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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 06/18/2001CITY COUNCIL 18 JUNE 2001 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 18 June 2001, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members present: J. Condos, Chair; S. Magowan, T. Sheahan, C. Smith Also present: C. Hafter, City Manager; J. B. Hoover, Director of Planning & Zoning; D. Gravelin, Finance Director; B. O'Neill, T. Hubbard, Recreation Department; Rep. Albert Audette; P. Reed, members of the Community Center Committee; A. Johnston, The Other Paper 1. Comments & questions from the public (not related to the Agenda): No issues were raised. 2. Announcements and City Managers report: Mr. Smith: By Thursday, a decision should be made regarding funding of the Tech Ed Center. Mr. Sheahan: The Regional Plan is inching closer. The Plan will be revised one more time, then voted on. A lot of work done by South Burlington Planning people has been incorporated into the Plan, and he feels good about where things are now. Mr. Magowan: CCTA Board meeting, 27 June. Mr. Condos: Will attend MPO meeting in Jericho. Mr. Hafter: The open house for the Public Works facility will be on 29 June. Chittenden County elected officers meeting, 27 June, 7 p.m. in Essex Junction. Donna Kinville is the appointed City Clerk designee to fill out Peg Picard's term. There has been a request to reactivate the Sign Committee. Mr. Condos felt they should do this, but he was not in favor of big changes. He said that if anything, he would be looking to tighten things. Mr. Hafter will recruit potential members for the Committee and bring them to the Council. The bike path dedication will be 26 June, 8 a.m. on Spear St. across from the UVM cow bam. VTrans has scheduled public outreach meetings in various communities. There will be a meeting at South Burlington City Hall on 28 June, 7 p.m. 3. Discussion with Dorset Park Community Center/Aquatic Center Committee re: feasibility study and future actions: Mr. Reed said this is the culmination of 2-1/2 years work. The Committee has come up with 4 recommendations: a. accept the final report submitted by the consulting team b. support expanded facility at a cost of $11,574,000 c. proceed with bond referendum as soon as possible d. get pre-bond services from consultants (pay for with impact fees) The difference between the basic and expanded facility is mainly in the aquatic facility. The expanded plan puts lap lanes in a separate body of water. Mr. Reed said they heard significant input regarding the ability to generate some private funding for a competitive facility. There is also the possibility for revenue generation. Mr. O'Neill added that this option is also better for teaching swimming. Mr. Sheahan said his concern is to be sure that the facility is sustainable. Mr. O'Neill said the consultant estimates the facility can recoup 90% of its operating costs. Mr. Sheahan asked what services the consultant would perform. Mr. Reed said mainly community education. Mr. Audette said he felt there should be 2 committees formed, one to look into financing and one for communication with the public. A member of the committee cited the number of times she has had to pull kids out of the water to save them from drowning. She felt the ability to give swimming lessons was vital. She also suggested another "Friends of...." fund-raiser/community education event. Members then discussed the timing for a bond vote. Mr. Hafter suggested the possibility of having a vote after a certain amount of money had been privately raised. Mr. Audette said fund-raising work has to start immediately, not sit around for 6 months. Mr. Magowan said he had a problem with a facility that might have to cater to paying teams, etc., instead of being available to the general public. He said people have told him they wouldn't support the facility because it would be their tax money but they wouldn't get to use the building. Mr. O'Neill said they do not intend to "flood" the facility with groups the way the ice rink does. He would never envision a facility being dominated by outside groups. Mr. Magowan also said he was concerned with the consultants' belief that the facility will draw people from neighboring towns. He didn't feel people from Colchester, etc., would come to South Burlington. He was also concerned with government competing with private enterprise. Mr. O'Neill said they are not trying to build a health club, but a lot of people in the city can't afford the prices of the health clubs, and those clubs are not family oriented facilities. He also stressed that nobody else is going to provide activities for South Burlington's teenagers and seniors. Mr. Condos agreed that there is a question as to whether private industry is meeting the needs of the community; he felt that in many ways it is not. The Manager of Twin Oaks said he had met with Mr. O'Neill and had realized that the community may not be aware of what they do. He felt a community center so close to Twin Oaks would compete with them. He said they do have programs for teens and seniors. He also asked for the opportunity to present the Council with the wide spectrum of services they offer in South Burlington and other communities. He felt this might be an opportunity to work with the city. Mr. Condos said he felt it was a disadvantage for Twin Oaks to have facilities all over the place. He also found it frustrating that health clubs are constantly having drives for new members so that there are so many people you can't get to use the facilities. Mr. Condos also cited parking problems at Twin Oaks which result in cars all over the streets. He asked how they could handle 5,000 South Burlington residents going to Twin Oaks. Mr. Audette expressed concern with "the monopoly" coming forward now. Mr. Audette said he has heard from people that they could afford a community facility but can't afford monopoly prices. Mr. Reed noted that his committee was convened because the community had always felt this kind of facility was to be a part of Dorset Park. The idea was that it would be available to the community. He felt that people have to recognize the different roles of private and public groups. They do some parallel things but also do very different things. Mr. Sheahan also noted that the Park master plan always had a community center. Mr. Audette said the committee had tried to avoid the health club look, but did add some of those components because that was what people were asking for. Mr. Sheahan said he had no reason to think that the information the city has been given is not the real deal, and he couldn't imagine dropping the ball now. He felt there are many people who will use and support the facility, and the city needs to serve the large segment of the population that Twin Oaks will never serve. He also felt that a capital committee should be put together to see how much money can be raised privately. Mr. Smith said he needs to feel comfortable with who will use the facility and what the community rights will be with respect to "community vs. paying customers." Mr. Hafter agreed to meet with members of the committee regarding the formation of a funding committee. Mr. Reed said he would work with others on the educational piece. 