City Council

4 j - 7 southburlington VERMONT CITY COUNCIL 21 APRIL 2025 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 21 April 2025, at 6: 30 p. m., in the Auditorium, 180 Market Street, and by Zoom. MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Barritt, Chair; L. Smith; A. Chalnick. ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager; Chief S. Locke, Deputy City Manager; J. Pellerin, Deputy City Attorney; N. Garty, City Arborist; J. Chagnon, Electrical Inspector; T. Francis, Deputy Fire Chief; C. Corbin, Deputy Fire Chief; Capt. J. Christman, Fire Marshall, R. Jeffers 1. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. Instructions on exiting the 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: No changes were made to the Agenda. 4. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda: There were no comments or questions from the public. 5. Councilors' Announcements and Reports on Committee Assignments and City Manager' s Report: PAGE 1 Council members reported on meetings and events they had attended in recent weeks. Ms. Baker: The next Council retreat will be on 7 May, 1- 3 p. m. Illuminate Vermont takes place this coming Friday and Saturday from 5- 9 p. m. each evening. Green- Up Day is 3 May. Mr. Smith noted that he and Mr. Barritt will have a table to chat with attendees at Illuminate Vermont. 6. Consent Agenda: a. Consider and Sign Disbursements b. Approve the award of Construction Contract for the Bartlett Brook Stormwater Treatment Expansion Project - South Burlington STP MM18( 17), to Poulin Companies, Inc. c. Approve the award of Construction Inspection Contract for the Bartlett Brook Stormwater Treatment System Expansion Project South Burlington STP MM18( 17), to Greenman- Pederson, Inc. GPI) d. Approve a Fund Balance award of $ 52, 000 to Common Roots to support the purchase of a RIMOL greenhouse and authorize the City Manager to sign the grant agreement e. Approve submittal of Step 3 Loan Application for the Airport Parkway Solids Handling Project f. Approve Minutes from 2 December 2024, 12 December 2024, 16 December 2024, 6 January 2025, 13 January 2025, 6 March 2025 and 17 March 2025 Mr. Chalnick moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed 3- 0. 7. Approve Resolution # 2025- 8 Recognizing Arbor Day 2025: Ms. Baker introduced Nick Garty, the new City Arborist. Mr. Garty read the Resolution. CITY COUNCIL 21 APRIL 2025 PAGE 2 Mr. Barritt noted some planting going on in the city and asked if it was related to ash tree replacement. Mr. Garty said it is. He described the signs that have been seen indicating that the ash bore is active in the city. Mr. Chalnick asked to add the words " sequester carbon" to the third paragraph of the Resolution. There was no objection. Mr. Smith then moved to Adopt Resolution # 32025- 8 Recognizing Arbor Day 2025. Mr. Chalnick seconded. The motion passed 3- 0. 8. Hold a First Reading of a Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance and possibly set a Public Hearing for 19 May 2025 at 7: 00 p. m.: Capt. Christman explained the authority for the Fire Marshall and Assistant Fire Marshall to enforce codes. He also noted that $ 670, 000, 000 in new construction is anticipated in the city. The Ordinance adds jurisdiction for the inspection of single family homes and establishes specific requirements for fire alarm systems. Jurisdiction also includes renovations/ additions great than $ 500. With regard to Key Lock Boxes, the Ordinance reduces the City' s liability while it increases owner/ occupant security. There is access to the Key Lock Boxes for mutual aid and its partners. There are also specifics about what boxes are to be installed. The Ordinance also addresses electric vehicle ( EV) storage systems. EV charging systems must be a minimum of 50 feet from unprotected building exposure. Any less than 50 feet requires compliance with NFPA standards which allows charging with proper fire systems and fire- resistant construction practices. New construction is building that way at this time. The ordinance now requires any expansion or retrofit to meet the standards as well. Mr. Chalnick asked what the risk is. Chief Locke said there is an emerging risk, and there have been battery fires here. Mr. Chalnick asked how expensive it is to retrofit for charging. Deputy Chief Francis said there is better battery knowledge and safety now, but they still have to follow the rules. Capt. Christman said this would relate to all buildings. Mr. Chalnick said it sounds like too much for a single family home. Capt. Christman said an alternative is to install the unit in a 2- hour cabinet. Chief Locke explained the type of sprinkler required. Mr. Chalnick said if the cost is prohibitive, it will mean the end of EVs in the city. Chief Locke said if they are going to include single- family homes in the Ordinance, it would be hard CITY COUNCIL 21 APRIL 2025 PAGE 3 to carve them out of one rule. Mr. Smith added that cars can still be charged outdoors. Mr. Chalnick asked if anyone else in the country is doing this. Cpt. Christman said they are looking into that. Mr. Smith asked whether this would require more staff. Capt. Christman said they feel they can do this with the existing staff. They will be bringing a new fee structure to the Council. Mr. Chalnick said he would like to see a better assessment of the risk. Chief Locke said they can bring some exemption language, but it is hard to have people held to different standards. 