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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 08/07/1995CITY COUNCIL 7 August 1995 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 7 August 1995, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; David Maclaughlin, James Condos Michael Flaherty, Robert Chittenden Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Wallace Possich, Fire Chief; Lee Graham, Police Chief; Paul Trepanier, Syndi Zook, Joan Brace, Sherri Briggs, Sacha LaScala, Susan Palmer, Gerry Milot, Al Bartlett, Ernie Lemay, Charlie Brush, John Giebink 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to agenda items): Mr. Trepanier, Senior Citizens Club President commended the City Manager and City Hall people who have been so cooperative. The Club's Executive Board has voted to continue operations in the City Hall building. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: a. Mr. Maclaughlin advised that the Channel 17 Program Advisory meeting is tomorrow at noon. b. Mr. Cimonetti noted there is a Steering Committee on Thursday, at 7:30 p.m. c. Mr. Hafter reminded members that the first meeting in September is scheduled for the night of Labor Day. Members agreed to reschedule this meeting for 11 September. d. Mr. Hafter reported that the city undertook an interesting project today. The wetland on Kennedy Drive has a beaver dam that gets higher and farther out, creating higher water levels. The problem to the city occurs when there is a freeze. In a cooperative venture with federal agencies and the Vermont Youth Corps, a "beaver baffle" is being put in. This drains the wetland to a particular level. e. Mr. Hafter asked the Police and Fire Chiefs to report on activities of importance in the city last week: 1. Chief Graham reported on the Governors' Conference and called it a model of inter-agency cooperation. He cited excellent planning with regard to protest groups and excellent crowd control. He also noted excellent cooperation among all city departments. The total overtime expended by the Police Dept was $10,235 which will be paid by the Governors' Association. Mr. Maclaughlin cited the excellent level of professionalism. He also congratulated the Police Dept. on the excellent program in the park during the past week. Mr. Cimonetti noted there had been lots of praise from the Sheraton and from local merchants. Gene Cenci especially singled out Ernie Lemay for his excellent work at the Sheraton. 2. Chief Possich noted that the Fire Dept. also had a presence at the Governors' Conference which was done on volunteer time. The balance of Chief Possich's report focused on the structure fire at Stonehedge on Monday evening. The cause of the fire appears to be a gas explosion in the rear of a unit due to a problem with a gas barbecue grill. The Chief cited the efforts of a neighbor who got a woman out of the burning unit. He also noted the excellent response from Winooski and other units via the mutual aid plan. Three South Burlington firefights received minor injuries during the firefighting effort. Damage to three condo units is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Chief Possich said that the fire made him aware of the need to streamline the ICS operation. Chief Possich noted that one engine broke down at the scene of the fire. It is a chronic clutch problem. This engine will now be the last engine out in future responses. Mr. Cimonetti said he had heard from neighbors that there was a strong management presence at the fire. Mr. Chittenden said he had heard the breaking down of the fire engine was due to lack of maintenance. Chief Possich said this is not true. The vehicle, like all vehicles, is routinely maintained and noted that it had started when it first responded to the blaze. f. Mr. Hafter cited the tremendous success of the Community Night Out on Tuesday. A great job was done by the police, and the fireworks show was spectacular. 3. Discussion with East Terrace Residents about "Resident Only Parking Zone" Request: Mr. Hafter said he had sent a letter to all the people who signed the petition notifiying them of this meeting. No one representing the neighborhood was present. Mr. Chittenden suggested monitoring the situation to see what happens. Others agreed. Mr. Cimonetti asked the City Manager to explain this to residents. 4. Continuation of Interviews for Appointments to Boards and Commissions: a. Recreation Committee: Members interviewed Ernie Lemay for the position on the Recreation Committee. Mr. Lemay said he has enjoyed serving on this committee and looked forward to continuing. b. Recreation Path Committee: Members interviewed Sherry Briggs for one of 3 vacancies on this committee. Ms. Briggs said this is her first opportunity to become involved in the community. She uses the path daily. Mr. Chittenden asked how she would encourage bikers who don't use the path to do so. Ms. Briggs was not sure how to do this. Mr. Maclaughlin asked about the need for more landscaping. Ms. Briggs felt landscaping was mostly good but some places near Williston Rd. could be made more attractive. She thought Dorset St. was excellent. 5. Consideration of Request to Seek Amendment to Regional Planning Designate Growth Center Status for Entire City: Mr. Milot showed areas now designated as "growth centers." Of these areas, only very small parcels remain to be developed. Under the growth center concept, 75% of a city's growth should occur in these areas. This, he said, creates a problem. In South Burlington, the bulk of future growth will be outside of growth center, and the problem arises at Act 250. To declare the whole city a growth center would allow more flexibility in planning. Mr. Milot added that it is also difficult to have affordable housing close in, and funding for affordable housing goes to growth center areas first. Mr. Milot said a Council representative and the City Manager needs to put together a request that the urban mixed use and agricultural areas of the Southeast Quadrant be declared growth centers. He said this needs to be done quickly. Mr. Cimonetti asked if the growth center designation comes only from the Regional Planning Commission. Mr. Milot said it does, and the request for it must come from the city. Mr. Chittenden asked if such a designation would affect the Ramsey property. Mr. Milot said it wouldn't. Mr. Chittenden felt this would be a good tool to get growth where the city wants it. Mr. Chittenden moved the Council direct staff to request the Regional Planning Commission amend the Regional Plan to designate growth centers as outlined at this meeting. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consideration of Request for Funding from South Burlington Senior Center: Mr. Brush introduced Ms. Zook and Ms. Brace then reviewed the history of the project. They have made some changes including leasing some items instead of buying. They are now looking for a minimum amount of money ($5,000) in the current fiscal year, then $25,000 next year and $22,900 in the following year. Ms. Zook said the downtown center has been serving South Burlington people because South Burlington doesn't have a full senior service center. This involves payment for vans to transport people to Burlington. She felt that South Burlington needs its own multi-purpose center. Ms. Brace then outlined the types of activities and noted she goes to Burlington every day to their center. Ms. Zook added that some people go 6 days a week. In addition to social activities, the seniors receive a hot meal at the center. Mr. Cimonetti asked how the downtown center raises funds. Ms. Zook said they have tenants upstairs. They also get funds from United Way and their own fund raising. They also got money from a federal grant. She added that funding for services is shrinking. (Mr. Condos arrived at the meeting at this time) Mr. Trepanier then told of the activities of the South Burlington group which meets every Thursday and has 145 members. Mr. Giebink said the proposed center would have a large and small meeting room and a crafts/activity room. It could deal with the needs of senior from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mr. Cimonetti noted this is planned for a part of the city where the city wants it to happen. He noted it wasn't budgeted for, but the city also didn't budget for income from payments in lieu of taxes. He felt that the city could find the $5,000 for a commitment this year. He stressed this would also involve a commitment for the additional money in the next 2 years. Mr. Condos then moved to authorize the City Manager to sign a letter of certification from the city with regard to the city's three-year commitment to fund the project as described. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Mr. Chittenden felt money could be better spent for seniors in the city's own facilities like the O'Brien Center building. Messrs. Maclaughlin and Condos said they both enthusiastically supported this effort and felt it was a great project in a great location. The motion passed 4-1 with Mr. Chittenden opposing. 7. Consideration of Approval of Certificate of Highway Opening for Public Travel: Mr. Flaherty moved to sign the Certificate for the Opening of Dorset Street. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Acceptance of Resignation of Sylvia J. Smith as City Representative to Winooski Valley Park District: Mr. Flaherty moved to accept Ms. Smith's resignation and to ask the City Manager send a letter of appreciation. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Steering Committee Agenda for 10 August: Mr. Cimonetti noted there will be a presentation on the Economou proposed golf course project. 10. Review Planning Commission Agenda for 8 August and Zoning Board Agenda for 14 August: No issues were raised. 11. Minutes of 10 July 1995, 17 July 1995 and 25 July 1995 It was noted that the motion on purchase of fire equipment was seconded by Mr. Maclaughlin, not Mr. Chittenden. Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the Minutes of 10 July as amended. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty moved the Minutes of 17 July be approved as written. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty moved the Minutes of 25 July be approved as written. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Messrs. Chittenden and Cimonetti abstaining. 12. Coin Drop Request: Mr. Hafter presented a request from the UVM Rescue Squad for a coin drop of 26 August. Mr. Hafter said he had told them that the Council was going to be deciding on the future of such coin drops. Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the UVM Rescue Squad coin drop on 26 August. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement orders were signed. 14. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Flaherty moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Chittenden stepped down during the following item. Mr. Hafter presented a cabaret license request from the Rotisserie Restaurant. All requirements have been met. Mr. Hafter noted he had been unable to find out what the complete laws are regarding cabarets. He said inspection is now being done just to ensure separate enclosure. Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the cabaret license for the Rotisserie. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Executive Session: Mr. Flaherty moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss personnel issues, litigation and appointments to boards and commissions and to resume regular session only to make such appointments and/or adjourn. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed 4-0. Regular Session: Dave MacLaughlin moved to have the City Council instruct the City Manager to enforce the provisions of the Ordinance to License Circuses, Carnivals and Other Shows (Entertainment Ordinance). Jim Condos seconded. Jim pointed out the minutes of June 19, 1995 in which Mr. Cliches, in response to a direct question from Councilman MacLaughlin, confirmed that the license requested did not cover "dance troops." The motion passed unanimously. Mike Flaherty moved adjournment. Bob Chittenden seconded. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 11:55 PM. Clerk. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.