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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 09/07/1999SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL 7 SEPTEMBER 1999 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 7 September 1999, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members present: James Condos, Chair; Joan Britt, Terrance Sheahan, Chris Smith Also present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peter Bestenbostel, Asst. City Manager; Lance Llewellyn, Fred Blais, Mary Ann Murray, Dennis Johnston, Albert Audette, Marc Lewis, Anna Johnston, Channel 17 1. Recognition of civic service of members of Zoning Board of Authority: The Council recognized outgoing Zoning Board members Lance Llewellyn (1995-99), Fred Blais (1981-99), Mary Ann Murray (1995-99), and Dennis Johnston (1991-99). Mr. Condos thanked them all for their service and time commitment over the years. He particularly noted the many years of service of Fred Blais who served on the original Selectboard and chaired the committee that drew up the City Charter. 2. Comments & questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda items): Mr. Audette expressed concern that he had not been named to the committee drawing up the specs for the Public Works facility. Members had no problem with Mr. Audette serving on this committee. Mr. Hafter noted that the Committee will be meeting tomorrow at the Montpelier Public Works facility. Mr. Lewis, a resident of Cardinal Woods, expressed concern over two issues. The first involved a 9-month wait to get GMP to fix a burned out street light. The second involved concern that the Cardinal Woods street address is 44 Hayes Avenue, but the residence is not on that street. There was a recent problem with an ambulance unable to locate the caller because of this address problem. Mr. Hafter said the city will look into this and suggested that street names be added to some of those small private streets in the development. Mr. Sheahan added that the condo association could also put up directional signs on the property. 3. Announcements/City Manager's Report: Mr. Smith advised that the City/School Task Force will be meeting on 21 September, 7:30 p.m., at City Hall. Mr. Hafter reported on the following--meeting Schedule for September and October: 9/20 - next regular City Council meeting 9/30 - scheduled Steering Committee meeting 10/4 - City Council meeting 10/7 - First Community Identity Forum 10/18 - City Council meeting 10/21 - Second Community Identity Forum Mr. Hafter will be attending the upcoming Health Officers Forum. The Fire Dept. Open House will be held on Sunday, 12 September. The Corrections Facility Liaison Committee will meet on 14 September. Mr. Hafter will be speaking at a "brown bag lunch group" session on 21 September at the Community Library at 12 Noon. His topic will be the Future of South Burlington. All are welcome to attend. The Commuter Rail Steering Committee will meet on 29 September at 1:30 p.m. David Austin will attend. CCTA has won some federal grants for "access to jobs" initiatives. They will be starting two new routes, one of which will go from U-Mall to Lane Press, Technology Park, etc. 4. Public Hearing on Amendment to Impact Fee Ordinance to include 1) traffic signal and related pedestrian improvements at Swift and Farrell Streets intersection, and 2) improvements for Market Street, second reading: Mr. Hafter said the traffic light has been warranted. The approximate cost is $60,000. The Market St. improvements are estimated to cost about $125,000. Mr. Hafter and Mr. Weith explained how the fees were determined on a trip-end basis. Mr. Weith then reviewed the tables that have been changed with the addition of these costs. He noted there is a provision for credits so developers don't pay twice (impact fees and property taxes) for some projects. Mr. Sheahan moved to close the public hearing, waive the reading of the amendment, and approve the second reading as presented. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed. 5. First Reading of Amendment to Sign Ordinance to permit scoreboard sign with private advertising; schedule public hearing: Mr. Condos noted there are two illegal signs featuring a competitor of the proposed park scoreboards located in JC Park and Farrell Park. Mr. Cunavelis said they have offered to remove them because they are non-functioning. Mr. Sheahan felt the Planning Commission had done a good job of drafting the amendment and was comfortable moving forward. Mr. Hafter felt that if the sign is owned by Youth Baseball, the city should be added as an additional insured in Youth Baseball's insurance policy in case someone is injured near the sign. Mr. Cunavelis said the scoreboard will be 5 ft. high, 14 ft. long, the same as the High School softball scoreboard. It will be 8 ft. off the ground to prevent vandalism. Mr. Cunavelis agreed to get dimensions of some existing signs so the Council could get an idea of the size. Members felt they would like to remove the word "internally" before the word "illuminated" so that spotlights, etc. would not be directed at the sign/scoreboard. Mr. Sheahan moved to waive reading of the amendment, approve the first reading with the amendment removing the word "internally", and set a public hearing on 18 October. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Discussion of proposed year 2000 Chittenden County Regional Plan, Draft 1.0: Mr. Condos noted that he had been told there was to be an extension of the time period for community input. No official notice of this has yet been received. Mr. Hafter noted that the Planning Commission will provide feedback to the Council very soon. Mr. Hafter directed attention to a copy of a letter from the Town of Essex noting that the existing Regional Plan does not expire until 10/10/01, so there is time to hire a consultant to address concerns. Mr. Smith said he was concerned with the secretive nature of the process of drafting the plan. There was very little public input. Other members agreed. Mr. Condos said it was definitely a "top down" type of plan. He also said South Burlington would be in very bad shape if it tried to put its Comprehensive Plan together in such a secretive way. Mr. Condos felt there is definitely a "regional" vs. "local control" issue presented by the plan. He suggested that if the plan passed as presented that no town would need its own Zoning Ordinance as the Regional Plan would supersede it. Mr. Condos also noted a number of inconsistencies in the plan. Ms. Britt noted that since there is no regional form of government in Chittenden County, the plan usurps so much local control. Mr. Smith felt the first thing the Council should comment on is the flawed process and lack of public input. Mr. Sheahan said he will be happy to bring that sentiment to the Regional Planning Rewrite Committee. He noted that 5 new members have been added to the committee in an effort to get more balance. Mr. Condos expressed his willingness to come to the 27 September Regional Planning meeting and read a letter into the record regarding the Council's concerns. Mr. Hafter will draft such a letter. 7. Consideration of Approval of Finance and Maintenance Agreement between VAOT and South Burlington for Holmes Rd. construction related to Charlotte-Burlington Passenger Rail Project: Ms. Britt moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the Agreement for the City. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Consideration of Approval of Capital Equipment Note for copier and related documents: Mr. Hafter said this is the first year of the note. It is at 4.1% interest. Mr. Smith moved to approve the capital equipment note, resolution and non-arbitrage certificate as presented. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed. 9. Consideration of approval of Capital Equipment Refunding Note for Police Cruisers and resolution: Mr. Hafter said this is the second of 3 payments for 2 cruisers bought last year. The note is at 4.15% interest. Ms. Britt moved to approve the capital equipment refunding note for police cruisers and the resolution as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Consideration of approval of Capital Equipment Refunding Note for Loader and resolution: Mr. Hafter said this is at 4.15% interest. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the refunding note for the loader and the resolution as presented. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Review Agenda for Development Review Board Meeting of 9/7/99: No issues were raised. 12. Review Minutes of 16 August 1999: Ms. Britt moved to approve the Minutes of 16 August 1999 as presented. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Sign disbursement orders: Disbursement orders were signed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.