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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/07/1988CITY COUNCIL 7 MARCH 1988 The South Burlington City Council held a Regular meeting on Monday, 7 March 1988, at 7:30 p.m., at the Central School, Williston Rd. Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; George Mona, Molly Lambert, Francis Murray Also Present William Szymanski, City Manager; Mary McKearin, Wendy Schroeder, Business Managers; Jane Lafleur, City Planner; James Goddette, Fire Chief; Don Whitten Pollution Control Dept. Albert Audette, Street Dept; Sid Poger, The Other Paper; James Brady, Penrose Jackson, Stacie Blake, Gregory Dicovitsky, Carol Chase, Nancy Walsh, Ann Yawney, Mary Thompson, Bob O'Brien, Keith Kertland, Cathy Frank Comments & questions from the public not related to items on the agenda No issues were raised. Review City Manager's report on status of 1987-88 goals Mr. Szymanski noted that the closing on the Brand property is set for 17 March. Consider request for view preservation zoning along Spear Street Nancy Walsh noted that the city has a viewing area along Spear St. with a beautiful view of the lake with a small park acquired through a Milot development agreement. Ms. Walsh said her concern is that there won't be any views if tall houses are built in the area. There is already one home which has, in effect, cut the view in half. She requested a restriction on height for future homes and also a procedure to situate homes so they don't block views. She added that the view area could also be extended down Spear St. Another suggestion offered was the widening of Spear St. so people can park and look out over the lake. This would also give cyclist and joggers a wider shoulder for safety. Mr. Farrar said there may already be a city right-of-way in some of the area. He said the heights of the land would have to be known before building heights were restricted. Mrs. Lafleur said that information is available. Cathy Frank said the problem begins further down where people build so as to have a view of the lake, and then those who build above have to build taller homes. Mrs. Lafleur said the City Attorney stated the City can make a specific regulation that limits heights because it affects a view from a piece of public land. Mr. Murray moved to refer the question of building heights to the Planning Commission with a request that they prepare an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance for height restrictions affecting Spear Street viewing areas. Mr. Mona seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Murray then moved to ask the City Planner to prepare interim zoning for the properties affecting the Spear Street viewing area. Mrs. Lambert seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Report on progress of updating the City Personnel Rules and Regulations Mrs. Lambert reported that some of the major concerns include a) regulation of lack of regulation on the accumulation of compensatory time (the committee feels there needs to be stricter supervision of that time and also a way to deal with people who have been employed 18 or 20 years); b) communication among city employees and department heads and management and the City Council; c) uniformity of policies among all departments; d) the perception among employees that appropriations made by the Council after the budget is set directly affect benefits that can be offered employees the following year. Mr. Mona noted that in the last instance, there will always be expenses that arise in mid-budget, and it would be imprudent of the Council not to be prepared for this. Mrs. Lambert felt communication on the budget process would help. Mr. Mona added that he is very impressed with the new Newsletter which Mrs. Lambert said is a direct result of this committee. Interview agencies who request city funds to operate their agencies 1. Visiting Nurse Association: Cathy Frank outlined services provided to South Burlington residents including home care for people confined to their homes, the hospice program to help the terminally ill spend their last days at home, and the maternal care program. In South Burlington, there were 2,000 regular nurse visits this past year, 320 physical therapy visits, 2,000 cases of home care, 1600 homemaking visits, for a total cost of $269,000 for South Burlington services. $235,000 of this is reimbursed from various sources, leaving a shortfall of $34,000. This is made up for by united Way, town and city donations, and their own fund raising efforts. They asked South Burlington for an appropriation of $14,700. Mr. Kertland noted they are anticipating a 60,000 to 100,000 deficit this year, mostly due to problems with Medicare. 2) Champlain Valley Area Agency on Aging: Mary Thompson noted the agency served 32 nutrition clients in South Burlington, 5616 Meals on Wheels, 9 transportation clients, and 47 South Burlington citizens through the advocate outreach program. They asked for $2,000 this year which would not even cover the total expended for Meals on Wheels. 3. Women Helping Battered Women: Penrose Jackson noted they provided 110 sheltered bed nights for S. Burlington women last year, serving 72 residents (double the figure for the year before). They are asking for $2,000 which would amount to $1.04 per service hour. Ms. Jackson praised the efforts of Police Chief John Race for helping to locate and direct those needing services to the shelter. Stacie Blake, who works overnights at the shelter, also praised Chief Race and explained the procedures for assisting residents and the services provided. These include parent education groups, support groups for women, work with outside counselors, advocacy services, preschool groups for children from violent homes, and follow-up programs. 4) Maple Leaf Farm: Jim Brady said they are having a capital fund drive for a new facility which would increase the total number of people they can serve to 800 per year. They have never asked for operational funds and will not do so now. Ten South Burlington residents were served last year at Maple Leaf Farm. New services include programs for women and children with substance abuse problems. They asked for a one time donation of $5,000. Continue Public Hearing on proposed Amendments to the 1985 Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations for the new Central District located on Dorset Street Mr. Dicovitsky said in the CD-2 area on Dorset St. there are dimensional restrictions that make future development difficult. He noted that with setbacks, building envelope, parking requirements, etc, there are 4 lots on which there could be only 25 ft. in the rear. The smallest building now on these lots is 3200 sq. ft., and no one would knock that down to put up an allowable 1200 sq. ft. building. On other lots, Mr. Dicovitsky felt rents would have to be doubled to get anything decent there. Only the vacant