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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 11/18/2002CITY COUNCIL 18 NOVEMBER 2002 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 18 November 2002, at 7:30 p.m., in the conference room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. 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; G. Dow, WPCD; Rep. S. Audette; Rep. F. Mazur; J. B. Hoover, Director of Planning & Zoning; T. Moreau, T. Barbagallo, J. Holliday, Solid Waste District; C. Cole, B. Wetzel, CCTA; P. Stabler, M. Flaherty, J. J. Hamilton, B. McEwing, M. Brigham, R. Sharp 1. Comments & questions from the audience, not related to agenda items: Rep. Mazur reviewed the results of the annual survey he conducts regarding local and state issues. 2. Announcements & City Manager's report: Mr. Smith: Will be making a presentation with the Technical Academy group tomorrow. On Thursday, at the Regional Chamber of Commerce, Kevin Dorn will be making a presentation on the permitting process. Mr. Sheahan: Regional Planning Commission meeting Monday, 25 November, 6 p.m. Met with people from UVM a few weeks ago. There is a possibility that the new UVM President will meet with the Council, especially in light of new zoning regulations being written. Mr. Sheahan suggested after the first of the year. Mr. Magowan: CCTA meeting Wednesday, 5 p.m. Mr. Condos: MPO workshop on the Metropolitan transportation plan, Wednesday, 6 p.m. BCA meeting, Thursday, 7 p.m. at City Hall. Mr. Hafter: Correctional Center Liaison Committee meeting, Thursday, 4 p.m. December 2 agenda will include an update from the Rec Path Committee and also a resolution honoring the life of George Sporzynski. 3. Recognition of 50th Anniversary of the Vermont Hand Crafters' Holiday Craft Show, Sheraton Conference Center, South Burlington, Vermont, November 21-24, 2002: Mr. Condos read the Resolution. It was noted that South Burlington High School Honor Society students have assisted at this show for many years, and Vermont Hand Crafters has helped to support an annual scholarship for one of their members. Mr. Smith moved to sign the Resolution. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Discussion of proposed lease with Chittenden Solid Waste District for 3.2 acres of land on Airport Parkway for environmental depot facility: Mr. Moreau reviewed the history of the proposal. He noted this began as a Burlington program in May of 1990. It was then taken over by CSWD in October 1990. The Rover was added in 1992, and they began accepting CEG waste from businesses in 1992. The facility has to move from its present location because of safety concerns, continued growth, protection from weather, and because the facility is in the path of the proposed Southern Connector. Mr. Moreau then reviewed the permitting process. He indicated that they have all the city approvals and are awaiting a few state approvals. The facility will accept household hazardous waste and conditionally exempt generators. It will not accept medical waste, sharps, or explosives. All staff are OSHA certified and DOT certified. The facility will be regularly inspected by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the local Fire Department. Mr. Moreau noted that in the 11 years of operation, there have been no reportable spills, no safety violations, no permit violations, and no alleged violations. The initial lease will be for 5 years with 3 optional extensions. Mr. Moreau showed pictures of the facility. He noted it will be secured. Mr. Hafter noted that he had not yet received feedback from the City Attorney so he did not recommend approval of the lease tonight. Mr. Sheahan said that he has used the Pine St. facility and has found it very professional. He had no real issues with the proposal. Mr. O'Rourke asked about estimated trip ends. Mr. Moreau said they average about 30 a day. This allows for some growth. He felt they would probably send the Rover to Burlington in order to save on trip ends. Mr. Sharp noted that his business is required to have $1,000,000 insurance. He felt this facility should have more. He said he lives on Kirby Road close to the facility, and there is already too much traffic and nothing to slow cars down. He felt this would add to the existing traffic problem. He also asked if anything in the facility will become airborne. Ms. Holliday, Program Manager, said this is a very clean operation and a person would never know what is going on there from a distance of a few hundred feet. Mr. Sharp asked why the facility has to be in such an urban area as South Burlington. Mr. Moreau said other communities have drop-off facilities. Burlington/South Burlington are the center of the district, and they also generate more waste. Mr. Hafter noted that there is a provision in the agreement that the City Health Officer may declare an emergency situation and order the facility to cease operations if there are serious problems. Mr. Brigham thanked Mr. Hafter for being so easy to communicate with. He said the answers he got put him at ease. Rep. Audette noted that when he was campaigning, he found that people had a lot of misinformation. Mr. Hafter said the notice of the signing of the contract must be posted and warned for 30 days. After that, the lease can be signed. Members asked to see the lease before it is signed. 