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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/21/1991CITY COUNCIL 21 JANUARY 1991 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 21 January 1991, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 5757 Dorset St. Members Present: Paul Farrar Chairman; Michael Flaherty, John Dinklage, James Condos, William Cimonetti Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Brian Searles, Police Dept; Dick Ward, Zoning Administrator, Sonny Audette, Street Dept; Joe Weith, City Planner; Sid Poger, The Other Paper; Ed Blake, CWD; Thomas O'Connor, Steve Cunningham, Tom Chittenden, Russell Hill 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience not related to Agenda Items: No issues were raised. Mr. Hafter noted that a special meeting has been scheduled for Monday, 28 January. 2. Application from Russell & Janet Hill to construct a 20' x 24' attached garage and 10' x 12' mud room, 1835 Hinesburg Rd. under provisions of the Interim Zoning Regulations: Mr. Ward said there were no problems with setbacks. Construction had begun believing permits had been secured. This has now stopped. Mr. Ward said the project would be totally allowable under the previous zoning. Mr. Dinklage moved to close the hearing and instruct the City Attorney to draw up Findings of Fact for signing. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Acceptance of 1990 Bi-Annual Bridge Inspection Report; consideration of options on Lime Kiln Bridge: Mr. Condos moved to sign the receipt of the report and return it to the Agency of Transportation. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter reviewed the previous options on the bridge including: doing nothing, full repair (which would be very expensive). He noted that CWD is in the process of putting in a new large water line to Essex. They were going to get a permit to construct a bridge over the Winooski River for their water line. They have now considered putting the pipe on one side of the Lime Kiln Bridge. Engineers say this is not good because the bridge would have an unbalanced. It would work to hang it under the bridge in the middle, but as the bridge is an historic property it can't be modified that much. It would also be very hard to maintain the line. The present suggestion is to open one 12 ft. lane on the bridge for traffic and use one 4 ft. lane for the pipe. The remaining 4' would be for a pedestrian/bike path. There would be a light at either end to control traffic. Mr. Hafter said he would not suggest this if the building of a new bridge were not a conceivable reality. Mr. Farrar said the plan makes reasonable sense as long as it can be assumed the bridge will be replaced soon. Mr. Cimonetti said the city is stuck with a closed bridge and this would get it open. He added that a 12 ft. travel way would also be an improvement. He said he had talked to a few people and gotten a positive reaction. He asked if CWD would assume complete charge of the bridge when the new bridge is built. Mr. Blake said he doesn't know who owns it. He said they would prefer a perpetual easement. He foresaw a very long term use of the bridge by CWD. Mr. Condos felt it was a good compromise and solution to a big problem. Mr. Dinklage noted the present schedule to replace the bridge is 1994-5. Mr. Flaherty felt it was a good idea and commended the City Manager and CWD for coming up with it. Mr. Flaherty moved to instruct the City Manager to proceed to discuss this with appropriate people in Colchester. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Consideration of Approval of Chittenden Regional Solid Waste Management District Charter Amendments as approved by the Board of Commissioners: Mr. Condos felt the amendments made a definite improvement. He said it isn't everything the Council wanted, but it is a lot. He noted the budget would have to be voted on by local Boards. Mr. Condos moved to approve the Solid Waste District Charter Amendments as approved by the Solid Waste Board and to notify the District Office. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Public Hearing by Regional Solid Waste District on FY '91 amended and FY '92 budgets: It was noted the hearing will be held on 30 January. Mr. Dinklage noted $1,754,000 in state grants and said there is a possibility the Legislature will reduce that amount. He suggested contingency plans and a plan to scale down the budget. Mr. Condos said he thought it had already been reduced. Mr. Dinklage said he found several references to capital payback costs and would like to know what this is. If it is to Burlington for capital costs already incurred, he had no problem. But he wanted to see a statement from Burlington that funds will be used to reduce bonded indebtedness, not go into the general coffers. Mr. Condos noted there was no bond issue. The item, he added, is a payback for set-up on the household hazardous waste facility. The management contract is for certain operational costs. Mr. Cimonetti wanted to know the cost to the district of this facility and the ongoing costs to run it. Mr. Flaherty said he needed to know what the figures were based on. Mr. Farrar raised a question of insurance. Mr. Audette said this item will be changed as a revision has been negotiated. Mr. Condos asked that staff prepare a written letter with comments. 6. City Response to Draft Regional Plan: Mr. Dinklage said he felt the response captured the Council's intentions. Mr. Dinklage moved to direct the Chairman to sign the response on behalf of the City Council. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Appointment of City Delegates to Local Government Day in the State Legislature: Mr. Flaherty moved to appoint Chuck Hafter and Peg Picard as City Delegates to Local Government Day in the State Legislature. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Resignation of Lowell Krassner from Natural Resources Commission; Recommendation of Appointment: Mr. Flaherty moved to accept the resignation of Lowell Krassner and to ask the City Manager to write a letter of appreciation for his services. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter noted there are other openings on the Natural Resources Committee and presented a resume from Cathrine L. O'Brien. Mr. Dinklage moved to appoint Cathrine L. O'Brien to the Natural Resources Committee and to instruct the City Manager to continue to advertise for other openings. 9. Proposal to Reopen Advertisement for Position on Zoning Board: Mr. Cimonetti said he felt the position should be readvertised since there has been other interest. Mr. Flaherty felt the position should be filled soon so there isn't an opening on the Board for too long. Mr. Dinklage stressed that reopening advertisement should be no indication that the Council is dissatisfied with previous applicants. Mr. Hafter said he would place ads and added interviews can't be held until the second week in February. 10. Other Business: Mr. Cimonetti reported on the work of the Dorset St. landscape committee. He noted the plan is within federal/state budgeting. The State has its own landscape architect and Mike Munson is pleased with the person. Landscaping will be mostly trees with some low-to-ground plantings. Trees will be substantial, 3-1/2" caliper with no low limbs. He felt this would rapidly develop a canopy. There will be some trees in the median strip. Landscaping is being considered around the utility pads. Mr. Cimonetti raised the question of signs for businesses and suggested a signage concept be developed and drafted quickly to take advantage of work being done by the state landscape architect. Members agreed. Mr. Audette raised the question of trees in the median strip over the sewer line. Mr. Cimonetti will check on this. Mr. Cimonetti reported on activities in the Legislature. He noted that Ms. Luginbuhl is on the Education Committee, Ms. Bright on the Health and Welfare Committee and he is on the Transportation Committee. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 12. Minutes of 19 November, 10 December, and 17 December: Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the minutes as presented with a correction of the spelling of VITA in the minutes of 10 December. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Executive Session: Mr. Dinklage moved the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: Mr. Flaherty moved adjournment. Mr. Condos seconded. Council adjourned at 10:15 PM. 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