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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/29/1988CITY COUNCIL 29 FEBRUARY 1988 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Monday, 29 February 1988, at 7:30 pm, in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; Michael Flaherty, Molly Lambert, Francis Murray Also Present William Szymanski, City Manager; Mary McKearin, Business Manager; Jane Lafleur, City Planner; Peter Owens, Robert White, Consultants; John Dinklage, City Center Committee; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Sid Poger, The Other Paper; James Goddette, Don McKenzie, Gary Rounds, Fire Department, William Burgess, Planning Commission; Bruce O'Neill, Tom Hubbard, Recreation Department, Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Sylvia Smith, William J. Schuele, Stephen Crowley, Natural Resources Committee; Patrick Kennedy Fine Arts Committee; Gay and Todd Hall, S. M. Martin, Rena Calkins, Paul Calkins, Andre Betit, Jr., Mark Bergeron, Art Rye, L. Rye, Russell Agne, Brad & Becky Wallace, Ruth & Joe Wallace, David Boehm, Richard Ward Review a preliminary presentation on the Master Plan for the Dorset Street Park Mr. Owens reviewed the history of park planning, land acquisition, etc. He gave special credit to the committee and others who worked with them on the Master Plan. The park will be situated in an area to the east of the Swift St./Dorset St. intersection. It involves 5 major parcels of land. In one corner of the land there will be a cluster development. More than 300 acres remain for the City park. Mr. Owens divided the park into two major areas: the "city park" which will have recreation facilities, pool, rink, gym, fields, etc., and the "country park" which will be for more passive recreation and which encompasses some of the most beautiful land in the city. Mr. White said the park will be a partnership between the school department and recreation department, and it was necessary to understand which uses could or could not overlap. The major active recreation facilities are on the Brand property close to Dorset St. and to the High School. This is also the most buildable site and will form an anchoring end to the Dorset St. boulevard. The major recreation facilities include: a stadium/amphitheatre, soccer field, football field, little league baseball field, softball field, full baseball field. Indoor facilities include gym, pool, and skating rink. A community facility would include meeting rooms, workshops, active areas, senior center, day care center, and general meeting area. The cultural facility would have a 500 seat theatre, studio spaces, workshops, and meeting areas for focus on the arts. The park plan includes provision for a site for a new 400 student elementary school. The consultants were asked to find ways to access the park from existing and proposed streets and paths. The park will be completely accessible to all citizens, and Mr. White outlined the various roads and paths. A courtyard feature will tie all the buildings together. There will be convenient parking in numerous locations in lots and on the roads. A road will be used as a transition between developed and natural areas of the park. The proposed school would be on that road. The main feature of the "country park" is the natural scenery which is accessed by a wide range of paths and trails. There will be a 7-acre pond at the lowest point of the site with a nearby picnic area. The pond would be partially drained in the winter for safety, but could be used for skating. The arts center could be either within the community center or could be on the Calkins property overlooking the meadow, or could be within the City Center, off the park site. Mr. Szymanski noted that the original plan had called for some housing on the Calkins property. Mr. Owens said it was originally thought Mr. Milot had some ownership of that property and the only way the city could get it was to allow him some housing. This is no longer true, and since the views are so beautiful, it was felt there was be too much lost by cutting them off. To compensate, they cut back on park land from the Rye property which is a good site for high quality commercial use. Mr. Schuele questioned how much parking there would be in the park. Mr. Owens said there was parking for over 400 vehicles in the "city park" area and there could be provision for overflow parking. Mrs. Lambert asked how the committee dealt with "through traffic" vs. the "park way" functions of Swift St. Extension. Mr. Owens said through traffic could function well as there are not a lot of curb cuts on the park road. Pedestrian crossings have been focused at major intersections which may have to be signalized. Mr. O'Neill stressed that the park is being designed for the whole community to use. Mr. Crowley raised the question of park land not yet owned by the city and what happens if it doesn't become available. Mr. Farrar said that with the help of the citizens, the city can acquire the land and make the park a reality. He did not anticipate the park would be completed for possibly 20 or 30 years, but felt it could become a reality if it remains a community priority. The City is prepared to take whatever legal steps it can to acquire the land. Mr. White discussed the phasing plan for the park. There are 6 proposed phases: 1) athletic fields, entrance road, drop-off (cost $1,200,000) and gymnasium (cost $2,900,000); 2) community center, entrance courtyard, parking area for community center (cost $3,500,000); 3) indoor pool, tennis and basketball courts, pool parking area (cost $2,600,000); 4) arts center (cost $3,400,000); 5) skating rink (cost $4,500,000); 6) stadium ($1,300,000), for an estimated total cost of $19,500,000. The consultants will make a recommendation for park management, funding, staffing, etc. Mr. O'Neill stressed that this type of facility can also generate revenue. David Boehm explained the features of the pond. It will be at a 6-foot level in summer and 2 or 3 ft. in winter. A spillway under the embankment will allow the level to be lowered easily. There would be no swimming, but there is a possibility of small boats or canoes. Review 1988-89 Natural Resources Budget Mr. Schuele said they still want to maintain the bicycle trail plan and believe this is needed in the city. There is a list of trail projects with Spear St. as the top priority. Mr. Audette said he would have some recommendations when he presents his budget. Ms. Smith noted there will be a Natural Resources Workshop to look at some of the activities the committee becomes involved in. She stressed the need to begin thinking on a regional basis. Review and approve a proposal for the purchase of a new Fire Department pumper truck and a proposal for overhauling the tower truck Chief Goddette noted that the truck they would like is the least expensive at a cost of $129,824 for the truck. Mr. Flaherty moved that the City Manager be authorized to enter into a contract with Emergency One Fire Equipment Company for the purchase of a new fire truck. Mr. Murray seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Farrar noted this is still within Charter limitations. In order to overhaul the tower truck, the City would have to wait for the proposed Charter change to be approved. Chief Goddette recommended sending the truck to Baker Equipment Co. who built it. Mr. Farrar said Baker can be contacted and tentative arrangements made pending the Charter change approval. Baker will guarantee its price until 15 May. Mr. Flaherty moved to allow from $46,000 to $62,806 for repair of the tower truck contingent upon the Charter change being approved by the Governor. Mr. Murray seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Chief Goddette noted that the new station is looking very good. Sign renewal note for Mack Truck Mr. Murray moved that the Council sign the note and resolution with Chittenden Bank for $16,000 at 5.8% for one year. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The next City Council meeting will be on 7 March at Central School. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm. 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