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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/15/2010CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION 15 MARCH 2010 The South Burlington City Council held a reorganization meeting on Monday, 15 March 2010, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: M. Boucher, S. Dooley, M. Emery, J. Knapp, Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; D. Kinville, City Clerk; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning, M. Young Mr. Hafter presided over the reorganization meeting. 1. Administer Oath of Office: Ms. Kinville administered the Oath of Office to re-elected Councilors Dooley and Emery. 2. Election of City Council Officers: Mr. Hafter opened the floor for nomination for Council Chair. Ms. Dooley nominated Mr. Boucher. Mr. Knapp seconded. There were no further nominations, and Mr. Boucher was elected 4-0. Ms. Emery nominated Ms. Dooley for Vice Chair. Mr. Boucher seconded. There were no further nominations, and Ms. Dooley was elected 4-0. Ms. Emery nominated Mr. Knapp for Clerk. Ms. Dooley seconded. There were no further nominations, and Mr. Knapp was elected 4-0. 3. Set Time and Place for Regular Meetings: Ms. Emery moved that regular City Council meetings be held on the first and third Mondays of the month at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall, South Burlington. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 4. Annual Appointments to be Made by Majority Vote of City Council Pursuant to City Charter, Chapter 3, Section 301(2): Mr. Hafter advised that the following incumbents were all willing to serve again: City Treasurer Donna Kinville Assistant City Treasurer Dennis Gravelin City Attorney Stitzel & Page Zoning Administrator Ray Belair Assistant Zoning Administrator Cathyann LaRose Auditor Angolano & Company First Constable Sgt. Paul Edwards Second Constable Det. Andrew Chaulk Grand Juror City Manager City Agent & Trustee of Public Funds City Manager Ms. Dooley moved to appoint all of the incumbents as presented. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed 4-0. Mr. Boucher suggested that the Council consider going out to bid for the Auditor position as this had not been done in a long time. As there was no further business to come before the Organization meeting, the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. _____________________________ Clerk CITY COUNCIL 15 MARCH 2010 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 15 March 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; J. Rabidoux, Public Works Director; J. Nadeau, CSWD; M. Young, E. Lesser-Goldsmith, B. Stuono, M. Berkitt, J. Moore, A. Bullis, S. Miller, C. Bolton 1. Comments & Questions from the public (not related to Agenda items): Ms. Kinville advised that at the next meeting Council members will see liquor license renewals. This year, they will only have to sign one list, not each individual application as in the past. Ms. Kinville also noted that in past elections all write-ins have had to be counted. The desire is to have a system where a person who wants to be a write-in candidate will have to provide notice to that effect, and only votes for declared write-ins will have to be counted. The Secretary of State’s office is very interested in this, and if it works at the local level will consider doing it state-wide. 2. Announcements & City Manager’s Report: Ms. Emery: Channel 17 negotiations will be starting in April. Received positive feedback about the Town Meeting. Ms. Dooley: With Mr. Hafter, attended meeting at UVM at which they heard of plans for UVM land at Spear/Swift Streets. As there has been an increased interest in agriculture at the University, that land will be used for agriculture at this time. Also met with Michele Boomhower regarding Exit 12B history. Mr. Hafter: Cheryl Parker of the Air Force will be speaking regarding F­35’s on 19 April at Tuttle Middle School, 7 p.m. This is an informational meeting, not a public hearing. It has been suggested that someone who knows about F­35’s attend that meeting. The 5 April agenda will include a banking RFP and a proposed Code of Ethics for City Councilors. Groundbreaking for the upgrading of the Airport Parkway Treatment Plant will take place on 7 April, at 9:30 a.m. Chief Brent has been working on a grant for paramedic training/equipment from FEMA. The project is in conjunction with Fire Departments in Essex and Colchester. They have received $629,000 which requires a $70,000 local match. Money for the match has been provided by the State and a private foundation, so no local tax money will be needed. Mr. Boucher: The preliminary date for the new Police Station open house is 12 June. Mr. Hafter said the Police will move in a few weeks before that. Work is going very quickly and within budget. 3. Consideration of Approval of Employment Agreement for City Manager (final draft to be provided by City Attorney): Mr. Hafter said the contract with Sandy Miller (currently Town Manager in Milton) will begin on 1 July 2010 and run through 30 June 2011. It calls for payment of $107,500 in year one and $110,000 in year two. The contract can be terminated for cause, subject to Vermont statute. The city will make a contribution to the retirement account. Mr. Miller will receive 4 weeks vacation per year, with no comp time. He also receives a health insurance plan, travel costs at the IRS rate, $40.00 a month allowance for cell phone, and a laptop computer. Funds will be provided for Mr. Miller to attend Vermont and International City Manager annual meetings. Mr. Miller will retain the income he receives from his position on the Vermont League of Cities & Towns Board and will receive all benefits that city employees receive. Mr. Hafter said that Mr. Miller brings a great knowledge set and glowing recommendations from people in Milton. He was the Council’s unanimous choice. Mr. Knapp moved to approve the Employment Agreement for City Manager as presented with the understanding that the final draft will be provided by the City Attorney. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 4. Update on Williston Road (Route 2) Bus Service: Mr. Berkitt reviewed the background and showed the existing routes to Taft Corners in Williston. She noted this was kind of a “patchwork” service. Last year, there were 1300 boardings, and this is up 4% this year. The desire was to have 15-minute service on Williston Rd. Mr. Moore noted that they saw a large increase in ridership when the provided 15-minute service on the Essex Junction route a few years ago. Mr. Moore showed the proposed new route, which includes a Umall loop. There would also be a commuter bus to Williston Village. Mr. Moore reviewed service upgrades including headways and new service coverage area (between Kennedy Drive and Industrial Avenue). There will be 4-5 trips a day that will provide close access to the new South Burlington Police Station. Some Kimball Ave. & Community Drive service will be eliminated as will Shunpike Road/South Brownell Rd. service. CCTA is working to get a shelter at Umall. Mr. Conner noted that 20+ people attended a meeting on the proposed new service, and the reaction was very positive. People were particularly pleased with the close access to the new buildings on Tilley Drive. Mr. Young asked about possible bus shelters on Williston Rd. Ms. Berkitt said they plan to do 3 or 4 a year. There are shelters planned in front of the Sheraton as part of the road widening project in 2012. Mr. Hafter noted there is now a free shuttle from U-Mall to the medical facilities at Tilley Drive. Ms. Berkitt said ridership on that route is growing. Mr. Young asked if there will be additional costs to the city for the new services. Mr. Moore said there will not as funding is from a federal grant. 5. First Reading of Amendment of Ordinance to Regulate Peddling to Address Farmers Markets; schedule Public Hearing for same: Mr. Conner reviewed Healthy Living’s request for Farmers Markets on their property and the Planning Commission’s work to accommodate that request. This has resulted in a new category in the Peddlers Ordinance. It provides for weekly Farmers Markets for a period up to 5 months a year and also allows for some form of seating. There is no identified parking requirement other than not allowing for spillover onto other landowner’s property. A sign may be placed up to 2 days prior to an event and must be taken down at the end of the day of the event. The property owner must sign the application. Mr. Lesser-Goldsmith of Healthy Living said their Farmers Markets have been a big success and they hope to continue this great community activity. He felt this would also be a big draw for the City Center when that is completed. Ms. Emery moved to waive the first reading and to schedule a public hearing for 3 may 2010. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 6. First Reading of Amendment of Sign Ordinance; schedule public hearing for same: Mr. Conner noted that drawings have been added to clarify the regulations. Language has been added to all signs must be at least one foot from the right-of-way. The posting of restaurant menus will be allowed, up to 2 square feet. Warnings on propane tanks may be no larger than 3 inches. A 5-year amortization period is provided if the ordinance ever gets stricter in any area. The Sign Ordinance Committee is split on whether vending machines should be allowed (there are about 6 in the city). Ms. Dooley moved to approve the first reading as presented and to schedule a public hearing for 3 May 2010. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 7. Consideration of Award of Contract for Municipal Buildings Energy Audit: Mr. Conner said a grant was received from the Department of Energy. There will be one project to audit all municipal buildings for energy efficiency. There is also money for implementation of recommendations. Four proposals were received, and the Committee’s consensus was to award the contract to Efficiency Innovations for $7100. Mr. Conner noted that Al Bullis of Efficiency Innovations also serves on the Energy Committee; however, he did not participate in the discussions or the decision. Mr. Hafter said he concurs with the recommendation. Mr. Bullis explained that they will look at mechanical systems, insulation, electrical items, controls/timing, human behavior, etc. Mr. Conner noted that Vermont Gas will provide the same service at the O’Brien Center. Mr. Knapp moved to authorize the City Manager to execute the contract for the energy audit as presented. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 8. Consideration of Award of Contract for white Street Water Line Replacement, Engineers Construction, Inc. (ECI): Mr. Nadeau said the contract is for $612,163, and ECI was the low bidder. Mr. Nadeau also noted that bids had come in high, and the project was subsequently scaled down. Mr. Nadeau said that since White St. is scheduled for repaving, the decided to replace the water line before repaving takes place. There have been 7 breaks on the line in recent years. Mr. Rabidoux said the city’s intention is still to pave the whole road. Mr. Boucher spoke to the need to look at the city’s infrastructure to see what it will cost to maintain properly. Ms. Emery moved to approve the contract with ECI as presented and to authorize the City Manager to sign it upon agreement of the City Attorney. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Consideration of Reappointment of Janet Erno as Town Services Officer: Ms. Dooley moved to reappoint Janet Erno as Town Services Officer. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 9A.Introduction of New City Manager: Sandy Miller was introduced when he arrived at the meeting. Mr. Miller said he appreciated the City’s confidence in him and looks forward to serving South Burlington. 10. Consideration of Appointment of Justin Rabidoux, Public Works Director/City Engineer as Town Health Officer: Ms. Dooley moved to appoint Justin Rabidoux as Town Health Officer. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Review Development Review Board Agenda for Meeting of 16 March 2010: No issues were raised. 12. Review Minutes of City Council meeting of 1 March 2010: It was noted that on the last page, last paragraph, the question raised regarded “teacher performance.” Ms. Emery moved to approve the Minutes of 1 March 2010 as amended. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed 4-0. 13. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. ______________________________ Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.