5. Senior Housing & Resource Center Grant Agreement 0072/02PG(08): Mr. Hafter said the grant will study consolidation of senior services in the senior housing. Mr. Gravelin will do the final checking on the grant. Mr. Magowan moved to sign the Resolution and accept the grant agreement and all related documents. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Review DRB Agenda for 19 November 2002 meeting: Mr. Condos asked about item #6 on the agenda. Ms. Hoover said the issues involved are circulation and parking. Mr. Condos said he was concerned with the proposal for behind Staples Plaza, especially with cars going through East Terrace. Ms. Hoover said this is still in sketch plan. There will be discussion about the best traffic flow on East Terrace. The easiest access is through Quarry Hill Road. They are hoping for an emergency access through Staples Plaza. Mr. Magowan was concerned that this may make access to the hospital difficult. Ms. Hoover said the MPO has been asked to look at this. She noted there are proposals totaling over 500 units on Spear St. in South Burlington and in Shelburne. 7. Update on Burlington International Airport Development plans and property acquisition plan: Mr. Hamilton provided an update on the third phase of development and land acquisition on Airport Drive. He noted that since the last meeting with the Council, they have met with neighbors, have completed development design drawings, have filed all required permits, and have gotten approval from Burlington voters for the bond. The project has two elements: a garage addition and a concourse addition to the north. Neighbors were concerned with the garage plans, particularly the amount and speed of traffic in the area. They are also concerned with the width of Airport Drive and with cars missing the Airport entrance. Other issues included Airport traffic parking on local streets and cars circulating as they wait for flights to arrive. Mr. Hamilton said they are addressing the Airport entrance problem by blocking a curb cut that confuses people. They are also working with the Planning people regarding the width of the road and parking on residential streets. Mr. Hamilton felt the new 4-way stop sign should slow traffic down. Mr. Condos suggested one hour free parking instead of half-hour. He felt this would cut down on people circulating. Mr. Hamilton said this is a customer service issue and a revenue issue that has a financial impact. Mr. Condos said it is also a quality of life issue. Mr. McEwing then reviewed the development drawings. The plan includes 4 exit lanes and easier automatic payment options. Car rentals would not use that exit. The plans would add 958 parking spaces. Work is scheduled to start on 15 April. Mr. McEwing showed the temporary access at Patrick Street that would be used during construction. Mr. Condos said the city wants a 4-way stop there. Mr. O'Rourke expressed concern that there will be conflict with the turning lane. Mr. Condos also raised the possibility of roundabouts at entrances/exits. Mr. McEwing said they would like to see the extension of Airport Drive. Mr. Condos asked about the potential for traffic calming for White Street. He said he has a concern with the amount of traffic that will go through that residential neighborhood, and the houses are very close to the road. Mr. Hamilton felt that is more "pass through" traffic than airport traffic. Mr. Condos noted the MPO has the extension of Airport Dr. back in the plan for this year. He indicated he is concerned that South Burlington could end up like Manchester, New Hampshire is now. Mr. Condos also asked for an agreement that the Airport won't tax South Burlington businesses. Mr. Hamilton said he was not prepared to discuss that at this meeting. He felt the Council had not heard the whole story. Regarding land acquisition, Mr. Hamilton said they had met with South Burlington and Burlington on this. It was agreed that it would be in the Airport Drive homeowners' best interest to sell to the airport if selling was their choice. Since then, eight property owners have asked the Airport to purchase their properties. Three of these have closed. Mr. Hamilton said if the Airport buys the homes, they will remain as residences and will be on the market as affordable housing. Mr. McEwing showed a map of land adjacent to the Airport including residences located within the "noise" regulations area. He indicated that the Airport pays fair market value for these homes and also closing costs and moving benefits. They have also purchased properties on Airport Parkway and Kirby Road. Some commercial properties have been acquired for different kinds of development. They also bought some property that will be part of the Army National Guard project. Mr. Flaherty noted that new Airport security regulations will begin next year. Mr. Hafter said he has been asked by the Council to investigate a noise ordinance with regard to the Airport. This will be done in the near future. 