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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/05/1998CITY COUNCIL 5 OCTOBER 1998 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 5 October 1998, at 7:30 p.m., in the conference room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; James Condos, Terrance Sheahan, Joan Britt Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Dept; Frank Mazur, Deb Linehan, CCTA; Ron Savitt, Chris McCandless, Brian Pine, Diane Carmaniti; Anna Johnston, The Other Paper 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda items): No issues were raised. 2. Announcements/City Manager's Report: a. Mr. Sheahan noted that at the last meeting of the Regional Planning Commission, members were given the update of the Regional Plan. The Council should receive one later in the year. Mr. Sheahan said there are some serious ramifications for the city in the plan, both positive and negative. b. Mr. Hafter read a letter from the St. Johnsbury Fire Department thanking the South Burlington Fire Department for its actions during the recent loss of a St. J. firefighter. A South Burlington fire engine manned the St. J. station so that all St. J. members could attend the funeral services. c. On Thursday, at 7 p.m., elected officials from the county will meet at the Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms. d. A meeting will be held in the city on 22 October regarding recreation facilities planning. The discussion will include an aquatic facility. e. Mr. Cimonetti noted that golf course owners made a presentation to the Planning Commission on their desire to relocate the proposed rec path. Planning Commission, Zoning Board, City Council, and Rec Path Committee members viewed the site on Saturday morning. At this stage, the Planning Commission feels that without further information, the plan should stay as originally approved, but they are open to new testimony. 3. Issuance of Resolution honoring Richard Underwood upon his retirement: Mr. Cimonetti read a letter from Mr. Underwood then read the proposed resolution. Ms. Britt moved that the Council sign the Resolution as read. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Consideration of Request from City of Burlington for support for inclusion of Airport Industrial Park in Empowerment Zone Designation application: Mr. Cimonetti explained that the City of Burlington and the City of Plattsburgh are applying for an empowerment zone. This would include many projects, one of which is the industrial zone at the Burlington Airport. Ms. Carmaniti said that in 1994 Burlington was designated as an Urban Enterprise Community. Burlington has been a top performer in that program. In the current plan, Burlington and Plattsburgh would nominate 5 developable sites. Burlington will nominate the area along Pine St. and the Airport, Plattsburgh will nominate the Air Force Base. Mr. Cimonetti asked what the impact would be on S. Burlington. Ms. Carmaniti said the tax base would be increased because there would be new industry in the Airport Industrial Zone. Mr. Condos asked if new jobs would be open to everyone. Ms. Carmaniti said there would be levels of employment. The first level would probably be from the empowerment zone. Mr. Condos stated the city's concern with the number of trucks coming out of Burlington near the Pine St. area and going into Queen City Park. He noted this is a residential neighborhood and asked Ms. Carmaniti to take this concern back to Burlington. Mr. Cimonetti asked if funds could be used to put up spec buildings. Ms. Carmaniti said buildings would be more aptly matched with bonds. Mr. Condos asked how money is divided between Burlington and Plattsburgh. Ms. Carmaniti said there is an agreement that will divide money based on the number of people living below the poverty level. Mr. Sheahan then moved that the Council authorize the City Manager to sign off on the Empowerment Zone Certificate and also approve the Resolution. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Interview for Appointments to Library Board of Trustees: The Council interviewed Ron Savitt and Chris McCandless. Mr. Savitt said he is an educator who feels the role of the library is very precious to him. He has been a patron of South Burlington's library for many years. He also recently spent time in Scotland and had a chance to see what a community library can be. He felt the collections and services in a community library are different from a school library and would want to work for a separate facility for each. Mr. McCandless said he had a different perspective. He and his son have been volunteering at the library and have been delighted to see that books are still important to children. He would want to urge expansion of the children's room. He felt the combination of the school and community libraries offers a lot of opportunities. He also likes the inter-generational mix. Mr. Cimonetti explained the process by which the Council will make its decision. 