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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/15/2004CITY COUNCIL 15 MARCH 2004 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 15 March 2004, 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; J. B. Hoover, Director of Planning & Zoning; Chief D. Brent, Fire Department; T. Hubbard, Recreation Department; B. Hoar, Public Works Department; J. Nadeau, J. Fay, Water Department/CWD; A. Johnston, The Other Paper; Channel 17; W. Eliot, C. Allen, J. Jaeger, F. Cioffi 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience not related to agenda items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcements and City Manager's Report: Mr. Sheahan: Will attend Housing Task Force Meeting on 17 March and Regional Planning Commission Meeting on 22 March. Mr. Hafter: Reminded members that the Steering Committee will meet on 16 March, 7:30 p.m., at the Public Works Building for the City and School budget presentations. Mr. Hafter then asked Ms. Hoover to review recent activity regarding stormwater issues. Ms. Hoover said that last week, the Vermont Water Resources Board presented its report on the investigative docket that looked into the best method of developing clean-up plans for stormwater impaired watersheds. The report recommended a 3-phase adaptive management evaluations which includes: 1) monitoring of waters believed to be impaired by stormwater; 2) development of flow and sediment reduction targets to bring streams back into a more natural balance; 3) flow-up monitoring. Ms. Hoover said the remaining question is how to move from hydrologic and sediment reduction targets to a watershed and property-specific implementation plan. In the area of "good news," Ms. Hoover noted that any appeal to the Water Resources Board or any other body of a permit based on a hydrologic and sediment target evaluation is going to stand up to scientific scrutiny where the WIPs did not have to. Ms. Hoover felt this is a defensible way to look at how much adjustment is needed in watersheds to get streams back into balance. Ms. Hoover then reviewed proposed legislation and noted that she felt this is a very strong set of conditions: 1) the threshold for needing a permit is reduced to a uniform level of 1 acre of total impervious surface; 2) pollution offsets and impact fees to be used to ensure permit compliance are specifically authorized; 3) The process recommended by the Water Resources Board is specifically referenced and authorized; 4) compliance with the prescriptive permit requirement is the only measure of an individual permitee's compliance; 5) a stormwater fund is created; 6) standards for individual permits are clarified 3. Adoption of Proclamation of Sportstown Celebration Week: Mr. Condos reported that South Burlington has been rated the #1 sports town in Vermont as part of Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary celebration. Mr. Hubbard noted that a Sports Illustrated representative was in the city today and presented a road sign with the #1 Sports Town designation to the City. South Burlington will be featured in the 29 March issue of the magazine. The city will get a cash stipend and full-page coverage in the National Parks & Recreation Magazine as well. Mr. Condos said that Sports Illustrated was particularly impressed with the city's public-private partnership arrangement for such things as the 2 hockey rinks. Mr. Hubbard said that on Wednesday night, a social event will be held at the Middle School to begin the celebration. A number of similar events will be hosted throughout the year. Mr. Smith then moved that the Council approve and sign the Proclamation as presented. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Consideration of application for allocation of Education Fund Revenue for economic development: Mr. Cioffi explained the creation of an Economic Progress Council to help value-added businesses in Vermont and municipalities bring economic development to the state. The process involves state tax credits and exemptions and community property tax stabilization. There can also be application for tax incremental financing. An economic activity must accompany the application for any of these benefits (e.g, starting business). Mr. Cioffi noted that IDX applied for benefits under this process in 1998 as did South Burlington. An award was granted which has now run its 5-year period. South Burlington got an award for reallocation of taxes. Mr. Cioffi said the city is now being asked to apply for a new property tax allocation. He explained how that would work. Mr. Condos added that this is happening because of all the city has done in the past few years, including infrastructure work. Mr. O'Rourke moved to have the City Manager proceed with the application as explained. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Briefing on progress with water storage capacity and water line upgrade: Mr. Nadeau said they have gone to bid on the tanks. Mr. Elliot then explained how the contracts are set up. Mr. Sheahan asked if there will be any problems with water pressure in the city during the work. Mr. Elliot said it will be similar to this past summer. Mr. Fay added the only problem will be a loss of electrical power, but there is a mutual aid agreement with the City of Burlington to compensate for this. Mr. Fay also noted they are working with the Fire Chief on any issues he may have. Mr. Elliot said he felt they can be on line and operable by September. 