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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/04/1991CITY COUNCIL 4 FEBRUARY 1991 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 4 February 1991, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: Paul Farrar, Chairman; Michael Flaherty, John Dinklage, James Condos, William Cimonetti Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Mary-Barbara Maher, Planning Commission; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; James Goddette, Fire Dept; Craig Leiner, Regional Planning; Brian Searles, Police Dept; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Dept; Sonny Audette, Street Dept; Sid Poger, The Other Paper; Lisa Scagliotti, Free Press, Nancy McGann, Asst. City Manager; D. & R. Sutton, J. & E. Guilmain; J. & M. Henry, L. & S. Hemingway, L. & A. Griffiths, Denny Johnson, B. & E. Schuele, Louvenia Bright, Jay & M. Zaetz, Al Tremblay, John Belter, Alan Brusoe, J. P. Brennan, R. Webber-Jones, B. Farley, Roy Bushey, L. Griffin, J. Cote, R. Berard, M. Snyder, A. Todiseo, R. Caron. W. Clifton, T. Chase, Michael Barry, C. & E. Fischer, S. Incavo 1. Comments & Questions from Audience (not related to agenda items): A question was raised about Country Club Estates sewers. Mr. Farrar said the Environmental Board hasn't yet ruled on the Belter case. The Council will probably take up the matter in 2 weeks and will probably postpone the payment of the sewer assessment. 2. Presentation of concern over proposal to reopen Lime Kiln Bridge to single lane traffic: Mr. Farrar reviewed the history of the bridge situation. He said there is a plan to replace the bridge in 4 years. That plan would be 85% state funded and 15% local (7.5% each to S. Burlington and Colchester). Inspection of the bridge last fall resulted in a recommendation to close the existing bridge immediately. The Council then reviewed options. The first was to build a new bridge now. However, the project isn't in the State plan so it can't be built this year. The Council then considered what it would cost to do temporary repairs. The estimate was more than $200,000. with none of it paid for by the State. The Council felt it didn't want to invest that much money to refurbish a bridge that will be replaced in a few years. Mr. Farrar said that last fall CWD got a bond issue that required them to build a bridge to get a water main to Essex. They had considered how they might use the existing bridge, but because it has been designated an historic structure, there is a limit to what can be done to alter it. The present proposal is to temporarily open the bridge to one-way traffic and to use it as a permanent location for CWD's water pipe and to urge the State to move as fast as possible to build a new bridge for 2- way traffic. Mr. Farrar noted that the present bridge is not in the safest location for traffic, especially in winter. Ms. Hemingway said she had spoken with Pat Garahan the new Secy, of Transportation who said that the earliest the new bridge could be built is 5 years as there isn't even a survey for it yet. She felt that with the volume of traffic using the bridge, a oneway bridge would be disastrous. She asked why CWD can't use the bridge and still have it be 2 way traffic. Mr. Hafter explained the engineering problems that prohibit this. Ms. Hemingway said the bottom line is that residents want the bridge opened for 2-way traffic. Ms. Griffiths said the bridge was closed because of safety concerns and it should be opened with the same consideration. She noted the bridge is used by walkers and joggers. Mr. Condos noted there would be a separate lane for joggers which would be safer than previous conditions. Concern was also expressed for the poor advance visibility and potential traffic back-up. The dangerous intersection at Shamrock Rd. was cited as well a the volume of Air Guard traffic. Mr. Brady noted that in 1962 the bridge was redecked and there was a proposal to rebuild it. There is still no new bridge. Mr. Brennan cited the JHK traffic study with peak hour traffic volumes of 398 in one direction and 495 in the other. He said that with a 2 minute cycle, there will be 15 or 16 cars stacked. Mr. Zaetz said citizens have a right to use the bridge safely. He noted it has cost people money since it was closed. He felt it should be 2-way and safe. Mr. Clifton said that if truck traffic is a problem, there could be a height limiting device. Mr. Farrar said the bridge is unsafe for all traffic. Mr. Schuele asked if a one-way only bridge, two lanes, had been considered. Mr. Farrar said it hadn't. Mr. Farrar stressed that this is a 2 community problem and both have to agree on a plan. Mr. Dinklage added he has a sense that there is not the urgency