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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/11/1991CITY COUNCIL 11 MARCH 1991 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 11 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; Lisa Scagliotti, Free Press; Louvenia Bright, Representative 6-3; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; James Goddette, Fire Dept; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Dept; Dick Ward, Zoning Administrator; Al Trembly, Buzz Hoerr, Marlene & Jay Zaetz, Heiderose Gagman, Lee & Sam Hemingway, Jan Emerson, B. Chittenden, David Raphael 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience not related to Agenda Items: No issues were raised. 2. Discussion on Options on Lime Kiln Bridge: Mr. Hafter advised that when CWD opened bids for the two alternatives on the Bridge, they determined that their best economic interests would be served by having their own bridge. They have thus asked the city to disregard the offer they made to share a bridge. Mr. Hafter said the bidders have been asked if they would be interested in doing work for a 2-lane bridge for the city. One bidder has presented an attractive proposal. A meeting was held with the Transportation Agency, and the city is now moving forward with plans for the bridge. The District Engineer has been contacted and he recommends a $50,000 grant to the city for the bridge repair. There is, however, a timing concern: the grant would begin 1 July, and the city wants the work to begin sooner. They are thus hoping to get an agreement for the $50,000 to be reimbursed if the city does the work in this fiscal year. Mr. Farrar said he thought the Council was in a position either to authorize the City Manager to let a bid to one of the bidders or to ask for additional bids. The question is whether there is enough confidence that the state appropriation can be applied. Mr. Hoerr asked what Colchester's position is. Mr. Farrar said he couldn't speak for them but believed they will be agreeable. Mr. Dinklage said he would like to have a definitive sense of direction. There is a solid bidder and he felt the course is clear. A 2-lane bridge will be rebuilt. He wanted to see the move as soon as possible disregarding the issue of whether the State money is received. Rep. Bright said she would do what she could to get the Legislation written so the city gets the $50,000. She said Senator Mazza feels it is possible. she also suggested that when the bridge is opened large trucks be banned from crossing it. She felt repairs would be less effective if large trucks are permitted on it. Mr. Audette suggested business people in the area could instruct their suppliers not to use the bridge. Ms. Hemingway asked where the rest of the money will come from. Mr. Farrar said that for a maximum of $60,000 and possibly only $35,000, he felt it could be put in the regular budget. Mr. Dinklage moved to direct the City Manager to proceed with the Town of Colchester to quickly execute a contract to repair the Lime Kiln Bridge to its former use after satisfying himself as to any legal, insurance, and engineering issues that may be outstanding, and further to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with the understanding that the total project cost not exceed $120,000 (this figure including any associated city costs). Mr. Flaherty seconded. Mr. Cimonetti said he heard from a contractor that they would not bid on the bridge because engineering work was not sufficient and there would be a lot of extra changes. He said he was uncomfortable with the situation. Mr. Hafter said there was no guarantee that there wouldn't be additional problems. The bid covers what the State says needs to be done. The contractor/bidder also looked at the bridge and agreed with the State. In the vote that followed, the motion passed unanimously. 3. Presentation of David Raphael on Dorset Street/City Center "Overlay" Sign District and Relocation of Signs: Mr. Raphael thanked the Council for the opportunity to work with the city. He said he had inventoried signs on the Dorset St. with emphasis on the ones that will have to be relocated. He suggested the possibility of a directory sign, also creating a corridor in which free-standing signs can be located. This would create a sequential experience as one looks down the street. Mr. Farrar asked the City Manager to check whether any of the signs are non-conforming. Mr. Raphael showed models of possible designs for a directory sign. He said these would list all the businesses accessed by a particular curb cut. Regarding the Ordinance, Mr. Raphael said businesses might have an incentive to participate in a particular sign concept. He also noted the possibility of changing signs on the faces of buildings. He hoped to have a draft of the ordinance in 2 weeks, but revised this figure to one week after some discussion. Mr. Cimonetti said the Council will need a definitive answer on grandfathered signs. 