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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/20/2006CITY COUNCIL 20 MARCH 2006 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 20 March 2006, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: J. Condos, Chair; C. Smith, M. Boucher, S. Magowan Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; L. Graham, Police Chief; T. Shepard, Police Department; D. Leban, Ms. Paquette, M. Probasco, J. Sutton, T. Kemp, L. & B. Hunt, Ms. Machin, P. Reed, G. Larrow, B. Alvarez, B. Peabody, E. Dudak, J. Lieber, A. Voldman, Ms. Sullivan, M. Lapierre, M. Wiener, J. Lambert, R. Leblanc 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to agenda items: Ms. Paquette asked if both the Police Station bond and the School vote would be on the same ballot. Mr. Condos said they would both be on the ballot on 16 May. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Hafter said the Partnership for Youth & Community Involvement will be holding a "speakout" regarding underage drinking on 27 March, 6-7:30 p.m. A free spaghetti dinner will precede the discussion at 6 p.m. The CCTA Board will meet on Wednesday, 22 March, 5 p.m. The Chamber of Commerce Board will meet on Wednesday, 22 March, at Noon. The quarterly meeting on the Airport will be held on 3 April, 8 a.m. There will be a design workshop regarding Route 2 improvements on 30 March, 6:30 p.m., at the MPO offices. The next City Council meeting on 3 April will include a public hearing on the Southeast Quadrant proposed new zoning amendments. The public hearing on the proposed FY 2007 City and School budgets will be held on 6 April, 7:30 p.m. 3. Interviews with Applicants to City Boards: Natural Resources Committee and Recreation Path Committee: The Council interviewed Matt Probasco for the Natural Resources Committee. Mr. Probasco expressed a fondness for the environment and a desire to contribute to the community. The Council then interviewed Donna Leban for the Rec Path Committee. Ms. Leban said she was an original member of the Design Review Committee. She said that the Rec Path is one of the reasons she moved to South Burlington and views it as both a recreational and transportation resource. Mr. Condos explained the process for selection. 4. Public Discussion of Kennedy Drive Construction and Temporary Closure of Old Farm Road during 2006 Construction Season: Mr. Hafter explained that Old Farm Rd. was closed last September per a state law which allows a city to close a road that is affected by other road construction. The City did traffic counts on Old Farm Road and found there were 1200 cars using the road per day. The road has very poor geometrics, no shoulders, narrow lanes, humps in the middle, and 2 steep intersections at each end. Signs were put up saying that construction was coming and motorists should find other routes. When the work began, traffic on Old Farm Rd. went up to 1600 cars per day. Residents on the road asked the city to do something to calm traffic. The City Council felt the only way to deal with it was to close Old Farm Road to through traffic at both ends because the volume of traffic was too great for the road. Mr. Hafter said he authorized the reopening of the road when conditions improved after the construction season. Mr. Hafter then noted that traffic data compiled in February shows an average of 200 cars per day. He said he cannot explain this drop. Construction on Kennedy Drive will begin again on 3 April. Mr. Hafter noted that if Old Farm Rd. is closed, it cannot be closed at Kimball Avenue because the contractor is using an area off the road for a contractor's yard. The work on Kennedy Dr. should be completed this year. Mr. Hafter explained that the long-range plan is to dead-end Old Farm Road and have a connection to Hinesburg Road at a not yet identified location, probably near the new Pizzagalli building. Mr. Condos added that Old Farm Road could not be built in its current configuration under new regulations. It is entirely too close to another intersection at Kimball Ave. and the public comment was then solicited. Members of the audience responded as follows: Mr. Reed: Uses Old Farm Rd. routinely and drives at the speed limit. He didn't want to see it closed and felt that as a town road it should be kept open. Ms. Larrow: Agreed with Mr. Reed. Mr. Kemp: Felt that driving in a high-traffic zone with construction is risky. He also avoids Van Sicklen Rd. which he feels is very dangerous. So Old Farm Rd. is his only alternative. Ms. Hunt: Works on Kimball Avenue and feels Old Farm Rd. should be kept open. Ms. Machin: Doesn't regularly use Old Farm Rd., but feels it should be open since taxes pay for it. Mr. Simindinger: Doesn't use the road much, but it saves 5-8 minutes. Felt it would be wrong to close if in case of an emergency. An Old Farm Rd. resident said many people speed on the road and it is routine to see speeds up to 50 mph or more. She felt the road should be used when it is safe to do so. For residents, it is dangerous even to stand at their mailboxes. They can't allow their kids to play outside because of how dangerous it is. She felt traffic would go way up during the construction season, and the road was not designed for that volume of cars. She added that there could be a 12-15-car backup at each end of the road as it is now, and cars can't see over the hill to know how far the backup is. Ms. Sutton said she goes to and from work on that road unless the weather doesn't permit. She drives at the speed limit. She felt that if the road is closed, more traffic is forced onto Kennedy Drive, Hinesburg Rd., and Kimball Ave. Without Old Farm Rd. it took her "hours" to get home last year instead of minutes. She also felt it would increase pollution to have cars stuck in traffic jams. Ms. Voldman, who lives on Old Farm Rd., said it is wonderful