City Council With Mayor Presiding (Monday, June 16, 2014)
Generated by Amy Bovee on Thursday, August 28, 2014
Members present
Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Meeting called to order at 9:09 PM
1. Agenda
Action: 1.01 Move to approve/amend the agenda
Move to approve the agenda and add items 3.29, 3.30, and 3.31.
Motion by Joan Shannon, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
2. Consent Agenda
Action (Consent), Communication: 2.02 Communication: Clerk/Treasurer's Office, re: ****Updated**** Openings Burlington Commissions/Boards
waive the reading, accept the communication and place it on file
Motion by Joan Shannon, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action (Consent), Communication, Minutes: 2.03 Communication: Boards and Commissions Nominating Committee Meeting Minutes, Thursday, June 9, 2014, 6:00 p.m.
waive the reading, accept the communication and place it on file
Motion by Joan Shannon, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action (Consent), Communication: 2.04 Communication: Meghan Sweeney, Office Assistant II, Burlington Fire Department, re: Listing of Fire Wardens to be Appointed at the June 2014 Meeting of the City Council for July 1, 2014 and expire June 30, 2015
Waive the reading, accept the communication, place it on file and approve the list for Fire Wardens, terms commencing July 1, 2014 and expiring June 30, 2015
Motion by Joan Shannon, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
3. City Council With Mayor Presiding Appointments
Action, Communication: 3.01 Communication: Boards and Commissions Nominating Committee, re: City Council With Mayor Presiding 2014 Commission/Board Appointment Worksheet
Councilor Bushor requested they remove items 3.30 and 3.31 from the slate.
waive the reading, accept the communication and place it on file and nominate the slate of candidates identified herein for the Boards and Commissions identified as items 3.01 through 3.29.
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.02 Airport Commission(Term Expires 6/30/18)
Nominate William “Bill” Keogh
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.03 Board of Assessors (Term Expires 3/31/17)
Nominate Peter Schubart
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.04 Design Advisory Board (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Sean McKenzie
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.05 Design Advisory Board (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Steven Offenhartz Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.06 Design Advisory Board, Alternate (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Jeremy Gates Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.07 Design Advisory Board, Alternate (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Phil Hammerslough
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.08 Electric Light Commission (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Scott Moody
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.09 Electric Light Commission (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Gabrielle Stebbins
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.10 Fire Commission (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Kevin McLaughlin
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.11 Fire Commission (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate John T. Vincent Jr.
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.12 Board of Health (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate David Casey
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.13 Board of Health (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Austin Sumner
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.14 Library Commission (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Jill Krowinski
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.15 Parks & Recreation Commission (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Carolyn Hanson
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.16 Parks & Recreation Commission (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Jeetan Khadka
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.17 Planning Commission (Term Expires 6/30/18)
Nominate Yves Bradley
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.18 Planning Commission (Term Expires 6/30/18)
Nominate Jennifer Wallace-Brodeur
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.19 Police Commission (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Sarah Kenney
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.20 Police Commission (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Nyree Miles
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.21 Public Works Commission (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate James Barr
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.22 Public Works Commission (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Solveig Overby
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.23 Retirement Board (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Jeffrey “Jeff” Wick
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.24 Board of Tax Appeals (Term Expires 6/30/15)
Nominate Ryan McLaren
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.25 Board of Tax Appeals (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Paul Sisson
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.26 Board of Tax Appeals (Term Expires 6/30/17)
Nominate Andrew Champagne
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.27 Board for Registration of Voters (Term Expires 6/30/19)
Nominate Lenore Broughton
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.28 Board for Registration of Voters (Term Expires 6/30/19)
Nominate Katherine Miles
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.29 Conservation Board (Term Expires 6/30/2018)
Nominate Don Meals
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Sharon Bushor, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Rachel Siegel, Max Tracy, Kurt Wright, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Action: 3.30 Development Review Board (Term Expires 6/30/2018)
Councilor Bushor stated this is difficult for her because she supports the process and it is difficult to change that. She feels that there was a lot of good work done with this. She is unsure why so many incumbents with years of experience were put back on, but another incumbent who has been very conscientious and has only served for three years has been removed without any reason that she can understand. She understands the conversation that has occurred and the choices are difficult, but there seems to be inconsistency. The purpose was to make people feel valued and welcomed to the process. They have nominated good individuals who are qualified. She sees this as a glaring inconsistency.
