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.