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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/12/1984CITY COUNCIL MARCH 12, 1984 AMENDMENT TO MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 1984 On page 1, the discussion in Executive Session should read "pending litigation." The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Monday, March 12, 1984, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present Hugh Marvin, Chairman; Leona Lansing, Michael Flaherty, Paul Farrar, William Peters Others Present William Szymanski, City Manager; David Minnich, Assistant City Manager; William Burgess, Mary-Barbara Maher, George Mona, Planning Commission; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Dept.; Donald Whitten, Water Pollution Control Dept; Richard Carter, Police Dept; Albert Audette, Street Dept; James W. Goddette, Sr., Fire Dept; Richard Ward, Zoning Administrator; Ethel Schuele, Trustee, Community Library; Ruth Poger, The Other Paper; Jim Cheng, Burlington Free Press Steve Stitzel, Joe Obuchowski, City Attorneys. Executive Session Mr. Farrar moved that the Council go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing labor negotiations and pending legislation. Mr. Flaherty seconded with unanimous consent. Following the Executive Session, Mr. Marvin convened the regular meeting. Discuss the Hiring of a City Planner Mr. Szymanski advised that he and Mr. Flaherty had discussed this issue and reviewed the current budget. In light of the fact that the Assistant City Manager will be leaving as of April 6, 1984, they had agreed that it would be feasible to hire a Planner as of May 1, 1984. Mr. Peters then raised the possibility of combining the two positions (Planner and Assistant City Manager) and thought that a 40% savings could be made on the total package. Mr. Farrar said he thought it was hoping too much for the long term. Ms. Picard reminded the Council that the Assistant City Manager should have computer expertise as well. Mr. Burgess suggested asking Mr. Minnich if he thought he could be a City Planner on top of his other duties. Mr. Minnich said from a time constraint he didn't think doing both jobs was possible. He thought it more logical to combine Zoning and Planning. Mr. Mona reminded the Council of David Spitz's memo of August 12, 1984 in which he left a list of issues and comments on unfinished work that needed attention. Mr. Mona said that essentially nothing has happened on these issues, and it is hard to assess what has been lost by not dealing with them. Among the issues is the preservation of neighborhoods, which should be addressed not by Zoning Board actions but by looking at the regulations and adopting a unified policy. He also noted that when a major issue such as University Mall arises, the need for a Planner becomes critical. The Planner can get for the City what the City wants and can steer applicants better than the Commission can. Mrs. Maher said she was also concerned that if they tried to hire someone for both jobs the person would burn out in a few months and they'd be worse off than before. Mr. Szymanski echoed these feelings, citing the amount of time Mr. Minnich has to spend with such issues as negotiations. Mr. Farrar then moved that the City Council authorize the City Manager to hire a City Planner as soon as he can find a suitable candidate and that the City Council authorize the replacement of the Assistant City Manager as of July 1, 1984, and ask that the City Manager start a search to fill that position as of that time. Mr. Flaherty seconded with unanimous approval. Continue work on City Budget Mr. Szymanski said he anticipated the Grand List will grow by about 5% to 2,265,900. The revenue sharing balance available is $39,930, with about $106,000 in revenue sharing incorporated into the budget. Mr. Farrar asked Mr. Audette about the total for equipment in the Street department budget and wondered if this is up to what will be needed for normal replacement. He asked if they were not postponing a problem. Mr. Audette acknowledged they probably were but said it was better than it used to be. The City Manager then presented his list of recommendations for allocating the $40,000 available from revenue sharing (attached). He recommended funding the requests for an extra library staff person, the sidewalk on Hinesburg Rd., the water line on Kimball Avenue, the water line reimbursement on Spear St., and $2,000 of the Visiting Nurse Assn. request. Mr. Farrar said he couldn't argue with the recommendations but questioned the postponing of highway problems. He also felt they should make some movement for an increase in Police Dept. personnel. Mr. Marvin raised the question of Queen City Park. Mr. Szymanski said the erosion is getting worse every year and that it will probably cost more than the $50,000 indicated. The Corps of Engineers can help only if there is an immediate threat to public facilities such as the road. Mr. Marvin asked if there was anywhere the budget could be reduced. Mr. Szymanski said he had no suggestions other than the public address system requested for the Conference Room. It was agreed to delete the p.a. system. Mr. Farrar then moved to add the following to the 1984-85 City Budget: $11,000 for additional payments on short term notes for the Highway Dept.; $4,500 extra staffing for the library; $10,000 extra staffing for the Police Dept; $6,000 sidewalks on Hinesburg Rd.; $5,000 extension of Kimball Avenue water line; $2,500 partial payment of Spear Street reimbursement; $2,000 Visiting Nurse Association. Mr. Audette noted they will go for a bond issue on the bicycle paths in September or November and will make a presentation to the City Council in the near future. Ms. Lansing moved to amend the motion to take $250 from each of the water lines and put it into the bicycle path. The motion was not seconded. In the vote on the main motion which followed, the additions to the budget passed 4-1 with Ms. Lansing voting against. Mr. Farrar then moved to approve the budget as amended with the understanding that the City Manager will make minor modifications to bring it into compliance. Mr. Flaherty seconded, and the motion passed 3-2 with Ms. Lansing and Mr. Peters voting no. Mr. Szymanski then advised that the Water Pollution Dept. lost one man in January and would like to hire a part time man as of April 1. There are funds in the budget. Mr. Peters then moved that the hiring freeze be lifted. Ms. Lansing seconded with unanimous consent. Mr. Marvin asked how negotiations with the City of Burlington regarding the Airport are proceeding. Mr. Szymanski said they are on hold pending the reappraisal. Mr. Minnich said that Burlington has been notified that South Burlington is ready to discuss the issue, but there has been no response. Mr. Szymanski said it looks like they'll have to pay the full amount this year. As there was no further business to come before the Council, Mr. Farrar moved for adjournment. Mr. Flaherty seconded with unanimous consent. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.