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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 12/05/1994CITY COUNCIL 5 December 1994 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 5 December 1994, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; Robert Chittenden, David Maclaughlin, James Condos, Michael Flaherty Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Asst. City Manager; Albert Audette, Street Dept; William Burgess, Planning Commission; Joe Weith, City Planner; Barbara Hibbitts, Rosalind Saunders, David Boulanger, Social Responsibility Committee; Wallace Possich, Fire Dept; Brian Searles, Lee Graham, Gary Margolis, Police Dept; Marilyn Frederick, School District; Frank Mazur, Alex Blair, Dwight, Debi & Courtney Palmer, Brad Merritt, Joanna Pakula, Michael Arruzza 1. Adoption of Resolution of Appreciation to Police Chief Brian Searles for His Service to South Burlington: Mr. Cimonetti read the Resolution honoring Chief Searles and wished him luck in his future endeavors. Mr. Condos moved to adopt and sign the Resolution. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to agenda items): Lonnie Fields of Holiday Inn raised the question of traffic signals at Dorset St/Williston Rd. He said the signalling is the worst he's seen in 30 years. They were promised delayed signals to allow people to exit Holiday Inn. The delayed signal doesn't work half the time, Mr. Fields said. People can't cross the on the pedestrian signal, and there will be a very serious accident one of these days. Mr. Condos acknowledged the problem which he has witnessed. Mr. Hafter said the light is still under state control but will soon be under city control. He said the state will not address the problem. There are 3 options: a lead green, which Mr. Hafter said is very dangerous, a delayed green, which is also dangerous, or a protective phase (minimum of 13 seconds). This last option is the only safe one, but it will have an impact on traffic at the intersection. 2. Announcements and City Manager's Report: a) Mr. Maclaughlin noted that he had attended the Phase II Training Session on Light Rail. Some very interesting concepts were presented. Mr. Cimonetti noted there is a meeting on 15 December at which time community participation will be discussed. b) Mr. Hafter announced the following meetings: 1. 13 December, Neighbors of Bartlett Bay Treatment Facility 2. 15 December, 7 p.m., Residents of Village at Dorset Park 3. 21 December, Vermont Rail, Commuter Rail Project (meeting held at S. B. City Hall 4. 19 December, City Council, at which time the annual report photos will be taken c. Mr. Hafter updated the Dorset St. additional access situation. Mr. Fleggenheimer has said angle-in parking is best for him. The project has gone to the engineers. There will be no left turn out of this access. d. Further discussions need to be held regarding the proposed access to I-89 at Kennedy Drive/Dorset St. It is now felt that this access would result in increased traffic on Spear and Dorset Streets from the south. e. Two South Burlington Fire Fighters, John Fortune and Kim Datillio have been honored. f. The "Merry Mulch" program for recycling Xmas trees will be held again after the holidays. g. There will be a "Great Wrap Roundup" to recycle gift wrap. This will be held at Simply Better on Church St. h. The first Council meeting for the new year is scheduled for 2 January, a legal holiday. Members agreed to meet on 9 January. 4. Interviews for Appointments to the Social Responsibility Committee: Mr. Cimonetti said 4 of the members are willing to serve again. The three members present were then interviewed. Ms. Summers said she appreciates that the city allots funds to human services agencies. She works for United Way, and said this funding is very important for the city to do. She noted that all of the agencies supported by the city do significant work in the city. She felt this brings an awareness to the city of what is being done for city residents. She suggested more education of the public as to what agencies do and where they are located. Ms. Hibbitts added that she felt the Committee has streamlined the process. Mr. Boulanger said they did a good job within the confines of budget limitations. He felt it was good to know the ceiling in advance and also to have committee members experienced in social welfare. Mr. Condos said he supports the work of the committee and is very pleased with the information given to the Council by the Committee. Mr. Chittenden felt that despite his differences with the Committee, it is an excellent board. Ms. Summers asked the Council to look at the budget and see if it is possible to go above level funding this year. She noted that some of the work of the supported agencies (e.g. Women Helping Battered Women) saves the city money in other ways, such as law enforcement efforts. Mr. Maclaughlin said voters have recently passed a road bond and a school bond and there are very pressing needs in other areas. He felt he could support only level funding. Mr. Chittenden suggested giving one sum to United Way. Ms. Hibbitts said that would mean money might not go to agencies who do significant work in S. Burlington. 