South Burlington City News - 2.9.2021

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South Burlington City News

February 9, 2021   -    Local Government News Direct to You 

City offices are closed on Monday, February 15 in observance of President's Day.

 

Budget 1

On Tuesday, March 2, voters will be asked to consider the proposed FY2022 City of South Burlington budget.  The key components of the proposed budget are:

  • Lowest Tax Rate increase in 10 years (just under a 1% increase)
  • Somewhat reduced level of service in some departments
  • Meets all contractual obligations
  • Meets all bonded debt obligations
  • Support for the Capital Improvement 10-year Plan
  • Nine unfunded staff positions
  • Funds annual assessments & support to other entities

There are several resources for you learn more about the proposed FY22 Budget. Here are a few:

 

Tom Hubbard - FY22 Budget Presentation

WATCH
Deputy City Manager Tom Hubbard presents the FY22 Proposed Budget.

 

Budget and charts

VISIT WEBSITE
The Finance team has shared the details and spreadsheets, along with the process. 

 

 

Budget Book - 22 full

Annual Budget Book
View it online

Or, call 846-4107 and request a hard copy. Leave your name and mailing address in the message.

 

 

ANNUAL CITY MEETING
Tuesday, March 2, 2021  |   7 am - 7 pm

The following Articles are on the ballot:

ARTICLE I     Election of City Officers and Councilors

ARTICLE II    Annual City Budget

ARTICLE III   TIF Financing

To learn more about these articles, join the:
Virtual Public Hearing

Monday, March 1, 2021   |  7 pm
Access log on and phone info

View the Meeting Warning and full ballot articles.

                     --------------------------------------

Polling Places

District 7-1: Orchard School
District 7-2: Middle School
District 7-3: Middle School
District 7-4: Chamberlin School

Early voting is available once you receive your ballot in the mail. Mail the completed ballot back to the City Clerk, place in drop box at entrance of City Hall, or bring it with you to the polls on March 2.

On the Ballot: Garden Street

Article III on the City’s ballot asks voters to consider $4,002,550 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) debt to invest in the construction of Garden Street to
connect Williston Road with Dorset Street, crossing
Market Street.

Garden Street is a partially-built street in City Center, which will create an alternative connection between Dorset Street and Williston Road crossing Market Street. This project includes construction of sections A and C on the map below. (Improvements to Section D will be in a later phase.)

Section B is being developed by the private sector. 

Garden Street Map

Will this increase my property taxes?

No. The debt payments will be paid by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues. There will be no additional demand on the property taxpayer to pay for this connection.

Garden and Market Street intersection

Watch this video
Shot at the future site of the street, to hear from City Manager Kevin Dorn as he shares the details of this project.

Q and A

Public Forum Q & A
Virtual Meetings

Join City staff to learn more about this ballot item. 

Thursday, February 11  |   7 pm

Phone (audio only): (872) 240-3212
Access Code:  839-804-741

Thursday, February 11  |   7 pm

Phone (audio only): (646) 749-3122
Access Code:  393-287-301

Council Hears Update on Reappraisal

The City Council got an update on the city-wide commercial and residential property re-appraisal from City Assessor Todd LeBlanc. The approximately two yearlong re-appraisal project was triggered by the Municipal and Educational Grand Lists falling to 85% of the actual market value of the aggregated properties. 

The State of Vermont requires re-appraisal when assessed values deviate significantly from market values to ensure that there is fairness in taxation among property owners and, under the Education Tax, fairness between communities. 

Read more.

Gavel

Lawsuit Against City Clerk Dismissed 

In an uncommon move, the Connecticut Attorneys Title Insurance Company (CATIC) voluntarily dismissed its controversial lawsuit against all Vermont cities and towns and their respective clerks, including the City of South Burlington and its City Clerk, Donna Kinville. 

Read more.

handshake

Council Approves Labor Agreement

The South Burlington City Council unanimously approved a simple one-year extension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and the South Burlington chapter of AFSCME Local 1343 representing employees at the Department of Public Works and at City Hall. 

Read more.

Weed Warrior volunteer

Weed Warrior Program During the Pandemic

Stewardship of City-owned land looked very different at every level during 2020.  Instead of expanding The Weed Warrior Program, we changed our focus from organized, group volunteer efforts, to one-on-one experiences between experienced volunteers and the City consultant. Looking back, a lot of good progress was made towards improving wildlife habitat and native plant diversity.

Read more.

Lindenwood Basin

Lindenwood Stormwater Project

The Stormwater team is currently working on the design of detention basin to be located at the end of Lindenwood Drive, within a City-owned lot. The proposed treatment system will manage runoff from a 10.57-acre area, including 2.2 acres of impervious surface.

Read more.

Now Online

Application Status and Recently Issued Permits now online

Two new features of the Planning & Zoning webpage:

  • Status of current and recent applications under review by the Development Review Board.
  • Logbook of recently issued zoning permits

http://www.southburlingtonvt.gov/departments/
planning_and_zoning/current_application_status.php

Both are updated bi-weekly.

This same page also includes a link to where all development review applications, supporting materials, and decisions, and all zoning permits can be viewed online in our permit database

2020 Top Dog Bella Says
"It's time to register your cat or dog!"

2020 Top Dog - Bela

It's that time of year, when all dogs and cats, ages 6 months or older, must be registered. Why? To ensure that the necessary vaccinations are current for the protection of South Burlington citizens— complying with state law. Deadline is April 1, 2021.

