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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/19/2008CITY COUNCIL 19 FEBRUARY 2008 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 19 February 2008, at 7:00 p.m., at Chamberlin School, White Street. Members Present: C. Smith, Chair; M. Boucher, D. O'Rourke, S. Magowan Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; B. Hoar, Director, Public Works Department; J. B. Hinds, Director of Planning & Zoning; T. Hubbard, Recreation Director; L. Bresee, B. Cimonetti, Rec. Path Committee; B. Searles, Burlington International Airport; G. Forbes, community members 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to Agenda Items: A member of the audience raised the issue of snow plowing in certain areas. Mr. Hoar said he felt they had done very well but would take a look at those areas. 2. Audience & Communications: Mr. Magowan: reported on the Dog Park Committee which is putting together a survey for people to fill out when they come into City Hall to register their pets. Mr. Hubbard added that they are now laying out the scope of work for a Dog Park. Mr. Magowan said the hope is to pay for it through user fees. Mr. Hafter: Noted the addition of a Liquor Control Board item to the Agenda. Acknowledged receipt of a copy of a letter sent to Fire Chief Doug Brent regarding an honor received by Department Capt. Ken Datillio. Capt. Datillio was recognized by MOBIUS (the mentoring movement) for exceptional services. He is now mentoring young boys, and the school reports very positive changes in both boys. On 26 February, 5:25 p.m., Mr. Hafter and Gene Fowler will appear live on Channel 17 to discuss the upcoming bond vote on the sewage treatment plant and the vote on use of Open Space funds. On 28 February, Mr. Hafter will speak to the Rotary on the same issues. The City Council will hold a budget workshop on 21 February, 7 p.m. The quarterly Airport Coordination meeting will be held on 25 February, 8:15 a.m. People with Airport-related concerns should call Mr. Hafter prior to the meeting. Mr. Gravelin: Updated the Council on the Police Station study. The core sampling has been completed and the word is it's "not as bad as expected." Space and adjacency planning is being done with the Police Dept. There is also discussion on the type of construction (steel, wood, etc.). Mr. Gravelin said the hope is to have the full report by the end of March. The City Charter Review Committee will meet on 20 February, 6:30 p.m. This will be the last detail session before the April public forums. Mr. Hafter: Although the City hasn't yet received the checks, it will receive $527,000 from the 1 cent local option sales tax (which will come off next year's tax rate) and $195,000 from the 1 cent local option rooms/meals/alcohol tax (which is above the projection). 3. Discussion with Recreation Path Committee on Options for Extending the Recreation Path North of Williston Road: Mr. Bresee reviewed accomplishments during the last year including closing a section on Dorset Street from Dorset Farms north, moving the curb back at Overlook Park so the path goes straight through now, and painting bike lanes on Deerfield Drive. The preliminary design is done for the Tilley Drive project, and there is a sketch of what the bridge will look like. That part of the path goes through an archeologically sensitive area, which is being reviewed by State people. The City has pointed out that a road has been planned through there when the new Interchange is built. The State indicates it is "being discussed." A crossing of the bike path at South Village would get the path from Spear Street across to Dorset Street. The part of the City north of Williston Road does not have much in the way of rec paths. The Committee has tried to find a route to connect across to Airport Parkway. The problem is the very dense population. There are some future projects planned including a path from the landfill to the Water Treatment Plant and connecting to Lime Kiln Bridge. Mr. Bresee noted it appears there is a way to get from the City of Burlington to the landfill, which he is going to look into. The Committee will soon be looking at a connection from J. C. Park to the Windjammer. They are still trying to find a way to connect Country Club Estates to the rest of the city via a rec path. The "safe routes to school" movement would create a safe path to Chamberlin School for bikes and walkers. Mr. Bresee said the main problem the Rec Path Committee faces in extending the rec paths north of Williston Road is the actual crossing of Williston Road. Mr. Bresee said it makes sense to have bike lanes on all major roads in the city: Hinesburg Rd, Dorset St., Spear St., Swift St. & Swift St. Extension, Allen Road, and Shelburne Rd. beyond Imperial Drive. Mr. O'Rourke asked if there has been any progress with a repaving plan. Mr. Bresee said they are developing a plan and a process. He noted that when problems are noted, Bruce usually has them taken care of within 5 days. Mr. Hafter noted that the Airport Parkway project will include a bike path.; Mr. Bresee said it would be nice to have an area near the end of the runway where people can stop and watch the planes come in. Mr. Cimonetti said that originally the plan for the bike path was to connect parks and schools. That has been accomplished. The plan then was to patch up the "disconnects." In recent years, connections between municipalities have been discussed, and work is currently underway on Kimball Avenue which will provide bike access to the Town of Williston. Mr. Cimonetti also noted that the Town of Shelburne will be voting on a bond for bike lines on the east and west side of Spear Street north to the South Burlington Town Line. If that bond passes, it will bring pressure for South Burlington to follow through and respond suitably. 