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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - City Charter Committee - 11/09/2022AGENDA SOUTH BURLINGTON CHARTER COMMITTEE South Burlington City Hall 180 Market Street SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT Participation Options In Person: 180 Market Street – Library Board Room – 2nd Floor – Room #201 Assistive Listening Service Devices Available upon request Electronically: https://meet.goto.com/SouthBurlingtonVT/city-charter-11-09-2022 You can also dial in using your phone. +1 (224) 501-3412 Access Code: 271-725-869 Wednesday November 9,2022 4:00 P.M. 1. Welcome and Introductions 2.Agenda Review and Approval 3.Public comment on items not on the agenda 4. ***Approve Minutes from October 12, 2022 Charter Committee meeting. 5.Discussion of the “Executive Mayor” form of government with Rutland City Mayor, DavidAllaire 6.Discussion of the “Policy Mayor” structure with Montpelier Mayor, Anne Watson 7.City Council comment on Planning Commission discussion 8.*** Timeline and Next Steps 9.Next Meeting: Further discussion about roles with South Burlington Council Chair, HelenRiehle 10.Other Business 11. Adjourn CITY CHARTER COMMITTEE 12 OCTOBER 2022 The South Burlington City Charter Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, 12 October 2022, at 4:00 p.m., in Conference Room 201, City Hall, 180 Market Street. MEMBERS PRESENT: P. Taylor, Dr. T. Childs, A. Lalonde, C. P. Engels, D. Kinville, C. Hafter, C. Higgins ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager, C. McNeill, City Attorney; W. Fraser, Montpelier City Manager; K. Lott, Winooski Mayor 1. Welcome and Introductions: Mr. Taylor welcomed members and guests who then introduced themselves.. 2. Agenda Review No changes were made to the Agenda. 3. Comments & Questions from the public not related to the Agenda: No issues were raised. 4. Approve Minutes from the 21 September 2021 and 14 September 2022 Charter Committee meetings: Ms. Lalonde moved to approve the Minutes of 21 September 2021 as written. Ms. Kinville seconded. Motion passed with all present voting in favor. Ms. Lalonde moved to approve the Minutes of 14 September 2022 as written. Ms. Kinville seconded. Motion passed with all present voting in favor. 5. Discussion of the Council-Manager form of government with Montpelier City Manager, Bill Fraser and Winooski Mayor Kristine Lott: Ms. Baker reviewed the interest in hearing from people with specific expertise. She noted that Mr. Fraser is City Manager of Montpelier and New England Vice President of ICMA, and Ms. Lott is the “weak mayor” of the City of Winooski. Mr. Fraser said he has held his City Manager position for 27 years. He also stressed that he does not like the term “weak mayor” but preferred “policy mayor.” He noted that the weak or CITY CHARTER COMMITTEE 12 OCTOBER 2022 PAGE 2 policy mayor serves as the political leader of a city and assists the City Council. The City Manager still does the work that the City Council asks for. He strongly recommended keeping the City Manager form of government as surveys have indicated that it is more efficient and leaves policy work to the City Council. The one criticism that has been leveled at the City Manager form is that the Manager is not elected. Ms. Kinville asked if there are any other benefits. Mr. Fraser said people can run for election for many reasons and don’t necessarily know anything about the position they are running for. When you hire a professional Manager, you know what you are getting – a person who knows budgeting, management skills, h. r. skills, etc. He noted that many elected mayors have a non-elected official who has those skills and experience. Mr. Hafter said the City Manager’s most difficult task involves personnel and making decisions in a neutral manner, not politically. This protects employees and gives them some security and is good for morale. Mr. Fraser noted that Vermont rules regarding employees differ from other states. It is important to be sure the process is there for everyone. Ms. Lalonde asked but a system with a combination of City Manager and Mayor whom the citizens can approach. Mr. Fraser agreed and said that is what they have in Montpelier and in Winooski. The mayor is recognized as a political leader, and this works very effectively. He noted their Mayor is not shy about bringing forth her ideas, and the City Council often supports her. She also has a full-time job. That could be an issue if the Mayor felt he/she should be running the city. Mr. Hafter asked if