Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 09/02/1997CITY COUNCIL 2 SEPTEMBER 1997 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 2 September 1997, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; James Condos, Terry Sheahan, Joan Britt. Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Albert Audette, Highway Dept; Joe Weith, City Planner; Bill Burgess, Planning Commission; Frank Mazur, Bill Wessel, CCTA; Anna Johnston, The Other Paper; Ed Clodfelter, Dennis Beauregard, Mary Gleason, Mildred Estey, Amanda Kolifrath, Ece Akturk, John Penucci, Paulita Crocker, Richard Medla, Janet Joppe, Sara Terhune. 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda items): Ms. Britt said she had been contacted by residents of McIntosh Avenue regarding the city's plan to put in a sidewalk on that street. She then read a petition from residents opposing the sidewalk. Ms. Joppe said nobody on the street wants the sidewalk. It is unnecessary and is a waste of money. Ms. Kolifrath said her front yard would be cut in half. The tree that provides shade and privacy would go as would shrubbery. She said they don't want to lose all of that. Ms. Gleason said the sidewalk would take away the whole idea of the neighborhood they had moved there for. Mr. Beauregard concurred, noting that he had lived downtown until recently and came to McIntosh Avenue because it has no sidewalk and because people are proud of their lawns. He added that he would prefer to see the street fixed, potholes repaired. He felt people wouldn't use the sidewalk but they would use a bike lane in the street. Ms. Joppe noted McIntosh is not a through street and is used only by people who live on it. She added that the plan to put the sidewalk on the even numbered side of the street doesn't make sense either since it wouldn't line up with other sidewalks. Mr. Condos said he lives on the same kind of street and understands the feelings. Mr. Sheahan said he isn't in a hurry to spend $15,000 for something people don't want, especially when there is another neighborhood that wants a sidewalk and the city hasn't got funds for that one. Residents felt that the money could better be spent on addressing drainage problems in the neighborhood. Mr. Audette noted that almost every house in that neighborhood is in violation of the sewer policy, with footing drains tied in with sanitary. The footing drains have collapsed. The Council said they will discuss this issue again, especially in light of the other sidewalk request. 2. Announcements and City Manager's Report: Mr. Sheahan reported he had attended the Regional Planning meeting last week. The next meeting is 8 September at 5:30 p.m. Mr. Hafter reported the following: a. He will be giving a talk tomorrow on the effect of Act 60 on commercial development. b. There will be a meeting of the Correctional Facility Liaison Committee tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. c. There will also be a meeting tomorrow of the Economic Development Committee at 7:00 p.m. d. The city received a sidewalk donation for Corporate Way. The city will contribute to landscaping. Mr. Audette reported that the Shelburne Rd. diversion is working well and will speed up construction by 4 weeks. A policeman may be used to aid at the bike crossing. Mr. Cimonetti noted the circus is setting up at Dorset Park for performances on September 4 and 5. 3. Update on progress of citywide reappraisal: Mr. Clodfelter reported that they probably have 50% of commercial data collected. They completed property transfer information on Friday and merged those sales into the main file. Next week they will begin getting letters out to owners. Mr. Cimonetti asked when residential listings could be published. Mr. Clodfelter said in March, since things are still in flux. The appeal period starts when property owners get notice of the appraisal. They will then have 14 days in which to appeal. There will be a month of pre-hearings before formal appeals begin. 4. Discussion of funding options for construction of Meadow Road Sidewalk: Mr. Hafter said the cost is estimated at $15,000. The sidewalk is necessary and is supported by neighbors. The plan is to take the money from the city's share of the Van Sicklen Bridge for this sidewalk since that project won't be done this year. The funds allotted to the McIntosh Ave. project could also be used if it is decided not to do that sidewalk. Work on Meadow Rd. could be done this fall. Mr. Audette said the sidewalk would be on the west side of the street. There is only one problem with a house right on the line. Mr. Audette also addressed the sidewalk work on Spear St. that would go from the Jughandle to the UVM Farm. The 5-year work plan for streets and sidewalks is being redone this year. Mr. Cimonetti suggested reserving the decision on Meadow Road for two weeks. Members agreed. 5. Interview Mildred Estey for Appointment to the Recreation Path Committee: Ms. Estey said she has lived in the city for a number of years and has been to a lot of Planning Commission and Zoning Board meetings. Since her family has moved back to the city, she is more aware of the Rec Path and walks it herself a great deal. Mr. Cimonetti explained the selection process. 6. Update on CCTA Operations: Mr. Mazur reported that the fiscal year ends 30 June. In the last year, ridership was up 1/2% to 1,600,000 riders. The College Street Shuttle ridership was up 13%. This route costs South Burlington nothing. Ridership on the Airport route was about the same as last year at 212,000. Ridership on the South End Route was down 5% to 147,000. Operating expenses for CCTA are 5% below the national average. Mr. Mazur felt expenses could be even lower if the fleet were not so old. Most buses are 17-18 years old. This year, they are expecting 7 new buses, 2 of which will be in conjunction with the Commuter Rail project. The city's local share for these buses will be $121,000. CCTA is not asking for a bond as it had put money aside for this use. Assessments will not go up. The remaining 16 buses also need to be replaced soon, but Mr. Mazur was not yet sure how that will be done. The local share for those buses would be $400,000. CCTA has a fare box recovery rate of 35%, with a total of 42% of financing from self-generating income. Advertising pays for a lot. Mr. Mazur noted that people had questioned the need to have the handicapped lifts on buses, but this year there were 3400 such boardings. The buses also carried over 10,000 bikes. A new time-performance measure has been instituted. In the first month, it showed a 64% on-time figure. The aim is to be at 85%. CCTA is entering into a sales agreement for the old facility. They