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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 09/03/2019CITY COUNCIL 3 September 2019 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 3 September 2019, at 6:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: H. Riehle, Chair; M. Emery, T. Barritt, T. Chittenden, D. Kaufman Also Present: K. Dorn, City Manager; T. Hubbard, Deputy City Manager; A. Bolduc, City Attorney; J. Rabidoux, Public Works Director; H. Rees, Recreation Director, J. Kochman, S. Dooley, B. Sirvis, R. Gonda, M. Leugers 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: Mr. Gonda explained to the Council that he technically has 3 “front yards” and a side yard. He has no back yard. Because of its size, he can’t put anything in his side yard. He has a camper which he can’t park on his property because it is not allowed to be in a “front yard” because of city regulations. He is now having to pay $400-500 to park the camper. He is looking for a waiver (which city staff has said they would deny) or a change in the LDRs to accommodate this unusual situation. There is only one other property in the city with this issue. Mr. Dorn said he would check with Planning & Zoning and get back to Mr. Gonda. 4. Announcements and City Manager’s Report: Council members reported on meetings and events they had attended in recent weeks. Mr. Dorn: The final meeting of the Airport Technical Advisory Committee regarding noise issues will take place on 19 September, 5 p.m., at the Airport. Ms. Riehle noted the anticipation is that the TAC Committee will see a first draft and will need time to react to it. A 14-day review is being considered so there is time for the City Council and community to provide input. There will be another public meeting in October. The Economic Development Committee met last week. They are looking for Mr. Dorn to have more contacts with businesses. He and Mr. Bolduc met with VLCT regarding local control issues. There is a bill that has passed the Senate in a “watered down” way. Another meeting is planned in 2 weeks. CITY COUNCIL 3 SEPTEMBER 2019 PAGE 2 Consultants for the proposed Recreation Center were in the city last Monday and were at a public forum that evening. A survey is out and there are more than 600 responses at this time. Consultants will be back on 17 September. 5. Councilors’ Reports from Committee assignments: Ms. Emery: The Interim Zoning Open Space Committee did not have a quorum at its last meeting. Those in attendance discussed various scenarios which will be reviewed at tomorrow’s meeting. They are close to a final report and are looking for “balance.” Ms. Riehle: Airport Commission: Enplanements and revenues are up, and more cars are using Airport parking. Jim Leas spoke in opposition to military jets. There will be a new display on Abnaki history/culture at the Airport. There will be no more plastic bottles being distributed at the Airport. A book and film on the Airport’s first 100 years is in the works. The proposed hotel has its permits, but there are issues with the developer. Regarding the Sound Mitigation Program, the Commission was told: “The FAA gives money for what is, not for what might be.” Mr. Kaufman: The Dorset Skating Association will break ground for the new construction in May. They have guaranteed pricing for the project. 6. Consent Agenda: A. Approve and Sign Disbursement B. Approve Governmental Entity Certificate of Resolution designating TD Bank as the City official bank C. Release of irrevocable offer of dedication for proposed road off of Community Drive in Technology Park Ms. Emery moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mr. Kaufman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. City-School Collaboration: Mr. Dorn noted he had met with Superintendent Young and Ms. Burkhardt for the regular meeting. On Monday, city staff (including Mr. Hubbard, Ms. Blanchard and Mr. Rabidoux) and school staff (Supt. Young, Patrick Burke, and the Athletic Director), and Ms. Burkhardt met regarding school program needs. The School’s Wellness Facility is problematic for city use. The School District CITY COUNCIL 3 SEPTEMBER 2019 PAGE 3 anticipates an indoor track facility and basketball courts which will not accommodate city needs. Mr. Hubbard added that the School people identified needs at the Middle and High School that are not being met. It became obvious there would be a lot of conflict with who needs what and when. The school track would be a “competition track,” and the school would take over the whole facility. The UVM space may be going away. The only other “competition tracks” in the State are in Middlebury and at Norwich. Mr. Hubbard noted the city envisions very different uses for a track, specifically for walkers, strollers, etc. In summing up, Mr. Hubbard said there are great needs on both sides, and there would be a lot of conflict