DRAFT MINUTES
 | DRAFT MINUTES COLCHESTER SELECTBOARD June 9, 2020 @ 6:30 PM Colchester Town Offices 781 Blakely Road Outer Bay Conference Room, 3rd Floor __________________ |
1. Call Meeting to Order | Roll Call
Chair Jeff Bartley called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
Selectboard: Jeff Bartley, Chair; Tom Mulcahy, Vice-Chair; Jacki Murphy, Clerk; Pam Loranger; and Julie Hulburd
Staff: Aaron Frank, Town Manager; Geoffrey Urbanik, Deputy Town Manager; Chief of Police Doug Allen; Fire Chief Steve Bourgeois
Others in Attendance: Sarah Reeves, General Manager for Chittenden Solid Waste District
2. Citizens to be Heard
None came forward.
3. ACTION | Consent Agenda
a. Minutes of Selectboard Meeting on May 26, 2020
MOTION made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Julie Hulburd to adopt the Consent Agenda as it may have been modified by the Board and to take the actions indicated for each item: a. Approve the Selectboard Minutes of May 26, 2020
MOTION carried 5-0.
4. Special Business Items
a. CSWD Budget Presentation – Sarah Reeves, CSWD
Sarah Reeves, CSWD, presented the budget approved by the CSWD board that represented a slight increase, however, noted reduced tonnage coming in to landfills due to the crisis.
b. ACTION: Possible Approval of CSWD FY21 Budget
MOTION made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Pam Loranger to approve the Chittenden Solid Waste District Proposed Budget for FY 2021 $12,089,175 in revenues and $11,836,939 in expenses, with the understanding that if revenues fall below projected levels, CSWD will prepare a plan to adjust spending to match available resources, or provide such alternative to the CSWD Board of Commissioners that resolves imbalances, per the attached Budget Proposal document from CSWD, and a memo from Geoff Urbanik, Deputy Town Manager dated June 1, 2020.
MOTION carried 5-0.
c. Colchester Police – Fair and Unbiased Policing – Doug Allen
George Floyd’s Murder: A Statement by Chief Douglas Allen, Colchester Police Department
I watched in disgust and outrage this past week the images from Minneapolis. The murder of George Floyd due to the actions and inactions of officers sworn to protect and defend their community is as abhorrent to me as it is to the men and women who serve beside me at Colchester Police. We hold ourselves to a high standard as required by our oath, our policies and our training. We support and utilize the six pillars of the 21st Century Policing report from President Obama’s Policing Task Force of 2015 as a blueprint for our actions and policies.
We recognize that race does play a role in our society and train our officers to mitigate those implicit biases that we all have to conduct ourselves in as fair and impartial manner as possible. In order to accomplish our mission of improving the quality of life for our residents and visitors, we have to have the support and trust of the community we serve. We are committed at Colchester Police Department to defend those who are marginalized, protect those who speak out about injustice, and serve the citizens of this community.
Selectboard Chair Bartley asked that the statement by Chief Allen be included in the Selectboard minutes.
Chief Allen told the Board that he has met with his Leadership Team and with Chiefs from around Vermont to discuss the actions needed to prevent a police culture that allows biased actions that erode public support and confidence in their police departments.
He identified four main areas that promote good police conduct – 1) Recruiting good candidates for employment that support the department’s Community Policing philosophy; 2) Selecting qualified officers for promotion to supervisory and administrative positions; 3) Create and maintain policies that not only require honorable and compassionate actions by police but also requires intervention and reporting of bad behavior by officers; and 4) Continuous training to the policies and best practices that promote a working partnership with the community.
He further discussed outreach efforts to the community including their work with the Islamic Society of Vermont, several different youth related programs in the Colchester School District, and efforts to connect with the elderly segment of the community. He reported on the Black Lives Matter protest held at Bayside Park this past weekend and commended the organizers for a peaceful and respectful event.
d. Colchester Fire Service Update – Steve Bourgeois
Chief Bourgeois explained that full time staff started June 1st and had their first emergency call for service on June 2nd at 11:28. The call was for a Medical assist because Colchester Rescue was on a call. The Fire staff and engine responded in under one minute and was on scene within 2 minutes.
Re-branding of all Colchester Fire apparatus is completed with new Colchester Fire Department lettering and insignia.
The three Departments responded to a structure fire on Saturday June 6th. The fire was on Lupine Drive in the bay at a four-unit condo complex. Everyone worked very well together, and the fire was confined to one of the four units.
Completed re-programing of all Fire Department radios. Every member will now have a portable radio for accountability purposes on the fire ground. Public works will be maintaining fire apparatus after July 1st which should save money and improve ongoing preventative maintenance.
Working with PD and Dispatch setting up new dispatch procedures and run cards.
Working on new signs for the three stations. Working with Bryan Osborney and Geoff Urbanik setting up maintenance for the three-fire stations starting July 1.
It’s been a very busy four months have taken part in weekly Town emergency management and department head zoom meetings, weekly conference call with the State EOC, Conference call with Town Chiefs once a month, and ongoing meetings with neighboring community fire chiefs regarding mutual aid.
