HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - City Council - 03/18/2024
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DRAFT MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
18 MARCH 2024
The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 18 March
2024, at 6:30 p.m., in the Auditorium, 180 Market Street, and by Go to Meeting
remote participation.
MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Barritt, Chair; A. Chalnick, E. Fitzgerald, M. Scanlan, L.
Smith
ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager; Chief S. Locke, Deputy City Manager; C.
McNeil, City Attorney; J. Pellerin, Deputy City Attorney; Chief S. Burke, Police
Department; T. Francis, Deputy Fire Chief; P. Conner, Director of Planning &
Zoning; E. Quallen, Deputy Director of Public Works; D. Peters, M. Rorabaugh,
Stormwater Superintendent; D. Goodman, L. Bresee, L. Yankowski, R. Doyle
1. Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency and review of
technology option:
Ms. Baker provided instructions on emergency exit from the building and
reviewed technology options.
2. Additions, deletions or changes in the order of Agenda items:
Ms. Fitzgerald asked for an overview of the proposed easement on Williston Road
which is on the next School Board agenda. Members agreed to add this prior to
the Police Chief’s presentation.
3. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda:
There were no comments or questions.
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4. Announcements, councilors reports from committee assignments and
City Manager’s Report:
Council members reported on recent meetings and events they had attended.
Ms. Baker: Thanked Senator Welch for his visit this week
Early voting has opened for the second vote on the school budget.
The Rental Registry Ordinance is in place. People can go on line to
register their properties.
Animal registrations are due by 1 April.
There are a number of programs being presented by the Library and
Recreation and Parks.
The city has coordinated with GMT for transportation to various city
events including the summer “Night Out” series.
Improved water service has been installed at Jaycee Park.
Tours of City facilities are available to Council members. Ms. Baker
will coordinate these via email.
5. Consent Agenda:
a. Approve and Sign Disbursements
b. Approve Minutes from 29 January 2024, 5 February 2024 and 20
February 2024
c. Receive February financial statements
d. Approve accepting stormwater permit 3153-9050 under the City’s
MS4 permit to provide coverage for the Stone House Village Home-
owners’ Association and the Stone House Village Carriage House
Homeowners’ Association
e. Accept easements for the construction and maintenance of the
Dorset St. shared Use Path between Old Cross Road and Sadie Lane
& associated drainage and utility infrastructure
Mr. Chalnick asked the reasoning for the city to maintain stormwater facilities in
neighborhoods. Ms. Rorabaugh explained that this was how the utility was sold
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to the neighborhoods. Ms. Baker added that the city accepts them if built to
standards. She noted that at the next meeting there will be an orientation to
Public Works.
6. Introduce Jared Pellerin, Deputy City Attorney:
Ms. Baker noted that Mr. Pellerin had been acting City Attorney in Burlington and
brings years of experience there, from the City of Albany, and the State Assembly
of New York. She also thanked Mr. McNeil for “holding down the fort” for a
number of months.
Mr. Pellerin said he can already feel the energy within Ms. Baker’s team and is
excited to get to work.
6.1. Response to request – Williston Road Streetscape Right of Way
Ms. Baker said she and Ms. Blanchard will be attending the School Board meeting
on Wednesday to discuss the right of way needed from the School District to
achieve the Williston Road Streetscape Improvement project. The project was
part of the last bond vote for the TIF. She showed a plan including the 10 feet of
right-of-way that will be needed for the protected path. There is no cost to the
School District. The request on Wednesday is to allow the attorneys to talk. Ms.
Baker also showed and overview of the plan and the entire loop around City
Center. She said there are 40-50 right-of-way agreements in discussion related to
city-wide projects.
7. Council Orientation: Public Safety (Police and Fire):
Chief Burke showed the organization chart of the Police Department including the
Community Justice Center. Patrol is the largest group which is run on a 12-hour
schedule. The Police Department answers about 12,000 calls for service each
year. There are 7 full-time dispatchers (for Police, Fire and Ambulance). There are
2 additional detectives, one who is assigned to CUSI (which focuses on sexual
assault and serious child abuse) and one who is assigned to the State Drug Task
Force. There is also a State-funded position Human Trafficking Case Manager.
