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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/17/1997CITY COUNCIL 17 APRIL 1997 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Thursday, 17 April 1997, at 7:30 p.m., 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; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Peter Jacob, William Burgess, Water Commission; Jim Fay, Chittenden Water District; William Szymanski, City Engineer; Robert Ray, Roland Luxenberg 1. Presentation from CWD on Bond Vote Schedules for 29 April 1997: Mr. Fay indicated that all 8 towns that make up the District will be voting on this issue. He then briefly reviewed the history and structure of CWD. There have been no water rate increases in six years, and Mr. Fay predicted there would be none for six more years. Plant capacity is about 15 million gallons. At peak times, they have used up to 14 million gallons, which does not leave much room for growth or unusually high demands. The present program is looking at all weak links and attempting to strengthen them. Funds from the bond vote will be used in three projects to start in the Fall. The first of these will occur at the Red Rocks Pump Station. Presently, there is only one line into the lake. In order to address this, 6 pumps will be replaced with 6 larger ones and there will be a new emergency intake into the lake. No pipe will be put into the lake, but will be stored in the building so it can be used when needed. This will allow the pump station to go to 23 million gallons a day. Mr. Condos asked how a temporary pollution near the line would be handled. Mr. Fay said they would head the line in another direction. The second project will convert a filtered water tank to a raw water tank. The upgrade will provide dual feeds into the building. The third project will tie into Burlington lines near the Burlington Southern Connector. This would allow service to South Burlington and Shelburne, if necessary. It could also feed back to Burlington if their power was low. Mr. Condos asked if CWD has a contract with Burlington. Mr. Fay said there isn't one yet. Burlington is doing tests to be sure they can support it. Mr. Fay then explained how the quality of water will be monitored. Mr. Condos asked if there are any discussions relative to Burlington joining CWD. Mr. Fay said not at the moment. Burlington won't retire its capital debt until 2012, and it doesn't appear that much could happen before then. Mr. Cimonetti noted that Red Rocks is a public beach and asked what work will look like there. Mr. Fay said the pipe access will be buried and the pipe itself will be stored in the building until it is needed. Mr. Cimonetti asked what the latest is on the zebra mussel situation. Mr. Fay said zebra mussels had a bad summer, but they will probably make a comeback. Mr. Cimonetti noted that he has been told of zebra mussel activity already beginning this year. Mr. Chittenden asked if each of the communities has to pass the bond issue for it to pass. Mr. Fay said no, it is a total vote count. 2. First Public Hearing on Proposed amendment to the City Charter to eliminate the separately elected Water Commissioners and incorporate the South Burlington Water Department into the City organizational structure: Mr. Condos moved to waive reading of the amendment. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Szymanski asked if this is the only change. Mr. Cimonetti said it is, but the School District also has two ballot items, one of which is to override Charter limitations on the School budget. Mr. Cimonetti then explained the process for making a Charter change. If the citizens approve the ballot item, it will then go to the Legislature for approval. The amendment would take affect upon Legislative approval, probably a year from now. Mr. Hafter noted that the proposed amendment was initiated by the Water Commissioners themselves. Mr. Cimonetti added that the Water Commission will continue to function until the Charter change is approved by the Legislature. There will be a second public hearing on the Charter change on Monday, 21 April. Mr. Condos moved to close the Public Hearing on the proposed Charter amendment. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.