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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/22/2008CITY COUNCIL 22 JANUARY 2008 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 22 January 2008, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: C. Smith, Chair; S. Dooley, D. O'Rourke Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; J. B. Hinds, Director of Planning & Zoning; G. Forbes 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not Related to Agenda Items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Hafter noted that on Sunday there will be a presentation by Sherwood Farnsworth entitled "High Bridge to Lime Kiln." Mr. Hafter advised that he will be in Boston on January 28-30 for a meeting at which there will be recognition for George Dow and also the presentation of an award to the city from the EPA for excellence of operation of the Bartlett Bay Treatment Plant. The City Council Retreat will be held on 26 January, 8:30 a.m. The Legislative breakfast will be held on 4 February, 7:30 a.m. The next City Council agenda (4 February) will include an update on the Police facility. Mr. Hafter noted that the preliminary consultant's report indicates it appears some ledge would have to be blasted at the Calkins site. The full report is due by the beginning of February. The budget calendar has been revised to indicate that budgets will be presented on 20 March. Ms. Hinds advised that on March 7-9 the Cairns Rink will host a figure skating competition and theater on ice. These are major events with over 400 competitors from around the country and from Canada. Co-op advertising is being done with local restaurants. Ms. Hinds indicted she hoped to get some T-shirts done with the new city logo. Mr. Hafter noted receipt of an e-mail from the Vermont Chamber of Commerce indicating that the Cairns Rink will also host a women's hockey event on November 13-15. This will involve participation by 16 club teams. 3. Consideration for an Environmental Information Hearing, Airport Parkway Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade and Expansion Facilities Plan and Application for State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan: Mr. Forbes reviewed the history of the plant. He noted that it serves about 75% of the city's residents and the Town of Colchester as well (28% of capacity). The upgrade is needed for a number of reasons: 1. upgrade of old equipment for reliability and safety 2. improved efficiency (reduction of chemical use and on-site dewatering) 3. environmental issues (address phosphorus concentration and update lab for quality control) 4. accommodation of future needs (from 2.3MM gallons per day to 3.3MM gpd; the remaining capacity is less than 4%). Mr. Forbes showed the site plan and identified the areas where work will occur. He also reviewed the design components. The cost of the project is about $25,000,000. Colchester's share is $6.8MM and the city is anticipating getting some grants. The bond vote will be for $21.8MM. It is anticipated that the city's share will wind up being between $9MM and 13MM. The project will be paid for from user fees and hookup fees. The average homeowner today pays about $213/year or $53.41 per quarter. This will increase to about $219/year or $54.87 per quarter. The hookup fee is now $4.60 per gpd. This would increase to $9.20 per gpd immediately and to $12.75 per gpd in 2011. The new rates are still competitive in the County. Mr. Hafter noted the city is now looking at a 30-year term instead of 20 years. Mr. Forbes reviewed the proposed bidding, voting and construction schedule. It is hoped to have the project on line by 2010. The plant would remain in operation during the upgrade. Mr. Forbes explained how the equipment would work during construction. He also noted that the lab and sludge processing would also continue. There would be a resident inspector on the site every day. Ms. Hinds reviewed some projected building in the city, indicating where the increased Hook up fees would be coming from. Ms. Hinds also noted that articles are being submitted to The Other Paper explaining the need for the upgrade and explaining the general operation of the plan. Mr. O'Rourke expressed concern with crossing the boundary to "advocating" for a project. Mr. Hafter explained that the city can "advocate" but can't spend money to do so. He also noted that he and Mr. Forbes will be speaking to the Rotary about the project on 28 February and will be doing a live presentation on Channel 17. 4. Consideration of Approval of Warning and Bond Resolution for 4 March 2008 Ballot: Ms. Dooley moved to approve the warning and bond resolution for the Wastewater Treatment Plant as presented. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Consideration of Request from VLCT for Approval of Vermont Education Finance and Property Tax Reform Resolution from Coalition of Municipalities: Mr. Hafter explained that the VLCT has chosen to support a resolution put forth by the Vermont Coalition of Municipalities. The Coalition was put together to fight Act 60 and 68. They are asking for a dialog to discuss those two acts, which they feel are creating a "hybrid" system of education. They say the acts try to maintain local control and still have much of the control by the State. Mr. O'Rourke felt the request should be discussed by the full Council. He said he had no issue with the concept. Mr. Smith said he had the same feeling. Members agreed to postpone discussion until a full Council is present. 6. Consideration of $500,000 Grant Application for Potash Brook Restoration Project: Ms. Hinds explained the nature of the project. Mr. Hafter said the city proposes to do this over a 5-year period. Funds to pay back the bond are included in the stormwater utility budget. Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the grant anticipated bond resolution, anticipated note and tax certificate as presented. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Review Development Review Board's Agenda for Tuesday, 22 January 2008 Meeting: No issues were raised. 8. Review and Approve Minutes from Regular City Council Meeting held on 7 January 2008: Ms. Dooley noted 2 typographical errors. Ms. Dooley moved to approve the Minutes as corrected. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.