Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/13/1989CITY COUNCIL 13 FEBRUARY 1989 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 13 February 1989, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Rooms, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; Michael Flaherty, Molly Lambert, John Dinklage, William Cimonetti Also Present William Szymanski, City Manager; Richard Ward, Zoning Administrator; Mary McKearin, Business Mgr; James Condos, Zoning Board; Ellen Waite, Merle Edwards-Orr, Jean McCandless, Social Awareness Committee; Lowell Krassner, Sylvia Smith, William Schuele, Natural Resources Committee; Marjorie Kneeland, Jan Fuller, Library Committee; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Dept; Don Whitten, Water Pollution Control Dept; Sid & Ruth Poger, The Other Paper; Dr. & Mrs. Ratkus, Robert Hoehl Executive Session Mr. Flaherty moved the council meet in Executive Session to discuss personnel for appointment to the City Manager position and to meet with the City Attorney to discuss pending litigation. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session Comments and questions from the audience not related to items on the Agenda No issues were raised. Make appointment to the City Manager Position Mr. Flaherty moved the Council sign the Resolution for appointment of Charles Hafter to the position of City Manager, effective May 1, 1989. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Farrar noted that Mr. Hafter has verbally accepted the appointment. Mr. Farrar also thanked the Committee and Mr. Szymanski. Consider request from Save-the-View, Inc. to stay the building permit issued to Cynthia and Robert Hoehl Mr. Farrar said notice has been received that an appeal has been filed in Superior Court and he felt the situation was now out of the City's jurisdiction. He said differing opinions would be considered up to next Monday. Review 1989-90 Proposed City Budget Mr. Szymanski said the estimate is that the Grand List will increase by 5% which will allow a 5% increase in the tax rate to $587 for an operating budget of $4,520,450., with the maximum to be raised by taxes of $3,673,446. a. Report of Social Awareness Committee: Mr. Edwards-Orr noted that as Federal government provides less funding for social concerns, local government is having to do more. The Committee's recommendations for funding were as follows: Champlain Valley Agency on Aging $2,400 RSVP $2,100 SSTA $6,500 Vermont Nursing Assn.$14,600 Women Helping Battered Women $2,000 Baird Center $4,400 Champlain Drug & Alcohol Services $2,150 Vermont Center for Independent Living $700 Mr. Edwards-Orr then outlined the work of the various agencies, noting the following: The Agency on Aging serves 60 South Burlington citizens with meals on wheels and other services. RSVP provides 8500 volunteer hours at 23¢/hour. SSTA is functioning at capacity and isn't coming close to meeting the demand for services. Part of their request is for a new van. VNA has a long history of service to the city and serves many residents. Women helping Battered Women provides direct services to women in the city and also training to various agencies. The Baird request is a large figure for a very small number of people; however, they provide services to families with very severely disabled children in an attempt to keep families together and avoid more expensive services. They have a good success rate. They currently serve 2 families in South Burlington. Champlain Drug and Alcohol is located in the city, just down the street from the High School and Middle School and provides education and rehab services. Vermont Center for Independent Living is trying to increase services to the disabled. They work with 25 city residents now and there is a potential need for many more. Mr. Szymanski noted a request for $500 for the Committee on Temporary Shelter which should also be considered. Ms. McCandless said if the Council can't fund all the requests, the Committee would like to re-apportion their recommendations. Mr. Farrar suggested they come back with a schedule for 15%, 25%, and 50% recommendations. b) Community Library: Ms. Kneeland said the Library is trying to go above minimum standards. Their goals are in 3 areas: the reference library, formal education support and management. She felt the new personnel rules would help them retain their people. She noted their budget request includes a substantial increase in audio/visual for adults in order to meet a growing demand for books