Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 11/15/1999CITY COUNCIL 15 NOVEMBER 1999 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 15 November 1999, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members present: Jim. Condos, Chair; Joan Britt, Terry Sheahan, David Austin, Chris Smith Also present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peter Bestenbostel, Assistant City Manager; Joe Weith, Director of Planning & Zoning; Bruce Hoar, Public Works; David Boehm, Albert Audette, Shelley Snyder, Ellen Powell, Anna Johnston, The Other Paper; Susan Green, Free Press; Channel 17 1. Comments & questions from the audience (not related to Agenda items): No issues were raised. 2. Announcements/City Manager's report: Mr. Sheahan advised that the Regional Planning Commission will hold a public forum at Williston Central School, 18 November, to discuss the update of the Regional Plan. There will be group discussions on specific issues. The public is invited to attend or to submit written comment. Ms. Britt advised that the Channel 17 Board of Trustees would meet on Thursday. Mr. Austin reported that the Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Regional Planning Commission met. They will be providing comments to the public forum. The next meeting will be 20 December at which time discussion on the Regional Plan will continue. Mr. Condos announced that the Town Forum action committees would meet on Thursday, 7 p.m. at the Middle School. Mr. Hafter reported on the following: a. A South Burlington police officer went to Thailand as part of the DARE program to train DARE officers. He has shared his experiences with the elementary schools. b. All the land documents and bid documents are in for the Phase III Bike Path project. The AOT will have its review out this week, and then the project will go to bid. c. The Farrell St. traffic study is being done by the MPO. d. The liaison committee for the detention facility will meet at 4 p.m. tomorrow. e. 300 day lilies will be planted around the Calkins house tomorrow. f. There will be three items related to development on the 6 December agenda: one related to the Post Office, the update on the Public Works facility, and a report from the recreation facility committee. 3. Presentation of design specs for Market Street Canopies by Freeman, French, Freeman: Mr. Weith reviewed the history of the project. He noted that the canopies were suggested to help promote pedestrian movement and to help achieve a consistent design element. He said he would like two decisions from the Council: endorsement of the guidelines and a motion to direct the Planning Commission to incorporate the specs into the City Center handbook. Mr. Weith also recognized committee members: David Boehm, Marcel Beaudin, Joan Britt, Amy Lindsay, and Sonny Audette and Bruce Hoar. Alex Halpern presented the report. He said the committee began by looking at canopy designs from around the world. He showed pictures of some of these. They also looked at the Church St. canopy. Two options were then suggested. a. a glass/steel canopy, cantilevered from the building in order to keep the sidewalk obstacle free b. a canopy of the developer's choice (the developer would still have to provide supports for the Option A canopy) Under Option A, the city would clean and maintain the canopies. Under Option B, the business owner would be responsible for maintenance. Signs would be hung off the steel structure perpendicular to pedestrian traffic or in front. The committee met with the people who maintain the Church St. canopy who said that they do maintenance work on them every day. Mr. Sheahan asked what kind of glass would be used. Mr. Halpern said it would be double layer, heat strengthened glass. He estimated that 2 hours work each morning would be required for maintenance (to remove snow, to clean in summer, etc.). It would also be necessary to replace 2 or 3 glass panels a year. Mr. Sheahan suggested the possibility of a maintenance fee for this. Mr. Boehm noted that Option B would still have to have a design review approval. Mr. Condos asked why the canopies would be only on Market St. Mr. Boehm said that is how the guidelines are written. Mr. Sheahan moved to incorporate the canopy design into the Design Review for Streetscape Guidelines. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Interview with applicant for Natural Resources Committee: The Council interviewed Ellen Powell for the opening on the Natural Resources Committee. Ms. Powell said her interest was aroused by the concern with pesticides. She noted that at Indian Creek they blanket spray the area up to the edge of the brook. She approached the Committee about this and was asked to become part of the group. Mr. Condos explained how the Council would make its decision. 5. Public hearing on Amendment to Zoning Regulations/Park and Recreation District to permit not-for-profit educational and research services related to agriculture as conditional uses; second reading: Mr. Weith explained that these uses would be conditional uses in the district. He showed the area on the map. Additional performance standards would also be required including: providing a public benefit, protecting open space and public use, etc. There is also a definition of "not-for-profit" organizations. Mr. Austin moved to close the public hearing, waive the reading of the amendment and approve the amendment as presented. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Public hearing on proposed FY 2000 capital budget and program; consider adoption: Mr. Hafter noted that the capital budget also includes a fixed inventory for the city. The budget was prepared by Mike Munson. It is required in order to meet state planning guidelines and in order for the city to impose impact fees. Mr. Hafter also noted that some dates need to be amended before it can be approved. Mr. Hafter outlined some specifics of the budget as follows: a. $200,000 needs to be in the budget each year for street/road maintenance b. a large item for this year is to replace the public works building c. basketball court work will be moved from 1998 to 2000 (paving/painting) d. the completion date for Phase III of the Rec Path is moved from 1999 to 2000 e. Shelburne Rd. widening is moved from 1998-9 to 2001-2 f. Bartlett Bay Wastewater project was completed in 1999 g. The fire vehicle replacement fund is currently paying off 2 vehicles (from the general operating fund); and the end of 2000-1 the last payment will be made. Money will then be put into the fund for a future purchase in 2002-3 Mr. Condos noted the city has received a $6500 grant to update the impact fee ordinance. Mr. Smith moved to close the public hearing, waive the reading, and approve and adopt the capital budget and program with changes as noted by the City Manager. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Consideration of approval of notes and related resolution: a) refunding note for sewer vac, b) note for pick up truck, c) note for tractor. Mr. Austin moved to approve the capital equipment refunding note and resolution as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Austin moved to approve 2 notes for $16,933 for the pickup truck and $19,300 for the tractor and the resolution and non-arbitrage certificates for each. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Review Agenda for Development Review Board, 11/16/99: Mr. Sheahan noted the proposed Hinesburg Rd. office building is near where the Swift St. Extension will be. He was concerned with avoiding numerous curb cuts on Hinesburg Rd. and felt this should be looked at now. Mr. Weith noted it would be necessary to get a right-of-way over the adjacent property. Ms. Britt noted that item #8 should be looked at very carefully. Mr. Hafter noted that staff recommends that it does not meet the criteria for a variance. Mr. Condos noted that Item #5 involved the University Texaco station on Williston Rd. He felt the city should try to get the sliver of land needed to straighten the road. Mr. Weith said the applicant is still unwilling to give this. There will be a report from a traffic consultant working for the city who feels the applicant's traffic projections are too low. The report also recommends the dedication of that sliver of land to the city. 9. Review minutes of 1 November 1999: Ms. Britt moved to approve the Minutes of 1 November as written. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Sign disbursement orders: Disbursement orders were signed. 11. Executive Session: Mr. Austin moved the Council meet in Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations and appointments to Boards and Committees and to resume regular session only to make such appointments and/or adjourn. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. David Austin moved appointment of Ellen Powell to the Natural Resources Committee for a three-year term ending in 2002. Joan Britt seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Chris Smith moved adjournment. Terry Sheahan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. City Council adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.