Burlington City Council Work Session for Moran & Meeting
December 6th, 2004
Work session on YMCA/Moran development
City Hall 5:30PM
- VT legislature has the authority to change what the public uses of the waterfront are (ie a hotel still isn’t clarified)
- Transportation and parking plan is still not resolved
- Bushor proposes a dedicated YMCA bus; CCTA not determined to do that
- Public is not informed completely of the development, and there is no word from the current YMCA members of the approval or disapproval of the project (Molly, a YMCA board member, says would like the city to help with the prefunding money)
- Where will the money for the infrastructure come from? (page seven of the Master document)
- 3/4 miles down the bikepath there will be a $6 million aquatic center already in the works
- YMCA has a high turnoer rate for their board members
- The rehabilitation cost of the project will be $9-10million to improve the existing building on college street, and even after if they did that, there would still be problems; they already spread out for their childcare programs
- Russ Ellis: what if the YMCA will no longer need the Moran area, as 100years is a long time? The Development agreement doesn’t address this, it will be addressed in the lease
- Jean: believes she carries the voice of her constituients, and should go ahead without worrying about the details
- What happens if the $3million for research isn’t available? Out of time for discussion, will br brought up again at the next session
City Council Meeting
Contois Auditorium 7PM
- UVM taking over University place: privatization of food vendors (nothing is offered in exchange for the area, it has been moved to committee for discussion).
Public Forum on the YMCA/Moran project comments
- Lake street traffic congestion
- Other recreation funds diverted for moran (ie Leddy, Memorial auditorium, a New north end youth center, as there are half of the city’s youth served there, currently fighting for land at the armory (no answer given by mayor/CEDO)
- 54% of Burlington youth feel they don’t matter within the city of Burlington
- Public in the dark about the proposal, perhaps an advisory question should be on the ballot
- Alan Sousie:
- Is the project desirable to town as a whole?
- The city currently owes $425,000, so why should they only get 5% back?
- The YMCA is non-profit, therefore no taxable income would become of the project. The city would contribute $2.5 million towards the project… who will be responsible for the long term costs?
- Are there other options for the existing land?
- Who determined that the other options are not viable?
- The Parks & Rec. need money, so why is $ being spent on Moran?
- What is the plan for the current Y building if they move to waterfront?
- A good deal of the childcare in Burlington is supported by YMCA.
- Persons with disabilities do not have access to the features of the YMCA.
- Hinda Miller: (all of the council members focus their attention to her)
- There is no formal business plan for the project
- Where is the real appropriated budget?
- $8 million for the project seems too low.
- How the city will finance the infrastructure?
- Transportation and the contingencies, but no budget?
- The public should have their voices heard.
Leave a Reply