City Council

4. 1 southburlington VERMONT MINUTES CITY COUNCIL 15 SEPTEMBER 2025 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 6: 30 p. m., in the Auditorium, 180 Market Street, and by Zoom. MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Barritt, Chair; E. Fitzgerald, A. Chalnick, A. Pugh ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager; Chief S. Locke, Deputy City Manager; M. Machar, Finance Director; R. Donahey, Deputy Finance Director; B. Miguez, Climate Action Manager; L. Breese, Energy Project Manager; A. Dabrowski, Data Manager; S. Farnham, B. Sirvis, P. Taylor 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: No changes were made to the Agenda. 4. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda: A member of the public expressed concern for free speech in the light of the murder of Charlie Kirk. 5. Councilors Reports on Committee Assignments and City Manager' s Report: PAGE 1 Council members reported on meetings and events they had recently attended. Ms. Baker: Dr. Joe Clark is the new Interim Superintendent of Schools following a very robust search process. The FY27 budget web page is now up. The community survey will be out this week. A community listening session will be held on 6 October. The Energy Festival will be held on 27 September, 11 a. m. to 3 p. m. They are looking for volunteers. Brett McCreary is the new Deputy Director of Water Resources. A lot of work is going on in City Center including the new traffic signal at Market Street/ Hinesburg Road, the Boardwalk, Garden Street, etc. The water line on Brewer Parkway work will begin on 2 October. The Fly By 5K takes place this weekend at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport. More than 500 registrants will have the chance to run on a runway beginning at 8 a. m. This will be followed by a Chamberlain Neighborhood block party. 6. Consent Agenda: a. Consider and Sign Disbursements b. Approve Minutes from 21 July 2025, 4 August 2025 Special Meeting, and 4 August 2025 regular meeting c. Approve the FY26 Policy Priorities & Strategies Workplan of the Natural Resources & Conservation Committee d. Approve Resolution # 2025- 18 Expanding the Sexton' s Committee to eight members e. Approve Resolution # 2025- 19 Expanding the Economic Development Committee to nine members f. Appoint members to City Policy Committees as presented and reflecting the most qualified by content area and representing a diverse set of perspectives g. Adopt the Alcohol Policy for 180 Market Street as proposed and place said policy into effect immediately CITY COUNCIL 15 September 2025 PAGE 2 Ms. Fitzgerald asked to pull item # c for further discussion. Mr. Chalnick then moved to approve the Consent Agenda, minus item # c, as presented. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed 4- 0. Ms. Fitzgerald suggested separating out the items for next year' s work plan. Mr. Chalnick asked ( re: item # a) whether the Parks Master Plan will touch on meadow management." Ms. Baker said there will be discussion as to which properties will have management plans. Mr. Chalnick said he would like the NRCC to move that item up to this year' s work plan. Ms. Baker said they are very involved in creating the Parks and Open Space Master Plan. She added that her recommendation to them was to stay on the same cycle as other committees. Ms. Pugh said she shared Ms. Fitzgerald' s concern about item for next year' s work plan. Ms. Fitzgerald then moved to move anything for future consideration to a " bike rack" and to approve the rest of item # c. Mr. Chalnick seconded. Motion passed 4- 0. 7. Approve Resolution # 2025- 20 Honoring the Service of Library Director Jennifer Murray: Mr. Chalnick read the Resolution. Ms. Baker reminded Council members and the public that there will be a reception to honor Ms. Murray on 3 October, 5: 30 p. m., in the Library. Mr. Chalnick moved to approve Resolution # 2025- 20 Honoring the Service of Jennifer Murray. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed 4- 0. 8. Receive FY25 Year End Projections and make allocation decisions: Ms. Machar presented the unaudited figures for the year (the audit will take place in October). They indicate the potential for a $ 1, 200, 000 surplus. There are still some items the Council had approved to fund with the Fund Balance including an allocation to the Health Care Reserve Fund. CITY COUNCIL 15 September 2025 PAGE 3  Ms. Fitzgerald asked if the Council could delay in allocating that money from the reserve. Mr. Barritt said he felt it was a common- sense way to beef up that fund. There is a risk, and the aim is to modify that risk. Mr. Chalnick said he is comfortable going with the staff' s recommendation. Ms. Fitzgerald felt it should be weighed against other requests. Mr. Chalnick asked if there were concerns with FY26. Ms. Baker said staff is keeping a close eye on Local Option Taxes. Mr. Chalnick asked if there is a deficit in FY26, would they dip into the fund balance. Ms. Machar said they would. Ms. Baker added that there is a lot that can be done in the third and fourth quarters before dipping into the reserves. Ms. Machar noted there is talk of interest rates coming down. FY25 started at 4%. It is now at 3. 