5. Report from Art Hogan, Executive Director of Regional Planning Commission on Progress on Regional Plan: Mr. Hogan said they are looking for feedback from the communities. The Regional Plan is due in June. Mr. Maclaughlin asked if there are any thoughts on the Shelburne/South Burlington situation regarding the Milot development. Mr. Hogan said Regional Planning is a party to the process. Mr. Condos asked if communities are consulted when the Regional Plan is put together. Mr. Hogan said there is a continuing dialog with communities. Regional Planning reviews the Comprehensive Plans of communities as well. Mr. Cimonetti noted it hasn't submitted its plan for approval. He asked if this is the time to try to bring the Regional Plan into conformance with the city's plan. Mr. Hogan said he would expect to meet with the City Planner on that. Mr. Cimonetti said he felt it was the city's obligation to point out where it feels the plans are at variance. 6. Continued Discussion of Commercial Signage Issue of Multiple Signs on a Single Lot: Mr. Hafter said that after the last meeting there was an impression left that the owner of the lots in question on Williston Rd. would maintain 2 lots, each with a sign. Since then, he has changed his mind and combined the lots into one because he uses a building on one of the lots for storage. There are 4 options now: a. wall signs which come out perpendicular to the building (20-24 sq. ft.) b. 2 pylon signs per lot, one 32 sq. ft., One 20 sq. ft., with increased setbacks c. allow 3 wall signs, maximum 10% total of facade area d. do nothing Mr. Flaherty felt that option I was an interesting concept. Mr. Condos noted that since the lots have been combined, a variance is no longer possible. Mr. Maclaughlin liked option 3 in this case because the building is so close to the sidewalk. He felt it could be aesthetically done. Mr. Hafter said he would draw up language for the Council to review and asked Ms. Pakula to discuss the situation with her landlord. Mr. Condos reminded members that this change, if made, would be city-wide. Mr. Cimonetti reminded Ms. Pakula that as of now her sign is in violation. He stressed that the city is not trying to put her out of business but is trying to solve the problem. 7. First Reading of S. Burlington Impact Fee Ordinance; Schedule Public Hearing for Same: Mr. Condos moved to waive reading of the proposed Ordinance and to schedule a public hearing for 9 January. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Mr. Weith noted the Ordinance had been revised since the last discussion based on comments from the City Attorney. It now sets forth various policies regarding impact fees (such as when money must be spent, procedure for refunds, credits for in-kind contributions, appeals, enforcement, etc.). Mr. Maclaughlin said he was inclined to be opposed as he felt it's a double tax scenario. Mr. Flaherty noted that if there are no impact fees, the entire cost of a road or road improvements is borne by the taxpayers. Mr. Hafter stressed that a new development doesn't pay the full cost of improvements, only that percentage which represents the traffic it adds to an intersection. Mr. Cimonetti noted that when you collect impact fees, you don't collect that money in taxes. Mr. Hafter added that impact fees are for specific projects. If those projects aren't done, the money must be returned. Impact fees lower the property taxes to be collected for specific projects. In the vote that followed, the motion passed 3-2 with Messrs. Maclaughlin and Chittenden opposing. 9. Consideration of Memorandum from Planning Commission; Official City Map, proposed Mary St. Extension: Mr. Weith reviewed the history of the issue. The Planning Commission suggested shifting the road about 20 ft. to the east. This would have less of an impact on the Judge property. 10. Response from South Burlington Economic Development Committee on Use of Revenue Bonds for Improvements to Green Acres Development: Mr. Cimonetti said the Committee had the same concerns as the City Council on this issue. 11. Review Zoning Board Notice for 12/12 and Planning Commission agenda for 12/6: No issues were raised. 12. Approval of City Council Minutes for 17 October and 14 November: Mr. Chittenden moved the Minutes of 17 October be approved as written. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Messrs Condos and Flaherty abstaining. Mr. Flaherty moved the Minutes of 14 November be approved as written. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. Executive Session: Mr. Chittenden moved the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss appointments to Boards and Committees and to resume regular session only to make such appointments and/or adjourn. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. David MacLaughlin moved the appointment of Rosalind Saunders, David Boulanger and Barbara Hibbits to the Social Responsibility Committee for one-year terms. Bob Chittenden seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Jim Condos moved adjournment. Bob Chittenden seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 PM. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.