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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 12/15/2008CITY COUNCIL 15 DECEMBER 2008 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 15 December 2008, at 6:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: C. Smith, Chair; S. Magowan, M. Boucher, M. Emery, S. Dooley Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; T. Whipple, Police Chief; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; L. Bresee, D. Girard, S. Dopp, J. Dinklage, B. Stuono, S. Dates, R. Hubbard, J. Nick, K. Donahue, A. Chaulk, G. Edwards, C. Forde, N. Siefert, S. Driscoll, L. Murphy 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to Agenda items: Mr. Girard offered his services to help with efforts to find a site for the Police station. He said he has 30 years of real estate experience, and will volunteer to get things done. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Boucher: Asked that the City Attorney review the agreement with the Airport to see if plans for homes that are removed are taken into consideration in the agreement. Mr. Hafter noted that the Airport pays taxes for houses until they are knocked down. Then they pay taxes on the land. He will check on the agreement. Ms. Emery: Channel 17 is working toward a new contract with Comcast. They are hoping to have some public power behind it. She suggested an agenda item in January on ways for the Council to solicit public input on the use of Channel 17. Mr. Magowan: The South Burlington CCTA assessment is now down to a $25,000 increase. CCTA is considering a change of route to shorten the time from UMall to Williston. This would cut off a part of Williston Rd. The auditors found that CCTA is in good shape and asked that some internal things be worked on. The Dog Park Committee has identified the landfill as the primary site. There is, however, an issue with methane gas which would have to be "flared off" in order to be safe. There should be some discussion before a decision is made. Mr. Smith: The Airport is coming back to the Council on 5 and 20 January. Both of those meeting should be at Chamberlin School. The Airport is supposed to be getting information to Paul Conner tomorrow, and he will get it to the Council in time for those meetings. Mr. Hafter: Gave members the agenda for Thursday's budget meeting. The first Legislative breakfast meeting will be on 5 January, 7:30 a.m., at the Library. The County's pre-budget meeting is on 23 December, at noon. Mr. Hafter will attend. The MPO will meet on Wednesday, 7 p.m. Mr. Gravelin will attend. 3. Interview with Applicants to City Boards & Commissions: The Council interviewed Steven Dates and Bill Stuono for openings on the City Center Design Review Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. Mr. Dates, a UVM graduate, worked for IBM for 33 years in engineering and budgeting. He is now retired. He previously served on the Shelburne Select board for 6 years, the last 2 of which as Chair. He also served a year in the State Legislature. Mr. Dates indicated his is open to either committee but felt the City Center Design Review Committee is more consistent with his background. Mr. Stuono recently moved back to South Burlington from Burlington. He has a Masters Degree in urban planning and spent most of his career in academic research. He was a member of the Ward 5 (Burlington) Steering Committee. He felt the City Center Design Review Committee was a more natural fit, but was willing to serve on either committee. Mr. Smith explained the process for appointment. 4. Review of Solicited Proposals for Police Station Site Locations: Mr. Hafter reviewed the RFP's for both a permanent and a temporary location for the Police Department. He noted that 15 proposals were received for a permanent site and 7 for a temporary site. Mr. Hafter said that with the current economic market, the city could get some good deals. Permanent Site Proposals: Temporary Locations: Mr. Smith noted that the proposals have not been ranked. Mr. Hafter then reviewed some of the findings on the existing City Hall/Police Station Site: Stormwater tanks under the building will not be acceptable. A pond would have to be built and would not fit on the City Hall property. There is a question as to whether VTrans would allow it to drain into their swale. Mr. Hafter anticipated a lengthy process with VTrans. Borings revealed poor soil bearing capacity. The building's foundation would be more expensive than with better soil. Mr. Hafter said he can get