6. Update on CCTA activities: Deb Linehan and Frank Mazur reported on recent events at CCTA. Ms. Linehan said that ridership serving South Burlington is going up. There was a 4.5% increase in the Airport/UMall route. Over 200,000 people are carried annually on the UMall route and 149,000 on the South End route. Ms. Linehan then explained the regulations by which special services transportation is offered. If you have bus service, you must provide door-to-door service to the disabled who live within a certain radius of the regular route. There are 199 residents registered as eligible for this service. Ms. Linehan said they are trying to control costs. SSTA has given an hourly rate of $19.80 for the next year which is a little more favorable than last year's rate. This should save $3,000. With regard to capital improvements, the 40,000 sq. ft. facility has been built without any financial input from member communities. They also bought 7 new buses to replace the oldest rolling stock in New England. These were paid for from fares and advertising. There are also 4 new buses for heavy routes such as the UMall route. Mr. Mazur said they will probably consider bonding for future capital needs. Two bus shelters were also built this year, one at Manor Woods and one at the Pines. Studies are underway for a system level analysis and for funding options (a source to replace/augment the property tax). CCTA has also worked with the City Manager to contact people who have programs for seniors and are looking for funding for a Sunday bus service for seniors. CCTA is also talking with Williston about joining the system. They will generate discussion on incentives for new membership. Mr. Cimonetti asked if SSTA rides have to be for a specific purpose such as doctors' visits. Ms. Linehan said CCTA cannot discriminate based on the purpose of the service. She added that they can try to encourage more physically able people to use the fixed route system. Mr. Sheahan asked if income figures into the SSTA ridership. Mr. Mazur said it does not, but people with more available funds are more likely to choose a cab over SSTA. Mr. Condos said there is no question the funding mechanism must be changed. He felt some issues might be addressed by a new hub, possibly at the Mall. Mr. Condos was also concerned that there is no public vote on the CCTA budget. Mr. Cimonetti asked if there will be increased service to the Mall in the Holiday season. Mr. Mazur said it was determined a few years ago not to be cost effective, but they will look into it again. Ms. Linehan said their main problem now is finding drivers and mechanics. She noted there will be increased employee compensation costs of 3% for maintenance personnel. There is no agreement with drivers as yet. 7. Second public hearing on proposed Charter change establishing a Development Review Board: Mr. Cimonetti explained the issue. The Development Review Board will do all development applications and requests for variances, etc. The Planning Commission will do all planning: zoning regulations, comprehensive plan, etc. The amendment must get a majority of voters and also be approved by the Legislature. Mr. Cimonetti then solicited public comment. None was forthcoming. Mr. Condos moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Consideration of Approval of Cooperative Agreement between State of Vermont Agency of Transportation and City of South Burlington STP(6)s, Phase III Bike Path: Mr. Hafter said the agreement meets the city's needs. The city will do the bidding work and will issue the contract and do oversight of the project. Mr. Cimonetti noted that money for the project was allocated in the fiscal year that just ended. Mr. Hafter said he did not know how that would be addressed. Doug Weber, engineer for the project, said that because of timeframes, a number of permits will expire in February. They need to be under substantial construction or they will have to go through a long, expensive process. He felt it is possible to have the project underway in time. Mr. Weber said there are some small revisions needed and they also have to complete the contract documents. If they can complete getting the easements in 2 weeks, they could go to bid the end of November. Mr. Hafter felt this was possible. Mr. Bresee asked if the February deadline is met, would construction be completed next year. Mr. Cimonetti said the assumption is that it would be completed in August, 1999. Mr. Condos moved to approve the agreement with the State Agency of Transportation as presented. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Review Planning Commission Agenda for 13 October and Zoning Board Agenda for 19 October: Mr. Condos addressed the #1 appeal to the Zoning Board noting the applicant plans to enter at 3062 Williston Rd. He said they might want to limit this use to non-rush hour times. Members agreed that 9 a.m.-3 p.m. seemed reasonable. Mr. Condos also suggested the applicant have the requirement of keeping the roads cleaned. Mr. Sheahan noted that #4 appeal is to modify a non-complying structure and he felt this was a major renovation. No issues were raised with the Planning agenda. 10. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. Executive Session: Ms. Britt moved the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss appointments to Boards, personnel, and real property acquisition and to resume regular session only to make appointments and/or adjourn. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The City Council returned to regular session. Joan Britt moved the appointment of Chris McCandless to a three-year term on the Library Board of Trustees. Jim Condos seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Jim Condos moved the appointment of Ron Savitt to a position as interim trustee to the Library Board of Trustees with full voting privileges pending an amendment to the by-laws of the Library Board. Joan Britt seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Terry Sheahan moved adjournment. Jim Condos seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.