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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/25/1991CITY COUNCIL 25 FEBRUARY 1991 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 25 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; Sid Poger, The Other Paper; Catherine Debo, CCTA, Jean McCandless, Cynthia Bell, Committee on Social Responsibility; Michael Sheridan, CCTV; William Schuele, Natural Resources Committee; Ed Blake, CWD; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Dept; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Dick Ward, Zoning Administrator; Jeff Nelson, Stephen Kramer, Bob Chittenden, D. Sottason, Paul Briody, Jackie Marceau Mr. Flaherty moved the Council pass a Resolution commending the South Burlington Girls Basketball team and the Girls Gymnastic Team for their winning of state championships. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Comments & Questions from the Audience not related to Agenda Items: Mr. Chittenden asked if there are any more public hearings on the budget. Mr. Farrar said the Council will hear the remaining requisitions then will set a date for deliberation. After the Council approves the preliminary budget, there will be a Steering Committee meeting on 21 March when the City and School budgets are presented. Then there will be a formal public hearing on 11 April to present the budget. Mr. Chittenden asked why there isn't level funding. Mr. Farrar said this is because of increased demand for services due to growth in the community. Mr. Chittenden asked why the public can't have input on negotiations on Dorset St. Mr. Farrar said when it is in final form, the agreement will be open to the public. During preliminary stages, there is some give and take with other parties. 2. Budget Review: Report of Social Responsibility Committee on proposed 1991-2 allocations: Ms. McCandless said the Committee worries that it has insulated the Council from requests from human services groups outlining the pain and suffering so that the Council doesn't have a first hand understanding of human problems and needs and won't understand the need for funding human services in the community. She then noted substantial cuts in federal and state funding for human services at a time when more citizens are using food shelves, crisis centers, drug and alcohol rehab, and abuse refuges. Ms. McCandless said the worsening economy has only just begun to be reflected in calls for human services and noted that 600 families in South Burlington have been served by the Food Shelf. She noted that 55% of the S. Burlington people served at Howard Mental Health have incomes under $15,000 and 20% of those are under $6,000. The total budget request is $43,250, 15% over last year which amounts to only .008% of the total anticipated budget. Mr. Farrar said one goal is to get to the root causes of problems and asked how much is spent in areas of education, prevention, etc., so down the line there may be fewer requests for these kinds of services. Ms. McCandless noted that the Committee tries to focus on basic needs such as food, health and shelter. She also noted that groups such as Drug & Alcohol do a lot of work in the schools as does the shelter. She added that the City hasn't funded human services at a level to allow for the funding of education. Mr. Flaherty noted that at $42,000 the single citizen in the city would be paying about $3.00 per year. Mr. Condos noted the Police Dept. is doing good work to address some situations such as domestic violence and drug abuse. Mr. Cimonetti said there is no mandate that municipal funding is the only way to fund these needs and said the only source of revenue in the city is taxes on property. He said it is fortunate social programs don't have to be totally funded on that. He felt the additional 15% was very substantial. Mr. Chittenden said he felt citizens were being forgotten in favor of special interest groups. Mr. Flaherty stressed that funds are going to groups which serve S. Burlington residents. Mr. Dinklage added that this is part of the infrastructure of the community and commended the committee for taking the time to look for groups that serve the city's citizens. Ms. McCandless asked what had become of the task force on homelessness and said the need is urgent and growing. Ms. McCandless noted that 2 committee members will be leaving and will need to be replaced. 3. Request for Endorsement of CCTA Bond Issue: Ms. Debo noted CCTA had received the endorsement of other communities. The bond issue is part of an on-going capital equipment program to replace 10 buses. The Governor is supporting use of federal highway money for the state share of the cost which will enable the CCTA to go to bid this spring for a lesser amount. She estimated that at most a S. Burlington citizen will pay $2.58 per year for 8 years. The buses being bought will have enhanced efficient diesel engines with emissions reduced. They will be comfortable for riders and will be handicapped accessible. Ms. Debo stressed that if federal money is forthcoming, CCTA won't go for more buses than now planned. Mr. Dinklage moved that the Council endorse the public transportation equipment bond issue to be put before the voters on 5 March. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Interview candidates for Zoning Board of Adjustment: a) Jacqueline Marceau: Ms. Marceau has lived in the city over 20 years. She said she was not familiar with the duties of the Board but had some experience as an adjacent neighbor to Butler Farms development. She favors open space, stoppage of development, and reduction of taxes. Ms. Marceau said she would be willing to serve on other committees if not chosen for the Zoning Board. b) Dennis Johnson: Mr. Johnson has lived in the city 25 years and previously served on committees and would like to do so again. He said he hadn't paid a lot of attention to the Zoning Board but knew there were a lot of issues that need to handled thoughtfully. He has never been to a Zoning Board meeting but has been to the Planning Commission. He favored a balance between Commercial and Residential development and felt the Southeast Quadrant needs to be protected. With regard to the five criteria for variances, Mr. Johnson said he felt rules had to be tempered with justice. He would also consider other appointments. c) Stephen Kramer: Mr. Kramer has an interest and background in zoning. He has read the Zoning Regulations and expressed surprise at how comprehensive they are. He doesn't favor spot zoning, TDR's or other fancy zoning items. He believes in just interpreting the code. He said he had seen communities make mistakes for which they are paying. He felt the City Center is a good idea. Mr. Kramer said he would also be willing to serve elsewhere. d) Richard Brown: Mr. Brown is a 10 year resident of the city. He felt he could interpret the written word and help bring people together. He said he would like his children to grow up in a place he can be happy with. He favors thought-out growth and doesn't like to see homeowners displaced. He felt every case deserves a full hearing. He would willingly serve on other boards. 5. Recommendation to Delay Assessment Due on 3/15/91 for sanitary sewers in Country Club Estates: Mr. Dinklage moved to waive reading of the Resolution. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the Resolution as presented. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Mr. Cimonetti said he would support the motion only as long as the Council has the chance to reassess what the assessment should be. Mr. Farrar said that will happen. The motion was then passed unanimously. 6. Request for authorization to construct a 10'x10' radio equipment storage building (1225 Dorset St.) which exceeds the limitations on Land Development Requirements as set forth under Interim Zoning Regulations adopted 4/17/91: Mr. Ward said the current building was damaged by ice sliding off the tower. The proposed structure meets all setbacks of prior zoning and is within a fenced in compound. It doesn't block any views. It will be located further from the tower so it won't be hit by ice again. Mr. Dinklage moved to close the hearing and instruct the City Attorney to draw up Findings of Fact in support of the application as presented. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Consideration of Potash Brook Action Plan: Mr. Hafter introduced Jeff Nelson of Heindel & Noyes who did the study. Mr. Nelson said they have been investigating the pollution problem in Potash Brook. He noted that 70% of the city ultimately drains into the brook and then into the lake. Water pollution problems date back to the mid '70's, but in 1989 there was a very major increase in bacterial counts. In the study, they cataloged activities in the watershed that could be causing the problems (storage tanks, illegal dumping, pesticide use, etc.). They did a reconnaissance of the whole watershed, cataloging what could be seen visually (erosion, dumping into the brook, measuring water temperature, etc.) They then identified 5 potential causes of the problem: 1) animal grazing at the UVM farm right in the waterways; (they recommend UVM and the city work together on this) 2) animals hit on the road near I-89 and I-189 that wander to the stream to die (they recommend coordination with the state to see the animals are disposed of); 3) potential sewer line leakage (none of this was found); 4) seepage of Electrical conductivity (very small volumes were found as well as some impact of road salt); 5) beavers (a lot of beaver activity was found in 3 areas and a lot of long term activity found throughout the watershed. Mr. Nelson said they recommended the city test to be sure the beavers were responsible and this was done. Bacteria was tested at 4 points in the watershed, 2 near East Woods, 2 behind CWD. They found a) concentration of organisms increasing further down the watershed, b) organisms were not an indication of sewage contamination, c) the presence of cysts which is the best evidence that beavers are responsible as these micro-organisms are shed in great number by beavers. Heindel & Noyes recommends the city remove the beavers from the lower part of the watershed and continue monitoring. They