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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/06/1998CITY COUNCIL 6 APRIL 1998 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 6 April 1998, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; James Condos, Joan Britt, Terrance Sheahan, David Austin. Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Albert Audette, Highway Dept; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Anna Johnston, The Other Paper; George Sporzynski, Tony Cairns, Bob L'Ecuyer, Lauren-Glen Davitian. 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda items): Mr. Sporzynski thanked the Council for the widening of Spear St. when it was repaved. He said this has made a big difference and suggested doing this with other streets in the city. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Hafter noted that there will be a special Council meeting next Monday at 7:00 p.m. which will include a public hearing on the Charter change, signing of the warning, and renewals of beverage licenses. Mr. Hafter also reminded members of the Steering Committee meeting on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. South Burlington Firefighter Maureen Leahy, who leads the EMS services in the city, was recognized as EMS Officer of the Year. Bruce O'Neill and Tom Hubbard were guests on "Sports Blitz," which will be aired on 8 April. The discussion centers on Recreation Department operations and philosophy. The Shrine Circus wants to return to South Burlington on September 12-13. Mr. Hafter will iron out details with staff and then bring the proposal to the Council for final approval. Rep. Flaherty has indicated that the Legislature will probably conclude on 17 April. Thus, another Legislative breakfast is not being planned. The city's Charter change is through both the House and Senate and should be approved. Mr. Cimonetti noted an unresolved issue on the budget regarding the school's revenue item for $70,000 for community use of school facilities. Mr. Cimonetti said this cannot be accommodated within the city budget. The issue needs to be resolved before the Warning goes out. Members agreed to discuss this later in the meeting. 3. Update from Dorset Park Skating Association on Status of Skating Facility: Mr. Cairns reported that the facility was used last year by about 640,000 people. This resulted in 2400 area hotel bookings. 12,000 people participated in public skating which is limited due to paid ice time. There is no more ice time available, and people are being turned away. The Chittenden-South Burlington program has almost doubled its enrollment since the facility opened, and they are still trying to get more ice time. Women's hockey is also becoming popular, and a program will be starting at the High School. A new dehumidification system has been installed, and this is now the best facility in the state. There is also a new program with Vermont Gas, so they are not using electricity any more. This is saving about $40,000 a year. After locker rooms are complete, the only thing left will be to finish the lounge area. They haven't yet decided what to do with this. They need to have an elevator for handicapped access, so they need a use that makes sense. One thought is to honor skaters that came out of UVM, but this still doesn't solve the use question. They have considered serving wine and beer during events and wondered if this would be acceptable to the city. Mr. Cimonetti said it shouldn't be a problem to get special events licensing. Mr. Cairns said there is some talk of putting in another ice sheet, but this is in very preliminary discussions. It would require more land to the north of the current facility, but would not require more refrigeration or another zamboni. The facility could run from September to March. Members felt this was worth considering and would like to review the overall park plan. Mr. Hafter noted the city's interest in a swimming facility. Mr. Cairns said with the excess heat they have, they could heat a pool. 4. Discussion on request from Healthy Living Food Markets, Market Street, for outside seating: Mr. Hafter said the applicant would like 4 outside tables, which seems to be in conformance with City Center planned use. Mr. Hafter did not feel an ordinance would be necessary. Katy Lesser said Healthy Living was in the Blue Mall for 13 years and is now on Market St. The Health Dept. will allow them only a total of 25 seats, inside and out. Mr. Hafter said the city would have to be named on the liability insurance policy. Mr. Austin suggested a one-year approval to see how it works. Members agreed to have staff work out the details. 5. Review of 5-year Construction Plan, Deficient Street listing, and other street items: Mr. Audette noted that the city's 5-year plan will be going into its last year, and a new plan will be needed. He then reviewed certain parts of the schedule including the rebuilding of Poor Farm Road for which some funding may be available. He said that if the city keeps up the maintenance of its roads, it will be able to have a good system. Mr. Audette felt that the traffic light system will have to be looked at. There are more demands for more lights. The city has 70 miles of streets, and many of them get a lot of traffic. Another part of the department's work involves catching up with drainage problems, some of which are still to be addressed. Ms. Britt asked if Kennedy Dr. can wait another year. Mr. Audette said it can't. Mr. Sheahan asked what is different in the life expectancy of curbed and uncurbed streets. Mr. Audette said uncurbed streets chip away, with sides breaking off. The curbing seals it. The worst thing is open ditches which are the hardest to maintain. Mr. Condos noted 2 new streets, Brand and Lupine, that are already showing problems. Mr. Audette said this is because there is water in the sub-base. Mr. Audette said that they would like to apply to the AOT for scoping of the intersection near the Lime Kiln Bridge. The plan would be to turn it into a 4-way intersection in conjunction with the bridge rebuilding. The road would be brought behind the row of houses. Members felt this was a good plan. Mr. Audette then showed a possible plan for the new Public Works Facility. The plan would be to tear down the bus barn and put an addition on to the present shop. They would also try to put a second floor on one part of the building to be used for storage. Mr. Hafter said they would like to bring this to the voters in November. Members felt the next step should be taken to get a firm design. 