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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/04/1997CITY COUNCIL 4 MARCH 1997 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Tuesday, 4 March 1997, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; James Condos, David Austin Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Asst. City Manager; Amory Smith, Gerald Morang, John Larkin 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda Items): No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Hafter reported on the following upcoming meetings: a. The Steering Committee will meet on 20 March, at 7:30 p.m. b. The Public Hearing on the proposed 1997-8 City & School budgets will be on 10 April, at 7:30 p.m. c. The Economic Development Committee will meet on 12 March, at 7:00 p.m. d. Mr. Hafter and Ed Clodfelter will speak Tuesday on the reappraisal process to the South Burlington Rotary Club. e. Mr. Hafter then gave members information on the most recent property tax reform bill in the Legislature. He noted that of the currently spent $7840 per pupil that South Burlington pays for education, the state would pay 57%. The rest would have to come from local option income taxes which would be about 14.6%. This would be offset by a $747 savings on the average home. These figures don't include other proposed tax increases such as gasoline. The owner of a $150,000 home in South Burlington with a $100,000 annual income would pay $664,000 more in taxes under this proposal. Mr. Hafter noted this computation is just for residential property. There would be a 1.31 tax on non-residential property. Mr. Cimonetti noted this is the only proposal to get through committee. There will be an information meeting on this proposal on 6 March in the Conois Auditorium in Burlington. Mr. Cimonetti announced a meeting of the commuter rail steering committee on the morning of 12 March. Mr. Hafter announced that the new tower truck has arrived and is now being painted. It is hoped to have it operational by 31 March after firefighters are trained in its use. Mr. Hafter noted that the city still does not have the schools' audit so the Annual Report can't get to the printers. 3. Request from Mt. Sinai Shriners #3 to Hold a Shrine Circus in Dorset Park, 4 and 5 September 1997: Messrs. Smith and Morang showed members the program from the 1994 circus which was held at the Shelburne Rd. Outlet Center. They said there was not enough parking at that facility. As an alternative, they are proposing to use the grounds of the skating arena. The proposal is to erect a 200' x 400' self-contained tent facility which holds about 3,000 people. They are estimating about 1200 per show. There would be 2 performances per day with proceeds to benefit shrine activities. If needed, parking at Mt. Sinai Temple across the street could be used with circus-goers being shuttled back and forth. It was noted that this might conflict with Friday night services at the Temple. Mr. Condos asked if it would be possible to have a parade on Dorset St. Mr. Smith said they would be willing to look into that. They are planning a parade in conjunction with their fall activities. Mr. Smith said the Shriners are fully insured as is the circus company. Mr. Hafter said he would require that the Fire Dept. inspect the tent before the shows. Members felt the plan was workable within the requirements of the city. 4. Consideration of Approval of Warning for City Meeting Reference Route 7 Water Main Relocation and Resolution Regarding Same: Mr. Hafter said wording of the Warning may have to be revised to define exactly where the work will be done. Mr. Condos moved to approve the Warning & Resolution for relocation of the water line on Rt. 7 for the May 20, 1997 vote. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Consideration of Approval of Proposed Land Exchange Between City and John P. Larkin, Inc; (city land 3.4 acres easterly of Shelburne Road and North of Harbor View Road; Larkin property, 2.21 acres, Keari Lane): Mr. Hafter said he has received 2 favorable comments on this proposal. One person expressed concern with what Mr. Larkin will do with his land. Mr. Hafter said that it would be an allowed use. This person also felt it was a good plan to keep the Keari Lane property natural. Green Mountain Power has made no comments. Residents asked what the city's plan was for the land they will get. Mr. Cimonetti noted it is adjacent to a recreational area and would make that area more significant. Mr. Larkin felt the proposal was beneficial because now he wouldn't be building a house in that woods. He would want to rezone the land he gets to commercial use. Mr. Austin felt the zoning issue should not be prejudged. He said the proposal should be written up and signed, then have the zoning proposal go through the standard process. Members agreed. 6. Consideration of Approval of Capital Equipment Refunding Note and Resolution for 1995 International Truck: Mr. Austin moved to approve the Capital Equipment Refunding Note and Resolution in the amount of $30,000 as presented. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.