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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 06/06/1994CITY COUNCIL 6 JUNE 1994 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 6 June 1994, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chairman; Michael Flaherty, James Condos, David Maclaughlin Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Assistant City Manager; Peg Picard, City Clerk; Joe Weith, City Planner; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Dept; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Ruth Poger, The Other Paper; Mike Sheridan, Channel 17; Eric Fleggenheimer 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to items on the Agenda: Mr. Cimonetti suggested setting up on a regular basis two new items for each meeting: announcements (regarding other governmental meetings, etc.) and an operations report from the City Manager. Other members felt this was a good idea. 2. Consideration of Request from Disabled American Veterans for Coin Drop, 25 June 1994: Mr. Hafter said the coin drop would take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at Hinesburg Rd/Kennedy Drive. The paperwork is in order and the applicant has done this in the past. Work on that intersection that is currently in progress should be done by that time. Mr. Condos asked if this is a S. Burlington organization. Mr. Hafter said their address is S. Burlington. Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the Disabled American Veterans coin drop as presented. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Report of Planning Commission on Proposed Dorset Street Median Break: Mr. Hafter reviewed the history of the issue and noted that the proposed location of the right of way is on the official city map as a future city street. He said the issue was discussed at the Planning Commission and they asked for a study of the implications of the proposal from the point of view of traffic, safety, and changes in parking and circulation on the lot/lots affected. The Commission did not feel a median break would be justified if this were to be a private road. Mr. Hafter recommended that he, the City Planner and City Engineer get together and look into this and then, if they feel it is warranted, go to an engineer for final design. Mr. Condos noted that some utility connections would probably have to be moved. Mr. Maclaughlin felt the public good has to benefit from this and suggested the possibility of a curve in the proposed road around the utility box. Mr. Cimonetti said they should also consider access issue on the west side Dorset St. Mr. Weith noted that the only thing the applicant's traffic study addressed was an interim plan, not a plan for a full city street. Mr. Hafter felt they could have a report in a month. 4. Discussion of Prohibited Parking on Central Avenue adjacent to Red Rocks Park: Mr. Hafter said the Traffic Safety Unit had noted that the city has, in the past, posted "no parking" signs in this area but that there is no ordinance to support these signs. There are three possible options: a) continue to post the signs but not enforce them; b) don't post the signs; c) adopt an ordinance to enforce the signs. Last year $4400 was collected in park fees. It cost the city $3200 to have someone there to collect the fees. Mr. Hafter recommended not posting the area and see what happens. Mr. O'Neill said he had no problem with this as long as the main gate can still be staffed. He was also concerned with the safety of walkers. Mr. Audette said there could be a problem if some people begin to double park, blocking other cars in. Members agreed by consensus to go with the City Manager's suggestion and then get an update as park use begins to increase. 5. Discussion of Procedure for Appointments to Boards & Commissions: Mr. Maclaughlin requested that since he is a new member, he would like candidates, even incumbents, invited in for interviews so he had a chance to get to know them. Mr. Condos felt this was good as long as people who feel uncomfortable with being interviewed are not removed from committees for not coming in. Members agreed to do the interviewing over a 2 or 3 meeting period. 6. Consideration of Appointment of South Burlington Economic Development Committee: Mr. Hafter presented the list of applicants as follows: Dan O'Brien, Angelo Pizzagalli, Ann Pugh, Jim Lamphere, John Wilking, George Mona, Mark Crow, Peter Jacob, Harry Behny. Following a brief discussion, Mr. Flaherty moved to appoint the Economic Development Committee as presented. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Request for Approval of Tax Rates to Support the 1994-5 Fiscal Year Budget and Special Assessment District Tax Rates, User Fee for Sanitary Sewer: Mr. Hafter presented the list of proposed tax rates. Mr. Flaherty moved to set the City Tax Rate at .797. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty moved to set the special assessment approved by the voters for repair of roads at .036. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty moved to set the special assessment for the Dorset Street work at .285. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty moved to set the special assessment for Swift Estates/Ethan Allen Farms at .259. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty moved to set the Country Club Estates sanitary sewer rate at .50. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty moved to set the fee for Water Pollution Control at 11.30 per 1,000 cubic feet of water use, this rate to be effective with bills sent out in July. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Condos noted that South Burlington has the lowest rates for water pollution control in the county. 8. Consideration of Approval of $175,000 Bond Anticipation Note for Closure of the Landfill: Mr. Hafter asked the Council not to take action on this item tonight. The original estimate for landfill closure was $1,300,000. It now looks like that will be only $775,000, so the city will need to sell $175,000 in bonds. The bond bank believes the city can make an application in time for the next sale the last week in June. Members agreed to withdraw the item from the agenda. Mr. Hafter credited the work of Mr. Audette and his department for bringing the project in at such a low cost. Mr. Condos added that the results of the work look very good from the Interstate. 9. Consideration of Approval of Contract for Fiscal '94, '95 and '96 Financial audits: Mr. Hafter said the city has been using Peisch, but in the recent bidding, the low bidder was Sullivan & Powers & Co. Mr. Flaherty moved to appoint Sullivan & Powers & Co. and to award them the contract for financial audits for fiscal '94, '95 and '96. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Review of Anticipated Work Plan 1994-5 Street Department: Mr. Hafter said this work can be done based on the assessment approved by voters. He then reviewed the list of projects. Mr. Maclaughlin asked if there is a precedent for going over the $250,000 for the first year of the work plan. Mr. Hafter said the city can collect only $250,000 in tax money but they won't need to do any physical borrowing as the remainder can be funded on a cash flow basis. Mr. Cimonetti said that it may turn out to be cheaper if the work is finished faster. Mr. Audette noted that all concrete work and recycling and sidewalk work will be contracted. City employees will do all the preparation. 11. Review Zoning Board Agenda for 6/13 and Planning Commission Agenda for 6/7: No issues were raised. 12. Review Minutes of 16 May: Mr. Condos moved to approve the Minutes of 16 May as written. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Mr. Maclaughlin abstaining. 13. Minutes of Organizational Meeting of 23 May: Mr. Condos moved to approve the Minutes of 23 May as printed. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 14. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 15. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Condos moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented the list of 1994 annual entertainment permits as follows: Jake's Bar & Grill Franny O's Ground Round Sheraton Holiday Inn Bambino's Mr. Hafter recommended all be approved as submitted. Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the 1994 annual entertainment permits as presented. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Executive Session: Mr. Condos moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing litigation and personnel issues and to resume regular session. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council reconvened in regular session. Jim Condos moved to grant a 3.5% salary increase to the City Manager effective July 1, 1994. This is the same increase given all other employees. Make Flaherty seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Jim Condos moved adjournment. Dave MacLaughlin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.