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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 08/18/2003CITY COUNCIL 18 AUGUST 2003 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 18 August 2003, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members present: J. Condos, Chair; T. Sheahan, S. Magowan, D. O'Rourke Also present: C. Hafter, City Manager; J. B. Hoover, Director of Planning & Zoning; Rep. A. Audette; B. Hoar, Director of Public Works; A. Johnston, The Other Paper; K. Bresnahan, A. Rowe; Free Press Reporter; Channel 17 1. Comments & questions from the audience, not related to agenda items: Ms. Bresnahan spoke about offering some resources and assistance to the Community Center effort. Mr. Hafter said that on 6 October there will be a presentation by the consultant working on the project. Rep. Audette suggested Ms. Bresnahan and her group meet with the Community Center Committee prior to 6 October. 2. Announcements and City Manager's report: Mr. Sheahan: Attended a meeting of the Housing Task Force Coalition Committee. They are trying to get a plan together. Mr. Magowan: Ambulance Committee met last week and looked at models. At their next meeting they will consider budgets. A proposal should be ready in about 2-1/2 months. Mr. Condos: Will attend the MPO meeting regarding the county TIP on Wednesday, 7 p.m. Mr. Hafter: Attended a hearing in U.S. District Court regarding the Shelburne Rd. project. The judge refused to continue the restraining order, and work will begin on the project tomorrow. The judge ruled that the work to be done this season would not create a loss for any of the appellants. On 16 September, 6:30 p.m., there will be a reception to honor Bill Burgess, Mary-Barbara Maher, Fred Blais, and Bill Cimonetti for their long-time service to the city. The Steering Committee will meet on 25 September, 7:30 p.m. The agenda will include election of officers, a presentation from the New Directions Coalition, Act 60 changes and impact, and a proposed land swap between the city and schools. The Lake Champlain Housing Board will meet Wednesday at noon. September meetings will be on the 8th and 15th. Mr. Sheahan asked about the timing of the lights at Kennedy Dr/Dorset St. He noted that traffic is stacking up going east on Kennedy Dr. from I-189. Mr. Hoar said the intersection is now part of a coordinated system. He will check into the problem. Mr. Condos suggested Mr. Hoar also look into the timing at Williston Rd/Kennedy Drive. Mr. Hafter noted that a pedestrian crossing was added there. 3. Update on Kennedy Drive improvement project: Mr. Rowe reported that there was an Act 250 hearing last Tuesday night. Two groups are seeking party status: Vermont radiologists who are concerned with construction equipment interfering with their machines, and Winding Brook Condos who have a variety of concerns (noise, traffic, etc.). The rest of the Act 250 process is scheduled for later this week. Concurrent with the Act 250 hearings, right-of-way plans were finalized last week and appraisals will begin on 1 September. That process should run to about 1 November. Following that, necessity hearings will be held. Mr. Hafter said that to meet the schedule, the necessity process should happen very soon. Mr. Condos asked if construction could begin next fall. Mr. Rowe said that may be possible. Mr. Rowe then reviewed the plans including all intersection plans. He noted that Verizon plans to bury some of their lines. 4. Consideration of appropriation from Open Space Fund to undertake natural resources study and management recommendations for Southeast Quadrant: Ms. Hoover reminded the Council that the recent zoning update did not deal much with the Southeast Quadrant (SEQ). The Planning Commission has been looking increasingly at an ecological plan for that area. There is now some open space that does not appear to be all that suitable for development. Jeff Parsons has been good to work with, and the Commission wants to send his company out to look at the SEQ to answer some questions: What is really out there? What would the city need to protect? In the area where roads and housing are needed, what policies are also needed? Are there parts of the SEQ where ecological and visual quality of the area could be improved? Ms. Hoover said they are not looking to change the overall density of the SEQ but might possibly allow some 6 or 8 units per acre in clusters in order to allow for more open space. Ms. Hoover said the Commission is asking to use $15,000 from the Open Space Fund for the proposed study. The hope is to have recommendations by January. Members felt this was a good use of the Open Space funds (not the Special Assessment Fund). Mr. Sheahan moved to allocate funding from the Open Space Fund as requested. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Consideration of recommendation to decline "entitlement community" designation for community development funding: Mr. Hafter explained that accepting the designation would actually cost the city money. Mr. Sheahan moved to decline the "entitlement community" designation as presented. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consideration of approval of Memorandum of Understanding for joint legal counsel for municipal stormwater system appeal: Ms. Hoover reviewed the history of the issue and noted that the intent in this request is to save money on legal fees. She explained the concern that municipalities are being required to do things that they may not be able to do. The plan is to hire Attorney Jim Coffrey to handle the interests of all involved municipalities. Ms. Hoover felt this was a wise investment. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding and to authorize the City Manager to sign it. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Consideration of recommendations from the Social Responsibility Committee for allocation of funding for FY 2004: Mr. Hafter noted that the total allocation is $45,000. The Committee made the same allocations as last year. Mr. Hafter also noted that the Special Needs fund is very helpful. Members asked the City Manager to send a letter of thanks to committee members. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the recommendations of the Social Responsibility Committee as presented. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Consideration of appointment of Brian Robertson, Associate Planner, as Assistant Administrative Officer: Mr. Hafter said the appointment will allow Mr. Robertson to issue permits when Ray Belair is out of the office. Mr. Magowan moved to appoint Brian Robertson to the position of Assistant Administrative Officer. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Review minutes of 21 July 2003: Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the minutes of 21 July as written. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Mr. Magowan abstaining. 10. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 11. Executive Session: Mr. Sheahan moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene in Executive Session to discuss contract and personnel matters and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Regular Session: Mr. Magowan moved adjournment. Mr. Sheahan 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.