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Facilitator: Neil Groberg; Recorder of the Minutes: Rick Bryant ;
Sign-in & Name tags: Sam Osborne
7:00 – Overview and approval of agenda & minutes
Agenda and minutes approved with no comments or changes.
7:05 - Legislative update – Rep. Suzi Wizowaty, Sen. Hinda
Miller, Sen. Tim Ashe, Sen. Ginny Lyons
A panel discussion was held with each legislator presenting
updates on matters of their choice.
Rep. Suzi Wizowaty spoke about health care and a bill to
hire a consultant to evaluate alternative payment systems including
a single-payer option. Costs of each alternative will be determined.
The bill will also expand the 2006 health care reforms (Blueprint
for Health). It established an insurance program for people with
autism, which is expected to cut costs by treating children at an
early age and avoiding more costly treatment at an older age. Fast
food chains (with at least 20 outlets in Vermont) must now post the
caloric value of their foods. Fines will be levied for
non-compliance. A federal law will require that information
regarding ingredients be provided. The new rules do not apply to
schools. Schools already must provide this information upon request.
Suzi was asked why the F-35 jet is coming to BTV? (Suzi did not have
time to explain but noted that she voted against the decision.)
Sen. Tim Ashe - The unemployment insurance fund is
‘broke’. Employer contributions have remained flat while benefits
paid out have been rising in past years. Other states are faced with
the same problem. Massachusetts is doing nothing right now to solve
the problem; it’s continuing to borrow from the Federal government.
In VT, employers agreed to a modest increase in contributions to
help close the gap. Benefit levels have been maintained (proposed
cuts were defeated). Some changes were negotiated to save on the
benefits side by reducing or eliminating benefits to those dismissed
for cause (misconduct) and those losing seasonal employment. Teacher
benefits also are being reduced (which may discourage entry into the
profession) for those who are more than five years from retirement.
The Grand Isle slaughterhouse problem and humane treatment of
animals is being studied by a panel of specialists to evaluate
current policies and laws related to animal treatment at
slaughterhouses. Employee training will be promoted as many
slaughterhouse employees have violent backgrounds and have been in
the State’s correctional facilities. The Senate voted not to renew
VT Yankee. There is hope that this will move us toward more
renewable energy. However, expect VT Yankee to seek to reverse this
decision. Tim was asked about unemployment insurance loopholes. More
investigations are underway to evaluate contractor vs. employee
positions. These identifications affect tax revenues. Fixing the
definitions will be difficult. For example: Fed EX drivers are
contractors while UPS drivers are employees. Both do the same job.
Sen. Hinda Miller - Wants to see clear definitions
developed for independent contractors in order to protect legitimate
independent contractors. Regarding the budget, the Economic
Development and Appropriations committee had the challenge of
balancing a budget that started out with a $100 million deficit this
year. It was a very messy and difficult process but also brought to
light some telling financial statistics. For example the state
spends $140M on corrections but only $88M on higher education. Here
is an opportunity to make things better. Can we spend our money more
wisely to ultimately reduce corrections cost? The education bill
includes incentives for schools that can reduce costs as we can’t
keep raising taxes to pay for schools. State is now looking at
education as K through 16, not K through 12.
Sen. Ginny Lyons - Energy and Natural Resources committee
is pushing towards renewable energy (solar, small wind, farm
methane) and providing incentives. Electricity is now being bought
at very low cost. This helps support incentives for renewables.
Entergy (VT Yankee owner) is not strong financially. A new company
was being created that would own four other struggling power plants.
Maintenance record and problems at VT Yankee are problematic. Other
facilities don’t have these problems. This is evidence of management
problems. So where is replacement energy coming from? Long range
plans from the utilities include long-term, low-cost sources that
will match VT Yankee rates. Rates will go up but no more than if VY
kept operating. Renewable energy bill will be signed tomorrow (6/4).
This may include long-term contracts with Hydro Quebec. Expect rates
to be lower than spot market rates. Still pushing efficiency
measures to accommodate historic growth in demand of 1.5% per year.
Electronic waste recycling bill passed. Manufacturers will pay a fee
for computer disassembly, reuse and recycling. This will help reduce
shipments of used electronics and the toxic chemicals they contain
to third world countries. Apple and Sony are partners in this plan.
BPA (a chemical) will no longer be used in reusable containers to
protect health of citizens. Maine commends VT’s action on energy
efficiency. The source of the latest contamination in the
Connecticut River has not yet been identified. A report is pending.
VY is a suspect. BPA studies were instigated by EPA investigations.
VT looked at studies from many sources.
Neil ended the discussion noting that sustainability and the F-35
may be worth discussing at a future session.
