Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 09/07/2004CITY COUNCIL 7 SEPTEMBER 2004 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 7 September 2004, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room of the Albert Audette Public Works Building. Members Present: J. Condos, Chair; T. Sheahan, C. Smith, S. Magowan Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; Rep. Albert Audette; B. Chattman, Superintendent of Schools; Rep. H. Head, M. Tremblay, G. Brown, N. Tipton, B. Knight, C. Cole 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience not related to Agenda Items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Sheahan: Regional Planning Commission Executive Committee meeting, Monday at 4 p.m. Mr. Condos: Rotary Band Shell Kickoff, Thursday, 5 p.m. VLCTT Energy Resource Committee coming to Burlington on Thursday, Friday & Saturday with a welcome session at ECHO, Thursday at 6 p.m. MPO Meeting, next Wednesday 7 p.m. Mr. Hafter: Rededication of the flagpole in memory of 9-11, Thursday at 5 p.m. Rotary selling "bricks" Fire Department Candlelight Vigil for 9-11, 7 p.m. Fire Department Open House, 12 September, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., to introduce the new ambulances VLCT Seminar regarding stormwater, 10 of September, Mr. Hafter will be presenting information on the city's stormwater utility Meeting regarding Shelburne Rd. bike/pedestrian crossing, 15 September, 10 a.m. Trip to Connecticut to look at newer police stations, 16 September; Messrs, Hafter, Sheahan and O'Rourke are going. The 20 September agenda will include reports on the Southern Connector status, Spear Street Study, and Airport Drive extension study. 3. Interview Candidates for City Boards and Committees: The Council interviewed Rep. Helen Head and Maureen Tremblay for appointment to the Library Board of Trustees. Ms. Tremblay noted that she is a long-time resident of the city and serves as a legal nurse consultant. Her late husband was a member of the Library Board and she shares his enthusiasm. Rep. Head feels serving on the Board would be an opportunity for her as a parent and also would give her the chance to combine this with her other interests in education. Mr. Condos explained the selection process and thanked both candidates for their interest in serving. 4. Consideration of First Reading of Ordinance to Amend the Motor Vehicle & Traffic Regulations: technical corrections; schedule public hearing for 4 October 2004: Mr. Hafter said the city is reviewing long-standing ordinances to update them and to make any technical corrections. Mr. Sheahan moved to waive reading of the proposed amendments. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter then reviewed the proposed changes: Section 2: change "red" to "colored signal light" for emergency lights Section 25: change "Mammoth" to "K Mart" change Airport Parkway/White St. to a 4-way stop Section 40: change 20 mph speed limit to 25 mph Section 43: add two traffic lights, one at Williston Rd/Kennedy Drive and one at Dorset St/Aspen Drive Section 47: remove the ban on left turns at the end of Queen City Park Rd. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the first reading as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Consideration of First Reading of Amendment to Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations: establishment of a 3-way stop condition at Allen Rd/Spear Street: schedule public hearing for 4 October 2004: Mr. Condos read the proposed amendment. Mr. Hafter said this would take affect on 1 November 2004. He also noted that many residents on Spear St. and on the side streets have asked for this. The MPO did a warrant analysis (based on traffic flow and safety) and found that the intersection now meets the warrants for stop signs. Deerfield Dr. and Nowland Farm Rd. do not meet the warrants at this time. Mr. Magowan said he was puzzled that within a small area south of Webster Rd. there are 4 stop signs and between Webster and Swift St., there are none. He found it hard to believe the warrants aren't met there if they are met to the south. Rep. Audette explained the history of this. Mr. Sheahan recommended the city take another look at this. He noted that he was on the bike path trying to cross Spear St., and it was very difficult as almost no one will stop for crossing bikes/pedestrians. Mr. Hafter said he feels that the stop signage at Allen/Spear has the potential to create gaps for crossings. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the amendment to the ordinance to establish a 3-way stop at Allen Rd/Spear St. and to schedule a public hearing for 4 October 2004. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Item #6 was deleted from the Agenda. 