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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/07/1996CITY COUNCIL 7 OCTOBER 1996 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 7 October 1996, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: James Condos, Acting Chair; David Austin, Terry Sheahan, Robert Chittenden Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Asst. City Manager; Sonny Audette, Street Dept; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Wallace Possich, Fire Chief; Gary Rounds, Fire Dept; Ann Slattery, City Clerk's Office; Shelley Snyder, Carla White, Bill Schuele, Natural Resources Committee; Michael Flaherty, J.J. Hamilton, Bob McKuen; Channel 17 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda Items): No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Hafter reported as follows: a. Reappraisal meetings are being held. The next one is scheduled for 29 October at Chamberlin School at 7:00 p.m. b. City Charter Committee, 9 October, 7:00 p.m. regarding the Water Department question. c. Mr. Hafter and Ms. Picard will be attending the Town Fair d. The Economic Development Committee will meet on 17 October at 4:00 p.m. e. The MPO will be meeting on 30 October at 2:00 p.m. The Agenda includes a vote on the TIP. f. The Fire Dept. Annual Open House will be held on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It includes a chicken dinner. Tickets are available. 3. Public Hearing on Amendment to Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations to Establish a No Parking Zone on Proctor Avenue: Second Reading: Mr. Hafter noted this action follows the work just completed on Proctor Ave. The road is 27 ft. wide, and in order to accommodate this, there will be no parking allowed on the south side from Shelburne Rd. to the Meadowbrook Rd. intersection. There will be no parking allowed on either side from there to Rice High School. Public comment was asked for, but no comments were made. Mr. Chittenden moved to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Austin moved to waive the reading and approve the Amendment to the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations as presented. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Information Review of Proposed Expansion to Burlington International Airport: Mr. Flaherty noted that approval of the proposed revenue bonds is required from Burlington voters. There would be no cost to taxpayers. Mr. Hamilton then outlined the proposed expansion. He began by stating that he is more convinced than ever of the dynamic role the Airport plays and will play in the future. He also noted the excellent partnership with the City of South Burlington. There are now 1100+ employees at the Airport, over 2000 if the Air Guard is added in. It is considered a medium-sized airport. The Airport operates 24 hours a day, with most aviation between 6 a.m. and Midnight. It is an "origin & destination" airport, as opposed to a "through airport." At present there are 3 major passenger carriers and 3 major air cargo carriers. There are also 2 fixed base air carriers. Mr. Hamilton said a very conservative estimate is that the Airport has a $200,000,000 economic impact on the community. It also contributes over $300,000. in taxes to South Burlington. The Airport budget is about $4,000,000 in expenses/revenues. About $350,000 of this is for capital improvement. They are presently engaged in a 7 year infrastructure improvement plan. Mr. Hamilton said they strive to balance economic impacts with environmental impacts on the community and want to insure that development is balanced with the city's needs. Mr. McKuen then reviewed projects being done now and scheduled for the future. He anticipated $35,000,000 in development in the next few years. He said a lot of growth will be to satisfy existing customer demand. There is now only one instrument runway, but within a month a new instrument runway will be installed. Other projects include a 30,000 gallon holding tank at the wastewater plant for airport runoff, a manufacturing building for Aviatron (rebuilders of aircraft motors), the quadrupling of the Pratt & Whitney facility, and the expansion of parking facilities. Parking is the most pressing problem. If the revenue bond passes in the City of Burlington, the airport will build a 3-level parking structure. They will also move the front of the terminal building out. Mr. Flaherty noted there is an agreement to buy "Park and Fly." He added that eventually the area will be bermed and treed to create a noise buffer for nearby homes. Mr. Condos urged building of the berm before work starts, so that homeowners are not bothered by headlights aimed toward their homes. Mr. Hamilton said they have a plan for that. Mr. Flaherty noted that land purchased by the Airport does not automatically go into the contract but is taxed separately. Mr. Hafter added that the Aviatron and Pratt & Whitney expansions will go onto the tax roles. Mr. Condos said he had thought that airport boardings were actually down. Mr. Hamilton said the last expansion was actually inadequate. There are peak periods, so there are times when there aren't many people in the airport, but there are also times you can't walk through the building because it's so crowded. Mr. Condos asked how revenue bonds will be repaid. Mr. Hamilton said they would be repaid by parking and other Airport revenues. Mr. Condos said he was disappointed at the proposed parking costs. He said this operation would be a monopoly and he felt the high cost would result in people still driving friends to the Airport and picking them up because it is too expensive to park. Mr. Condos also said he had gotten calls from residents complaining about noise from the Airport on a 24-hour basis. He said he can hear planes from his Mayfair Park home well before 6 a.m. He asked if there has been a change in fly-over patterns. Mr. Hamilton said there has been no difference in the mix of traffic for 2 years (jets vs. regional planes), and the number of flight operations hasn't changed. The first morning departure is 6 a.m. and the last arrival is scheduled for 11:40 p.m. He said he didn't know of any changes in flight patterns but