6. Consideration of approval of Finance and Maintenance Agreement between Vermont Agency of Transportation and City of South Burlington, BRM5600(6). Lime Kiln Bridge: Mr. Hafter explained that this would be a 80-10-10 funding arrangement with the local 10% split between S. Burlington and Colchester for work on the bridge. Each town would be responsible for the full local share on its side of the bridge. Mr. Condos moved to approve the Agreement between the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the City of South Burlington-BRM5600(6). Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Update on Channel 17 Activities: Ms. Davitian said they appreciate the addition of Joan Britt to the Channel 17 Board. Channel 17 is planning to move to a larger facility which will provide them with a larger studio. The current contract with Adelphia expires in 1999. If an agreement can't be reached for a renewal, they will have to go before the Public Service Board. Adelphia has said they view Channel 17 as an asset and have been very open with communications. Ms. Davitian said they would appreciate letters of support and also asked members to fill out a survey. Mr. Cimonetti asked how the S. Burlington story can be told. Ms. Davitian suggested having a camera follow some city personnel around for a day. Mr. Cimonetti suggested they work out a plan. 8. Discussion of Issuance of Request for Proposal for Attorney Services: Mr. Cimonetti said that this is the year for competitive bidding for legal services which hasn't been done for 5 years. Mr. Hafter said he would bring qualified candidates for interviews by the Council in open session. Mr. Cimonetti stressed that there is absolutely no dissatisfaction with the current City Attorney. Bids will be due the first week in May. 9. Consideration of approval of Capital Equipment Refunding Note and Resolution for Library Automation: Mr. Cimonetti noted the note is for $26,000 at 4.3%. Mr. Condos moved to approve the capital equipment refunding note and resolution for Library automation as presented. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Review Minutes of 16 March: Ms. Britt moved to approve the Minutes of 16 March as written. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Discussion of Budget Issue: Mr. Cimonetti told members they would hear at the Steering Committee meeting the opinion of the School Board that at least for next year the city should pay the School District $70,000 for providing community services in school buildings, particularly the Community Library. In the past, the city has asked voters if they would support use of the school facilities by the community. This year they would be asked for a fee to do this, and the fee would have to be raised from property taxes. Mr. Cimonetti noted this is a result of Act 60 limitation imposed on the School District, and the District is essentially asking that these costs be transferred to the city budget. There would have to be consideration of Charter limitations on the city budget. There is also a question of whether this is an operating cost and should be in the budget or whether it is a "unique" cost. Mr. Condos asked where the $70,000 figure came from as he had thought it was $50,000. He said he would also like to see a spread sheet of these costs before he could approve a ballot item. He also wanted to see what services the city provides to the schools for which there is no reimbursement. Mr. Cimonetti explained that the School District feels they can recover up to $30,000 from users outside of the city. They want $50,000 to come from government. Mr. Condos said if the shift involves legitimate costs being shifted from the school to the city, and if it will save the taxpayers money, he could agree with it. Mr. Cimonetti said he felt it would have to be a reasonable savings, and his present calculation is that the savings would be only $3,000. Mr. Austin said he couldn't believe that in a budget of $24,000,000, there can't be a place to make up $50,000 without going to the voters. Mr. Sheahan felt this sends a very poor message to voters. Ms. Britt agreed. Mr. Cimonetti felt the Council should take that opinion to the Steering Committee. Mr. Austin said he didn't feel the taxpayers want to hear the Council squabbling with the School Board. Mr. Condos said several people have talked with him about this issue, and their feeling was that if it is a legitimate expense, the city should pick it up, but they also expected to see an equivalent decrease in the School District budget. Mr. Cimonetti said the School Board said they have done this. Mr. Hafter will report the Council's feelings to the Superintendent. 12. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 13. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Condos moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. a) Consideration of First & Second Class Liquor License renewals, 1998-9: Mr. Hafter presented the following list of license renewals. He said that all have been approved by fire, police, and tax people. Applebee's Restaurant Bourne's Service Center Cactus Pete's Steakhouse Chittenden Cider Mill Colonial Mini Mart Gracey's Liquor Store Gracey's Store Healthy Living Hannaford Food & Drug - Dorset Street Hannaford Food & Drug - Fayette Rd. Interstate Shell Night Flight, Inc. Ramada Inn Simon's Store & Deli The Parkway Diner The Pour House Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the First & Second Class Liquor License renewals as presented. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Executive Session: Mr. Condos moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss litigation in a personnel matter and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The City Council returned to regular session. Mr. Condos moved adjournment. Mr. Sheahan 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.