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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 08/12/1976CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 12, 1976 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Thursday, August 12, 1976, in the Conference Room, Municipal Offices, 1175 Williston Road. MEMBERS PRESENT Paul A. Farrar, Chairman; Frank H. Armstrong, Michael D. Flaherty, Catherine M. Neubert MEMBERS ABSENT John B. Dinklage OTHERS PRESENT William Szymanski, City Manager; Nick Beechko, David Heim The meeting was opened at 8:00 p.m. by Chairman Farrar Two items were added to the Agenda: To consider a letter received from the Kiwanis Club; Legal warning for a ballot item regarding Subdivision Regulations. Interview candidate for vacancy on Fire Department Advisory Board Mr. Nicholas Beechko was interviewed by the Council for a vacancy on the Fire Department Advisory Board. Minutes of August 2, 1976, August 5, 1976, and August 9, 1976 Mr. Flaherty moved that Council accept the Minutes of the regular meeting of August 2, 1976, and the Minutes of the special meetings of August 5, 1976, and August 9, 1976, as presented. Seconded by Mr. Armstrong and passed by three affirmative votes, Mrs. Neubert abstaining. Disbursement orders Disbursement orders were presented to the Council for signatures. Consider a citizen's request to close a portion of Mills Avenue on August 14, 1976, for a block party. Mr. Szymanski said a request had been received from Mr. Caron for permission to close off Mills Avenue from #14 to #21 from to 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for a block party on August 14th, with rain date for August 15th. This would not interfere with traffic on Patrick street. Mr. Flaherty moved that Council approve the request to close off a portion of Mills Avenue for a block party on August 14th, rain date August 15th. Seconded by Mrs. Neubert and voted unanimously. Subdivision regulations Mr. Szymanski said the City Clerk received a petition containing 111 signatures, one of which appeared twice and making a total of 110 signatures; the first petition had contained 200 names; 108 names were required. Mr. Flaherty suggested clarifying this with the City Attorney to make sure that such a petition (the second one) was valid. Mr. Flaherty then moved that Council accept the petition of 110 names requesting the removal of these names from the original petition. Seconded by Mr. Armstrong and voted unanimously. Mrs. Neubert said she was glad the petition had been rescinded because she felt what the Council had done would cloud the issue if it went to referendum. Mr. Flaherty then moved that Council, based on the original petition being invalid, no longer place the item for vote on the September Primary Election ballot. Seconded by Mr. Armstrong. Mrs. Neubert said again she was glad it was not going to a vote — nobody would know what the vote was about. Chairman Farrar replied that in voting on something as flexible as subdivision regulations, even if there had been no discussion at all, it certainly wouldn't have meant there was uniform agreement. If the item had been defeated by ballot, he said, he would not have known which provisions the public disagreed with and elected officials cannot provide the solutions. Mrs. Neubert felt if two years were spent making subdivision regulations and they were written and people have the written document, she would have no confidence in this community that they would use good judgment in the referendum. Mr. Flaherty said his feeling was that the more information people have to vote on, the more knowledgably they can vote, and he didn't see how three meetings could make it difficult for people to vote — it would make it easier for them. The more knowledge Council can give them, the better. The motion was voted unanimously for approval. Consider amending the zoning regulations to include day nurseries as a conditional use in residential districts Chairman Farrar suggested that the Clerk or the City Manager should prepare from the Minutes the full text of the suggested changes which had been discussed. Mr. Szymanski agreed to have this done for forwarding to the Planning Commission. Mrs. Neubert asked what the legal restrictions were under conditional uses, and Mr. Szymanski replied they have to conform to the points in the zoning regulations under Section 13.10. Mr. Flaherty moved that Council ask the Planning Commission to consider whether or not it would be advisable to amend the zoning regulations to include day nurseries in residential properties as a conditional use. Seconded by Mr. Armstrong and voted unanimously. Consider a letter received from the Kiwanis Club Chairman Farrar read aloud a letter received from the Kiwanis Club expressing their appreciation of the City's consideration of their report on a proposed swimming pool - hockey rink complex. Mr. Flaherty moved that a letter be sent to the Kiwanis Club from Council saying Council received their letter and appreciates the work they have done on the swimming pool - hockey rink proposal as a public service and that Council will consider it in preparing the Capital Budget Program. Seconded by Mrs. Neubert and voted unanimously. It was noted that all possible information regarding Federal funding should be obtained. Legal warning for a ballot item on subdivision regulations This had been taken care of by the action taken by Council under Item 5 of the Agenda. Meet as Liquor Control Board Mr. Flaherty moved that Council recess its regular session and reconvene as the Liquor Control Board. Mr. Szymanski said an application was received for a first class liquor license for Mexican Foods in the building formerly occupied by Butcher Block, and that Chief Carter had no objection. Mr. Flaherty moved that Council, based on the recommendation of the Chief of Police, approve the application for a first class liquor license for Mexican Foods. Seconded by Mrs. Neubert and voted unanimously. Mrs. Neubert then moved that Council go out of the Liquor Control Board and reconvene the Council meeting for the purpose of meeting in Executive Session, with no further action to be taken by Council. Seconded by Mr. Flaherty and voted unanimously. The Council went into Executive Session at 8:35 p.m. The regular session was reconvened and declared adjourned at 8:45 p.m. upon a motion by Mr. Flaherty, seconded by Mrs. Neubert, and voted unanimously. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.