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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 07/01/2019CITY COUNCIL 1 JULY 2019 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 1 July 2019, at 6:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: H. Riehle, Chair; T. Barritt, D. Kaufman Also Present: K. Dorn, City Manager; T. Hubbard, A. Lafferty, City Attorney; T. Leblanc, Assessor; M. Lyons, J. Kochman, L. Kupferman, A. Landower, W. Brask, S. Herrick, R. & J. Morway, B. Britt 1. Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency: Mr. Dorn provided instructions on emergency evacuation of the building. 2. Agenda Review: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items: No changes were made to the Agenda. 3. Comments and Questions from the public not related to the agenda: There were no public comments or questions. 4. Announcements and City Manager’s Report: Council members reported on meetings and events they had attended in recent weeks. Mr. Dorn: Staff reviews have been completed for the management team. Police Lieutenant Gregg Jager will be leaving for the FBI Academy which is a very high honor. During the arrest of a sexual predator last week, several police vehicles were damaged and several officers and other officials were injured, fortunately none seriously. Mr. Dorn credited Police officers for keeping the incident from becoming something tragic. Attended a Mental Health presentation regarding community outreach with the Police Chief. Staff is very disappointed with receipt today of a letter from the School Board attorney regarding the subdivision of the lot for the new building. Issues involve the new road and parking, neither one of which is relevant to the DRB subdivision process and both of which are in negotiations. 5. Consent Agenda: A. Consider and Sign Disbursements B. Certify compliance with Vermont Road and Bridge Standards C. Approve Development Review board Alternative Members Use Policy CITY COUNCIL 1 JULY 2019 PAGE 2 D. Designate Jennifer Smith as an Alternate Member of the South Burlington Development Review Board Mr. Kaufman moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed 3-0. 6. Consider and Possibly Approve Tax Rate: Ms. Lyons noted that the third installment will be due on 16 March instead of 15 March which is a Sunday. She then explained how the TIF proceeds are calculated. The 2019-20 Municipal Tax Rate is 0.5427. This will result in an increase for the average single family home of $115.89 and for the average condominium of $79.85. 7. Consider and possibly approve contract award for appraisal services: Mr. Leblanc advised that only one response was received to the RFP. It is a very favorable rate from the same company that did the last appraisal. The low rate is attributable to the fact that the company will be doing a similar appraisal for the City of Burlington at the same time. Mr. Leblanc then explained that every property (with the exception of the Airport) in the city will be re-appraised (a total of 8000 parcels). The new appraisal will apply to the 2021 grand list. Mr. Leblanc stressed that the city does not make any more money from a reappraisal as the tax rate is adjusted accordingly. He noted that after 15 years since the last appraisal, there are inequities which the new appraisal will address. They will be aiming for 100% of fair market value. Mr. Dorn said the city has 10 months to get information out to the public. Mr. Leblanc also noted there is money from the state to cover the costs of the reappraisal. Mr. Barritt moved to approve negotiation of a contract with Tyler Technologies for reappraisal services. Mr. Kaufman seconded. Motion passed 3-0. CITY COUNCIL 1 JULY 2019 PAGE 3 Mr. Leblanc then briefly explained the issues with the appeals of Hannaford and LaQuinta and noted that the LaQuinta grievance was valid. He also noted that Lowes appealed in South Burlington and Essex, and they were “partly right.” 8. Public Hearing and possible action on amendments or repeal of City Ordinances: a. Motor Vehicle and Traffic Ordinance – This ordinance is warned to repeal the South Burlington Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulation Ordinance, first adopted in 1958, and to adopt a new ordinance that regulates the operation and use of motor vehicles other than parking in a form that provides the Council flexibility to amend street sign locations, speed limits, etc., by resolution b. Parking Ordinance – Along with the repeal of the 1958 Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations Ordinance, this proposed ordinance creates a stand-alone parking ordinance that will provide for general parking prohibitions