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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/18/1999CITY COUNCIL 18 JANUARY 1999 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 18 January 1999, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; James Condos, David Austin, Terrance Sheahan, Joan Britt Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peter Bestenbostel, Assistant City Manager; Rep. Frank Mazur; Rep. Ann Pugh; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Lee Graham, Police Chief; Anna Johnston, The Other Paper; Ann Geggis, Free Press; Channel 17 1. Comments and Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda items): Rep. Pugh noted that committee assignments have been made in the Legislature. Rep. Wheeler is on the Institutions Committee. Mr. Cimonetti noted that the city is interested in a dialogue with people who are doing any long range planning regarding a Corrections facility in Chittenden County. Rep. Pugh said she also wanted to let the Council know that there are some requests for legislation regarding Act 60, specifically regarding business use of a homestead and definition of household income. Mr. Condos said that what bothers him most is the make-up on the study committee - there is no representation from "in the middle" communities like South Burlington. Rep. Pugh said she was told "they would try to consider it." 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Condos said he would attend the Solid Waste Board meeting on Wednesday. Mr. Sheahan noted a meeting on 25 January regarding Police re-accreditation. He also noted a Regional Planning Commission meeting at which the Regional Plan update will be discussed. After next week, the Commission will be voting on letting the amended draft out to communities. Mr. Cimonetti advised that the MPO will meet on Wednesday at 7 p.m. There will also be a meeting at Calkins House at noon tomorrow regarding the possibility of National Gardening locating there. Mr. Condos noted that "South Burlington Live" will be aired on Channel 17 on 27 January. a. Mr. Hafter announced the following: 1. the first meeting of the Dorset Park Committee was held last week; the next meeting is 26 January at 7 p.m. 2. Local Government Day in the Legislature is 23 February, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mr. Condos, Mr. Hafter, Mr. Bestenbostel, and Ms. Picard will attend. 3. the Police Dept. re-accreditation meeting will be next Monday. 4. a one-day conference will be held on 2 February on "Smart Growth Strategies" in Boston. 5. The Father-Daughter Valentine Day Ball will be held again this year. The evening event is sold out. 6. The next Legislative Breakfast will be held on 1 Feb, 7:30 a.m. Mr. Hafter then asked Chief Graham to update the Council on recent incidents in the city. Chief Graham noted that there were 3 bomb threats at the school last week (Middle School and High School). Meetings were held with Supt. Chattman to discuss strategy, possibly suspects, etc. Three suspects have been identified, and two of these have admitted involvement. The school will take action, and reports will be sent to the State's Attorney. All suspects are juveniles. Mr. Austin asked if searches were conducted at both schools. Chief Graham said they were. 3. Public hearing on Establishment of No Parking Zone on the east side of Airport Drive from northern boundary of cemetery to entrance of Airport; second reading of same: Mr. Cimonetti read the specifics of the No Parking Zone and asked for public comment. No comments were offered. Mr. Condos moved to close the public hearing and approve the second reading as presented. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Update on City Preparation for Y2K issues: Mr. Bestenbostel said there are no problems within the city's control that can't be solved. The city has contracted to have a screening of all systems, and all but 2 programs check out OK. One can be fixed, but one may have to be disposed of. There are no software problems; the only problem is with the archive of permits. Other departments within the city check out OK. The Water Department has a portable generator on order in case of any power outage. Mr. Austin asked about the cost of upgrades or replacements. Mr. Bestenbostel said costs are negligible at this point, under $1,000. Mr. Austin then asked if E-911 will be interrupted in any way. Mr. Bestenbostel said he has been assured they will not. Mrs. Britt suggested a generator at the High School. Mr. Audette said he had contacted Emergency Management which has met with the Governor. They recommend a meeting with the education department. Mr. Audette said he didn't know what the impact would be to the traffic system and said that every traffic light system in the state could be impacted. He felt the city may need to ask for reimbursement from the Legislature on some of this. Mr. Austin felt the issue should be on the agenda soon again so that every system in the city can be identified. He noted that people in the private sector are taking this very seriously, and he felt the city should be just as rigorous. 5. Discussion of City Legislative Proposals re: Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility Population and Act 60: Mr. Cimonetti said the city has filed a lawsuit which would make the Corrections Dept. live within the population capacity of the facility. A start has been made by the State on this. Mr. Cimonetti also said the city would like to participate in strategic planning on the existing facility and on any planning for a new facility. The city has also asked for regional involvement, but there has been no progress on this. Mr. Cimonetti suggested that on Local Government Day, there could be a meeting with the Institutions and Health and Welfare Committees of both houses and with the Corrections and Buildings people. Mr. Hafter said the city is trying to enforce a population cap of 197. The city has learned, however, that the capacity of the facility is actually 166. This has been confirmed by the Commissioner of Corrections. The city would thus like to get special legislation to mandate a cap of 166, if that is deemed to be the building's capacity. Mr. Condos said he felt the most important thing is for the city to be included in the long range plan, though he wasn't sure there was one. Mr. Cimonetti noted that with regard to Act 60 concerns, the city asked the City Attorney to draft language asking for additional time to collect and send taxes to the state when there are delinquencies. Mr. Cimonetti said he still did not understand how the city can disperse