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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/23/1998CITY COUNCIL 23 FEBRUARY 1998 The South Burlington City Council held a meeting on Monday, 23 February 1998, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; Joan Britt, Terrence Sheahan, James Condos Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Assistant City Manager, Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Director; Richard Ward, Zoning Administrator; Joe Weith, City Planner; Claire Buckley I - Budget Work Session: a. Recreation: Mr. O'Neill said they are requesting that the part time Program Supervisor position be made full time (is now 3/4 time). By consolidating costs related to this position that appear in other areas, the cost will actually be less. They will also be able to add more revenue from programs that can now be held. Mr. Condos asked about possible increased costs for use of the school. Mr. O'Neill said any increase would have to be built into the cost of the programs. Mr. Cimonetti noted that Act 60 will require that this be looked into in great detail this year. Mr. O'Neill said if this happens, he would like to see a flat fee rather than a daily cost basis. Mr. Hafter noted how often the City Hall Conference Room is used by non-city groups, and felt this could also be looked at. b. Library: There are not many changes in the budget. There will be some added money in the book budget, and they are spending some bequest money for non- fiction, as intended. A $2000 request for furniture and equipment would be for expansion of the back room into a staff work space. Mr. Cimonetti noted $100 for service to shut-ins. It was explained that this is a pilot program, and the money is mostly for mileage to deliver and retrieve books. c. Natural Resources Committee: Work is planned for one of the trails in Dorset Park. Mr. Sheahan commented that there needs to be a "no parking" ordinance on one or both sides of the park road. It was noted that last year there was a tree-planting project coordinated with school children. The Committee also is looking to address wetland issues on its own. c. City Clerk: Mr. Hafter noted the large increase is due to 3 elections this year and to anticipated reappraisal appeal costs. Postage is being increased $1300 because of the elections. There is one capital expenditure of $200, to upgrade a computer. d. Public Works: Highway and Park Maintenance: Mr. Audette said they will add one more plow truck and plow route. They will not replace a truck they had originally planned to replace. They will also add a new man and combine two 1/2-time people into the parks maintenance. There is an increase in road painting funding. They will also patch Williston Rd. before it is remarked. This is supposed to be the state's responsibility, but Mr. Audette did not expect the state to do it. There is a large increase in tree care for replacement of trees damaged in the ice storm. Mr. Cimonetti noted a lot of damage to young trees on Pinnacle Drive. Mr. Audette said these may need to be replanted. Mr. Condos noted that Tom Moreau of the Solid Waste District praised Sonny and his Department for being the best organization to work with. Mr. Audette hoped to go to the voters for a new public works facility. He said he had talked with school people and they are willing to go along with a joint facility. Mr. Audette then reviewed street work to be done. Mr. Condos noted damage to the bike path in front of the Church near Dorset St. due to construction equipment. Mr. Cimonetti noted the problem with acquiring a right-of-way on Van Sicklen. Mr. Audette explained that situation. Mr. Cimonetti felt it important to keep the project in the plan. Mr. Audette said they have increased money for curb and sidewalk work and plan to make a major effort in that area this year. Mr. Hafter said there is no money for new sidewalks in this budget and felt there needs to be a decision on how sidewalks will be funded in the future. Mr. Audette noted there are people who do not want the sidewalks that are planned. Ms. Britt suggested having a list of places where the Council feels sidewalks are needed. The only other major increase is in Parks improvements. Work has to be done on the roof of the Calkins House to meet insurance concerns. They will also do work on the school tennis courts and will start on basketball courts at Dorset Park. Mr. Cimonetti noted it may be possible to move ahead on a scoping study on the northbound access to I-89 at Kennedy Drive. Mr. Hafter felt there is enough money from impact fees to do it now. Mr. Audette noted that scoping for Airport Drive is on line very soon as well. e. Planning Department: Mr. Weith said there is a $5100 budget increase mostly for consulting fees for a study of establishing a local development corporation for the City Center. This will start in July and is expected to take 3 or 4 months. There is a capital request for $650 for a file cabinet to be shared with the Zoning Department, and also an upgrade of the GIS program. Mr. Hafter noted it looks like the city will get an enhancement grant for work on the watershed that was discussed several months ago. f. Zoning Department: Mr. Ward noted an increase in advertising notices in the Free Press. He said they will probably increase fees to cover some of this. Legal services are also going up. Mr. Ward noted there is a bill that would require tracking for permits. They are trying to establish an electronic system and are working with consultants on this. They hope it would be grandfathered. Mr. Hafter noted it costs $75 for a zoning appeal notice in the Free Press. The City is charging $50. He felt they at least have to cover costs. The same is true for Planning notices. Mr. Ward said he would also like a third set of banners which would cost about $2700. f. Revenues: Mr. Hafter noted a mistake of $36,000 which can be addressed before the budget is finalized. Revenues include dog/cat licenses, an increase in the amount to do administrative work for Water Pollution Control, a slight reduction in state highway aid, and a revenue loss from the pelletizer plant which is no longer in business. Mr. Cimonetti noted the City Charter Committee will meet tomorrow night. He said he is not happy with how the School District is viewing the Charter limitations. Since he can't be at the Charter meeting, he has written a memo expressing his concerns. One item Mr. Cimonetti specifically took issue with is a statement regarding loss of $500,000 in revenues from impact fees in cases where the Council waived them. Mr. Cimonetti noted these fees can't be used for the operating budget but only for capital expenses. Mr. Cimonetti felt that a budget increase of the size that is planned should go to a public vote. He said the school is arguing they no longer fall under charter limitations with regard to the statewide property tax. They are calling that "transfer payments." Mr. Cimonetti also wanted the school and city to use the same number regarding the M&E tax. Ms. Strait noted that during the first two weeks in April they want to get out a mailing on the new appraisal rates. Mr. Cimonetti felt this was an excellent idea. Mr. Hafter said that mailing will include information on how to appeal an appraisal if a homeowner disagrees with what has been listed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.