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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/21/1994CITY COUNCIL 21 MARCH 1994 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday 21 March 1994, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: Michael Flaherty, Chairman; John Dinklage, William Cimonetti, Robert Chittenden, James Condos Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Asst. City Manager; Sonny Audette, Street Dept; Stephen Stitzel, City Attorney; Eve Thorsen, Free Press; Bob Hest, Dave Maclaughlin, Dave Lavallee, Bob Hawke, Tom Chittenden 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to agenda items): Mr. Tom Chittenden expressed concern with some old barbed wire on Dorset St. near the Calkins & Brand properties. Mr. Audette said it will be removed this spring when the posts can be taken out. 2. Interview with Applicant for Natural Resources Commission: The Council interviewed Cindy Provost who said she is interested in what's going on in South Burlington and also in the environment. She said she has talked with people on the Zoning Board and has attended some of their meetings. She said she would like to see more people get involved in city issues. Mr. Cimonetti noted the Natural Resources people are being asked more and more to look at planning issues and development plans. In addition, a large part of the Calkins land that won't be developed will still be accessible for citizens and the Natural Resources people will probably be asked to participate in those plans. Ms. Provost said she would enjoy being part of that process. Mr. Chittenden then moved to appoint Cindy Provost to fill the unexpired term on the Natural Resources Commission until May, 1995. Mr. Cimonetti seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Acceptance of Resignation of Catherine Peacock from the Planning Commission: Mr. Flaherty said Ms. Peacock had told him she'd be willing to serve until her replacement was selected. Members agreed to advertise all anticipated openings on the Commission. Mr. Condos moved to accept the resignation of Catherine Peacock from the Planning Commission and to instruct the City Manager to prepare a letter of commendation for Ms. Peacock's years of service to the city. Mr. Cimonetti seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Report from City Manager on Traffic Control/Parking Plans for Vermont Expo Games at Centennial Field: Mr. Hafter reported that he had been invited to attend a meeting on the Vermont Expos parking plans. He said there are 245 parking spaces at Centennial Field. Access to the field will be allowed from Colchester Avenue only. The main parking lot used will be at the Given Building (UVM) which has 1000 spaces. A smaller lot next door will also be used (200 spaces). There will also be additional parking at Trinity College (130 spaces) and the Health Dept. (60 spaces). There will be a shuttle bus serving the Given lots. Neither the Gutterson nor Sheraton lots will be used. There will be three Burlington Police officers on the Expo payroll plus 4 other Vermont employees in and around the parking facilities. There may be a need for a traffic officer at the Jug Handle. This situation will be monitored. Mr. Cimonetti said it would be a good idea to have a discussion on this with the Sheraton management. 5. Preliminary Discussion of 1995 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Mr. Hafter said it appears that Fy 95 TIP will be based largely on the Fy 94 TIP. Mr. Dinklage said what has happened is that the MPO has taken all requests from all communities and put them on the table. They then tried to prioritize them. The Agency of Transportation recently had a meeting at which they acknowledged that people all through the country are struggling with the TIP concept. It was also noted that the appearance of the S. Burlington Southern Connector on the TIP was an administrative error and it should not have appeared. Mr. Cimonetti said the city ought to do on a formal basis what it has been doing informally, namely prioritizing city projects and feeding them to Mr. Dinklage to bring to the MPO. Mr. Dinklage said that is absolutely right. He then gave members a list of those projects that have at least some funding for the coming year. He noted there is a disagreement between the MPO and the A of T as to how much money should be available to Chittenden County. The Agency is becoming very aware that these pieces have to be brought into synch. With regard to the Burlington/Winooski Bridge, the plan is to return it to exactly what is there today. There are no new hand rails, bike paths, wider sidewalks, etc, just a patching of the concrete. Mr. Dinklage said the MPO has asked for a significantly wider pedestrian/bike path, but didn't think they had much leverage on this. Mr. Cimonetti said it is frustrating because $10,000,000 is being spent on bike paths but they are not going where they are needed must for safety. 