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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 09/16/1974CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 16, 1974 Corrections to minutes of September 16, 1974 At the City Council Meeting of October 7, 1974 it was moved to accept the Minutes of September 16, 1974, as corrected. Corrections are: (page 2) In Chief Monell's report, the words A breakdown was requested are to be added at the end of the fifth line. (page 4) two paragraphs are to be changed to read: Mrs. Neubert said the City cannot continually have zoning ordinance changes: that there is a commitment to preserve the agricultural land. She also said the City would definitely not run a sewer unless they had a client, that there could be a problem since it might mean going back to the voters. The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, September 16, 1974, in the Municipal Office, 1175 Williston Road. MEMBERS PRESENT Michael Flaherty, Chairman; William Cimonetti, Paul Farrar, Catherine Neubert MEMBERS ABSENT Duane Merrill OTHERS PRESENT William Szymanski, City Manager; Richard Ward, Zoning Administrator; Jack Tabaka, James W. Goddette, Albert Audette, Robert Babcock, Richard Kittridge, Fire Chief Monell, Richard Myette, Mary Barbara Maher, Ralph Cramer, Raymond Stearns, Harry Behney, Rupert King, Donn Hanna, Keith Wright, Jim Mitchell, Rowland Peterson The meeting was opened by the Chairman at 7:40 p.m. Minutes of Meetings of August 19, September 3, and September 11, 1974 Mrs. Neubert moved that the Council postpone action on the Minutes of August 19. September 3, and September 11, 1974, until the next Council meeting. Seconded by Mr. Cimonetti. Voted unanimously. The reason for this motion was that there had not been sufficient time to study the Minutes. Disbursement Orders It was noted by the Chairman that the disbursement orders were to be signed. Highway Mileage Certificate The City Manager explained this certificate was for Class 2 roads and named the various streets in this classification. The Council, as the governing body, has to certify to the mileage; this is the basis on which State Aid to the City is received. The Class 2 mileage is 17.907 miles. Mr. Farrar moved that upon recommendation of the City Manager and the Highway Department, the Council certify this Certificate of Mileage for Class 2 reads. Seconded by Mrs. Neubert. Mr. Cimonetti asked if other roads could be added from time to time to these eligible for State Aid. Mr. Szymanski said Queen City Park road is now a State Aid road, but Allen Road and Cheese Factory Road were not accepted as they did not meet the criteria. The State the City receives is based on miles and also on the amount of revenue the State receives from the gas tax. Motion was voted unanimously for approval. Appointment to City Planning Commission Mr. Farrar moved that the Council delay this for executive session at the end of the agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Neubert. Voted unanimously. Report from Fire Chief Monell Chief Monell described the department's plans for Fire Prevention Week, the week of October 7th. A day will be spent at each City school, films will be shown, and Boy Scouts will place posters in stores and shopping centers. The department responded to 118 alarms last year, of which he estimated 78 or 80 were actual fires. He had no breakdown as to major or minor fires. Asked about future needs for equipment. Chief Monell said it could be either a pumper or an aerial ladder. Another pumper would need another sub-station. He considers the City is made up of three radius circles; equipment responding to a call in one area leaves the other areas unprotected. Depending on the growth of the City, a sub-station could be required. Regarding the need for an aerial ladder, there are two buildings that could not be reached with a hand ladder, Holiday Inn and the school. The department now has an aerial ladder on lease from Burlington for one dollar year. South Burlington maintains the ladder and responds with two men to operate it, to calls from Burlington. A new aerial ladder costs from $80,000 to $90,000. Mr. Cimonetti asked if the department's expansion needs were more for employees than for equipment. Chief Monell said that was the case. Mr. Cimonetti then asked if the department knew about the "tot finder" stickers. Chief Monell said he had recently become aware of these and has ordered 1,000 of the stickers, to be sold at 10¢ per sticker, to be placed in children's bedroom windows as an aid to firemen. He added that invalid stickers are already being used in the City. Questioned about fire hazards, particularly the blocking of exits in discount stores and supermarkets, Chief Monell said he inspects business establishments as often as possible, but not as often as he would if he had more time for this. He has the power to order an exit unblocked immediately, and other violations must be compiled