Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 09/20/1993CITY COUNCIL 20 SEPTEMBER 1993 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday 20 September 1993, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: Michael Flaherty, Chairman; James Condos, Robert Chittenden, John Dinklage, William Cimonetti Also Present: Peg Strait, Asst. City Manager; Joe Weith, City Planner; Sonny Audette, Street Dept; Bill Burgess, Planning Commission; Charles Scott, Jane DiFernando, Becky Davis, Vince Bolduc, Dave Maclaughlin, Barbara Bull, Barbara Hibbitts, Lou Kleh, Carolee Berger Dean Economou, Dean Zoecklein, George Sporzynski, David Grass, Susan Deacon, Lenore Budd, Kathleen Ryan, Bob Alexander, Julie Campoli 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to Agenda Items: No issues were raised. 2. Update on Progress of S. Burlington Family Center: Jane DiFernando thanked the city for its support during the year. She reviewed the history of the center and said its goal is to promote healthy, happy families by providing information, assessing needs, and directing people to existing services. She noted the group has a satellite relationship with the Lund Family Center and collaborates with other community groups. They have worked on a city-wide needs assessment, have a fathering support group, and have held a family fund fest during the spring. Becky Davis reviewed the results of the needs assessment. She noted that of the group responding, 80% supported the family center concept and 66.4% would support a small tax increase to help pay for it. 69.3% favor an indoor recreation facility, a place where people can congregate. Other suggested activities included: parent support groups, parenting classes, toddler play groups, a senior activity center, social services referral service, care for elderly parents group, home visits to new parents, pre-natal counseling. Ms. DiFernando outlined the program for the next year which includes such activities as: a nurturing parenting program, adolescent parenting groups, siblings without rivalry, toddler play groups, crafts and kids, discussions on normal sexual development and a family fund fest. Ms. Davis then outlined their budget which includes funding for a part-time coordinator. The total expenditures for the year would be $13,000. Income from the city, the Lund Family Center and local donations is estimated at $4,637.53 with additional funds from the Lund Center and IDX of $3,000. The group plans to apply for grants and other funding. Mr. Cimonetti asked if programs will be free to participants. DiFernando said that is their hope. Ms. DiFernando noted that 159 babies were born in S. Burlington last year and that with them come family needs. 3. Consideration of Request from Economou Farms, Inc. for Feasibility Study to Evaluate Public/Private Partnership for Development of a Municipal Golf Course in the Southeast Quadrant: Mr. Zoecklin presented the proposal. He said the overall concept is to maintain open space. The land in question would go from the corner of Swift and Dorset to Old Cross Rd (which will be the Holmes Rd. Extension). At present, more than 600 residential units are allowed on the land. The present proposal would result in only a maximum of 330. A future school site would be part of the package. It would be anticipated that revenues from the golf course would pay to keep the land on Dorset St. open. Mr. Zoecklein then showed the potential link with the city park. He noted this would be the only municipal golf course in the State. They are asking the city to do a feasibility study so the city would be comfortable with the numbers involved. Mr. Cimonetti noted there have been 2 meetings between the City Council and the developer. He also noted a golf course was part of the original "super block" study. The proposal would be a joint partnership between a municipality and a developer. The city would own the property on which the golf course would be located. He said this is a very expensive project, but one which has the potential to be fully supported without use of tax revenues. The cost of the study is estimated at between $10,000 and $12,000 and can be funded, Mr. Cimonetti said, with recreation impact fees already existing in a fund. Members of the audience, including Ms. Bull, Mr. Sporzynski, Ms. Bell and Mr. Mclaughlin felt it was an exciting project. Mr. Mclaughlin asked if revenues would be used to alleviate the tax burden. Mr. Flaherty said money would go into the general revenues. Mr. Chittenden spoke against the concept and did not feel the city should pay for the feasibility study since it is not city property. He also felt more money could be generated from the property if it was privately owned. Mr. Cimonetti replied this would not be a feasibility study to determine whether a private golf course would be feasible, but whether a municipally owned golf course would be feasible. He felt it was not all that different from the city owning a fire truck. Mr. Sporzynski said that what makes a city attractive to live in are amenities like a golf course. This is an attractive proposal that could pay for itself and even make money for the city. Ms. Hibbitts asked if the club house could be used in winter for a teen center. Mr. Flaherty said that could be looked at. Mr. Dinklage said it would be a city facility and it would be up to the city to determine how it is used. He noted the difference between what it would cost a private developer to develop a golf course and what it would cost a municipality. He said there is a risk factor with either one, but he felt it was worth finding out what the risk would be. Mr. Cimonetti moved that the City Manager be directed to prepare a request for proposal on a public golf course and to bring that request to the City Council at its next schedules meeting. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed 4-1 with Mr. Chittenden voting against. 4. Review of Transit, Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Study for Williston and Shelburne Roads: Mr. Weith noted the study had been funded through the MPO. Ms. Ryan then explained the process which included an on-site tour, interviews with people representing biking and disabilities interests. Researchers used bikes and the bus system, took photos. It studies the area from the Jug Handle to Muddy Brook on Williston Rd. and from the Burlington line to Imperial Drive on Shelburne Rd. Ms. Campoli reviewed existing conditions. She noted a lot of bikers and walkers use these roads. Sidewalks are not in good condition and are not up to ADA specs as they are not handicapped accessible. There are no bus shelters and not enough space to wait for buses. Traffic signals are not placed where pedestrians can see them. Dangerous conditions (such as grates) exist for bikers. In most cases it was felt the routes were very hostile for pedestrians and bikers. She showed photos of the areas. Ms. Ryan presented the recommendations resulting from the study. On Shelburne Rd. they recommend accommodations for cyclists, street trees, traffic islands. At the Sears Plaza they recommend enlarging the island and adding a bus shelter. On Williston Rd, they recommend a bus shelter at Staples Plaza and at the Sheraton. Travelled lanes could be narrowed which would slow traffic and allow for a bike lane. Mr. Condos noted the Agency of Transportation is opposed to a lot of this thinking. Ms. Ryan acknowledged this is true but added that things are changing at the federal level. Discussion also arose as to whether cyclists should be accommodated on the roads or should be restricted to off-road bike paths. Ms. Compoli noted the area of Williston Rd. that is to be widened is of concern to them as the widening will eliminate every existing pedestrian amenity. People will be closer to cars, there will be no greenery and it will be much noisier. She noted that when you increase the capacity of a road, more cars will use it. She encouraged alternative transportation and the establishment of a service road along that section of Williston Rd. Mr. Dinklage asked if a bridge at Holiday Inn was considered. Ms. Ryan said no because people don't use it. Ms. Deacon of the Disabilities Council noted their accessibility concerns. She said there are 12,000 people in the County with disabilities, 1,249 of whom live in S. Burlington. She will submit a report with their concerns and recommendations. 5. Presentation of Dorset St. Signing Report: Mr. Cimonetti explained the background and recommended that the report be sent to the Planning Commission for their reactions and then forwarded to the Agency of Transportation for consideration of "unique signage." He said the alternatives to the plan would result in mass confusion or even a sign for every business on the street. Mr. Cimonetti moved to send the report to the Planning Commission for its comments. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Other Business: Mr. Cimonetti reviewed the Correction Center situation. He noted the fire problem the other night was a reaction to an escape. The investigation is continuing. On an emergency basis, the Department of State Buildings is letting a contract for building improvements. Mr. Cimonetti recommended that the City Manager convene the Corrections Center Liaison Committee and have them report to the Council on what is going on there and what it means for security to the community. Mr. Flaherty noted the Steering Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 30 September. Executive Session: Mr. Dinklage moved the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations and to resume regular session only to sign a contract and/or adjourn. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session at 10:50 PM to vote on the Fire Contract for July 1, 1993 - June 30, 1995. Mr. Dinklage made a motion to pass the Fire Contract for 9/1/93 - 6/30/95 and Mr. Condos seconded this motion. The motion passed 4 to 1 with Mr. Chittenden opposed. Mr. Condos made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Chittenden seconded this motion. The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 PM. Respectfully submitted: Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.