6. Update on Traffic Safety Unit: Lt. Hawke and Cpl. Lavallee reported on the Traffic Unit. They said that when the speed monitoring unit had been received, it was immediately put into service and received a good public reaction. It seems to be bringing most people into voluntary complance. There has also been a public information effort on safety concerns, especially child restraint. Members of the Unit have gone to the High School to teach safety and have focused on Drug and Alcohol and accident prevention. The reception from the students has also been very positive. The Traffic Unit has also dealt with public concerns: enforcement, requests for stop signs, other signage, etc. There is a serious concern with the number of accidents in the city, now at over 1,300 per year. This is very high. Over 50% of these accidents occur on either Williston or Shelburne Road. Most are caused by failure to yield, following too closely, drive inattention, all related to speeding. The officers said these two roads will be targeted by the Unit with particular concern given to excess speed, traffic light violations, etc. The Unit has a new laser device which is more effective than radar in pinpointing the cars that are violating the law. They feel that a second such unit is needed to improve safety. Mr. Dinklage asked if the Unit has tried just talking with people who are violating a limit. Cpl. Lavallee said they have tried that and hope to do more of it. Mr. Condos said he has gotten many favorable reports from citizens, especially about the "SMART" Unit. Mr. Cimonetti suggested there be a section on traffic safety in the City Manager's report, pinpointing the highest accident locations. He also suggested the Unit talk with Senior Citizens groups as they are very active and concerned. Mr. Condos said the Unit's reports could be very helpful in discussions of the Williston Rd. access management plans. 7. Continued Discussion of Neighborhood Street Improvement Plan and Funding Options: Mr. Flaherty noted the closing date for getting items on the May ballot is about 20 April. Mr. Hafter then reviewed the options: a) using available funds from bonds and the operating budget: This would make available $760,000., an amount that would not allow for work on Spear St., Lime Kiln, Kennedy Drive, all of which are in need of work. b) Neighborhood Street Improvement Plan: This would ask voters for $1,250,000 for local streets and a sidewalk access to Lime Kiln Bridge. There are three possible funding options for this plan: 1- long term debt: this would cost the average homeowner $18.30 a year for each of ten year ($180. total) 2- dedicated tax (programatic tax): This tax would sunset in five years. The cost to the average homeowner would be $27.00 a year for a total of $135 for 5 years. 3- using a supplemental tax for current needs only (Williston Rd, Lime Kiln, Kennedy Drive): This would cost the average homeowner $17.25 a year for 5 years for a total of $86.00. Mr. Hafter said indication from the public is that they would support a dedicated tax provided it's only for roads. Mr. Cimonetti suggested another possible option: taking 1.8¢ away from the current tax rate to raise the current appropriation for roads. This would make it clear the total tax rate that is being used for road construction. There would be no difference in the amount of money but it would identify the full amount going to roads for 5 years. Mr. Flaherty said the concern is that if it is defeated, the city would lose the money from this year's budget. Mr. Dinklage said he felt that what people want to know is how much it will cost to catch up, so the City Manager's plan is more meaningful. Mr. Condos said he supported the dedicated tax. It is definite and voters will know what they are getting for their money. There would be no interest costs and all the money would go for the road work. Mr. Dinklage said he wasn't sure which option would give the city a better chance to get federal/state participation money for major projects. Mr. Cimonetti asked why this would be a 5-year process instead of 3. Mr. Hafter said this is because they would try to use city personnel as much as possible to reduce costs. Members felt they would like to see specific wording for the proposed ballot item. 8. Discussion on Advisory Ballot Item on Golf Course: Mr. Flaherty read the proposed wording. Mr. Dinklage said he wasn't sure there was a need for a ballot item. 9. Review Zoning Board Notice for 28 March: No issues were raised. 10. Review Minutes of 7 March 1994: Mr. Cimonetti moved the Minutes of 7 March be approved as written. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed 4-0 with Mr. Condos abstaining. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement orders were signed. 12. Executive Session: Mr. Dinklage moved the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss litigation issues and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Bill Cimonetti moved to adjourn, Jim Condos seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:40 PM. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.