received $460,000 for it and have taken a second mortgage on it. They hope to transfer title on 1 November. They will move into the new CCTA facility next door in late October. Mr. Wessel noted the new building will be named the Frank Mazur Building. Mr. Mazur stressed that CCTA will remain a bus operation and will only support the Commuter Rail operation. There will be no increase in staff for this purpose. Mr. Cimonetti said he is looking ahead to the holiday shopping season and noted there will be a lot of construction at the Mall and many parking problems which will make bus service even more important. Mr. Condos asked about headways. Mr. Mazur said they are looking at that. They do have buses that go into neighborhoods to feed other routes. He said they realize they have to go to the customers. Mr. Sheahan asked Mr. Mazur to explain how Burlington addressed the funding problem for the College St. Shuttle once the grant ran out. Mr. Mazur said Burlington got some money from the hospital but most of it is coming from Act 60's provision for "payment in lieu of taxes" for state buildings located in the city. Burlington got $138,000. Mr. Mazur said this is the city's interpretation of using the funds to reduce taxes. 7. Consideration of First Reading of Proposed Zoning Amendment to Allow Bed and Breakfast as a Conditional Use in the Southeast Quadrant District; Schedule Public Hearing: Mr. Weith explained that amendment and noted it also includes a change in the definition of a B&B to describe the use more completely. Mr. Cimonetti summarized the amendment, noting that the structure must be a single family building whose owner or operator must reside there as a primary residence. Mr. Weith stressed that this is not a "home occupation" and will require site plan review by the Planning Commission and conditional review use by the Zoning Board. Mr. Cimonetti noted there is a companion piece to this amendment involving a change to the Sign Ordinance which the Council will consider next. Ms. Britt moved to approve the first reading of the proposed amendment and to schedule a public hearing for 6 October. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. First Reading of Amendment to the Sign Ordinance Establishing Restrictions on Size of Signs for Bed and Breakfast Uses in Residential Areas; schedule public hearing: Mr. Weith suggested 4 sq. ft. as the maximum for signs on road with 25 mph speeds or less and 8 sq. ft. maximum on higher speed road. A resident raised the question of the location of signs in scenic view corridors. Mr. Cimonetti said such signs should be put in the portion of the lot where the building is located, not in an open space area. Mr. Condos suggested removing the language referring to "use variance" since such variances are illegal. Mr. Condos moved to waive the reading of the proposed amendment, to approve the first reading, and to schedule a public hearing for 6 October. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Council Discussion of New Name for Corporate Way: Mr. Hafter said the road should be open to Hinesburg Rd. by November. People located on the road don't feel the current name is indicative of what will be located there. Mr. Condos suggested asking the public. Ms. Estey suggested a contest in the schools. 10. Consideration of Participation in the Vermont Coalition of Municipalities: Mr. Cimonetti noted this group now has 40 members. They have a Board and also have established sub-committees, one of which is a legal sub- committee. Paul Frank & Collins has been selected as legal counsel. The dues structure is on a sliding scale, and South Burlington would have dues of $125.00 through 6/30/98. The coalition is making public presentation, doing visuals, etc., to help people understand the implications of the law. Mr. Cimonetti felt it was a reasonable organization and is not out to pick a fight but to answer questions. He recommended the city join. Mr. Sheahan agreed. He asked if the city would have an option to be part of any legal action the coalition takes. Mr. Cimonetti said they would. Ms. Britt asked if there are any other avenues the city should be looking into. Mr. Cimonetti said he talked with the City Attorney and instructed him to note all the implications for South Burlington (Charter, etc.). He felt the Council will want to have a discussion with the City Attorney in a few weeks. Mr. Cimonetti also suggested another Steering Committee meeting in the near future. Mr. Condos moved to direct the City Manager to have South Burlington join the Vermont Coalition of Municipalities. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Consideration of selection of project for State Planning Grant Application: Mr. Weith said the Legislature has reinstated the Municipal Planning Grant program, and South Burlington can apply for up to $7,500. It will require a resolution of the Council and Planning Commission approval. A list of proposed projects was provided for members. Mr. Cimonetti noted there is a lot of emphasis and interest in downtown areas on the part of the Legislature and suggested this might be a good area to concentrate on. Ms. Britt and Mr. Condos felt items #4 and 5 were both appropriate. The Council agreed to submit an application focusing on the downtown area. 12. Consideration of approval of capital equipment refunding note and resolution for loader: Mr. Condos moved to approve the capital equipment refunding note at 4.35% interest for the loader. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Consideration of appointment of city voting delegate to VLCT annual meeting: Mr. Sheahan moved to appoint Margaret Picard as voting delegate to the VLCT annual meeting. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 14. Review Zoning Notice for Public Hearing on 8 September 1997: No issues were raised. 15. Review City Council Minutes for 18 August 1997: Mr. Condos moved to approve the Minutes of 18 August as written. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Mr. Sheahan abstaining. 16. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 17. Executive Session: Mr. Sheahan moved the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss appointment to Boards and Committees, litigation, and negotiations, and to resume regular session to make appointments and/or adjourn. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The City Council returned to regular session. Joan Britt moved to appoint Mildred Estey to the Recreation Path Committee for a three-year term ending in 2000. Jim Condos seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Joan Britt moved adjournment. Jim Condos seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.