68%. Mr. Chalnick then moved to approve transferring $ 40, 000 for curbs and sidewalks and $ 65, 000 for consulting services relating to the Climate Action Plan. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed 4- 0. Mr. Chalnick then moved to allocate $ 300, 000. 00 to the Health Care Reserve Fund to cover unanticipated claims. Ms. Pugh seconded. Motion passed 3- 1 with Ms. Fitzgerald voting against. 9. Approve FY26 Energy Project Reserve Fund ( EPRF) Budget: Ms. Miguez reviewed the history, noting revenue received from solar arrays at the Landfill and City Hall and from Police Station lights. The annual income varies from $ 140, 000 to $ 190, 000. Ms. Miguez said they have updated the FY26 budget with a proposal to increase the allocation by $ 125, 000 for a total of $ 187, 500. The original plan was to replace EV chargers at the Fire Station ( which has been done) and windows at the Public Works Department which will be reallocated because there is not enough in savings. $ 65, 000 will be reallocated to the Police Station for EV chargers in order to get the 30% federal credits. Mr. Breese said the chargers will look like the ones behind City Hall but they will be more powerful. Mr. Barritt noted that the Governor has said money for EV has been released. Ms. Miguez said South Burlington will be getting some of that money. CITY COUNCIL 15 September 2025 PAGE 4 Ms. Miguez said they propose to allocate $ 23, 000 to purchase an electric pickup truck. This purchase may also have some rebates ( from GMP, State, Federal, etc.). She also noted there was previously no allocation to the Fire and Ambulance FY26 fund according to the approved 2026 CIP. Chief Locke said they may ask for a special check before the next meeting so they can go ahead on this. Mr. Chalnick asked if they charge vehicles at " off hours" to get a lower rate. Mr. Barritt said the chargers used at all hours. are Mr. Chalnick said any savings helps. The total request in this line is for $ 30, 000, which includes electric mowers. All rebates would go to the EPRF). Mr. Breese said they are also asking for $ 45, 000 for the installation of an EV charger at Airport Parkway and for painting of the digester tank. They will get quotes for the painting.They will be painting the tank black to bring down the cost of natural gas ( the rating last week hit 165 degrees on the outside of that tank.There are 5 gas meters on the site; one will be just for the digester tank. They will also replace some insulation that has broken away. Ms. Miguez also noted that they are asking to allocate $ 25, 000 for small electric equipment and consultant fees for studies. This includes money already allocated by the Council. Mr. Breese said the equipment includes chain saws which have been very well received. Ms. Miguez noted that the spreadsheet does not include any revenues ( credits, Mr. Chalnick said it would be good to see all of that in one place. rebates, etc.). Ms. Baker cited Mr. Breese and Ms. Machar for having done an amazing job managing this budget. Mr. Chalnick moved to approve the energy project reserve fund budget as presented. Ms. Pugh seconded. Motion passed 4- 0. Mr. Bresee said one benefit of the fund is that it has made departments more aware of the issues. 10. Receive the FY27 budget projection; discuss Council goals; hear feedback from the community and provide direction to staff: CITY COUNCIL 15 September 2025 PAGE 5  Ms. Machar said the CIP shows a 19% increase, but there are several initiatives that are not included in that figure. Mr. Donahey said those 5 initiatives are: a. City sidewalk and path assessment b. Economic Development Plan c. Parks & Open Space Master Plan d. Tier 1A status e. How to address the Parks & Open Space Management Plan Ms. Machar said they are anticipating a 1% increase in the Grand List. That 1% would raise $ 238, 000. This means a 5. 5% tax rate increase would be needed to fund the FY27 budget. Ms. Dabrowski then reviewed the revenues from the Rooms & Meals and Local Option Sales Taxes as follows: May- August 2024 Rooms & Meals Tax: $ 332, 000 May- August 2025 Rooms & Meals Tax: $ 317, 000 May- August 2024 Sales Tax: 1, 378, 000 May- August 2025 Sales Tax: 1, 449. 