in Colchester to fix the problem and S. Burlington might have to pay for it completely. He said the Council is trying to explore options from a cost point of view. Mr. Leiner of Regional Planning said the proposed solution is not ideal but he felt it was worth trying. He hadn't done a full detailed study and would have to do that to be sure it wouldn't be creating a worse situation than exists now. He noted it is easier to be critical than to be constructive. He felt he could provide additional information in 2 weeks time. Mr. Condos noted the 2 lane bridge had 10 ft. lanes which are substandard. The one lane bridge would be a 12-foot standard lane. Mr. Belter asked what would the city have done if the CWD plan had not been proposed. Mr. Farrar said South Burlington would probably have had to pay $200,000. Mr. Webber-Jones noted there is a power company going to be putting in a system and they will need a bridge. They might help pay for it. Mr. Condos said they won't be anywhere near the Lime Kiln Bridge. Ms. Henry said retail business in the area has almost stopped since the bridge has been closed. She was concerned with safe transportation and also felt the city had to look ahead. She felt that with the State deficit there might not be a bridge sooner than 10 or 12 years. She noted that with a one-way bridge the city would pay $40,000 for traffic lights which isn't much less than the city's $100,000 share of repairs to open it 2-way. She felt the Council was giving up too much to get CWD to pay for the work to the bridge. Mr. Brennan said that once the CWD pipe is on the bridge, it can't be taken off if the situation proves to be unworkable and unsafe. Mr. Dinklage said he wanted to see a detailed traffic study on the proposal and also wanted to get a very solid reading from Colchester on their paying 1/2 of the $200,000. Mr. Johnson asked who has legal responsibility for the bridge. Mr. Farrar said Colchester and S. Burlington each own half. Mr. Johnson asked whether Colchester can't be required to pay their share. 3. Information from Regional Solid waste District: Mr. Condos said he brought up Council concerns with the budget. Mike Smith has been asked to respond. Mr. Dinklage said he would like to ask the District for complete figures on other lined landfills to use for a comparison. The City Manager was asked to critique proposed draft legislation as to whether the District will be doing what it said and to see if there are new doors to be opened, etc. Mr. Cimonetti said changes are already being proposed and he suggested moving slowly. He would like to require Solid Waste District support a delay in the 1992 closure or have an alternative to propose. He is also concerned as to whether the city's strict adherance to the law is disadvantaging its citizens. He felt all communities with landfills should proceed at the same pace toward closure. 4. CCMPO Transportation Improvement Program - Project Definition Mr. Leiner said they are looking for ways to use Regional Planning staff resources to work with the Agency of Transportation and to use Regional Planning resources for initial work up to the conceptual design. He noted Regional Planning did a lot of work on the S. Burlington Williston Rd. project and felt the more legwork MPO can do, the more confidence there is at the Agency of Transportation that they won't meet with 11th hour opposition from a community. Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the proposal subject to comments. Mr. Condos seconded Motion passed unanimously. 5. Report on Sign Ordinance Amendments for Dorset St.: Mr. Hafter said he had met with David Raphael and felt his proposal was very acceptable. There should be a revised proposed ordinance by 5 March. Mr. Farrar felt some citizens should work on this as well. 6. Consideration of Amendment to "Noise" Regulations: Mr. Farrar noted this has to go to the Planning Commission first. 7. Presentation of Budget for Fiscal 1991-2: a) Fire Department: Chief Goddette said they need a medical supply increase. There is also an increase on gas and oil (he noted they will run a deficit in this area this year). The budget for fire prevention is up due to school programs and other efforts. The fire equipment account has been reduced. Some furniture and typewriters will be replaced and pagers will be replaced on a phased basis. The Chief's wish list was noted. Regarding capital expenses, 6% has been added into the capital equipment account. He noted this wasn't done in the current year which put things behind. He said there is a 21 year old truck for which they can't buy parts any more. It's rusted. They want to design a truck to replace two vehicles and will need to add the 6% in order to have a truck available by 1992. There is a plan to add 1 person to the Department this year. Chief Goddette noted a federal audit found no discrepancies in the Department. Mr. Brady raised the issue of bunker pants and Chief Goddette noted they cost $150 a pair and there are 45 people who would need them if the city paid for them. b) Recreation: 1. Library: personnel will remain the same and there is a 5% decrease in operational expenses. It was noted they may not be able to continue to deal with the same company on the computer system updates. They will, however, be able to hook into the system purchased by the business dept. of the school. 