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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 08/20/2001CITY COUNCIL 20 AUGUST 2001 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 20 August 2001, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members present: J. Condos, Chair; T. Sheahan, C. Smith, S. Magowan, D. O'Rourke Also present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Finance Director; D. Kinville, City Clerk Designate; Rep. F. Mazur, Rep. A. Audette, B. O'Neill, T. Hubbard, Recreation Dept; S. Mith, B. Vanderventer, P. Reed, D. Weaver, D. McBee, L. Wood 1. Approval of resolution honoring the South Burlington Little League All Stars: Mr. Condos read the Resolution. He also noted that on 27 August there would be a parade and ceremony to honor the team. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the Resolution as read. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Comments & questions from the audience not related to agenda items: No issues were raised. 3. Announcements & City Manager's report: Mr. Smith: Met with Supt. of Schools Chattman and will attend the next School Board meeting to present information regarding the proposed Tech Ed Center. Mr. Sheahan: Regional Planning Commission meeting 27 August. Mr. Magowan: CCTA Board meeting 22 August. All day meeting/retreat for CCTA on 29 August regarding issues and focus with new General Manager. Mr. Condos: MPO work session re: Rt. 15 alternative analysis, 29 August. Mr. Hafter: 29 August, 10 a.m., introductory meeting on EPA Smart Growth water quality study on Potash Brook watershed. The City has been chosen as a national model for Smart Growth initiative. Credit for this goes to Juli Beth Hoover who went to Washington to secure this designation. The next City Council meeting is 10 September. A Steering Committee meeting is tentatively set for 13 September. The agenda will include continued discussion on the role of the Committee, the Aquatic/Community Center, Tech Ed Center. On 6 September, the State will hold a public information meeting on the Kennedy Dr. widening project. There will be an informal discussion at 6:30 and a formal presentation at 7:30. The meeting will take place in the City Hall Conference Room. The Fire Dept. Open House is set for 9 September. The annual Town Fair will be held in Killington on 27 September. Items for discussion will include municipal laws, tax collection, media relations, etc. Most Department Heads will be attending. The parade and ceremonies honoring the Little League will take place on 27 August, 6:30 p.m. beginning with a parade to Dorset Park. A letter was sent to Bruce Hoar by Sgt. James Snyder regarding the heroic actions of Frenchie Leduc who rescued 2 people trapped in their vehicles after a recent accident. Mr. Leduc has been recommended for awards recognizing the saving of lives. Mr. Condos noted that Mr. Leduc was a South Burlington Firefighter for many years. 4. Appointment of Mrs. Donna Kinville as City Clerk/Treasurer to fill remaining term: Mr. Hafter noted that Peg Picard will retire as of 24 August. Mrs. Kinville will be appointed through 21 May 2002 at which time there will be a city-wide election. Mr. Smith moved to appoint Donna Kinville as City Clerk/Treasurer through 21 May 2002. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Kinville thanked the Council for the opportunity to serve the community. 5. Public hearing for closeout of Vermont Community Development Program planning grant to city for $21,900 for use of Vermont Community Botanical Gardens to undertake conceptual design and feasibility study for botanical gardens: Mr. Vanderventer said they have hired an Executive Director and have done an informal feasibility study. Roughly 10 acres is involved in the project. There is an initial design for the program building. Comments were solicited but none were forthcoming. Mr. Sheahan moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Update from public relations and funding committees for development of community center/aquatic center: Mr. Reed noted the display in the City Hall lobby which was done for Family Night Out. He said the committee needs direction from the Council as to where to go next. He also asked when a bond vote might take place. Mr. O'Neill said he had been asked by the Council to verify the reliability of the consultant's projections. He said he contacted a number of Ballard-King's references, all of whom said the figures they had been given proved to be very reliable. Mr. Magowan said he was encouraged by the projections and felt it was very appropriate for the Steering Committee to discuss the project. He felt there would have to be substantial private fund-raising and was concerned with public response in this economic climate. Mr. Hafter then reviewed tax implications. He said that for an $11,500,000 project, a homeowner could expect an increase of $87 per year on $100,000 of home value. He anticipated that the city's operating budget could absorb the operating costs of the facility at 2/3 of a cent on the tax rate. This would not have additional tax implications. Rep. Audette said that at National Night Out, people offered to write checks for at least $500. He wanted to know if the city is set to accept such donations. He felt $1,000,000-2,000,000 could be raised through donations. He also felt that the people should be allowed to make the decision. Mr. Sheahan agreed and said he was now more comfortable with the numbers. He felt there should be discussion with the Steering Committee and then have a date set for a vote. Mr. O'Rourke agreed. Ms. Smith said she felt the community needs a place for people of all ages to come together. Mr. O'Neill said a random survey at National Night Out showed overwhelming support, and a number of people agreed to work on the project to host neighborhood meetings, etc. It was noted that a local business has been lobbying against the facility because they feel it will take business away from them. Mr. Weaver said there was a similar concern in Golden, Colorado where 3 health clubs opposed a facility. Now that it is built, there has been no impact on the clubs. He said this will be a different type of facility from a private health club. Mr. Hubbard said there is excitement among community members, and people don't want their children to be too old before the facility is built. Mr. Condos noted that once there is a decision to go forward, impact fees can be increased to become a piece of the funding package. Mr. McBee said he has worked in the community as a youth advocate, and young people say they need a place to go. They see this facility as the first opportunity for that to happen. He urged the Council not build the building because it is the "right time" but because it is an opportunity to build community. Mr. Wood asked how they can convince the Steering Committee. Mr. Condos suggested a brief but detailed presentation. He also suggested having supporters present. Mr. Hafter suggested a letter to Steering Committee members with a history of the project, etc. Mr. Reed noted that a number of potential donors have been approached by private business to discourage them from supporting the facility. He was upset to see that there are elements of the community working against them. He stressed that the facility would not be in competition with them as this is a very different enterprise. 7. Report from Regional Technical Academy Committee: Mr. Smith said the purpose of the Academy would be to prepare students for university courses and for careers in the technology-oriented workplace. The Academy would be a 4-year academic and technical high school that would serve 4800 students throughout the year. 1200 students would attend during regular school hours. The remainder would attend in the evening and summer sessions. The facility would cost $11,000 per student. Part of this would be provided by the State block grant. There is also a $1,000 grant per student for tech ed. Above block spending per town would come from the town of each student. The balance would come from a countywide sales tax of approximately .3%. The Academy would be managed by a 13-person governing board. The budget would be passed the 8 members representing each of the towns. Nine or 10 sites are being evaluated, 2 of which are in South Burlington. There is now a 2-month process occurring with presentations to City Councils, schools, public forums, etc. A final report will be issued after 1 October. There will also be a public education process. Rep. Mazur noted the critical need for such an Academy. He was concerned with funding sources. 8. Consideration of approval of capital equipment refunding note and resolution for City Hall copier: Mr. Hafter said the note is for $3333. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the note and resolution as presented. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Review DRB agenda for 21 August 2001: No issues were raised. 10. Review minutes of 4 June and 2 July: Mr. Magowan moved to approve the minutes of 4 June as written. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Mr. Sheahan abstaining. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the minutes of 2 July as written. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Mr. Magowan abstaining. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. Executive Session: Mr. Sheahan moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene in executive session to discuss litigation and personnel and to resume regular session only for the purpose of approving a contract and/or adjourning. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Mr. Sheahan moved adjournment. Mr. Magowan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.