Chief Burke then showed a chart regarding recruitment and retention of staff and
cited recruitment issues. Two officers have left in 2024. There are 4 potential
candidates for the August class at the Police Academy.
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The Chief noted that the Department is doing less discretionary work and is
mainly responding to calls. He showed a graph of unmet social service needs and
noted the growth in the number of these calls (1003 in 2023).
Chief Burke then showed a chart of prevailing crime trends. Retail theft is at the
top of the list followed by larceny and stolen cars. The Chief urged people to keep
their cars locked and not to leave tempting stuff on the seats. These crimes have
a high recidivism rate over a small number of people.
The Chief then showed a photo of the new dispatch center set-up including 4 full
service terminals, computer aided dispatch, video integration, and ergonomically
friendly furniture. He stressed the importance of the “calming voices” in dispatch.
The center handled 16,000 calls in FY23 and can handle several calls at one time.
He also explained the 12-14 week training program for dispatchers.
Emerging issues include the need to meet the demands of a diversifying city. The
Chief noted that the delta between population and incident volume is at a
saturation point.
Mr. Scanlan asked what the City can do to get full staffing and what full staffing
means to the community. Chief Burke said they would be able to do more work in
curbing retail theft by being proactive. He noted that when there was a Police
presence at the UMall during the holiday season, retail theft was down. They
could also use more officers on the patrol teams, especially the day shift.
Chief Burke noted they now have a new initiative with targeted ads for new
recruits (pop-up ads and social media) in areas where they can find diversity in
recruitment. He also noted they have to consider where salaries have gone.
Mr. Smith asked what the Council can do. Chief Burke said “community support
is relentless.” He said he “works the room” wherever he goes. He stressed that
the level of community support if very appealing to candidates. Housing is also
an issue. Some officers have to leave the city and even the county to find
housing.
Ms. Baker cited the culture change that Chief Burke has led. She added that one
recruitment challenge is that the city does not diminish its requirement for quality
officers. Chief Burke then outlined the steps needed to become a Police Officer.
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Ms. Fitzgerald asked 3 questions: how the Council can help moving regionalization
forward, whether there is on-line responding, and whether there is opportunity to
change the cultural sensitivity model.
Chief Burke said there had been momentum for regionalization of dispatch, but
one community dropped out because of the cost. He didn’t think a regional
policing model would work because policing in Chittenden County is a little more
“intimate,” and they are now dealing with distrust of policing. He cited the need
to build relationships. There is talk of an alternate Police Academy, possibly a
non-residential training model. The Chief also noted that language is a barrier to
diversified policing, and it can take to the second or third generation Americans to
overcome that barrier. The Chief said sometimes on-line reporting is efficient, but
he would rather not get to that model.
Chief Burke then showed a slide of 21st Century Policing which includes: building
trust, policy/oversight, technology and social media, community policing and
crime reduction, training and education, and officer wellness and safety.
The Chief stressed that the South Burlington Police Department has a special
relationship with the community. The best trained officers tend not to overreact
on the street. The Chief also explained the use of body cameras and the support
given to officers for wellness and safety. He noted that this is a particularly young
Police force, and the department is doing some leadership training at all levels.
Mr. Chalnick suggested a public forum to stress that people are safe in the city
and that crimes against people are not prevalent. Chief Burke said there is very
little “stranger” problem. Most victims are known to their assailant and usually
involve drugs and/or domestic situations. However, there is evidence that people
don’t feel safe. The Chief urged people to call the Police if they see something
troubling. He thought a public forum was a good idea.
Chief Locke then presented the Fire Department organization chart. There are 36
people assigned to rotating shifts, 24 hours on/48 hours off. There is a minimum
of 8 firefighters per shift. In July, this will change to 10 member minimum per
shift with the full implementation of the second ambulance. The Chief noted that
16 of the current Firefighters have fewer than 2 years of experience, 20 have fewer
than 5 years.
Firefighters respond on a 2-tier system. Every medical call gets a fire truck with
an ambulance. Dispatch automatically sends the closest unit. All staff must be a
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minimum EMT. The majority of South Burlington Firefighters are Advanced
EMTs. There are 10 who are full paramedics with 4 more currently in school for
this advancement. Recent focus has been to increase the number of paramedics.