with within 30 days. If he finds the firm is not in compliance by them, he can call the Fire Marshall's office. The Fire Marshall's office has a code for the entire state, based on the National Fire Codes. Mrs. Neubert asked why he couldn't spend more time inspecting business places and the answer was that he does have a considerable amount of paper work. Mrs. Neubert then pressed for more information as to the kind and volume of the paper work. Chief Monell said he would try to keep a record of what he did each day for her information. Chief Monell said he has 37 volunteers, higher than the figure they had set for 25 as the minimum needed. Mr. Farrar asked the Chief to write to the Fire Departments of Sayelle and New City, New York and ask for information about their employees, volunteers, etc. These are both new communities, bedroom type, with problems to compare with these of South Burlington, but larger population. The matter of the time involved for members of the highway crow responding as volunteers to a fire in another part of the City far from the area they were working, was brought up, and the Chairman recommended that Mr. Audette and the Fire Chief get together and discuss this. Report of Chairman Myette, Zoning Board of Adjustment Chairman Myette stated the new ordinance is relatively easy to work with, although there are some technical problems. Most of the requests for variance come under Section 11 00, dimensional requirements. It is the Board's policy not to make a decision on a conditional use at the first hearing, now that they are granted the power to make a conditional use. The new ballots were described, showing criteria which must be satisfied, and these are referred to in the Board's findings. Mr. Myette stated the law is pretty restrictive in what the Board can and cannot do; it does not have the latitude of the Planning Commission or the Council. Mrs. Neubert said she had received complaints that people are unable to get to the five o'clock meetings of the Board, and that people do not have a proper notice of these meetings. Mr. Myette explained they had changed from evening meetings because of the energy crisis last winter. A meeting is always warned in the Free Press as a legal notice, and should be listed in the calendar of local meetings for the week, in the newspaper. Also abutting property owners are always notified in writing by Mr. Ward of the hearing and informing them of the variance being requested. Mr. Myette said he had received no complaints himself about the hour of the hearings. The Board now meets the first and third Monday at 5:00 p.m. Resignation of Mr. Cimonetti from the City Council. The City Manager read aloud the Certificate of Commendation to be presented to Mr. Cimonetti, with a copy also to go to his employer. Mr. Farrar moved to sign this resolution of commendation. Seconded by Mrs. Neubert. Voted unanimously. Mr. Farrar also moved that the City Council accepts with regret the resignation of William Cimonetti. Seconded by Mrs. Neubert. Voted unanimously. Mr. Cimonetti was also presented with his nameplate as a memento, with the dates of his term of service indicated on the back of the nameplate block. The meeting was then recessed for a few minutes of conversation and refreshments in the City Manager's office, planned by Charlotte Marsh and Catherine Neubert. Report on the Chittenden County Transportation Authority Messrs. Raymond Stearns, Harry Behney, and Ralph Cramer reported on the operation of C.C.T.A. during the past year as being worthwhile. The main problems were the increase in the cost of fuel (diesel) and the high cost of maintenance of old buses. Mr. Cramer insisted that every bus be in operation the next morning, and refused to have an unsafe bus on the road. New buses, bus signs and bus shelters will be covered under already budgeted funds for capital expenditures. The shelters will go out for bid as soon as the exact locations are decided, and the size determined. 60% of the cost of the shelters will come from Federal aid. Additional bus routes will be studied by the County Regional Planning Commission. For the first five days of school this year, the revenue was up 42% from the same five days last year. It is anticipated the new buses will cut the operating costs tremendously. The fares are 25¢ for students, 30¢ token, and 35¢ cash. The cost of operation was 13¼¢ above the average fare of 30¢ but this was a little over 6¢ lower than any system of comparative size in the United States. This would be increased by a penny a ride if capital expenditures were taken into consideration. Mr. Szymanski asked about extending the bus route down Shelburne Road and into Bartlett's Bay area. Mr. Cramer said he would not go into Bartlett's Bay road without a traffic light to get back out onto Shelburne Road, but that there is a need for service to this area. If service was extended to Shelburne, the Town of Shelburne would have to join the Authority. The