9. Hold a First Reading of an Electrical Installation Ordinance and possibly set a public hearing for 19 May 2025 at 7: 00 p. m.: Capt. Christman reviewed the background. He noted the current jurisdiction of the Ordinance is public buildings. This will add jurisdiction for single- family homes and update the format and procedural clarification. All new single- family homes would be covered under the new Ordinance, as well as all renovations and additions. Owners could have their own work done, but that work would have to be inspected. Owners could not tie into a panel or to a meter. No permit is required for an owner- occupied family home, but it is recommended for replacement of an existing fixture, outlet or switch up to a total of 5. Capt. Christman noted that is what the City of Burlington has in its Ordinance. Mr. Barritt asked about adding solar. Mr. Chagnon explained what he would inspect. He would not need to be on the roof. Capt. Christman said that meters must be labeled if there is solar. Members agreed to eliminate " up to a total of 5" in order to eliminate ambiguity. Mr. Chalnick said he was comfortable moving the electrical Ordinance to public hearing but would like to resolve the fire issue before moving that Ordinance on. Members agreed to hear both together after the Fire Ordinance issues are resolved. 10. Convene as Liquor Control Commission to consider the following applications for approval: CITY COUNCIL 21 APRIL 2025 PAGE 4 Zachary Pizza, 1St Class Restaurant/ Bar License; Homewood Suites, 1St Class Liquor License, 2" d Class Liquor License, and Outside Consumption Permit; Hannaford' s 2 locations, 2nd Class Liquor License; Parkway Diner, 1st Class Liquor License, 3rd Class Liquor License, and Outside Consumption Permit; Kinney Drugs, 2nd Class Liquor License; liana Restaurants, 1st Class Restaurant/ Bar Licenses, 3rd Class Liquor License; Rotisserie, 1st Class Restaurant/ Bar License, 3rd Class Restaurant/ Bar License, and Outside Consumption Permit; Copper at Dorset, 1st Class Restaurant/ Bar License, 3rd Class Restaurant/ Bar License, and Outside Consumption Permit; Walgreens, Tobacco/ Tobacco Substitute Endorsement; Jiffy Mart # 445, 2nd Class Liquor License and Tobacco/ Tobacco Substitute Endorsement; Bueno y Sano, 1st Class Liquor License; 802 Cocktails, LLC, 1St Class Commercial Caterer License, 3rd Class Commercial Kitchen; Old Post, LLC, 1St Class Restaurant/ Bar License, 3rd Class Restaurant/ Bar, 1St Class Liquor License, and 3rd Class Liquor License: Mr. Chalnick moved that the Council convene as Liquor Control Commission. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed 3- 0. Mr. Smith moved to approve the list of applications as presented. Mr. Chalnick seconded. Motion passed 3- 0. Mr. Chalnick moved that the Commission reconvene as City Council. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed 3- 0. 11. Review the significant agenda topics for the Council' s 5 May 2025 Meeting: Ms. Baker presented the agenda topics as follows: a. First Reading of an update to the Heating & Service Water Heating Ordinance b. Report from the Airport on operation and expansion plan, implementation of the Climate Action Plan, and Noise Mitigation program c. Overview and feedback on draft Regional Future Land Use Map prepared by CCRPC under Act 181 d. Act 250 Tier 1B possible request for inclusion on CCRPC Regional map for submission to State Land Use Review Board under Act 181 e. Overview and feedback on draft housing targets allocation from CCRPC under Acts 47 and 181 CITY COUNCIL 21 APRIL 2025 PAGE 5  f. Discussion of Committee appointment process g. Discussion of FY26 Policy, Priorities & Strategies process h. Consider Social Services allocation funding decisions 12. Other Business: Mr. Barritt suggested brining a potential Graffiti Ordinance to the retreat. He cited the need to respond immediately and for there to be consequences. As there was no further business to come before the Council Mr. Smith moved to adjourn. Mr. Chalnick seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8: 03 p. m. Clerk CITY COUNCIL 21 APRIL 2025 PAGE 6