Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/20/2008CITY COUNCIL 20 OCTOBER 2008 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 20 October 2008, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: C. Smith, Chair; S. Magowan, M. Boucher, S. Dooley, M. Emery Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; T. Whipple, Police Chief; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; C. LaRose, Planning Department; C. Lambert, City Arborist; M. Ambusk, Natural Resources Committee; L. Bresee, J. & M. Zaetz, H. & M. Rivers 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience not related to Agenda items: Mr. Bresee asked that regardless of the vote on the Calkins property the public be given a list of all requirements for a police station, some kind of analysis of what the police station has today, and what is needed for today's policing standards. He felt this was more important than just a square foot number. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Ms. Emery: gave Mr. Hafter an article about closing roads which has been found to help with traffic by making driver's more polite. Ms. Emery gave members an article regarding Election Day and schools. She noted that there is a plan in place in South Burlington. At the City Center Real Estate Committee meeting there was concern raised as to whether the razing of Central School should be in Phase I or later. She was concerned that there are now "nay-sayers" who should have been at the table earlier. Noted receipt of a memo from VLCT asking for support of a Resolution regarding State highway funding. Ms. Dooley: Her neighbor Mitzi has completed a quilt square for the VLCT quilt project. She suggested this be presented to the City Council and possibly used on the cover of the annual report. Mr. Bresee suggested it be exhibited at the quilt show on Nov. 7-8. Mr. Boucher: Regarding the City Center Real Estate Committee meeting, the razing of Central School is not imminent, and that decision will rest with the School Board and what makes sense to them based on economics and what is good for students. He noted it is hard to get people involved when things are in a "concept stage." Ms. Emery said the consultant, who was paid a lot of money for his plan, said it was in Phase I. Mr. Boucher stressed that this is not a foregone conclusion. Mr. Hafter said staff was told Central School razing was not in Phase I. Mr. Boucher explained that the fields and parking lot are shown in Phase I, and you can't have a school without them. Mr. Hafter: The School District will host an event devoted to "Youth Risk Behaviors" on 11 November, 7-8:30 p.m., in the High School Cafeteria. The Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast Series will take place on 2 January, 9 February, and 16 March. Council members are invited to attend. The City's Legislative Breakfast series will take place on 5 January, 2 February, and 9 March. The next Steering Committee meeting will be on 17 November, 6 p.m., preceding the City Council meeting. 3. Consideration of Approval of Recommendation from City Services Fund Committee on allocation of Social Services funding for FY 2009: Mr. Hafter said the Committee consisted of Dan O'Rourke and Roz Saunders with himself and Tom Hubbard also in attendance. The Committee approved $46,000 in funding, with a little more emphasis given to "survival needs" and the City Manager's "Special Needs Fund." Mr. Hafter noted that a request for input from the Family Center received no response, and he recommended their funds not be released until the Council is provided with information on how those funds are used. Mr. Smith stated that he was not sure it is the City's job to allocate tax dollars to these services. He didn't feel the Family Center should be funded if they can't submit required information. Mr. Boucher said he has the same concerns about funding these requests. Ms. Emery noted that the Federal Government funds social services with tax money. She felt there is a benefit to the community. Members agreed to hold the philosophical discussion at budget time. Mr. Boucher then moved to approve the list of recommendations for social services funding with the exception of the Family Center for a total of $40,000. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed 4-1 with Mr. Boucher voting against. 4. Council Discussion of Citizen Request for City Legal Services to Draft a Charter Amendment: Mr. Zaetz said people have asked him to have a petition for South Burlington to have a full-time paid Mayor with an Assistant Mayor appointed by the Mayor and City Council. He asked for the help of the City Attorney to write the petition correctly. Mr. Boucher suggested the petition be drafted, indicating what people want, what style of government they want, etc., and then have it reviewed by the City Attorney. Mr. Magowan agreed and expressed concern with not providing an "open checkbook" for use of the City Attorney's time. Ms. Dooley suggested people contact Steve Jeffreys at the VLCT who is very knowledgeable about different forms of local government. Mr. Zaetz said they would do the best they can and then give their efforts to the City Attorney to review. Mr. Zaetz reported on Veteran's Day activities. There will be a celebration at 10 a.m. on November 11 at the High School with Major Dubie as speaker. The public is invited. Eventually, Mr. Zaetz noted, they would like to erect a veterans' memorial in Dorset Park. 5. First Reading of Proposed South Burlington Tree Ordinance; schedule second reading of same: Ms. LaRose introduced