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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/15/2001CITY COUNCIL 15 OCTOBER 2001 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 15 October 2001, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members present: J. Condos, Chair; C. Smith, S. Magowan, D. O'Rourke Also present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Finance Director; D. Kinville, City Clerk; J. B. Hoover, Director of Planning & Zoning; B. Cimonetti; A. Johnston, The Other Paper; N. Stegmaier 1. Comments & questions from the audience not related to agenda items: Ms. Johnston raised the question of traffic calming on Dumont Ave. and whether there will be traffic-calming measures used on other streets. Mr. Condos reviewed the history of traffic problems in residential neighborhoods and said that this is a test to see if these measures will work and whether they will have a negative impact on emergency vehicles and snow plowing. 2. Announcements and City Manager's report: Mr. Magowan: CCTA Board meeting, Wednesday, 17 October, 10 a.m. Mr. Condos: MPO Board meeting Wednesday, 17 October, 7 p.m. Mr. Magowan will attend. There will also be a Regional Planning Commission meeting on Monday. Mr. Hafter: Bids are due back on Wednesday for the repair of the Lime Kiln Bridge. The bridge will be closed for 2 weeks in November for the repairs. The project is 90% state funded. Grand opening ceremonies for the South Burlington train station will be at noon on 30 October. South Burlington service starts on 21 October. There will be a meeting tomorrow with Dubois & King regarding 4 alternate sites for the permanent train station. Work is still being done on regional dispatch for emergency services. The Coalition of Municipalities will meet on 31 October, 1 p.m. VLCT and the National League of Cities has started an "Always Remember 9-11" fund to help families of public employees directly affected by the events. The United Way campaign will be running at the same time. Staff will be briefed on this tomorrow. 3. Consideration of allocation for flagpole at Overlook Park: Mr. Condos said the city was fortunate to find a flagpole as they are at a premium. Mr. Hafter said the cost will be $1600 plus materials to install, about $2000 total. He indicated he can find this money in the budget. The flag will be placed adjacent to the water fountain, on the grass. The Public Works Department will raise the flag at 7 a.m. each day and the Fire Department will take it down in the evening and on weekends. Mr. Hafter indicated that the city will also look into illumination of the flag. Mr. Cimonetti thanked the city for acting promptly and indicated he was willing to participate in a discussion on illumination of the flag. Mr. Smith moved to authorize $2000 for a flagpole and flag for Overlook Park. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Report from City Clerk on department activities: Ms. Kinville indicated that Ann Slattery has been replaced by Eileen Morris, a former assistant to the Montpelier City Clerk. The Department has not fallen behind since Ann left. Job responsibilities will be redefined. Mr. Hafter noted that the City Clerk's office is looking to be open until 7 p.m. one night a week. He also noted that Laura Reinders will be appointed Deputy City Clerk so that she can fill in when Donna is out. 5. Consideration of approval of municipal planning grant application; update of Zoning Ordinance: Ms. Hoover said the Planning Commission wants to apply the planning grant money to update the Zoning Ordinance. They would hire a consultant to do this work, specifically on certain sections of the Ordinance and some land mapping. The consultant would also check to be sure changes can be incorporated into Chapter 117. Mr. Magowan moved to authorize the application for a municipal planning grant of $15,000 from the State of Vermont. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consideration of action to refer to Charter Committee authority to establish a "stormwater utility": Mr. Hafter said the issue evolves from the state and federal governments moving the cost for stormwater control to local government. He felt it behooves the city to establish a stormwater utility. A study is being done on this now. The city does not have legislative authority to establish this type of utility and will have to go through that process. Mr. Hafter also indicated that the city is looking for another alternative to the property tax for funding this utility. Mr. Hafter then read the proposed language of a City Charter amendment to grant the city the authority to establish such a utility. It would provide the same rights as the sewer system. The hope is to put something on the May ballot for voter approval of the Charter amendment. Mr. Condos asked if there is anything else the Charter Committee can look at. Mr. Hafter said the School Board has asked them to look at having Board terms start with the school year instead of right after the May (or March) election. Mr. O'Rourke moved to refer the issue of a stormwater utility to the City Charter Committee. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Consideration of approval of two capital equipment notes, resolutions and certificates for 1) one ton truck and 2) tandem dump truck: Mr. Hafter said the 1 ton truck note is for $20,900 at 2.5% interest, and the tandem is for $110,000 also at 2.5% interest. Both are the first year of a 5-year purchase. Mr. Smith moved to authorize the signing of the capital equipment notes, resolution and certificates as presented. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Consideration of approval of refunding notes and resolutions for: 1) tractor, 2) pickup, and 3) sewer vac: Mr. Hafter noted this is the final year for all three purchases. Mr. Magowan moved to approve all notes and resolutions as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Review agenda for Development Review Board meeting on 16 October: No issues were raised. 10. Review minutes of 1 October 2001: It was noted that on p. 2, paragraph 3, "Mr. O'Rourke" should read "Ms. O'Rourke." Mr. Magowan moved to approve the minutes of 1 October as written. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 12. Executive Session: Mr. Smith moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene in executive session to discuss litigation and contract negotiations, and to resume regular session only to possibly settle a litigation issue and/or approve a contract and/or adjourn. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Regular Session: The City Council returned to regular session. Chris Smith moved the approval of a settlement with Michael Brace regarding the removal of an illegal living unit and authorized the city attorney to sign such a settlement. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Smith moved the approval of an employment contract with the City Manager for the period July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2006. Mr. Magowan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Smith moved adjournment. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.