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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/09/2011CITY COUNCIL 9 MARCH 2011 The South Burlington City Council held an organizational meeting on Wednesday, 7 March 2011, at 6:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Councilors Present: S. Dooley, M. Emery, J. Knapp, P. Engel, R. Greco Also Present: S. Miller, City Manager; R. Rusten, Assistant City Manager; D. Kinville, City Clerk; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; J. Rabidoux, Director of Public Works; T. Hubbard, Director of Recreation; J. Ladd, City Hall Staff; Hon. J. Dooley; B. Stuono, P. Taylor, J. & A. Dinklage The City Manager presided over the opening of the organizational meeting. 1. Ceremonial Swearing in of New City Council Members: Ms. Kinville administered the oath of office to new City Council members Paul Engel and Roseanne Greco. 2. Election of City Council Officers: Mr. Miller opened the floor for nominations for City Council Chair; Ms. Emery nominated Ms. Dooley. Mr. Engel seconded. There were no further nominations and Ms. Dooley was unanimously elected. Ms. Dooley presided over the remainder of the meeting. She opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chair. Ms. Greco nominated Ms. Emery. Mr. Knapp seconded. There were no further nominations and Ms. Emery was unanimously elected. Mr. Engel nominated Ms. Greco for City Council Clerk. Ms. Emery seconded. There were no further nominations, and Ms. Greco was unanimously elected. 3. Establish Newspaper of Record: Mr. Knapp moved to establish The Other Paper as the newspaper of record with Seven Days and the Burlington Free Press as back-ups. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Establish Banking Institute of Record: Mr. Miller noted that a competitive bidding was recently done, and the Merchants Bank was the low bidder. Mr. Knapp moved to establish the Merchants Bank as the banking institution of record. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Set Dates and Times for Regular Meetings being held from March, 2011 through February, 2012: Councilors agreed to hold regular City Council meetings on the first and third Mondays of the month except in those instances when a legal holiday falls on one of those days in which case the meeting would be held on the subsequent Tuesdays. 6. Annual Appointments to be Made by Majority of City Council Pursuant to City Charter, Chapter 13, Section 301(2): Mr. Miller noted that all incumbents are willing to serve again. Ms. Emery moved to make the following appointments: City Treasurer Donna Kinville Assistant City Treasurer Robert Rusten City Attorney Stitzel, Page & Fletcher Zoning Administrator Ray Belair Assistant Zoning Administrator Cathyann LaRose Auditor RH Smith & Company First Constable Sgt. Paul Edwards Second Constable Det. Andrew Chaulk Grand Juror Sanford Miller City Agent & Trustee of Public Funds Sanford Miller Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Dooley introduced former Governor Madeline Kunin who spoke during the interval between the organizational and regular meetings. The organizational meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. ______________________________ Clerk CITY COUNCIL 9 MARCH 2011 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, 7 March 2011, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Councilors Present: S. Dooley, Chair; M. Emery, J. Knapp, P. Engel, R. Greco Also Present: S. Miller, City Manager; R. Rusten, Assistant City Manager; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; K. Murphy, City Manager’s Staff; J. Rabidoux, Director of Public Works; T. Hubbard, Director of Recreation; S. Dopp, B. Stuono, J. Pasackow 1. Executive Session: Ms. Emery moved that the Council meet in executive session to discuss personnel, contract negotiations and litigation. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: 2. Agenda Review: No changes were made. 3. Comments & Questions from the Audience not related to agenda items: Mr. Stuono asked about snow plowing, noting that Williston Rd. sidewalks had not been plowed as of this afternoon, and people were walking in the road. Mr. Rabidoux reviewed the snow removal activities of the past week. He noted that the weight of the snow impeded equipment from performing at its best. One snow blower was inoperable and others had to work in tandem because no machine could do a route by itself. Areas near schools were cleared first so children could walk on sidewalks. Two crews will be back at 3 a.m. to continue the clearing effort. Mr. Miller noted that the city had heard from a few people about damaged mailboxes. A 2009 policy will reimburse people up to $75 without labor. Mr. Miller noted that a majority of the damage was caused by “thrown snow” and not from mailboxes being hit by plows. Mr. Rabidoux noted that it was fortunate that prior to this storm they ad removed snow from Williston Rd. and from parts of Dorset St.; otherwise, those roads would be down to 2 lanes. Mr. Knapp then read a Resolution expressing gratitude to all members of the Public Works Department, members of the Police and Fire Departments, department heads and managers and to the City Manager for their dedication and hard work during Monday’s snow storm. Ms. Emery moved to approve the resolution as read. Ms. Greco seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Rabidoux commented on how much any token of appreciation means to the people involved. 4. Announcements & City Manager’s Report: Ms. Emery: Will be attending the Williston Road “Complete Street” meeting this week. Ms. Dooley: Will be attending the VLCT Selectboard Institute with Mr. Engel. Ms. Greco and Ms. Emery will attend a similar meeting at a later date. Mr. Miller: Has been brainstorming with union leadership on ways to save money this year and in the future. Will be chairing the VLCT Board meeting tomorrow. On the Agenda is a meeting with A & R Secretary Deb Markowitz. The City learned yesterday that there is an ongoing investigation that involves the Airport Parkway Treatment Plan upgrade. The investigation involves equipment that may violate the “Buy America” Act. The equipment in question has not been paid for. One piece has been installed; the rest has not. There are still 2 older pieces of equipment that can do the job. Mr. Miller said the City will cooperate fully with the investigation. He stressed that both the City and Pizzagalli, the contractor, received certifications as to the equipment in question, and there is no indication that South Burlington did anything that didn’t comply with the law. South Burlington is a victim and is looking at options. The equipment cost $226,000. It may be more expensive to remove and redesign it than to buy it. The second choice of equipment would cost $20,000 a year more to operate. The question now is whether to begin to install the rest of this equipment. The federal government’s concern is with the use of ARA funds for this equipment. Mr. Miller said the City will do a thorough cost/benefit analysis of the situation. Mr. Baird asked what percentage of the funding was from ARA. Mr. Miller said 4% of the total funding. He again stressed that nobody in the City of South Burlington did anything wrong. Mr. Rabidoux added that paperwork was reviewed for compliance. He also noted that Pizzagalli wants to continue to work with the City. It is a South Burlington company. 