Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 09/03/2013CITY COUNCIL 3 SEPTEMBER 2013 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 3 September 2013, at 6:30 p.m., in the South Burlington Fire Station #1, Dorset St. Members Present: P. Mackenzie, Chair; R. Greco, P. Nowak, C. Shaw Also Present: K. Dorn, Interim City Manager; T. Hubbard, Interim Deputy City Manager; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; Chief D. Brent and members of the South Burlington Fire Department; Chief T. Whipple, Police Department; J. Rabidoux, Public Works Department; Rep. M. Townsend, T. Harrington, D. Deslauriers, M. Emery, J. Lees, K. Donahue, Ms. Schwartz, B. Paquette, C. Hurd, B. Nowak, A. Carr, J. Dickson, J. Duncan, F. Kosnitsky, K. McKenny, B. Taylor 1. Tour of Fire Station: Council and community members toured the Fire Station #1 with Chief Brent and members of the Fire Department. 2. Agenda Review: Ms. Mackenzie noted that items #10 and #11 were removed from the agenda. Ms. Greco asked that item #7 be removed. She felt the Council should first discuss the wisdom of doing this before there is a resolution. Members agreed to hold the discussion at this meeting and delay further public discussion and a decision until the next meeting. 3. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not Related to Agenda Items: Mr. Deslauriers cited the need for additional street lights on Delaware Street where it is very dark for people walking at night. He said Green Mountain Power is willing to do this if the City would issue a work order. Ms. Mackenzie said the issue would be taken to Public Works. 4. Announcements and City Manager's Report: Mr. Dorn:  Last week, staff held a briefing for the city's legislative delegation regarding Market Street. Further meetings will follow. Met with Mr. Hubbard, Chief Whipple and Chief Brent for a first "ability to serve" discussion, so that city services match the build-out of the city. Met with landowners regarding transportation issues related to City Center. Met with Airport management and Secretary Jed Spaulding regarding a possible long-term tax stabilization agreement with the Airport. Secretary Spaulding said the state wants to be a part of the solution. Other Council members reported on meetings they had attended including the city's "visioning week" meetings, and contacts with residents regarding street maintenance and tax-related issues. 5. Consent Agenda: A. Sign Disbursements B. Review June 2013 Financial Statements C. Authorize Interim Deputy City Manager to represent the City of South Burlington on all matters to come before the Vermont League of Cities and Towns Annual Business Meeting D. Approve Special Events Permits: 1. ALS Association - Fundraiser at Dorset Park, 22 September 2013 2. Make-a-Wish Fundraiser - Walk & Picnic - Dorset Park, 15 September 2013 Ms. Nowak moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Ms. Greco seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Presentation on Current Emergency Services Issues: Chief Brent introduced members of the Fire Department who were present at the meeting. He then reviewed the mission of the Department, including fire suppression, emergency medical services, public education, rescue, emergency management, etc. The Chief then enumerated some of the changes that have occurred during his tenure in South Burlington, including: a. revamping of all emergency communication b. implementation of ambulance service c. expansion of the fire station d. the SAFER staffing grant e. major equipment purchases The Chief also reviewed current staffing, including full time and on-call personnel. The South Burlington Fire Department is the second busiest in the state (3000 runs last year), behind the City of Burlington. The Chief noted a correlation between the city's aging population and increased EMS activity. He reviewed the department's equipment and explained the need for an engine to accompany all ambulance calls. The Chief also reviewed training. He noted that unlike the Police Department, which hires untrained officers and then trains them, the Fire Department hires only trained firefighters and emergency medical staff. There is no fire training academy in Vermont. Training of firefighters includes in-city training (learning the streets), rescue (auto, water, heights, confined spaces, trenches, structural collapse, etc.), hazardous materials, and paramedic training. The Chief further reviewed fire codes and inspections, including the types of inspections done by Officer Francis. Members of the Department go to every school and talk to every K-5 student regarding fire safety. Prior to prom night, they also speak to seniors about drinking and driving. The Chief noted that he is the city's Emergency Management Director and said that the city's Emergency Operations Center was used during the 2 recent storm events. The Fire Department was evaluated by the Insurance Service Office in July, 1997. They now have a class rating of 3/9, one of only three Class 3 ratings in the state. With regard to the future, the Chief said at some point they will need more help, though he does not know when that "tipping point" will occur. The Chief then responded to questions from the Council regarding false alarms, mutual aid, common causes of fires, and tracking of grants. Ms. Mackenzie recommended that for the next budget preparation, the Chief provide the city's day and night populations, and what "numbers" would trigger the need for another EMS, fire truck, etc. At the request of the City Manager, Chief Brent reviewed recent promotions within the Fire Department. 