the Montpelier Mayor runs by party. Mr. Fraser said no, and that works very successfully for them. Ms. Lott said she agreed with much of what Mr. Fraser said. Winooski has a Mayor and City Manager. The Mayor runs with no party affiliation (anyone can run for elected positions). The professional experience of the appointed City Manager serves for continuity as elected officials can frequently change. She cited the importance of there being a non-partisan person that the public can access. CITY CHARTER COMMITTEE 12 OCTOBER 2022 PAGE 3 Ms. Lott noted that when she first started as Mayor, her knowledge of municipal operations was not significant. She said the balance between the Mayor and City Manager allows for two different perspectives. She noted that in Winooski, a person can run for the City Council or for Mayor. The 2 positions have different time commitments. Ms. Lott also recalled that there had been a question in Winooski as to whether the Mayor should be from or within the City Council. They decided against this as they are very different jobs. Ms. Lott said she facilitat3s meetings, tries to understand what Councilors’ priorities are, and what is the “pipeline.” The City Manager provides an expert lens without which they could be looking at different priorities. Mr. Taylor said one thing the Committee is looking at is whether the City Council should be 5 or 7 members. He asked if the guests had any thoughts on this. Ms. Lott said Winooski has 5 members. They also don’t have a lot of people who want to run for those positions, and it would be hard to fill more seats. Having more members could also lead to having more priorities at the table, more items to consider, more voices to hear, and possibly a harder job to get things done. Mr. Fraser said whatever the policy makers decide, that is the right number. He said he has served with 3, 5, 7 and 9 Council members. He liked 7. Montpelier has 3 districts with 2 Councilors from each. He didn’t find that unwieldy, and they get a range of conversation. He felt South Burlington could probably find more people to run if they were to increase from 5 to 7 members. Mr. Engels said elections have become very expensive in South Burlington which has resulted in 4 of the 5 Council members being from the “wealthy part of town,” and all living within a mile of each other. That is part of the motivation for increasing the number, to have all areas of the city represented. Mr. Engels was also concerned with the potential for a City Manager to try to manipulate the City Council. The City Manager also has a lot of control with the responsibility for hiring and firing. Mr. Fraser said he has heard those concerns before they always surprise him. He said he doesn’t “lobby” the Council, and the Council has at times approved things he didn’t agree with. He noted that he always briefs the Council before he makes an announcement to be sure he isn’t missing anything and to include them in the process. He also asked the Council when he is reviewed “do you have concerns with my hires?” CITY CHARTER COMMITTEE 12 OCTOBER 2022 PAGE 4 Mr. Hafter said any City Managers who think they can control the City Council better have their resumes ready. Ms. Lalonde asked the difference between the City Council President and the Policy Mayor. Ms. Emery said the Council Chair works very closely with the City Manager and meets with other city leaders on a regular basis. They put together agendas and try to develop a team spirit on the Council. Things are not always tranquil, but the Chair tries to validate every Councilor. Mr. Fraser cited the difference between a Policy Mayor elected by the whole city and one elected by the City Council. That can be highly political amongst Council members. Ms. Lott noted that in Winooski, City Council terms are 2 years and the Mayor’s term is 3 years. This allows for continuity. Ms. Emery asked Ms. Lott what she actually does. Ms. Lott said she is similar to the Council Chair in South Burlington. She is the spokesperson for the City Council and interfaces with other communities and with bodies such as the Planning Commission. She leads strategy work, plans the annual retreat and helps plan the annual budget. She works about 10-15 hours a week in her “weak mayor” position. Mr. Fraser said Montpelier’s Mayor does pretty much the same things. Many times people will call the Mayor with an issue. The Mayor also attends city events and celebrations. Ms. Baker said she works with the City Council Chair the same way she used to work with mayors. She has felt she has more