on audio tape. A supplemental request to complete the computer system was also made and Ms. Kneeland noted they would take any portion of this request. Mr. Dinklage raised the question of non-resident fees. Ms. Kneeland noted the State Board of Libraries is against it. She noted it costs more for the bookkeeping than the city takes in. Mr. Farrar felt the city shouldn't charge anyone who doesn't charge S. Burlington. Mr. Cimonetti said if it's costing money, do away with it. d) Natural Resources: Mr. Farrar said some communities are now using the term "Conservation Committee" and asked if Natural Resources would be interested in changing its name. Mr. Schuele said they would like to think about it. A special projects request for $750 was made to do the final draft of maps. The Committee is meeting soon with the Planning Commission on the maps and hope for a presentation to the Council by July. The question of a controversy about trails was raised by a member of the audience. It was noted that the group that raised the issue was under the misconception that pedestrian trails could be made into bike trails. This is not true as you cannot just pave over a pedestrian trail. A whole new set of easements would have to be obtained. It was noted the Committee is talking about a connection between the new city park and the southern part of the city, possibly where the Burlington Connector ends, through Farrell Park, then through ag land to the city park. They feel it would be good to secure easements in this area. d) Fine Arts: Mr. O'Neill said they want to get into more non-athletic areas such as art, theatre, etc, possibly utilizing UVM students. He noted there were 6 youngsters in the handicapped program this past year, and the feedback was excellent. e) Recreation: Mr. O'Neill noted a large increase in postage and printing for a community survey. They are asking for a 20 hour per week activity director who would conduct activities on site so that administrators could do more administrative activities. This would require a salary of $7280. Mr. Farrar asked how much of Recreation's budget is buried in the Street Dept's budget. Mr. Audette said $4500 for park supplies, about 3200 man-hours from 4/15-12/1, and various equipment usage. Supplemental requests include: $3500 for tiny tot equipment at JC Park, $8900 for high school tennis court and JC Park basketball court repairs, $1165 for a parttime secretary in July and August when the regular secretary is on maternity leave. Mr. O'Neill gave members a synopsis of the Master Plan for the Park. He also noted he and Mr. Audette had a very good meeting and will have a formalization on what they feel has to be done to coordinate their departments. f) Water Pollution Control: Mr. Whitten noted a major increase in overtime due to weekend time-and-a-half. Other increases include replacing a sewer vac, lime equipment storage, alum. He noted that utilities are down at Airport Parkway. Mr. Farrar noted a request from Colchester to treat their sewage for a while. He felt the fee should cover operating and some of the capital costs for wear and tear on equipment. Mr. Whitten noted that Colchester would buy into the plant and pay a share of any expansion. Webster-Martin is preparing a report. Mr. Whitten noted this would help keep S. Burlington sewer rates down. He said the city would ask for sludge disposal on Colchester land which is a major priority. Mr. Farrar said he would also like to see an area in the Southeast Quadrant identified for that purpose. Mr. Audette noted that under the new Solid Waste law, the State will make these decisions. g) Highway: Mr. Farrar asked if all work planned for this year will get done. Mr. Audette said it will. He then gave the Council information to consider before he presents his program for next year. Liquor Control Board Mr. Flaherty moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Ms. Lambert seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Szymanski presented 2 requests for weddings at K of C Hall catered by Wetherby's, one for 17 February from 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m., the other for 18 February from 6 p.m. to Midnight. Mr. Flaherty moved the Board approve the two catering permits for weddings at K of C Hall on 17 and 18 February, as presented by the City Manager. Mr. Cimonetti seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works. RESOLUTION BE it resolved that the City of South Burlington hire Charles Hafter for the position of City Manager starting May 1, 1989. February 13, 1989 A. INTRODUCTIOWI WHY WY NW A IUGUATION PATH. 1. Neighborhoods sepemted. 2. Walkers, joggers.bicyclers.sldora rust currently use roads without sidenalks and shoulders. 3. Growth in South Burlington ad surrounding canunities causing inoreased traffic locally ad passing through. 4. Preservation of open land for public use. 1. Safety - Separate w~lkers,j.ggers,hicycles from rotorid vehicle routes. 2. TransporW.ion - Connect all ns of So. BurUagton to City Canter. City Park, seh~ls,Burliagtm Bike Rth. 3. Reomtion - Provide a routs for all ages to enjoy fer pleaslire Pad exercise. I. Supm pnoratd dwrl f lysrs ad loaal aewepnpers. ( 200 posltive respcnses) - 2. net with Hatural Resourses ad &mreatim Chmltteoa. 3. Centrated City Planner, City Feumil .d.h, BMng adsaim ad Rogiorul ~lullliy ceuiaaien. 4. Reviewed writtan draft ef City Pork Plan a;~eauay srctimn. (No .~ps available yet) Pertinent pamgmph rrprdwed bo1.u. * CREEWAY CORRIDORS Future off-atrest pedestrian e~rrldem &all be established along naturrl wrs and strategic routes c.ansotiag the mrk fza points all aroud the City. The iatent of these corridera will be to estPbUeh a network of parkland weaviag the ~ork ad city together. A 8-10' ~ikeuay/~.ggin~ hoil/Pdestrirn Path Within cmldU?. B. 200' Mnlnum Curider or sassmat Width. Dcdiaatisn of these Greenways shall bwsosdimta with *pen spaee set aeille during site plan approral process befere Phmbg Ch.iwion. *I D. GENERAL LOCATION OF PROPOSH) ROUTE: (see attaehed map) E. REQUESTS PBCW CITY COUNCIL: I. Camltnent to proceed with this projeet. 2. Amiatance in establishing an offieial grmp to eoUdimte the pjwt. 3. Inelusion of Recreation Path in Cnphomive ToUn Phn. 4. All.ootion of fds for n~s~ prel~ staies. SOUTH BURLINGTON NATURAL RESOllRCES COMMITTEE Is1INUTES - FEBRLlARY 7, 1989 ship to the Natural ~esources ~ommi tt&. The bike path group asked if the pedestrian trails could also be used as bicycle paths. Tom explained that the uses were incompatible and not in keeping with the intentions of the pedestrian trail network. He further explained that the easements currently obtained are for pedestrian purposes only and that a completely new easement. would be needed to accomodate a bicycle path system. This would mean going back to the landowners individually to seek approval. Bill Schuele stated that the Committee's position in regard to bike paths and pedestrian paths would be for separate trails only. The method for obtaining easements was explained. The area the group is most interested in involves a connection between the blheelock Farm, Stonehedge and Orchard School. Tom explained the proposed system included in the current comprehensive plan. He stated that plans for North-South, and East-West connections within the City in regard to the new City Park are being proposed. This system of "Greenways" or "Green- belts" calls for both pedestrian and bicycle trails as part of an alternative transportatio route to and from the City Park. Once these plans are received from the architects working on the Final Draft of the Proposed City Park, Tom will review them with members of the Bike Path Committee. WORKSHOP UPDATE Sylvia Smith attended the workshop on growth and taxes, held January 23, 1989. She reported that studies show that the development of industry does not necessarily decrease the tax burdens for homeowners. This workshop proposed a moritorium on growth in the State of Vennont. UPCOC.1ING ZOElING IlEETING It was noted that at the Zoning Meeting on February 13, 1989 there will be an appeal to make an addition to the property at 106 Central Avenue. The request would violate the conservation zone of Potash Brook. This comnittee takes the position of NO VARIAPlCE changes in this appeal. BUDGET The proposed budget for 1989-90 will be presented at the Council meeting next Monday. All committee members should plan to attend. OTHER BUSINESS The map project and the stewards reports were omitted, due to the length of the meeting with the Bike Path Committee Sylvia Smith wants to reach Joyah Thompson of the Burlington Puhlic Works to find out the status of their recycling project. UPCOMING CONFEREf.lCES 1. Ground Water quality: March 13th. 8:00 a.m. - 12 Noon 2. Global Warning; March 17th 3. The New England Environmental Conference; March 13-19 at Tufts University A booklet to send for is: Protecting hierica's Wetland; An Action Agenda 1250 Twenty-Fourth St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037