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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/04/2010CITY COUNCIL 4 JANUARY 2010 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 4 January 2010, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: M. Boucher, Chair; S. Dooley, M. Emery, J. Knapp Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; C. Plumb, Interim Public Works Director; M. Young, B. Stuono, D.Cummings, K. Alyce, T. Tailer 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to Agenda items: No issues were raised. 2. Other Business & Announcements: Ms. Emery/Mr. Hafter: Noted the passing of Sylvia Smith, long time city resident who served on many committees over the years. A memorial service will be held on 9 January. Mr. Boucher: The City Manager search committee will meet on 5 January, 6 p.m., at the Public Works building. Residents can be updated on the status of roads during storms on Twitter (SBRoad Info). Mr. Plumb: Noted that every record was broken during the weekend storm. Many compliments were received on the Department’s work. All roads were open by 7 a.m., and most were bare by 10 a.m. 80% of sidewalks are now open. There was 24-hour coverage from Saturday morning through today. Council members indicated their appreciation of the fine effort. Mr. Hafter: CWD budget meeting tomorrow. There will be a CWD Representative vote on the March ballot. Paving bids will be opened tomorrow. A paving grant was received from stimulus monies for a 5-mile stretch of recreation path. There will be an Airport Master Plan meeting on 14 January. The next Council agenda will include a 6:30 p.m. executive session to discuss land acquisition. The agenda will also include the Warning for the March vote. 3. Presentation from Burlington International Airport: Mr. Boucher noted that the Airport had requested postponement of this item until a later date. 4. Presentation from the South Burlington Energy Committee on grant application for weatherization of buildings and installation of solar trackers on City land; consideration of approval of grant submitted to Regional Planning Commission: Mr. Conner advised that in November the Planning Department was made aware of grant monies available through the Regional Planning Commission for energy projects that help with energy efficiency. The Energy Committee has come with two projects for which to apply for funding: 1. Improving energy efficiency in condominium buildings: This has proved challenging because residents have to go through their condo association in order to do most improvements. This means that not a lot has been happening in the way of energy efficiency in condo developments, and many of these are older buildings which have a need for more efficiency. The grant would be for outreach to condo associations and property managers as to how to take advantage of available funding for energy projects. Mr. Conner noted that at Stonehedge, Vermont Gas did an energy audit and costs have been reduced from $5600 to $3900. The cost of the improvements will be paid off in 1­½ years, and then Stonehedge will be ahead. Mr. Cummings added that there are probably 1000 condos that are in this “vintage.” He felt that even if they can get to 1/3 of them, there will be a great savings. Mr. Conner said they are asking for $40,000. There is a 10% city match which can be attained through in-kind services or from Bianchi funds which have been collected. 2. Installation of demo solar panels in the city: Mr. Conner noted that for $1000, any property owner can have one of these panels. This could result in clean energy production in South Burlington for no additional cost. This is a burgeoning technology with great educational opportunities. Mr. Conner also noted that the School Board is interested in being involved with this effort as it would fit in with some High School projects. The Energy Committee is asking the Council for approval to submit the grant application to the Regional Planning Commission. Ms. Dooley moved to approve the submission of grant applications, and, should the costs be neutral to the city, to install solar panels as described by Mr. Conner. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Presentation from Vermont Sustainable Heating Initiative (VSHI) regarding biomass energy production; request for grant application approval: Mr. Hafter noted this is the same funding source as the previous item and would be in competition with it. Mr. Tailer said he is on the Essex Energy Committee. He reviewed the history of the application and noted that pellet stoves have been installed in homes of low- income Vermonters which has been saving the State money. The next step would be to evaluate biomass potential in Chittenden County. They are looking at a county-wide feasibility study. Essex and Jericho have already signed on, and Westford, Underhill and others are evaluating the possibility. Williston and Shelburne voted it down. Mr. Conner noted that a similar study was done in Addison County a few years ago, and it was found to unfeasible. Mr. Tailer said Addison County doesn’t have the volume of use that Chittenden County has. Mr. Boucher said he would prefer to have the Energy Committee review this before the city signs on to it. Ms. Dooley said if the Energy Committee is favorable, she would be willing to have the Council come together briefly before the 15 January application deadline. Mr. Young commented that the Energy Committee’s proposal seems to have more immediate savings. Ms. Emery added that she sees this as a business to bring money into the County. Ms. Dooley moved that the City provide a letter of support with the indication that further involvement is being explored by the Energy Committee. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consideration of Approval of Design/Construction Services for U.S. Route 2- 3rd Eastbound Lane/I-89 Exit 14 Improvements; Stantec Consulting Services: Mr. Hafter advised that the State has transferred the project to the City. Following a bidding process, Stantec Consulting Services was chosen. The project is 90% federally funded, 10% city. Two neighboring communities will pay 2.5% each of that 10%. In South Burlington, funding would come from highway impact fees. Construction is planned for late 2011 or 2012. Ms. Dooley moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the contract for design construction services for US Route 2-3rd eastbound lane/I-89 Exit 14 Improvements in the amount of $390,366. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Continued Discussion of City Manager Selection Process; Appointment of City Councilor to serve on first phase committee: Mr. Boucher said 14 residents have volunteered to participate in the selection process. They will first consider the criteria for selecting a new City Manager. VLCT reports there are 80 applicants as of today. The committee will be narrowed for interviews with the top candidates. About 4-6 candidates will be brought to the City Council to be interviewed. Ms. Dooley agreed to serve on the committee as City Council representative. It was also suggested that a city employee serve on the committee, especially for the first phase. 8. Review Development Review Board Agenda for meeting of 5 January 2010: No issues were raised. 9. Review Minutes of Special City Council meeting of 14 December 2009: Ms. Emery moved to approve the Minutes of 14 December 2009 as written. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 11. Liquor Control Board: Ms. Emery moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a second class liquor license application from B. W. Enterprises which has lease the Chittenden Cider Mill and will be running it. There are no outstanding issues. Ms. Emery moved to approve the liquor license application of B. W. Enterprises as presented. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Executive Session: Ms. Emery moved that the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in executive session to discuss property acquisition and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Ms. Emery moved adjournment. Mr. Knapp seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The council adjourned at 9:30pm. _______________________ Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.