7. Consideration of approval of land swap with South Burlington Schools: conveyance of 400 Dorset Street: Mr. Hafter reviewed the history of the land swap. He noted the properties have now been surveyed, as required. If the Council approves the resolution, the conveyance can happen if there is no petition from 5% of the voters within 30 days. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the notice as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Condos said that although he voted for the land swap, he is still concerned with the 3 sharp curves from Market Street to Williston Rd. He felt there could have been a better way. 8. Update on Northwest Vermont Project: Mr. Brown explained that they are talking with all northwest Vermont communities regarding the update of the Regional Plan. He then introduced others involved in the update process. The goal is to get out early on this update, and a time line has been established to get input from municipalities and other organizations. This is a 2-year project. The first public hearing is scheduled for June of 2006, the second for August of '06, and adoptions is hoped for on 28 August 2006. All Northwest Vermont municipalities would then have the right to accept or reject the plan. If it were rejected, the process would have to start again. There will be three drafts of the revised plan, the first to be worked on this winter. There are numerous ways for communities to provide input into this draft including regular mail, the RPC website, and an e-mail box. It is preferred that input is not provided by telephone. There is a statutory requirement for the content of the Plan, and RPC is working with a number of organizations (e.g., MPO) to make sure all the requirements are met. Mr. Sheahan noted that they learned a lot about the process from the 2001 experience. He felt it would be a lot smoother this time, especially because of the early outreach process. Mr. Brown stressed that the success of the effort will depend on the input from communities. Mr. Condos felt it was critical to address the "monster" being created by current development patterns. He cited enormous growth in Grand Isle, Franklin, Lamoille, and Addison Counties because people are preferring to move out of Chittenden County where there is not adequate housing. He cited a number of communities whom he felt are not willing to look at housing in a reasonable manner. Mr. Brown said the Northwest Project does want to address this, and it is the kind of input they are seeking. Mr. Condos said he felt RPC lost sight of what a "regional impact" is during the last update of the Regional Plan. He said that 25 houses built in Jericho is a town impact, not a regional impact. Mr. Condos also expressed concern with rumors that the Regional Planning Commission would like jurisdiction over all "regionally significant projects." He felt this would preclude the need for DRB's, etc. Mr. Brown noted the RPC already has authority to ask questions and give input on "regionally significant projects." Mr. Condos asked why it is then necessary to put it into the MPP. Mr. Brown said the need is to make it clear. He felt this is obviously something to talk about. Mr. Hafter felt there are some "broad brush" statements that need to be made clear. He felt it would be better to set an earlier deadline, so there is no rush to meet a "drop dead" deadline. Mr. Brown then briefly reviewed the history of the Northwest Vermont Project. He said the intent is to look at and focus on transportation corridors. They have selected to focus on the Route 7 (south) corridor and Route 116 corridors. He noted that people are using those corridors to commute to Chittenden County for employment and other services. The project goal is to provide information and tools to make decisions regarding land uses impacts on the transportation network and also to develop a coordinated response to growth that safely connects communities. Mr. Brown said they are looking for people to serve on committees, preferably people with experience in municipal planning (possibly City Council or Planning Commission members). They will place ads in local papers. Mr. Condos suggested someone from the South Burlington Planning staff. Mr. Condos also noted there are studies currently going one regarding such transportation issues as a proposed Hinesburg Rd. Interchange, Spear Street, etc. He also cited growth issues that resulted from Act 60. Mr. Magowan expressed concern that this plan is 2 years out, and the Southeast Quadrant will be done by then. Mr. Brown said he would argue that it's never really "done." Twenty years later it may be denser, have different uses, etc. Mr. Hafter felt that South Burlington is already using a lot of the tools. It is the smaller towns that are really struggling. He felt that what is possibly needed is a strong County planning organization with the needed technical skills. 