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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/02/1981CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 2, 1981 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, February 2, 1981 at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, City Hall, 1175 Williston Road. Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; Michael Flaherty, Martin Paulsen, William Burgess, John Towne Others Present William Szymanski, City Manager; John & Esther Wyckoff, James Goddette, Fred Blais, David Spitz, Planner; Kurt Reichelt, David Reville, David Nicholson, Robert Vinson, William & Shirley Hosick, Robert and Laura Szczerbak, Charles Smith, Peter Lavallee, Kevin Hayes, Tom Fraga, Douglas Bouvier, Lansing Reinhols Item #6 on the agenda was moved to third place. Minutes of January 19, 1981 The January 19, 1981 minutes were approved on a motion by Mr. Burgess, a second by Mr. Flaherty, and a unanimous vote. Disbursement orders Disbursement orders were signed. Interview Fred Blais for vacancy on Zoning Board of Adjustment Mr. Blais stated that he was still interested in serving the community, which is why he has applied to serve on the board. He did not think there was anything specific he wanted to do on the board. He had no problem with time for the meeting, nor did he feel he would have any conflicts between his work and his service on the board. Continue hearing with Attorney Nicholson on Rest Haven Motel tax penalties Mr. Farrar stated that the city had been asked to waive all or part of the tax penalties in this case. In principle, Mr. Burgess said, he was against waiving then and Mr. Paulsen agreed. Mr. Towne said he would withhold comment and abstain from the vote because he was not fully aware of all the circumstances. Mr. Farrar saw no reason to waive the penalty, noting that the city had had trouble collecting the taxes and was due the penalty. Mr. Paulsen moved to deny the request to waive the penalty. Mr. Burgess seconded the motion and it carried with Mr. Towne abstaining. Public hearing on proposed amendments to the C1/C2 zones of the City Zoning Ordinance Mr. Flaherty moved to dispense with the formal first reading of the proposed amendments to the C1/C2 zone of the City Zoning Ordinance as sent to the Council by the Planning Commission. Mr. Paulsen seconded, and all voted aye. Mr. Farrar noted that the changes were to bring the allowed uses in each district more in line with additional traffic data that had been generated. The minimum lot sizes have also been changed to be more in line with what the Zoning Board and Planning Commission have found to be reasonable. A member of the audience asked whether that would put a burden on the landowner to prove he met the traffic qualifications, but he was told that burden was already there. He was also told that a pre-existing lot had rights to be developed even if it were not the size required in the current ordinance. Traffic criteria have been modified a little to be more permissive. The figures have been modified to be more in line with actual counts, but it is still felt that they will not allow traffic to worsen. Looking at the chart in the ordinance, Mr. Paulsen questioned whether the restrictions were too much but he was told the purpose of the ordinance was to limit the type of development allowed in areas where there is a limited capacity to carry traffic. Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the first reading of the proposed amendments to the C1/C2 zones in the City Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Towne seconded the motion and it passed 5-0. Meet with representatives from Meadowood at Spear Mr. Bill Hosick presented the concerns of the residents regarding the proposed development next to them. About 140 families are proposed for that area. The residents fear that the city will lose the scenic area with the development, which they feel is too dense, and they are also afraid of the traffic impact from the additional families. Presently a connection to Pheasant Way is proposed and they are afraid there will be problems, due to the steep grade of that hill. They feel the proposed development is too dense and cite the fact that there will be 4 homes on one side of the road and 9 on the other, although that figure may be reduced to 7. Mr. Hosick noted that the residents feel there will be water problems because the area is very wet and they fear an increase in water volume and salt content. He noted that Meadowood and the new development were about equal in size, but one had 41 families and the other would have about 140. Mr. Hosick felt the new development should be compatible with Meadowood. The residents, in response to a question from Mr. Flaherty, said they would prefer that there were two exits to Spear Street, not one onto Pheasant Way. Mr. Farrar asked that an opinion from a traffic consultant be obtained on the exit question - which option will be safer? Fire Chief Goddette said he did not like the multi-family section. There is only one way to get in and it is not wide enough. Mr. Farrar said the Council could not reduce the density on the property but he noted that the City Engineer would review and approve drainage plans and Act 250 would also look carefully at that issue. He felt Act 250 would also look into the question of the view. Mr. Farrar said the Commission could require some of the land or a recreation fee. Mr. Farrar was asked whether the city could buy the land and was told they could not condemn it. If the land became available, it would take about a year to get it on the list for purchase with heritage conservation grant funds. Appoint auditors for the current fiscal year Mr. Szymanski said he would like to keep the same auditing firm this year. Mr. Paulsen moved to appoint Thompson, Kelly, and Co. as the auditors for 1980-81. Mr. Burgess seconded the motion and all voted aye. Act on Steering Committee