City Council

4 7 southburlington VERMONT MINUTES CITY COUNCIL 7 JULY 2025 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 7 July 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, A. Pugh ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager; Chief S. Locke, Deputy City Manager; Deputy Fire Chief T. Francis, C. Corbin, Deputy Fire Chief of Operations; Capt. J. Christman, Deputy Fire Marshall; other members of the South Burlington Fire Department; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; Mrs. Francis, B. Miguez, Climate Action Manager; B. Sirvis, Dr. T. Childs, R. Greco 1. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency and review of technology options: 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: Members agreed to move item # 7 to follow # 4. 4. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda: Ms. Greco drew attention to dangerous situations on the City' s multi- use rec paths caused by youngsters on e- bikes. They are going so fast they are endangering people and pets. They are also endangering themselves, riding in the road and PAGE 1 not obeying traffic signals and not wearing helmets. Ms. Greco urged the Council to alert parents to this danger. Ms. Sirvis said she agrees with the people opposing the Wheeler development. She also agreed with the danger to people walking on rec paths. Dr. Childs expressed concern that her non- profit did not get full funding while million dollar companies also received funding.. NOTE: Per the Council' s decision in Item # 3, Agenda Item # 7 will be renumbered as Item # 5, and subsequent items will be adjusted as appropriate. 5. Approve Resolution Honoring Deputy Fire Chief Terry Francis for his service and dedication to the Vermont Fire Service: Chief Locke read the Resolution honoring Deputy Chief Francis' s 52 years of service, 13 of which have been in South Burlington. He also recognized Terry' s wife for her role in making Terry' s service possible. Deputy Chief Francis said this is not about " me"; it is about " we," the firefighting family, the " sea of blue." He thanked the Council for keeping politics out of firefighting and for the Ordinances that will be addressed later in the meeting. He stressed that South Burlington builds partnerships. He thanked the Council for the recognition and added that he will continue to teach. Mr. Chalnick then moved to approve the Resolution Honoring Deputy Fire Chief Terry Francis as presented.Mr. Smith seconded. The motion was unanimously approved. 6. Councilors Announcements and Reports on Committee Assignments and City Manager' s Report: Councilors reported on meetings and events they had attended. Ms. Baker: Updated the status of capital projects including the Dorset Street water tank ( which is on the paving of Community Drive this week schedule), weather permitting) and other projects at the DRB. In 2025, there have been 106 new homes permitted. CITY COUNCIL 7 JULY 2025 PAGE 2  The City Center Collaborative is looking to hire an Executive Director. 7. Consent Agenda: a. Consider and Sign Disbursements b. Receive May and June 2015 Financial Reports Ms. Baker noted that the " amount to be raised" cannot be changed. If revenues come in lower than budgeted, mid- year changes can be made to expenditures. She noted that Local Option Taxes are lower than projected, but there is not yet a concern that there will be a significant hole. One option would be to draw from the surplus from past years. The feeling, however, is that the fiscal year will end with an overall surplus. It is the Rooms and Meals taxes which are below projection, and this is Statewide, probably due to the decrease in crossing from Canada. One thing in the City' s favor is that it will be collecting 75% of each penny instead of the previous 70%. Mr. Chalnick moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Second Reading and Public Hearing on a Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance: Deputy Chief Corbin reviewed the background. He noted that State jurisdiction does not extend to single family homes, but the update on the South Burlington Ordinance does give the City jurisdiction for all new single- family homes and renovations of single- family homes that cost more than $ 5, 000. It also adds requirements for fire alarms and key lock box regulations. Mr. Chalnick moved to open the public hearing. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Barritt asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Mr. Chalnick moved to close the public hearing. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Possible Action to Adopt a Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance: Ms. Fitzgerald asked whether any other communities have included single-family homes. Deputy Chief Corbin said Burlington does, but he wasn' t sure of any CITY COUNCIL 7 JULY 2025 PAGE 3 dollar amounts. He added that the general industry standard is to use a dollar value; the one that has been chosen is in line with permitting funds for Planning & Zoning. Mr. Chalnick then moved to approve the Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Second Reading and Public Hearing on an Electrical Installation Ordinance: Deputy Chief Corbin reviewed the background and noted the jurisdictions are the same as the Fire Ordinance ( adding new construction single- family homes, renovations and additions). There are exemptions for owner- occupied homes except for the installation of meters and/ or electrical panels. Replacements of outlets and/ or switches are exempt. Mr. Chalnick moved to open the public hearing. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Barritt asked for public comment. There was no public comment. Mr. Chalnick moved to close the public hearing. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Possible action to adopt the Electrical Installation Ordinance: Ms. Fitzgerald noted there is no dollar amount. Deputy Chief Corbin said that is correct. Ms. Fitzgerald asked if there are enough service people to do such small work. Deputy Chief Corbin said he believed there are and that it wouldn' t be a hindrance to anyone. Mr. Barritt noted that including single- family homes has been a priority of his, and he was proud of the Fire Department for doing this. Mr. Chalnick moved to approve Resolution 2025- 13 to adopt the Electrical Installation Ordinance. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. CITY COUNCIL 7 JULY 2025 PAGE 4  12. Approve Resolution # 2025- 13 to set fees for permits and inspections for provisions outlined in the Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance: Chief Locke said most of the fees are the same as fees paid to the State if you live somewhere else. The exception is a minimum fee of $ 75. 00 instead of the State' s 50. 00. The Chief believed the impact will be minimal. Mr. Chalnick moved to approve Resolution 2025- 13 setting fees for permits and inspections for provisions in the Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Approve Resolution # 2025- 14 to set fees for inspections for provisions outlined in the Electrical Safety Ordinance: Chief Locke said there are very few changes. There is now a $ 40. 00 base fee which will go up to $ 75. 00. The administrative fee is eliminated. Mr. Chalnick moved to approve Resolution # 2025- 14 setting fees for inspections for provisions of the Electrical Safety Ordinance. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 14. Second Reading and Public Hearing on an Update to the Utility Service Line Ordinance: Ms. Miguez said the update relates to residential connections to the electric grid. It exempts a homeowner from undergrounding connection if there is an existing utility pole. Ms. Miguez noted the expense if there is no underground conduit. She showed a photo showing what it would look like with an existing utility pole in front of a house. Ms. Baker noted that the capacity of the Climate Action Manager allowed the City to nimbly address this complex situation. Mr. Chalnick moved to open the Ms. Fitzgerald public hearing. seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Barritt asked for public comment. There was no public comment. CITY COUNCIL 7 JULY 2025 PAGE 5 Mr. Chalnick moved to close the public hearing. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 15. Possible Action on Update to the Utility Service Line Ordinance: Ms. Pugh asked the process by which decisions are made. Ms. Miguez said the utility company accepts the connection. Green Mountain Power is OK with the added connections. Mr. Chalnick moved to approve the update to the Utility Service Line Ordinance as presented. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 16. Adopt the FY 26 Policy, Priorities and Strategies shared work plan between the Leadership Team and the City Council: Ms. Baker reviewed the history and said staff has tried to capture all the changes: the Bike Rack now includes all items from the working meeting; cemetery management has been added to the work plan as has the Tree Ordinance. Mr. Chalnick said he thought looking at the Heating Ordinance to see if it can be tightened had been added. Other members did not recall this. Mr. Chalnick said he would like to move forward with looking at how that Ordinance can be aligned with the Climate Action Plan. Ms. Baker noted that the focus has been " carrots rather than sticks." Mr. Smith felt that going to 100% would actually be cheaper than 80%. Mr. Chalnick said he would like to know what people are doing and why they still have dual systems. Mr. Smith said some installers are afraid of all- electric. Ms. Baker read from the document regarding education and asked how that can be reworded. Mr. Chalnick suggested: Review our Heating Ordinance to see if it is appropriate to tighten it. Ms. Baker said there is staff capacity to do this and questioned whether to make it a priority. Mr. Barritt said he would like to know how the O' Brien buildings are performing. Mr. Smith moved to pass the FY 26 Policies, Priorities and Strategies work plan between the Leadership Team and City Council with the addition of a review of the Heating Ordinance to see if it can be tightened and receive feedback from CITY COUNCIL 7 JULY 2025 PAGE 6 builders as to why people are installing backups. Mr. Chalnick seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Pugh asked by what process the Council looks at this again. Ms. Baker explained that traditionally staff gives three reports through the year. Action items related to the plan are periodically brought to the Council and this is indicated on the cover sheets. 17. Adopt the FY26 Policy, Priorities and Strategies shared work plans of the Economic Development, Housing, Public Art and Recreation and Parks Committees and Planning Commission: Mr. Chalnick was concerned with the allowable 50% coverage on lots and asked to add a review of this to the Planning Commission' s work plan. He was concerned with having as much impervious and wanted to be sure the lot coverage was appropriate for the size of the log. He felt that 30% might be more appropriate for larger lots. Mr. Chalnick then moved to approve the Policy, Priorities and Strategies shared work plans of the named committees with the addition of a study of the 50% lot coverage and having a committee to look at long- term cost of operations and carbon. Mr. Smith seconded. Ms. Fitzgerald said she would bring that modification to the Housing Committee where they may consider bringing it back to Council for review. Mr. Smith said that putting people into poorly insulated homes isn' t doing anyone a favor. In the vote that followed, the motion passed unanimously. 18. Review the significant agenda topics for the Council' s 21 July 2025 City Council meeting: Ms. Baker enumerated the significant agenda topics as follows: a. LDRs presentation b. First Reading of Nuisance Ordinance c. Dorset Street shared use path d. Capital assessment e. Executive Session regarding a new Police Chief CITY COUNCIL 7 JULY 2025 PAGE 7 Ms. Fitzgerald asked to consider adding a stipend for committee work. 19. Consider entering executive session for the purposes of discussing the negotiation or securing of real estate purchase or lease options specifically the J. A. M. Golf property: Mr. Chalnick moved to enter executive session for the purposes of discussing the negotiation or securing of real estate purchase or lease options specific to the J. A. M. Golf property, pursuant to 1 V. S. A. Section 313( a)( 2), inviting into the session Ms. Baker, Chief Locke, and Mr. Conner. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Council entered executive session at 8: 20 p. m. Ms. Fitzgerald moved to exit executive session at 9: 02. Mr. Chalnick seconded and 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: 03 p. m. Clerk CITY COUNCIL 7 JULY 2025 PAGE 8