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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 06/04/2001CITY COUNCIL 4 JUNE 2001 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 4 June 2001, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members present: J. Condos, Chair; D. O'Rourke, S. Magowan Also present: C. Hafter, City Manager; S. Stitzel, City Attorney; Juli Beth Hoover, Director of Planning & Zoning; Louise Murphy, Ron Savitt, Diana Carras, Melissa Pasman, Community Library 1. Comments & questions from the audience not related to agenda items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcements and City Manager's report: Mr. Magowan: The BCA will meet Wednesday, 6 p.m. regarding reapportionment. Mr. Condos noted that South Burlington will have 4 full seats. Mr. Magowan: CCSA will have a special meeting, Wednesday, 5 p.m. Mr. Condos: DARE Program graduations will be held at Central School on 7 June and Orchard School of 6 June. The public is invited to attend. Mr. Hafter: a. The Vermont Coalition of Municipalities will meet Thursday, 1 p.m. regarding where things stand with Act 60. Mr. Hafter will try to attend. b. The Social Responsibility Committee will meet 13 June, 10 a.m. c. Two important upcoming events: 22 June, the dedication of the new Public Works Yard and open house. There will be a proposal to name the building on the next agenda. 26 June, 8 a.m., dedication of Phase III of the rec path. Governor Dean has indicated that he will attend. d. The 18 June agenda will include a presentation from the Community/Aquatic Center Committee and also appointments to boards and committees. 3. Presentation of Community Library application for Vermont Public Library Foundation Incentive Grant from Freeman Foundation: Ms. Murphy said the Dept. of Libraries received a $10,000,000 grant from the Freeman Foundation and will be awarding grants to local libraries. Grants are based on reported income for 1998-9 town budgets, and a library can receive up to 50% of its budget from that year. This means the S. Burlington Community Library can apply for up to $70,000. Money can be used for renovations, building collections, staffing, computers, innovative projects, expansion, etc. It cannot be used for capital improvements, overhead costs, or construction of a new building. Applications are due on 15 June. Ms. Murphy said that Library did a survey among the staff for ideas on how to use the money. The grants are for 2 years (up to $70,000 each year), and both years can be applied for now. In year 3, there would be a match based on reported operating expenses for 2001-2 (based on the increase over the 1998-9 budget). For South Burlington, that would be $120,000. Some of the outcomes that staff members came up with centered on improved access and environment for community patrons. Specific projects would include opening the door that goes into the parking lot (northern entrance which has been sealed), putting a circulation desk at that entrance, creating a more "community" library feel (new carpeting, more comfortable seating, more bookcases, displays for "books on tape," new furniture, a patron counter to measure attendance, etc.) Mr. Magowan felt that the less spent on that space the better in light of the plans to move the facility to a new "government center" in the City Center. He felt money would be best put into books, etc., that could be moved to the new location. Mr. Hafter felt that what is done at the library now can be done in such a way that when the library moves the space could become a community room. Ms. Murphy added that if the library can be improved and use of it encouraged, there may be a better chance to get public support for a new facility. Other members of the Library Board of Trustees expressed excitement about the proposed plans. They felt the biggest chore is to make people aware that this is a "community" facility. 4. First reading of amendment to Sign Ordinance; clarification of calculation of sign area and appeals process; schedule public hearing: Ms. Hoover noted that sometimes loopholes are not found until someone drives a truck through them. There is a regulation regarding a sign of cut-out letters on a building façade. On Shelburne Rd. someone decided to "enhance" the letters with accent painting and made the letters into a gigantic wall sign. For this reason, 4 small changes in the Sign Ordinance are being proposed. These include: In Section 9, painting around letters counts as part of the square footage. In Section 8, a sign would include the cladding around it. In Section 29, there is a clarification that it is the DRB, not the Planning Commission which hears appeals. In Section 3, the basis for the area for the use of cut-out letters shall not exceed 100 sq. ft. Members suggested some minor modifications to the wording. Mr. Magowan moved to waive the reading of the proposed amendments, schedule a public hearing on 2 July, and approve the first reading with the following amendments: the words "clarification of" at the top of the amendment shall be deleted; Add: Section 2: This amendment shall not be interpreted to override, alter or otherwise affect the Zoning Administrator's interpretation of this Ordinance prior to this amendment." Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. First reading of Amendment to Impact Fee Ordinance; schedule public hearing for same: Ms. Hoover noted that Lime Kiln Bridge reconstruction has been added to projects on the road impact fees list. The addition did not change any figures. Ms. Hoover recommended keeping the recreation fee as it is and then amending it when the Community/Aquatic Center and next phase of the rec path are added. Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the first reading of the amendment to the impact fee ordinance and set a public hearing for 2 July. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Request for approval of tax rates to support FY2002 budget, special assessment district and user fees for sanitary sewer and water service; approval of fiscal year budget: Mr. Hafter advised that tax bills will go out on 15 July. The tax rate will be the same as in the budget book: .568. There is only one special assessment district left, Country Club Estates, and that rate will be .265 for the coming year. The sewer fee will remain unchanged at 16.75 per 1000 cu. ft. of water use. The water fee will be 14.50 per 1000 cu. ft. of use. Tax due dates will be 15 August, 15 November and 15 March. Mr. Hafter asked the Council to allocate an additional $100,000 from the accumulated fund balance to reserve funds. Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the tax rates, special assessment district, and user fees for sanitary sewer and water service, and the allocation of $100000 from accumulated fund balance to reserve funds as presented. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Bond Allocation Agreement with VIDA: Mr. Hafter explained that this will allow the Skating Association to issue bonds. Mr. Stitzel noted a number error: $10,000 should read $10,000,000. Mr. Hafter said the agreement puts no obligation on the city. Mr. Magowan moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement on behalf of the city. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Review agenda for DRB for meeting on 5 June 2001: No issues were raised. 9. Review minutes of 29 May 2001: The Minutes will be held until the next meeting as there was not a quorum of members present at that time. 9. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. Executive Session: Mr. O'Rourke moved the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss land acquisition, personnel and contract negotiations, and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular session: The Council returned to regular session. Mr. O'Rourke 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.