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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 06/03/1996SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JUNE 3, 1996 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 3 June 1996, at 7:30 PM, in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; James Condos, Robert Chittenden, David Austin Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Sonny Audette, Street Dept; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Peg Strait, Asst. City Manager; Wallace Possich, Fire Chief; Matt Vince, Fire Dept; Lt. John Kruger, Debby Ploof, Police Dept; Bill Szymanski, City Engineer; Channel 17; Jim Fay, Peter Jacob, Eric Fleggenheimer 1.) Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda Items): No issues were raised. 2.) Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Cimonetti advised of a series of meetings on 4 June, the first from 1-3 PM in South Burlington City Hall regarding the Environmental Assessment of the Commuter Rail Program (parking, air quality, noise, etc.) to be followed by a meeting on the same subject from 7-9 PM at the Sheraton. Mr. Hafter reported the following: a.) Regional Planning is doing a scoping study of alternatives on the Kennedy Drive project. There will be a meeting on this on Wednesday at 1:30 PM at Regional Planning offices. b.) The GBIC annual meeting will be held Monday, 10 June, at Noon at the Sheraton. c.) A steering committee working on a county convention center will meet on 12 June at the Radisson. Mr. Hafter is serving on this committee. d.) Mr. Hafter and Mr. Audette will attend a meeting on 15 June related to making residential streets livable. Ms. Picard advised that the Clerk's office is now registering cars. The city gets $2.00 for each registration. The public seems very happy with this arrangement. Ms. Picard noted that 188 notices have been sent out regarding unregistered dogs. The Council will get a list of delinquent owners at the end of the month. Mr. Hafter reported that the new fire trucks arrived on Saturday and passed pump tests today. They will be in service in about 2-3 weeks. The department is talking about some kind of open house for the public to view the new equipment. Mr. Cimonetti reminded members of a discussion last fall about pedestrian traffic on Pheasant Way and Mr. Levy, a local resident, noted the danger involved since there is no sidewalk there. Mr. Hafter said he discussed this with Mr. Audette and the city does have enough right-of-way to build a sidewalk there. Mr. Audette said there had originally been a legal problem over the right-of-way, but this is now settled. He added that money would have to be taken out of another project to do Pheasant Way. 3. Introduction of Jim Fay, General Manager, CWD; Update on District Projects: Mr. Jacob noted that Ed Blake retired this past year and Jim Fay, who has been with CWD for 19 years, was picked to succeed him. Mr. Fay is an expert on plant operations and on the zebra mussel problem. Mr. Fay reviewed the history of CWD. He said they now have a staff of 26 and serve 60,000 people in Chittenden County. CWD has maintained its rate of .9889 for 5 years, and he felt the rate could be maintained for another 7 more years. There are plans to add to the plant's capacity. CWD is also working with Burlington on a "peaking" water contract. Mr. Fay noted that the average annual cost for water for a South Burlington family is $165.50. He then briefly reviewed the 1996-97 budget. Mr. Austin asked what happens if demand exceeds capacity. Mr. Fay said there is storage in the field that acts as a buffer. Mr. Jacob noted that CWD manages South Burlington's water system and would be back later in the year to discuss some options with the Council. Mr. Chittenden asked if CWD sells water to communities that are not members. Mr. Fay said they do not. He added that the policy on new member will be revised soon. Mr. Cimonetti commended Mr. Jacob who has Chaired the CWD Board since 1967. He then raised the possibility of making the CWD property near the water tank more "user friendly" since there is new development in the area (golf course, homes, etc.). Mr. Szymanski noted there had been a plan done by Terry Boyle to beautify the water tank area. Mr. Jacob said that Bill Szymanski is the true unsung hero of CWD and that he attends all meetings. He stressed the good relationship between CWD and South Burlington and said the aim is to keep it that way. 4. Public Hearing on Ordinance Establishing a Street Naming and Street Addressing System in South Burlington; second reading: Mr. Cimonetti noted this ordinance is being established in preparation for E-911 service in the city, to be sure that all streets and homes are easy to find in an emergency. Mr. Hafter pointed out two minor changes to the wording: In paragraph 3, the height of numbers must be 4 inches, not 2, and they must be arabic numerals. In the definition of a duplex, the words "ground floor" should read "ceiling." Lt. Kruger noted the inconsistency in addresses in South Burlington. Condos have alphabetic identifications instead of numbers, there are some homes with no numbers, some homes have an address for one street but the entrance is actually on another street, etc. In order for E-911 to work, there must be consistent locatable numbering. When the system is in operation, it will be possible to have an immediately available address even if the person calling isn't able to speak. Lt. Kruger said that renumbering will be paid for by the state, but the ordinance must be in place first to give the city the right to change addresses where necessary. Mr. Hafter said he believed all street names are grandfathered. Many condos will need street names. Mr. Austin noted the concern for people who have spent money identifying themselves by their addresses (on stationery, advertising, business cards, etc.). He wondered if it is possible to grandfather certain addresses. Mr. Cimonetti said the state statute calls for every address in the state to be locatable. He added that there will certainly be people who will be unhappy about changes or about having to have a 4 inch number on their home. However, it is the uniformity that helps emergency vehicles find addresses. He added that at times emergency units from other communities have to back up on responses in South Burlington, and they are not familiar with locations and might be delayed in responding if things are not uniform. Mr. Chittenden asked how long people would have to respond to the change (get new stationery, etc.). Lt. Kruger said that will be determined by the Post Office who will advise when new addresses must be used. Chief Possich said that in discussions with the E-911 Board, the Post Office agreed to deliver mail addressed to an old address for 12 months after the change takes place. The Chief added that South Burlington is already in violation of state statute since every structure does not have numbers that are visible from the road. Mr. Cimonetti noted that this will also affect things such as property deeds. Ms. Picard said that's true, but the important thing is the ability to save lives and it is worth the inconvenience. Lt. Kruger noted they are responding to more and more medical calls, and time is crucial. He said there are so many inconsistencies in the city and the E-911 system is based on a uniform numbering system. Mr. Hafter said staff recommends biting the bullet and doing it. Mr. Austin felt it is important to educate people about the changes. Mr. Chittenden moved to keep the public hearing open and to table discussion until questions have been addressed and the item rewarned. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Continued Discussion of Median Break on Dorset Street at 350 Dorset Street (Net Result) and Offer of Dedication of Public Street: Mr. Hafter said that engineering studies have shown the median break could be constructed including a stacking lane. The property owner would give the city an irrevocable offer of dedication for a public street which the city would not build until the road is needed in the future. This would save the city having to "take" the property in the future and compensate the owner for "business loss." The City Center plans show a public street in this location but does not show a median break. The plans would not permit exiting drivers to make a left turn to head south on Dorset Street. Because of the funding of the Dorset Street improvements, the State and Federal transportation people have the right to review any changes to the road. There have been several reviews of the property, but no approvals for a median break have been given. Mr. Cimonetti said the median break would cost $20,850 and the curb cut at the entrance would cost $37,340. Mr. Fleggenheimer said he would like to know where this is headed. He felt that if the State and Federal approvals are given, the real question is the financing for the work. Mr. Chittenden said he felt this should be done to make Dorset Street more user friendly for businesses, especially since there will be more traffic in the future. Mr. Szymanski said the original plan for Dorset Street was 5 lanes with no median. It was public outcry that brought about the median, and there were numerous public meetings at which no business owners objected to the median. He felt the road should not be changed now. Mr. Condos said that with more traffic in the future on Dorset Street, there should be fewer median breaks, not more. He didn't see the break benefiting the city in any way. He felt people would still try to turn left out of the property and this would be very dangerous. Mr. Condos said the street is working very well as it is. He added that if the Council did go ahead with the median break, he would like to see the road built at the same time all the way through to San Remo. Mr. Chittenden agreed, if financing is feasible. Mr. Condos said the city doesn't have the money for a $58,000 project, and he would not want to bump some other project for this one. Mr. Fleggenheimer said he wants to know if there ever will be an answer. Mr. Cimonetti said it is too hypothetical to say. Mr. Fleggenheimer suggested that he might be willing to pay for the initial work (median and curb cut) and have the city pay him back when the road is built. 6. Request for Approval of Tax Rates to Support 1996-97 Fiscal Year Budget and Special Assessment District Tax Rates, User Fee for Sanitary Sewer: Mr. Condos noted that for the third year in a row the city's portion of the tax rate is being reduced. He complimented all who helped bring this about. Mr. Condos moved to set the city tax rate for fiscal year 1996-7 at .828. He further moved to set the Swift Estates and Ethan Allen Special Assessment District tax rate at .277, the Country Club Estates Special Assessment at .496 and the sewer user fee at $14.90 per 1000 cu. ft. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Cimonetti noted the sewer user fee is planned to address some expense in connection with the planned expansion of the Bartlett Bay Treatment Plant. 7. Consideration of Request to Amend Fee Schedule for Zoning/Building Permits. Mr. Hafter noted that no adverse comments have been received since the item was first discussed. Mr. Chittenden asked how much money would be raised from the increase if there are the same number of permits as last year. Mr. Hafter estimated about $20,000. Mr. Chittenden said he disagreed with another "tax" on a person who wants to build a home in South Burlington. Mr. Hafter noted that fees hadn't been raised since 1981. He felt this would save taxpayers money by having users pay the fees instead of having the expense come from the general tax rate. Mr. Condos moved to approve the new Amended Fee Schedule for Zoning/Building Permits as presented. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed 3-1 with Mr. Chittenden opposing. 8. Continued Discussion of "Temporary Appointments" to the Planning Commission: Mr. Cimonetti said discussion of specific nominations would take place in Executive Session. He noted that "temporary appointments" can't be made, but the Council can tell the public that any appointees will resign when the Council has a chance to go through the formal appointment process. Mr. Cimonetti said he personally favored making appointments in time for the 6/18 Planning Commission meeting. He felt this was necessary so that applicants before the Commission get a fair hearing. The consensus of the Council was to have the Planning Commission at full strength by the June 18th meeting. 9. Consideration of Entertainment Permit for Pizza Putt, Inc., Marko the Magician: Mr. Hafter noted that Mark will be performing on Tuesdays from 5-8 PM. Mr. Chittenden moved to approve the entertainment permit for Pizza-Putt, Inc., as presented. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Review Planning Commission Agenda for 6/4/96 and Zoning Board Agenda for 6/10/96: No issues were raised. 11. Review City Council Minutes for 20 May 1996: Mr. Condos moved to approve the Minutes of 20 May as written. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Mr. Austin abstaining. 12. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 13. Executive Session: Mr. Austin moved the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss litigation, possible appointments, and a personnel matter and to resume regular session only to take action on the personnel matter and/or adjourn. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 14. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Bob Chittenden moved and Jim Condos seconded a salary increase of 2% for the City Manager as contained in the 1996- 97 budget, effective July 1, 1996. The motion passed unanimously. Councilman Chittenden left the meeting. Dave Austin moved and Jim Condos seconded the authorization for the city to negotiate a continuation of the current contract, on a one-year basis, with Steve Stitzel for City Attorney services. The motion passed unanimously. Jim Condos moved adjournment. Dave Austin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:25 PM Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.