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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/21/1974SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 21, 1974 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting in the City Hall Conference Room, Williston Road, on Monday, January 21, 1974 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Nardelli opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman Walter Nardelli, Catherine Neubert, Michael Flaherty, Paul Farrar and William Cimonetti MEMBERS ABSENT None OTHERS PRESENT William J. Szymanski, City Manager; Richard Ward, Zoning Administrator, Albert Audette, James W. Goddette, Frank McCaffrey, Charlotte C. Marsh, James Lamphere, Raymond Stearns, Fred Smith, Hugh Marvin, Jack Tabaka, Walter Dandridge, Lloyd Kranz, Doris Bailey, Arlene Krapcho, Art Dorey, Frank Plumley Mr. Nardelli stated at this time that Item #4 on the agenda will be omitted and tabled as the people involved cannot attend the meeting. Also at this time, items were added to the agenda: Report from Richard Ward, re: Howard Johnson Sign Advising Councilmen of a meeting on Monday, January 28, 1974 at 7:30 P.M. Call for special election on March 5, 1974 to consider constitutional amendments. Project SSI Alert READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 7, 1974 There was a correction on Page 2 in the fourth paragraph. It should read that Mr. Szymanski stated that 85% will be reimbursed. Mr. Farrar made a motion to accept the minutes as amended of the January 7, 1974 meeting. Mrs. Neubert seconded said motion which passed unanimously. MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING ON DECEMBER 26, 1973 Mr. Flaherty made a motion to accept the minutes of December 26, 1973 as presented. Mr. Farrar seconded said motion which passed unanimously. DISBURSEMENT ORDERS Mr. Nardelli reminded the Councilmen that the disbursement orders were on the table for approval and signature. PROGRESS REPORT FROM THE CITY PLANNER SELECTION COMMITTEE Mr. Szymanski stated that the City Planner Selection Committee met last Monday, January 14, 1974. They have 50 some odd applications, and Mr. Simpson had reviewed them and eliminated about 30. They went through the rest and selected about 8. Mr. Szymanski stated they have written letters to the ones in New England to meet with the Committee. There is one interview scheduled for Friday, January 25 and one on Tuesday at noon. It was stated that if they are not satisfied with the ones in New England, they will get in touch with those elsewhere. Mr. Farrar suggested that they might use a telephone inquiry to those far away to see if it was worth seeing them. Mr. Nardelli thanked Mr. Szymanski for his report. REVIEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FEDERAL AID HIGHWAY URBAN SYSTEM Mr. Szymanski stated there is 3.8 million in the Federal Aid Highway Urban System just for Vermont. He stated that they have met on a number of occasions with the League of Cities and Towns, Highway Board and also with the legislators and the question is how the money is going to be divided. It was stated that the State recommends that the communities pick up 15%. There is also a question on how it will be decided. The Highway Dept. recommends that it be divided on population and mileage and per capita basis. It was stated that So. Burlington rates quite low. There is $105,000.00 planning money available which is going to the Regional Planning Commission. The Chittenden Planning Commission will get approximately $24,000.00. Mr. Szymanski has suggested that Patchen Road could be included in this. Hinesburg Road, Kennedy Drive, Old Farm Road and part of White Street are undet Federal Aid. In the case of Patchen Road, it has to be tied in with Burlington. Mr. Szymanski read from the Federal Aid Manual he had. The routes he has designated are Spear Street and Swift Street, Dorset Street to Swift Street, Farrell Street and Proctor Avenue (which two are questionable) Patchen Road, also Kriby Road tieing into Airport Drive. This is mainly for improving existing streets. Mr. Szymanski stated he can include Mary Street tieing into Patchen Road and Dorset Street. Mr. Cimonetti made a motion that the Council accept the City Manager's Plan for the Federal Aid Highway Urban System to be submitted to the State and Regional Planning Commission. Mrs. Neubert seconded said motion which passed unanimously. DISCUSS SWIMMING POOL PROPOSAL WITH LLOYD KRANZ OF KIWANIS CLUB Mr. Lloyd Kranz read a communication to Mr. Nardelli and the So. Burlington City Council, a copy of which is made a part of these minutes. After the reading of the above communication, Mrs. Neubert stated she thought it was extremely unfair of the Kiwanis to attribute what she said to the Council and she stated that she was for the pool but not on the site suggested by the Kiwanis. Mr. Nardelli stated that the Council sincerely went ahead and tried to develop the idea presented to the Council. They took time and effort to meet with the School Board, re: land available, with the Planning Commission, re: their ideas and the Council itself projected enough interest to form a Committee to go ahead and research the idea. It was stated that it was difficult for the Council, as of December 17, 1973, giving them only 14 days, to take action which would be to the best interest of the City. Questions had arisen as to cost, location, relationship to Master Plan. Mr. Kranz discussed the need for the pool, maintenance costs and Kiwanis being willing to work for $100,000.00. He stated there should be more members from Kiwanis on the Pool Committee. There was discussion of Mr. Kranz attending any other meetings except the first one. Mr. Nardelli thanked Mr. Kranz for coming and talking to the Council. It was stated that the Council wishes to say that they hope the relationship is not negative because of this one incident. Mr. Flaherty commented that