Chief Lock explained that the second ambulance was needed as 23% of their calls
did not have a city ambulance available. This increased response time, which can
be critical. They also had to rely on other communities for service, which
decreased the availability in those communities.
The Chief then cited the work of the Prevention Division. They review building
plans and inspect all public buildings. The Electrical Inspector responds for
permitting and inspection of all properties except single family homes. The new
Rental Registry will fall under this division.
Fire Department revenue for FY24 was $1,402,000 from permit inspections.
Chief Locke cited the 59% increase in call volume in the past 10 years. Mr. Smith
asked if this is a result of increased population. Chief Locke said the call volume is
greater than the population increase. It includes visitors and people traveling
through the city. He stressed that Police cars and ambulances are now “the social
workers of the city.”
Chief Locke then explained the relationship with the Air Guard Fire Department.
They have first response for most commercial buildings around the Airport and
are a vital element in the system. The South Burlington Fire Department trains
with the Guard’s Department. The Air Guard represents 15% of call volume.
Emerging issues include: replacement of staff (with retirements), recruitment,
maintenance of facilities, training opportunities, dedicated Shift Commander,
implementation of the Rental Registry and associated inspections, behavioral
health and substance abuse impact (the “revolving door” of patients).
Mr. Chalnick asked whether the city is reimbursed for calls to another community.
Chief Locke said they bill the patient.
Mr. Scanlan asked what the cost would be if the Air Guard Fire Department was
not available. Chief Locke said they would need another station with 9
Firefighters. The approximate cost for staff alone would be $1,000,000 to
$1,500,000. The Air Guard runs about 1000 incidents a year “off base” in South
Burlington, Winooski and Colchester.
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8. Receive a presentation of the Equity in Planning effort:
Mr. Conner said the Planning Department is kicking off an exciting program. It is
funded by a Municipal Planning Grant, and the project is identified in the City’s
FY24 Policies and Priorities. A number of actions in the City Plan speak to
diversity of the population.
Civic Brand has been hired to develop a tool kit that is equitable from the
beginning. There will also be an advisory group. There will be an on-line survey
and focus groups hosted by a community person in the neighborhood. The
project will be identifying “personas” in the community to craft the city’s public
engagement strategies.
The purpose of the project is to get different viewpoints that ultimately make the
community stronger. A key to success will be a commitment from the City
leadership and the City Council to use what is learned.
Ms. Fitzgerald asked if there is data on the City Plan process of the number of
unique community members who participated. Mr. Conner said there is some
information on that. He noted that the cross-section of people they get for
projects is not the same for all projects, and it is very important to identify
“viewpoint.”
Mr. Scanlan felt this was fantastic. He noted that the challenges he heard when
he was campaigning is that people are busy and that they see things as
“complicated.” Ms. Baker said that there needs to be focus on ensuring folks feel
heard and considered in policy making to ensure they feel their time is well spent.
The question is what we do with what we learn. People want to feel their time has
been valued.
Mr. Coleman noted that when communities went from Town Meeting to
Australian Ballot, public participation went down.
9. Discussion of community engagement including current efforts,
Councilor’s Corner and other ideas:
Members signed up to do the Councilor’s Corner column as follows:
March – Mr. Barritt
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April – Mr. Chalnick
May – Mr. Scanlan
June – Mr. Smith
July – Ms. Fitzgerald
Mr. Chalnick suggested putting Council and other agendas on Front Porch Forum.
Mr. Smith suggested having neighborhood forums. He is considering inviting
people to join him for a Councilor’s Advisory Group, meeting possibly monthly.
Ms. Fitzgerald suggested inviting people to a listening session in neighborhoods.
Mr. Chalnick suggested meeting one day a month to invite people to come and
talk with the Council.
Mr. Smith asked if he has to be careful of what he is saying. Ms. Baker said the
expectation is that you are talking to people all the time, wherever that is
happening. It is fine to solicit feedback.
Mr. McNeil said the way to represent people is to talk to them and listen to them.
