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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/21/2019CITY COUNCIL 21 OCTOBER 2019 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 21 October 2019, 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; A. Lafferty, City Attorney; D. Kinville, City Clerk, H. Rees, Recreation Department; P. Taylor, T. McKenzie, J. Leas, B. Sirvis, D. Crawford, B. Leet 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: Mr. McKenzie said they are close to completing the Garden Street segment that goes to the north and are about to start to the south. They would like to discuss when the city will take over that road. They will build the entire southern segment, but they don’t want ownership of the road once it is open. They will do all the infrastructure in front of the first building and do a “track” the rest of the way. Mr. Smith and Ms. Waters, Queen City Park residents, spoke of the neighborhood’s concern with Burlington’s proposed Higher Ground project in an industrial park surrounded by residences. They feel Burlington has no interest in protecting the residents, even though the project goes against a plan that was approved for the Burlington south end early this year. Concerns include traffic, noise, safety and encroachment as well the security of Red Rocks Park. They noted that Burlington has not addressed South Burlington’s ownership of part of the Queen City Park Road which is involved in the traffic study. They asked that the South Burlington get party status for the DRB hearings to be sure neighborhood concerns are met. Mr. Leas spoke regarding the Air Guard presentation at the last Council meeting. He felt there were issues that Col. Smith did not address including 900 homes “unsafe for living,” which he felt should have been addressed before the arrival of the F35s. He was also concerned with over 1000 homes in the “likely crash area,” 3400 Airport passengers who would be exposed to the noise of the F35s, damage to children from noise as they walk to and from school, the potential 5% use of afterburners (which, he said, would amount to 125 times a year), and the burning of 1100 gallons per day per plane every time they take off. Mr. Leas said other states have had F35 basings reversed where they were deemed unsuitable for the area. He asked the Council to adopt a resolution to set up a public forum at Chamberlin School, demand noise CITY COUNCIL 21 OCTOBER 2019 PAGE 2 monitoring equipment and demand sound mitigation be in place before the arrival of more F35s. 4. Announcements and City Manager’s Report: Council members reported on meetings and events they had attended in recent weeks. Mr. Dorn: The second domestic violence forum will be held on 30 October, preceded by a meal provided by the city. ` The Steering Committee will meet on 28 October, 7-9 p.m. in the High School Library regarding facility issues. They will meet again on 5 November with the Legislative delegation at 7 p.m. The ribbon cutting for Market Stree5t will be at 11 a.m. on 13 November. Groundbreaking for 180 Market Street will follow immediately. Market Street will be open on 15 November. The food shelf will open on 28 October for an open house. It will open for service on 1 November. At the CCPSA meeting, salary and benefit packages were discussed. It looks like that service will begin in January 2021. Attended a digital conference at Champlain College with Ms. Holm. There will be an F35 arrival ceremony on Saturday. Reappraisal of all properties in the city has begun and appraisers will be out in the field soon. The head of the appraisal company will be scheduled to speak with the council. 5. Consent Agenda: A. Approve and Sign Disbursement B. Regarding notice of an application for a Certificate of Public Good to install a new utility pole on property located at 255 Quarry Hill Road and thereon install an antennae and associated equipment to be filed with the Public Utility Commission, resolve not to request either that the applicant attend a public meeting with the City Council or that the Department of Public Service retain personnel to provide information essential to a full consideration of the application. C. Designation of attorney for tax sale collection. CITY COUNCIL 21 OCTOBER 2019 PAGE 3 D. Authorize City Manager to sign documents related to a financing agreement between the City of South Burlington and the Dorset Park Skating Association, Inc., to enable financing for a proposed entrance facility to the Cairns Arenas. Mr. Barritt expressed concern with the placement of the pole (item B) close to a residence building. After a brief discussion, members agreed to remove item “B” from the Consent Agenda. Ms. Emery then moved to approve Consent Agenda items A, C. and D as presented. Mr. Kaufman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Report from Sextons: Ms. Kinville noted that she and Thomas Chittenden and Peter Taylor were appointed Sextons a year ago. Mr. Chittenden noted that a sexton is an officer charged with maintenance of a graveyard. He also noted there hasn’t been an official “cemetery commission” for 20 years, so technically the City Council is the Cemetery Commission. Mr. Taylor then described the two city cemeteries and reviewed their history: The Eldridge Cemetery is on the corner of Airport Rd. and Airport Dr. He showed a photo indicating a missing piece of fencing that was taken down by the Airport within the past 3 years and not replaced. He indicated a possible spot for benches to upgrade the area. He also noted the burial place for 24 War of 1812 soldiers who died, possibly of smallpox. The Shelburne Road Cemetery came to the city when South Burlington became an independent city. The City of Burlington provided no cemetery records. Mr. Taylor noted the need for parking at both cemetery locations. Ms. Kinville then showed slides indicating the need for repairs at both cemeteries. She noted that state law requires a cemetery to be fenced. Ms. Kinville also expressed frustration at not having an accurate listing of all resting souls so that she cannot provide this information when there are inquiries. She noted the law requires a map, and there is none at present. Lots in both cemeteries are priced at $400 for residents (4.5 ft.x10 ft.) and $600 for non- residents. CITY COUNCIL 21 OCTOBER 2019 PAGE 4 The Sextons then presented the following recommendations: 1. Sonar service (this is being done) 2. Straighten leaning/fallen gravestones 3. Clear the fence line and swale area 4. Record a formal plat of each cemetery 5. Calibrate pricing 6. Improve fencing 7. Provide benches Ms. Riehle asked if there is a fund for burial costs. Ms. Kinville said there is, about $4500. 