Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 06/19/2000CITY COUNCIL 19 JUNE 2000 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 19 June 2000, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members present: J. Condos, Chair; C. Smith, D. O'Rourke, S. Magowan Also present: C. Hafter, City Manager; P. Bestenbostel, Assistant City Manager; L. Graham, Police Chief; T. Fraga, Police Department; S. Audette, J. Ladd, K. Sasserossi, J. Villone 1. Comments & questions from the public (not related to Agenda items): Sgt. Fraga asked the Council for approval of an entertainment permit and a permit for use of public streets in connection with National Night Out on 3 August, from 5-9:30 p.m. He noted this is the fifth year the city has participated in this event, and this year's "Night Out" will include a parade as a new attraction. Sgt. Fraga also advised that several donations have been received from area businesses to help support the event. Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the entertainment license for National Night Out. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the permit for use of public streets in connection with National Night Out. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Announcements and City Manager's report: Mr. Condos noted that Mr. Sheahan was not present as he was attending a Regional Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Smith reported that he had spent two days last week at South Burlington Strategic Educational Planning Meetings. Mr. Condos advised that he will be attending the Growth Center Meeting in connection with the Regional Plan on 13 July. He also advised that public meetings on the new TIP will be held on 27 July at 4 p.m. and 29 July at 6 p.m. Mr. Hafter added that anyone interested in the Circumferential Highway should attend one of those meetings. Mr. Hafter reported that the city is advertising for positions on city boards and committees. There will be interviews on 10 July for openings on the Development Review Board, Planning Commission and Design Review Board. Mr. Hafter also noted the resignation of Garrison Roth from the Development Review Board. Mr. Roth will be working abroad for a year. Mr. Magowan moved to accept the resignation of Garrison Roth. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter indicated that on the next agenda there will be a report from the Social Responsibility Committee. The city has budgeted $43,000. for agencies that serve South Burlington residents, and the Committee will present a plan for using those funds. The meeting of 17 July will include a report and recommendations from the Dorset Park Recreation Center Committee. There will also be a discussion of paving the rec path between Farrell Park and Lindenwood Drive. Residents will be invited to participate in the discussion. Frank Mazur has stepped down as Chair of CCTA. A luncheon in his honor will be held on 29 June, and Council members are invited to attend. Mr. Hafter advised that he will be on vacation between 28 June and 4 July. The city has decided to go on a 3-year property re-evaluation program in order to remain at full market value appraisals. This year, condos are being done. Single family homes will be done in 2001, and commercial property the following year. 3. Request from Cathedral Square Corporation for exemption from property taxes for Williston Road project: Mr. Condos noted that the ground breaking for this project occurred at 9:30 this morning. It was attended by the Governor and other dignitaries. Mr. Hafter reviewed the history of the project and noted it is a requirement that Cathedral Square ask for a tax exemption. The development includes 2 single family residences, 18 affordable housing units, and a 10-unit congregate housing facility for disabled persons. The tax exemption request is only for the congregate housing facility. JoAnna Villone, Housing Developer for Cathedral Square reviewed the agencies involved in the project and said South Burlington will get a lot of visibility because of this development. The congregate housing portion of the project allows young adults with disabilities to live independently. Ms. Villone noted that budget is very tight. Most residents require four or more hours of assistance a day, so there will have to be a service coordinator on site. The project can't support the property tax rate and is thus looking for an exemption. Ms. Villone added that the project is located on what has always been tax exempt land (church owned). None of the residents will attend school or will have children in the schools. Council members raised the question of Act 60 implications of granting a tax exemption. Mr. Hafter said PB&R has indicated that if the city is willing to exempt this property, PB&R is willing to grant an exemption under Act 60. Mr. Condos said he had talked with Burlington people on this issue and has a list of Burlington projects that have been exempted. He said he hasn't yet had a chance to study the information. He added that it appears that Burlington's position is that if the city exempts the property, it will be exempt from the education grand list. The South Burlington City Attorney has not yet given an opinion. Members were not comfortable making a decision at this meeting. Ms. Villone said it would be OK to have a decision as late as 17 July. Mr. Hafter said he would like a letter from Cathedral Square indicating that the project cannot go on without a tax exemption. 4. Update from Lake Champlain Housing Corporation: Mr. Sasserossi reviewed the other portions of the Anderson Parkway project and the funding mechanisms involved. Mr. Ladd said they hope to have people in the duplexes by February and look forward to inviting the Council to an open house at that time. Mr. Ladd then reviewed the location and various aspects of the project that is being considered behind Mall 189 and adjacent land. The project has received preliminary plat approval and they have made a great effort to satisfy Act 250 concerns. The Lake Champlain Housing part of the project includes 4 buildings with 40 apartments in each. They hope to break ground in October and occupy the units in the summer of 2001. The buildings are 4-story with below-grade parking. Most of the financing is in place and includes awards for affordable housing and community block grant funds. Mr. Hafter asked who people should call if they are interested in any of this housing. Mr. Sasserossi said they should call Lake Champlain Housing. 5. PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed use of local law enforcement block grant: Chief Graham said this is the third year the Police Department has received funds through this program. The money this year is earmarked for software/hardware in connection with communications. The total amount of the grant is $38,152. There is a local match of $4,235. Mr. Condos asked if there was any public comment. There was none. Mr. Smith moved to close the public hearing. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consideration of approval of Capital Equipment Refunding Note and Resolution for firefighting equipment, Air Paks: Mr. Hafter explained the funding procedure and noted this is the third and last year of funding for this purchase. Mr. O'Rourke moved to sign the note and accompanying resolution. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Review Agenda for DRB meeting of 20 June: No concerns were raised. 8. Review minutes of Council meetings held on May 8 (special and regular meetings), May 15, June 5, and June 12 (special meeting: Mr. Condos noted that minutes of 8 and 15 May could not be approved at this time as a majority of members attending those meetings was not present. He also noted a correction to the Minutes of 8 May: Mr. Austin and Ms. Britt should be indicated as participating Council members, not Mr. Magowan and Mr. O'Rourke. Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the Minutes of 5 June and 12 June as written. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 10. Executive Session: Mr. Smith moved that the Council meet in executive session to discuss negotiations and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Regular Session: The City Council returned to regular session. Mr. Smith moved adjournment. Mr. Magowan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.