4. Continue Budget Review Process: Mr. Hafter reviewed changes: the audit figure was cut by $1,500. based on new bids; gasoline estimates were decreased a total of $6,940; group health, which had included a 20% increase, was increased to accommodate a 25% increase. This means a $12,625 increase. Mr. Hafter said the city has to make an effort to get this into the negotiation process. $4,000 has been added for street lights to reflect accurate costs. The reappraisal estimate has been reduced by $8,235, and equipment for Water Pollution Control was decreased by approximately $1,000. He said the tax rate projection still holds. Mr. Farrar felt the money in the Highway budget was not adequate to keep streets up to past condition. Mr. Dinklage said he would like to put in sufficient additional funds so if the money from the state for the Lime Kiln Bridge is not forthcoming, the work can be paid for. He suggested $30,000. Mr. Cimonetti suggested $25,000 to be used for that purpose only. Mr. Dinklage moved to add a new line to the bridge budget, 100-700-88.00. State Aid Replacement for Lime Kiln Bridge Replacement, if necessary, in the amount of $25,000. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Dinklage moved to add $3,000 to the City Manger's budget for a computer. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Mr. Cimonetti moved to offset the $3,000 by taking $1500 from legal fees and $1500 from Comp. Time. Mr. Flaherty seconded. In the votes that followed, the amendment was defeated 2-3 (with Msessrs. Dinklage, Condos, and Farrar opposing), and the motion passed. 4-1 with Mr. Cimonetti opposing. Mr. Dinklage moved to add $16,000 to purchase one police vehicle. Mr. Condos seconded. Mr. Hafter noted there is talk of a county wide 911 system which would include the $13,000 appropriated for recording equipment (for drug seizure money). Mr. Cimonetti moved to add to the original motion the reduction by $13,000 with the addition of the vehicle. Mr. Dinklage accepted the addition. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty moved to add $2642 to the appropriation for Social Services. Mr. Condos seconded. Mr. Flaherty said it is a Vermont custom to care for neighbors in need. He noted that the agencies funded serve a large number of South Burlington citizens. Mr. Dinklage agreed. The motion passed 4-1 with Mr. Cimonetti opposing. Mr. Dinklage said he was concerned that funds to replace Fire Dept. air packs be available when needed. Mr. Dinklage moved to add $2500 to Fire Equipment funds to maintain replacement of air packs scheduled. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Dinklage moved to add $30,000 to highway capital fund, line 7000-83300. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Mr. Flaherty explained this was to replace funds taken for the Lime Kiln Bridge. The motion passed 4-1 with Mr. Cimonetti against. Mr. Cimonetti moved to reduce stipends to the City Council to flat level of the current budget year. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Cimonetti moved to reduce stipends to the Planning Commission to flat level of the current year. There was no second. Mr. Condos moved to approve the budget as amended. Mr. Dinklage seconded. The motion passed. 4-1. Mr. Cimonetti opposing. Mr. Flaherty moved to take $50,000 of special assessment district funds for Dorset St. to offset bonded debt service for Dorset St. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the income statement as amended. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter said the preliminary tax rate is .63 for the operating budget and .073 for debt service for a total of 76.5, representing a 2.2% increase. 5. Planning Committee Agenda: No issues were raised. 6. Minutes of 4 February 1991: Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the Minutes of 4 February as Written. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Schedule Public Hearing on Extension of Interim Zoning By-laws: Mr. Hafter suggested the extension be for 3 months, not a year. Mr. Dinklage moved to modify from one year to 31 July 1991 unless the City Attorney determines this would be the only allowable extension. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Public Hearing was scheduled for 1 April 1991. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. Flaherty moved the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations with the Solid Waste District on Landfill Contracts and a personnel issue and to resume regular session only to adjourn. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. REGULAR SESSION: Mike Flaherty moved adjournment Jim Condos seconded. The meeting adjourned at 11:30 p.m. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.