5. Consider Approval to Apply to Dream Library Makeover Grant submitted by Louise Murphy, Community Library Director: Mr. Miller noted the grant is for $5000.00 with no match required. Funds would be used to purchase furniture for the Children’s Room. He recommended approval. Ms. Emery moved to approve submission of the Dream Library Makeover Grant application as presented. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consider Approval of Donor Plaque Design Proposed to be used by the Rotary Club: Mr. Pasackow said plaques would be placed on benches on the Rec Path. He showed the ad preferred by The Rotary Club which uses a portion of the city’s logo. Ms. Greco moved to approve the revised ad as presented with the use of the modified city logo. Mr. Engel seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Consider Approval of a Resolution Amending the Stormwater User Fees, pursuant to Article VI, Section Ic of the City of South Burlington Sewer and Stormwater Ordinance: Mr. Miller said that user fees will go from $4.50 to $5.94 as of 1 April 2011. Ms. Emery moved to approve the Resolution Amending Stormwater User Fees as presented. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Emery said she would like to consider changing the fees to a calculation based on permeable soils. 8. Consider Approval of a Resolution Amending the Water Rates, pursuant to Article VII, Section I, of the City of South Burlington Water Ordinance: Mr. Miller said the rate will go from 21.842 per 1000 cubic feet to 24.174 per 1000 cubic feet and will take effect with the 1 July 2011 billing. Mr. Knapp moved to approve the resolution amending water rates as presented. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Consider Approval of a Resolution amending the Sewer Disposal Charges, pursuant to Article IV of the South Burlington Sewer and Stormwater Ordinance: Mr. Miller said the rate will go from 27.15 per 1000 cubic feet to 34.88 per 1000 cubic feet and will be effective with the 1 July 2011 billing. Ms. Emery moved to approve the resolution amending the sewer disposal charges as presented. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Stuono suggested that down the road there be a system of paying by use instead of having a minimum charge. This would be an incentive for conservation. 10. Third Reading, Second Public Hearing, of Re-Adoption of Amended Comprehensive Plan: Ms. Miller noted that the City Council opened the public hearing on Monday night with 2 Council members present and others attending via phone. Legal counsel was consulted and said this arrangement was sufficient to open the hearing. Mr. Conner directed attention to his memo with amendments. He noted that the Planning Commission is working on the full revision to the Plan, and that this re- adoption will keep the plan in effect until the new Plan is approved. He explained the need to have a Comprehensive Plan in effect. Ms. Dopp noted that the Planning Commission is working very hard and is doing great work Ms. Emery asked if there will be changes to Land Development Regulations as a result of the new Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Conner said there will. There is already a list of strategies, some of which are land development related, some of which are city policy related. Mr. Knapp noted that on p. 3, paragraph 10, the “or” part of the sentence should be eliminated. Ms. Emery moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Engel seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Emery moved to re-adopt the amended Comprehensive Plan as presented. Ms Greco seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Consider approval of Technical Correction to the Planning and Zoning permit fee schedule adopted on 22 February 2011: Mr. Conner noted that one item had been left out when the amended fees were presented at the last meeting. This involves non-residential alteration fees. The previous fee was $5.00 per $1000 of project cost, with a $20.00 minimum. That fee is now $30.00. Ms. Emery moved to approve the amended Planning & Zoning permit fees as presented, effective immediately. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Consider approval of Entertainment License Application for: A. Benefit for Leukemia Lymphoma Society Walk-a-Thon B. Miller Amusement Carnival @ University Mall C. Healthy Living Live Music on Sundays Ms. Emery moved to approve the 3 entertainment permits as presented. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Review and Approve Minutes of 22 February 2011: It was noted that on the last line of p. 3 the word “primary” should read “accessory.” Ms. Emery moved to approve the Minutes of 22 February 2011 as amended. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 14. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 15. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Knapp moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Ms. Greco seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Miller presented a list of Liquor and Tobacco license renewals as follows: Applebees Restaurant Doubletree Hotel Burlington Gracey’s Liquor Store Healthy Living Interstate Shell Jolley #146 Jolley #107 Koto Restaurant One Flight Up Simon’s Store/Deli Windjammer Restaurant Mr. Miller indicated that all applications were in order. Mr, Knapp moved to approve the Liquor and Tobacco license renewals as presented. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. __________________________ Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.