The Selectboard offered their thanks to Chief Bourgeois and all the firefighters, career and volunteer, for their hard work and for being ready to serve the community ahead of schedule.
e. FY 2021Abstract Grand List | Pre-Appeals – Robert Vickery
Assessor Bob Vickery explained that the pre-appeal grand list (value of all property in Colchester divided by 100) grew by 1.27% vs. his projection in January of 1.18%. The FY 21 grand list adjusted for appeals is estimated to be $21,939,174. Bob noted that significant unexpected growth between January and April included: Sunderland Farms Community LLC (South East corner of Severance Corners) subdivision added 21 new development lots and common land lots and the Wilcox and Singer new subdivision added 8 new single family lots. The tax warrant would include the increased growth and the municipal tax increase would be lower than the Selectboard shared at Town meeting day. Bob also explained that he was required to upgrade the software which caused some minor changes in peoples assessments. Large changes include: Severance Corners Village Center LLC completed a new 29 unit apartment complex adding $2,905,300 assessed value and Champlain Valley Self Storage LLC has construction 80% complete as of 4/1/2020 adding $2,039,500 assessed value.
5. Approval of Petitions and Licenses
a. Outside Consumption License: Hillis Sugarbush Farm & Vineyard
MOTION made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Julie Hulburd to approve an Outdoor Consumption License for Hillis Sugarbush Farm & Vineyard, LLC.
MOTION carried 5-0.
6. Additional Business | Manager’s Recommendations
a. Review Proposed Tax Warrant | Tax Rate for FY21 – Geoff Urbanik
Deputy Town Manager Geoff Urbanik explained that the tax warrant, based on the budget and the draft grand list would be less than planned on Town meeting day at $0.5480 per hundred dollars of property value, or 51/100 of a cent and a 0.94% increase over last year’s tax rate.
b. Draft Authorization to Transfer and Assign Funds – Aaron Frank
Town Manager Aaron Frank brought forward a draft annual authorization to transfer and assign funds for the below purposes which are further explained in a memo to the Selectboard. He asked that Selectboard members provide input at the meeting today as changes have to be run by the attorney and or the auditor.
1. An assignment of $200,000 in General Fund fund balance as FY 22 general fund revenues, which will reduce the amount of money that will need to be raised by property taxes when budgeted and approved as revenue for the FY 22 budget;
2. A transfer of $62,500 from the General Fund to the Storwmwater Fund, an amount equal to a settlement agreement with Mongeon Bay Properties for development on the lakeshore
3. A transfer of $150,000 from the General Fund to the Capital Equipment and Facilities Plan fora new Rescue vehicle; and
4. A transfer of $ 172,833.32 from the General Fund to the Fire Equipment Capital Fund
c. Resolution in Favor of Federal Municipal Assistance – Geoff Urbanik
Deputy Town Manager Urbanik explained that the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and the National League of Cities requested that the Town approve a resolution in favor of federal aid.
MOTION made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Julie Hulburd to authorize the approval of a resolution supporting fair and direct federal emergency aid to reopen and rebuild local economies in appreciation of the significant role in municipal services in responding to and recovering from the COVID-19 emergency. Pam Loranger abstained.
MOTION carried 4-0.
d. Financial Management Questionnaire – Aaron Frank
Town Manager Frank explained that the Financial Management Questionnaire discloses risks and the lack thereof to the Selectboard. He noted that it is much more of a concern for communities without third party external CPA’s serving as auditors, but a good disclosure nonetheless. He explained that in consultation with the Clerk/Treasurer Julie Greater, he had edited the form to indicate we do not provide loans to employees and explained this was last done in 2012 but did not feel it was a good practice.
MOTION made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Julie Hulburd to authorize the Selectboard Chair to sign the Financial Management Questionnaire acknowledging receipt by the Selectboard as recommended by the Town Manager and Town Clerk/Treasurer
MOTION carried 5-0.
7. Informational Items
a. Week Ending May 22, 2020
8. Future Agenda Items (Subject to Change)
• June 23, 2020
o Set Tax Rate for FY 2020 – Geoff Urbanik
o Year End Transfer Request FY 2019 – Aaron Frank
• July 28, 2020
o 5:30PM Grand Opening of Airport Park Pickleball Courts with Recreation Committee
9. Announcements
Selectboard Chair Bartley Welcomed new reporter, Bridget Higdon from the Colchester Sun, who comes to us from as the Editor-in-Chief of UVM’s Vermont Cynic.
He noted that Spare Time Entertainment is re-opening Friday June 12th with enhanced safety measures and hours as follows: Sunday – Thursday 10AM – 11PM; Friday & Saturday 10AM – 1AM
10. ACTION | Warrants
a. Action: Warrants #20-34
MOTION made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Pam Loranger to approve Warrant #20-34 in the amount of $739,202.03 and Warrant #20-35 in the amount of $307,405.90.
Town Manager Frank explained there was a question about the warrant regarding the total of the refunds by the Parks and Recreation Department for summer recreation programs. The amount is about $95,000 not including ACE (before and after school care).
MOTION carried 5-0.
11. Possible Executive Session
a. Contracts, Personnel and Litigation
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and Seconded by Pam Loranger to find that premature general public knowledge of contracts, personnel and litigation would clearly place this Selectboard at a substantial disadvantage because the Selectboard risks disclosing its negotiation strategy if it discusses the contracts, personnel and litigation in public.
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Pam Loranger that the Selectboard enter executive session to discuss contracts, personnel and litigation under the provisions of Title 1, Section 313 (a)(1)(a) and (b) of the Vermont Statutes, Executive Sessions; and personnel under the provisions of 1 V.S.A. § 313(a)(3), Executive Sessions.
Motion carried 5-0.
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Julie Hulburd to exit the executive session at 8:38 pm.
Motion carried 5-0.
12. Adjournment
MOTION was made by Jacki Murphy and SECONDED by Julie Hulburd to adjourn the meeting.
The MOTION carried 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 pm.
DRAFT MINUTES