in the City and an administrative appeal process Mr. Barritt moved to open the public hearing. Mr. Kaufman seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Ms. Lafferty said the changes from the last hearing are incorporated. Mr. Britt questioned section 10E and asked why it does not apply to both left and right turns. Ms. Lafferty said state law does not address that either and only has left turn language. She said she would research that and redraft it. Mr. Kaufman moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Members set the next public hearing for 19 August, 7:30 p.m. 9. Council discussion and advice related to an Interim Zoning Open Space Committee classification and scoring of a 15-acre property in the Southeast Quadrant: Mr. & Mrs. Morway questioned the meaning of the classification of their 15-acre property. The noted the property is sloped but there are no wetlands. She said that it is on the 2001 open space map, but no one seems to know why. They questioned whether there are criteria for open space as there is nothing on the property that makes it “environmental.” CITY COUNCIL 1 JULY 2019 PAGE 4 Ms. Riehle said the Council will ask the committee to look specifically at those 15 acres. 10. Councilors’ Reports from Committee Assignments: Ms. Riehle reported that she shared the city’s concerns at the Airport Commission meeting. She felt there is a productive way to work with the Airport regarding lands around the Airport and to utilize that space to improve the neighborhood. 11. Council discussion and possible approval of a letter to the City of Burlington related to recent changes in zoning in the southern portion of the City of Burlington some of which borders on the City of South Burlington: Ms. Riehle said it sounds as if the city still has the opportunity to be part of the DRB process and should make a case. There are issues affecting South Burlington residents and issues with Red Rocks Park. She noted that it is more than just the Higher Ground operation; other places in the area also want entertainment. The zoning change makes that a conditional use. Mr. Kupferman said the building involved for Higher Ground faces Queen City Park Road and has been an industrial building. It is about 1000 feet from a residential building, and the entrance to Red Rocks Park is close by. Mr. Dorn said the city’s concern is what happens when people are pouring out of that building. Mr. Kupferman said there is now no activity at night. Mr. Barritt said there are some inaccuracies in the letter, but he liked the spirit of it. Ms. Landower, a resident of the Red Rocks condos in Burlington, said there is a question as to whether they have status at the hearing. Ms. Herrick, a Board member Red Rocks 3B, said they had voted to oppose this. Ms. Brask said she spoke at the Burlington City Council in opposition. Theirs is a very quiet neighborhood now. She has seen what happens to traffic patterns when there are events, but this is a whole new thing. She said nobody has talked to them about their concerns. Mr. Barritt said he hoped the DRB would invoke a non-biased traffic study. Mr. Kupferman said there should also be a noise study and a possible requirement for a “noise wall.” CITY COUNCIL 1 JULY 2019 PAGE 5 Ms. Riehle said she felt the letter should be more logical and ask that the city be part of the conditional use discussion and the request for specific studies. The letter should be more focused on facts, not emotions. Ms. Herrick said Higher Ground now has 8-10 concerts a week and often let’s out at 11 p.m. Mr. Barritt felt there should be a security guard at the Red Rocks entrance for an hour after that. Ms. Landower said the list of South Burlington calls to Higher Ground includes some with violence, crime, hit & run, etc. Burlington Police are very occupied with downtown and she questioned whether they would have adequate coverage for this part of the city. She also noted that some concerts start at 6 p.m. which would mingle that traffic with rush hour traffic. She said that there is a Burlington Plan BTV which used to prohibit this use, but that is what was changed without public meetings. It was not a transparent process. 12. Other Business: Mr. Barritt noted that some of the potholes on Dorset St. have been repaired but there are still more. Mr. Barritt also noted that Farrell St. looks great. He suggested a “pump turning on” event. Ms. Riehle gave a “shout out” to Leo Nadeau who mowed the grass at the corner of Van Sicklen/Hinesburg Road in the interest of safety. As there was no further business to come before the Council, Mr. Kaufman moved to adjourn. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.