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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/21/1974CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 21, 1974 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, October 21, 1974, in the Conference Room, Municipal Offices, 1175 Williston Road, at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Michael Flaherty, Chairman; Paul Farrar, Duane Merrill, Catherine Neubert MEMBERS ABSENT None OTHERS PRESENT William Szymanski, City Manager; Richard Ward, Zoning Administrator; Charlotte Marsh, David Boulanger, Jack Tabaka, J. Everett Reed, Frank McCaffrey, and Albert Audette Following an executive session at 7:00 p.m., Chairman Flaherty opened the regular meeting at 7:35 p.m. MINUTES OF MEETINGS Mr. Farrar made a motion, seconded by Mr. Merrill, to approve the Minutes of October 7, 1974. Voted unanimously for approval. It was moved by Mrs. Neubert and seconded by Mr. Farrar, to approve the Minutes of the joint meeting of October 15, 1974. Voted unanimously for approval. DISBURSEMENT ORDERS It was noted that Disbursement Orders had been prepared for the signature of the Members of the Council. SECOND READING OF AMENDMENT TO TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDINANCE Amendment was read aloud by the City Manager. Mr. Farrar then moved that the Council accept this second reading of the amendment. Seconded by Mrs. Neubert. Voted unanimously for approval. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE REGARDING INSTALLATION OF UNDERGROUND GAS TANKS Explaining that residents had been installing tanks during the energy crisis, Mr. Szymanski read aloud a suggested amendment recommended by the City Attorney. A discussion followed as to maximum size of tank, type of fluid to be stored, with a suggestion that the limit for heating oil be larger than for gasoline, and a requirement that a tank in a residential area be for the owner's personal use. Mr. Szymanski mentioned that a farmer might have need for a larger tank than a resident in the City would use. It was the opinion of the Council that more information was needed to revise this suggested ordinance. REPORT ON CITY OFFICIALS' LIABILITY INSURANCE Mr. Szymanski said three bids had been obtained for this insurance as mandated by the last Legislature, with two bids being equal and the third slightly under. The reason for this was that the third bid had not included the employees' insurance. He stated his preference would be to remain with the Committee of different insurance companies, as this means dealing with only one representative for all of the City's insurance needs, regardless of what the problem is. This arrangement (with Hackett, Valine, and McDonald) has worked out very well. Mr. Flaherty asked about the possibility of collecting the whole package of insurance policies and putting them out for bid for the fiscal year beginning July 1st. Mr. Farrar said he felt this should be looked into to be sure the City is getting the lowest price. The City Manager said the present arrangement also includes the School insurance. He offered to ask the insurance representative to come to a Council meeting and explain the policies the City now has. Mr. Farrar moved that the Council accept the City Manager's recommendation that the insurance representative be invited to present information at a meeting of the City Council regarding the present insurance arrangements of the City. Seconded by Mr. Merrill. Voted unanimously for approval. PROGRESS REPORT ON WINOOSKI VALLEY PARK DISTRICT Mr. David Boulanger, South Burlington representative to the Winooski Valley Park District, traced the progress of the Park District from its beginning of seven years ago. Is now a municipal corporation with a Trustee from each of the five member towns. The purpose is the acquisition or leasing, and the management of, the land and water in the Winooski Valley. They will work with the recreational heads of the towns; also with a citizens' advisory group of 14 professional people. The budget for the first year of operation was $6,092; for fiscal 1975, $8,900. Most of the budget goes for the salary of the director. Mr. Boulanger described the involved procedure of acquiring the lower Ethan Allen Farm, owned by Pease Grain Co. This became available for $66,000, and met the requirements of BOR for both recreation and conservation. The plan was to get 50% Federal funding and 50% State money, with a local share to be $19,000 to be split up among the five towns. In the meantime the property was purchased by the Nature Conservancy to be held by them until the Park District was able to get the funding. The Conservancy charges maintenance costs (taxes) to the Park District, the Park District in turn getting income from the property to pay these costs by renting some of the land for agricultural purposes this past year. The Park District was ready to consummate the purchase of the farm but was held up by the possible belt-line encroaching on the farm. Once the land is purchased with Federal funds (BOR) it cannot be used for any other government purpose such as the beltline. The problem is expected to be solved by having the Nature Conservancy prepare two separate deeds, one for the 138 acres for the park, and one for the 19 acres needed for the revised beltline plan. Then negotiation will follow with the City of Burlington for the sale to them of the 19 acres. Mayor Pacquette is agreeable to this plan. When all this is completed, there should be a small amount of refund for each town. Mr. Boulanger then said there is an emotional problem involved in trying to get towns like Williston and Richmond to join the Park District. They hope to be able to lease more land for fishing access and canoe launching sites such as the one they have now at Forest Hills. Eleven sites are now available from Green Mountain Power Corp. under lease. Mrs. Neubert asked about the Ethan Allen house. Mr. Boulanger said it has been visited by people who are sure, after inspecting the footings, beams, etc., that it is the original hand-built house of Ethan Allen. But because BOR prohibits the acquisition of any property for its historical value, the Park District is not emphasizing the Ethan Allen house. However, there are other sources of Federal funding for historical sites. Chairman Flaherty asked about use fees and parking fees, and Mr. Boulanger said there are none. It is to be open and accessible, with a budget for maintenance, cleanup, etc. Mr. Boulanger then mentioned the Park District's interest in an island in the river but which has little financial value because only a quitclaim deed could be given for the property. He emphasized the District is much more interested in getting rights to use land than in acquiring ownership. The Ethan Allen Farm, however, was a special case worthy of acquisition. He added that land that is leased does not come off the tax rolls of a town, whereas land that is acquired is removed from taxation. Mr. Boulanger was thanked by Chairman Flaherty for his informative report to Council. SOUTH BURLINGTON NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS An error in the date announced in the Municipal Calendar in the Free Press for the Planning Commission's meeting prompted a discussion of ways to avoid such errors in the future. Chairman Flaherty suggested someone from the City Office should call the Free Press each week to check the accuracy of South Burlington's schedule of meetings before the paper goes to press. SIGNS FOR SPEED LIMITS Frank McCaffrey asked about speed limit signs being removed, and the City Manager explained they were on private property and had to be removed, and there are still a number of signs in existence displaying the legal speed allowed. NEW CITY HALL Charlotte Marsh said she wished to recommend that the Council start planning a good City Hall, agree on general necessities, with nothing elaborate, and submit it to an architect. Just a simple fireproof building to replace what she considers to be a fire trap, the new building to be put on the property available for the purpose, with the present Williston Road building to be torn down. This would also improve the looks of Central School, she felt. Chairman Flaherty assured Mrs. Marsh the Council would start thinking about it. Duane Merrill moved that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Mr. Farrar and voted unanimously. Meeting declared adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.