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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 07/16/2007CITY COUNCIL 16 JULY 2007 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 16 July 2007, at 6:15 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: C. Smith, Chair; M. Boucher, S. Dooley, S. Magowan, D. O'Rourke Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; J. B. Hinds, Director of Planning & Zoning; Chief T. Whipple, Police Department; T. Hubbard, Recreation Department; A. Parent, The Other Paper; B. Schuele, D. Bedard, J. Jaeger, T. Boyle, J. Geiger, M. Mittag, V. Bolduc, G. Goyette, M. Bird, K. Reinhart, J. Nelson, L. Roy 1. Executive Session: Mr. Boucher moved the Council meet in executive session to discuss real property acquisition. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: 2. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to agenda items: No issues were raised. 3. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Boucher: reported on the second meeting of the City Charter Review Committee on 20 June. Fred Blais and Fred Maher, members of the original City Charter Committee, explained how the Charter was developed. Members also looked at needed technical changes and then talked about setting priorities. Some of the priority items for discussion included: wards, City Manager vs. Mayor, Charter for School District, election vs. appointment of City Clerk, shared services between City and Schools. The Committee will meet again on 20 July. Ms. Dooley said she attended the meeting and was very enthusiastic about how engaged Committee members are. Mr. Hafter: The celebration of the completion of the Lime Kiln Bridge will take place on 8 August, 11:30 a.m. The Governor and Secy. Of Transportation will be there. Ms. Hinds noted the presence of Greg Backus, one of the bridge engineers. The formal opening of 412 Farrell St. will take place on Thursday, 3-5 p.m. Tours will be available at 3 and 4:30 p.m. A letter was received from the Water Supply Division of the State of Vermont. A system analysis has revealed no deficiencies in the city's system. The Library is beginning a new series: "Let's Talk About It," focusing on Jewish Literature. The first session will be on 8 August, 7 p.m., and it will run through December. The Queen City Park Bridge is also located in the City of Burlington; however, South Burlington agreed to pick up ½ of the cost of the replacement bridge a number of years ago in exchange for the paths which lead to Red Rock Park. Plans are now underway to replace the bridge again. A meeting will be held on 18 July, 11 a.m., in the Public Works Building. The Correction Center Liaison Committee will meet on 8 August, 4 p.m. The next Council agenda (20 August) will include: impact fees, Social Responsibility funding, Police facility, stormwater issues. Mr. Smith: met with Mike Flaherty and the Airport people. There are no major issues. Also met with Rich Cassidy, School Board Chair, to maintain communications. Meetings are being held with some condo associations regarding takeover of stormwater facilities by the city. It has been recommended that the term "Councilors" be used instead of "Councilmen." Members agreed. 4. Discussion of Potential Use of One Cent Space Tax Appropriation for Purchase of Parcels Designated as Future Active Recreation Sites: Mr. Hafter noted that the City Attorney has given an opinion that use of these lands for recreation would be OK as long as no permanent structures are put up on the land. Mr. Hubbard said there is a critical need now for recreation facilities. He cited a number of issues: a. They can't meet the demand for field spaces as youth organizations continue to grow. b. There are no areas that can be dedicated as field space (football and lacrosse really tear up fields). c. They don't have the ability to "rest" a field. Mr. Schuele asked what kind of resources are available in the fund. Mr. Hafter said the fund generates about $249,000 a year. Money from the fund was used to buy the Scott Property. Mr. Schuele said that people fought hard for open space, and he would hate to see open space converted to recreation fields as opposed to securing new land for recreation fields. He felt that with an aging population, there might be more need for open space than for lacrosse fields. Mr. Hafter stressed that recreation fields cannot be built with money in the open space fund, but the land can be purchased. He also reviewed the history of the Dorset Park purchase and the development of the Park. Mr. Magowan quoted the language from the open space item approved by the public, stressing the wording: "buy land for open space." He felt the issue should go to the public as a matter of policy. He felt that recreation fields are different from preserving open space. Mr. O'Rourke disagreed, and felt the public vote allowed for recreation fields. Ms. Dooley said she was torn by this issue. She felt the word "preserve" means to leave something as it is, and that is what she voted for. She said she did not envision recreation uses when she voted, but she was open to the discussion. Mr. Jaeger felt this is a microcosm of what is happening to our national parks. He felt the city shouldn't lose the opportunity for compromise, and that it was possible to craft something that would work for everyone. He said that his understanding of the previous vote was that the land would be for open space. Pesticide laden athletic fields are not his idea of open land. Mr. Mittag said he agreed with Mr. Magowan. He said most people he has talked to feel this is a conservation fund to preserve lands and forests with environmental sensitivity. He added that however you say it, an athletic field is "development." He felt athletic fields should be a consideration when the new Central School is built. Mr. O'Rourke said the existing open space would not be bulldozed for athletic fields. It would be new purchases for this use. Mr. Bedard said