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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/17/2008CITY COUNCIL 17 MARCH 2008 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 17 March 2008, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: C. Smith, Chair; M. Boucher, S. Dooley, D. O'Rourke Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; D. Kinville, City Clerk; L. Murphy, Community Library; members of Library Board; T. Leblanc, City Assessor; J. Kirk, M. Franco, Mr. & Mrs. LeMay, Mr. & Mrs. Thibault, Mr. & Mrs. Franco, Mr. & Mrs. Davis, J. Wilking, S. Wall, Rev. R. Neu 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to Agenda Items: Residents of Picard Circle expressed concern that the City might be trying to prevent the Airport from buying up their homes. Mr. Kirk indicated they live in an area very much affected by the noise of aircraft. This was made even worse when homes were taken down on Kirby Road. Mr. Kirk said residents feel they should have the chance to have their homes purchased by the Airport. They also feel they are stuck now because nobody else will buy these homes. Mr. Franco indicated that when planes are about 100 yards in the air, his whole house rumbles. He felt that a berm wouldn't be able to help that. He didn't feel that the City should be involved with "personal sales" and shouldn't try to block the sale of these homes to the Airport. Another resident said their daughter has asthma which is being made worse from aircraft fumes. Mr. Smith stressed that it is not the City Council's intent to stop any sales to the Airport. He said that the Council got contradictory information from the Airport about sales and about what happened after the sales. The City has been meeting with the Airport to be sure "we are all on the same page." Mr. O'Rourke added that the Council had felt they were not getting a straight story from the Airport as they gave 2 different presentations to 2 different groups of people. A resident has asked if the Airport has ever been asked to provide affordable housing to replace what they are tearing down. Mr. Smith said that is one option. Mr. O'Rourke said the more houses the Airport buys, the more the housing stock in that price range is reduced. Mrs. LeMay asked if there is anywhere else in the City to put affordable housing. Mr. Hafter said it is not a zoning issue. It is a question of how much money a developer can make on a house and whether they are willing to make less, by building less expensive homes. Ms. Murphy said this would be beneficial to the city for several reasons: a. if children miss the thrill of reading when they are very young, the won't recover b. children who have been read to in early years perform better in school c. more than 1 in 4 Vermont Kindergarten students are not ready to participate in learning programs. Ms. Murphy said the project would involve many people including Rotary Club members and their families, librarians and volunteers, teachers and educators, parents, PTO's, local businesses, and High School students who read to younger children. She noted that teachers have said a bookmobile will help to keep children from losing reading skills over the summer when no school libraries are open. The Bookmobile would be taken in to neighborhoods, especially those with an underserved population, and to recreation fields, etc., possibly 3 evenings a week. The $16,965 cost for the bookmobile would be absorbed by the Rotary Club. It would cost about $4,000-6,000 a year to operate, much of which can be collected from donations and grants. Rev. Neu noted that in the neighborhood where he grew up a bookmobile helped to get neighbors out to meet each other and build a community spirit. Ms. Murphy added that the Rotary has talked about continuing support of the program, about $1500 a year to help offset some of the operating costs. Mr. Boucher suggested that the Rotary Club's $1500 a year go into a fund to purchase a new bookmobile when that becomes necessary. Mr. Boucher moved to authorize the South Burlington Community Library and Rotary Club to purchase and retrofit a Bookmobile and further to authorize the City Manager to sign a letter of support from the City. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. O'Rourke thanked the Rotary on behalf of the City for the Bandshell they provided in Dorset Park. 5. Consideration of First Reading of Public Nuisance Ordinance; schedule public hearing of same: Mr. Boucher moved to waive the first reading of the Public Nuisance Ordinance and to schedule a public hearing on 21 April 2008. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Ms. Dooley: The South Burlington Land Trust will meet on Wednesday, 7 p.m. at the Vermont National Bank on Shelburne Rd. Mr. O'Rourke: The Police Facility Committee will meet on 3 April, 7 p.m. They will report to the Council on 7 April. Mr. Hafter: The Steering Committee will meet on Thursday, March 20th at 7 p.m. A "Blue Ribbon Panel" will meet on Alternative Financing for road projects in Vermont will meet on 31 March. Mr. Hafter noted that the Vermont Institutions Committee took out all bonding for capital funding for road projects. The VLCT Unemployment Trust will meet on 24 March. Mr. Hafter noted that Mr. Gravelin is Chair of the Finance Committee of that group. Mr. Hafter noted that the Rotary will have a 'thank you' dinner for Police Officers on 4 April at the Vermont National Country Club. Mr. Hafter asked the Council to authorize him to sign the grant application for co-generation, since it is due before the next Council meeting. Mr. O'Rourke moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the co-generation application. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Request from Lou Lertola for Increase in Disabled Veterans' Property Tax Exemptions from $20,000 to $40,000: Mr. Hafter explained that the exemption applies to veterans with a 50% or greater disability. He noted that the State reneged on paying its fair share of this, so the taxpayers have to pick this up. It will cost the owner of an average home in South Burlington $1.90 for the year. Mr. O'Rourke moved to place the increase in disabled veterans' property tax exemptions on the May ballot. