City Council

To be approved at 02-07-17 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held January 31, 2017 The Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order by Mayor Thomas Lauzon at 7:00 PM at Barre City Hall. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilor Jeffrey Tuper-Giles; from Ward II, Councilors Michael Boutin and Michael Smith; and from Ward III, Councilor Lucas Herring. Also present was Clerk/Treasurer Carolyn Dawes. Absent: From Ward I, vacant; from Ward III, Councilor Anita Chadderton; and City Manager Steve Mackenzie. Adjustments to the Agenda: NONE Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Regular meeting on January 24, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2017-05:  Accounts Payable: $133,357.80  Payroll (gross): $116,436.42  Licenses & Permits o 2017 Food Establishment Licenses:  Simply Subs, 70 N. Main Street  Two Loco Guys, 136, N. Main Street  Cornerstone Pub & Kitchen, 47 N. Main Street o 2017 Food Take-out Licenses:  Champlain Farms, 15 S. Main Street The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  Dog licenses are now available.  Third quarter taxes are due by February 15th.  Accepting requests for early absentee ballots. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Smith, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. Applicant Address The Housing Foundation Inc. 260 N. Main Street Valerie Brody, LLC 8 S. Main Street Granite Industries of Vermont Inc. 38-40 Vanetti Place 123 Hill Street LLC 123 Hill Street 134 Seminary LLC 134 Seminary Street Liquor Control – Council approved a BYOB request at the Old Labor Hall for a private birthday party for up to 40 people to be held on Saturday, February 18th from 6:00 – 11:00 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – NONE Visitors & Communications – NONE 1 To be approved at 02-07-17 Barre City Council Meeting Old Business – NONE New Business – A) Barre Partnership Appeal of Entertainment License Fee. Partnership executive director Josh Jerome said he had received an entertainment license renewal application, and he questioned why they was a 50% late fee charged. Clerk Dawes said she mailed out original license renewal applications in mid-November and reminder postcards in mid-December. The late notice applications with late fees were mailed out in early January. City ordinance says those continuing to conduct business without an active license are subject to a 50% late fee penalty. The Clerk said she and the enforcement officers have been working to address public complaints that ordinance violations are not being enforced, and applying the late fees is in keeping with ordinance. There was discussion on ordinance language related to entertainment licenses and license fees, and possible inconsistencies and needs for change and clarity in ordinance language. Mayor Lauzon said he will work with the Clerk to review the ordinances and bring this back for further discussion. B) Approval of Warning for 2017 Annual (Town) Meeting. Clerk Dawes said the printers told her they would be able to fit all ballot questions and proposed charter change language on the ballot, therefore that is the warning version Council is considering for approval. There was discussion on Article III and the proposed local option taxes charter change. Mayor Lauzon said he has not been able to find or confirm the data presented at last week’s meeting by the Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Councilor Herring made the motion to approve the warning as presented with all three proposed charter changes included. The motion was seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Mayor Lauzon said the charter language is enabling language, and he intends to hold a public hearing before imposing any local option taxes. Councilor Herring said he reviewed tax data on the state’s Tax Department website, and all lines are trending up regardless of whether a community has local option taxes or not. Councilor Smith said he has heard opinions on both sides, and is in favor of letting the voters decide. Council voted on the original motion as made. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin voting against. Round Table – Councilor Smith said the Aldrich Library is holding a winter banquet and silent auction on March 4th. Councilor Herring said the local antiques dealers are hosting Barre Super Antique Weekend this weekend, in honor of the Superbowl. He said the gun show is at the auditorium this weekend. Mayor Lauzon said he is participating in this weekend’s penguin plunge fundraiser. Councilor Herring said he is participating, also. The Mayor said he has promised to take the plunge in a business suit if he reaches his pledge goal. Mayor Lauzon said he wanted to make a statement about Sanctuary Cities. He said he was proud of Gov. Scott’s speech asking for a recall of President Trump’s executive orders on travel bans and restrictions. The Mayor said he has not supported naming Barre City as a Sanctuary City as he has been unable to tie 2 To be approved at 02-07-17 Barre City Council Meeting down the financial ramifications of possible loss of federal grants and school funding. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 7:38 PM on motion of Councilor Smith, seconded by Councilor Tuper- Giles. Motion carried. An audio recording of this meeting is available from the City Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 3