City Council

oi/ f- southburlington VERMONT CITY COUNCIL 6 MARCH 2025 The South Burlington City Council held a reorganizational meeting on Thursday, 6 March 2025, at 6: 30 p. m., in the Auditorium, 180 Market Street, and by Zoom. MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Barritt, Chair; E. Fitzgerald, L. Smith, A. Chalnick, M. Scanlan ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager; Chief S. Locke, Deputy City Manager; C. McNeil, City Attorney; E. Quallen, Deputy Director of Capital Projects; B. Sirvis Ms. Baker presided over the meeting until the election of officers. 1. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. 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. 3. Additions, deletions or changes in the order of Agenda items: Ms. Baker asked to add Agenda items 13a ( Agenda items for the 17 March meeting) and 13b ( Police Chief recruitment process and selection of a Council member to participate). Ms. Fitzgerald moved to approve the amended agenda. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda: PAGE 1  There were no comments or questions. 5. Under Section 13. 303 of the City' s Charter, elect a Council Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk: Ms. Baker opened the floor for nominations for Chair. Mr. Smith moved to reappoint Mr. Barritt as Chair, Mr. Chalnick as Vice Chair, and Mr. Scanlan as Clerk of the City Council. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. There were no further nominations and Mr. Barritt, Mr. Chalnick and Mr. Scanlan were elected unanimously. Mr. Barritt presided over the remainder of the meeting. 6. Announcements and City Manager' s Report: Mr. McNeil said he was asked to clarify whether participating in meetings that involve participation by campaign contributors of one or more Councilors results in a conflict of interest under the new regulations. He said that the Vermont Ethics Commission has said that absent of extraordinary circumstances, it is not a conflict of interest and would not need to be disclosed. Ms. Baker: Thanked the community for passage of the FY26 City Budget in all districts and thanked the Council for setting appropriate goals. The City has piloted using Agenda cover sheets which can be used in place of short memos. 75 residents participated in the discussion regarding economic development. The consultant will return in May. The Attorney General' s office has determined to move all CDC services to the City of Burlington beginning in 2027. Ms. Fitzgerald noted there are people embedded in the City' s Police Department. Ms. Baker said that is what the City has been asking for. There has been no indication from Burlington that they aren' t open to that. There will be two Al workshops next week, and the City will be co- piloting Al projects. CITY COUNCIL 6 MARCH 2025 PAGE 2  The Library will be closed on 12 March for their staff retreat. There will be several upcoming meetings regarding a parking management system in City Center. 7. Consent Agenda: a. Consider and Sign Disbursements b. Approve the award of the Market Street and Hinesburg Road Traffic Signal project to Engineers Construction, Inc., and authorize the Deputy Director of Capital Projects to sign all paperwork and manage the contract going forward c. Approve the award of the 19 Gregory Drive new boiler project to Alliance and TCV and authorize the Deputy Director of Capital Projects to sign all paperwork and manage the contract going forward d. Adopt the South Burlington Active Transportation Plan as presented and dated February 2025 Mr. Smith noted receipt of an email from Mr. Doyle re: the possibility of a roundabout at Rd/ Market Street. Hinesburg He suggested thinking about that as the area continues to be developed. Mr. Scanlan said as a general policy they should always consider roundabouts. Mr. Smith also noted that in item " d," on the buildout map, there is a path indicated where it is not physically possible to go, and a few maps don' t show buildout to Lime Kiln Road. Mr. Smith moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mr. Scanlan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Adopt the 2025 to 2026 City Council Rules of Procedure: Ms. Baker noted these rules are modeled after the document offered by VLCT. Changes from last year include: moving the date for requested Agenda items to Tuesday and moving the Agenda posting area from Healthy Living to University Mall. Mr. Smith moved to adopt the 2025- 2026 City Council Rules of Procedure as presented. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL 6 MARCH 2025 PAGE 3  9. Adopt Charter and Ordinance required positions for a period of one year as outlined in the attached memorandum: Ms. Baker noted that Dan Boyer will have to be removed as Second Constable as he is now a member of the School Board. Mr. Smith moved to approve the Charter and Ordinance required positions as presented with the exception of Dan Boyer ( Second Constable). Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Discuss and possibly approve the 2025- 2026 City Council meeting schedule pursuant to the City Charter, Chapter 13, Section 305a: Mr. Smith moved to approve the 2025- 6 City Council meeting schedule as presented. Mr. Scanlan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Designate The Other Paper as our Official Paper of Record: Mr. Smith moved to designate The Other Paper as the City' s Official Paper of Record. