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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/24/1986CITY COUNCIL 24 FEBRUARY 1986 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 24 February 1986, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; Michael Flaherty, Leona Lansing, George Mona; Absent: Francis Murray Others Present William Szymanski, City Manager; Albert Audette, Highway Department; Margaret Picard, City Clerk; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Dept; Don Whitten, Pollution Control Dept; Richard Carter, Police Department; Wendy Schroeder, Business Manager; Jean McCandless, Janet Mundt, Women Helping Battered Women; Ruth Poger, The Other Paper Comments & questions from the public (not related to items on the agenda) Mr. Szymanski introduced Wendy Schroeder, the City's new Business Manager. Continue Work on 1986-87 City Budget a) Request for support: Women Helping Battered Women Jean McCandless explained the work of the organization. She noted that the murder of S. Burlington teacher Chairman Duff had made people in the city more aware of the problem. The organization provided 226 hours of direct service to South Burlington in addition to public and community relations programs. The group sponsors a children's program, a residential shelter, and a growing community advocacy program. There is a 24-hour hotline which has run uninterrupted for 7 years, and last year the group was instrumental in establishing a domestic violence task force in the community. Mr. Farrar asked how they measure their effectiveness. Ms. McCandless said the best way is by the changes in the families they serve. The work takes time, but they see great hope for changing the future, especially with the children. They measure the success of their p.r. efforts by the number of calls they receive. She estimated that they serve less than 1/20th of the battered women in the county. Their total budget is $114,200, with less than 1/2 funded by United Way. They get some funding from the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women, and did get a city block grant from Burlington. The towns of Essex, Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg, and Williston also contribute to their efforts. b) Request for full-time Juvenile Officer - CAPS Chief Carter said he had read the letter from Mr. Lecours, but he felt he had other priorities in the Department. c) Review Department Budgets Police: Chief Carter noted that as with other departments their insurance payments are way up. He said they are asking for a computer to enable them to provide statistics that are requested. At present this must be done by hand. He said he would like to upgrade the dispatchers from Level 4 to Level 5 at a cost of about $3,000. If he had a choice for additional personnel, he would like a person in investigation. Highway: Mr. Audette said there has not been much increase in their expenses. Gasoline has dropped due to an anticipated price decrease. They have also added 2 diesel trucks. The construction budget includes repaving Airport Rd and adding curbs, extending curbs on Swift St. to the top of the hill, construction of the Kimball Ave. extension, extending the water line on Kimball Ave., repaving Deane and Woodcrest Streets. They would like to do something about the left turn at Kennedy Dr/Dorset St. and also a new overlay on Airport Parkway. The salt budget is up (they have already expended this year's budget). Equipment to be replaced includes a sidewalk plow and a loader. Fine Arts: Small increases include advertising funds for adult programs and the senior citizens' program. Other Entities: A large increase in CCTA reflects the loss of federal funding. Mr. Szymanski noted that the operating budget exceeds the charter limit by $9,630. Mr. Farrar said before that can be determined they must decide which Grand List figure to use for computation. There are 4 options: the old Grand List, the new Grand List as established prior to appeals, what the new Grand List would have been as of March 15th, and the new Grand List less the loss for appeals. This must be decided by the Steering Committee. Consider an increase in sewer user rates It was noted that use charges would not be sufficient to meet the anticipated budget. The last increase was in 1983. The City Manager recommended an increase from $5.50 per 1000 cu. ft. and an increase in the septic tank dumping fee from $15.00 per 1,000 gals to $20.00. Mr. Flaherty moved that the Council accept the City Manager's recommendation that the sewer user rate be increased from $5.50 to $6.00 per 1,000 cu. ft. and the septic tank dumping fee be increased from $15.00 to $20.00 per 1,000 gallons, effective 1 April 1986, per the City Manager's memo of 2/18/86. Ms. Lansing seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Sign renewal note for Highway Dump Truck Mr. Szymanski explained this is the Mack truck bought in March. The note is for $32,000 for 1 year. The rate will be either 9.6% of 6.5% depending on the action of Congress. Documents to be signed include the note, a resolution and an agreement. Mr. Flaherty moved to waive reading of the documents. Ms. Lansing seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Ms. Lansing then moved that the Council sign the three documents as presented by the City Manager. Mr. Mona seconded and the motion passed unanimously. First reading of Amendment to the City Winter Parking Ordinance Mr. Farrar read the proposed ordinance. Several grammatical changes were noted. Ms. Lansing moved that the Council approve the first reading of the Amendment to the City Winter Parking Ordinance. Mr. Flaherty seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Read Minutes of Regular Meeting of 2/3/86 and Special Meeting of 2/10/86 Mr. Flaherty moved that the Minutes of 2/3/86 and 2/10/86 be approved as printed. Ms. Lansing seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Sign Disbursement Orders Disbursement orders were signed. Review Planning & Zoning Agendas Mr. Mona raised the question of 2 zoning items in industrial developments. Basically, the original people who developed the properties are in for zoning changes. He said it would appear they had created their own problems. It was noted that these items were considered at the ZBA today. Status of Application on Brand Property Mr. O'Neill said he understood there have been discussions with the new owner. He is trying to get an idea of where the city is on this as the final application for funds has to be in by the end of the month. They have been given preliminary approval for $70,000; however, if the city doesn't buy the whole piece, they can't get the money. Mr. Farrar said the application should be put in as originally planned. Mr. O'Neill said the decision to accept the funds or not must be made within the next month. He said he would like to know what the developer is proposing. Mr. Flaherty suggested forming a small group to speak with the developer instead of sitting back and reacting. Mr. Flaherty then moved that a committee be formed to discuss the Brand property with the owner, the committee to consist of the City Manager, Mr. O'Neill, and Councilmen Farrar and Murray. The committee should get back to the Council as soon as possible. Ms. Lansing seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Liquor Control Board Mr. Flaherty moved the Council meet as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Mona seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Szymanski presented a request from D&S Variety Store in Dorset Square Mall for a second class liquor license. Both the Police and Fire Chiefs have reviewed the request. Mr. Flaherty moved the Board grant the second class liquor license for D&S Variety Store as presented by the City Manager. Mr. Mona seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:05 P.M. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.