recommendations for computer equipment Mr. Flaherty moved to accept the recommendation of the Steering Committee for the purchase of computer equipment not to exceed the figure of $24,800. Mr. Paulsen seconded the motion and all voted for it. Discussion of South Burlington's Southern Connector Mr. Farrar reviewed for the Council what had transpired at the corridor hearing on the Connector. He said the city wanted to move traffic in and out of Burlington that is now on route 7 and they would like to work with Shelburne on that, but it should not stand in the way of South Burlington selecting an alternate. He said that if Shelburne Road were widened to 7 lanes, they would not have level of service C the entire length of it and he felt the additional lights and lanes would he frustrating. He felt alternate 4 or some version of it should be selected and he proposed to tell the State that but request that they design the road for that ultimate purpose but initially only construct a 2 lane road. This way, the road can become 4 lanes in the future and the cost will be reduced and the right of way already obtained. He also felt the 2 lane road should have no access the ramps at Bartlett Bay Road should not be constructed now but the land should be acquired. Mr. Paulsen wondered if the cost of adding the other lanes later would have to be borne by the city but Mr. Farrar did not think so. He did not feel there would be a significant difference in cost to build the road in 2 pieces but he said he would like to see some figures on that. The Laurel Hill Extension can be added when it would significantly affect traffic on Shelburne Road or when development in the area is significant enough to warrant it. Mr. Paulsen moved that the Chairman prepare a reply to the State in the vein of the discussion tonight. Mr. Burgess seconded and the motion passed 5-0. Old business Signal removal policy - Mr. Szymanski said this was not ready yet. Consider appointment to the Zoning Board of Adjustment Mr. Flaherty moved to appoint Fred Blais to the Zoning Board of Adjustment to fill the unexpired term previously held by Arnold Cohen. Mr. Towne seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Start work on 1981-82 budget It was decided to meet February 18 to discuss the budget only, at 7:30 p.m. Fire Chief Goddette went through his budget. He is requesting 2 more people, which will give the department 3 men per shift except when someone is out. They have 7 men now. Addition of 2 more will cut down on overtime pay and enable other officers to help with building inspections. Mr. Goddette said the bodies of the 1970 pumpers were shot. He was told to look into some extras the air guard might have. New boxes will cost $60,000 and these can be put on new chassis if desired. The department is asking for a new typewriter and volunteer pay has been raised from $3 per hour to $4. It has been $3 since 1972. Meet with Police Department Bargaining Unit Mr. Reinholz, representing the police, went through the proposals for the contract of 1981-82. The same ground rules were operated under as last year. Proposals are limited by Article 22, section 18, but some changes were agreed to because of grievance procedures. Changes to Article IX are clarifications, not changes of procedure or fact. Section 15 in that Article, however, deals with a pay raise. The department now has one fewer detective than last year with the same amount or more work and the stipend, which Mr. Reinholz said was a deal for the city vs. the cost of paying overtime last year, the union still feels is a deal. Article X takes the option offered last year. It is possible this year because all but one person are at level 3. This plan will do what is felt is necessary, but will not cause the city to spend a lot of money to implement the schedule in itself. It is an increase of 12% on level 3 plus 2% for longevity. The increase to the payroll for the bargaining unit will be about $24,000. Two more holidays are being requested, the clothing stipend is proposed for an increase and 5 weeks vacation is proposed for 16 or more years of service. No one would benefit from this change in the first year, said Mr. Reinholz. Article XVII, section 5 would extend the current language. 16 instead of 8 hours of personal time is requested and sick leave is requested to be 2 days per month, not 1 1/2. The union also requests increased insurance coverage and the prescription and eyeglass riders on the Blue Cross plan. This will cost less than 71¢ per month per employee. Mr. Reinholz did not have Delta plan but said he would send it to the City Manager. He noted that the bargaining unit had not seen the current dental plan details, so they do not know whether it is equivalent to the Blue Cross plan or not. They would like this information as soon as possible. They propose to add a disability plan. The committee to study this never got around to it. Mr. Reinholz said the words "PER MONTH" should be added in the proposal in section D. of Article XXI, between "$2,000" and "FOR". Mr. Reinholz noted that police officers who retired received 1/2 of everyone else because of mandatory retirement at age 55. They want a disability retirement plan and feel this department is likely to have a disability retirement situation. The union would like some reimbursement for credits, and they feel there should be some financial incentive for people to take courses. Appendix A is the figure for level 3 for pay grades 8 and 9. The union does not propose to scrap evaluations but they feel it is important to upgrade the pay scale and they feel that the current merit system provides little incentive. Mr. Farrar proposed that the Council study the proposals and try to respond in two weeks. It was decided to meet from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on this item on February 18 and start the regular meeting at 8:00 p.m.. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.