natural extension would be to Shelburne and Williston. Extending the route to serve Timberlane and Dorset Street has been most successful; also the IBM bus has worked out well. Mr. Farrar thought it might be worthwhile to ask the State Highway Department to consider putting a light at Bartlett's Bay entrance. Possible development of an industrial park Dean Hanna was present with a group to discuss a proposed industrial park. Mr. Hanna said he had a customer for a building and had signed an agreement with Mr. Willis who owns land zoned for industrial use, but now Mr. Willis has made conditions that cannot possibly be met, so other land must be found. Mr. Hanna is now interested in land owned by Keith Wright, which means going into land now zoned agricultural. Access could be obtained by an internal road going in from Hinesburg Road. Mr. Hanna emphasized they want to stay in South Burlington, and some other small areas presently zoned industrial are not suitable for their needs. Mr. Farrar thought the Council should look carefully at the question of whether or not they should rezone for industrial use; he, personally would not be opposed to discussing it. Mrs. Neubert objected, saying they cannot continually have zoning ordinance changes; that there is a commitment to preserve the agricultural land. She also said the City would definitely not run a sewer unless they had a client, that there could be problems in putting in a sewer. The Chairman said the Planning Commission would deal with that in more depth than the City Council could now. Mr. Cimonetti said the City has demonstrated an interest in supporting an industrial area with zoning; if it is a bona fide industrial development about to take place, then there is reason for encouragement, but without any binding kind of commitment. Chairman Flaherty felt Mr. Hanna should proceed along normal lines. There has to be some good reason given to the Planning Commission and the Council as to why this should be made industrial from agricultural. Mr. Keith Wright said the customer came to his looking for 100,000 square feet; he may be looking for more expansion. The Chairman said the Council should not prejudge a development until they have made a presentation; there is an obligation to listen to them. He again recommended that they go through procedures. Asked about the best way to sewer this property. The City Manager said it could go through the Willis property by gravity, or could go up Hinesburg Road by pumping. The Hinesburg route would involve less capital expenditure by the City. Mr. Hanna said they were not expecting the City of South Burlington to provide sewerage and roads into the park. They want to stay in South Burlington and are anxious to start building and do not want to wait six months for a zoning change. Neither does he wish to go shopping for other possible sites. The present high unemployment rate in Chittenden County was mentioned by Mr. Behney — 8½%. Only Newport has a higher rate, but with a much smaller number of people unemployed, whereas Chittenden County has ever 4,000 unemployed. Mr. Farrar moved that the Council go into executive session and consider the implications of the situation for contractual negotiation for access into this area. Mr. Farrar also moved that the appointment to the Planning Commission he discussed in executive session. Seconded by Mr. Cimonetti. Mrs. Neubert objected, saying this should be between the owner and the developer. Mr. Farrar said he would better like to understand the situation and how it bears upon decisions the Council would be making. Chairman Flaherty said, in the opinion of the City Attorney, the Council could not go into executive session unless they were discussing a contract. Mr. Farrar asked if the information Mr. Hanna had concerning the Willis property conditions could not be given confidentially. Mr. Mitchell said he would have copies made and distributed to the Council. The Chairman asked Mr. Ward to explain the procedure Mr. Hanna would have to go through to request a change in zoning. Mr. Ward said the Planning Commission and the Council has to have at least one public hearing each; the procedure would take from 80 to 90 days. Chairman Flaherty told Mr. Hanna he should see Mr. Ward the next morning to get the process started. Mr. Farrar then withdrew his motion, which had not been voted on. He then moved that the Council go into executive session to discuss an appointment to the Planning Commission. Seconded by Mr. Cimonetti and voted unanimously. VOTE TO MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION Dr. Farrar made a motion to go into Executive Session to consider an appointment to the Planning Commission. Motion seconded by Mrs. Neubert and passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT On motion made, seconded and so passed the City Council's regular meeting was adjourned at 10:15 P.M. Approved Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.