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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 12/03/2007CITY COUNCIL 3 DECEMBER 2007 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 3 December 2007, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: C. Smith, Chair; M. Boucher, S. Magowan, D. O'Rourke, S. Dooley Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; J. B. Hinds, Director of Planning & Zoning; T. Hubbard, Recreation Department; C. Williams, L. Valburn, S. Simon, J. Heins 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to Agenda items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcement & City Manager's Report: Mr. Hafter: Steering Committee Meeting, 13 December, 7 p.m. City Charter Review Committee Meeting, 5 December, 6:30 p.m. will include a joint session with the School Board. Town Health Officer Workshop, 6 December, in Montpelier. Mr. Hafter will attend. CCTA Finance Committee meeting, 12 December, 4:30 p.m. Mr. Hafter will attend. VLCT Unemployment Trust Committee meeting, 13 December. Mr. Hafter will attend. The next regular Council Agenda will include updates from the Regional Planning Commission representative and the Community Library. That meeting will be preceded by a recognition event for Jim Condos at 4:30 p.m. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has advised the city that its wastewater treatment plant has received an excellence award. Mr. Hafter acknowledged the work of George Dow and his staff. Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfasts are scheduled fro 7 January, 11 February and 17 March. Mr. Smith: He and Mr. Hafter met with Mike Flaherty and Brian Searles to try to establish a way to proceed with the Planning Commission on Airport issues. Mr. Smith indicated he has some concerns in this area. Mr. O'Rourke noted that the information given to the Council was very different from that given to residents a few days later. He thought that Council should consider some kind of housing replacement if the Airport is going to keep buying up affordable housing stock. 3. Interviews with Applicants to Dog Park Committee: The Council interviewed 4 applicants to the Dog Park Committee: a) Joan Jarvis: Wants to work with the City to create a dog park. There is a large need for such a park. b) Claire Williams: just moved to South Burlington in June. There was a wonderful dog park where she came from and feels people need a gated site to exercise their dogs. She has had to go all the way to Starr Farm to walk her dog. c) Lori Valburn: moved to the city 5 years ago and likes to be involved in the community. Previously served on the Rec Path Committee. A dog park is 'near and dear' to her and said there are lots of models on the internet. d) Jaimesen Heins: wants to be part of this effort. Mr. Hafter explained the selection process. 4. Public Hearing on Amendments to the South Burlington Impact Fee Ordinance and Impact Fee Reports; second reading of same: Mr. Smith declared the public hearing open and asked for public comment. None was presented. Mr. Magowan moved to close the public hearing. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Dooley moved to approve the second reading of the amendments to the South Burlington Impact Fee Ordinance and Impact Fee Reports as presented. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Hinds briefly reviewed some issues connected with impact fees. She noted that there is nothing to prevent the ordinance from being updated at any time. Mr. Magowan moved to adopt the amendments to the South Burlington Impact Fee Ordinance and Impact Fee Reports as presented. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed Unanimously. 5. Discussion of Potential Ballot Item Schedule for 2008 and 10-year Strategic Infrastructure Investment Options: Mr. Hafter stressed the importance of understanding all the option available and all the information that will be needed. Mr. Boucher expressed concern with having too many items on any one ballot. He also felt it would not be good to have the "use of open space funds" and the consideration of the Calkins property for a Police Station on the same ballot. The Council agreed to make a final decision on timing of ballot items some time in January. Mr. Hafter noted items need to be finalized for the May ballot by 1 February. Mr. Magowan asked when the Council will hear back regarding cogeneration at the Sewage Treatment Plant. Mr. Hafter said things are moving ahead on that, and the city is waiting for a final report from the consultant. Mr. Hafter briefly reviewed issues concerning 'reserve funds' and noted that you can only set up reserve funds for things allowed by the State. The City's Charter allows a reserve fund for purchase of fire trucks. Mr. O'Rourke stressed the need to let people know there are choices. People also have to understand that just because something is in the capital plan doesn't mean that money will be spent. Mr. Magowan asked when the study of the Calkins property will be done. Mr. Hafter estimated its completion by then end of the month. 6. Review Proposed FY 2008-09 Budget Calendar: Mr. Hafter distributed the Budget Calendar. He noted the first and second budget work sessions are on 6 and 21 February. The joint meeting with the Steering Committee will be on 3 March, and the Public Hearing on the proposed City and School budgets will be on 10 April. The City's Annual Meeting will be 20 May. 7. Authorization for South Burlington to Participate in EPA Community Energy Challenge: Mr. Hafter advised that the Regional Administrator of the EPA is promoting this program and is encouraging New England municipalities to sign up. The goal of the program is to reduce energy use by 10% through energy use "benchmarking" of municipal buildings, schools, etc. Mr. Hafter said there may be a benefit to having a citizens' "Energy Committee" as part of this process. Ms. Dooley moved that the City participate in the EPA Community Energy Challenge as presented. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Review and Approve Minutes from Regular City Council Meeting on 19 November 2007: Mr. Boucher moved to approve the Minutes of 19 November as written. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 10. Executive Session: Mr. Magowan moved the Council meet in executive session to discuss appointments to Boards and Committees and litigation, and to resume regular session only for purpose of making appointments and/or adjourning. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Mr. O'Rourke moved the appointment of Ms. Jarvis, Ms. Williams, Ms. Valburn, and Mr. Heins to the Dog Park Committee. Mr. Magowan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Boucher moved adjournment. Ms. Dooley seconded. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.