When you register, your pet will be entered into the 8th Annual Top Dog and First Feline Contest. 

Download the registration form.

Learn more or register today.

School District Events

SB School District logo

Regular School Board meeting February 17

Agenda can be found at www.sbschools.net

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

For a complete list of meetings & events, please visit the calendar at www.sbvt.gov

 

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, February 16   |  6:30 pm | Virtual

  • Update on the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Interstate-89 Corridor Study – Charlie Baker, Executive Director, CCRPC
  • Consider and possibly approve a one-year collective bargaining agreement with the Police Officers Association.
  • Conduct interviews and possibly appoint members to South Burlington Boards, Commissions and Committees.
  • January Financials

Full agenda and meeting minutes

Join from your computer, tablet or smartphone: 
https://www.gotomeet.me/SouthBurlingtonVT/city-council-meeting02-16-2021
Phone (audio only): (312) 757-3121
Access Code:  197-254-709


Watch the Last City Council Meeting Recording

Want to see what happened during the latest City Council meeting? Can't attend the live session online?  We've got you covered. You can watch the recorded February 1 meeting here.

Public Art Committee
Tuesday, February 16 |  6 pm  | Virtual

Join from your computer, tablet, or phone:
https://www.gotomeet.me/SBCity/public-art-selection-committee1-12-2021

Phone (audio only): (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 383-791-221

Dorset Park Shared Use Path - A P4P Project

Penny for Paths Logo

There are 20 projects on the Penny for Paths (P4P) list and include new infrastructure (usually gaps in existing infrastructure) and not tasks associated with maintenance.

At the top of the Committee’s priority project list is the Dorset Street shared use path project, which is a 0.7-mile gap in the shared use path network along Dorset Street, between Old Cross Road and Sadie Lane.  The project has been on the City’s Capital Improvement Program for over a decade. Read more.

 

sidewalk

PUBLIC FORUM:
Dorset Street Shared Use Path


Bike & Pedestrian Committee Meeting

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | 5:30 pm | Virtual

Online at: 
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/782628077

By phone (571) 317-3122
Access Code: 782-628-077

Discussion will include project review, history, timeline, and plans. This is a VTrans grant-funded and Penny for Paths funded initiative.

Parking ban

City Clerk's Office:
How to Access Services

Need to access the Clerk's office for a title search, vital records, or marriage license? 

Visit the City Clerk's page and see how to do so!

RECREATION AND PARKS

Dog on Leash - Trail

New Dog Park to Be Built This Year!

We know that dog guardians have been anxiously awaiting a new dog park.  Both volunteer committee members and staff have been busy trying to make that a reality and it is nearly here!  Like so much in our world, the process has been impacted by COVID, which has caused delays. With the sighting and design work already complete, the project has entered the final permitting phases with installation to follow this coming construction season. 

Read more.

 

Dog Park - 5

History of City Dog Parks

The City has had several different locations for dog parks over the years. Learn about the history and the creation of a Dog Recreation Task Force.

 

cool dogs

Ruff Updates on Dog Registration

In the most recent issue of the Other Paper, you may have seen the insert that included information on registering your furry friends before the April 1, 2021 deadline. 

Learn more and register.

 

SUCCESS! First VT Hot Chocolate Week

Last week, our staff was out in City Parks sharing hot chocolate with folks. A different park each day!

Read more.

PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Library is currently operating only curbside service.  See the current hours.

Curbside Pickup: M, Th, F 11-3 pm and T, W 2-6 pm

Call us at: 802-846-4140.

http://www.southburlingtonlibrary.org

 

Black History - Library Display

Library staff member, Charlotte Carr, created this display to celebrate Black History Month. If you visit the mall, the original is on display in the hall from Target to the parking garage.

 

Library Shares Seeds for Third Year in a Row

Seed library

The South Burlington Seed Library, a hub for local seed exchange and garden education, is up and running for 2021. Patrons can now “borrow” from this inventory of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds to grow at home.

 

Color of Law Book Discussion

Upcoming Book Discussion of
The Color of Law

February 16  |  6:30 pm   |   Virtual

If you missed the first day, join us for this one!

The Affordable Housing Committee and the South Burlington Library are cosponsoring a book discussion series on The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, by Richard Rothstein.

Learn more.

 

February Virtual Book Discussions

Book group

Thursday morning - February 11, 10:30 am
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
by Alan Bradley

Thursday evening - February 25, 6:30 pm
Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens

To register for the discussions, email  SBPLinfo@southburlingtonvt.gov 

Copies of the books are available to borrow through the Library's Holds Pickup system

 

KIDS' WINTER STORYTIME SPECIALS

COVID Winter Storytime

Baby and Toddler Program

 

Older Kids - COVID - Library

Older Kids Program

Part 1

Part 2    On our YouTube channel: "SBPLVT Storytime."

CITY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

OPEN POSITIONS

While we have not filled 9 positions, as a cost-savings measure, we do have the following positions open to be filled.

Director of Physical Plant

Water Quality Operator

Public Safety Dispatcher

Public Safety Executive Assistant

Public Works Mechanic

To learn more, review job descriptions, or apply:
visit Human Resources.

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Visit us at www.sbvt.gov and sign up under "How do I?"