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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/17/1988CITY COUNCIL 17 OCTOBER 1988 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 17 October 1988, at 7:30 pm, in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; John Dinklage, Molly Lambert, Michael Flaherty, William Cimonetti Also Present William Szymanski, City Manager; Mary McKearin, Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; John Race, Police Chief; Joe Weith, City Planner, Albert Audette, Street Dept, James Goddette, Fire Chief; Ernest Rheaume, Police Dept; Sid Poger, The Other Paper; Mike Donoghue, Free Press; Holly and Brian Reed, Ronald & Ellen MacDonald, Joyce & Marcel Lapierre, Paul & Patricia Boudreau, Frank Mazur, Edward Richardson, Pat Barra, Clarice & Robert Fisher, Alice & Ken Boyd, Valerie Wiener, Elise Guyette, Theresa McLaughlin, Ray Unsworth, Ethel Basiliere, Katherine Barnes, Susan & Doug Pritchard, Jacques Landry, Louise Brooks, Janet Delneo, G. Hal Kemp, R. Schultz, Peter Rowan, B. Brookes, Al Verret, William Schuele Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to items on the Agenda) No issues were raised. Adopt a Resolution of Commendation for Police Corporal Ernest Rheaume Mr. Farrar read the Resolution (attached). Mr. Cimonetti moved the Council sign the Resolution as read. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Farrar commented that this was one of the most pleasurable tasks the Council has ever had. He said this was a credit to Corp. Rheaume personally and to the Police Dept. as a whole. Mr. Szymanski then presented a gift on behalf of the Fire Dept. to Corp. Rheaume. Report on Activities of Chittenden County Transit Authority (CCTA) Mr. Mazur advised that CCTA just received an innovative award from APTA, one of 6 such awards given in the country, in recognition of what CCTA has done with the trolley service and its downtown terminal. The award also recognized the relationship between CCTA and UVM, the business community, and the downtown merchants in connection with the trolley service. Mr. Mazur also advised that CCTA has a proposal for a Shelburne Rd. study project that may have long-range implications. They are seeking a grant to provide mass transit service on Shelburne Rd. for a reasonable fare and with extended service. Their aim is to see if increased public transportation can be a viable alternative to another road. A professional planner will assist in the year-long project. Mr. Dinklage asked if there are historical examples of where this has been a success. Mr. Mazur said there are, but those were larger communities than Burlington/S. Burlington. However, those communities were once the size of this area, and Mr. Mazur felt you have to begin somewhere. Mr. Dinklage moved the Council support the carrying forward of this proposal for a South End/Shelburne Shuttle, as presented tonight. Mrs. Lambert seconded. Mr. Cimonetti asked for confirmation that there will be no additional cost to the city for the study. Mr. Mazur confirmed this. The motion then passed unanimously. Resume discussion on East Woods Traffic Problem Mr. Farrar noted receipt of a communication for East Woods residents concerned about traffic. They also noted the Planning Commission opposed closing the street and suggested the following steps: 1) additional 3-way stop signs and the posting of "no through traffic" signs; 2) possible speed dips or bumps; 3) possible one-way streets; 4) closing the road to all except emergency vehicles. Mr. Weith outlined recommendations made by the Planning Commission on 3 August: 1) increased Police coverage; 2) a flashing red light at the intersection; 3) additional 3-way stop signs; 4) shallow dips or bumps; 5) additional crossbars on the road with the word STOP painted on the pavement; 6) a 6-month review by the Police Dept. and Planning Commission to evaluate the success of these measures. Ms. Reed felt it would be helpful to start with the least restrictive step and keep evaluating. Mr. Szymanski said it would take 4-6 weeks to get the stop signs. Mr. Kemp said anything that will slow traffic down will help. He noted that Shelburne Rd. is now paved and is working better. He felt the East Woods situation has improved because of this. Mr. Boyd noted that cars now have a straight shot up those streets and felt stop signs would slow them down and might also discourage some people from using those streets. Mr. Dinklage moved to direct the City Manager to acquire and install stop signs such that the intersection of Meadow and Proctor becomes a 3-way stop; Orchard and Proctor becomes a 3-way stop, and Orchard and Hadley becomes a 3-way stop and to appropriately sign and warn motorists of the stop signs by appropriate street markings on the pavement. