HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Steering Committee - 05/09/2018JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD 5 SEPTEMBER 2018
The South Burlington City Council and School Board held a joint mee ng on Wednesday, 5 September 2018,at 7:10 p.m., in the Library of the Frederick Tu le Middle School, Dorset Street.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: H. Riehle, Chair; M. Emery, T. Barri , D. Kaufman
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: E. Fitzgerald, Chair; M. Lalonde, A. Henry, B. Burkhardt, S. Wisloski; A.Husreovic, Student Representa ve
ALSO PRESENT: K. Dorn, City Manager; T. Hubbard, Deputy City Manager; D. Young, Superintendent of Schools;A. Bolduc, City A orney; D. Ruhe, A orney for the School District; members of the public
1. Joint mee ng of the School Board and City Council to consider and possibly approve anAgreement for the Exchange of Rights and Interests in Real Property:
Mr. Ruhe said that he and the City A orney had worked on this agreement which provides reciprocal benefitsfor the City and School District including:
a. Crea on of a new access to Marco e Central School from Market Street
b. Parking to support a new city Library/City Hall/Senior Centerc. Expanded parking at Marco e Central Schoold. Safe access to Marco e Central School by limi ng traffic through school propertye. Expanded turning radius for large traffic
f. Having the closest building to the School be a municipal buildingg. Enhanced stormwater treatment for both the School and municipal buildingh. Opportunity for the School District to least the exis ng municipal building across from theHigh School and Middle School for administra ve offices which will provide space at the
schools for addi onal learning opportuni esi. Access to Mary Street through the Allard Square property
Ms. Emery celebrated the collabora on of the Council and School Board no ng that they both represent andlive in the same city and work toward the be erment of the city. She cited the benefits of Marco e CentralSchool having a “good neighbor.”
Ms. Riehle echoed Ms. Emery’s comments and expressed her pleasure at seeing language in the agreementthat talks of coopera on between the two bodies.
Mr. Kaufman hoped the School Board will be a proac ve as individuals and as a unit in ge ng the municipal
building project passed by the voters.
Mr. Barri noted he had been a dissen ng vote because he didn’t feel this was the right loca on for the
municipal building and the cost was too high.
JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD5 SEPTEMBER 2018PAGE 2
Ms. Burkhardt said she was very excited about the new municipal building and hoped the two boards couldcon nue to collaborate. She noted the document requires a “leap of faith” and that it will be a few yearsbefore the school gets the benefits of the agreement.
Ms. Fitzgerald noted that a recommenda on has been made to turn the Steering Commi ee mee ngs into“proac ve mee ngs.” She felt that it would be great for the community to see both bodies working in that way. Mr. Henry felt there are a lot of “up sides” for the School District and par cularly noted that the agreement
would eliminate the need to have students in temporary trailers. The unknowns are how the 575 Dorset St.building fits the School District’s needs and how the building would be maintained. He also felt it was greatthat municipal offices would be “downtown.”
Ms. Fitzgerald thanked both a orneys for having worked so well to get to this point.
Ms. Riehle then moved that the City Council approve the agreement en tled Agreement for the Exchange ofRights and Interests in Real Property and to authorize Helen Riehle to sign as Chair of the City Council. Ms.
Emery seconded. Mo on passed 3-1 with Mr. Barri vo ng against.
Mr. Wisloski moved that the School Board approve the agreement en tled Agreement for the Exchange ofRights and Interests in Real Property and to authorize Elizabeth Fitzgerald as Chair of the School Board to sign
the Agreement. Mr. Lalonde seconded. Mo on passed 5-0.
Ms. Emery asked about the possible loss of an acre playing field space. Ms. Burkhardt explained that it isactually less than an acre and involves some roadway and treed areas.
As there was no further business to come before the joint mee ng, the City Council adjourned its par cipa onby common consent at 7:30 p.m.