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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/20/2003CITY COUNCIL 20 JANUARY 2003 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 20 January 2003, 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; Rep. A. Audette; J. Hurley, Associate Planner; T. Duff, S. Katz; A. Johnston, The Other Paper 1. Comments & questions from the audience not related to Agenda items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's report: Mr. Hafter: reminded members of the Council retreat on Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. at the Clarion The Corrections Center Liaison Committee will meet on 23 January, 4 p.m. The next Legislative Breakfast will be 3 February, 7:30 a.m. at the Community Library. 3. Interview with applicants to the South Burlington Planning Commission: The Council first interviewed Tim Duff. Mr. Duff said he has been a South Burlington resident since 1986. Prior to that he lived in Burlington and served on the Burlington Design Review Board. He is currently serving on the South Burlington Design Review Board. He is an architect and builder. Mr. Condos asked Mr. Duff about his concept of the City Center. Mr. Duff felt it was a good concept and that the city was going about it the right way by not forcing things to happen immediately. Mr. Sheahan asked if there is anything else the city could do to expedite development in the City Center. Mr. Duff said he was not familiar with the opportunities the city has, e.g. tax incremental financing, etc. He felt it was good to get people involved in the process. Mr. Condos noted that voters had approved a 1 cent tax for a conservation/open space fund. He asked if Mr. Duff had thoughts on that. Mr. Duff felt it was very important as land use policies have fostered a lot of low-density development in the state. He felt it was good to cluster development and to assess important features to be preserved. The Council then interviewed Sheldon Katz. Mr. Katz said he is an attorney by training but is now a stay-at-home parent. He practiced regulatory law regarding public utilities. Mr. Condos asked Mr. Katz his feelings on the City Center. Mr. Katz said he has no preconceived notions and would want to hear all the facts. Mr. Smith asked whether Mr. Katz felt the city should work with the Regional Planning Commission and how this can happen. Mr. Katz said you have to take into account what the region is doing. He felt there really aren't any boundaries between communities. Mr. Sheahan asked what Mr. Katz' thoughts were on existing regulations and controlled growth and how South Burlington is growing now. Mr. Katz said South Burlington seems to be a desirable place to live. He said he would need to see what is being done to interface with that. Mr. O'Rourke asked what the city should be doing with the Southeast Quadrant. Mr. Katz said he felt you have to do one thing and stick to it. People have expectations, and when there are changes, there is frustration. Mr. Condos asked about the Conservation/Open Space fund. Mr. Katz said any decision has impacts on different people and you have to consider fairness and equity. Mr. Condos explained that there is still one more candidate to interview after which the Council will make its decision. 4. Discussion of Chittenden County proposed budget: Mr. Hafter said he attended the County budget presentation. He felt the budget was well presented and well justified. Spending has been held down to a reasonable extent. There is, however, one item that has gotten attention: renovations to the County Courthouse and Sheriff's Office. There is no doubt the work is needed on both buildings. The estimated cost is $300,000. $150,000 of this is in the budget, and they are hoping for a state match. Mr. Hafter said he thought this was a poor way to budget as it results in a huge increase for one year and then a big drop the next. He suggested spreading payments out over 5 years. The County is checking to see if it is able to bond for that item. The budget as it now stands would mean a $25,000 increase for South Burlington, or 2/10 of a cent on the tax rate. Colchester, Hinesburg, Jericho and Shelburne have already sent letters to the County about the renovations issue. Mr. Hafter noted there is nothing the city can do if the County puts the renovations money in the budget. Mr. Smith thought it was absurd not to borrow money when interest rates are 2 or 3%. Mr. Sheahan said the County should put money aside every year for expenses such as this. Mr. Hafter said the County feels they are not allowed to borrow. He had no idea why this would be so. Members favored sending a letter to the County expressing their concerns. 5. Consideration of resolution calling on the State administration and legislature to increase education funding payments to school districts to reduce property taxes: request from VLCT: Mr. Condos noted that any changes made by the Legislature this session would be hard to implement this year. He said his hope is that the education fund surplus would be used for increasing the block grant or increasing the yield. Mr. Magowan moved to sign the resolution as presented. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously with Mr. Condos abstaining. 6. Consideration of Memorandum of Understanding regarding EPA stormwater Phase II permit requirements; public education and outreach: Mr. Hafter said the EPA requires implementation of Phase II by 1 March 2003. One part of the process is education and outreach. It has been decided that there will be one coordinated outreach plan for the County. This means a $1,000 commitment from South Burlington through 30 July. Mr. Hafter felt this is a very important effort as it will save considerable staff time. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve and authorize the City Manager to sign the Memorandum of Understanding as presented. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Condos noted South Burlington is a leading community with regard to the stormwater issue. Mr. Hafter said he will be bringing the Council proposals for the stormwater utility formation study. 6 proposals were received. The stormwater utility will reimburse the general fund for these costs. 7. Consideration of appointment of Ms. Janet Hurley as Assistant Administrative Officer and Assistant Code Officer: Mr. Hafter introduced Ms. Hurley, the new Associate Planner. He noted that the request is to allow Ms. Hurley to sign zoning permits in the absence of the Administrative Officer. Mr. Smith moved to appoint Janet Hurley Assistant Administrative Officer and Assistant Code Officer. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7a. Consideration of opening of highway for public travel: Catkin Drive and Midland Avenue: Mr. Hafter said the city would get credit for additional miles of road when these streets are approved. Mr. Magowan moved to accept the certificates as presented for Catkin Drive and Midland Avenue. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Review agenda for Development Review Board meeting on 21 January 2003: Ms. Hurley noted that the Airport application will probably be continued as they haven't gotten all their information together. 9. Review minutes of 6 January 2003: Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the minutes of 6 January 2003 as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed 4-0 with Mr. Magowan 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 8:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.