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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 06/03/1991CITY COUNCIL 3 JUNE 1991 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Wednesday, 3 June 1991, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: Michael Flaherty, Chairman; John Dinklage, James Condos, William Cimonetti, Robert Chittenden Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Joe Weith, City Planner; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Sonny Audette, Highway Department; Ruth Poger, The Other Paper; Paul Farrar, Robert Fisher, Fred Hannon 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda Items): Mr. Condos expressed appreciation to Bruce O'Neill and the whole Recreation Department and Bicentennial Committee for the wonderful day on Sunday. Mr. Hafter then made a presentation to the City from President Bush. 2. Signing of Resolution of Appreciation to Paul A. Farrar for his dedicated service to the City as Chairman and City Councilman: Mr. Flaherty read the Resolution. He then described Mr. Farrar as the "quintessential person in city service" and noted that the reputation of South Burlington shows how much Mr. Farrar has done for the city. Mr. Dinklage moved the Council sign the Resolution. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Approval of Resolution honoring South Burlington citizens who served in the National Guard or on active military duty in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm: Mr. Flaherty read the Resolution. Mr. Condos moved the Council sign the Resolution. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Mr. Cimonetti said he was concerned about the inclusiveness of the Resolution. Mr. Hafter said he had checked with the General who has reviewed the Resolution. The motion then passed 4-0 with Mr. Cimonetti abstaining. 4. Approval of Tax Rates for Special Assessment Districts 1991-1992: Mr. Hafter said the Dorset St. special assessment is 30.3¢ and the sewer assessment is 40.5¢. He noted that the Country Club Estates payments have been delayed until the system can be installed. Mr. Flaherty noted that situation will be discussed further in Executive Session. Mr. Cimonetti said he was concerned with the fairness of the assessment and felt the amount for Country Club Estates should be backed out in order to prevent having to back-bill them for 1990-91. He felt a new deal should be done for Country Club Estates. Mr. Dinklage felt Country Club Estates should be delayed to see if each district can be assessed at its own costs. Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the Dorset St. assessment as described in the City Manager's memo of 28 May. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Condos then moved to table the special sewer assessment. Mr. Cimonetti seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Approval of Capital Equipment Refunding Note for Fire Engine #2: Mr. Hafter said this is the third year of a 4-year note. It is for $17,500 at an interest rate of 5.95 which is down 1% from last year). Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the note and sign the Resolution. Mr. Cimonetti asked if a 2-year note can be gotten at that rate. Ms. Picard said the Chittenden has refused to do this. In the vote that followed, the motion passed 4-1, Mr. Cimonetti voting against. 6. Approval of Letter of Commitment and Resolutions Authorizing Sale of Municipal Bonds by Vermont Bond Bank: The bonds to be sold include: the 1990 Highway Bond for $300,000 for Patchen Rd. and Dorset Street South, the 1988 bond for Dorset Street (1,030,000 remaining), and the 1990 Recreation Path bond, Phase I, for $400,000. The Water Dept. is selling $375,000 in bonds as well. Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the letter of commitment, Resolution and certificates of loan agreement, general obligation bonds and arbitrage certificate as presented in the amount of $1,730,000. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Approval of Finance Agreement with Colchester and State of Vermont for Preliminary Engineering Study relative to rehabilitation or replacement of Lime Kiln Bridge: Mr. Condos moved to approve the preliminary engineering agreement with a 90%-10% financing split, the 10% split to be shared between South Burlington and Colchester. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Mr. Cimonetti noted that on p. 2 either town or city can drop out and this would obligate the other one for the full amount. He didn't feel that was fair. Mr. Hafter felt a side agreement with Colchester was possible to change this. Mr. Condos then withdrew his motion until a legal review could be had of the agreement. Mr. Cimonetti moved to table the item for review by the City Attorney. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Status of Southeast Quadrant Zoning and 1991 Comprehensive Plan; Comprehensive Plan adoption: Mr. Weith said the Commission has looked at the amended plan and a new version of Southeast Quadrant zoning. He noted the deadline to have a plan is approaching and there are now three options: a) adopt this plan and then continue to work on zoning and then amend the Plan; b) not approve this plan and work on the zoning and prepare a new plan, if necessary, when zoning is completed (he stressed this would result in a period of time when there is no plan in effect), c) readopt the current plan (but because of time constraints, this would also result in a time when there is no plan). Mr. Weith recommended the first option. Mr. Burgess agreed that Mr. Weith's recommendation was the safest and most expedient. Mr. Cimonetti questioned the liability of changing a plan that was in existence for a time. He asked if the city can have an incomplete plan and just say the process of creating a plan is going on. Mr. Burgess noted if the Commission creates a Zoning Ordinance the Council doesn't like, it could mean months more of work, and there would be an incomplete plan for that time. Mr. Cimonetti said he was concerned the proposed plan is shortsighted and suggests changes in the plan as time goes on. He felt the plan fails to recognize the inevitability of development of the entire acreage of the city. Mr. Dinklage felt the document takes the city a long way toward the point it wants to get to. He spoke strongly in favor of keeping an existing plan in effect and to approve the draft with the understanding that it can be amended. He noted specifically the problems that Williston had when the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance didn't agree. Mr. Weith added that what Mr. Cimonetti recommends would require re-doing the whole process. Mr. Cimonetti said it wasn't fair to the Planning Commission to let the Council propose zoning that's not conforming with the Comprehensive Plan and then have the Commission not like that zoning. Mr. Dinklage raised the possibility of not identifying all sending areas but leaving this to the subdivision process. Mr. Weith said that by specific identification of an area, you let everyone know up front what the rules are. Mr. Cimonetti suggested language that "This Master Plan will be adjusted to a Zoning Ordinance when it comes into existence." He felt that was a minor change. Mr. Dinklage said he would support the inclusion of that language and would like to warn the second hearing of the Comprehensive Plan with that minor language. Mr. Dinklage then moved to schedule the second Public Hearing for the proposed Comprehensive Plan for 24 June with the understanding that some minor additional language be included in the Plan which makes it clear that recognizing that the Southeast Quadrant is now under Interim Zoning, at the time final Southeast Quadrant zoning is enacted the zoning and Comprehensive Plan will be brought into conformity. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed 4-1 with Mr. Chittenden voting against. 9. Approval of Traffic Study setting speed limits on residential streets in Meadowood at Spear, Summit at Spear, Harbor Ridge Heights at 25 MPH; first reading of Ordinance. Mr. Flaherty read the list of roads added to the Ordinance. Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the engineering and traffic studies on the named streets, Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Dinklage moved to set the Public Hearing for 1 July. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Review Planning Commission agenda for 4 June and Zoning Agenda for 10 June: Mr. Dinklage expressed concern over zoning item #10, the Spillane Station at 811 Williston Rd. Mr. Condos agreed and felt it would bring 100 trip ends into an already congested and difficult area. Mr. Hafter will write to the Zoning Board on this. The Council indicated its total opposition to this item. 12. Minutes of 6 May and 20 May 1991: Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the Minutes of 6 and 20 May as written. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement orders were signed. 14. Informational Items: Members felt the request from Holiday Inn (Lonnie Field) was very reasonable. Mr. Hafter said Craig Leiner is studying it to see the ability of the controller to handle such a phase. Mr. Audette wasn't sure the controller could handle it. He noted there is a study being done by the Mall every month and it may be possible to work from that. Mr. Dinklage suggested that impact fees could be used to offset some of the cost of a new controller. 15. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Cimonetti moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented three catering permits and 1 entertainment permit, all approved by the Police Chief. These were as follows: a) Catering permit for WFW Co. for a wedding at K of C Hall, 15 June, 1:30-9:30 p.m. b) catering permit for Halvorson's for a farewell party at Cheesefactory Rd., 6 June, from 5-11 p.m. c) entertainment permit for Bambino's for the live band "Stule", 5 and 6 June, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. d) catering permit for Trip J Inc., for a wedding at K of C Hall, 22 June, from 1-10 p.m. Mr. Cimonetti expressed concern over the lack of knowledge of what is being approved at Bambino's. He noted they have been advertising a "bikini night" and asked if this is what the Board is being asked to approve. Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the 3 catering permits with the contingency that the City Manager find out the exact location of #b. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the entertainment permit for Bambino's. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed 4-1, Mr. Cimonetti voting against. Executive Session: Mr. Dinklage moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations, litigation, and personnel items and to resume regular session only to adjourn. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council reconvened in regular session. Mr. Dinklage moved adjournment. Mr. Condos seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 PM. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.