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Ms. Delneo asked about approaching the City Attorney about the liability for speed dips and bumps. Mr. Farrar said that will be done within the 6-month test period for the stop signs. Mr. Unsworth noted he has a business on Farrell Drive. He said he was sympathetic with residents, but felt no one had mentioned that this street is a web of the Chittenden County network, not a private street. He felt the city should not be trying to discourage traffic from going on such a street. Neighbors responded that it was not only the volume of traffic but the high speeds that were in question. Chief Race noted speeds in excess of 55 mph in a 25 mph zone with average speeds over 40 mph. Another resident stressed that streets are for children to play on and to ride their bikes on as well. Residents cited the major problem with Rice H.S. students speeding. Mrs. Wiener said she called the Rice principal who told her it was a police problem not a school problem. The City Council felt they might write to the principal to express their concern. Mrs. Reed stressed that the area is zoned residential and their streets should not be viewed as a major access. She said stop signs will allow businesses to continue to use the streets and added that the businesses should encourage their patrons to obey traffic laws so there wouldn't be a problem. Jacques Landry of Pizzagalli said he thought it was a good idea to make people in the businesses more aware of the problems of the residential neighborhood. Following the discussion, the motion was passed unanimously. Mrs. Lambert said she understood the problem of enforcing a "no through traffic" sign but felt it would still be a deterrant. Mr. Dinklage was concerned about trying to prevent traffic from using city streets if people do so in a safe manner. Mr. Audette noted that Craig Leiner had recommended "no through traffic" signs at the beginning of Farrell Rd., at Shelburne Rd. and Proctor and at Shelburne Rd. and Hadley Rd. Mr. Flaherty then moved to instruct that "no through traffic" signs be placed at the beginning of Farrell and Swift Streets, at Shelburne Rd. and Proctor Ave, and at Shelburne Rd. and Hadley Road. Chief Race said such signs were difficult and impractical and didn't feel that people who drive at double the speed limit would bother with signs. He said the speed of traffic in the neighborhood is a "crisis circumstance." Mr. Flaherty said he didn't feel it would hurt to put up the signs and they might have some incremental benefit. Mr. Cimonetti said he didn't think the Council had the authority to tell people they can't travel through streets that are connected. Mr. Audette noted State Statute does allow this. Both Middlebury and Burlington have done it successfully. Mr. Dinklage said he was certain the City had the right to make such an ordinance as it was a legitimate city objective to encourage people to take a route that is not through a residential neighborhood. He felt it was worth the effort to make people think about routes that they choose. The motion was then passed 4-1 with Mr. Cimonetti opposing. Adopt resolution restricting parking on Victory Drive at the intersection of Williston Rd. Mr. Farrar read the Resolution. Mr. Schuele noted the Church had come into the Planning Commission to add roofing over a garden area. This will not add cars or people who use the Church. If this Ordinance is passed, there will still be the same number of cars only now they will have to park in front of people's houses. Mr. Weith said the Commission felt if there were no parking allowed on the street, people would have to park in the lot. Mr. Poger said the problem is that on Sunday morning you can't get 2 lanes of traffic down Victory Dr. Mr. Dinklage said he could be persuaded by one side of the street parking. Mr. Dinklage then moved that it be resolved by the City Council to approve the recommendation of the City Manager that due to congestion at some times on Victory Drive that the westerly side of Victory Drive from Williston Rd. northerly for 235 ft. be designated "No Parking" and that Victory Drive on the easterly side from Williston Rd. northerly for a distance of 20 ft. be designated "No Parking". Be it further resolved that the appropriate signs be installed by the direction of the City Manager and this Resolution take effect upon passage. Members felt they wanted to investigate the situation further, and Mr. Dinklage thus withdrew the motion. Review Planning & Zoning Agendas Mr. Dinklage questioned Item 4 on the 10/24 Zoning Agenda regarding a variance for height of a structure. Mr. Farrar said the problem is you can't build a standard house on a slope with a walkout basement. Mr. Dinklage felt this was a big enough issue not to be dealt with by a variance and that the Ordinance should be redrafted to deal with such a problem. Members agreed they wanted the Planning Commission to look at the problem. Mrs. Lambert questioned the definition of home occupation and felt that the beauty parlors that have been denied recently should fall under that heading. Mr. Dinklage felt this was a troublesome area because there are so many uses for a home. He felt the city has a workable ordinance that has served well. Mrs. Lambert felt this was a minimal disruption occupation that would allow a parent to stay home with children and still earn a living. Minutes of 21 September, 28 September, 3 October, 5 October, and the Joint Meeting of City Council, Planning Commission, and Natural Resources Committee of 5 October Mr. Dinklage noted that on 3 October, he had raised the bicycle/pedestrian path item, not Mr. Szymanski. Mr. Flaherty moved the Minutes of the above meetings be approved as printed and/or amended. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Sign Disbursement Orders Disbursement Orders were signed. Other Business a) Consider another appointment to Williston Rd. Study Committee. Mr. Szymanski noted that Jim Condos has asked to serve. It was also noted that Bob Watson wants to serve. Mr. Flaherty moved to add Jim Condos and Bob Watson to the Williston Rd. Study Committee. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. b) Airport Update: Mr. Flaherty reported that 2 suggestions were made. The first was to extend the drainage ditch along the runway and have the ethyl glycol go into the Winooski River. The State vetoed this at the last minute. The second proposal is to college the ethyl glycol at the airport and dispose of it in some manner to be figured out. Mr. Flaherty and Mr. Szymanski will meet with the airport consultant tomorrow. Mr. Szymanski said it would cost $500/day to treat the ethyl glycol at the sewage plant. It has to be pretreated. This will have to be monitored closely. This would not be for a long period of time, and the airport would pay all costs. The City Council agreed this was a reasonable way to proceed for the short term. c) Affordable housing: Mrs. Lambert said she had spoken with the GBIC housing specialist. Their goal is to have the City take part in discussions on affordable housing in the region. South Burlington is not represented on the Affordable Housing Committee. GBIC wants to add 2,000 units of affordable family housing in the next 2 years. Mr. Farrar said the fundamental question is why housing is so expensive. Mrs. Lambert stressed this is not low-income housing but housing for people with a median income of $36,000. d) Act 200 funds: Mr. Weith advised the Planning Commission has suggested several uses for these funds and has prioritized them as follows: 1) purchase of the T-model traffic impact study and computer equipment to run it; 2) Refinement of the City Center Zoning including the density/bonus, TDR program; 3) an interne to help the Planner with day-to-day activities. Members felt the City Center issue could not be addressed until final traffic figures are available. Mr. Dinklage moved to direct the City Manager and City Planner to acquire the T-model and adequate equipment to run it and to engage as needed professional help to install and train personnel to run it, using the act 200 money, not to exceed $10,000. Mr. Cimonetti seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Council asked the Planner to come in with a proposal for an interne. Continue discussing procedure for replacing City Manager Mr. Szymanski said he had put an ad in the Other Paper and had had several responses from people who want to serve on the Committee. The list of those interested was as follows: Leona Lansing, John Simpson, Nancy Money, Wayne Roberts, Vi Luginbuhl, Jeanne Kennedy, Hank Lambert, Steve Stitzel. Mrs. Lambert felt applicants should be interviewed before a selection was made. Mr. Cimonetti said he was comfortable with picking the people he knew. Mrs. Lambert said she felt it was important to talk with people the Council didn't know in order that people not feel the process was a "closed" one. Following a discussion, Mr. Dinklage moved the Council appoint the following members to a committee to search for a new City Manager: Mike Flaherty, Vi Luginbuhl, Wayne Roberts, John Sim son, Hank Lambert, and Mary McKearin. Mr. Cimonetti seconded. The motion passed 4-1 with Mrs. Lambert opposing. Mrs. Lambert then nominated John Sim son as Chairman of the committee. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty suggested Mr. Szymanski attend the first meeting of the committee or meet with its chairman to discuss what he does as City Manager. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 pm. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works. RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL HONORING ERNEST L. RHEAUME WHEREAS, themembers of the City Council and indeed the people of the City of South Burlington, wish to take this opportunity to honor Police Corporal Ernest L. Rheaume for his heroic action on August 16, 1988, AND WHEREAS, Corporal Rheaurne entered a burning structure and led two elderly occupants to safety, NOW THEREFORE BE RESOLVED, that the South Burlington City Council, on behalf of the people of South Burlington expresses its appreciation to Corporal Rheaume for his unselfish and humanitarian act, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a true copy of this resolution be presented to Police Corporal Rheaurne. ADOPTED: October 17, 1988 SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL