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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/28/1991CITY COUNCIL 28 October 1991 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Tuesday, 28 October 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; William Burgess, Planning Commission; Joe Weith, City Planner; Brian Searles, Police Chief; William Schuele, Tom Chittenden 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda Items): No issues were raised. 2. Discuss options to improve the efficiency of the Planning Commission: Mr. Burgess referred to a memo sent by the City Planner to the Council. He noted that in the area of development review there wasn't much that could be done to help a developer through the review process any quicker, but there were probably things that could help the Commission get through the process quicker though these could slow the developer down. Mr. Flaherty asked whether in Southeast Quadrant development reviews, where approval of both the Commission and Council is required, they might begin the process together earlier so the Commission would know the Council's thinking. Mr. Burgess agreed. Mr. Weith then suggested eliminating the Council from such reviews and just having the Commission do them as they do with all other reviews. Mr. Chittenden suggested that if there are then appeals, these could come to the Council. Mr. Weith noted this is contrary to state law. Mr. Cimonetti said he took exception to a the statement that the Commission should have a clear direction from the Council with a pre-determined answer. Mr. Flaherty said he felt the Commission just wants to know what the Council's concerns are. Mr. Dinklage said that if the Commission felt itself in a quagmire, they should come back to the Council. Mr. Burgess agreed with Mr. Dinklage on this. Mr. Schuele said he felt it was embarrassing to the Planning Commission to say to them that they should be "timely" when they spend a great deal of time doing what the Council told them to do with regard to the Comprehensive Plan, and then the Council rejects it and gives it back to them. Mr. Schuele said all that takes time. Mr. Condos felt there should be nights for just planning with no development review. Mr. Weith said there have been a number of such nights. Mr. Cimonetti asked for an accounting of these meetings. Mr. Dinklage suggested a checklist for development review. If an applicant hasn't completed the list, the review cannot be held. Mr. Weith noted that some applicants feel they'll get a better shake on some issues if they go to the Commission rather than complying with what the Planner requests. Mr. Hafter said he didn't feel the Commission should do the developers' work for them. 3. Discussion of City Social Services Funding and the Direction of the Social Responsibility Committee: Mr. Flaherty noted that no members of the Committee were present. Mr. Cimonetti said he was concerned with the direction the Council is taking with level funding. He felt the city is setting up a committee that is competing with the allocations process of United Way and didn't feel this was good for United Way or the agencies. He recommended the city take a different tack: instead of trying to allocate a budget amount across a group of agencies, pick one area in which to spend an allotted amount of money and focus on that. He suggested affordable housing as the area to focus on. Mr. Dinklage felt this idea had merit but thought perhaps not all the allocation should go for one item. Members agreed to put the issue on the 18 November agenda. 4. Consideration of Request to Prohibit "Coin Drops" on City Streets: Mr. Dinklage said he felt regulations were needed to deal with coin drops. Mr. Cimonetti felt the Council should go on record to establish a policy by which coin drops are not allowed. Mr. Chittenden said he didn't feel it was a bad idea to have them. Mr. Dinklage said he would like to have advance warning of coin drops so the time and number of them can be regulated. Mr. Flaherty agreed that if they are to exist, safety issues have to be considered. Chief Searles said he didn't know how big this is going to get. He said he had no calls of complaint. He felt he needed more time to think about it. Mr. Cimonetti moved that coin drops be prohibited until staff can present a policy that a majority of the Council can approve. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Accept letter of resignation from Haidee Antram, Natural Resources Committee: Mr. Dinklage moved to accept Ms. Antram's resignation and to instruct the City Manager to prepare a letter of appreciation for her services. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Review Planning Commission Agenda for 29 October: No issues were raised. 7. Review Minutes of 30 September and 7 October: Mr. Cimonetti noted in the Minutes of 30 September, p. 5, the word "elimination" of view protection zones should be "examination." Mr. Chittenden moved to approve Minutes of 30 Sept. and 7 Oct. as amended. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement orders were signed. 9. Other Business: Mr. Hafter presented Resolutions to the S. Burlington H.S. men's soccer and lacrosse teams for their 1991 championships. Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the Resolutions as presented. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter advised that a Steering Committee meeting to discuss a citizens' report on the school system should be held next month. Members agreed on 25 November. 10. 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 liquor license request from Franny O's, formerly Garfield's, 733 Queen City Park Rd. Mr. Cimonetti said he opposed the request because most of the questions were not answered. Ms. Picard said she assumed they were unanswered as they were not applicable to the applicant. The motion was made by Bob Chittenden to approve the request with John Dinklage seconding the motion. Motion was approved by a 3-2 vote. 11. Executive Session: Mr. Dinklage moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations, real property acquisition, and litigation and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjourning. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The City Council returned to regular session. Mr. Condos moved adjournment, Mr. Chittenden seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 PM. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.