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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/20/1997CITY COUNCIL 20 JANUARY 1997 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 20 January 1997, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; James Condos, David Austin, Terry Sheahan, Robert Chittenden Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Asst. City Manager; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Gary Rounds, Bob Wheel, Fire Dept; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Anna Johnston, The Other Paper; Bob L'Ecuyer, Tony Cairns, David Boehm, Lisa Yankowski, Jamey Magowan 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda Items): No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Hafter noted the need to reschedule the Council retreat. A tentative date of 28 January was chosen and will be confirmed. The budget calendar was then reviewed. Members suggested combining the 17 February and 20 February meetings and beginning at 7:00. This was agreed upon. The second budget meeting will be on 24 February. A third, if needed, will be scheduled later. The Board of Civil Authority meeting originally scheduled for 4 February was changed to 3 February at 7:00. Council members agreed to hold the Council meeting on the same night at 8:00. The City Charter Committee will meet on 27 January at 7:00 p.m. to review the changes regarding Water Commissioners. Mr. Hafter gave members materials on the Governor's property tax reform plan. He also gave them a chart from the Vermont Ski Association comparing towns' contribution to the general fund and what they get back. South Burlington is shown to contribute about $26,600,000, and gets back an estimated $1,100,000. The comment was made that South Burlington already is "sharing" with other towns. There will be an MPO meeting on 22 January at 3:00 p.m. regarding governancy of the MPO and relationship with Regional Planning. Mr. Cimonetti noted that the AOT has directed the MPO to take certain actions or they won't release any funds to them. Mr. Hafter gave members the list of tax penalty waivers. February 11th is Local Government Day at the State House. Ms. Picard and Mr. Hafter will be attending, and Mr. Hafter invited Council members to join them. Mr. Condos reported that he had attended a meeting at the Radison sponsored by a man from Canada representing the International Committee for Local Initiative. The meeting was to focus on economic development in relation to the environment but seemed to focus instead on what is happening to the climate. 3. Interview with applicant for appointment to Red Rocks Committee: Council members interviewed Lisa Yankowski. Ms. Yankowski said she has lived in South Burlington most of her life and grew up in Queen City Park. She spent a great deal of time in the Park, especially as her father was always involved with the environment. Her father served on the Committee, and Ms. Yankowski said she would now like to take his place. She said the city is very lucky to have that tract and she wants to help protect it. 4. Consideration of approval of short term financing note for purchase of Fire Tower Truck: Mr. Hafter reported that he accompanied members of the Fire Department to California to inspect the truck belonging to the Manteca Fire District. The truck was inspected and driven and was found to be in almost new condition. It has fewer than 6500 miles. Following negotiations, the Town Council approved a sale price of $410,000. Since the city approved a bond of $425,000, there will be funds to allow for the purchase and transportation of the truck plus the cost of the inspection visit. Mr. Hafter noted that the city used the Vermont Bond Bank to finance purchases and usually receives the funds at the end of July. In the interim, the city can get a short term borrowing note which it repays when Bond Bank funds are received. The proposed note is from the Chittenden and is at 4.1%, the best quote received. Firefighter Rounds said the truck is a step above the first truck they had inspected. There are no serious maintenance problems and the truck is spotless. It was certified in October. Firefighter Wheel felt the city could use that certification through the year. Mr. Chittenden moved to approve the bond anticipation note and resolution and non-arbitration certificate and to authorize the City Manager to sign the purchase agreement. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Rounds noted that 2,000 of the truck's mileage was for getting it to California from Wisconsin. This was the first aerial truck the District had ever owned, and they don't have a building over 2 stories. Mr. Hafter said credit goes to the Committee for finding the truck. Members then discussed methods of transporting the truck to Vermont. Mr. Wheel explained the options which include having 2 known drivers fly out and drive it back, using a company which will secure all the needed permits, or hiring unknown drivers through a company in Indiana that would take care of driving and permits for a flat fee. All options will be looked into thoroughly. 5. Review of Cairns Arena first year operating results and discussion of financial issues: Mr. Cairns thanked the Council for its help in this project. He said it has been a great project for the city. He especially thanked Sonny Audette for his help and for the help of his department. The rink has been in operation just over a year and their heads are just a little out of the water. The only problem occurs in the summer months when there is no public skating. He noted that there were over 400 people for public skating yesterday. The electric bill is higher than expected, and they are looking into alternatives including natural gas. There were some costs which had not been anticipated including expense from GMP to bring power into the park ($14,000). This is being paid at $240/month. There is also lighting for the parking lot. Mr. Cairns noted that both of these costs benefit more than the rink, and he felt the costs should be shared when other uses are developed. Mr. Cairns then explained future plans including a press box, CVU and SBHS locker rooms upstairs, and meeting rooms and a lounge. Mr. Cimonetti said it was impressive for them to have done so well in the first year of operation. He asked how close they are to use capacity. Mr. L'Ecuyer, Rink Manager, said they open at 5:30 a.m. 7 days a week and close at about Midnight 7 days a week. It's a premier facility. Mr. Cimonetti asked what they did for use in the summer. Mr. L'Ecuyer said they had camps and schools and a co-ed adult league. Mr. Sheahan said he is involved with youth hockey and has been told that people around the state and in other states look forward to coming to this rink. Mr. Condos added that it is a model of public/private partnership, and he would like to continue along the same line for other facilities in the park. Mr. Cimonetti explained that the arena is the city's property which it leases back to a non-profit corporation. He added that the city could never have done it on its own. Regarding the extraordinary expenses, Mr. Cimonetti agreed that these should be shared by other uses. He suggested the city enter into a formal stipulation that there be an equity position taken on this. He suggested it go on record for this and have a formal statement drawn up showing how costs will be apportioned. Other members agreed. 6. Discussion of proposed land exchange between the city and John P. Larkin, Inc; (city land, 3.4 acres easterly of Shelburne Rd. and north of Harbor View Road; Larkin property, Keari Lane: Mr. Hafter said the Larkin land is appraised at $68,000 (it is a wooded area with a lot of ravine adjacent to recreation area), and the city land is appraised at $25,000 (half the lot is not usable for development as it is in a CO zone). Mr. Cimonetti said there would have to be 30 days public notice if the city intended to do this. He stressed that good neighborhood input should be solicited. Mr. Austin said he was not opposed to the idea but wanted to know if anyone else would be interested in the land. Mr. Sheahan agreed. He suggested giving 30 days notice and getting public testimony. Members agreed to proceed with discussions about the proposed exchange and secure comments from the neighborhood. 7. Review Planning Commission Agenda for 21 January and Zoning Board Agenda for 27 January: No issues were raised. 8. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 9. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Condos moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. a. Approval of First Class Liquor License for Plizzettas of Burlington, Inc., dba Pizzeria Uno, 1330 Shelburne Road: Mr. Hafter said the applications are complete and meet all requirements. He introduced Jayme Magowan representing the owners. Mr. Magowan said they hope to open in a week. They will be providing 95 jobs for the area. Mr. Austin moved to approve the First Class Liquor License for Plizzettas of Burlington, Inc., as presented. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed 4-0. Executive Session: Mr. Sheahan moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss personnel issues and appointments to Boards and Commissions and to resume regular session only for the purpose of making an appointment to a board and adjournment. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Jim Condos moved the appointment of Lisa Yankowski to the Red Rocks Committee to a term to run until June, 1999. David Austin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Jim Condos moved to adjourn. David Austin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.