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Minutes - City Council - 09/11/1995
CITY COUNCIL 11 September 1995 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 11 September 1995, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; David Maclaughlin, Michael Flaherty Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Joe Weith, City Planner; Peg Strait Assistant City Manager; George Chamberland, The Other Paper; Sonny Audette, Street Dept; Frank Mazur, Bill Wessel, CCTA; Steve Levy, Marcel Lapierre, David Duell, Elaine Greenfield, Greg Bourgea, Dean Economou, Dean Zoecklein 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to agenda items): Mr. Levy told the Council that he felt there was a safety problem with an unfinished sidewalk at Pheasant Way/Harbor Ridge Rd. He said there are lots of children there who have to walk in the road where cars are traveling very fast. Mr. Hafter said the city has made a priority of sidewalks where children have to walk to school. Mr. Audette said the situation has arisen because of a right-of-way problem with a developer. He said the deed would have to be researched. Mr. Cimonetti told Mr. Levy that city staff would look into the situation and get the facts. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: a. Mr. Maclaughlin advised that at 5:30 on Friday Channel 17 will celebrate its fifth anniversary at its studios. Everyone is invited. b. Mr. Cimonetti noted there is a meeting of the Light Rail Project Citizens' Advisory Committee on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Waterman Building, UVM. The Light Rail Steering Committee will meet the same day at 1:30. c. Mr. Hafter noted that the "light rail" project has a new name: Burlington Area Tri-Center Transit Study. d. Mr. Hafter reminded members that the next Council meeting is Monday, 18 September. e. The Fire Department Open House will be held on Sunday, 8 October, from 10 am-4 p.m. f. The VLCT Town Fair will be held on 5 October in Barre. g. The Living Technologies Project is progressing at the Bartlett Bay Treatment Plant. The official grand opening will be in October. h. The "beaver baffle" seems to be holding and is lowering the water level. 3. Update on CCTA: Mr. Mazur reported that fiscal year 1995 saw the highest ridership in history, over 1,600,000 riders. A large percentage of these came from the College St. Shuttle which will be extended for another year. CCTA recovered 41.5% of costs from fares, advertising, etc., About 33% was recovered from fares alone. The level of subsidy South Burlington paid in 1995 was equal to what the city paid in 1991. The paratransit cost went up, however. CCTA will seek a fare increase from 75¢ to $1.00 in an attempt to offset federal cutbacks. Ridership on the Airport route went up about 6% and ridership on the South End Route rose about 2%. These buses run every half hour from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. CCTA is in negotiation with is drivers and maintenance people. The General Manager is leaving, and a search is underway for a replacement. Five candidates will be presented to the municipalities for input. The results of a survey conducted by CCTA look very favorable in most categories. 54% of riders are less than 30 years old, many of these being college students. The main request of riders is for Sunday service. Mr. Mazur said CCTA has outgrown its Cherry St. terminal and is going to look for another location. Mr. Cimonetti noted that communities are assessed on the basis of route miles. He asked how paratransit rates are assessed. Mr. Mazur said that is on the basis of usage. Mr. Cimonetti asked what it costs S. Burlington for support of the College St. and Shelburne Shuttles and for Burlington school children. Mr. Mazur said those services are paid for by the communities involved. The College St. Shuttle is supported by a state grant at no cost to the local communities. He stressed that CCTA is very conscious of treating communities fairly. Mr. Maclaughlin asked how CCTA fit into the commuter rail project, specifically moving rail riders to trains. Mr. Mazur said they are putting together a plan with the rail people. There will be support equipment for the train schedules. Mr. Maclaughlin asked if CCTA would have to invest in new equipment. Mr. Mazur said they would have to replace some vehicles and get some new ones. Costs are not clear yet. Mr. Maclaughlin also raised the question of changing the pick up place for Pillsbury Manor riders. Mr. Mazur said they have been unable to take action on this as yet. Mr. Hafter added that there are logistical problems with buses making left turns. Mr. Maclaughlin said he was concerned that noone gets hurt getting to buses. Mr. Flaherty asked the status of the Burlington lawsuit. Mr. Mazur said it is hoped the case will be heard in October/November. CCTA is, he added, still trying to negotiate with Burlington. Mr. Cimonetti asked about mini-hubs. Mr. Mazur said they have identified 5 hubs to try to expedite ridership. This is still in the planning stage. Two possible S. Burlington sites are the K-Mart area and University Mall. He stressed that this all hinges on money. Mr. Cimonetti asked if there will be expanded service during the holiday season. Mr. Mazur said there will. Mr. Cimonetti asked to be informed of added service in the University Mall area. Council members asked Mr. Mazur to wish Cathy Debo well as she leaves CCTA. Mr. Flaherty suggested a Resolution of appreciation for her service. Mr. Mazur noted there will be a farewell party for Cathy on 28 September. 4. Interview for Appointment as City Representative to Winooski Valley Park District: Members briefly interviewed Chris Cavin who said she looks forward to the challenge of a totally new position. 