also recommend samples be taken at the beach in the summer to confirm the presence of cysts. Mr. Cimonetti asked if the beach should be closed if these are found. Mr. Nelson said it would probably be a good idea. He noted that cyst testing is very expensive. He did not recommend the use of chlorine as it kills good things as well. Mr. Nelson didn't feel work on the Southern Connector was behind the problem as most of that area drains into Burlington's system. Mr. Hafter said he had met with the Natural Resources Committee which endorses the plan. Mr. Schuele said he was not convinced. As a scientist he didn't see that the answer correllates with the experiments. Mr. Hafter noted a person has asked for the beavers to be put on her property in Lincoln and an attempt will be made to do that. 8. Discussion of Legislative Apportionment. South Burlington to gain 1/2 representative: Mr. Farrar said there is the question of whom the city would like to share the representative with. Mr. Hafter said he is going to get more information from the Secretary of State. Mr. Farrar suggested this be discussed with the Board of Civil Authority. 9. Report on Solid Waste District Activities: Mr. Condos said there is a new General Manager who is a former Littleton, NH town manager. He has sited landfills and done closure plans. Mr. Condos noted the State is planning to get out of the landfill business. In FY '92 the State will go to a loan basis to fund landfills. The District is planning to send a letter opposing this plan. Budgets have gone back to the finance committee for review. Mr. Hafter was concerned that the city was told it could use the household hazardous waste facility in January and is not able to use it yet. There is also the question of payment. He also noted the mobil facility is not expected till June. Mr. Cimonetti said he is still waiting to see accounting on payments for the facility. Mr. Cimonetti suggested someone from the city testify at the Legislative hearing on Charter changes. Mr. Schuele noted that a paper presented at a Geological Society meeting dealt with landfill testing. The speaker was asked if tests will be done in time for proposed closings and replied "no way." He felt it wouldn't be done till 1995. 10. Consideration of Amendment to Ordinance to Regulate Peddling: Mr. Hafter said he will warn a public hearing for April 1. 11. Review planning Commission Agenda for 2/26/91 Regarding Item #3 at 100 Dorset St., Mr. Cimonetti said he hoped the Commission will recognize the passage of time and may want to be flexible and look for a change in the situations. Mr. Dinklage said he had a different view. The Commission has within its prerogative a lot of leeway in combinations of parcels/zones. He was concerned that if by doing that, they allow something that is specifically not allowed in one of the zones the property is in. Mr. Cimonetti felt it may be appropriate for a sketch plan to come before the Council. 12. Minutes of 7 January and 21 January 1991: Mr. Flaherty moved the Minutes of 7 and 21 January be approved as written. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Update on Lime Kiln Bridge: Mr. Cimonetti said he asked the A of T about sufficiency rating on the bridge. The answer was if the bridge is made one way, it would be treated as a temporary repair and this would not influence the sufficiency rating. Opening it as a 2 lane bridge would not be considered as a temporary repair. Mr. Cimonetti then asked which was better from an engineering point of view. Mr. Trip said it is a safety issue and suggested going to the safety people at the A of T. Mr. Cimonetti said he personally checked sight-lines and felt there is no place a car can be stopped and not be seen from the other side of the bridge. He didn't personally feel it would be a safety issue with a one-lane bridge. He said he would like to bring the issue to a head at the next meeting and see how relative costs fit into the budget. Dennis Johnson said that in a sports car you cannot see a car on the other side of the bridge. You also won't be able to see people and bike traffic on the bridge. Mr. Hafter noted Colchester has asked to see bid prices before discussing the matter. 14. Sign Disbursement Orders Disbursement orders were signed. 15. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Flaherty moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a catering permit from WFW Co. for an anniversary party at K of C Hall, on 3/16/91 from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the catering permit for WFW Co. for an anniversary party at K of C Hall on 3/16, as presented. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Executive Session: Mr. Dinklage moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss Negotiations on Dorset St. contracts and appointments to boards and Commissions and to resume regular session only to adjourn or to make appointments to boards and/or commissions. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Mike Flaherty moved adjournment, Jim Condos seconded. The meeting adjourned at 11:10 PM. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.