7. Reports from the Fire and Police Chief Regarding Issues in the Airport Neighborhood: Chief Whipple spoke to the Council regarding the use of Airport purchased property for police training. He said South Burlington Police have never done this, but he cited the value to the Department to practice certain protocols in these kinds of buildings as they are close to the "real deal." The Chief then outlined a proposal made to the Department by the Airport for the use of these buildings. This would involve a formal application process, monitoring of activities (a safety officer would be required), signage and individual notice to neighbors, and securing of the building after the training. The Chief suggested the possibility of "sampling" this for the community. Chief Brent stressed the need to train and noted the Fire Department has trained in vacant buildings at the Airport for years with no complaints. There is no intent to burn any building. The Chief also expressed safety concerns with the existence of the 60 vacant homes in the Airport area. Members of the Council all felt there was a difference between Fire Department and Police Department training. They had no issue with the Fire Department, but were concerned with Police displaying of weapons and use of explosives in a residential neighborhood. All recognized the heavy burden of both departments and want to provide the best training opportunities possible for them both. Ms. Mackenzie said she would like to work toward a "controlled environment" for training and suggested the possibility of partners outside the community helping to provide this. Public comment was then invited: Mr. Hurd:  Cited the sensitivity of the neighborhood and concern that nobody knew who was responsible for the incident in May. Mr. Paquette: Felt resident should have called the Police when the May incident occurred. Suggested talking to the Guard at Camp Johnson re: a site for training. Mr. Lees:  Said the neighborhood is already impacted and they shouldn't have to endure more. Ms. Schwartz: Supports training of Police and Fire with guidelines, but only for South Burlington departments. 8. Update on Search for Permanent City Manager: Mr. Hubbard reported that names of 4 finalists have been given to the City Council. These candidates will be interviewed beginning Thursday. 9. Status of FY13 Paving and FY14 Projects: Mr. Rabidoux reviewed the history and concern with repaving of White Street. He cited utility issues and the two major storms as contributing to the delay. The paving contract is now out and bids will be in shortly. Ms. Nowak asked about a condition on Laurel Hill Drive which appears to pose a danger to motorcyclists. She asked how potholes are addressed. Mr. Rabidoux explained that many services are now done in-house, and Laurel Hill will be one of those. Repaving that will be done before Thanksgiving includes Spear Street, White Street, Butler Drive and Patchen Road. Time permitting, work will be done on Hadley Rd., Elizabeth St., Dorset Street south of Kennedy Drive, Kirby Rd., Orchard St., Victory, Worcester, Iby, White Place, Derby Circle, and Dover St. Ms. Mackenzie asked Mr. Rabidoux to provide a cost figure to do "everything." Council members and the City Manager thanked the Public Works Department for the extra hours during the recent rains. Mr. Donahue cited the cost of repairing Police and Fire equipment when it has to drive over bad roads. 12. Consider Resolution Recognizing South Burlington Little League Softball and Baseball Teams: Ms. Nowak moved to approve the Resolution as presented. Mr. Shaw seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hubbard noted the teams will be honored in a ceremony in the High School Gym on Friday evening. 13. Interview Candidates for City of South Burlington Committees: The Council interviewed the following candidates: 14. Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments to the Land Development Regulations: Ms. Nowak moved to open the Public Hearing. Mr. Shaw seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Conner reviewed the two amendments as follows: 1. Would allow pre-existing educational facilities in the NRP District to have childcare and to be expanded by no more than 20%. 2. Would allow parking in front of buildings in the Mixed IC District with a "campus design" of buildings around a minimum of 150,000 sq. ft. of green space with access to the public. There was no public comment. Ms. Greco moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Shaw seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 15. Consider Approval of Proposed Amendments to the Land Development Regulations: Mr. Shaw moved to approve both amendments to the Land Development Regulations as presented. Ms. Nowak seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 16. Interim Zoning Deliberative Session: a. Pizzagalli Properties, LLC, application #IZ-13-05 Mr. Conner reviewed the changes on p. 2, #8 and p. 6, condition #2a and #2b. Ms. Nowak moved to approve IZ-13-05 subject to the stipulations in the decision motion. Mr. Shaw seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 17. Other Business: A. Items Withheld from Consent Agenda B. Bike Rack - Items Council may wish to place on a future agenda 1. Traffic Lights & Sequencing 2. City Street Lights at various locations 3. Advertising logos or names on City Property 4. Taser Policy 5. East Terrace Ordinance 6. Policy regarding landscaping City-owned land and Request from Hadley Road 7. Council-approved Minutes Resolution 8. Closure of Market Street No action was taken on Bike Rack items. C. Other No issues were raised. 18. Executive Session: Ms. Greco moved the Council meet in executive session to discuss appointments to Boards and Committees and to resume regular session only to make such appointments and/or adjourn. Mr. Shaw seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Following the executive session, Ms. Nowak moved to appoint Adrienne Carr to the Correctional Facility Liaison Committee; Jeffrey Dickson and James Duncan to the Natural Resources Committee, Mr. Shaw seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Council agreed to delay the appointment(s) to the Energy Committee to consider expansion of that committee. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 11:10 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.