5. Review of Proposed Improvements to Proctor Avenue: Mr. Cimonetti noted there will be a public meeting on this issue on Wednesday at City Hall. Mr. Audette showed a video of conditions in the Proctor Avenue/Hadley Road area. The film showed deteriorating curbs and sidewalks, inadequate drainage, recessed sidewalks, etc. He noted that the repair project was approved by the voters in the bond issue. Mr. Cimonetti noted the plan is for the road to be widened from 25 ft. to 30 ft. and for the sidewalk to go on the south side. Mr. Audette said this will also help with snow storage. Residents expressed concern and had many questions about the proposed project. Most felt they wanted the street to remain at 25 ft. as a safety issue. They noted a hit-and-run accident this summer. They also want sidewalks on the north side and felt it would save money because the sun melts the snow there and not as much salt would be needed. Residents also noted the stop sign on Proctor Ave. is hidden by trees and is not obeyed. They felt more police presence was needed in the area. There are a lot of elderly people in the area who want the street to remain as it is. They want the sidewalk made level and catch basins fixed. They also want curbing on both sides. Residents stressed that stop signs and speed limits are not enforced, and the "no through traffic" on Farrell St. is also not enforced. Mr. Cimonetti noted the biggest difference between what the residents want and what is proposed is the street width. Mr. Flaherty suggested 25 ft. width could be considered if there is parking only on one side of the street. Residents felt this was something they could consider. Mr. Audette stressed that catch basins are not plugged up. They are too small for the capacity. The newer pipe that is planned will have increased flow. Mr. Hafter noted that if the sidewalk is placed on the north side, it would have to go right up against the curb leaving no room for snow storage. There is also a problem with telephone poles that would have to be relocated at considerable expense. Mr. Audette stressed that a 25 ft. road would be substandard. He said he would ask to be released from liability should an accident occur. He said that in other towns accidents on substandard streets have resulted in lawsuits against the Street Dept. 6. First Reading of Ordinance to Amend the City Ordinance for Care and Control of Dogs; "Pooper Scooper" Amendment: Mr. Cimonetti noted there are three major changes proposed: 1- a requirement that the animal owner remove excrement from public or private property 2- a provision that a dog wouldn't have to bite someone to be considered viscious; three complaints from different households would result in a hearing being held 3- rabies rules would be brought into conformance with state regulations. Mr. Flaherty moved that the reading of the proposed amendments be waived and that a public hearing be scheduled for 2 October. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Discussion of Amendment to Official City Map to Reduce Proposed Designated Parkland South of Calkins Farm; Planning Commission Alternative: Mr. Cimonetti explained the background of this item noting that at the time the map was drawn, this land was included but since that time the city has acquired over 200 acres in the area. The question is whether the city still intends to acquire another 135 acres. Mr. Weith said the Planning Commission felt the plan was very specific as to what was wanted for additional parkland. The official zoning map also includes this as a restricted area. He said the Commission went back to the criteria for developable/undevelopable lands and felt it was important to leave that recommendation in the plan adding a paragraph to make it more flexible as to configuration and the type of recreation allowable. This would allow the Commission more flexibility in considering a plan that might have, for example, a golf course as a component. The Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on 19 October on proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations. The official city map will not be changed. The zoning map would show the ridge as developable land. Members questioned how land shown as parkland could also be shown as developable. Mr. Weith said non-developable areas include such things as wetlands, setbacks, etc. The fact that it's shown as parkland does not preclude it being shown as developable. Mr. Cimonetti said the city's position would be much clearer if they decided if they still want to buy parkland there. He stressed that a park is not a "given." The city would have to buy the land at fair market value if it wanted the park. Mr. Economou stressed his need to know where all this is heading so he can work on the plan for his land. Mr. Flaherty moved that the Planning Commission be requested to revise the official city map and zoning regulations with the intention of deciding whether the land in question should remain as parkland or should be agricultural/residential. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8a. Consideration of Approval of Capital Equipment Refunding Note and Resolution for Fuel Storage and Dispensing System: Mr. Hafter said this is the last year of payment of this note. It is at 4.85% this year and is budgeted for. Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the Resolution and Refunding Note as presented. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion, passed unanimously. 8b. Mr. Hafter presented a Funding Note and resolution for a Loader. This is a new note, the first of 5 years for a total of $67,000. The interest rate this year is 4.55%. Mr. Flaherty moved to sign the Resolution and approve the Capital Note as presented. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Review Zoning Board Agenda for 11 September and Planning Commission Agenda for 12 September: No issues were raised. 10. Review Minutes of 21 August 1995: Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the Minutes of 21 August as written. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. Executive Session: Mr. Flaherty moved the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss appointments and possible litigation and to resume regular session only to make appointments and/or adjourn. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The City Council returned to regular session. Mike Flaherty moved appointment of Ms. Christina Cavin to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Sylvia Smith as City Representative to the Winooski Valley Park District. Dave MacLaughlin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mike Flaherty moved adjournment, Dave MacLaughlin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.