7. Update from Consultants on Preliminary Design for Proposed Indoor Recreation Center: Mr. Leet reviewed the history of the project including stakeholder meetings, survey, design input from the community, etc. They are now completing the schematic design process and pricing. Mr. Leet noted that the main features cited in the public survey were: 1. Walking/running track (75%) 2. Movement studio (73%) 3. A membership fee or pay-to-use (70%) 4. Keep fees low (63%) 5. Revenue plan that breaks even (37%) 6. Not willing to pay for use the facility (17%) Mr. Leet said there will be an operations plan that will address all of this information. Mr. Leet then showed pictures of the type of facility being considered, including different surfaces for different uses. Indicated spaces included: 1. Walking track 2. 3 multi-use courts 3. Movement studio 4. Locker rooms 5. Recreation & Parks Department offices CITY COUNCIL 21 OCTOBER 2019 PAGE 5 6. Rest rooms 7. Parking for events Mr. Leet also showed an area for a potential pool and growth. The building would be an extension of the Cairns arenas with a covered walkway between. There would be 240 new parking spaces. There might also be an indoor connection to Cairns. They are exploring LEED standards. Mr. Kaufman cited the benefit of the Cairns connection for people who might want to go from the Rec Center to Cairns to get snacks/lunch, etc. Mr. Kaufman also suggested contacting ICD, who is doing the Cairns addition, for possible savings. Mr. Leet said he has already talked with Cairns to capture excess heat when the Cairns systems are replaced. Mr. Crawford spoke with concern about the condition of the access road and whether it can handle the additional traffic without being widened. Mr. Kaufman also noted that when the rinks are busy, there is parking on both sides of the road, which narrows the road considerably. 8. Set Public Hearing Date on Proposed Amendments to the South Burlington Land Development Regulations: Mr. Dorn noted that 8 November is the soonest the public hearing can be held. It is important because the amendments are needed to begin work on the road before the asphalt plants close. The amendments were supported by the sub-committee and will be addressed by the Planning Commission tomorrow night. Members agreed to a special meeting on 8 November, 8 a.m. Mr. Barritt moved that the Council warn a public hearing at a special City Council meeting on November 8, 2019, at 8:00 a.m., in the City Hall Conference Room, to consider proposed amendments to Sections 8.05, 8.08, 8.13 and 8.14 and to Appendix C and Appendix F of the Land Development Regulations. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Review and possibly approve proposal from Earth Economics to develop a valuation model for various and many natural resource-related features of the Southeast CITY COUNCIL 21 OCTOBER 2019 PAGE 6 Quadrant as a component of the overall Interim Zoning studies currently being undertaken: Mr. Dorn reviewed the history. He noted there were 2 different components: pure revenue/costs from budget, Grand List, etc. (John Stewart is doing this), and valuations associated with natural resources in the Southeast Quadrant and quantify what loss of those spaces or development of those spaces would mean. Mr. Dorn then directed attention to the Proposal from Earth Economics. He said the Council needs to be confident that this gets to the issues they want to address. Mr. Chittenden said he wouldn’t vote against this but he still wants to know that the city is looking at other parts of the city, particularly the Airport area. Mr. Dorn said that is on the Planning Commission work list and they are looking at how to address that. Mr. Barritt said he would like time to look this over. Members agreed to meet briefly after the Steering Committee meeting on 28 October, to consider this. Mr. Crawford asked that the Natural Resources Committee be involved in this process. 10. Preliminary Discussion with Council on FY21 Budget: Mr. Hubbard said increases are expected for health care and the pension plan. Insurance increases are at about 7% (approximately $53,000). Contractual agreements are known. They are still working through the CIP which will probably be up $200,000. Mr. Hubbard said the big item is paving and staff needs to know if it is a priority to stay near $1,000,000. That would be a $375,000 increase (1-1/3 cents on the tax rate). Mr. Kaufman said it is a high priority for residents. Mr. Chittenden said he would like to see what would have to be “chopped” to get to the percent the city wants. Mr. Barritt said he wants the city to remain a 2% tax rate town, and things are inching up. He noted that Burlington, Middlebury and Winooski are almost to 3%. Mr. Dorn cited the cost to do the small section of Dorset Street, and would like to come back with some ideas on how to approach the rest of the paving. CITY COUNCIL 21 OCTOBER 2019 PAGE 7 Mr. Dorn said it is time to come to the Council with a budget for what staff feels is really needed. Ms. Emery cited the need to address things earlier, before they become more expensive. Mr. Hubbard questioned whether they city is getting a competitive interest rate regarding pension funds. Mr. Dorn said the feeling is the pension loan was not a good thing for the city, but they have to continue to live with it. 11. September Financials: Mr. Hubbard said they are at 32% of projected revenue and 26% of expenses. The General Fund is in good shape. 12. Report from Councilors on Committee Assignments: No reports were presented. 13. Other Business: Mr. Barritt questioned the timing of brush hogging of the area near the Cider Mill. He was concerned that there could have been nesting birds during the spring. He suggested doing it late in the season when there are no animals to disturb. As there was no further business to come before the Council, Mr. Chittenden moved to adjourn. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 p.m.