7:35 - City Councilor Karen Paul: report on City
Council news
Truck signs directing trucks to bypass Burlington on I-89: Yes,
we did pass an act of Congress to get them approved. VTrans is
looking at locations to place signs on existing structures. Field
investigations are scheduled this week. We could see signs go up in
one month. The Moran Plant is being studied by a blue ribbon
committee. Four citizen members knowledgeable in finance are
involved: Joe Boutin, Merchants Bank; Karen Marshall, Secure Shred;
David Keelty, FAHC and one other. Street Repaving: This will start
south and head north. DPW has published a list which is on the City
website.
http://www.dpw.ci.burlington.vt.us/
The Gulf Rotary roundabout will be delay until in 2013. No reason
given. Steve Goodkind of DPW is going to investigate the S. Union
St. “birdbath” (perennial drainage problem) tomorrow (6/4).
Burlington Telecom: The budget was presented to the Board
of Finance. BT is looking to grow revenues by 16 percent focusing on
commercial customers. This is a ‘business’ budget unlike past
‘municipal’ budgets that were submitted. Negotiations with City
Leasing are ongoing. BT has already impacted the City’s credit
rating. The airport has been impacted as well. Karen thinks that
recent adjustments will allow the credit rating to improve over
time. An early budget analysis suggests that the lower rating will
increase the tax rate by a penny. It will also raise the cost of
bonds to fund the airport garage expansion. The “Forensic audit” of
BT will perhaps be done by the end of June. $155,000 is the price
tag for the audit. BT will not continue as a City department.
7:40 - Institutional Neighbor Reports
Champlain College and UVM were not represented at the meeting.
7:45 – School Commissioner report: Alan Matson
Finances: Commissioners are struggling with a $1.0 million
deficit resulting from a $0.5M reduction in revenue and
underestimated special education funding of about $0.5M. A
zero-based budget is proposed. Must cut money from optional items
such as after school programs ($300,000).
After School Programs: The after school programs have some
duplicate positions due to the way they evolved. Eliminating these
redundancies will cut costs. There are now four site director
positions open. Mari Steinbach noted that Park and Rec contributes
heavily to the $885,000 program (only $300,000+/- comes from the
school budget). Admittedly, the Leadership Council developed
recommendations for streamlining in a closed door session (salaries
and staffing were being discussed). The goal is to lower the budget
to $700K for next year and even lower in future years. The program
serves 400 elementary students among the four sites.
Park and Rec will hire a recreational specialist (helping
seniors as well) and a certified therapeutic specialist to work with
those with disabilities. The Department is presently having troubles
complying with all ADA requirements and would like to have an ADA
specialist on staff. The schools work with Not For Profits to
deliver programs but Park and Rec has not yet used this approach.
Teacher Contracts: Negotiations are ongoing but offers are
out. Current offer maintains level salaries. Teachers want a 4%
increase. No Golden Handshake deal expected. City is hoping for help
from Montpelier. Performance is now more important than tenure in
terms of promotion and job retention.
Principal Searches: Two new principals were hired.
Construction: Edmunds elevator will be installed this
summer and ready for the school opening. Flynn work next summer.
School Performance: All nine schools failed to meet
progress standards (adequate yearly progress). Math scores are low
among students receiving meal subsidies.
8:00 - City Agency – Parks & Recreation Dept Director
Mari Steinbach
Mari shared the floor with Alan Matson earlier to review budget
issues. She also discussed the following:
Budget: Trying to include the after school programs
Penny for Parks: $210,000 spent last year and $400,000 of
new maintenance projects are planned for next year. The department
set priorities internally but may look to engage the public and
NPA’s in this process in the future.
Staffing: Need to fill multiple vacancies.
Mari was asked about getting a dog park in the south end.
(There is a group pursuing this.) No money is available now. Do
license fees support dog parks? No, they go to the general fund. (A
decision was made a few years ago to allocate a portion of the fees
for this purpose but it may have never been implemented. Can Karen
Paul investigate this?) Mari’s department will be trying to
determine actual costs to maintain and operate various facilities
(ball fields vs. off-leash areas).
8:40 - Other Business
Champlain Parkway: Two more meetings scheduled on June 9
and June 10.
The Buzz: Justice Assistance Grant funding available.
Michael Ruport presented on sustainability last week. Transition
Towns program happening in the suburbs. May want to look closer at
this in the future.
NPA Schedule:
No NPA meeting in July.
Candidate forum in August (before primaries).
Mayor Kiss in September.
October: Candidates Night.
November: Likely to be the Neighborhood Improvement Night
Possible meeting in December on sustainability. (What are the
colleges doing that the rest of us could do?)
Jenny Davis: Park and Rec to establish a trail policy steering
committee to address paved bike path usage. The committee needs
volunteers. Contact Jenny if interested in helping out. Jenny was
asked if the trail committee could look at sidewalks as well as
there often conflicts among multiple uses/modes.
Flyers were distributed by Jenny regarding JAG funding and Trail
Policy. Check City website for more information.
http://www.ci.burlington.vt.us/
Preservation Burlington home tour is schedule for June 26. Get
tickets at the Flynn.
A free concert celebrating Andrea Rogers 30-year tenure as Flynn
Executive Director will be held at Flynn that night; tickets are
needed.
8:50 – Meeting Adjourned
Back to Agenda
Page last updated
July 15, 2010
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