4. Public Questions and Comments on Airport Parkway Treatment Plant Renovation and Expansion: Mr. Forbes reviewed the history of the plant including upgrades. He noted that the Town of Colchester is a co-applicant for the plant. The project is needed for 4 major reasons: 1. upgrading old/unsafe equipment 2. improving efficiency 3. maintaining environmental quality 4. accommodating future needs Mr. Forbes showed photos of equipment which is not in working order. He noted that newer technologies would reduce energy consumption. He also explained the cogeneration aspect of the project. Upgrades will lessen the use of chemicals, and the lab will be upgraded to newer standards. The City is just about at capacity in the current facility, and the upgrade will provide additional capacity for both South Burlington and the Town of Colchester. Mr. Forbes showed a site plan showing the locations of various aspects of the upgraded facility. He also explained the proposed new sludge handling process. The total project cost is $25,000,000. Both South Burlington and Colchester have reserve funds which would reduce the project cost to $21,800,000. Colchester's share of this is $6,800,000. The project is also eligible for $6,000,000 in grant funding. This leaves South Burlington's share at between $9,000,000 and $13,000,000. This will be funded by increased user fees and increased hook-up fees for new users. User rates will increase 3%. For the average home owner in South Burlington this would mean a yearly increase of about $6.00. A member of the audience expressed concern that Colchester might back out of the project. Mr. Hafter explained that Colchester has no choice because of the terms of the contract that is in place. A member of the audience asked about the operation of the plant and the chemical processes. Mr. Forbes briefly explained how the waste is processed and the various systems used, including the stripping of nitrates. Mr. Hafter noted that the system used in this plant will be similar to that at the Bartlett Bay plant which just won an award for being one of the best plants in the country. 5. Continued discussion of impact of Burlington International Airport on Neighborhoods: Mr. Searles said there are 2 areas of growth at the Airport, one with commercial air service and one at the south end (Business Park). There will be a new airline coming to the airport with service to the Baltimore/Washington area. That will increase the number of seats available by 12%. In 2007, business grew by 2.5%, the only airport in New England to experience growth. The estimate is that growth will continue until 2020, which will put the Airport at about 2,000,000 total passengers. Most of the growth is being driven by passengers from Canada. They were 20% of business and are now about 35%. At the south end, this is where attention for the next 10 years will be. The maintenance and cargo end will be redesigned to become a "one-stop" show for aircraft maintenance. The estimate is that this will create about 865 jobs over the next 10 years (365 of which will be direct jobs on the airport and 500 indirect jobs). This assumes that certain infrastructure improves over time. Two of the main "by-products" of this growth are noise and traffic. The Airport is federally regulated regarding noise. Noise "contours" has to be redefined every so often. If a person lives in a home in a noise contour that is 65 decibels or above, there is a process by which one can apply to have the Airport purchase that home. It is a voluntary program. Because of the change in the housing market, people have been asking to get into the program. The Airport has now agreed to stop action on this program because there are enough homes in the program, or recently applied to be in the program, to reach the year 2012. Mr. Searles noted that when the Airport buys a home, it can't be re-occupied; it must come down, and this is a significant impact on neighbors. The challenge is to administer the program to be sure the boundaries around the Airport make sense. Mr. Magowan asked how many homes are in the program for 2008. Mr. Searles said there are eight. There are 7 in the program for 2009, but no offers have been made on those as yet. There will be a hold on the 2009 homes until an agreement can be reached with the city. Progress is being made with regard to noise on the commercial aviation side due to better technology. The military side is still generating a lot of noise. They are talking about replacing all traffic there with F-35s. Mr. O'Rourke asked if the Air Guard is exempt from noise restrictions. Mr. Searles said they are part of the "noise picture." Mr. Hafter asked whether the Air Guard would come under a restriction that the city might impose (e.g., that there be no noise between 1 and 5 a.m.). Mr. Searles said his guess is that such a restriction would be pre-empted by federal law. Mr. Searles noted that the projects at Lime Kiln Bridge and Kennedy Drive were important to the Airport. The focus is now on Airport Drive. He felt the Legislature would come up with $50,000 to be matched by the City for design work. The goal is to come up with a cost and then get it done. Exit 12B is also important to the Airport. With regard to automobile traffic, the Airport is trying to create more needed parking. The plan is to put a second story on the parking garage, but in order to do that, cars would have to be displaced temporarily, and they are trying to find a place to accommodate those cars. There is also a hope to create ways to get people to the Airport without using their cars (buses, etc.). Mr. O'Rourke said that anytime there is a "relationship," it works best when there is a balance between the 2 parties. He said he has had the sense in the recent years that this balance has been lost. This is one of the areas of the city with affordable housing, and losing this housing stock is a substantial impact to the city. There seems to be no discussion of what steps the Airport can take other than buying houses and knocking them down. He felt there needs to be more of a focus on that. Mr. Searles said that at the south end, there will be steps taken so that people will no longer hear engines being run. He felt progress can be made. Mr. Smith stressed that the city can't afford to lose that affordable housing. A member of the audience noted