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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 12/11/2019 - Special City CouncilSPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 11 DECEMBER 2019 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, 11 December 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the upstairs 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; Chief S. Burke, Police Department; Chief T. Francis, Fire Department; J. Rabidoux, Director of Public Works, H. Rees, Recreation Director; K. Donahue and other residents of Pinnacle at Spear 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. Donahue spoke regarding the flooding that occurred in 12 homes at Pinnacle at Spear following the Halloween storm. He noted that before the stormwater ponds were brought up to standard, they had had no flooding issues. The belief is that the ponds are now holding back so much water that the houses are getting flooded. Mr. Donahue gave members pictures of the ponds. He said they had been connected but have now been disconnected. He also noted that the pipes in the street are not sized to today’s standards. He showed a photo of the existing 1-3/4 inch pipe which used to be 12 inches but was changed to hold back the water. Mr. Donahue said the damage at Pinnacle reaches $250,000. Residents want to go back to the old outlet structure so there is relief. The existing pond cannot be handled by the pipe in the street. He felt the least expensive solution is to put the outlet back the way it was. Mr. Dorn said he would talk to people to see what solutions are available. 4. Continued discussion with Department members on the Capital Improvement Plan: Mr. Hubbard said Department heads have been asked to be prepared to discuss priorities. Ms. Riehle said she would like to see the savings generated this year from energy efficiency so those savings can be put into the energy efficiency fund. Mr. Hubbard said that has been tracked, and Lou Bresee can come in and give a report. Ms. Riehle said she would like to see how those savings inform next year’s budget. Mr. Hubbard said the base line stays the same and the savings go back into the fund. Mr. Dorn added that there could be a changing base line every year. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 11 DECEMBER 2019 PAGE 2 Mr. Hubbard noted that at present they are $738,000 proposed above last year’s total. He felt that about $500,000 needs to be cut to stay within what the Council has asked for. Ms. Emery suggested a fundraiser for the Wheeler House improvements and the possibility of “gift trees” to replace the ash trees. Public Works Department: Mr. Rabidoux said the most pressing need is to continue to finish Dorset Street. It is very expensive with a lot of prep work and night work. He said he would be more comfortable with $750,000 rather than $625,000. That will allow them to do something in addition to Dorset Street. He said the goal this year is to do the Healthy Living intersection and Garden Street. He also noted the possibility of applying for grant money. Members were OK with $750,000 with the hope of some grant money. Regarding the ash trees, Mr. Rabidoux said they budgeted $1000 to remove and replace each tree. Removal came in cheaper than anticipated, so that cost is now about $700. That would reduce the budgeted amount by 30%. He cited the need to remove the trees before the disease spreads. There are about 770 ash trees on city land. Mr. Rabidoux said he would be OK with $100,000 budgeted for this work. Regarding the $25,000 for the fuel tank replacement, Mr. Rabidoux said this was not an emergency situation and can be put off. He felt they should not get behind in fleet replacement. Fire and Ambulance: Chief Francis noted the FY21 will be a challenging year. He noted they had been scheduled to replace the ambulance and have pushed it out another year ($400,000). He said he can live with that in the short term. The CO testing equipment is very important, and they can possibly get a grant to come some of that. Grant money can’t be used for “rolling stock.” Mr. Kaufman asked about naming an ambulance for someone. Chief Francis said that is not usually done, though there can be a plaque in someone’s honor. Ms. Riehle noted the praise received from the Airport and from Heritage for the Fire and Police efforts during the recent fire. Chief Francis said “that’s how it’s supposed to work.” SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 11 DECEMBER 2019 PAGE 3 Police Department: Chief Burke said they are due to replace the SUV and are looking to get a hybrid model. They are also due to replace 2 patrol cars but could probably be OK with one. Mr. Kaufman asked if all the vehicles are all-wheel drive. Chief Burke said they have begun to buy all-wheel drives. Ms. Emery asked if the security equipment is vital. Chief Burke said it is because the current equipment has failed, and there is new technology available. He felt they can take $22,000 off the $98,000 total because they already got the fingerprinting equipment. Recreation and Parks: Mr. Barritt noted that the slate from the roof of the Wheeler House is valuable and shouldn’t be destroyed. Mr. Dorn advised that the building is eligible for inclusion in the Historic Registry. Ms. Emery suggested a “Friends of Wheeler House” group as people are very attached to that building. That could help take care of stewardship. Mr. Dorn cited the amount of work done by Carol and Common Roots on that building. Ms. Riehle asked what happens if Historic Preservation says the new roof has to be slate. Ms. Rees did not know. Mr. Hubbard cited the present danger of slated falling off the roof in a windstorm. Ms. Emery suggested keeping the roof as a separate ballot item. Mr. Kaufman did not agree. Mr. Dorn will research to get more information. Members felt that because of the danger the item should not be cut. Ms. Rees said the bleacher replacement can be put off for a year. Mr. Dorn said the Council can approve the changes made tonight at the meeting of 16 December. 5. Other Business: Ms. Emery noted the number of vacancies on the Natural Resources Committee. Mr. Dorn said they had advertised but got no responses. Members suggested contacting people who applied for the DRB opening to see if any of them would be interest. Mr. Barritt asked whether it is possible not to sell confiscated or replaced hand guns. Chief Burke said the trade-in program is very aggressive ($200-300 per gun from an original purchase CITY COUNCIL 11 DECEMBER 2019 PAGE 4 price of $500). Officers often buy them back though they cannot buy them directly from the city. They are also traded in to dealers who specialize in law enforcement weapons. Mr. Hubbard noted there may be a request from the Natural Resources Committee to reduce the committee size so they don’t have an issue getting a quorum. It was noted that the meeting originally scheduled for 6 January 2020 will be moved to 13 January, 6:30 p.m. As there was no further business to come before the Council, Ms. Emery moved to adjourn. Mr. Kaufman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.