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Presentation of Bookmobile from South Burlington Rotary Club: Ms. Murphy advised that the Rotary proposes to purchase a bookmobile for the Community Library to operate. Unanimously. 6. Update on Commercial Property Reappraisal: Mr. Leblanc updated the Council on the procedure for the reappraisal of the city's 270 businesses. He said that requests for income/expenses had been sent out and information entered into a spreadsheet. From this information, it will be determined whether certain areas of the city need reappraisal. Mr. Leblanc noted there has been an increase in sales in South Burlington. He was not sure why. Mr. Boucher raised the question of a business with a lease they are locked into so they don't equal what is said to be their "income potential." Mr. Leblanc said the issue is the potential of the market. If a business signed a long lease, they "screwed up," but that doesn't make the property less valuable. Mr. Smith said it does make the property less valuable if that lease goes with the property in a sale. Ms. Dooley said the question is whether the city subsidizes bad business decisions. Mr. Boucher felt this method would result in many appeals. Mr. O'Rourke asked that the method be run past the City Attorney. Mr. Smith felt that the numbers can be so speculative that you can have a 50% variant, depending on whose perception it is. Mr. Leblanc said there are no "right" and "wrong" numbers. It is an approach to be used when you don't have property/business sales to work with. Mr. Smith asked what happens if interest rates go up because of inflation and property values start to drop. Mr. Leblanc said the State says you find today's value and equalize it with the CLA. Mr. O'Rourke said as CLA's level off and don't have hidden increases, you won't have additional money for the Education Fund. Mr. Smith said he understands that but is worries him. 7. Review and discussion of proposed Warning for 20 May 2008 Town Meeting: Mr. Hafter indicated he and Mr. Smith had met with Firefighters regarding promotion of the SAFER ballot item. 3 public meetings are planned and an open house at the Fire Station. Mr. Hafter noted that the proposed budget would result in a $199 savings to the average home owner and a $140 savings to the average condo owner. This is due to the local option sales tax which has reduced the tax rate from 40.5 to 34.2. 8. Consideration of Acceptance of 2007 Bridge Inspection Reports: Mr. Hafter reported that all city bridges are in excellent shape. Mr. Boucher moved to accept the 2007 Bridge Inspection Reports as presented. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Acceptance of Resignation of Matthew Probasco from the Natural Resources Committee: Mr. Boucher moved to accept the resignation of Matthew Probasco from the Natural Resources Committee. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. South Burlington Steering Committee Agenda and Minutes: Messrs. O'Rourke and Boucher advised that they would be unable to attend the Steering Committee meeting. 11. Review Development Review Board Agenda for meeting to be held on 18 March 2008: No issues were raised. 12. Review & Approve Minutes from Regular City Council Meeting held on 3 March 2008: Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the Minutes of 3 March 2008 as written. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 14. Consideration of Entertainment License Application from: Franny O's, 733 Queen City Park Road, Live Entertainment, Karaoke, & DJ; Higher Ground, 1214 Williston Road, Live Entertainment: Mr. Hafter said there are no issues with either application. Mr. Boucher moved to approve the entertainment license applications from Franny O's and Higher Ground as presented. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 15. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Boucher moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. S. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented liquor license renewals from the following applicants: Mr. Hafter advised that Police, Fire and Tax Department have reviewed all applications and found no issues. Ms. Dooley questioned whether the Police also check on individuals involved in the running of the businesses have had any problems with the law. Mr. Hafter said he will ask about that. Mr. Boucher moved to approve the Liquor License Renewals as listed above. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 16. Executive Session: Mr. Boucher moved that the Liquor Control Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss personnel issues and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 17. Regular Session: The City Council returned to regular session. Mr. Dooley moved adjournment. Mr. Boucher seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works. CITY COUNCIL 17 MARCH 2008 PAGE 6 15. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Boucher moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. S. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented liquor license renewals from the following applicants: Franny O’s 733 Queen City Park Rd. Higher Ground 1214 Williston Rd. Olive Garden 1025 Shelburne Rd. Jolly #146 1110 Shelburne Rd. Cheese Traders 1186 Williston Rd. Bournes Service Center 760 Shelburne Rd. Hawthorne Suites 401 Dorset St. Healthy Living 222 Dorset St. Gracey’s Liquor Store 26 Hinesburg Rd. Gracey’s Store 1333 Williston Rd. Koto Restaurant 792 Shelburne Rd. Pizza Hut 764 Shelburne Rd. Lakeview Bar & Grill 1710 Shelburne Rd. Van Phan Sports, Inc. 55 San Remo Drive Mama Mia’s Pizzeria, LLC 516 Shelburne Rd. Hannafords 217 Dorset St. Interstate Shell 1055 Williston Rd. Poor House 1930 Williston Rd. Mr. Hafter advised that Police, Fire and Tax Department have reviewed all applications and found no issues. Ms. Dooley questioned whether the Police also check on individuals involved in the running of the businesses have had any problems with the law. Mr. Hafter said he will ask about that. Mr. Boucher moved to approve the Liquor License Renewals as listed above. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 16. Executive Session: Mr. Boucher moved that the Liquor Control Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss personnel issues and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously.