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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 08/23/1993CITY COUNCIL 23 AUGUST 1993 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 23 August 1993, 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; Peg Strait, Asst. City Manager; Joe Weith, City Planner; Don Whitten, WPCD; Gail Barone, Gerry Milot, Dean Economou 1. Comments & Questions from the Public (not related to agenda items): a. Ms. Barone said her child has suffered eye and ear problems and severe bug bites from swimming at Red Rocks Park. She has tried to contact health officials and has been given the "run around." She noted that on some days the lifeguards said, "Swim at your own risk." Mr. Hafter noted there has been tremendous growth of algae this year because of the hot weather. Seaweed is cut, but it's hard to keep up with. Mr. Dinklage asked if other children have been affected. Ms. Barone said other children have suffered from bug bites, as have life guards. Mr. Cimonetti said it is a good idea to bring it to the State as there are many restrictions as to what the city can do about spraying, etc. Mr. Flaherty said the city will also check with the state and find out how widespread the problem is and what can be done. b. Mr. Hafter noted the next regularly scheduled meeting is on Labor Day. Members agreed to meet the following Monday, 13 September. 2. Discussion of Proposed Capital Program Budget and Schedule for Adoption of Capital Budget and Impact Fee Ordinance: Mr. Hafter noted a Public Hearing has tentatively been scheduled for a Steering Committee meeting on 30 September. Both the city and school capital budgets will be looked at. Mr. Cimonetti raised the question of flexibility of the capital budget. What would happen if the city didn't do exactly what was in the capital budget? Mr. Hafter said there is some room for flexibility; however, using road money for a fire truck would not be acceptable. There is also no obligation to do the work, but monies for work not done must be refunded. Mr. Cimonetti noted there are some capital items which the Planning Commission requires of applicants in the stipulations for approvals. Would this policy be allowed to continue. Mr. Hafter said they would as long as they were site specific. Mr. Hafter noted the projects in the proposed capital budget are essentially the same as in the earlier approved capital budget. He reviewed the projects and noted some that have been moved to earlier or later dates. He also noted that traditionally extra work has been accomplished by bond issues. Bonds get paid back in 20 years and wind up costing twice as much as the project. He suggested going to the voters to approve a 2¢ or 3¢ increase in the tax rate to get projects done in less time and more economically. Mr. Hafter said they will go through all the streets in the city within the next few weeks to see what needs to be done. They will also put a cost on all projects. Mr. Chittenden said he was opposed to an addition to the tax rate and felt there was a better way to do it such as not spending $9,000 road openings. Mr. Dinklage asked would Mr. Chittenden still be opposed even if the voters approved it. Mr. Chittenden said he would. Mr. Hafter also raised the possibility of a fire impact fee. He said this will become more important as taller buildings go up in the City Center. Mike Munson is going to look into this. Mr. Hafter noted that there is a movement toward central dispatching for emergency services in the state. Mr. Weith explained the circumstances for a City Center Parking Authority. In instances where a developer couldn't meet all parking required on site for a particular development, the developer would pay into a fund which the city would use to build parking facilities. Mr. Cimonetti said he was willing to consider a new capital budget but not until he could understand the relationship to impact fees. He said he would like to hear from the City Attorney on this. Mr. Hafter suggested having the City Attorney at the next meeting. Audience input was then solicited. Mr. Milot said highway impact fees make sense as new development add trip ends in the city. He was not sure something like a park impact fee was reasonable. He also felt there are some aspects of impact fees that place a burden on the Master Plan (affordable housing, housing for the elderly, as examples). Mr. Condos moved to set the Public Hearing for a Steering Committee meeting to be held on 30 September. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Discussion of Future plans for expansion of Bartlett Bay Wastewater Treatment Facility: Mr. Hafter said the question is whether the city is going for a bond issue. The estimated cost of expansion if about $4,000,000. This would raise the sewer rate 31%. As an alternative, there could be a tax incremental district along Shelburne Rd. as has been done in other areas. This will be investigated with a financial advisor. Mr. Dinklage asked if the city could bond for design work. Mr. Cimonetti suggested borrowing is cheaper. He proposed getting the design work done now but not the construction. Mr. Dinklage agreed and felt the design work should be done so it is ready to go if federal funds become available. Mr. Cimonetti asked if design cost could be recovered as "site specific impact fees." Mr. Hafter said they could. 4. Review of Schedule for Public Works Dept. Jobs 1993-4: Mr. Dinklage said he would like to put the drainage work on Woodbine St. higher on the list. Mr. Cimonetti said he would like to see park work advanced to where grass seed is put on topsoil when there is still growing time (Oct 1 instead of Nov. 1). He also felt the Hinesburg Rd/Kennedy Dr. work needs to be done this construction season and should be put ahead of San Remo Dr. Mr. Dinklage said he wanted to specifically list curb cut and sidewalk work on Williston Rd. Mr. Hafter suggested using money saved from Williston Rd. reconstruction of exits be used for this purpose. Mr. Cimonetti was opposed to this as he couldn't justify using highway funds for sidewalk work. Mr. Dinklage moved to use the $25,000 anticipated saving from Williston Road reconstruction to do drainage improvements on Woodbine Street and commit the remainder to curb cut reconstruction on Williston Rd. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed 4-1 with Mr. Cimonetti opposing. 5. Consideration of appointment to Sign Ordinance Review Committee: Mr. Flaherty has indicated the willingness of Tony Cairns to serve. Mr. Dinklage moved to appoint Tony Cairns to the Sign Ordinance Review Committee. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Review Planning Commission Agenda for 24 August 1993: No issues were raised. 7. Read Minutes of 9 August 1993: Mr. Dinklage moved the Minutes of 9 August be approved as written. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 9. Executive Session: Mr. Condos moved the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss Real Property acquisition and personnel issues and to resume regular session for the purpose of adjourning. He further moved that Dean Economou and his designer be invited to the Executive Session. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Mr. Cimonetti moved adjournment. Mr. Condos seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:50 PM. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.