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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 05/17/1999CITY COUNCIL 17 MAY 1999 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 17 May 1999, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members present: James Condos, Acting Chair; Joan Britt, Terrance Sheahan, David Austin Also present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Rep. Frank Mazur; Rep. Susan Wheeler; Peter Bestenbostel, Asst. City Manager; Anna Johnston, The Other Paper; Channel 17; Jim Nehoski 1. Comments and questions from the audience (not related to Agenda items): Rep. Mazur presented his annual "report card", this year focusing on a comparison with New Hampshire. He noted that in every category New Hampshire outperforms Vermont. Rep. Mazur then provided a legislative update. He cited some good tax cuts, about $50,000,000 but added that total spending from last year is up $250,000,000, a 12.5% increase, a lot of which is federal highway money. In the area of corrections, the legislature passed a bill requiring notification to police of prisoners on "furlough." Education financing was addressed as well as a statement policy on school violence. The Senate passed a school choice bill but delayed the Governor's Diploma program. Binding arbitration was not passed, but there was a bill which prohibits municipalities from replacing striking municipal employees. The legislature also put a 15-year statute of limitations on the Bianchi law. The "downtown bill" passed in the House, but members failed to get language that would help communities such as South Burlington. In the next session, there will be a more expanded discussion on this issue to try to address the needs of more communities. Mr. Condos noted that Governor Dean had told him that he felt South Burlington should be included in the downtown bill. Rep. Wheeler commended Rep. Mazur's efforts in getting the Corrections Department to come up with a long-range plan. She noted that the next issue that will be addressed after the new Springfield facility is a detention center for the Chittenden County area. 2. Announcements & City Manager's report: The following upcoming meetings were announced by Council members: · the Channel 17 Board on Thursday evening. · the Regional Planning Commission, Monday at 7 p.m. · the Solid Waste Committee Executive Board on Wednesday and their regular meeting the following Wednesday. Mr. Austin advised that the Natural Resources Committee of the Regional Planning Commission met today. The plan is starting to come together, and Mr. Austin expected one more meeting on the initial phase of the plan. It will be presented to the full Board in June. Mr. Hafter announced the following: · the passage of both South Burlington Charter amendments by the Legislature and their signing by the Governor. Mr. Hafter thanked all city Legislators for keeping the city informed during the just completed session · the Dorset St. Facilities Committee will meet tomorrow and will be addressed by a consultant on the designing of swimming pool facilities · there will be a tour of the Solid Waste District facilities on May 25, 2 p.m. · candidates for the appraiser's position will be interviewed tomorrow · the City Council reorganization meeting will be on Friday, 21 May, at 4 p.m. · the MPO will meet on 19 May at Colchester H.S. On 5/25, the MPO will hold a public hearing in Colchester regarding a grant for disaster response. Five communities, including South Burlington, are working together on this. Mr. Audette noted that $1,500,000 in federal funds had been received to address prevention of the kinds of problems that occurred during the 1998 ice storm (generators, a fully powered shelter, etc.) · the annual meeting of the Vermont Coalition of Municipalities will be held on 2 June, 1-4 p.m., at the Holiday Inn in Rutland · Mr. Hafter thanked Mr. Audette and his department for the open house held at the Public Works facility Mr. Condos noted that the Vermont League of Cities and Towns is looking for members for its policy committees. Mr. Condos also announced that there will be a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Senior Residence on Hinesburg Road, 23 June, at noon. 3. Approval of final 1998-9 Act 60 payment to the State of Vermont: Mr. Hafter said the final amount is $527,000. There is about $10,000 in uncollected taxes, but with interest and penalties, the city should come very close to having the necessary amount. Members agreed they had no option but to pay the bill. 4. Consideration of approval of Maintenance Agreement between the State of Vermont Agency of Transportation and City for STP Bike (28) S/Bridge #68 Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements (Exit 14): Mr. Condos reviewed the history of the item. Mr. Hafter said there is finally a plan that the city can support. He said the major issue had been safety in the crossing of on-ramps and off-ramps. He showed on the plan what will happen in these areas. The major safety measure is that the bike/pedestrian paths will turn at the ramps so that they face oncoming traffic, making people aware of the traffic so they can slow down. The sidewalk on the Interstate bridge will be 6 ft wide. The bike path will be in the road, with a 4 ft. lane straight across the bridge. Vehicle travel lands will be reduced to 11 ft. 3 in. and the median will be narrowed to 4 ft. 2 in. There will be pedestrian warning signs at the ramps. There is no taking of land involved in this project. Mr. Hafter said it is hoped that work will begin in summer of the year 2000. It will probably begin when the Main Street work is done. There is a traffic plan that will keep 4 lanes open at all times. Mr. Hafter reminded members that there is no city match for funding of this project. Mr. Sheahan moved that the Council approve the maintenance agreement and conceptual plans for the Maintenance Agreement, STP Bike(28)S/Bridge #68 Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements (Exit 14) as presented. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Consideration of approval of annual contract with CWD for management and operation of South Burlington Water System: Mr. Hafter noted that every year the City reviews the contract with CWD. This used to be approved by the Water Commission, but since there is no longer a Water Commission, Council approval is required. Ms. Britt moved to approve the annual contract with CWD as presented. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Discussion of Airport Drive Extension project; request for Council "commitment" to the project: Mr. Hafter said that the scoping for the project will cost $90,000. He described the proposed path the road would take. The State was concerned that this was only a "prestige" project on the part of the Airport and wanted to hear from the community whether it would also benefit. Mr. Hafter said the project would extend Airport Drive along the perimeter of the Airport to merge with Airport Parkway near the bio-solids plant. Airport Drive between Williston Rd. and White St. is also included in the study. This could be a boulevard type street, with four lanes and extensive landscaping. Mr. Audette noted it would also include the rec path. Mr. Hafter then outlined benefits to the community including: removal of traffic from residential streets, improvement of airport access from the north, possible economic incentives to the region, proving of direct connection from Rt. 15 to the Airport and I-189 (possibly I-89), and increased safety in residential neighborhoods. Mr. Condos said the Airport needs a road that can get them access to any part of the Airport at all times. Ms. Britt noted she had received calls from residents concerned about their homes being taken for this work. Mr. Austin moved that the Council adopt the 5 bases in support of the Airport Drive Extension project as outlined in the City Manager's memo of 17 May, and to forward this to the AOT. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Discussion of appointment of new Development Review Board and Planning Commission: Mr. Hafter said that the size of the boards has to be established and a recruitment process begun. Boards can be from 5-9 members, and he suggested 7 for the Development Review Board and 5 for the Planning Commission. Mr. Hafter felt that all appointments should be new but should be staggered 3 and 4 year appointments. Mr. Austin suggested having a meeting of both boards with the City Attorney to review how the boards will work. This meeting should also be an opportunity to educate members about variances. Mr. Hafter suggested that the Council might want to appoint the Chairs of both boards, at least for the first year. 8. Consideration of entertainment permit for Pizza Putt, 1205 Airport Parkway: outside bands on Sundays, July & August, 5-8 p.m.: Mr. Condos asked how noise will be addressed. Mr. Hafter said the bands would be facing the Airport. There is not much housing in that area. Mr. Hafter also noted that no parking would be eliminated for these events. Mr. Austin said his instinct was to let them try and to see if it works out. He asked what the city could do if there is a problem. Mr. Hafter said that if there is a problem, he would stop the events. He suggested having a review by city staff after 4 shows. Mr. Austin moved to approve the entertainment permit for Pizza Putt as requested with the stipulation that after 4 performances, suitability of the use be evaluated by the city staff. If there are no problems, the events may continue. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Review Zoning Notice for public hearing on 24 May: No issues were raised. 11. Review Minutes of 3 May 1999: Mr. Sheahan noted that the Regional Plan review will be 21 May, not 28 May. Ms. Britt moved to approve the Minutes of 3 May as amended. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement orders were signed. 13. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Austin moved the Council convene as Liquor Control Board. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented first and second class license renewals from Chittenden Cider Mill and Quarry Hill Club. He said both renewals were in order. Mr. Austin moved to approve the first and second class liquor license renewals of Chittenden Cider Mill and Quarry Hill Club as presented. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Sheahan moved that the Liquor Control Board reconvene as City Council. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Presentation of Chittenden Solid Waste District FY 2000 Budget: Mr. Moreau said the District is looking at an alternative land fill site. It would cost $250,000. The District budget is up 9%. The alternative land fill site and a pass through grant are the main factors driving the increase. The grant will allow the district to go into almost all high schools and middle schools to remove all hazardous materials. This is a state grant of $50,000. The District is struggling a bit with recycling. The tonnage is the same, but the garbage amount has gone up. The budget includes money for some bins, etc., to see if businesses can do a better job of collecting recyclable materials. Mr. Moreau felt that overall the District was in good financial shape. Mr. Sheahan asked if there would be additional costs to users of the facility. Mr. Moreau said no, with the exception of the tip fee. The tip fee would go back down if the market changes. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the Solid Waste District budget as presented. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.