6. Review City Center/Market Street grant; proposed scope of services from VHB, Inc.; schedule public hearing for 6 April 2004 for VCDP grant application for market analysis/buildout plan for City Center: Ms. Hoover explained the $1,000,000 grant received by the city for work on Market Street. She noted that is a result of a project done by Leo Roy to show what the City Center will look like when developed. Ms. Hoover noted that a lot of properties in the area are ripe for redevelopment. Specifically addressing the wetlands issues in the City Center, Ms. Hoover said she has come to realize that it is highly unlikely that much of the wetland area can be relocated; it will have to be managed and development will have to be "re-thought" to encompass the larger picture. The city and developers will have to show that any wetland impact is the last that is possible. Mr. Condos noted that the $1,000,000 received by the city can be used only for this project. Mr. Hoover said they are looking for additional grant funds for market analysis and buildout planning for the City Center. The city is in line for funding for stormwater/restoration of the whole site. Mr. O'Rourke asked how these things can happen when the city doesn't own the property. Mr. Hafter said the city is meeting with the property owner, and he feels both are "on the same page." Mr. Smith moved to schedule a public hearing on 6 April 2004 for the VCDP grant application. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Consideration of approval of bonding resolutions for 5/18/04 vote; review of first draft of warning for same: Mr. Hafter said there will be 2 bond issues for which he is asking the Council to adopt resolutions. These involve reconstruction of the Lime Kiln Bridge and Kennedy Drive ($900,000) and the renovation of the fire station ($600,000) to accommodate an ambulance. The latter will be dependent on approval by voters to authorize the cost to run the ambulance service ($155,000 from taxes). Mr. Hafter noted that cost to run the ambulance service would be less than $15.00 a year for a home valued at $100,000. Chief Brent then reviewed changes made to the original plan which are related to security issues. He also advised that they are applying for additional grants to cover some of the expenses. Mr. Hafter said the Council's approval of the resolution will allow time for public education on these issues. Mr. O'Rourke then moved to approve the resolution regarding the Lime Kiln Bridge and Kennedy Drive. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Smith moved to approve the resolution regarding renovations to fire station #1 to accommodate an ambulance service. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter reminded members that no public funds can be used to advocate for the bond passage, but funds can be used for education purposes. Chief Brent said he will be coming back to the Council in April for approval of the contract for the communications project. About $100,000 has been cut from the cost without adversely affecting the project. 8. Consideration of adoption of resolution and application for revolving loan funds (SRF) for Airport Parkway WWTF final design engineering: Mr. Hafter reviewed the background of this item. He said the Council needs to adopt the resolution in order to apply for funds. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the resolution and application for revolving loan funds as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Consideration of adoption of updated permit to open streets or rights of way and updated fees: Mr. Condos stepped down during this discussion due to a potential conflict of interest. Mr. Hoar said there is not much change in the permit. He consulted with other towns and found that South Burlington's fees are low by comparison. The major change will be that there will be a stronger permitting process so there is more control of work being done by others in the city's right of ways. Mr. Hoar reviewed the proposed fee schedule and noted it includes fees for pavement and green space when a developer cuts into pavement. Mr. Magowan moved to adopt updated permit fees for opening streets and right of ways. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed 4-0. Mr. Condos rejoined the Council. 10. Consideration of adoption of notice of decision and City Council's return regarding acquisition of land and interests in land for the Lime Kiln Road highway project: Mr. O'Rourke stepped down due to a potential conflict of interest. Mr. Hafter explained that one parcel was inadvertently not warned for the necessity process. The owners have been contacted and have signed a waiver. Mr. Sheahan moved to authorize the Chair to sign the notice of decision. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed 4-0. Mr. O'Rourke rejoined the Council 11. Review Development Review Board agenda for 16 March 2004: No issues were raised. 12. Review minutes of 19, and 23 February and 1 March 2004: Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the minutes of 19 February as written. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed 4-0 with Mr. Magowan abstaining. Mr. Smith moved to approve the minutes of 23 February as written. Mr. O'Rourke Seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Smith moved to approve the minutes of 1 March 2004 as written. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Messrs. O'Rourke and Sheahan abstaining. 13. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. Executive Session: Mr. Magowan moved that the Council meet in Executive Session to discuss litigation and contract issues and to resume regular session only to approve a contract and/or adjourn. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The City Council returned to regular session. Mr. O'Rourke moved approval of a three-year agreement with the Career Firefighter's Association (7/1/03--6/30/05). Mr. Sheahan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. O'Rourke moved approval of a three-year agreement with the South Burlington Police Officer's Association (7/1/03--6/30/06). Mr. Sheahan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Magowan moved adjournment. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.