000 Mr. Chalnick said he would like to know how much the base went down. Mr. Chalnick also asked to see if the City is in line with what other municipalities are charging for permitting fees. Ms. Baker said budget building forms have been sent to all departments. There will be conversations with them, and their budgets will be brought to the City Council in December. What is needed from the Council at this meeting is a target to aim toward. Mr. Chalnick said he would like to limit it to inflation. Mr. Barritt said 3. 4%. Mr. Chalnick suggested looking at the CIP and possibly using some of the surplus there. Mr. Barritt reminded members that there is still some ARPA money left. Ms. Machar said that is $ 1, 700, 000. Mr. Barritt said they should do what they can to minimize the impact on the taxpayers. CITY COUNCIL 15 September 2025 PAGE 6 Ms. Fitzgerald enumerated some of her concerns: the aviation jet fuel tax which is used to benefit the traveling public and which will be going up; having comparable Planning & Zoning fees to other communities; accelerating some energy projects to take advantage of subsidies; the Tier 1A status, which is critical to the City. Ms. Baker said Planning fees being worked on. Tier 1A status could reduce are some of those fees. Since local fees are doubled when Act 250 is involved, fees could go down for developers. Ms. Pugh asked if these are newer initiatives and whether others could have been chosen. Ms. Baker said the Council has a policy position on these initiatives, but there is no funding as yet as they may not be " ripe" for funding. Ms. Machar said is the Parks & one example Open Space Master Plan, which is not yet complete but will funding. require some No source for that funding has yet been identified. Ms. Fitzgerald asked what authority does the Council have if there is a healthy fund balance in the enterprise funds. Ms. Baker said the Council has flexibility in assigning funds. Ms. Fitzgerald asked if one of the penny funds could be put on hold for a year. Mr. Barritt said that can' t happen without a ballot item. He felt those funds should be evaluated at least once a year to be sure they are going to the right needs. Ms. Baker reminded members that the Open Space Fund will sunset in a few years. Mr. Chalnick would like further discussion on what it will take to get sidewalks and shared- use paths into good shape. Ms. Machar said Public Works would be happy to provide that information. Members agreed to aim for 3. 4%. Ms. Pugh said she was curious about the Social Services money and if enough/ too much is being allocated. She also questioned whether it is the role of city government to support non- profits or whether there are better ways to support people in the community. Mr. Barritt said this should be an agenda item. He noted the funding has been geared toward helping people in the community. Ms. Sirvis said non- profits should be asked how many people from South Burlington they are serving. CITY COUNCIL 15 September 2025 PAGE 7 Mr. Chalnick said he has been asked about the consolidation of Community Justice Centers. Ms. Pugh said she would seek out her former Legislature colleagues and see what happened. 11. Appoint a City Councilor to serve as an ex officio member of the Board of Directors of the South Burlington City Center Collaborative: Ms. Pugh volunteered to serve. Ms. Fitzgerald moved to appoint Ann Pugh to serve as an ex officio member of the Board of Directors of the South Burlington City Center Collaborative. Mr. Chalnick seconded. Motion passed 4- 0. 12. Discuss the Conversation with a Councilor program and determine next steps: Mr. Barritt noted the school' s fee is $ 65. 00, and attendance has been pretty low. He also felt it went better without coffee. Ms. Pugh felt it was important even if a few people showed up. only She added that it shouldn' t be the only thing that Councilors do to meet with the public. Mr. Chalnick said discussions are not usually related to policy. Ms. Pugh suggested the possibility of having a stated topic ( e. g., " Come talk about roads."). Mr. Barritt suggested doing that, and doing the original format as well. Ms. Baker will send a calendar for Councilors to sign up. 13. Review the Significant Agenda Topics for the Council' s 6 October 2025 meeting: Topics include: a. FY27 budget listening session b. FirstReading on a Fire Prevention & Protection Ordinance c. First Reading on an Electrical Installations Ordinance d. Discussion of Fire Department — Prevention Unit and possible direction to staff e. Discuss integrating the Safe Routes to School Task Force with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee and possibly take action. CITY COUNCIL 15 September 2025 PAGE 8  14. Other Business: No other business was presented. As there was no further business to come before the Council Mr. Chalnick moved to adjourn. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed 4- 0. The meeting was adjourned at 9: 45 p. m. 7( Clerk CITY COUNCIL 15 September 2025 PAGE 9