City Council

Minutes of the Montpelier City Council Meeting May 23, 2018 7:00 PM City Council Chambers, City Hall In attendance: Mayor Anne Watson (Chair), Councilors Dona Bate, Conor Casey, Glen Hutcheson, Rosie Krueger, Jack McCullough and Ashley Hill, and City Manager Bill Fraser. City Clerk John Odum acted as secretary of the meeting from a remote location. The meeting was called to order by the Mayor at 7:00. 18-158. With the addition of a brief discussion of the summer meeting schedule, the agenda was approved by unanimous consent. 18-159. Maurice Martineau spoke about the River Street Crosswalk and a Disc Golf Tournament at Wrightsville. The Mayor offered a brief response. 18-160. Councilor Casey moved approval of the consent agenda and was seconded by Councilor Hill. The motion carried unanimously. 18-161. The Tax Increment Financing Public Information Hearing was opened at 7:07. Stephanie Hanley with White and Burke shared a power point presentation. Stephen Mills from the Times Argus, Sam Dworkin and Page Guertin had questions. The public hearing was closed at 7:25 PM. Councilor Hill moved the following (read aloud by Councilor Hutcheson): WHEREAS, Tax Increment Financing is a critical tool for the City to have in its economic toolbox to provide revenues beyond normal municipal revenue sources for those infrastructure improvements that serve the proposed TIF District and are essential to enable and stimulate development or redevelopment within the district, provide for employment opportunities, improve and broaden the tax base, and enhance the general economic vitality of the municipality, the region and the state (See 24 VSA §1893); and WHEREAS, for the City of Montpelier to remain a healthy and economically vibrant regional center it must continue to make substantial public investments that encourage private investment and development in the Montpelier community; and WHEREAS, a Tax Increment Financing district will provide the City with the supplemental funds necessary to make public investments that enable beneficial, planned development and redevelopment, provide for employment opportunities, improve and broaden the tax base and enhance the general economy of the City; and WHEREAS, the City of Montpelier is responsible for developing and maintaining all public infrastructure and facilities necessary for the continued success and development of its downtown area; and WHEREAS, Montpelier will be economically strengthened through continued improvements to public infrastructure and facilities and private investment in property development and re-development; and  WHEREAS, new real property development and re-development would not likely occur or would occur in a significantly different and less desirable manner without the use of Tax Increment Financing; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that pursuant to 24 V.SA § 1892(a) the City of Montpelier City Council hereby finds expressly that the creation of the City of Montpelier TIF District (as shown on the map attached hereto as Exhibit A) in which proposed public improvements as described in the City of Montpelier TIF District Plan represent improvements which could not occur without the availability of TIF District financing as a tool, and but for the availability of TIF District financing, the City would not be able to make these improvements that serve the district and related costs which, in keeping with the purpose of Tax Increment Financing as described at 24 V.S.A § 1893, will stimulate development or redevelopment within the district, provide for employment opportunities, improve and broaden the tax base and/or enhance the general economic vitality of the municipality, the region and the state; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council establishes the City of Montpelier Tax Increment Financing district with boundaries as shown on the map attached hereto as Exhibit A, which map shall be recorded with the Office of the City Assessor along with this Resolution; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council, pursuant to 24 V.S.A 1892, hereby approves and adopts the City of Montpelier TIF District Plan concurrent with the TIF District Financing Plan attached hereto as Exhibit B; which plan shall be recorded with the Office of the City Assessor along with this Resolution; and BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or his designee, to submit the full application for the City of Montpelier Tax Increment Financing District to the State of Vermont Economic Progress Council with this Resolution representing the City's positive vote to establish the City of Montpelier TIF District as delineated on Exhibit A and its pledge to reserve one hundred percent (100%) of the incremental City property tax revenues received from properties within the Montpelier TIF District towards the retirement of the TIF debt incurred; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council pledges that a minimum of one hundred percent (100%) of the incremental City property tax revenues received from properties within the City of Montpelier TIF District shall, during the legal life of the district, be allocated solely towards the retirement of the debt incurred pursuant to the approved TIF District Plan. The motion was seconded by Councilor McCullough. Discussion followed with questions and concerns raised by Sam Dworkin and Stephen Whitaker respectively. The motion then carried unanimously at 7:35 PM. 18-162. Tom Golonka, Paco Aumand and Kim Cheney gave a Central Vermont Public Safety Authority update. Discussion followed with Stephen Whitaker offering comments. No formal action was taken. The Mayor called a 5 minute recess at 8:18. The meeting reconvened at 8:27. 18-163. Cari Clement and Jay Ancel gave a report from the Downsizers group. No formal action taken. 18-165. James Brady (chair) and Page Guertin gave a presentation from the Conservation Commission. Discussion followed. No formal action taken. 18-166. John Snell and John Akielaszek gave a Tree Board presentation. James Brady participated in discussion. No formal action taken. 18-164. Community Services presentations were offered by Senior Activity Center Director Jana Clar, Recreation Director Arne McMullen and Parks Director Geoff Beyer. After discussion, no formal action taken. 18-167. There was a brief discussion of the summer meeting schedule. No formal action taken. 18-168. Councilor Hill reported on receiving Rec Center feasibility studies as well as her desire to return to the discussion of a Social and Economic Justice Committee. Councilor McCullough reported (to the public) on the recent Council retreat. Councilor Krueger would like to have a public records law review with the committee heads. Councilor Hutcheson invited all to his weekly Bagito’s meetings and noted the June’s upcoming Vermont Neighbor Day, encouraging residents to have a party. Councilor Casey thanked city staff for their patience and for the departmental tours before noting the upcoming meeting of People Against Plastic Pollution. Councilor Bate reported on the Complete Streets Committee and noted plans for a contest to name parts of the bike path, and also asking for more signage. She also asked for an update on the final disposition of the old playground equipment, prompting a brief discussion with the City Manager. She then noted her dissatisfaction with a letter from the Parks Commission and noted her frustration with the lack of ordinance signage, Brief discussion followed 18-169. The Mayor thanked volunteers and organizers of the Corporate Cup and indicated she was looking forward to the plastic bag discussion. 18-170. The City Clerk reported that full services in the Clerk/Treasurer's office will resume Friday. He also noted the coming filing deadline to run for State Representative on the August primary ballot. 18-171. The City Manager noted a letter received from Jesse Jacobs’s attorney regarding the park before thanking Councilors for participating in the retreat. Without objection, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 10:58.