an estimate from the engineers for a building of "generic design." The recommendation is for a building with pilings, not with columns such as exists now. Mr. Hubbard said he would like to be comfortable that the actions taken are consistent with the city's overall goals, especially the City Center. He felt that one of the key focuses in making the City Center a success is to bring in many functions that bring people together (e.g., City Hall, Post Office, civic/cultural activities, Police department, etc.). He felt the City would have to be wise economically. He felt that almost all the proposals mentioned do not enhance the City Center. Chief Whipple said there is a concern as to where to go from here. The Department does not want a temporary site to circumvent a long term site. He felt that some of the sites on the "permanent" list look favorable, but they don't know what it would take to retrofit the existing buildings. There are also some temporary spaces that would fit the Department's needs. The Chief felt it would be hard to use one site for both a temporary and a permanent site. Mr. Bresee felt there needs to be an integrated plan for a Police Station and a City Hall. Mr. Girard felt a City Hall and a Library should both be in the City Center. Ms. Chaulk asked if there is a time line that can be discussed since there are no prices associated with any of the proposed sites. Mr. Hafter said the answer will depend on how the City Council wants to proceed with a long-term facility. Ms. Chaulk asked if remediation of the existing building affects the timing. Mr. Hafter said it does not. Mr. Boucher said the next step is to get pricing for the various proposals. Mr. Magowan said his preference is to buy not to lease so that the city doesn't wind up paying taxes to itself. Members then reviewed the proposed permanent sites and agreed to remove #5 (835 Hinesburg Rd.) and #9 (Kennedy Drive/Windridge) from the list and to seek pricing for the remaining 13 options. Mr. Girard suggested moving City Hall temporarily and letting the Police use the same building. Mr. Boucher noted the problem with the City vault which would be very difficult and costly to move and which is used extensively in City Hall operations. Mr. Dinklage felt the first priority should be a permanent location for the Police Department and a temporary site should be used only as a last resort. He also felt the issue can't be dealt with by constant public forums. He felt the City Council knows what it is doing and should do it. Mr. Bresee felt 3 or 4 well fleshed out alternatives should be presented to the public, including the current site, even if it is not a prime site. Mr. Smith felt it makes sense to settle on a size before going to the public. Mr. Boucher said he would like to see what the State is doing with the new State Police Barracks, even though there are many different needs in the City. 5. Alternate Presentation Meeting: Solutions for Third Lane at Staples: The US2/I-89 Southbound On-ramp: Ms. Forde of the MPO noted that consultants were hired to look at alternatives to the original proposal. They are looking for a decision on an alternative. Mr. Smith asked whether the City of Burlington has a voice in this process. Mr. Forde said both Burlington and the State have a voice, but South Burlington has more "say" because it owns the road. Mr. Edwards then reviewed the existing conditions at the site, including: a. traffic congestion b. no bicycle facilities c. capacity of 2000 vehicles per hour when the "jughandle" is handling 3000 vehicles per hour d. site is the "controlling feature" for eastbound traffic on Williston Rd. Goals of the proposed project include: a. reduce accidents b. promote use of transit services c. provide bicycle access d. improve traffic movement Mr. Edwards said that by adding a third lane, there would be a 45% increase in capacity with reduced delays. The potential for accidents would also be reduced. Two alternatives for widening the road were then presented: 1. Widening the road on the Staples Plaza side: The curb line would be moved back 11 feet, reducing the aisle width of the parking lot to a minimum. The extra footage would provide an additional lane to the I-89 on-ramp and a 5' bike lane on both sides of Williston Road. This would require a 5-foot widening on the north side of the road as well. A new sign system would be installed, and the overhead signs would be adjusted. Some lighting and drainage would have to be adapted. Medians would remain pretty much as they are with