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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/06/2006CITY COUNCIL 6 FEBRUARY 2006 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 6 February 2006, at 6:45 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: J. Condos, Chair; C. Smith, M. Boucher, S. Magowan, D. O'Rourke Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; J. B. Hinds, Director of Planning & Zoning; A. Parent, The Other Paper; S. Wood, A. Clift, B. Cimonetti 1. Executive Session: Mr. Smith moved the Council meet in Executive Session to discuss litigation and personnel issues. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Magowan did not attend the executive session. Regular Session: 2. Comments & Questions from the Public not related to Agenda Items: An East Terrace resident asked whether the blinking light could now be removed during UVM events because there is adequate parking at UVM and there is no need for people to park on East Terrace. Mr. Smith said there might still be a problem because it takes so long to get out of the UVM garage that people are still trying to park on the street. 3. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Condos: Tomorrow, 7 p.m., the MPO and City of South Burlington will hold a public meeting on the path between South Burlington and Williston by Muddy Brook. Mr. Hafter: Read a press release that will be sent out tomorrow announcing the retirement of South Burlington Police Chief Lee Graham. The release cites Chief Graham's 37 years of service to the city and particularly his efforts in the areas of community policing and services to youth. There will be a retirement celebration announced at a later date. A committee will choose a successor to Chief Graham. Mr. Hafter also distributed the proposed 2006-7 City Budget to members and reminded them of budget meetings on 16 and 23 February, 7 p.m. Mr. Hafter indicated that the budget shows a 1.2-cent increase, which is 1.9%, less than the rate of inflation. The Community Library will have a celebration for volunteers on 14 February, 3:30 p.m. The next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, 21 February and will include the First public hearing on the revisions to the Comprehensive Plan chapter on the Southeast Quadrant. 4. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Smith moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a request for a first class license from Moe's Southwest Grill, 1150 Williston Road. He said all parties have approved the license. Ms. Wood told members that Moe's is a franchise from Atlanta, GA. They serve all fresh food, which is made daily. Vermont and "boutique" beers will be served. They open 15 February with a fund-raiser four the March of Dimes and will open to the public on 16 February. Ms. Hinds said Moe's did a great job of improving the building. Mr. Boucher moved to approve the first class liquor license for Moe's Southwest Grill as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed 4-0 with Mr. O'Rourke abstaining. 5. Discussion of Intermediate Draft of 2006 Chittenden County Regional Plan: Ms. Hinds said this draft is better than the first but still desperately needs a master editor, as it is very difficult to read. Ms. Hinds then outlined some policy issues arising from the Plan: 1. The section of Air Quality is poorly stated and appears to be a "veiled threat." 2. The section on land resource quality is covered by state policy. 3. In the Natural Areas/Open Space section, most of South Burlington is designated for housing and is then designated as "natural areas." 4. The demographics section includes no mention of the aging population, and the language of the section is vague regarding population. 5. The housing chapter is the most poorly written. There are 20,000 people who work in South Burlington but don't live there. This scary fact is not dealt with at all (from the point of view of transportation, air quality, etc.). 6. The statements at the beginnings of chapters seem frivolous. 7. The community facilities section seems odd and has no mention of rec. paths. 8. The energy section is hard to read and does not acknowledge that people are driving more and more to commute to and from work. 9. Policy #3 regarding energy is vague with no mention of housing or transit. 10. The repetition of the Emergency Plan in the Public Safety section is not needed. Ms. Hinds said the new set of maps is excellent except for map #4-9, which shows the same areas designated as both suitable for housing and natural areas. Ms. Hinds will send these comments to the Regional Planning Commission. 6. Discussion of Proposed City Charter Amendment to authorize Council to seek voter approval of local option taxes: Mr. Condos provided background on this. He noted that when Act 60 was approved, there was provision for certain towns to have local option taxes. Williston, Manchester, and Stratton have already enacted such taxes. The decision to do this rests with the voters. Mr. Condos noted that Williston has reduced its municipal tax rate by 25 cents. Mr. Hafter noted that traditionally this would go to the City Charter Committee for review. Mr. Condos noted that if the voters approve it, it would go to the Legislature, probably next year. Mr. Cimonetti said it would be nice to have discussion on both permanent and limited periods of taxation. Mr. Condos felt it was almost certain that the State would take a piece of whatever tax was approved. Members noted the complexity of this issue due to the nature of the City Charter. Mr. Condos stressed that any savings can be applied only to the municipal side of the budget, not to the school side. Members were OK with giving this issue to the City Charter Committee for as broad a study as possible. Mr. Smith stressed that what goes to the voters has to be a simple as possible. 7. Acceptance of the Resignation of Charlie Jones from Community Library Board of Trustees: Mr. O'Rourke moved to accept the resignation of Charlie Jones from the Library Board of Trustees and to instruct the City Manager to send a letter of appreciation for his services. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Acceptance of City Streets: Mr. Hafter said both Bower and Cabot Court have been approved by Public Works for acceptance as city streets. Mr. Smith moved to approve Bower and Cabot Court as city streets. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Review Development Review Board Agenda for Meeting on 7 February 2006: No issues were raised. 10. Review Planning Commission Agenda for Meeting of 7 February 2006: No issues were raised. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.