lots, he felt, would encourage development. Mrs. Lafleur said she would have no problem having some parking in the building envelope as long as it is behind the building. No parking is wanted along Dorset Street. Mr. Dicovitsky also recommended removal of the 50 foot green belt along Dorset Street. Mrs. Lafleur said they never assumed each lot would be developed individually by each property owner but that there would be combining of lots. Mr. Dicovitsky said the problem is with not being able to upgrade what is already there. He feels there won't be any financially feasible use for these buildings. Mrs. Lafleur noted that the purpose of the new zone was to force changeover to new and wanted uses. Mr. Dicovitsky replied that what the city is saying is "we're going to make it difficult to do anything unless it's what we want." There would be no gradual upgrading, one would just have to go for broke. He felt it would be more effective to consider what might be improvable; otherwise, there would just be deterioration. Mr. Deslauriers said there would be no economic incentive bring about what the city wants. Mrs. Lafleur felt the green belt could be reduced to 30 or 25 feet, but there would still be problems with alterations to non-conforming structures. Mr. Dicovitsky said the question is whether anyone would tear down a building to put up something smaller that would rent for less. Mr. Murray said the alternative may be that these unwanted buildings are still here 50 years from now. He felt that for this plan to work a local development commission, such as John Dinklage has been talking about, would have to be formed. Mr. Farrar said the question is whether the city wants to put public funds into it. Mr. Deslauriers felt that narrowing the greenbelt and altering the parking would help make it more economically viable. Boundaries: Mr. Deslauriers brought to the Council's attention a CD-3 strip that is very narrow and hard to lay out. The front of the land they own is zoned CD-3 and the rear is R-4. They would prefer to use a piece of the back property for parking, and commercial parking in a residential district is not allowed. Mr. Farrar raised the question of Mr. Deslauriers selling the property and someone else trying to put a building there if it is zoned commercial. There is a question whether a building can legally be put there as a drainage easement exists. Mrs. Lafleur noted that Sherry Rd. would be a natural "jug handle" for turning if the access proposed by Mr. Deslauriers is used. Mr. Murray said he did not like commercial uses moving into an R-4 district. Mr. Farrar felt if the parking were properly screened it would be all right. Mr. Mona moved to amend the boundary of the CD-3 parcel to include the parcel which extends from the north boundary of the Deslauriers property into the R-4 district. Mrs. Lambert seconded. A motion by Mr. Mona to table discussion was not seconded. The vote which followed was 2-2, thus defeating the motion. Mrs. Lambert then moved to continue discussion until the next regularly scheduled meeting. Mr. Mona seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Continue Public Hearing on Miscellaneous amendments to the Zoning Regulations. Mrs. Lambert moved to continue the public hearing on Miscellaneous amendments to the Zoning Regulations until the next regularly scheduled meeting. Mr. Mona seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Sign Williston Rd. Condemnation Certificate of Completion This item was tabled. Complete review of 1988-89 City Budget 1) Highway Dept: Under salaries, the 1/2 man from last year becomes a full position. They are also adding a person for engineering. VTC has a grant, and the dept. may be able to get a person for the city for not too much money. $6000 has been budgeted to cover this and some part time help. Road Construction: The rebuilding of Sherry Rd. from the culvert to the vicinity of the Girl Scout building is planned as well as Swift St. from the jail to where the Southern Connector leaves off. The last large gas truck will be replaced as well as a landfill machine. Curbs are planned for Swift St. and sidewalks for Airport Parkway and Swift St. Work will continue on Ethan Allen Dr. Mr. Audette noted that the State will be taking down the light at Spear and Swift Sts. and felt the city should replace this light as it has worked out very well. In the landfill budget, Mr. Audette said he is looking into a recycling operation with a man in Rutland and is trying to push for state funds. There may be an assessment from the Solid Waste District, and Mr. Audette thought state funds might be available for this. Mr. Farrar said fees could be raised to cover it. Mr. Audette felt individual homeowners might have to be charged for landfill use. Bike trails will be continued on Spear St. Mr. Whitten said construction of the new facility is almost complete and the plant is running well. He felt they didn't budget for enough manpower last year and will need parttime help for hauling sludge in the summer. He said he would like to keep sewer rates stable for the year and felt his budget could accomplish this. Members again discussed breaking out costs for park maintenance and establishing clear guidelines for responsibilities. Mr. Farrar then recommended a Grand List number slightly higher than originally planned and also to raise the estimated income by $10,000. He recommended adding the following to the budget: 1. Fire Dept. $2,250 for inflation factor (4%) 2. Police: 1 full man at $26,500 3. Natural Resources Committee: bike trail fund of $2175 4. Land Aquisition: an additional $7500 5. Highways: $6750 for special construction 6. $125 increase in City Council salaries 7. Library: $2487 for employee salary adjustments 8. $1,000 to social agency requests This would result in a total tax rate of .671, an 8% increase over last year. Mrs. Lambert expressed concern over the lack of computer capacity in the Police Dept. Mr. Farrar felt they should wait a year on this. Mr. Szymanski said he thought the police would opt for additional personnel first. Mr. Murray moved to add the recommendations made by Mr. Farrar with the $1000 for social agencies undesignated. Mr. Mona seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Murray then moved that the undesignated $1000 be split with $500 for Women Helping Battered Women and $500 for Maple Leaf Farm. Mr. Mona seconded. Motion passed 2-0 with Mr. Mona and Mrs. Lambert abstaining. Sign Proclamation designating "The Week of the Young Child for 1988" Mr. Murray moved the Council sign the proclamation designating "The Week of the Young Child for 1988". Mr. Mona seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Members agreed to hold an additional meeting on 14 March at which time this evening's agenda would be completed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 11:50 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.