some relocation of the water line. 2. Widening the road on the Sheraton site: The curb line at Staples Plaza would remain the same. There would be a 16-foot widening on the north side. Signal mounts would be relocated. Water line relocation would not be necessary. Overhead signs would be replaced. There would be no site work at Staples Plaza. There could also be increased green space in front of the gas station. Costs for each alternative are: 1. Alternative 1 - $3,000,000.00 2. Alternative 2 - $2,600,000.00 Mr. Edwards said both alternatives perform pretty much the same, but there are greater impacts with Alternative 1 (e.g., relocation of Staples Plaza parking). There is also less property owner resistance with the second alternative. Mr. Siefert, who was involved with the Burlington Bike Council, said the plan really isn't safe for cyclists as they should have their own lane. The proposal also does not join up with the proposed Williston Rd. bike lane. Mr. Conner noted that with the second alternative, little islands are created. He asked if they have any function and whether accesses could be closed. Mr. Murphy, attorney for Staples Plaza, said it is clear that the second alternative makes more sense. An audience member asked if either proposal addressed gridlock better. Mr. Edwards said they are about the same. The additional lane increases the capacity of the road from 2000 to 2900 vehicles per hour, which equates with the jughandle. Mr. Boucher reminded Mr. Murphy that as of June, 2009, the Staples Plaza sign will be out of compliance. Mr. Magowan then moved to approve the second alternative. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Public Hearing on Amendments to Land Development Regulations: second reading of same: Mr. Conner gave a brief overview of the proposed amendments. He stated that at the Council's request, he had discussed a clarification with the Planning Commission concerning whether child care homes serving more than six children would be subject to Site Plan review. He explained that while, at the Council's First Reading, he had recommended they not be subject to Site Plan review, he and the Planning Commission had reconsidered this issue and were now recommending that they should be subject to Site Plan review, for reasons of safety of pick-up and drop-off and of allowing for public input in a DRB hearing. A hand drawn site plan would be acceptable, he said. Mr. Boucher recommending moving forward with the amendment as accepted at the First Reading, and then sending it back to the Planning Commission for a separate process to include site plan review. Mr. Conner also noted a few minor corrections, including: a. in the definition of "mobile food units" the time frame was extended to 6 months. b. in the stormwater amendments, under low impact development, the word "possible" is changed to "practical" with regard to the applicant providing information. c. also in the stormwater amendments, the sentence requiring the applicant to remove surface runoff from natural drainage ways is eliminated as it is redundant. d. The title of the "Bartlett Bay overlay district" is changed on the map to read "Stormwater overlay district" to conform with the changes in the text. Mr. Smith opened the public hearing. Ms. Driscoll asked what the next step will be for the child care home. Mr. Boucher said she would be able to get a permit under the current regulations. Mr. Nick raised a question about drive-thrus. He noted they are looking for a site for a Pharmacy with a drive-thru. He said these have very low impacts and serve the elderly, the handicapped, and those with small children. He felt this is a necessary use in today's environment. Ms. Emery replied that it is important to cut down on gas emission. She felt that people can have pharmaceuticals delivered to their homes, if necessary. Mr. Conner said that for the Planning Commission the issue was more of site design. A drive-thru requires a lane that circles the building and creates an obstacle to pedestrians. Mr. Nick said they can use a "teardrop" approach and not cross the front of the building. Members chose to approve the amendments as presented. Mr. Magowan moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Magowan then moved to approve the amendments as presented with the minor clerical changes. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Consideration of Warning a Vote in March, 2009, on the Charter Changes Proposed by the City Charter Review Committee in their Report Dated 2 June 2008: Mr. Boucher suggested an additional Charter change regarding a "maintenance reserve." He suggested language that would create a maintenance committee to develop a 5-year maintenance plan for buildings, roads, fire/police vehicles, etc. It would be funded from the Rooms & Meals tax fund. Ms. Dooley felt that the "reserve fund" language proposed in Charter should cover such a reserve. Mr. Hafter said it would. Mr. Hafter said a special meeting would be held on 26 January 2009 for a public hearing on the proposed Charter amendments. Mr. Magowan moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the notice of Public Hearing on City Charter amendments as presented with the inclusion of "gender neutral" language update. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Schedule Future Public Comment to Allocate Additional $225,000 from Rooms & Meals Reserve Fund to 2009 budget to pay for emergency repairs to City Hall per Council Policy Mr. Boucher moved to schedule public comment on the proposed allocation of funds from the Rooms & Meals Reserve Fund to the 2009 budget to pay for emergency repairs to City Hall on 20 January 2009. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Consideration of Approval of Minor Errors & Omissions from Grand List as Required by Statute: Ms. Dooley moved to approve minor errors and omissions from Grand List as presented. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Entertainment License request from Healthy Living to Allow Music Shows on Sunday: Mr. Hafter said the request was in order. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the Entertainment License for Healthy Living for music shows on Sundays as presented. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Review Development Review Board Agenda for meeting of 16 December 2009: No issues were raised. 12. Review Minutes of 1 December 2008: It was noted that the references to budget meetings on p. 1 should indicate the meetings are in December, not January. On p. 6, the Police Officer not identified by name is Officer Ron Bliss. Ms. Emery moved to approve the Minutes of 1 December 2008 as amended. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Begin FY09-10 Budget Workshop; Budget context & summary; City Council, City Manager, Bonded Debt; other agencies, Administration & Accounting Services, as time allows: Mr. Hafter thanked Department Heads & Mr. Gravelin for work on the budget. He noted that the proposed budget presents necessary expenditures. He felt that suggestions for cuts should come from the City Council. Mr. Hafter noted that the city now has an "expenditure budget," not a tax rate budget. Budget "drivers" include: 1. salaries -- 3.5% increase ($179,000) 2. insurances 3. pension contributions up 20% 4. new commitments (i.e., fire trucks and SAFER grant funding) The total for these items is $906,000. There is a 6.49% change in the budget. The total budget increase is $1,057,000, which is 1% higher than the "cost drivers" above. Mr. Hafter said if the Council wants to get 4%, they have to look at cutting programs a total of $498,000. Mr. Hafter reminded members that they have the option of using funds from the rooms & meals tax to offset increases. The city's tax rate under this budget would be 36.7, which is a 2.3 cent tax rate increase. Members then presented their "budget philosophy" as follows: Mr. Magowan: keep the property tax increase as low as possible, avoid cutting back on personnel. He also cautioned people not to think that the worst is over with regard to the local economy. Mr. Boucher: have a prudent budget with the most money available as savings for a Police Station. He worries about keeping the property tax low and still increasing spending. Ms. Emery: possibly eking out another year on something that is usually changed every 2, 3, or 5 years. Ms. Dooley: avoid layoffs, budget vacancy savings, same as much for the Police Station as possible, keep property tax low. Mr. Smith: save as much as possible for the Police Station, 1-2% increase in city property tax. Mr. Boucher asked if more of the sales tax money can be used. Mr. Hafter said they can go to $2,300,000 from $2,005,000. Mr. Hafter noted that even with increasing the employee contribution to medical insurance from 10% to 17%, medical insurance is up $200,000. Members agreed to continue budget discussion at the meeting on Thursday evening. Executive Session: Mr. Magowan moved that the Council meet in executive session to discuss property acquisition and appointments to Boards & Committees and to resume regular session only for the purpose of making appointments and/or adjourning. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: Mr. Magowan moved to appoint Steven Dates to the Natural Resources Committee and to appoint Bill Stuono to the City Center Design Review Committee. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works. CITY COUNCIL 15 DECEMBER 2008 PAGE 2 The County’s pre-budget meeting is on 23 December, at noon. Mr. Hafter will attend. The MPO will meet on Wednesday, 7 p.m. Mr. Gravelin will attend. 3. Interview with Applicants to City Boards & Commissions: The Council interviewed Steven Dates and Bill Stuono for openings on the City Center Design Review Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. Mr. Dates, a UVM graduate, worked for IBM for 33 years in engineering and budgeting. He is now retired. He previously served on the Shelburne Select board for 6 years, the last 2 of which as Chair. He also served a year in the State Legislature. Mr. Dates indicated his is open to either committee but felt the City Center Design Review Committee is more consistent with his background. Mr. Stuono recently moved back to South Burlington from Burlington. He has a Masters Degree in urban planning and spent most of his career in academic research. He was a member of the Ward 5 (Burlington) Steering Committee. He felt the City Center Design Review Committee was a more natural fit, but was willing to serve on either committee. Mr. Smith explained the process for appointment. 4. Review of Solicited Proposals for Police Station Site Locations: Mr. Hafter reviewed the RFP’s for both a permanent and a temporary location for the Police Department. He noted that 15 proposals were received for a permanent site and 7 for a temporary site. Mr. Hafter said that with the current economic market, the city could get some good deals. Permanent Site Proposals: 1. Goodrich Site, Hinesburg Road/Kennedy Drive: site was permitted for a 24,000 sq. ft. building. It is 1.3 acres, which would be a tight fit. None of the existing buildings would be usable. 2. Site just north of Healthy Living: 3 acres, including 3 existing buildings 3. Champlain Oil Co., San Remo Drive: 18,000 sq. ft. in 2 buildings. Champlain Oil no ready to move for several years CITY COUNCIL 15 DECEMBER 2008 PAGE 3 4. 340 Dorset St. (owned by Ed Welch): offered a long-term lease 5. Hill Farm, raw land, Hinesburg Rd. – would require a 3-5 acre subdivision 6. 472 Meadowlands (owned by O’Brien’s): 20,000 sq. ft., 40 parking spaces, in modules 7. raw land across from 70 Kimball Ave. INS building 8. “lot D” east of Kimball Ave/Old Farm Rd. 9. adjacent to Windrige Condos, up to 34.5 acres, zoned Residential 10. Technology Park, lot #5, Kimball Avenue intersection 11. 19 Gregory Drive: former Reprographics building, abundant parking, also offered as a temporary site 12. 3 Greentree Drive: 2+ acres, 20-28,000 sq. ft. building, 40 parking spaces 13. 193 Tilley Drive: owned by Pizzagalli, offered long-term lease, newly constructed road 14. 72 San Remo Drive: 19,000 sq. ft. in 3 warehouse buildings, L-shaped lot 15. K-Mart Plaza Temporary Locations: 1. former Healthy Living site, 8500 sq. ft. 2. 472 Meadowlands 3. Technology Park, new unoccupied building 4. 19 Gregory Drive 5. K-Mart Plaza 6. 78 Ethan Allen Drive, 30 parking spaces available 7. 7 Greentree Drive, small, low building, 25 parking spaces. CITY COUNCIL 15 DECEMBER 2008 PAGE 3 4. 340 Dorset St. (owned by Ed Welch): offered a long-term lease 5. Hill Farm, raw land, Hinesburg Rd. – would require a 3-5 acre subdivision 6. 472 Meadowlands (owned by O’Brien’s): 20,000 sq. ft., 40 parking spaces, in modules 7. raw land across from 70 Kimball Ave. INS building 8. “lot D” east of Kimball Ave/Old Farm Rd. 9. adjacent to Windrige Condos, up to 34.5 acres, zoned Residential 10. Technology Park, lot #5, Kimball Avenue intersection 11. 19 Gregory Drive: former Reprographics building, abundant parking, also offered as a temporary site 12. 3 Greentree Drive: 2+ acres, 20-28,000 sq. ft. building, 40 parking spaces 13. 193 Tilley Drive: owned by Pizzagalli, offered long-term lease, newly constructed road 14. 72 San Remo Drive: 19,000 sq. ft. in 3 warehouse buildings, L-shaped lot 15. K-Mart Plaza Temporary Locations: 1. former Healthy Living site, 8500 sq. ft. 2. 472 Meadowlands 3. Technology Park, new unoccupied building 4. 19 Gregory Drive 5. K-Mart Plaza 6. 78 Ethan Allen Drive, 30 parking spaces available 7. 7 Greentree Drive, small, low building, 25 parking spaces.