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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/16/2001CITY COUNCIL 16 APRIL 2001 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 16 April 2001, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members present: J. Condos, Chair; C. Smith, T. Sheahan, S. Magowan, D. O'Rourke Also present: C. Hafter, City Manager; J. B. Hoover, Director of Planning & Zoning, B. O'Neill, T. Hubbard, Recreation Dept; Rep. Ann Pugh, Rep. A. Audette; M. Morcelli, P. Reed, R. Voorhees, M. Pratl, K. Ballard, R. Vine, M. Hertzberg, R. Atkinson, J. Eason, D. Wheeler, S. Cruz, W. Rikert 1. Comments & questions from the audience not related to agenda items: Rep. Pugh updated members on what is happening in the Legislature. She noted that the bill that passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee on Friday was the best she felt they could do. It would save South Burlington taxpayers over $3,000,000 in what they need to raise in school taxes. To fund this, the statewide property tax would go up to 1.23. There would be no sharing until a community spends 1.5 times the minimum. South Burlington is below that. It would also shift funding from the sharing pool to a 6% sales tax rate across the state. This could lower the South Burlington tax rate by 34 cents. Rep. Pugh did not know if this had the votes to pass. 2. Announcements/City Manager's report: Mr. Smith: The Tech Center subcommittee is working on funding issues, specifically tuition vs. other funding. Mr. Sheahan: The Regional Plan draft meeting in South Burlington will be at the High School at 7:30 p.m. on 2 May. June 18th will be a special Regional Planning Commission meeting to vote the plan out to public hearing. A final vote will probably be held in October. Mr. Magowan: Candidates for Manager of CCTA will be interviewed on Friday. Mr. Condos: The MPO is holding a Rt. 15 corridor transit analysis, tomorrow at 7 p.m. The regular MPO meeting will be at 7. Mr. Hafter: The City has prepared two studies for traffic calming. They will meet with residents of Old Farm Road on 3 May at 7 p.m. and with residents of Dumont Rd. at 7:45 p.m. on the same evening. Mr. Hafter introduced Dennis Gravelin, new South Burlington Finance Director. 3. Report from City Consultants on feasibility study for Community Center and Indoor Aquatic Center: Mr. Reed, Chair of the community committee, reviewed the process and introduced committee members and consultants. Mr. Ballard reviewed the process of doing a market analysis. He noted that the median age of the community is younger than the national median age, and the household size is lower than the national average. The median household income is higher than the national average. There has also been a steady population growth. There are a significant number of providers in the market, especially private health clubs. There is a limited number of non-profit facilities and very few public facilities. There is also limited access to college and university facilities in the area. Private facilities are large clubs dominated by one owner group, and their fees are high. There is no recreational indoor pool. There are outdoor pools but not in South Burlington. This analysis led to the conclusion that the demographics were favorable for a community center and that the center should have a different orientation than the existing clubs. A needs assessment was then done which identified the following concerns: lack of gym space in winter crowded teen gathering space at the high school lack of adult recreation space existing facilities scattered/fragmented throughout the area private facilities cost prohibitive indoor pools not accessible lack of centralized meeting space no good place for swim meets The facility components that people would most like are an indoor pool, multi-purpose spaces, activity spaces, senior spaces, lounge space, and performance space. Seniors want activity rooms, an indoor pool, weight/cardio equipment, walking track. Teens want a teen space not in school, indoor pool, gym, indoor skateboard park. Mr. Vine reported on a community survey that was then done. 422 responses were received, 322 in South Burlington, 100 outside of S. Burlington. 52% of those responding currently use indoor recreation facilities, mostly private clubs. Most people think an indoor community center/aquatic facility should meet the needs of a wide range of the population. 43% of people put an indoor aquatic facility as their number one interest. Others were indoor walking/running track, weight/cardio area, aerobics. 74% of people said exercise is the main reason they would use the facility. 56% would probably vote to increase property taxes to support this center. 67% would be willing to pay $60-119/year to support the facility. Mr. Voorhees then reviewed possible designs and showed slides of other facilities. Mr. Hertzberg reviewed costs for a basic and expanded facility. Indoor Aquatic Center $2,700,000 Athletic/Fitness 2,700,000 General Building Area 1,200,000 Administration/Support 440,000 Site and FF&E Allowances 1,010,000 Development Costs, etc.2,133,000    TOTAL 10,183,000 The expanded facility with an additional 63,500 sq. ft. would cost $11,574,000. A study of the existing Dorset Park was done. There are circulation concerns which could be cleaned up. They concluded that the site identified in the Master Plan is the right site for the facility. The consultants felt there could be a 94% recovery rate from revenues to cover expenses of running the facility. The next step will be to review comments from the city and submit a final study document. Then a date can be set for a referendum. Mr. Condos noted there is a large donation that has been committed for the facility, and the city is also hoping to get some grant money as well. Mr. Giesen asked if there is any thought of a Library at the facility. Mr. O'Neill said no. Mr. Wheeler said there could be a reading nook with a possible book return to the local library. Ms. Cruz, parent of a competitive swimmer, urged having a competition sized pool. Mr. Rikert also suggested bleachers for swimming events. This could increase revenues. Mr. Atkinson suggested surveying IBM to see if they would pay to use the facility for their employees. Mr. Condos thanked the committee and the consulting team. 4. Public hearing on 2001 Comprehensive Plan; consideration of adoption of same: Ms. Hoover reviewed her memo of changes made since the first public hearing. She noted that the disclaimer has been added to the second paragraph. Mr. Sheahan moved to close the public hearing. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Sheahan moved to adopt the Comprehensive Plan as presented with changes as indicated in Ms. Hoover's memo. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Public hearing on proposed amendment to Zoning Regulations: replacement of September 1, 1994 overlay district map: second reading of same: Ms. Hoover noted this replaced an old map with a digitized version that matches zoning lines. Mr. Smith moved to close the public hearing. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Smith moved to waive the reading of the amendment and approve the new overlay district map. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Public hearing on the Zoning Regulations: Adoption of revised wetlands map and clarification of review procedure; second reading of same: Ms. Hoover said the Natural Resources Committee was asked to revise the map. This now gives a better sense of where wetlands are. She noted that what is actually on the ground will be the controlling factor. An applicant must produce data to show there is something different from what is on the map. If they don't, then the map controls. Mr. Sheahan moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Smith moved to waive the reading and approve the amended map as presented. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Public hearing on amendment to sewer regulations ordinance establishing enforcement procedures for grease trap regulations; second reading of same: Mr. Hafter noted penalties are civil penalties not criminal. The city can get injunctive relief if necessary. Mr. Condos felt the fines were too low. Members agreed the first offense should be $50. And the second offense $100., etc. Mr. Audette agreed and noted it costs the city more than $50 when the grease traps aren't cleaned. Mr. Hafter then read from the ordinance. He noted it will be sent to businesses with a permit and a log sheet to record cleaning. Mr. Sheahan moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. O'Rourke moved to waive reading of the ordinance, and approve the amendment doubling the civil penalties as discussed. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Consideration of approval of Memorandum of Understanding with VTrans re: temporary passenger rail station: Mr. Hafter reviewed the history. He noted that the DRB has approved the proposed site plan. Vtrans must demonstrate to the Council that they have made significant progress in siting a permanent station by 4 June. Rep. Audette noted that there is no money in the new budget for developing the permanent station in the year 2002. Mr. Magowan authorized the Chair to sign the Memorandum of Understanding as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Consideration of approval of entertainment permit for Holiday Inn, local and regional bands: Mr. Hafter said the application was complete. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the entertainment permit for Holiday Inn as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9a. Consideration of approval of entertainment permit for Vermont Community Botanical Garden for a Kite Flying Event: Mr. Smith moved to approve the entertainment permit for Vermont Community Botanical Garden as presented. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed. 10. Review Development Review Board Agenda for 17 April 2001: No issues were raised. 11. Minutes of 2 April and 5 April 2001: Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the Minutes of 2 April as written. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the Minutes of 5 April as written. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed 4-0 with Mr. Smith abstaining. 12. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 13. Liquor Control board: Mr. Magowan moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented first and second class license renewals from Bourne's Service Center; MT Bellies Corp; Shaw's Supermarket, Inc; Colonial Deli Mart; Zachary's Pizza House; Holiday Inn; Klinger's Bread Company; TJ's Wine & spirits; Kwan's Restaurant; Hawthorne Suites Hotel; Koto Restaurant, Inc. Mr. O'Rourke advised that he would have to step down on the Klingers application due to a conflict of interest. Mr. Sheahan then moved to approve all but the Klinger's Bread Company first and second class liquor license renewals as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. O'Rourke then stepped down from the Board. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the Klinger's Bread Company liquor license renewal as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed 4-0. Executive Session: Mr. Smith moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in executive session to discuss contract negotiations and to resume regular session on for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The City Council returned to open session. Steve Magowan moved adjournment. Chris Smith seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.