that because of the houses that were knocked down on Kirby Road, the noise is coming further down. He felt the problem isn't the houses; it's cutting down the noise, especially between Midnight and 5 a.m. He added that he was concerned with the city losing part of its tax base that has to be made up by other taxpayers. Mr. Smith said that is all part of the discussion. Mr. Searles said it is not their intention to reduce the tax base. He noted the Airport pays a lot of tax money to the City, and that as they purchase those homes, they would expect the amount that they pay the City to increase. It was noted that the Airport also brings economic growth to the City, and that with increased air traffic, it could bring conventions, etc. to the City. He added that the Airport is an economic engine and is the key to long term development. A member of the audience said she felt the main concern was helicopters which fly "all over the place." She added that one day last week, the vibrations shook things off a table in her home. Mr. Searles said he has notified the FAA of this and the Air Guard. He felt they are usually good about taking corrective action. A resident of the area expressed concern with what is happening to the neighborhoods. Houses that are no longer occupied are becoming "eyesores" with weeds 6 feet tall on the lawns. He asked how many neighborhoods have to be destroyed so the City can get some extra cash. He indicated that he would like to stay in South Burlington, but the question is going to be whether he can afford to stay with the affordable housing disappearing. Mr. Hafter said that is exactly the question the city has raised, and it is the reason the Airport has agreed not to buy any additional houses until the answers can be worked out. Mr. Smith said that the city has to understand what the federal government will allow. Mr. Searles said that if the Airport buys a home, the people living there can continue to live there. Once they move out, the house can't be occupied again. Mr. Hafter said that if there are issues with maintenance of homes the Airport has bought to let him know. In the past, the Airport has responded to concerns raised by the city. A resident cited the dangerous traffic conditions on White Street, especially for children going to Chamberlin School. Mr. Smith said that traffic is one of the biggest issues as the Airport continues to grow. He cited the problems in Manchester, New Hampshire, which have completely changed the character of that town. Mr. Searles said White Street is not an appropriate Airport access road, even though it is being used as such. Mr. Searles said the MPO is doing a study on behalf of the Airport, including issues of signage, in the hope of changing traffic patterns. He felt the White St. traffic was not people following Signs, but locals who know their way around. Mr. Magowan suggested putting a police car near the school at the beginning and end of the school day. Mr. Hafter said that does happen when possible. A member of the audience asked what will happen to the vacant lots where houses have been taken down. Mr. Searles said there can be a natural use of those properties, possibly as buffers, etc. Those are the things we can discuss with the city. Mr. Searles noted the second public forum on noise will be on 25 March at the Airport. A member of the audience asked if people attending the forum can get a parking pass. 6. Report on Airport Parkway-Ethan Allen Road Intersection: Mr. Hoar said changes have been made there. After hearing some public comment, more changes were made. There hasn't been an accident there since the changes were made, which was a major reason for the changes. Different alternatives are being looked at for that intersection as part of the Airport Drive study. Some options are signals or a roundabout. Mr. Hoar said he has heard complaints about speeding and people going the wrong way on one-way streets, but that isn't the fault of the intersection. Mr. Magowan suggested a flashing light at the "do not enter" sign. Mr. Hoar said that is something to look into. An audience member said that is a dangerous intersection. People do come down the wrong way, and you can't see turn signals as you're coming down Shamrock Rd. Another audience member said that when tractor trailers are in that intersection, people get impatient and do dangerous things. He felt it was just luck that there hasn't been an accident and that this should be put high on the priority list. 7. Consider Approval of Amendment No. 8 to Cooperative Agreement South Burlington NH 121-1(1), Kennedy Drive: Mr. Hafter said this allows more money to be spent on the project. It will bring the total project cost to $15,280,000. The city's share is 10% of that. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the Amendment #8 as presented. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Review Agenda for Development Review Board for meeting of 19 February 2008: No issues were made. 9. Review Agenda for Planning Commission meeting of 19 February 2008: No issues were raised. 10. Review and Approve Minutes from City Council meetings held on 4 February and 6 February 2008: Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the minutes of 4 and 6 February as present. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 12. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Magowan moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a request from Maplefields, Kennedy Drive, for a second class liquor license. He said that application was all in order. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the second class liquor license for Maplefields as presented. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Executive Session: Mr. Magowan moved that the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in executive session to discuss real property acquisition and litigation and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Regular Session: Council returned to regular session. Mr. O'Rourke moved adjournment. Mr. Boucher seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.