funds it hasn't collected. Mr. Hafter said the state's reasoning is that it is sending the city a bill which the city has to pay, however it gets the money. Mr. Cimonetti noted that in the past, the city had set a tax rate that allowed for delinquencies. The city does not set this rate, the state does. Mr. Austin agreed and felt the state should bear the risk of delinquencies since it is their tax. Ms. Pugh noted that could mean two separate entities going after a delinquent tax payer. Mr. Mazur asked if the Vt. League of Cities and Towns has addressed this. Mr. Hafter said he didn't think they had. Mr. Cimonetti then asked that at one meeting in February the Council be given a written report on the amount of statewide taxes that have been collected and copies of bills from the state and an indication of what the city has paid. 6. Review Capital Budget Program: Mr. Munson reviewed the preparation of the Capital Budget. He cited 4 purposes for such a budget: implementation of city plans, identification of needs, prioritization of projects, and recognition of fiscal capabilities of the city. The process of preparing the capital budget involved an inventory of city assets, growth projections, a needs assessment, project identification, programming, and a fiscal reality test. The inventory involved extensive discussion with department heads after which a report was drafted indicating department activities and capital stock. Growth projections were then analyzed. It is estimated that the city will have a population of about 15,000 by the year 2000 and 17,000 by 2010. The needs assessment was also done in conjunction with department heads. It looked at replacements, repairs, experience, demands, etc. Specific equipment and facilities needs were then identified and their need justified. A time schedule and estimated costs were then added. The programming process involved a composite array with cost and schedule, an assessment of currently committed expenditures, an adjustment of the timing schedule, and consideration of funding options. The study anticipated a 2% annual growth of expenditures. 17% of that amount would be capital expenditures. Mr. Hafter then reviewed projections for various departments. He noted that the city will be coming back with another 5-year plan for road improvements which will include Airport Parkway/Ethan Allen Drive, Muddy Brook Bridge, widening and rebuilding of Kennedy Drive, widening of Williston Rd. from Dorset St. to Hinesburg Rd, Lime Kiln Bridge replacement, and extension of Airport Drive to Airport Parkway. The figures include the city's share of state and federally funded projects. The Street Department plans also include replacement of the Public Works Building and equipment replacement. The Recreation Dept. plans include replacement of playground equipment at Szymanski Park, an indoor swimming pool, and a Community Center. The city's water supply is in very good shape for the future. It is anticipated that work will be accomplished out of the regular budget. Projects include the replacement of the 12" main on Shelburne Rd. and the extension of the main on Hinesburg Rd. Water Pollution Control's upgraded plant should be on line in July. There will also be some vehicle replacement. The city needs to assess the capacity at the Airport Parkway plant. A facilities assessment study needs to be done for the general city government. Repairs need to be done to City Hall, and the parking area in the rear of the building needs to be paved. Expansion of the building also needs to be considered. The Library plan includes replacement for furniture and computer upgrade. Carpeting also needs to be replaced. The Police Dept. needs more space. There is also a vehicle replacement process and a need for computer software. The Fire Dept. also needs more space for an exercise room and bathroom facilities for Station #2. Heavy rescue equipment will also have to be considered if the Air Guard cuts its program and the city has to have its own equipment. Mr. Condos suggested that this could be a regional item. The two older fire engines will need to be replaced in 2002-03 Parking in the city center is also a concern. Mr. Cimonetti suggested this be specifically called structured parking and that it should be expandable. There has been no input as yet from the School Dept. Mr. Cimonetti said this needs to be carefully thought about with regard to Act 60. The sharing of facilities between the town and schools may become an option. The city also needs to know what else might have an impact on this plan. Mr. Cimonetti suggested a memo to the School Superintendent and School Board so that when the Council votes on the plan, it can be discussed in its entirety. He suggested the possibility of a special Steering Committee meeting for this purpose. 7. Acceptance of Resignation of Patrick Travers from the Rec Path Committee: Mr. Condos moved to accept the resignation of Patrick Travers from the Rec Path Committee with thanks for his past service. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed. 8. Review Zoning Notice for Public Hearing of 25 January 1999: Ms. Britt expressed concern with item #2 as this is in the vicinity of residential property and there could be a lot of heavy equipment moving. Mr. Cimonetti said this looks like quarrying to him and he wasn't sure it was allowed in that area. Mr. Sheahan also raised the question of vehicle trip ends. The Council asked the City Manager to find out what permits will be required, etc. and to suggest a delay in the hearing until the city knows the totality of the project. Mr. Condos also raised a question with regard to item #5, specifically the availability of parking. He noted this is one of the highest accident locations in the city. 9. Review Planning Commission Agenda, 1/19/99: No issues were raised. 10. Review Minutes of 4 January 1999: It was noted that on p. 5, the words Act 260 should read Act 60. Ms. Britt moved to approve the Minutes of 4 January 1999 as amended. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 12. Capital Equipment Funding Note: Mr. Hafter presented the note in the amount of $80,000.00 at 3.9% interest for the sweeper. Mr. Condos moved to approve the note and related documents as presented. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Executive Session: Mr. Condos moved the Council meet in executive session to discuss contractual matters and litigation and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The City Council returned to regular session. Mr. Condos moved adjournment, Mr. Austin 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.