9. Report on Regional Public Transportation Initiative: Mr. Knight noted that he was updating the presentation he had made a few months ago and also providing recommendations. He stressed that this does not only involve CCTA but also includes SSTA. Members questioned one of the figures cited that shows 1400 South Burlington residents working in the Town of Milton. Mr. Knight said that creating a new entity would take time. They suggest a series of steps leading to a Regional Transportation District. He noted that there will be a meeting next week with transportation providers to try to get them to work more closely with the Initiative. The immediate proposal is to create an interim board with representatives from CCRPC, CCTA, and the MPO. When the final plan is voted on, it would be a cumulative vote. Mr. Condos felt it does not make sense to have 6 counties in this district and then have 8 districts among the other 5 counties. Mr. Knight then reviewed funding options. He noted that the State is under Federal pressure to set up some public transportation funding. Other possibilities include a regional tax and impact fees. Mr. Sheahan noted that the State would have to approve funding methods, and that would not be an easy discussion. Mr. Hafter cited the problem of funding "common needs" in a 6-county area. Mr. Condos added that the original language said "...in Chittenden County." He felt they need to begin in Chittenden County if they really want to have things happen next year; otherwise, he felt, it will be 6 years out. Mr. Sheahan and Mr. Smith agreed. Mr. Sheahan noted that just involving Williston and Colchester will be a challenge. Mr. Smith noted that there is a problem with just making it a Chittenden County plan if it has to go to the Legislature. Mr. Condos suggested it could be presented as a "model," not just for Chittenden County, but with the realization that Chittenden County is ready to go. Mr. Hafter cited the large increase in SSTA costs in South Burlington and wondered how smaller communities are dealing with this. Mr. Knight said there are a lot of problems. Mr. Magowan spoke against the proposal. He did not like having an elected board, which he felt would politicize, where bus routes go. He felt the plan is trying to revive a "dead animal." He felt the system should be shut down and then when people clamor, start from scratch again. He wanted to see a public debate on the rationale for public transportation. Mr. Magowan added that he felt Mr. Cole had done an outstanding job. Mr. Condos did not feel the system should be shut down, as it would put a lot of people at risk. Mr. Hafter added that people who need public transportation are those with the least political input. Mr. Magowan responded that a system founded on the property tax as a "social welfare" device makes no sense to him. He said it is not the right kind of tax for this use. He felt the discussion has to be on a different plane. Mr. Knight noted there are a number of federal programs that provide federal funds for transportation, and the federal government is looking to combine these to eliminate "cris-crossing." He cited the example of an SSTA vehicle, which is picking up a senior citizen and is not allowed to pick up anyone else. 10. Consideration of Capital Equipment Note for Fire Department Computer Network: Mr. Hafter said this is the second year of the note and is for $7500 at 2.3% interest. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the Capital Equipment Note for Fire Department Computer Network as presented. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Appoint Voting Delegate to VLCT Annual Business Meeting at Town Fair: Mr. Magowan moved to appoint Mr. Condos. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Approval of Minutes of City Council Meeting of 2 August 2004: Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the Minutes of 2 August as written. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Approval of Minutes of Public Hearing -- Kennedy Drive Reconstruction Necessity Hearing of 25 August 2004: Mr. Smith moved to approve the Minutes of the Public Hearing of 25 August as written. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Mr. Magowan abstaining. 14. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 15. Executive Session: Mr. Sheahan moved the Board meet in Executive Session at 9:30 p.m., to discuss appointments to boards and committees and to discuss land acquisition. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 16. Regular Session: Returning to open session at 9:50 p.m. 17. Appointments to City Boards and Committees: Mr. Magowan moved for the following; appointments to City Boards and Committees: Mr. Smith seconded, the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Smith moved adjournment. Mr. Sheahan seconded. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. approved 20 Sept. 2004 Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.