he is neutral, but he would like to see the issue resolved without a vote, as that is expensive. Ms. Hinds felt it would be helpful for the public to know how much public land the city now owns: a. 70 acres of active recreation in Dorset Park b. 100 acres of passive recreation/conservation c. 120 acres of active recreation in other locations d. 287 acres of natural area (with some related parking) Ms. Hinds said there are no national standards for how much natural area is needed. For recreation, the recommendation is 7.5 acres per 100 population. By this standard, the city is short 35-40 acres. An audience member felt open land is very different from playing fields and felt that the community needs more open land accessible to the community. Mr. O'Rourke moved that the City Council adopt a policy where open space fund may be used for the purchase of land to be used for recreation and athletic fields. Mr. Boucher seconded. Discussion on the motion followed: Mr. Boucher: Felt the issue is flexibility and that it doesn't mean the city can't have both. He said the city would be able to reach as situations presented themselves. Ms. Dooley: Felt there is a lot of expectation that the money would be used for conservation. She favored a public vote. Mr. Magowan: Felt the open space money should not be used for recreation without a public vote. He felt the city should look for large recreation areas to attract major events. He didn't think open space money was an appropriate source for this. Mr. Smith: Said he liked a balanced approach and flexibility but felt the issue was not clarified in the 2000 vote. He was also concerned that if this is voted down, it may be hard to buy recreation space. In the vote that followed, the motion was defeated 2-3. Ms. Hinds suggested a fall vote. She felt there are a lot of option and suggested letting staff talk through this. Mr. Hafter agreed to put the issue on the 4 September agenda. 5. Consideration of Appointments to Boards & Commissions: The Council interviewed Greg Goyette for appointment to the Recreation Committee. Mr. Goyette said he was originally interested in the DRB, but felt he would also like to serve on the Rec Committee in order to become involved in the city. 6. Update on City Center: Ms. Hinds reviewed the major issues, which existed at the end of 2005: a. where to put new roads b. configuration of building lots c. what public spaces to plan for d. affected property ownership e. possible first tenants f. work with Legislature on TIFs (tax incremental financing) Progress in 2006 included: a. substantial work on roadway concept design and traffic improvement plan b. substantial work on concept for stormwater management and environmental plan c. substantial work on concept plan for development lots d. Vermont became the 50th state to have a TIF law. Activities in 2007 include: a. progress on Environmental Assessment, Record of Decision, Sect. 404 signoff on Act 250 permits b. TIF work c. Right-of-way/easement/land swap structure with South Burlington Real Estate d. Structure of Act 250 approval (design, individual buildings, phasing, permit fees, etc.). Ms. Hinds felt there will be an Act 250-permit process this fall. There will also be a coalition of communities in the Legislature to get a TIF system that works. There are pieces of property that will have to be swapped in order to get roads and a stormwater system that works. There is no plan to build a City Hall or Library in the City Center at this time. Plans for a public safety facility will come first. Mr. Roy then showed the City Center area plan. He noted that it will not happen all at once, and this will make the area more interesting to look at. He indicated on the plan where roads will be shifted and noted that the White St. intersection will be fixed as Part of this development. Mr. Roy showed a 12-acre natural area along the brook with a pedestrian bridge to the residential neighborhood. A Central Plaza area will be a feature of the design. This would be surrounded by retail, office, municipal, residential uses. Buildings would be 3 or 4 stories. The area would be pedestrian friendly with on-street parking to slow traffic down. Buildings would be pulled back from the center to create the Plaza area as a gathering space for the community. Ms. Hinds cited the importance of public space. She said the Central Plaza would be a very urban space. She also noted creation of this space will require some very sophisticated zoning to get the buildings pulled back. Mr. Roy noted that the buildings would have magnificent views from the upper floors. Mr. Roy indicated the location of future parking structures. Ms. Dooley asked about a CCTA destination. Ms. Hinds said absolutely. Mr. Hafter said the plan wouldn't work without public transportation. Mr. Roy then addressed the city's role in the process, including: a. building of infrastructure b. creation of developable parcels c. improving of traffic conditions d. protection and improvement of environmental quality e. requiring public improvements as part of the DRB process. The city is required to create plans in order to have a realistic basis for traffic projections and in order to get a performa for TIFs. The city will be responsible for roads, parking, parks/paths, utilities, and stream restoration/stormwater management. The total estimated cost to the city is $22,000,000. $7,000,000 of this is already secured. The balance would come from TIFs and impact fees. Traffic improvements would include: a. White Street b. Reconstruction and realignment of Market St. with a signal at Hinesburg Rd. c. New north/south extension of San Remo Drive d. Building of I-89 Exit 12B e. Building of the missing lane at Staples Plaza. Environmental improvements would include: a. Making Potash Brook a feature b. Property managing stormwater c. Model of "green" design and construction including low-impact development, energy efficiency, LEED criteria for all buildings, and