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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 11/04/1991CITY COUNCIL 4 NOVEMBER 1991 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Tuesday, 4 November 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; Sid Poger, The Other Paper; Peg Picard, City Clerk; Joe Weith, City Planner; Albert Audette, Street Department; Michael Sheridan, Paul Farrar 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda Items): No issues were raised. 2. Update on Regional Issues including Regional Comprehensive Plan: Mr. Farrar said the Regional Plan has been a lot harder to get done than it would seem it should be. Originally, it had many pieces that didn't fit with local plans. Now, in most instances, the feeling is that in those issues, local plans should take precedent. There will be at least one more public hearing on the plan. Mr. Farrar said he felt the South Burlington staff did an excellent job in presenting the city's concerns. He noted that these concerns have been addressed. The population mix in growth centers has been changed as has the Interstate access. The regional impact thresholds have also been raised. Regional Planning will try to update the plan within a year. Mr. Farrar said there are still more questions to be answered, many of them raised by the planning process. He felt it was reasonable to assume that the plan could be passed by the end of the year. He also felt South Burlington was in a good position. There is a reasonable concensus of what the community is to be like. Other communities, he noted, are not so fortunate. Mr. Farrar advised that he is on the transportation committee. He also advised that Regional Planning has established a fee schedule for services it provides for member communities. Mr. Cimonetti asked about "border communities" and conformance with zoning. Mr. Farrar said Regional Planning felt there is no reason zoning should be identical, but it should be compatible. Mr. Cimonetti asked if there is any sense of how Regional Planning uses its funds and whether the city will get hit with any new fees. Mr. Farrar didn't anticipate any new costs. Mr. Cimonetti then asked about a $5,000 grant with a local match provided by CCTA. He asked if Regional Planning is being financed by financing CCTA. Mr. Farrar said that isn't the case. Because of federal funding requirements, the grant had to be made that way. The work in question is being done specifically for CCTA. Mr. Cimonetti asked if there are any indications of any legislative initiatives. Mr. Farrar noted that in the housing study there were suggestions for possible legislation. He noted that the majority of the Commission is looking more closely at these things. The feeling is there should be broad membership support for any legislative initiative and members should not be caught by surprise. On a personal note, Mr. Farrar thanked the rescue units that responded following his recent accident and said they performed very professionally. 3. Update on Chittenden Regional Solid Waste District: Mr. Condos said the plan is proceeding. The Board has just completed review of implementation plans and is getting the final draft ready for public review. Included in the plan is the possibility that in the spring there will be a ballot item regarding mandatory recycling. Mr. Dinklage suggested a warned public hearing on this. Mr. Condos reported that negotiations are continuing with Williston. The mobile household hazardous waste facility is now in operation at the old Green Mountain Power building near Exit 12. Also, the audit has been completed and concerns from the last audit were rectified. Mr. Hafter said he had heard that the plan is to have the city close the landfill in July or December, 1992, and that if the city wants to continue to use it there would be a heavy fee. He said he didn't want to see that happen. Mr. Audette said the only thing he had heard was that communities that hadn't been putting money away would be penalized. Mr. Cimonetti said he didn't feel the landfills will close on that date. He wondered whether the district could operate them until closure. 4. Consideration of Request from Agency of Transportation for South Burlington-Colchester to Assume Control of Lime Kiln Bridge Replacement Project BMH5600(6): Mr. Hafter said the Agency is willing to turn over certain aspects of the project to the local communities. The State would then give a final review. The State must be notified within 60 days if the communities are willing to assume this role. Mr. Hafter said he has been told that funds are available for design and the communities can look at the State studies. There are no construction funds available now. Mr. Dinklage said he strongly supports this move. The MPO has been lobbying the Agency to let these things happen. Mr. Chittenden asked why. Mr. Hafter said it is more expeditious. The state has the funds but does not have the staff to perform the work. It also involves communities in the planning stages so the state doesn't plan something the communities don't want. Mr. Condos moved to authorize the City Manager to secure an agreement with the agency. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Chittenden asked that a draft of the agreement with Colchester be brought to the Council for approval. Mr. Condos said he felt this was an exciting process that will speed up work and save money. 5. Consideration of Establishment of University-Agricultural Zoning District in South Burlington: Mr. Weith said he had discussed this with Mr. Cimonetti who first proposed it. The Planning Commission hasn't discussed it yet, but it is on tomorrow's agenda. He asked for feedback to give to the Commission. Mr. Cimonetti said the zone would reflect the present uses of the land. He felt the proposed wording was in good shape. Mr. Chittenden asked what would happen if the University sold the land. Mr. Cimonetti said there would be a new zone. Mr. Weith noted the Commission has scheduled a public hearing for 12 November and if the Commission chooses, the item could be part of that meeting. 6. Review Planning Commission Agenda for 5 November and Zoning Board Agenda for 18 November. Mr. Condos noted the first item on the Zoning agenda has been heard before and he suggested the Board be advised to look at the history of this. 8. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement orders were signed. 9. Other Business: a. MPO: Mr. Dinklage said there is a possibility of the local share needing to be increased. The Act under which the MPO was formed has expired and there is legislation in both houses to provide a new program. Both suggest a higher local share. The share is presently 15%, and Mr. Dinklage felt the new split would probably be 80-20. The budget for MPO is just less than $300,000. $38,700 is provided by local communities. With an 80-20 split, South Burlington's cost would go from $5868 to $8502. Mr. Cimonetti asked why a 50% increase. Mr. Dinklage said he felt the MPO has served the city very well. A substantial part of the budget provides assistance to local communities. MPO prepares the TIP, does studies, etc. Two South Burlington projects, Williston Rd. and Shelburne Rd. widenings, are at the top of the TIP. Mr. Hafter asked if the MPO could charge for its services as Regional Planning is doing. Mr. Cimonetti said he felt they should do an exercise as to how they could function with less money. Mr. Flaherty noted that most complaints he hears from citizens are about traffic, and he felt this was one area not to cut. b. Dorset Street Update: Mr. Hafter advised that work is a little behind schedule. Park Construction is committed to trying to meet the schedule and has 6 crews working on the street now. They are doing their best to move traffic and have responded well to problems. They are trying not to inconvenience the neighborhoods. The water line is in, and it is felt that all utilities will meet the 12/31 deadline. Mr. Hafter noted that Park intends to be out of the road by Thanksgiving so the winter coat can be put on. They will continue to work in the right of way. c. National Grange Convention: Mr. Cimonetti advised that he got a call from the person in charge who asked that a representative from the city be invited to attend the Sunday evening opening dinner on 10 November. Mr. Hafter said he would be pleased to attend. 8. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Dinklage moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a first class restaurant application from Pizza Putt, Inc., at 1205 Airport Parkway, and a first class restaurant application from GM Restaurants of Vermont, Red Lobster #583, 1025 Shelburne Rd. He said both applications have gotten the necessary clearances. Mr. Chittenden moved to grant both first class license requests 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 personnel issues and contract negotiations, and to resume regular session only to adjourn. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Mr. Condos moved adjournment. Mr. Cimonetti seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.