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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 11/20/1989 CITY COUNCIL 20 NOVEMBER 1989 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 20 November 1989 at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present Michael Flaherty, Acting Chairman; John Dinklage, William Cimonetti, James Condos Also Present Charles Hafter, City Manager; Joe Weith, City Planner; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Sylvia Smith, William Schuele, Steve Crowley, Natural Resource Committee; Tom Hubbard, Recreation Dept; Peter Yankowski, Natural Resource Committee; Frank Mazur, W. Wessel, CCTA, John Jeaer, So. Burlington Realty, Sid Poger, The Other Paper 1. Comments & Questions from the public not related to Agenda Items No issues were raised. 2. CCTA Presentation Mr. Dinklage asked where CCTA stands on service to Williston. Mr. Mazur said Williston would like to join, but the town has not yet chosen a specific route. Possibilities include just continuing up Williston Rd. or going by Digital. Mr. Dinklage suggested a route through Tafts Corners, Digital, University Mall, and then down Main St. Mr. Mazur noted that Essex is also interested in a route through University Mall. Mr. Flaherty noted CCTA's request to be part of the planning process. Mr. Dinklage suggested asking the Planning Commission and Zoning Board to solicit input from CCTA. Mr. Dinklage asked if there is a plan to upgrade and add to bus stop shelters. Mr. Mazur said there is, particularly at the train station in Essex Junction and in Winooski. He said if the City would provide a list of where there is a need for shelters, CCTA would try to incorporate the locations into their plans. Mr. Mazur noted CCTA has gotten state funding which has helped offset federal cutbacks. Mr. Cimonetti questioned the subsidy situation and asked if it wasn't a fact that the 5-year projection is based on 60% subsidy and 40% ridership funding. Mr. Mazur said this is true. Mr. Cimonetti said he would like to see a written statement to that fact so voters know it. Mr. Mazur said there is a public statement for a 50%-50% split. Mr. Cimonetti said he would like to see CCTA be straight forward and would also like to see a plan to reduce the subsidy. He then asked what would happen if the state reduced its support. Mr. Mazur said they would have to look at service, particularly at night which is more expensive and has lower ridership. But he added that the trend now is to try to increase night service. Mr. Mazur also noted there is a plan for a bond issue in 1991 to replace part of the fleet. 3. Consider request of Natural Resource Committee Mr. Crowley explained that in 1976, there was legislation passed to establish conservation commissions. The South Burlington Natural Resources Committee has existed for 10 years more than that. The state now has 30% "conservation commissions," and the Committee feels it would be appropriate to have S. Burlington officially adopt the Natural Resource Committee as a Conservation Commission. The major difference would be that as a commission, they could receive land and funds for land. Mr. Schuele stressed that the Committee is not unhappy with what they are doing; it is a matter of format and possible interaction with other Conservation Commissions. Mr. Dinklage felt the Council would be receptive to by-law changes and asked if it wasn't possible to accomplish the same things with cooperation (such as the city setting up a fund for the bike path project). He said he would personally favor having the committee discuss the issue with the City Manager. Mr. Cimonetti felt the city has been well served by the Committee and that you shouldn't change what isn't broken. He feared a change would result in the loss of what little bit of staff resource now exists. He added that if there is a definite benefit to the change, then do it. Mr. Flaherty agreed. Mr. Yankowski said he felt commission status would allow them to ask people to donate land for the bike path. Mr. Hafter said he had concerns with the relationship to the city budget and whether the acquisition of land generates tax-payer costs. 4. Review Dept. of Agriculture Survey: Aerial spraying for gypsy moth infestation Mr. Hafter noted S. Burlington has about 230 acres that have defoliation potential next year. The cost for spraying for the city would be $20 per acre. The substance sprayed, BT, is harmless to bees and other wildlife. A state public hearing has been requested for S. Burlington. The question of public opposition was raised. Mr. Flaherty noted the phone calls he's received have all asked when there will be spraying. 5. Amendment to draft proposal to CCRPC for traffic study Mr. Hafter noted that Regional Planning doesn't feel they have the resources to study what the city requested. Mr. Weith added that Regional Planning felt it was too big a study and would take a year to do. They also didn't feel the JHK study should be duplicated. Mr. Weith said he got the feeling CCRPC wants to work on assessing impacts of the proposed Dorset St. and Hinesburg Rd. interchanges. Mr. Dinklage asked if there were a way to work together on this. Mr. Cimonetti said he has lost belief in the T-Model. He noted that Art Hogan said they could do some traffic evaluations for us. The city pays them, and they should support the city. He felt a proposal should be negotiated that CCRPC can accomplish. He felt starting with the interchanges was a good idea. 6. Agreement with Hedman re: Dorset Street Mr. Hafter noted one change: if the University Mall closes the access for any reason, Hedmans have the right to a Dorset St. access. Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the agreement as suggested by the City Manager in his memo of 16 November. Mr. Cimonetti seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Review Zoning Board Agenda Mr. Dinklage questioned item #1 and asked that the Zoning Board be requested not to issue any variance until the appearance of the entire property is improved. Mr. Condos suggested the Zoning Administrator check the record on this property for the past 2 years. Mr. Cimonetti noted item #2 involves the lot behind Sheraton. The University has plans for a principal access on East Avenue but has also discussed possible access from Williston Rd. using the Sheraton access. He asked that impacted S. Burlington landowners be advised of this hearing. 8. Minutes of 6 November 1989 Mr. Dinklage noted that on p. 2 the motion should read "...upon signing of the findings of fact." Mr. Condos moved to approve the Minutes as amended. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Sign Disbursement Orders Disbursement Orders were signed. 10. Other Business Mr. Dinklage noted receiving an invitiation from regional Planning for an input session on the Regional Plan, Saturday, 2 December, from 8:30 a.m to 2 p.m. Messrs. Weith. Brennan, and Dinklage will be attending. 11. Liquor Control Board Mr. Condos moved to adjourn as City Council and reconvene as Liguor control Board. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented two previously approved catering permits, one for Creative Catering for a reception at Lakewood Commons, 11/15/89 from 5-7 p.m. and the other for a retirement party catered by Wetherbees at K of C Hall. 11/18/89, 6:30 p.m-12:30 a.m. Mr. Cimonetti moved to approve the catering permits as issued by the City Manager. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a request from Club New England for a blanket specialty entertainment permit. Mr. Dinklage said he would like to continue to grant these on a case by case basis taking into consideration Regulations 41, 36, and 37. He said he would also like to amend the City Charter regarding the City's ability to regulate entertainment permits. Mr. Condos agreed and noted he had received calls from concerned citizens as to where this "specialty entertainment" is going. Mr. Cimonetti agreed these permits should be issued on a case by case basis. Mr. Dinklage added he did not want to imply there had been a problem, but felt it was a matter of public concern. Mark Boivin of Club New England noted there is a club in S. Burlington that does this every night without a permit. Mr. Dinklage agreed and said when there is a process in place, all entertainment permits will be reviewed. Mr. Boivin added Club New England has worked hard with the Liquor Control Dept. to try to train people on serving and controlling alcohol consumption so there was no rapid consumption of alcohol. Mr. Cimonetti praised these efforts and noted they have been appreciated. As there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.