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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/16/1989CITY COUNCIL 16 JANUARY 1989 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Monday, 16 January 1989, at 7:30 pm, in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; Michael Flaherty, John Dinklage, Molly Lambert, William Cimonetti Also Present William Szymanski, City Manager; Sid Poger, The Other Paper; James Goddette, Fire Chief; D. Dale Kleppinger, R. O'Brien, Fred Maher, Howard Perkett, City Charter Committee; Robert & Cynthia Hoehl; Robert Cooper, Victor Ratkus; Mary McKearin Bus. Mgr. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to items on the Agenda) No issues were raised. Meet with City Charter Committee to discuss possible Charter changes Mr. Farrar said one of the questions that might be considered is whether there is a way to do assessments other than by physically inspecting pieces of property every 4 years. He noted the state requires property to be kept at appraised value or a community could lose its state aid to education. One possibility is to look at a sample of houses yearly and use a ratio to adjust values of other properties accordingly. Another item the Committee might consider is changing the date when the annual report is due. This is purely a problem with the auditors who find they cannot meet deadlines. Mr. Maher noted the Charter Committee had previously considered the appraisal question and that other communities were having a problem with procedures where properties were not specifically appraised. Mr. Farrar noted that at the time the City Attorney had recommended doing an appraisal first and the instituting the new system. The appraisal has now been done. The City Attorney will be asked to draft wording for proposed Charter changes. Consider adoption of the Cable Access agreement Mr. Farrar said the agreement would let the city join other municipalities to form a new governmental entity which could apply for funds set aside by Mountain Cable and then produce the TV programs to be shown on cable TV's public access channel. Mr. Flaherty moved the Council sign the agreement. Mrs. Lambert seconded. Mr. Cimonetti said he was concerned they would be asking the City for support. Ms. McKearin said one of the first things the group will do is hire an assistant whose job it will be to find funds without coming to the communities. Mr. Dinklage said if the city wants to give it the best chance at the least possible cost, they have to be a part of it. In the vote which followed, the motion passed 4-1, Mr. Cimonetti opposing. It was agreed a member of the Board would be selected at the next meeting. Other Business Mr. Farrar noted that Dr. Ratkus has requested information as to the location of the Ordinance by which the city is allowed to control heights of trees on his property. Mr. Flaherty moved that the information requested by Dr. Ratkus be released to him provided the City Attorney does not deem it to be privileged information. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Review final draft of City Personnel Rules & Regulations Ms. McKearin said the city Attorney feels it is all right to adopt the sexual harrassment policy as a separate policy. She added the Committee is happy with the present document. Mr. Cimonetti asked how this document will relate to pension rules & regulations. Ms. McKearin said the document will be amended to conform with whatever comes out of the pension rules & regulations. Mr. Dinklage asked if there is anything in contracts that provide for harmony with the rules and regulations. Can it be said that no contract will change as a result of the adoption of these rules & regulations. Ms. McKearin said the revisions of the rules & regulations was anticipated in contract negotiations. The language was made part of the last 2 contracts and one other group has agreed in principle. Mr. Szymanski noted that all contracts say they superseded rules & regulations. Mr. Dinklage asked if compliance with safety and health policies a condition of employment. Mr. Szymanski said it is not. Mr. Dinklage said he would like to see the City move in that direction. Mr. Dinklage moved to authorize the signing of the rules and regulations document. Ms. Lambert seconded. Motion passed 4-0, Mr. Cimonetti abstaining. Mr. Szymanski praised the Committee on its excellent work. Begin update of City '89-90 Capital Budget Program Mr. Farrar noted the next major piece of fire equipment won't be needed until about 4 years from now. He also noted the Dorset St. project bonds have not been issued yet and asked if there was any reason to issue them before a year from now. If the project starts this spring, when will bills be due? Mr. Szymanski said utilities would have to be paid for separately and might be due before the other bills which might not be due until the project is complete. Mrs. Lambert said it is very important for the capital budget to be in compliance with Act 200. Mr. Dinklage asked where Kennedy Drive repair work comes in. Mr. Szymanski said he wasn't sure there was enough money in the highway portion for that work. Mr. Dinklage said he would like to see 3 priorities: sidewalks & curbs, repairing, intersection work. Mr. Szymanski said the first 2 have funding, the third item does not as yet. Mrs. Lambert noted the Council also needs to have criteria established for sidewalk projects and other similar projects. Mr. Farrar noted the only project in the capital budget that will require a vote is the Country Club Estates and Swift Estates sewers. He suggested 50% be funded generally and 50% by an area tax. Mr. Dinklage questioned why the first entry for the Southern Connector Extension is for 1993-4. Mr. Farrar said it hasn't been updated yet. Mrs. Lambert questioned if there was enough police and fire personnel. Mr. Farrar noted the Police Chief chose the data processing equipment over personnel this past year. Review Planning Agenda for 17 January No issues were raised. Sign Disbursement Orders Disbursement orders were signed. Old Business Mrs. Lambert raised the question of park maintenance and said she thought Mr. O'Neill and Mr. Audette were to get together on this and the Council would offer clarification as needed. Mr. Dinklage asked the City Manager to report on the understanding reached between Mr. O'Neill and Mr. Audette. Liquor Control Board Mr. Flaherty moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Szymanski presented a request for Tinguini's for a second class liquor license for the new partnership. He said everything is in order. Mr. Flaherty moved the Board sign the second class liquor license for Tinguini's new partnership based on the City Manager's recommendation. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.