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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/14/1977CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 14, 1977 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Monday, March 14, 1977, in the Conference Room, Municipal Offices, 1175 Williston Road. MEMBERS PRESENT Paul A. Farrar, Chairman; John B. Dinklage, Michael D. Flaherty, Catherine M. Neubert MEMBERS ABSENT Frank Armstrong OTHERS PRESENT Bruce O'Neill, A. C. Audette, D. Sheil, Bob LaBerge, Martin Paulsen, Marshall Paulsen, Ruth Winton, James W. Goddette, Sr. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 8:00 p.m. Additions to the Agenda Chairman Farrar asked that the communication from the Environmental Board be added as Item 4 on the Agenda. Minutes of March 7, 1977, and March 9, 1977 Mr. Dinklage moved that Council approve the Minutes of March 7, 1977, and March 9, 1977, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Flaherty and voted unanimously. Sign disbursement orders Council members present signed the disbursement orders which had been prepared. Review of proposed 1977-1978 budget Chairman Farrar suggested a new format for future use which would include the Sewer Department under operating even though it is funded by its operating income. He is to bring this to the Steering Committee this week as a format to be used next year. This would not affect this year's budget because no official changes can be made in rules and regulations after February 1st. However, this could be shown both ways in this year's budget. It would give a more complete picture of the total operation. Council then reviewed the proposed budget, page by page. The Chairman said he would prefer separating the operating expense from the bonded indebtedness in Item #218, County Court. This would mean $7,717 in the operating budget rather than $12,135. Because he felt it was unlikely there would be an election next March, the Chairman recommended reducing #224, Election Expenses, from $2,400 to $1,200. #236, Printing and Advertising, was questioned regarding the $1,000 for general advertising. Mr. Szymanski explained this was for ordinances, warnings for tax bills, advertising for positions, etc. It does not include Zoning Board and Planning Commission advertising as these are allowed in their respective budgets. #295A. Human Services was changed to $1,500. Later in the meeting it was decided to show also an amount of $2,500 encumbered from Revenue Sharing funds in 1975-76, and still available. Mrs. Neubert noted she had requested every year that a rest room be installed downstairs in City Hall, with the City Manager agreeing that it could be done this year with these funds. Item #219 - 10, Protective Fire Gear, is to be increased by $1,000, making $1,500 available for replacement purposes. Mrs. Neubert questioned the amount of $865 for new staff under the Community Library budget, #220 - 07. Mrs. Winton explained the increase was to allow for longer working hours for the existing staff and another person to work extra hours. The increase in #222 - 05, Basketball, was explained by Mr. O'Neill who said the shirts purchased five years ago were now worn out. The Chairman recommended an increase in #222 - 22, B.I.G. Games, because he felt the City was definitely getting more than its money's worth. Of the 540 people participating from Chittenden County last year, 111 were from South Burlington, whereas South Burlington contributed $700 toward the total community contributions of $4,200. Burlington for instance contributed $2,500 and had 210 people participating. He felt South Burlington had been contributing less than its share. Mr. Audette said he felt the program had gotten out of hand and people had just gotten carried away; also it was interfering with a lot of other programs. Mr. Flaherty said both he and Mr. Farrar went to Ontario last year and felt it to be worthwhile. He explained the rest of the money raised is strictly on a voluntary basis. Mrs. Neubert said she was hearing from parents that they don't like it, and she was just questioning whether they have good reason to feel that way. Mr. O'Neill stated he had no problems with it, but there is no way to satisfy everybody. Mr. Audette felt the money could be used on something of more benefit to the kids. Mr. Dinklage moved that Council increase the B.I.G. appropriation by $300. Seconded by Mr. Flaherty and voted unanimously. Regarding #301, Salaries, the City Manager said he felt the additional needs could be filled by CETA, and he had already sent in a job description to them. Both salary and benefits are picked up by CETA; the only cost to the City is for any over-time. He was asking for a secretary for Mr. Ward and Mr. Page, as well as the two dispatchers. The Chairman suggested an addition for this possible over-time of $2,290. #315, Social Security, is to be increased to $17,710 to allow for the additional social security for the above-noted overtime. #507, State Aid Construction, was questioned by Mrs. Neubert who felt the sidewalk along Williston Road to Kennedy Drive should be finished. #602, Repairs and Installation for Sanitation Department, the amounts for maintenance, lawn mower repairs, etc. were questioned. The City Manager explained there are 5 pumping stations to be maintained, as well as grassed areas to keep moved around each station. Mr. Dinklage stated he felt very strongly about giving the Planning Commission some assistance but he didn't know what amount and asked the City Manager for his recommendations. Mr. Szymanski said Mr. Poger's request was for $10,000 for consultants to be used for a plan for the southeast quadrant. Mrs. Neubert said she wouldn't vote for that. Mr. Flaherty felt the Planning Commission right now doesn't know what it wants. Mr. Dinklage said he was willing to give them a little money, at Mr. Szymanski's discretion. Mr. Flaherty felt a sub-committee of the Planning Commission had been formed to find out where the needs were; Council had never received a report saying where the need is. Mr. Szymanski said he was not convinced they need a secretary but he was willing to try a person. Mrs. Neubert felt Mr. Ward and Mr. Page have to spend too much time on things a secretary could do. Mr. Flaherty said he would rather see how the arrangement with CETA works out first because this would free Steve and Dick to do more planning. The changes made in the budget at this meeting were summarized in a motion by Mr. Dinklage: That on page 3 $4,418 is to be transferred from #218 into Bonded Indebtedness, and that #224 on the same page, Election Expenses, be out in half to $1,200. On page 9, #219 - 10, $1,000 is to be added to the line item for protective equipment. On page 15, #222 - 22, B.I.G. Games, $300 is to be added. Page 16, #301, $2,290 is to be added. #315 on page 18, $140 is to be added. #317 on page 18, a net of $4,000 is to be added for cruiser replacement. Motion seconded by Mr. Flaherty and voted unanimously. Mr. Szymanski enumerated the items encumbered in recent years under Revenue Sharing funds and not spent. The Chairman explained these have to be shown until they are spent; it will increase the total but there will also be an income item showing the carryover. Under the Charter restrictions it is necessary to handle the encumbered items this way. The Chairman suggested that Council meet on Thursday night, following the Steering Committee meeting, for finalization. Communication from the Environmental Board The Chairman referred to the notice of a request to amend the land use permit #4C0103, the so-called Potter Development in South Burlington. He felt that with the concerns regarding growth, Council would want to put itself in a position where it could take appropriation action, not necessarily to oppose it but to make sure of an opportunity to discuss a number of things concerning this request. Mr. Flaherty moved that Council ask the Chairman to request a formal hearing if necessary on the so-called Potter Development, Permit #4C0103. Seconded by Mr. Dinklage and voted unanimously. The Chairman is to talk with the City Attorney regarding this. Council has until March 21st to request a hearing. The meeting was declared adjourned at 10:00 p.m. upon a motion by Mr. Flaherty, seconded by Mr. Dinklage, and voted unanimously. 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