would check. Natasha Favin, a Mayfair Park resident for 27 years, said in the last 2 years they have been bothered by increased noise from the Airport. Neighbors are horrified and feel their neighborhood is being destroyed. They can never leave their windows open because of the unbearable sounds. Ms. Favin added they have written to Mayor Clavelle and to Senator Leahy and have a petition signed by all the neighbors of Mayfair Park. Mr. Hamilton said he would definitely look into the matter. Mr. Austin suggested putting noise-measuring devices in residential areas, especially Mayfair Park. Mr. Schuele noted that the properties being absorbed by the Airport are low cost homes. He felt this was the worst thing that could be done to people who can afford only the lowest cost homes. He felt the city should think about this as part of the impact of the Airport. Mr. McKuen noted that 5 of the homes were moved to other locations. Mr. Schuele noted their locations were not in South Burlington. Mr. Hafter noted the Airport has put up a "Welcome to South Burlington" sign and also has installed a guard rail along Airport Parkway. Mr. Audette added they also helped fund some of the road upgrade. (Mr. Sheahan arrived at this time.) 5. Interview with Applicants for Appointment to the Leisure Arts Committee and Natural Resources Committee: The Council interviewed Rosemary Perkett for appointment to the Leisure Arts Committee. Ms. Perkett said she had served on this committee in the past but had left because of job obligations. She now will have the time to serve again and is anxious to do so. The Council then interviewed Julie Taylor for appointment to the Natural Resources Committee. Ms. Taylor moved to South Burlington 2 years ago from Massachusetts. She has worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and actually moved to Vermont because of the balance between development and natural resource protection. 6. Report of the Natural Resources Committee: Ms. Snyder reported on the Committee's activities. They received matching funds for a street tree inventory and have identified trees in need of maintenance and areas where trees could be planted. The Committee also sees one or 2 site plans each meeting and finds it rewarding to work with developers on issues. They are currently watching one violation on Fayette Drive where there could be a serious erosion problem in the future. Ms. Snyder noted the Committee needs members. Mr. Austin noted that the Planning Commission was very appreciative of the help it gets from the Natural Resources Committee in areas where the Commission does not have expertise. 7. Update on Fire Truck: Chief Possich reported on the trip to Lancaster to see the used tower truck that city is selling. He indicated that the Street Dept. Mechanic came with them and was a tremendous help. The inspection of the truck revealed no problems. All maintenance records were checked. Chief Possich noted that there is about $16,000 in equipment that comes with the truck that they had not been aware of before. The Lancaster City Council meets this week and will discuss the offer of South Burlington. The Business Manager feels everything looks good at this point. Firefighter Rounds said they had driven the truck on the Interstate and on city streets. They went through the operation of the aerial. There was nothing the truck wouldn't do. He also noted they would not lose the 3 degrees of steering capability they had anticipated because the engine is mounted in the rear not in the front. Mr. Hafter said the city might pay a downpayment. If the bond issue passes, there would be 45 days in which to purchase the truck. If this didn't happen, the downpayment would be forfeited. If the bond fails, the downpayment would be returned. Chief Possich noted that Lancaster had expected a 10% downpayment, but will accept $10,000. Any needed repairs for certification would be at Lancaster's expense. Mr. Hafter said the value of the present truck is $5,000-6,000 if not repaired. If it can be certified, it would be valued at $25,000-30,000. Repairs to make it certificable would be about $5,000. He felt it made sense to do this. 8. Discussion & Comments on Draft MOA with AOT Reference Passenger Rail Project: Mr. Hafter said a reply was received from the AOT and they are in agreement with the city's memo, with a few modifications. The quiet zone would be guaranteed only if there is passenger rail service. Under state law, railroads have a protection from liability. The city asked to have that extended to municipalities, and the AOT agreed. Part of the scope of work will include a station in South Burlington. There is nothing that says there has to be a station prior to start of the project. Mr. Hafter suggested taking no action till the Chair returns. The item will be on the next Agenda. Members felt the state's response was an improvement. 8. Information on Waiver of Penalty and Interest by City Manager for 15 July 1996 tax installment: Members received this information. No action was required. 9. Review Planning Commission Agenda for 8 October and Zoning Board Agenda for 14 October: No issues were raised. 10. Review Minutes of Joint Meeting with Shelburne (9/16) and Council meeting of 23 September: Mr. Austin moved to approve the Minutes of 16 September as written. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Austin moved to approve the Minutes of 23 September as written. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 12. Executive Session: Mr. Austin moved the Council meet in Executive Session to discuss Contract Negotiations and Appointments to Boards and Committees and to resume regular session only to make such appointments and/or adjourn. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. David Austin moved the appointment of Ms. Rosemary Perkett to a three-year term on the Leisure Arts Committee. Terry Sheahan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. David Austin moved the appointment of Ms. Julie Taylor to the Natural Resources Committee for a three-year term. Terry Sheahan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Bob Chittenden moved adjournment. David Austin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.