if they were put together. Mr. Dorn noted there are also security issues at the school. Ms. Riehle said it would be helpful to know what is being envisioned inside the Wellness Center so the public can understand what the dollars are for. 8. Update on Council plans to host two forums on Domestic violence in October: Ms. Emery reviewed the history stemming from a tragedy involving a South Burlington resident and her family. She noted there will be a Resolution presented to the City Council in October to mark a series of forums and a desire to create a network for people to rely on, fundraising, legislation, etc. Ms. Emery noted that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The public forums may include a meal catered by Common Roots. Tentative dates or the evenings of 10 and 22 October and 28 October with High School students during the day. There will be a follow-up in April with another set of forums. 9. Update on public input component of Indoor Recreation Center proposal: Ms. Rees noted that the consultant met with stakeholders (including businesses, user groups, home schoolers, etc.). 50 people attended the public forum. The survey was launched on 27 August, and there are 622 responses to date. The survey will remain open until 9 September. Senior communities will be given the opportunity to complete hard copy surveys. Ms. Dooley asked if there is assurance that respondents are South Burlington residents. Ms. Rees said she would get back to Ms. Dooley with an answer. 10. Council consideration and possible approval of resolution related to public telecom infrastructure: CITY COUNCIL 3 SEPTEMBER 2019 PAGE 4 Mr. Bolduc said this is a follow-up regarding rental of space in Market Street conduits. The resolution sets guidelines, costs, etc. He noted that the Public Service Board (PSB) does not control what the city can charge. Mr. Rabidoux said the rate structure is similar to that which governs street lights. Fees cover the city’s investment of $500,000 and ongoing maintenance. The conduit has a 50-year anticipated life cycle, and there are approximately 12 ducts in the system. The annual charge would be $3.00 per linear foot (about $1000 a year). Over the lifetime of the conduit, this would give the city $600,000. Mr. Rabidoux stressed that the city doesn’t want utilities coming after the fact and cutting up Market Street, so they are working to get everything in place now. No more digging will be allowed in the future. Ms. Riehle asked about escalating costs. Mr. Rabidoux said they can write that into the agreements. Mr. Barritt asked about abandonment. Mr. Rabidoux said that, too, can be written in, so the “abandoner” would be forced to vacate to allow another user. Mr. Kaufman moved to approve the Resolution with 2 small changes noted, including the rate of $.33 per linear foot. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Barritt then asked about the status of the Dorset St. signal changing. Mr. Rabidoux said staff is selecting firms to do that. 11. Liquor Control Board: Ms. Emery moved that the Council convene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Members considered a request for a Third Class Restaurant/Bar License from Mimmo’s Pizzeria. Mr. Dorn explained that the State now requires this Third Class license in addition to the First Class License the Council approved at its last meeting. Mr. Barritt moved to approve the Third Class Restaurant/Bar License for Mimmo’s Pizzeria as presented. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Other Business: Ms. Emery raised the issue of the F-35s having 50% afterburner usage instead of the previously noted 5%. Mr. Chittenden suggested asking the Guard to come in to discuss this. CITY COUNCIL 3 SEPTEMBER 2019 PAGE 5 Ms. Emery asked whether the City can impose a tax for houses that become unusable. Mr. Dorn said that would take a Charter change. Ms. Riehle said they might take that issue to the City Charter Committee. Ms. Riehle said the larger question for her is whether the South Burlington community is willing to pay the “local share” of whatever noise mitigation program is in place. If the answer is “no,” the city would not be part of the plan. She felt this conversation needs to happen and needs to involve the Governor and Legislature regarding a potential “aircraft fuel tax.” She stressed the need to know “how much” before asking for money. Mr. Chittenden encouraged warning a full discussion. He said he would not support spending any South Burlington money on this. The Airport is a Burlington asset and thus a Burlington obligation. Ms. Riehle suggested the possibility of having the MOU presented and having the Guard come in at the first meeting in October to discuss the 10% match question. As there was no further business to come before the Council, Mr. Chittenden moved to adjourn. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.