City Council

4 N southburlington VERMONT MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 30 JUNE 2025 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Monday, 30 June 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; M. Machar, Finance Director; R. Donahey, Deputy Finance Director; A. Pugh, L. Diamond, M. Emery, E. Walker, R. Kinney, B. Sirvis, L. Bailey, J. Leas, R. Doyle 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: No changes were made to the Agenda. 4. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda: Ms. Sirvis addressed three issues: ( 1) She supported the petition regarding the development at Wheeler; ( 2) She expressed frustration with the long wait to turn left off Market Street onto Dorset Street and suggested making the right lane for straight- ahead traffic as that lane is rarely used. ( 3) She asked about the possibility of a light at the other end of Market Street. PAGE 1 Mr. Leas asked the Council to set a date to address the petition regarding the JAM Golf development as soon as possible as there is now no impediment to that project getting underway. 5. Councilors' Announcements and Reports on Committee assignments and City Manager' s Report: There were no Council announcements or reports. 6. Consent Agenda: a. Consider and Sign Disbursements Mr. Chalnick moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. NOTE: Items # 7 and # 8 were heard in reverse order and have been renumbered here. 7. Introduce Rich Donahey, Deputy Finance Director: Ms. Baker introduced Deputy Finance Director Rich Donahey. She noted that Mr. Donahey had been with the State for 14 years and also served with the City of St. Albans. Mr. Donahey expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve South Burlington. 8. Receive Information on the 2025 Grand List and approve the FY 26 municipal tax rate and tax due dates: Ms. Machar noted that the City had estimated a 2% growth in the Grand List, but the actual growth was 1. 9%. The TIF growth was estimated a 20% and was actually 36. 4%. This results in an increase in the proposed tax rate to 0. 5392. Mr. Chalnick noted that the tax rate is so sensitive that the Council will have to keep this in mind. Ms. Baker noted that despite the lower Grand List growth than anticipated, there was still an increase of $ 82, 000, 000. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 30 JUNE 2025 PAGE 2 Mr. Chalnick moved to set the FY26 municipal tax rate at 0. 5392 and to set the tax due dates for 18 August 2025, 17 November 2025, and 16 March 2026. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Appoint Rich Donahey, Deputy Finance Director: Mr. Chalnick moved to appoint Rich Donahey to be Deputy Finance Director, pursuant to 1 V. S. A. Section 313( a)( 3). Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Interview candidates to fill the vacant City Councilor seat as of the end of the Council meeting on 7 July 2025: The Council interviewed the following candidates to fill the vacant City Council seat: a. Ann Pugh b. Elizabeth Tolmie Walker c. Linda Bailey d. Lydia Diamond e. E. Meaghan Emery f. Rachel Wolffe Kinney 11. Consider entering an executive session pursuant to 1 V. S. A. Section 313( a)( 3) for the purpose of discussing the appointment of a public officer: Mr. Smith moved that the Council enter executive session, pursuant to 1 V. A. A. Section 313( a)( 3), for the purpose of discussing the appointment of a public officer, inviting into the session Ms. Baker and Chief Locke. Mr. Chalnick seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The Council entered executive session at 8: 10 p. m. and resumed open session at 8: 26 p. m. 12. Possibly appoint a Councilor to complete a term through Town Meeting Day 2026: Mr. Barritt thanked and praised all the applicants and said that unfortunately the Council can appoint only one of them. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 30 JUNE 2025 PAGE 3 Mr. Barritt then announced that Ann Pugh is the Council' s choice. Mr. Chalnick moved to appoint Ann Pugh to fill the vacant seat on the City Council through Town Meeting Day 2026, effective at the end of this City Council meeting. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Other Business: Mr. Barritt thanked Mr. Scanlan for his time and work on the City Council and particularly his representation of the City at the Green Mountain Transit Board and his addressing of Council minutes. He wished the Scanlan' s well, particularly Mrs. Scanlan in her new position. Mr. Scanlan said he appreciated the role that the people of South Burlington gave him and hoped all the candidates stay involved in the City. He looked forward to coming back and seeing what South Burlington has become. 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 8: 32 p. m. Clerk SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 30 JUNE 2025 PAGE 4