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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/21/2013CITY COUNCIL 21 OCTOBER 2013 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 21 October 2013, at 7:00 p.m., in the Community Library, Dorset St. Members Present: P. Mackenzie, Chair; H. Riehle, R. Greco, P. Nowak, C. Shaw Also Present: K. Dorn, City Manager; T. Hubbard, Deputy City Manager; I. Blanchard, Project Manager; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; Chief D. Brent, Fire Department; M. Lyons, Assessor's Office; P. Taylor, Board of Civil Authority; L. Murphy, Community Librarian; E. Dates, L. Michaels, K. Donahue, J. Simson, M. Emery, A. Gill, D. Griffin, K. Swain, L. Meyers 1. Tour of the South Burlington Community Library: Councilors and members of the public were invited to tour the Library with Librarian Murphy and Library staff. 2. Agenda Review: No changes were made to the Agenda. 3. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not Related to Agenda Items: Mr. Donahue: Felt the section of Spear St. near the condos should have been rebuilt instead of just repaved and felt the repaving of Patchen Road was not properly done. He also commented on the condition of a section of East Avenue and felt it deserves at least a skim coat even before the big paving project is done. Ms. Emery: Asked about the planning grant involving the Airport area and about the possibility of soundproofing homes. Mr. Shaw explained the grant has been applied for. Ms. Greco noted the FAA says you can't mitigate the noise of military jets. 4. Announcements and City Manager's Report: Mr. Dorn: Advised that Tom Hubbard has been appointed Deputy City Manager. It is expected that the planning grant applied for will be considered this month. Burlington is also applying for a grant for the South End of that city. The hope is that both will be funded. Council members reported on meetings and events they had attended 5. Consent Agenda: A. Sign Disbursements B. Approve Council Minutes for 16 September and 7 October 2013 C. Approve proclamation that November 2013 is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month D. Approve resolution appointing Fred Kosnitsky and Brendan Taylor to the City of South Burlington Energy Committee E. Approve resolution appointing Lou Bresee to the City Center Public Facilities Task Force F. Approve September financial statements G. Approve entertainment permit for: M & K Enterprises - Venue Ms. Riehle moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mr. Shaw seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Review of Current Issues Relating to the South Burlington Community Library: Ms. Murphy reviewed the history of the Community Library from its start as a "bookmobile" run by the Fine Arts Committee in 1969 to the present, including building additions, staffing, etc. She particularly noted the Blanchette Endowment of $250,000 toward the building of a new, separate community library and the use of interest on that endowment for non-fiction acquisitions and technology. The Library operates with a FY14 budget of $432,645. It has 6.65 FTE staff and operates 57.5 hours a week. Average use is 230-400 people per day (76,681 visits per year) with 8600 attendees at special programs. In addition, there are numerous forms of "remote access" to the Library including online classes, newspapers, "powerspeak" languages, downloadable audio and e-books, etc. Ms. Murphy stressed that there is still a large demand for books. In enumerating Library services, Ms. Murphy noted: "Great Decisions" (discussions on global topics), English language conversation classes, author visits, lifelong learning classes, children's programs, bookmobile (in partnership with the Rotary Club), book discussions, homebound delivery, concerts, and more. Looking to the future, Ms. Murphy said the main issue is how to continue to provide services within current space constraints and emphasized the need for and benefits of a separate community library. Suggestions for a new library include a reading garden, self-checkout, small meeting rooms, teen space, display areas, etc. Ms. Murphy then showed pictures of several other community libraries and their interesting and unique features. Ms. Dates, Chair of the Library Board of Trustees, reported that they have almost completed the new by-laws. She said the Board looks forward to a collaborative relationship with the city. Ms. Greco asked if there is a possibility of an "interim" community library. Ms. Murphy said that is a good idea, and the City Manager is already looking into this. 7. Consider and Approve Memorandum of Understanding between the City of South Burlington and the South Burlington Community Library Board of Trustees: Mr. Hubbard said this is the result of great collaborative effort between city staff and the Library Board of Trustees. It will keep the Library as a function under state statute. Ms. Greco moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of South Burlington and the South Burlington Community Library Board of Trustees as presented. Ms. Nowak seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Interim Zoning - Public Hearing, Interim Zoning Application #IZ-13-06 of O'Brien Brothers Agency, Inc., for a planned unit development consisting of: 1) razing an existing single family dwelling, 2) constructing