a central heating plant. Mr. Nelson then reviewed the water resources area including Tributary 3 of the Potash Brook, class 2 and 3 wetlands and other tributaries along the channels. He showed these on the map. Water quality issues include: a. Excessive sedimentation b. Unmanaged stormwater runoff c. Culverted areas d. Channelization e. Absence of riparian vegetation f. Invasive species. Remediation projects to address these issues include: a. improvement of stormwater management of off-site impervious areas b. proposed stormwater management for future development c. restoration of Tributary 3 riparian zone d. protection of Tributary 3 riparian zone e. wetland mitigation. Mr. Nelson noted they had worked on the stormwater management plan for Healthy Living and are working on a plan for Grand Union Plaza, Williston Road, Hinesburg Road, etc. He showed a map of the City Center drainage areas including the location of treatment ponds and proposed improvements. He noted there are talks underway with UVM regarding off-site wetland restoration and wetland creation Ms. Hinds then reviewed the TIF situation and "hang-ups" with the Legislature. She noted that VLCT is taking a leadership role in the effort to overcome these issues. Next steps for the City Center include: a. advance concept and plan b. finish permitted roadway infrastructure paid for by VTrans c. preparation of designs for roadway & environmental improvements d. design and public art committee e. continued work with school committee. Ms. Hinds noted that they will be asking for $75,000 for downtown design to get the Act 250 approval and aesthetics. 7. Gateway Project Budget and Design Proposal: Mr. Boyle noted he is partnering with Dan Gottsegen, winning designer for the first public art project. He reviewed the gateway element and Dan's artwork and showed a visual indicating curved seating, walls, the tower feature, etc. Ms. Hinds noted there was an issue with sidewalk and curbing. There can't be curbing at this time, until the road is put in. The recommendation is to focus on Dorset St. and the corner and do what is right there. They will focus on landscaping for the access road at this time. Mr. Boyle noted they have replaced the proposed screen walls with a hedge. This could be revisited in the future. The hedge will provide some screening for the Healthy Living parking lot. Mr. Boyle then reviewed the budget and cutting options to maintain the $100,000 budget. He was confident the project can be brought in on this budget. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the budget for the design proposal for the gateway project on the condition that Healthy Living pay its full share up front. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Request from Police Dept. for approval of Justice Assistance Grant of $10,776: Chief Whipple reviewed the history of these funds and noted they are restricted for use for "law enforcement purposes." This includes equipment. He said they propose using the money for more state-of-the-art uniforms. Current uniforms cost $80 for pants and $56 for tops. The new uniforms would cost $46 for pants and $36 for tops. This is a savings of $84 per uniform. Mr. Magowan moved to support the use of Justice Assistance Grant funds as proposed. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. First of Reading of Ordinance to amend the Motor Vehicle & Traffic Regulations to 1) establish a no parking zone from the intersection of Hayes Avenue and Timberlane running 215 easterly on the south side of Hayes Avenue and 2) establish a 2-hour parking and 2 handicapped parking spaces in front of 412 Farrell Street; consideration of scheduling public hearing for same: Mr. Hafter suggested a public hearing for 20 August. He noted the Police Chief supports the amendments. Mr. Boucher moved to waive the first reading. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Boucher moved to approve the first reading and schedule a public hearing for 20 August 2007. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Consideration of approval of Contract with VLCT for Production of Chittenden County Labor Report: Mr. Hafter felt this would be helpful to the city in negotiations. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the contract with VLCT as presented. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Approval of Resolution for National Night Out; Proclaiming Tuesday, 7 August 2007 at National Night Out in South Burlington, Vermont: Mr. Magowan moved to approve the Resolution for National Night Out and the Proclamation as presented. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Review Planning Committee Agenda for meeting of 17 July 2007: No issues were raised. 13. Review and Approve Minutes of 18 June 2007: Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the Minutes of 18 June 2007 as presented. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed 4-0 with Mr. Magowan abstaining. 14. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 15. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Boucher moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a request to transfer the Burlington Moose Lodge #1618 license for 2 days to Knights of Columbus, Berard Dr. He said this is how the State wants it done. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the transfer of the Burlington Moose Lodge #1618 license for 2 days to the Knights of Columbus, Berard Drive. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Executive Session: Mr. Magowan moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in executive session to discuss appointments and property acquisition and to resume regular session only to make appointments and/or adjourn. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Mr. Mogowan moved the following appointments. Mr. Boucher seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. O'Rourke moved adjournment. Ms. Dooley seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.