Arborist Craig Lambert and Marie Ambusk of the Natural Resources Committee. She noted that the first trees in the City Nursery were planted this year. The proposed Ordinance has been reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Attorney. This is a first step in having the city apply for a "Tree City USA" designation. Mr. Lambert said the proposed Ordinance is an amalgamation of a number of different ordinances. Ms. LaRose added they were very careful of "private property rights." The structure for appeals, etc., is similar to the Sign Ordinance. Mr. Boucher said this will take a huge educational process. Ms. LaRose stressed that there will always be warnings before people are cited. Members felt 10 days was too short a warning period and amended it to 21 calendar days. There would be a provision for more immediate action when public safety is involved. Ms. Dooley suggested language to indicate that notice would be given to property owners before someone goes on their property. Mr. Hafter indicated that the positions of "Tree Warden" and "City Arborist" will probably be combined. Mr. Magowan moved to waive the first reading and set a public hearing for 17 November 2008. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Discussion and Presentation of Sign Ordinance Compliance: Mr. Conner noted that on 3 June 2009, a provision of the Sign Ordinance kicks in requiring that all signs be in conformance with the Ordinance. Any sign which does not conform would be in violation. He noted that businesses were given a 7-year grace period in which to comply, thereby allowing amortization of existing signs. The Sign Ordinance addresses all types of signs. The Administrative Officer oversees enforcement. Free-standing Signs: 32-40 sq. ft. with additional square footage allowed based on lot frontage. 5-foot setback from public right-of-way (larger ones back further), maximum 15-foot height, one sign per street entrance (minimum 300 feet apart). Wall Signs: 15% of face of building or 100 sq. ft., whichever is less; 5% of principal facade for all signs. The purposes of the sign ordinance include: safety (reducing accidents from distractions), avoiding an "advertising arms race," and providing equal advertising opportunity for businesses. Mr. Conner noted that 529 sign permits have been issued since 3 June 2002. All of these are in compliance. When existing signs were replaced, the new signs were either in compliance or closer to compliance. The main issues that will be faced in June 2009 include signs that are too big or too tall, signs too close to the road or situation where are there too many signs on a property. Mr. Conner showed slides illustrating these conditions. He estimated that about 10-15% of signs in the city are not in compliance, some of which are close to compliance. About 20 signs are clearly in violation. The Planning Department recommends the following strategy for enforcement of the Ordinance: 1. Provide advance notice: a. letter to commercial property owners b. host a question/answer session c. post info on website d. article in The Other Paper Mr. Boucher suggested a certified letter to the major violators. 2. Enforcement Options: a. do nothing until a business come in to change a sign b. work with owners to resolve issues; enforce when necessary 3. Recommendations: a. be proactive b. begin with most clear problems c. personal contact/assistance d. be flexible, support good-faith efforts e. be equitable by land use type (e.g., gas stations) f. hire a part time intern to support Administrative Officer with outreach, photos, letters, etc. Mr. Conner stressed that they will not create a liability by having City employees climb signs to measure, etc. 7. Consideration of Approval to Apply for $15,000 Municipal Planning Grant: Mr. Conner noted they City has been successful in the past in obtaining these grants and has done a number of projects including Comprehensive Plan revision, rebranding, and a build out analysis. This year, the Department would like to apply for a grant to complete work on the Comprehensive Plan. No matching funds are required, just City Council approval. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the application for a $15,000, Municipal Planning Grant. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Review Agenda for DRB meeting of 21 October 2008: No issues were raised. 9. Minutes of City Council/Town Meeting of 2 October 2008: It was noted that on p. 4, the words "urban care" should read "urban core." Mr. Magowan moved to approve the Minutes of 2 October as amended. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Review and Approve Minutes for City Council meeting of 6 October 2008: Members agreed to defer action on these minutes to allow for Councilor's to make additions based on notes and the video tape. 11. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Boucher moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a Liquor License request for Charlie's on Fire, LLC, and (Chicken Charlie's). He said the application was all in order. Mr. Boucher moved to approve the Liquor License for Charlie's on Fire, LLC, as presented. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Boucher moved that the Liquor Control Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss real property acquisition and appointments to Boards and Committees and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Mr. Boucher moved adjournment. Ms. Dooley seconded. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 10 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.