authority then if South Burlington had a mayor, particularly with meeting with other officials. She noted that mayors are often “the face of the city,” the spokesperson. Mr. Hafter asked whether the guests felt voting by wards was necessary. Mr. Fraser said no, but the concern with equal representation is an issue. Ms. Lott said all positions in Winooski are voted at large. Mr. Taylor said the Charter Committee is considering wards/districts because of the size of the community and the cost of running for office. Ms. Lalonde asked if the “weak mayor” gets a salary. Ms. Baker said no, but there is a stipend which is larger than that of a City Councilor. CITY CHARTER COMMITTEE 12 OCTOBER 2022 PAGE 5 6. Continued discussion of the possible expansion of the Planning Commission: Mr. Engels noted the Planning Commission did discuss this possibility and eventually voted 5-1 with one abstention not to change from 7 members. Members felt 9 members could be unwieldy and “counterproductive.” Mr. Taylor asked if the Committee should continue the discussion considering that decision. Ms. Emery said the Council asked for the consideration of an increase because one Commission member was concerned with lack of specific expertise. There was only one position open, and the incumbent wanted to continue. The other applicant had the “missing” expertise. Ms. Kinville asked how many people usually apply for the Commission. Ms. Baker said there are usually multiple applicants. She noted that other committees send liaisons to the Planning Commission (e.g., Affordable Housing and Energy Committees). She also stressed the need to be sure that people making decisions represent the community and added that the community is stronger with many different experiences at the table. Mr. Taylor asked Ms. Emery to bring this back to the City Council to see if they want the Charter Committee to continue to pursue it. 7. Next meeting: further discussion about mayors with Rutland Mayor, David Allaire and Montpelier Mayor, Anne Watson: Ms. Baker noted these are “strong mayors.” 8. Other Business: Ms. Baker asked Dr. Childs if there is any interest in the School Board in changing their structure. Dr. Childs said they will stay with 5 members. Ms. Kinville asked if they have considered voting at large or by districts/wards. Dr. Childs said that has not been discussed, but it will be. Mr. Taylor encouraged members to think about and jot down their thoughts re: possible expansion of the City Council from 5 members and voting at large vs. voting by wards/districts. As there was no further business, Ms. Lalonde moved to adjourn. Ms. Kinville seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. South Burlington Charter CommitteeProposed TimelineUpdated: 11/3/22Charge:*conducting a comprehensive public process to solicit feedback from South Burlington residents on governance models.  *consider increasing the size of the Planning Commission for Town Meeting Day 2023Meeting Date Task/Outcome Speakers9/14/2022*Consider and approve a timeline*Review data from other communities*Introduce Planning Commission charge10/12/2022 *Discussion on PC composition and legal options*Panel #1 ‐ Speakers on governance models*Start drafting pros/cons to key questions*"Weak Mayor" ‐ Kristine Lott, Winooski*Council‐Manager ‐ Bill Fraser, Montpelier  11/9/2022 *Panel #2 ‐ Speakers on governance models*Continue drafting pros/cons to key questions*Discussion on Council's action on Planning Commission composition*"Policy" Mayor ‐ Anne Watson, Montpelier*"Executive" Mayor ‐ David Allaire, Rutland12/14/2022 *Finalize pros/cons and set public engagement efforts1/11/2023 *Finalize public engagement strategy *Launch survey2/8/2023 *Public engagement hearings3/8/2023 *Review data received*Provide direction to Legal to start drafting4/12/2023 *Review draft *Formulate set of recommendations5/10/2023 *Further discussion and finalize recommendations for public hearing6/14/2023 *Final public hearing7/12/2023 *Finalize recommendation to Council7/17/2023 *Present recommendations to Council*consider governance models, language updates, engage in a community feedback process, and prepare recommendations for the City Council no later than July 2023.  Potential questions for speakers and committee:*Should we move to a ward system and how many?*Should we consider a strong or weak Mayor*How many City Councilors and School Board members shall we have?*Are there other changes to 13‐305 "Meetings" you'd like to consider?*Are there other governance changes in the Charter you'd like to consider?