2. Recreation and Fine Arts: Mr. O'Neill said they have 2 capital proposals: repaving and finishing the high school tennis courts (which would be funded half by the city, half by the school) and the JC Park basketball courts. Mr. O'Neill said he wouldn't be able to run a program on the JC courts now. 3. Natural Resources: Mr. Hubbard said there was a feeling that with the commitment for the bike path it would make sense to pursue that instead of the trail system. Mr. Schuele said there needs to be some community education. Also there has to be consideration of what to do with the landfill when it is closed. Mr. O'Neill noted receipt of a $46,000 federal fund grant for the recreation path. The local share will come from the bond issue already passed. There may be a state share as well. Construction on the path will begin this summer. c. City Clerk: Ms. Picard noted salaries are down due to fewer elections this coming year. d. City Administration: Mr. Hafter said group health is up 20%. The insurance consultant has been eliminated. The comp-time plan has also been scaled back. There are supplemental requests for two computers, one for the Assistant City Managers and a laptop for the City Manager. Ms. McGann noted they would like to tie all computers together. This will be expensive. She also noted bids have gone out for auditors. There is also a question of whether there will be a reappraisal this year. Mr. Hafter said the city will not meet the level required by the state without reappraisal. e. Police Dept: Chief Searles noted two of their people will be funded by federal grants. They will spend more this year on overtime than was budgeted, 55% of which is related to leave time (vacations, sick leave, comp time). This year 18% of that time is related to long-term injuries, 16% of which is related to investigations. Fleet replacement has been delayed. They will complete the computer system. They will also begin microfilming records. Accreditation will be delayed till 1992. They will also delay in getting a new copier. Shared assets funds will be used to update communications equipment. Regarding his wish list, Chief Searles said he wasn't sure 2 of their vehicles will hold up. Mr. Cimonetti said he felt the city would wind up way behind if there was a delay in replacing vehicles. Chief Searles noted computerization is going very well. 8. Review Planning and Zoning Agendas: Mr. Cimonetti suggested the Planning Commission be asked to pay attention to the Dorset St./Corporate Way proposal with an eye toward triggering the opening of Corporate Way. 9. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 10. Minutes of 28 January 1991: Mr. Dinklage moved the Minutes of 28 January be approved as written. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Dinklage moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented an entertainment permit request from Bambino's. He noted this is for full time permanent entertainment. Anything outside of this will require a special event permit. Mr. Flaherty moved the Board approve the entertainment permit for Bambino's as presented by the City Manager. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The following catering permits were then presented, all for weddings at the K of C Hall to be catered by V.F.W. Company: a. 2/7/71, from Noon to 7 p.m. b. 3/30/91, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. c. 4/6/91, from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. d. 4/13/91, from Noon to 8 p.m. e. 5/1//91, from 12:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. f. 5/18/91, from 3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. g. 5/25/91, from 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. He also presented a previously approved request for a Chamber of Commerce Mixer catered by 15 Center Inc, held at the Resolution on 31 January 1991, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mr. Flaherty moved the Board approve the catering permits as presented by the City Manger. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 11:45 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.