4. Appointments to Regional Boards and Commissions: Mr. Condos said there are 3 sets of appointments to be made: Regional Planning Commission, MPO and Solid Waste District. The incumbents in these positions are: Regional Planning Commission: Terry Sheahan, representative; Chris Smith alternate MPO: Jim Condos, representative; Dan O'Rourke, alternate Solid Waste District: Paul Stabler, representative, Jim Condos alternate All incumbents have indicated a willingness to serve again. Mr. Magowan moved to reappoint the slate of incumbent representatives and alternates. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Consideration of recommendation from Social Responsibility Committee for allocation of funds for 2001-2002: Mr. Condos thanked Hank Lambert and Rosalind Summers for their long-time membership on this Committee. Mr. Hafter reviewed the changes from the 2000-2001 budget. He noted there are no new agencies to be funded. RSVP has been reduced by $300 because they did not submit a request. The Howard Center has an additional $250 because of the increased heroin problem in the city. Women Helping Battered Women has an additional $225 based on increased child abuse caseloads. The End Zone program will not be funded as it has been taken over by the school system. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the recommendations as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consideration of Naming the New Public Works Office Building/City Shop as the Albert "Sonny" Audette Building: Mr. Condos read the resolution and thanked Sonny for all his years of service to the city. He said that Sonny has truly affected the quality of life for the people of South Burlington. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the naming of the new Public Works Office Building/City Shop as the Albert "Sonny" Audette Building. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Audette said that the taxpayers got a great deal for their money with the new public works facility. Ms. Hoover noted that some builders who have seen the facility said they were very impressed. 7. Consideration of three-year Contract with Stitzel, Page & Fletcher, PC, for Legal Services: Mr. Condos noted the current contract expires on 30 June 2001. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the 3-year contract with Stitzel, Page & Fletcher as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter noted that when there is a review of private party agreements, those charges will be paid by the private parties. 8. First Reading of Amendment to Capital Budget and Program; schedule public hearing: Ms. Hoover said the amendments involve updating costs of road projects, eliminating completed projects, adding Market Street, adding Middle School improvements, and minor changes in the amount of city match that will be required on specific road projects. Mr. Sheahan moved to waive the reading of the amendment, approve the first reading and schedule a public hearing for 16 July. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Sheahan asked about the golf course project in the area of what he had thought was to be a natural area. Mr. Hoover said the golf course had represented that they would not be cutting anything larger than a 4-inch caliper. When neighbors complained, the city checked and found they had cut larger trees. A letter has been sent, but there has been no reply. Ms. Hoover noted this is being watched very carefully, but because none of the "representations" made by the golf course were ever finalized in approval motions, there isn't much the city can do. Mr. Sheahan said they had represented that this area was never going to be developed. Ms. Hoover said the place where the city might be able to take action is at Act 250. Mr. Condos asked about the growing "mountain" on Swift Street. Ms. Hoover noted there has been a question of water being diverted in connection with the development going on there. Wetlands people have gone out to look at it, but their report has not yet been received. Mr. Condos said his concern is with the "mountain" and he questioned whether this is fill being brought in from elsewhere. Mr. Hafter said the City can check on this. Ms. Hoover noted that the South Burlington Comprehensive Plan will be the next one reviewed by Regional Planning. Mr. Magowan asked about the recent correspondence regarding use of hotels for prisoners. Ms. Hoover said they had found out that prisoners on furlough were being housed in local hotels/motels. This requires a new site plan because of increased water/sewer use, etc. A letter was sent to the Corrections people, and they responded by asking to see the regulations. Ms. Hoover said the applicable regulations were sent to them. Mr. Condos noted that a number of motels seem to be becoming apartment building and are beginning to look seedy. There is also a question of use of extended stay hotels as permanent residences. Mr. Magowan said there is very little supervision in the extended stay hotels, and in some locations there is non-stop partying. He was very concerned as this is a drug traffic situation. Ms. Hoover noted that there can be a stipulation that a security contract be provided. The Public Nuisance ordinance also gives the City some options. She said she would talk with the City Attorney and Police Chief. Mr. Magowan offered to pursue this as well. 9. Review Development Review Board Agenda for 19 June 2001: No issues were raised. 10. Review Minutes of 21 May and 4 June: Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the Minutes of the 21 May organizational and regular meetings. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Minutes of 4 June could not be reviewed as a quorum of those present was not in attendance. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. Executive Session: Mr. Smith moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene in executive session to discuss personnel and contract negotiations and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The City Council returned to regular session. Mr. Smith moved adjournment. Mr. Sheahan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.