If there is not conflict of interest that is OK. Mr. Barritt added that the more people
they reach who don’t normally come to meetings, the better.
Mr. Smith suggested forming a “Climate Champions” committee.
Ms. Fitzgerald saw a unique opportunity with the Steering Committee to hold
meetings in neighborhoods. She noted this had been happening, but they got
away from it.
Mr. Coleman reminded members that they can’t have a quorum present without
warning the meeting/event.
10. Discussion of Committee Structure and appointment of Council
Liaisons to Committees:
Ms. Baker noted the Council establishes policy committees and can change this at
any time. They could change the structure of committees to align with the City
Plan. She noted one question is how they are leveraging volunteers and staff to
accomplish goals.
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Mr. Smith suggested adding a Transportation Committee (possibly combining the
Bike/Ped and Recreation/Parks Committees). He also suggested a Community
Engagement Committee and Climate Champions Committee.
Mr. Barritt stressed that there is an issue of staff time. He would be OK with
combining committees but not with adding more committees.
Mr. Doyle said he has attended most city committees and felt there was often
confusion within the committees as to their mission. He also noted that agendas
were, at times, not posted.
Members then discussed Council liaisons to city committees as follows.
Affordable Housing – Ms. Fitzgerald
Bike/Ped – Mr. Scanlan
City Charter – Ms. Fitzgerald
Common Area for Dogs – Mr. Barritt
Recreation/Parks – Mr. Smith
Economic Development – Mr. Chalnick
Planning Commission – Mr. Barritt
Energy – Mr. Chalnick
Housing Trust Fund – Ms. Fitzgerald
Natural Resources – Mr. Smith
Pension – Mr. Barritt
Public Art – Mr. Barritt
Airport Commission – Ms. Riehle with Mr. Scanlan as alternate
Town Meeting TV – Ms. Emery with Ms. Fitzgerald as alternate
GMT – Mr. Scanlan with Mr. Barritt as alternate
CCRPC – Ms. Emery with Mr. Scanlan as alternate
CC Communications – Mr. Barritt with Mr. Smith as alternate
Safe Routes to School – Mr. Chalnick
These appointments will be on the next Consent Agenda.
Mr. Doyle cited the issue of Councilors who pushed their own “agendas” at
committee meetings, noting that this became an issue at the City Charter
Committee.
11. Discussion of Possible Adoption of FY25 Policy Priorities and Strategies
process:
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Ms. Baker reviewed the history and said priorities and strategies will be aligned
with the new City Plan. A date for the retreat will be coordinated. Members felt
early June would work for them.
Mr. Smith moved to keep the same format. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion
passed unanimously.
12. Convene as South Burlington Liquor Control Commission to consider:
Kinney Drugs #55, Second Class License:
Mr. Scanlan moved to convene as the Liquor Control Commission. Ms. Fitzgerald
seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Smith moved to approve the Second Class License for Kinney Drugs #55 as
presented. Mr. Scanlan seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Scanlan moved to reconvene as City Council. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion
passed unanimously.
13. Other Business:
No other business was presented.
14. Consider entering into executive session for the purposes of discussing
pending and probable civil litigation to which the City is a party and to
receive confidential attorney client communications made for the
purpose of providing professional legal services to the City Council:
Mr. Scanlan moved that the Council make a specific finding that premature
general public knowledge of the Council’s discussion of Pending or Probable Civil
Litigation to which the City is a party and confidential attorney-client
communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal services to
the Council would clearly place the public body at a substantial disadvantage. Mr.
Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Scanlan then moved that the Council enter into executive session under 1
V.S.A. Section 313(a)(1)(E) and (F) for the purpose of discussing Pending or
Probable Civil Litigation to which the City is a Party and Confidential Attorney-
Client Communications made for the purpose of providing professional legal
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services to the Council, and inviting into the session Ms. Baker, Chief Locke, Mr.
Pellerin and Mr. McNeil. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Smith noted that he is an appellant in one of the civil actions and will recuse
himself and leave the session when that item is discussed.
Following the Executive Session, as there was no further business to come
before the Council Mr. Scanlan moved to adjourn. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded.
Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:58 p.m.
_________________________________
Clerk