Councilor Wright stated he is concerned about this as well. As a member of the Committee, he voted for this nomination, but with reservations. The more he thought about the reservations, the more he agrees with Councilor Bushor. He does understand the desire for change. He does not feel they will have a voice on the DRB with the removal of two members. They have not clearly stated the case.
Councilor Siegel stated she went into the Nominating Committee meeting expecting to support the incumbents. Her sense was that they were doing a good job and there was no reason not to support them, especially given their experience on the commission. However, there were two other applicants who were more aligned with her values and politics. There was so much discussion when people were presenting and being interviewed about how the system needs to change. There are many residents and builders who complain about the process and how difficult and confusing it is. The Committee took a stance that there needs to be change and therefore they should have new people. She asked if the processes would change with new people and she was told it was not really the jurisdiction of the Board to make process changes. However, one of the nominees has already been working with Planning and Zoning to address this. Having one incumbent and not the other seemed unfair. They also noted that there was no one from the New North End on the Board. This is the most important Commission to have geographic diversity. To be consistent, she will vote for Bob Schwartz.
City Council President Shannon stated she has no motivation to make a change because they are not development friendly enough. There are changes to process that are needed, but they have nothing to do with the DRB. She has served with Israel Smith on the Form Based Code Committee. She has been astounded and impressed by his insight into that process. His insight will be very valuable on the DRB. He is currently serving as an alternate. She rarely hears people speak in the way he does. He has an ability to analyze how a project will fit in and it is very valuable. He has had the opportunity to weigh in. She thanked Bob Schwartz for his service on the Committee. She wants to respect the process that the Committee went through to select the slate and she will stick with that.
Councilor Hartnett stated he has heard over the years that no one likes to go before this Board. That is telling that they need a change on that Board. He does not think that they are inconsistent. They are dealing with a Board that there have been a lot of complaints about. Other Boards did not have complaints so they did not change the incumbents. They are making a change that they need to. They do not make policy, but they can help in that process. He hears complaints every day that builders do not like doing business in Burlington. To him, it is about getting new blood and energy.
Councilor Bushor stated this is about incumbency and the people that they appoint. The DRB uses the Ordinance Codes and applies them. They do not make policy, they apply it. The Planning Commission makes the policies. No matter who they have at the DRB, people will be annoyed because development will happen and they may not be pleased with it. They can have people who are insensitive to the public and that would be a criteria to remove them. If they are applying the codes that they give them, they cannot be faulted.
Councilor Knodell stated she will support Mr. Smith. They set up a process built around the idea of trusting the Committee to develop a slate. She believes they should stick with the slate. This is an illustration of why it is important to stick with the slate.
Councilor Hartnett stated the DRB enforces the codes. If the codes do not make sense, they are in a position to be involved in the process of changing them. He has not seen them do that in the many years that this has been going on.
Nominate Israel Smith
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Max Tracy, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Nay: Sharon Bushor, Rachel Siegel, Kurt Wright
Nominate Robert Schwartz
Motion by Kurt Wright
Final Resolution: Motion not voted on.
Action: 3.31 Development Review Board (Term Expires 6/30/2018)
Nominate Alexander LaRosa
Motion by Norm Blais, second by Dave Hartnett.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Aye: Tom Ayres, Norm Blais, Dave Hartnett, Jane Knodell, Bianka Legrand, Chip Mason, Karen Paul, Max Tracy, Joan Shannon, Miro Weinberger
Nay: Sharon Bushor, Rachel Siegel, Kurt Wright
Nominate Jim Drummond
Motion by Sharon Bushor
Final Resolution: Motion not voted on.
4. Adjournment
Without objection, Mayor Weinberger adjourned the meeting at 9:33pm.