development. Ms. Bugbee asked how the facilities bond complements the facilities plan developed a number of years ago. Supt. Nichols said that plan is updated yearly. She also noted that if the bond passes, the ZEMs will become part of the facilities plan. A member of the audience asked whether the enrollment spike came as a surprise. She also said she had heard there was a "secret plan" to close one of the elementary schools. Mr. McHenry said there was never such a plan. Supt. Nichols said the District has 14 years of demography studies, and the enrollment numbers are no surprise. Ms. Emery added that forecasting is hard to do, especially when enrollment numbers are down elsewhere in the State. A member of the audience asked what the ZEMs are. Supt. Nichols showed a site plan for the location of the ZEMs. Each unit has 4 classrooms with a project room between each set of 2 classrooms. The ZEMs are connected to the school building. Supt. Nichols also noted that the existing trailers, which are now being used for staff, will be removed from the school site. STEERING COMMITTEE 6 MARCH 2023 PAGE 4 Supt. Nichols also reviewed the proposed use of the maintenance funds in the bond issue, including: a roof at the Middle School, HVAC/plumbing, High School window replacement, bathrooms (for ADA compliance), parking lot/sidewalks, and kitchens. Mr.Jarvis stressed that this is not a "final fix." It is short-term, until final decision can be made. Rep. Hyman asked for a comparison between the ZEMs and additions to the schools. Supt. Nichols said there was a committee that looked at various options from the points of view of portability, costs, meeting student needs, timing, etc. The city will own the ZEMs and they can be repurposed after they have served 5 years at the elementary schools. They have a 100-year lifespan. 8. Presentation of the FY24 City Budget: Ms. Baker reviewed the budget challenges and assumptions: Challenges: a. Inflation rates for goods and services b. COLA @ 6.4% c. Recovery from COVID d. Meeting community expectations Assumptions: a. 1.75 growth in the Grand List b. Contractual COLA and step increases c. Increases in cost of goods and services d. ARPA salary and CIP step-down e. 6% health insurance increase f. Casualty and Workers Compensation decrease of$110,000 g. Green Mountain Transit increase of 9.8% Based on these challenges and assumptions, the Council developed its budget goals: a. Address rising inflation b. Sensitivity to tax rate by planning a 2-year budget c. Recovery from COVID d. A second ambulance (as of 1/2024) 23%of calls now answered by another community) STEERING COMMITTEE 6 MARCH 2023 PAGE 5 e. CIP investment to retain municipal infrastructure (needed every year) f. One new Police Officer in each of the next 2 years and a Deputy Police Chief g. Restoration of a 30th Firefighter to address mandated overtime (not healthy for firefighters). Ms. Baker noted there are also increased revenues to help minimize the impact to taxpayers. The proposed FY 24 budget will result in a 5.75% increase in the municipal tax rate. This would mean a yearly increase to the average condo owner of$78, and a yearly increase to the average home owner of$117. Ms. Baker then reviewed the use of ARPA funds. She noted that with the passing of the budget, there will still be $2,000,000 remaining in ARPA money. One possibility is to use those funds to support the city's Climate Action Plan. Ms. Baker also reviewed the Penny for Paths and Penny for Parks funding and showed the list of projects to be funded in the coming year. There will also be increases in utility costs as follows: Water: $22.78 for the year Stormwater: $1.44 for the year (aided by grant funding) Sewer: $29.76 for the year Emerging issues in the city include: a. Executive Team transitions b. Future Regional Dispatch c. 2024 water storage capacity vote d. Recreation center (looking for coordination with School District) e. One collective bargaining agreement which expires at the end of 2024 f. Wage pressure from surrounding municipalities 9. Public Information Session/Public Hearing on the $15,086,430 City Center Tax Incremental Finance District bond vote to fund City Center Park,Garden Street, Williston Rd. Streetscape, and the East-West Crossing: STEERING COMMITTEE 6 MARCH 2023 PAGE 6 Ms. Blanchard said the TIF bond represents the last 4 City Center projects to support development and