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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/04/1991CITY COUNCIL 4 MARCH 1991 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 4 March 1991, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: Paul Farrar, Chairman; Michael Flaherty, John Dinklage, James Condos, William Cimonetti Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Sid Poger, The Other Paper; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Dept; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Nancy McGann, Asst. City Manager; James Goddette, Fire Dept; Steven Bushey, George Brady, John and Jane Brennan, Denny Johnson, Buzz Hoerr, Jay Zaetz, Marlene Zaetz, Lee Hemingway, Leslie Griffiths 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience not related to Agenda Items: No issues were raised. 2. Sign Resolutions Honoring South Burlington High School State Championships: Mr. Farrar read the Resolution for the S. Burlington High School Women's Basketball Team. Mr. Dinklage moved the Council sign the Resolution as read. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Farrar read the Resolution honoring the S. Burlington High School Women's Gymnastic Team. Mr. Dinklage moved the Council sign the Resolution as read. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Comments on Bicentennial: Mr. Cimonetti noted that today was the exact bicentennial day and that S. Burlington would be 126 years old next week. Mr. O'Neill described the bicentennial plans for the city. Tomorrow a large 200-candle cake would be enjoyed. Also, articles recommended by city school children will be put into a time capsule to be opened on the city's 150th birthday. There will also be a bell-ringing ceremony. On June 2, there will be a parade, barbeque, displays, etc. 3. Approval of Findings of Fact in Interim Zoning Application from Champlain Water District for construction of a 10' x 10' Radio Equipment Storage Building at 1225 Dorset St.: Mr. Condos moved to waive reading of the Findings. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Farrar explained the location of the structure and that it would replace one that had suffered weather damage. Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the Findings of Fact as presented and to authorize the Chairman to sign on behalf of the City Council. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Review of Lime Kiln Bridge Feasibility Analysis for one-lane operation; Special meeting request: Mr. Farrar said the Council has received an analysis from the Regional Planning Commission. Mr. Brennan noted that the net outcome of the analysis is that if the city spends a lot of money on signals and does a lot of work on both sides of the bridge, it may have a safe bridge. Traffic counts were done in the spring of 1989 and Mr. Brennan didn't know whether school was out at the time. At peak hour, southbound traffic was 515 trip ends and northbound was 620 trip ends. The critical factor involved is sight distance. There is a problem with the approach from the south but people shouldn't be going more than 30 mph, and, Mr. Brennan noted, people go much faster than that. From the north, there is a problem. He said the signal system would have to be very sophisticated and would probably cost about $85,000 for the project. He felt the money would be better spent applied to a 2-lane bridge. Mr. Brady added the report doesn't take into account ice conditions on the hill. Ms. Hemingway said she spoke yesterday with Pat Garahan who said there would be no change in the status of the bridge if it would be one or two lanes and that the bridge would stay on line for rebuilding as scheduled. The current plan is for construction in 1995-6. Mr. Cimonetti said this differs from testimony given by the Agency of Transportation at the House Transportation Committee. They said there were no definite plans for a construction date. Mr. Hoerr, representing business owners in the area, said he spent 2 hours with Sen. Mazza, Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee who assured him that the project is on the schedule. Sen. Mazza is willing to schedule a meeting this week with Mr. Garahan and the State Engineer to solidify that fact. He believes in a 2-lane repair. He also offered to make available to the cities involved a $50,000 grant. Ms. Griffiths said there is no way you can keep traffic at 30 mph and also cited driving problems in the bad weather of yesterday. Mr. Farrar said the city is still waiting for bids. Mr. Bushey said a one-way bridge with a stoplight would be unacceptable. He noted Mr. Belter is always having to replace the fence because people run into it. There would also be a problem with people trying to run the light. Mr. Dinklage asked Mr. Hoerr if he felt there will be a perception by the public that it is difficult to get to that area. Mr. Hoerr said partly. There is also a safety concern for customers and for the general public. They would like to see the same volume of traffic as before the bridge was closed. Mr. Dinklage noted there is a less than perfect condition with a 2-lane bridge. Mr. Audette said at a meeting, the Agency of Transportation people said they have just started their committee to work on the bridge. Mr. Hafter said he would arrange a meeting with Sen. Mazza. He also suggested a special meeting for Monday, 11 March. 5. Accept Resignation from the Zoning Board: Mr. Flaherty moved the Council accept the resignation of Don Graf from the Zoning Board effective 15 March and that the City Manager be asked to prepare a letter of commendation. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Appointments to the Zoning Board: Mr. Flaherty moved the Council appoint Steven Kramer to replace Mr. Graf on the Zoning Board and appoint Denny Johnson to replace Terry Sheahan's unexpired term on the same board. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend the South Burlington Ordinance to Regulate Peddling: Mr. Dinklage moved to waive reading of the ordinance. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the first reading of the Ordinance as presented. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Condos moved to schedule the second reading for 1 April 1991. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Discussion of City Response to Urbach Kahn and Werlin Management letter for 1989-90 audit: Mr. Hafter noted that the City has agreements for collection of all delinquent taxes over $3,000. Mr. Cimonetti felt the letter doesn't make a definitive statement that the city is going to make progress in the direction suggested by the auditors. He felt there should be a management position as to whether some of the suggestions would be followed. 9. Continue Review of 1991-92 FY Budget: Mr. Farrar noted the budget would be completed after information the Lime Kiln Bridge is received. He also noted that gas was budgeted at 1.50/gallon and will probably be lower. Mr. Hafter said several thousand dollars could probably be reduced from that area. Mr. Farrar felt police cruisers should be considered. He said the city would only be borrowing from the future if at least one is not purchased. He also felt there is not enough in the Street Dept. budget to keep equipment replacement on schedule. Mr. Cimonetti said he would like to see 2 cruisers bought and an appropriation for the Highway Dept. but not as additions to the budget. He would like to see priorities shifted. Mr. Farrar added that the amount of money for road maintenance is not keeping pace. Mr. Flaherty said a citizen asked him why $60,000 was being spent on fire equipment. Mr. Goddette said he has equipment that is falling apart. Mr. Brady noted there is an engine sitting in the compound that is being used for parts. Chief Goddette noted the frame of that truck is rotted. He said their tanker has a bad tank. He said they are buying less equipment but better. Mr. Hafter added that some of that $60,000 goes to pay for trucks gotten in the past. He also noted that before an engine is purchased, the Council will have a complete review. Mr. Dinklage spoke in support of the police photocopier, the computer for the Assistant City Manager and basketball courts for JC Park. The Council discussed options on the basketball courts, road repairs and fire equipment. Mr. Cimonetti recommended more level funding on the City Manager's budget with no increase in City Council salaries, money for tourism and appropriations for Social Services. Mr. Dinklage supported the 8% increase in social services funding. Members discussed the possible impact of the Lime Kiln Bridge on the budget. 10. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement orders were signed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.