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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/17/1983CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 17, 1983 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, January 17, 1983, at 7:30 pm, in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; Leona Lansing, Michael Flaherty, Hugh Marvin, and William Burgess Others Present William Szymanski, City Manager; David Minnich, Assistant City Manager; Joe Obuchowski, City Attorney; Margaret A. Picard, City Clerk; Gloria Yandow, Bookkeeper; Albert C. Audette, Street Department; Richard Carter, Police Department; James W. Goddette Sr., Fire Department; Chuck Thweatt, Mitel Corporation; Harry Behney GBIC. Read Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 3, 1983 Mr. Marvin indicated that his emphasis on proper wording of the agreement with the fire department preceded the vote, and the Minutes were so amended. Mr. Flaherty moved that the minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 3, 1983 be approved as amended. Mr. Marvin seconded with unanimous consent. Discuss Foreign Trade Zone and Sub-Foreign Trade Zone - Harry Behney-GBIC Mr. Behney explained that Mitel Corporation has applied for a sub-foreign trade zone to be located within the company's Hinesburg Road facility. Mitel will be moving its foreign trade zone facility from the present airport location. The area will be approximately 11,000 sq. ft., and would be clearly defined and open to inspection 24 hours per day by federal customs officials. Mitel feels it will be more efficient to have this facility within its own building. Mr. Behney also indicated that the current airport facility will then be available to another firm which may, as Mitel did, see the virtues of operating in Vermont and may begin a major operation here. Mr. Behney indicated that the City Manager had noted concerns about the tax situation if a sub-foreign trade zone were approved for the Hinesburg Road location. He said that Mitel would continue to pay taxes on the building with or without the trade zone, but that the area of personal property within the trade zone is still a grey area which needs to be discussed on a legal platform. Mr. Farrar asked whether Mitel has decided how they will proceed if the foreign trade zone is approved and the City then taxes them on equipment as well as real estate. Mr. Behney said such a decision has not been made. Mr. Farrar then noted that in most similar cases there has been an agreement between the business and the community. Mr. Thweatt then noted that there have been rulings that materials in process should not be taxed. He indicated that if the attorney so decides, Mitel would pay the taxes. Mr. Farrar then suggested that attorneys for both parties meet to work out a plan for treating the tax situation. In closing, Mr. Thweatt extended an invitation to Council members to visit the Hinesburg Road facility. Sign Resolution of Commendations for former South Burlington Representative Mary-Barbara Maher and former Planning Commission member Robert Walsh Mr. Flaherty moved that the Commendations for former South Burlington Representative Mary-Barbara Maher and former Planning Commission member Robert Walsh be signed. Mr. Burgess seconded with unanimous approval. Accept List of Tax Penalty Abatements Mr. Burgess moved that the Council acknowledge receipt of the list of tax penalty abatements as presented by the City Manager. Mr. Flaherty seconded with unanimous consent. Discussion of City purchasing procedures Mr. Marvin enumerated the various aspects of his proposed centralized purchasing plan for the city. He stressed that such a plan would be more cost efficient and would provide a continuing record of what amount of money has been committed by the City at any given time. He indicated that under the present system, the City Manager doesn't have the ability or needed purchasing control. Mr. Audette indicated that a centralized purchasing system might preclude purchasing emergency equipment, particularly at times when the City offices were not open. He stressed that the street department and fire and police departments cannot always wait for a complex system to function. Mr. Marvin indicated that allowances would be made for emergency purchases to cover just such situations. Mr. Farrar asked whether the computer equipment can handle an encumbrance list, and Mr. Minnich replied that the City has acquired a new accounting system from a company in Idaho which has the ability to have all encumbrances on the ledger providing purchase orders are received on a timely basis. Mr. Flaherty moved that a committee be formed consisting of the City Manager of Assistant City Manager, a member of the City Council, and department heads as appointed by the City Manager, within a period of six to eight weeks, to come up with recommendations, or no recommendations as the case may be, for modifications of the City's purchasing procedures. Mr. Burgess seconded with unanimous consent. Clarify fringe benefit policy for part-time employees who are not Volunteer Firemen Mr. Minnich explained the reasons for his suggestion that the City revise its Personnel Rules and Regulations concerning benefits available to part-time employees. He noted that the narrative in the current regulations does not always agree with the Table on Page 19 of the handbook. In addition, the language in the Connecticut General brochures, which states their minimum requirements for insurance coverages, has caused some questions to be raised as to whether part-time City employees are covered under these policies. Mr. Farrar requested that this question be acted upon at the next meeting in order to give members a chance to understand the full implications the language in question. Liquor Control Board Mr. Flaherty moved that the City Council meet as the Liquor Control Board. Ms. Lansing seconded with unanimous consent. Mr. Szymanski presented a request from Benes Inn for an organ player on Friday and Saturday nights from 8:30 to 11:30 pm, for purposes of dining and dancing. Mr. Goddette indicated that the permit should restrict such entertainment to the main floor. Mr. Flaherty moved to approved the entertainment permit for Benes Inn, restricting such entertainment to the main floor. Mr. Burgess seconded with unanimous approval. Mr. Flaherty then moved that the Council adjourn as the Liquor Control Board and return to regular session. Executive Session Mr. Flaherty moved that the Council meet in Executive Session to discuss labor contracts and negotiations and then to return to regular session solely for the purpose of adjourning the meeting. Ms. Lansing seconded with unanimous consent. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 pm. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.