8. Presentation of proposed CCTA FY2004 budget and discussion of task force issues: Mr. Cole said there has been a 9% growth rate this year. They are expanding some service and are providing some shuttles in Burlington (these are fully funded). The proposed budget shows an increase of $537,834. The increase for member towns is $13,680. Negotiations with the MPO and VAOT have resulted in savings of $40,000 for the year. There are also other revenues coming in. Payroll is up 12% due to more hiring. There is also a 3.5% contractual increase. Mr. Cole said the largest driver of the budget is ADA use. Two issues involved in this are the aging population and the decision of the state not to continue to fund a program that had been paying for some ADA use. This resulted in a loss of about $80,000, and CCTA members had to pick up these costs. If people using ADA service live in South Burlington, South Burlington has to pay for their use. Mr. Condos asked about Medicaid paying some of these costs. Mr. Cole said he feels they should and this will be discussed. Mr. Condos asked for a memo on this. Mr. Cole explained the eligibility for ADA use. He also explained a program that provides free service to the elderly and disabled. This is 80% federally funded and 20% funded by the town where the passenger comes from. Mr. Cole noted that CCTA now has a full time planner on staff. Mr. Hafter asked how long CCTA will continue to accept grants if Williston is not willing to become a member of the district. Mr. Wetzel said they are willing to accept them because there is a need. He noted that JARK funds pay the full costs. Nothing comes from the member towns. If those funds disappear, service to Williston will disappear. Mr. Hafter asked if those funds would be available to member communities if Williston weren't getting them. Mr. Cole said they would have to fit the criteria of getting people to where the jobs area. Mr. Condos asked if the city could subsidize people coming to work at UMall. Mr. Cole said you can't replace existing service. Mr. Cole reminded the Council that two communities refused to pay their assessment last year. Because of how that situation was addressed, South Burlington received $24,000 that it can use to offset this year's assessment. Mr. Hafter asked about Sunday service to the Mall that the city wasn't aware of. Mr. Cole said this costs S. Burlington $8,000. Mr. Hafter asked what other service could the city cut to get a reduction. Mr. Cole said that it is the ADA service that is driving the cost for South Burlington. This amounts to $71,000. Mr. Magowan said he didn't think South Burlington should pay to bring Burlington residents to the mall on Sunday. Mr. Cole noted that service also goes to the airport. Mr. Cole noted that in the last session, the Legislature created a temporary task force to study public transportation in Chittenden County. As part of the study, the committee has considered using something other than the property tax to fund transportation, institutional relationships, and optimal public transportation for the county. Draft #9 of this study will go to the Legislature in January. The document says: we're taking an incremental approach to making public transportation reasonable. There can't be a regional service as it is all local interest and all funded by property taxes. Mr. Cole said public transportation will never be a regional issue until it has a regional funding base. Some of the recommendations for funding include: sales tax, gasoline sales tax, increase in short term car rental rates, increase in car registration fees, motor vehicle excise tax. Mr. Cole asked to be notified of any service change requests by December 11. Mr. Hafter asked for information on what service could be cut to offset the amount the South Burlington assessment has gone up. 9. Minutes of 24 September and 4 November 2002: Mr. Magowan moved to approve the minutes of 24 September as written. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Messrs. Smith and Sheahan abstaining. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the minutes of 4 November as written. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed 4-0 with Mr. Condos abstaining. 10. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement orders were signed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.