redevelopment in City Center. She showed a map indicating the location of the 4 projects: a. Shared use path on Williston Rd. b. East-west bridge over 1-89 c. Garden Street/Williston Road intersection d. City Center Park Phase 2 The total authorization for these projects is $15,086,430. Some of the projects are 100%TIF eligible; some are partially eligible and additional grants are being sought to cover some of the difference. The Garden Street project will address the White Street/Williston Road intersection and make it a standard 4-way intersection. It is 100%TIF eligible. There will be a shared use path on the south side. The City received a grant for the east-west bridge of$9,800,000. This will be supplemented by $4,300,000 of TIF money. The Williston Road shared use path on the south side of the road includes space for ornamental street lighting. They city has a grant to cover the city's match. Phase 2 of City Center Park includes the boardwalk connection. It is 100%TIF eligible. Ms. Blanchard showed a map of the entire TIF district and explained the nature of a TIF. She then showed anticipated development in City Center including the 295 units of housing and some commercial space in the Catamount Run project. In the last year of the TIF district, the anticipated amount of increment to the city would be $6,000,000. If all development happens that would mean a surplus of$8,000,000. Ms. Emery asked if the Williston Rd. streetscape will include putting utilities underground. Ms. Blanchard said there are options for that in the future, but because of cost it will not be done now. STEERING COMMITTEE 6 MARCH 2023 PAGE 7 Ms. Dopp asked what happened to the "village green" concept in City Center. Ms. Blanchard said that the city worked hard toward getting the land for that but had to pull back its expectations. It was removed from the plan in 2021. Ms. Dopp asked if UMall is in the TIF District. Ms. Blanchard said UMall is in City Center though not in the TIF district. Ms. Baker said that in conversations with the new Mall owners, they are happy to be here because of the TIF district. The city has high hopes for a unified downtown. Ms. Bolduc asked how long it would take to walk the full length of the proposed east-west bridge. Ms. Blanchard said the bridge is 2000 feet long, so she estimated about 10 minutes. A member of the public asked why the cost for 2 intersections (Garden St) is $8,000,000. Ms. Blanchard said they will be replacing all signals, partially reconstructing the intersections, dealing with utilities, traffic control during construction, and acquiring some land. This becomes very expensive. Mr. Jarvis asked about the duration of construction and the impact on traffic. Ms. Blanchard said so far it is a one-season project with traffic continuing throughout the project. 10. Public Information Session/Public Hearing on the $33,833,000 Bartlett Bay Wastewater Treatment Facility General Obligation Bond to support upgrades to the City's Wastewater Collection and Treatment System: Mr. DiPietro said the wastewater treatment facilities require upgrades every 20 years or do. Bartlett Bay was upgraded in 1999. The existing plant is aging and must be upgraded. Mr. DiPietro showed the proposed new site plan and pictures of existing aging equipment some of which is so obsolete it is no longer supported by the manufacturer. The bond also includes upgrading the Airport facility for handling of solids from Bartlett Bay. This will allow the primary clarifier to be taken down for maintenance. Finally, the bond includes the replacement and upgrade of several pump stations which are beginning to fail. The total bond is for$33,883,300. This will result in a 6.75 increase in the tax rate for 4 years. After 4 years, the annual cost would be $71.00 higher. The City is actively seeking grants to STEERING COMMITTEE 6 MARCH 2023 PAGE 8 help support the project. The hope is to go to bid in the summer of 2024 with construction later in that year. 11. Other Business: Ms. Riehle noted that this is Sen.Tom Chittenden's last meeting as a City Council. Sen. Chittenden said "I might be back." As there was no further business to come before the Steering Committee, Ms. Emery moved to adjourn. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed with all present voting in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m. / I/' , Clerk /s/ Chelsea Tillinghast School Board Clerk