the Kiwanis works hard for the City. He stated the Committee was to bridge the problems arising and he also stated they should think of the other people in the city. Mr. Farrar stated he hoped this could be solved and the best way to accomplish this should be found as it is a good thing. Mr. Kranz stated that the important thing at the December 17, 1973 meeting was to apply for BOR funds. Mrs. Neubert stated that if Mr. Kranz had attended all the meetings, he would have realized all the work that was done on this project. Miss Marsh stated she didn't think the Council should be blamed entirely as no specific plans and figures had been submitted. SIGN VERMONT CLASS II HIGHWAY SELECTION CERTIFICATES Mr. Szymanski discussed Class II highways, including Spear Street, Swift Street, Dorset Street, Patchen Road, etc. He stated that the City is reimbursed by about $18,000.00. And, he also stated that the City has to certify periodically that the roads exist. Mr. Farrar made a motion that the Council sign the certificates of Class II highways presented by the City Manager. Mr. Flaherty seconded said motion which passed unanimously. RENEWAL OF WESRAE KENNEL'S DOG CONTROL AGREEMENT Mr. Nardelli reviewed the cost of $4000.00 in monthly installments to the Pound Keeper. The whole City of So. Burlington is included in this service. Mr. Cimonetti stated that he is not in favor of having a dog catcher and he stated the response to complaints is most important. Mr. Farrar made a motion to accept the agreement as presented by the City Manager and as amended by having the City Attorney look over the contract. Mr. Flaherty seconded said motion which passed unanimously. PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF THE CITY CAPITAL BUDGET Mr. Nardelli stated that Mr. Flaherty and Mr. Szymanski had worked on this City Capital Budget which is a projection to 1980. There was discussion, re: street work, replacement of cruisers, participation of State and Federal Aid. Mr. Cimonetti stated that this is like a Comprehensive Plan but carries no force. It could be acted on separately from the Master Plan, and it could become a by-law of the community. Mr. Nardelli stated he would like a wording as to whether it is legally binding on the City. It was stated that if the Council formally accepts this, it has to come up each year and reviewed. Mr. Cimonetti stated he would like to do the 1974-75 budget before this one. Mr. Szymanski stated it has to go to a public hearing. Mr. Nardelli suggested along with Mr. Cimonetti that there should be research on this by the City Attorney. There was further discussion, re: City Capital Budget. Mr. Farrar stated this was absolutely meaningless unless the City had the same thing from the School Dept. Mr. Nardelli stated he would like an inventory of equipment and would like to see this put in layman's language. Mr. Nardelli stated Mr. Szymanski should get a reading from the City Attorney, re: legality, budget making, etc. Mr. Cimonetti stated that a preamble could be written. One question brought up was when does the City have to take action on a project like this. It was stated that Don Rich thought this should go along with the budget to reinforce this. REPORT FROM RICHARD WARD ON SIGN MATTER It was stated that there are two different charges - a direct violation of the Sign Ordinance and a Civil action against the City. The violation is that Howard Johnson Motor Lodge has altered their sign without a permit. The alteration is a small addition to their sign. Mr. Ward stated it was turned over to Dennie Blanc and he met with Attorney Richard Spokes. In the meantime, the businessmen hired Mr. Mikel to represent them. It was stated that Mr. Spokes said that the fastest way to get any action is for the opposition to file a petition against the City by Mr. Mikel's office. Mr. Farrar stated he thought we should proceed to enforce the Ordinance. It should be settled in County Court. This will give the businessmen the opportunity to challenge the Sign Ordinance. Mr. Cimonetti stated that the City Attorney should be instructed to proceed with the proper action. Mr. Flaherty made a motion to accept the recommendation of Richard Spokes as to the legal action to be taken in regard to the challenge of the legality of the So. Burlington Sign Ordinance, and the Council would like this in writing by the next meeting, January 28, 1974. Mr. Farrar seconded said motion which passed unanimously. SPECIAL ELECTION ON MARCH 4, 1974 A special election on March 5, 1974 to consider constitutional amendments is required by the State and requested in a letter to the Town Clerk. It is to be state-wide and has to be warned by February 2, 1974. Mr. Farrar made a motion to call a special election for March 5, 1974 to consider constitutional amendments for the State of Vermont and for any other business that mightcome up for that date. Mr. Flaherty seconded said motion which passed unanimously. SSI - ALERT This concerns the Human Services Committee. Mrs. Neubert stated that she is not quite ready to appoint a Human Services Committee and that she is gathering information. SPECIAL MEETING SET FOR JANUARY 28, 1974 at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Farrar made a motion for a Special City Council Meeting to be held on January 28, 1974 at 7:30 P.M. Mrs. Neubert seconded said motion which passed unanimously. MEET WITH UNION AND NON-UNION EMPLOYEES' REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING PROPOSED EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The Fire Dept was represented by Mr. Goddette and the City Employees were represented by Richard Ward. There was discussion, re: pay schedule, sick leave, medical coverage, holidays, uniforms, etc. Mr. Farrar made a motion to adjourn said meeting at approximately 9:45 P.M. Mr. Cimonetti seconded said motion which passed unanimously. Paul Farrar, Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.