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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/16/1998CITY COUNCIL 16 MARCH 1998 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 16 March 1998, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; James Condos, Joan Britt, Terrence Sheahan, David Austin. Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Asst. City Manager; Albert Audette, Highway Dept; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Joe Weith, City Planner; Anna Johnston, The Other Paper; Bruce Hoar, Ed Clodfelter, Wesley Eldred. 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda items): Mr. Cimonetti noted that the city has received a communication from the Town of Manchester regarding a legal matter. This will be discussed in Executive Session. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Ms. Britt announced that tickets are available for Parents Night Out, 28 March, at K of C Hall. Proceeds will go toward the proposed Dorset Park Swimming Facility. Tickets are $10/person. Mr. Austin noted he has been attending meetings of the Natural Resources Sub-Committee of the Regional Planning Commission. At a recent meeting, the new Regional Planner was introduced. The sub-committee is working on an open space plan for the county and meets one Tuesday a month. Mr. Condos noted that Wednesday's meeting of the Solid Waste District Executive Committee has been cancelled. Mr. Cimonetti reminded members of the Steering Committee meeting on Thursday, 7:30 p.m., for the presentation of city and school budgets. There will also be discussion on Charter interpretation in light of Act 60. Mr. Hafter showed members stickers being sold by the S. Burlington H.S. Student Council as a fund raiser. Mr. Hafter noted that Ms. Picard had brought to his attention an item on the Adelphia CTV bill regarding franchise fees. He stressed that S. Burlington collects no franchise fees. An effort is being made to have an indication of this on the next billing by Adelphia. Mr. Hafter also reported on the following: a. A meeting of the Commuter Rail Steering Committee, 30 March, 1:30 p.m. b. The contract with Charwell has been signed for the Bartlett Bay Treatment Plant upgrade. c. The city has received an $88,000 grant from the state for treatment of runoff in the Bartlett Brook Watershed. Mr. Clodfelter reported on the status of reappraisal. He showed members a sample property record card and itemized property costs. All residential appraisals are complete. They are still working on commercial properties and are beginning utilities. South Burlington will have to declare its Grand List on 24 June, but property values will be as of April 1. Mr. Clodfelter estimated that the list of property values will be published by the end of April. Mr. Cimonetti reminded members that there will be a lot of Board of Civil Authority meetings this summer to address appeals of appraisals. Mr. Audette asked about misinformation reported on Channel 3 regarding the Solid Waste District lawsuit. Mr. Condos noted that the station reported it would cost $180,000,000 to build and run the proposed landfill. That is the figure of what might be generated during the lifetime of the landfill. Mr. Audette noted that the work being done on Williston Rd. is part of the Main St. project and involves the Phone Co. It is expected that construction will begin 20 April, and it will be a 2-year project. Mr. Hafter added that the contract doesn't indicate a staging area. Any land in S. Burlington that might be used for this purpose would have to go to the Zoning Board. Mr. Audette noted that UVM won't let them use University property. Mr. Audette advised they they are planning to stop picking up brush from the ice storm about 1 April. 3. Consideration of ballot item for bond authority to construct Queen City Park fire protection water main: Mr. Cimonetti read the item. He raised the possibility of clarifying language in the Resolution. Mr. Eldred said the Fire District is comfortable with the item. Mr. Condos moved the Council approve the ballot item and attached Resolution with clarifying language on the 7th "whereas." Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3a. Resolution and Certificate for Borrowing on Water Pollution Control Project: Mr. Hafter said this is the standard certificate. Funding is from a 0% loan of $4,900,000 from the state. Mr. Austin noted a typo on p.1. incorrectly indicating the amount. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the Resolution and Certificate for Borrowing as amended to correct the typo on p.1. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Public Hearing and Consideration of Second Reading of 2 zoning amendments: 1) Official City Map - change the designations of two parcels located easterly of Shelburne Rd. and westerly of Keari Lane and Quail Run; 2) establish a new subzone within the City District entitled Section 12.50, Automobile Sales Zone: Mr. Weith noted that the first amendment is part of the land swap with John Larkin. The land that the city gets will be changed from R-2 to Parks & Recreation. The land which Mr. Larkin gets will be changed from Parks & Rec to C-2. On the second amendment, Mr. Weith showed the location of the proposed sub-zone from Holmes Rd. to just south of Laurel Hill Drive. There are already 3 large auto dealers there, and this would bring them into compliance. There are also two properties that would change from C-1 to C-2. Mr. Cimonetti asked if other auto sales locations in the city have sub-zones. Mr. Weith explained that some are in C-2 districts which allow auto sales/service. One on Dorset St. is non-conforming as is Bernie's on Williston Rd. The last is out on Williston Rd. in an IC Zone and is conforming. Mr. Condos asked why there should be a change for just 3 properties. Mr. Weith said they are large properties and have been there a long time and seem to be accepted in these locations. This would allow improvements in the businesses. Mr. Condos said he wasn't sure he wanted more auto dealerships in that area. Mr. Cimonetti added he was concerned with allowing something that might not be appropriate if its access were on Fayette Dr. Mr. Weith said the only land there is a ravine which is a CO District. He added that the change was recommended by the Zoning Board. Ms. Britt said her concern is on the east side of the road where a few lots could be put together to create another big dealership. Mr. Weith suggested redrawing the line to eliminate some undeveloped properties. Ms. Britt said she would feel more comfortable with that. Mr. Cimonetti agreed as did other members. Mr. Cimonetti was also uncomfortable that there was no public response. Mr. Condos moved to close the public hearing and return the second amendment to the Planning Commission with no action. Motion passed 4-0 with Mr. Sheahan abstaining. Mr. Condos then moved to approve the change to the Official Zoning Map and change the zoning of the two parcels as detailed in the City Planner's memorandum. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Discussion on proposed Charter change and ballot item affecting tax due dates: Mr. Hafter noted that the Act 60 technical corrections bill allowed the city to change its tax due dates regardless of Charter language. He recommended that the city make the change to get the incorrect dates out of the Charter. There is also a question of conflicting language in the state memorandum. Mr. Condos moved to place on the ballot changes to the City Charter, Section 1501: Taxes on Real & Personal Property, as described in the City Manager's memo of 16 March 1998. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Acceptance of Resignation of Gail Wheeler from Red Rocks Advisory Committee: Mr. Condos moved to accept with regret the resignation of Gail Wheeler from the Red Rocks Advisory Committee and to have the City Manager send a letter of appreciation for her services. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Review Information for Steering Committee Meeting on 19 March 1998: No issues were raised. 8. Review Zoning Notice for Public Hearing on 23 March 1998: Mr. Condos asked if the appeal in Item #2 would constitute a second building on a single family lot. Mr. Audette said it is an above ground structure. Mr. Condos said he would be concerned with creating a "hardship" for the owner and also with aesthetics. Mr. Cimonetti asked that the concern be expressed to the Zoning Administrator and Zoning Board. 9. Review City Council Minutes of 23 February and 2 March: Mr. Condos moved to approve the City Council Minutes of 23 February as written. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed 4-0 with Mr. Austin abstaining. Mr. Condos moved to approve the Minutes of 2 March as written. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement orders were signed. 12. Executive Session: Ms. Britt moved the Council meet in executive session to discuss a personnel grievance and 2 legal matters and to resume regular session only to adjourn. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The City Council returned to open session. Joan Britt moved adjournment. Jim Condos seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.