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Designate TD Bank as our Official Depository: Ms. Baker recommended retaining TD Bank. Mr. Smith moved to designate TD Bank the as City' s Official Depository. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Approve Resolution # 2025- 6 designating short-term parking areas on public roads and highways in the City an specifically making two parking spaces on Market Street 15- minute spaces: Ms. Quallen said this is a request from Snyder- Braverman. There is a need to get more parking turnover. These 2 spaces are near the newly opened Bliss Bee. There will be 2 signs. Mr. Chalnick questioned 15 minutes is whether long enough. Ms. Baker said it is meant to be quick turnover for order- ahead pick- up. CITY COUNCIL 6 MARCH 2025 PAGE 4  Mr. Smith moved to approve Resolution 2025- 6. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13A. Review Agenda Items for the City Council meeting of 17 March: Ms. Baker presented the following items: a. Approval of lease extension for the Cairns arenas b. Extend auditing contract with RHR Smith c. Class 2 paving grant and contract d. Social Services funding process 13B. Police Chief Recruitment Process: Ms. Baker said there is a lot of momentum to move this forward, and the hope is to get a process with as much input as possible. A Police Chief Advisory Team is established and will include representatives from the School District, business community, faith community, Professionals of Color Network, Police Department, City Council and Matt Birmingham, of the State Police. The Team with work with advisor Jim Baker, and there will be a full national recruitment process. JW Leadership will lead the City through the process. The hope is to make an offer of employment by the end of summer. There is also a hope that there will be internal candidates. Ms. Fitzgerald offered to serve on the Team. Mr. Smith moved to appoint Ms. Fitzgerald to the Police Chief Advisory Team. Mr. Scanlan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 14. Appoint three members to the Natural Resources and Conservation Committee: 14A. Consider entering executive session for the purpose of discussing appointments to municipal committees and specifically the Natural Resources and Conservation Committee: Mr. Smith moved that the Council enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing the appointments of a public officer or employee, specifically appointments to the Natural Resources and Conservation Committee. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL 6 MARCH 2025 PAGE 5  Following the executive session, Mr. Smith moved to appoint the following candidates to the Natural Resources and Conservation Committee and to find that they are the best candidates for the positions: a. Jessica Weichel b. Grace Lecky c. Jean Hunt Mr. Scanlan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 15. Discuss the Conversation with a Councilor program and determine next steps: Mr. Barritt said he wasn' t sure they were getting the people the Council wants to hear from. Mr. Chalnick thought the program was useful but they should discuss how to make it more useful. Mr. Smith said there is a core of " regulars" with occasional new people with different perspectives. He added that the time it takes may not be worth it. He would like to see a venue that gets more participation. Ms. Fitzgerald said she would like to keep the program as it generates good will. She suggested possibly coordination with HOAs or tenant groups. She suggested continuing as they have been on a once a month basis. Mr. Scanlan agreed. Mr. Smith suggested possibly contacting Champlain Housing Trust or Lydia Diamond to host a meeting. Ms. Baker suggested a table at South Burlington Night Out and Illuminate Vermont. Members agreed to continue with format meetings once a month then to look at other venues. Mr. Chalnick suggested that Andy Brumbaugh create the schedule, Ms. Baker agreed and will have the suggested schedule at the next meeting. 16. Other Business: Ms. Fitzgerald suggested a Council retreat sooner rather than later. CITY COUNCIL 6 MARCH 2025 PAGE 6  Mr. Barritt noted a problemfrom Drive which does not with the northbound signal at Dorset Street/ Kennedy turn green to red even if no cars are coming. This causes a traffic back- up. Members agreed to a tentative date of 10 April, 10 a. m.- Noon ( Room 301) for a retreat. Ideas for discussion should be submitted to Ms. Baker. 17. Discuss the annual review of the City Manager: 17A. Consider entering into executive session pursuant to 1 V. S. A. Section 313( a)( 3) for the purpose of discussing the yearly performance evaluation of the City Manager: Mr. Smith moved that the Council enter into executive session pursuant to 1 V. S.A. Section 313(a)( 3) for the purpose of discussing the yearly performance evaluation of the City Manager, inviting into the session Ms. Baker. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. The Motion passed unanimously. Following the Executive Session, as there was no further business to come before the Council Mr. Smith moved to adjourn. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9: 15 p. m. Clerk e /( 01i0 CITY COUNCIL 6 MARCH 2025 PAGE 7