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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/19/2002CITY COUNCIL 19 FEBRUARY 2002 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 19 February 2002, 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; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; P. Craven, B. Knight, B. Wessel, J. Nadeau, G. Forbes, G. Dow 1. Comments & questions from the audience not related to Agenda items: Mr. Condos spoke regarding the MPO vote on the Burlington to Essex rail. He said that what he suggested was that at the MPO meeting tomorrow, the public hearing should be opened, testimony taken, then the hearing continued for a few weeks. Mr. Condos also suggested the Council put the issue on the 4 March agenda for discussion. Mr. Magowan agreed. He felt there should be more public debate on whether the money would be well spent. He was also concerned with protecting CCTA's interests and noted that South Burlington taxpayers have been a major support for CCTA over the years. Mr. O'Rourke said he was comfortable with that. Mr. Condos felt the basic issues are: impacts on CCTA, impacts on current transportation projects in the TIP, and impacts on future transportation projects. Mr. Knight suggested getting to the meeting at 7 p.m. as there will be a task force meeting before the regular meeting. Mr. Magowan left the meeting at this point. 2. Announcements and City Manager's report: Mr. Sheahan: Regional Planning Commission meeting next Monday, 5 p.m. Mr. Smith: Testified before the House on the issue of Tech Ed. Will testify again tomorrow. Mr. Condos: MPO meeting tomorrow, 7 p.m. Mr. Hafter: Gave members the proposed 2002-3 budget and agendas for budget work sessions on 21 February and 28 February (and March 7, if needed). City and Water Department audits for last year are in. The city is in excellent shape. The city has won two grants: Stephanie Smith got a mini-grant of $635 for a project to inform the public about pesticides. The Freeman Fund gave the Community Library $70,000 for the first of 3 years. The first money will be spent to open a door directly to the parking lot so people can access the library directly. Denis Gravelin has been promoted from Finance Director to Assistant City Manager. He will also continue to serve as Finance Director. His salary will not increase until July. The 4 March agenda includes the MPO discussion, East Terrace parking request, and 3 zoning requests including standards for amendments to development approvals. Mr. Condos noted that he and Mr. Hafter will address the Natural Resources Committee of the Legislature regarding management of stormwater utilities. 3. Discussion with South Burlington Water Department regarding automatic meter reading system: Mr. Nadeau showed one of the oldest meters being used in the city and how it works. He then showed a pulsar method (which does not work in the northeast because of weather) and the ARB meter which most people in the city have. Existing meters require a lot of man hours. Mr. Nadeau said they would like to go to a new automatic system that can be read by just having the meter reader walk or drive by a house. The only maintenance required for these systems is to replace batteries in 10 years. The current meters are actually resulting in a loss of money. It now takes a meter reader 99 hours a month to read 1/3 of the meters. Currently, a reader can do about 100 meters a day with the old meters and 300 a day with ARB. With the drive-by system, a reader can do 1000 a day. Vendors are being researched and some of the systems will be tested. Mr. Nadeau said they would like to begin installing new programs in June. He felt they could do 5000 units in a year with current staffing. The cost estimate is $250,000-$375,000 for 5000 meters. Mr. Hafter said the first year can be funded from capital reserve; following years can be built into the rates. Members asked Mr. Nadeau to come back with firm numbers. 4. Consideration of adoption of resolution authorizing Hoyle-Tanner and Associates, Inc., to apply for state revolving loan to prepare facilities plan for upgrade of Airport Parkway Treatment Plant: Mr. Hafter said it is time for the City to move forward on this work. Mr. Forbes said the evaluation will encompass the service area to identify the demand. It will look at the full collection system and take into account a 20- year growth pattern. It will also look at current conditions of the plant and the discharge limit. It is likely the discharge limit will change. Mr. Condos read the proposed resolution. Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the resolution as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Consideration of adoption of septage disposal agreement: Mr. Dow said the agreement would inform haulers of hours of operation, what the treatment plant accepts, fees, new ordinances (specifically regarding grease traps), etc. Mr. Dow also said they would like to raise the price for material from grease traps. He showed pictures of grease problems and said there should never be grease in secondaries. The Solid Waste District will evaluate grease and see if there is something the city may want to do with it. Mr. Smith moved to approve the agreement as presented and the rates contained in it. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consideration of appointment of Town Service Officer: Mr. Sheahan moved to appoint Mr. Hafter as Town Service Officer. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Consideration of approval of Annual Entertainment License, Rick's Italian Café, 1233 Shelburne Road, open mike and piano player: Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the annual Entertainment License for Rick's Italian Café as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Review City Council minutes of 4 February 2002: Mr. Sheahan suggested including in the CTTA discussion the message from the Council that property tax support of CCTA is maxed out. Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the minutes of 4 February as amended. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 10. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Smith moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a First Class Cabaret License for The Rotisserie. He said this will allow smoking in the bar area. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the First Class Cabaret License for The Rotisserie as presented. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Executive Session: Mr. Sheahan moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The City Council returned to regular session. Mr. Smith moved adjournment. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.