now that traffic is better. She noted there are many roads she doesn't use, but she still pays taxes on them. She suggested possibly leaving the road open to see what happens, and if traffic gets too bad, then close it. Mr. Lieber: Recognized a balance needs to be found. He suggested a "no left turn" at Kimball Avenue and more of a Police presence to see that people don't speed. Mr. Hunt: Suggested speed bumps. Mr. Hafter said the speed "tables" are now as high as the law allows. Another resident felt Hinesburg Rd. is "impossible," and Kennedy Drive is "awful" as is Williston Road. There are no ramps to I-89. She said she destroyed a tire during the Kennedy Dr. construction. She felt there was no other option but to keep it open. Mr. Condos noted the city has been working to get an I-89 access at Hinesburg Rd. for 10 years. It is now a major priority. Mr. Alvarez: Uses Old Farm Rd. occasionally. He felt it doesn't save time unless there is construction. Felt it should be left open if people want to use it. He also felt the Kimball Ave. intersection light is bad. Ms. Peabody: Rarely uses Old Farm Rd. but felt it is a town road and should be open. Speeding should be addressed through enforcement. Mr. Dudak: Felt that during construction was the most important time to keep the road open. When Old Farm Rd. is closed, Hayes Avenue gets busier, and there are kids there too. Mr. Lapierre said that a few years ago he asked for that road to be closed and the Council told him it was illegal. Mr. Hafter said it is closure is allowed only during a construction situation. Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Rotex: It is a public road. Keep it open. Mr. Hammond: Used Old Farm Rd. 2 or 3 times a day and abides by the speed limit. Felt construction is the worst time to close it. Ms. Wiener: Said they were told the City doesn't have enough police manpower to permanently have a police officer stationed at Old Farm Rd. She suggested waiting till the Kennedy Rd. project is underway again and see what happens. Mr. Magown asked if speeding fines could be increased because this will be a construction zone. Mr. Hafter said he would check on that. Members agreed to keep the road open to start with and review the traffic counts when numbers are available in May. 5. Review of Cost Reductions to Police Station Project; review of proposed bonding resolution for $10,650,000: Mr. Hafter said they looked at prices after the last meeting and made some safe cuts. Mr. Shepard identified ways to reduce costs without affecting the building's uses. These include some general site work, bonding fees, contingency funds, project manager fee (changes to a half-time position), improvements to existing structures, relocation of city offices (can use some city staff for this), fitness equipment, and legal costs. The new total cost is $10,650,000. Mr. Condos noted that the average cost for a home appraised at $160,000 would be $7.49 per year. (Note: Since corrected to $74.90 per year). Members were concerned that people would see the $10,000,000 figure and not the $7.49. There might also be concern that the whole amount would be spent even if it were not needed. Members agreed that any change order for more than $5000 would have to go to the City Council for approval. Mr. Hafter noted the city has a good track record of not spending more than is needed. Mr. Leblanc noted that some people have more room in their closets than the Police Department has in their whole building. He felt the city has to get information on the need for the building out to the public. Mr. Hafter will prepare a warning to be voted on at the next Council meeting. 6. Consideration of Entertainment license: 1) Special Event Permit for Cancer Patient Support Program; 2) Annual Permit for Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center: Mr. Hafter said both applications were in order. Mr. Boucher moved to approve the Special Event permit and Annual Permit as presented. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Review Development Review Board Agenda for meeting of 21 March 2006: No issues were raised. 8. Review and Approve Minutes of Budget Work Session of 23 February 2006: Mr. Boucher moved to approve the Minutes of 23 February as written. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Mr. Condos abstaining. 9. Review and Approve Minutes of City Council meeting of 6 March and special meeting of 9 March: Mr. Smith moved to approve the Minutes of 6 and 9 March as written. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed 3-0 with Mr. Magowan abstaining. 10. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 11. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Boucher moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented 2006-7 annual liquor license renewals from: Moe's Southwest, Jiffy Mart (1885 Shelburne Rd.), Applebee's, Klinger's Bread Co., Koto Restaurant, Night Flight, Inc., Olive Garden, Airport Mobil, Kinney Drugs, Jolley Short Stop (Williston Rd.) Sheraton, GU Market, Marco's Pizza, Gracey's Liquor Store, Gracey's Store. He noted that an applicant from Moe's Southwest for outside consumption has been withdrawn pending DRB approval for outside service. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the 2006-7 annual liquor license renewals as presented. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Executive Session: Mr. Smith moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in executive session to discuss appointments to Boards & Commissions. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Resumption of Regular Session: Following the executive session, Mr. Boucher moved to approve the appointments of Matt Probasca to the Natural Resources Committee, and Donna Leban to the Recreation; Path Committee, for three year terms each. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.