a three-unit, multi-family dwelling, and 3) constructing a four-unit, multi-family dwelling, 636 Hinesburg Road: Mr. Gill said they have worked with neighbors and property owners. They have been to the DRB for a sketch plan hearing, and the DRB looked favorably on the project. Most issues can be dealt with. Major elements of the project include keeping as many trees as possible, including the large tree in front, using materials similar to what is in the surrounding area, street orientation (they have requested a setback waiver to 30 feet), garden beds for those who live in the development. With regard to affordability, Mr. Michaels noted that the city is not attracting developers who want to build at 65% of median income; he noted that at 80%, they could put in an 8th unit as "affordable," but this can't be done now because of the regulations. Mr. Gill said it is their belief that continued development will bring down the cost of housing. The project uses city water, sewer and storm water. The Fire and Police Chiefs and the City Engineer have no issues. The use of "renewables" was encouraged by the Council as was energy efficiency in construction. Neighbors voiced some concerns with traffic and the shared driveway. Mr. Michaels noted that the Public Works Director said traffic is not an issue. Ms. Riehle cited the "accumulation" of traffic from smaller developments. Ms. Nowak said this is an "infill" project, which the city is encouraging. She noted the Wellesley Board did not see an issue. Mr. Shaw felt that if the driveway is an issue, the DRB would deal with it. At this point, the applicant requested a continuance. Ms. Greco moved to continue the application to 16 December 2013. Ms. Nowak seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Committee Appointment Interview - Larry Michaels, Natural Resources Committee: The Council interviewed Larry Michaels for appointment to the Natural Resources Committee. 10. Provide Guidance from the Council on the Development of the FY15 City of South Burlington Budget: Mr. Hubbard said that by the next meeting the Council will get information on various health insurance proposals. Staff has been told it will be in the range of 19%. Ms. Mackenzie said she didn't feel the community has an appetite for a 2 cent increase and suggested the Council look at every expenditure. Members agreed they may have to overlook "wanna-be's" in order to hold the line as much as possible. Mr. Hubbard noted that the Public Works Director will be looking for guidance regarding a comfort level for paving. Ms. Mackenzie noted that with some savings and this year's level, she anticipated $860,000 would be available. 11. Discuss Current Requirements and Process on Assessing Penalties on the Late Filing of Property Taxes: Mr. Dorn provided members with language from the City Charter. It was noted that the only way to change the penalties would be to change the Charter. Ms. Lyons noted that delinquency rate is less than ½%. She felt the penalty potential gets people's attention. Mr. Meyers felt 8% was harsh. He noted Burlington charges only 4%. 12. Discuss concerns Raised over Commercial/Private Logos/Names Appearing on City of South Burlington Property/Equipment: Members felt they had no problems with names on mudflaps, but would have an issue with names emblazoned across the back of a vehicle. Members agreed to take no action but to keep an eye on the situation. 13. Discuss Issues Associated with the Closing of Market Street: Since dust will not be an issue in coming months, the Council agreed to take no action. 14. Discuss Issues Associated with Changing the Content/Style of Meeting Minutes Prepared for South Burlington City Council Meetings: Members agreed to make no changes. 15. Reconvene as Liquor Control Board to Consider Liquor License: Ms. Nowak moved the Council meet as Liquor Control Board. Ms. Riehle seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Dorn presented a Liquor License request from The Venue, 5 Market Street. A representative of The Venue expressed concern with the limit of 230 patrons based on parking. They are considering an agreement to use the Judge garage space and the possibility of shuttling people from downtown. Ms. Mackenzie noted that any agreement has to be a formal, written agreement. Mr. Shaw moved to approve the Liquor License for The Venue as presented. Ms. Nowak seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Riehle moved to return to City Council session. Ms. Nowak seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 16. Other Business: A. Items held from Consent Agenda There were no such items. b. Bike Rack: 1. Traffic Lights & sequencing 2. City Street Lights (adequacy/number) at various locations 3. Taser Policy 4. East Terrace Ordinance 5. Policy regarding landscaping City-owned land and Request from Hadley Road No action was taken on Bike Rack items. 17. Consider entering Executive Session to discuss City of South Burlington Committee Assignments; Mr. Shaw moved the Council meet in executive session to discuss committee appointments. Ms. Nowak seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 18. Return to Regular Session: Ms. Nowak moved to appoint Larry Michaels to the Natural Resources Committee. Ms. Riehle seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 11:05 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.