City Council

To be approved at 03-28-17 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held March 21, 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, Councilors Sue Higby and Jeffrey Tuper-Giles; from Ward II, Councilors Brandon Batham and Michael Boutin (arrived 7:45 PM); and from Ward III, Councilors Anita Chadderton and Lucas Herring. Also present were City Manager Steven Mackenzie and Clerk/Treasurer Carolyn Dawes. Absent: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Lauzon said he is adding the following to the consent agenda:  Re-appointment of Steve Micheli as the Barre City representative to the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District, and Rikk Taft as the alternate Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Herring, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Regular meeting on March 6, 2017 o Special meeting on March 11, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Ratification of Week 2017-11 (approved by Mayor Lauzon 3/14/17):  Accounts Payable: $1,362,259.99. Approval does not include check #121674 payable to HME Inc. for the aerial truck.  Payroll (gross): $138,755.64 o Approval of Week 2017-12:  Accounts Payable: $85,931.60  Payroll (gross): $127,462.80 o Community Development Warrant; VCDP grant funds payable to Downstreet: $87,300  2017 Licenses & Permits – NONE  Ratification of Authorized Signature on Downstreet Tax Appeal Settlement: City Clerk/Treasurer Carolyn Dawes  Ratification of Councilor Herring as Acting Mayor  Ratification of Councilor Herring to Sign Warrants  Re-appointment of Steve Micheli as Barre City representative to CVSWMD, and Rikk Taft as alternate The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  Water/sewer bills are due by March 31st.  All dogs are to be licensed by April 3rd.  Recount held earlier today for CVPSA at-large board member seat voted on Town Meeting Day.  Tentative date for re-vote on BCEMS & SHS budgets is May 9th, in conjunction with Barre Town annual meeting. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. Applicant Address Jesse Campbell 20 Long Street Seth & Candice Greaves 15 W. Patterson Street 1 To be approved at 03-28-17 Barre City Council Meeting Liquor Control – Council approved the following liquor license renewals on motion of Councilor Herring, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. Establishment Address License Jerry’s Sports Tavern 50 Summer St 1st class Ladder 1 Grill 8 S. Main St 1st class & outside consumption Mr. Z’s 379 N. Main St 1st class Quarry Kitchen & Spirits 210 N. Main St 1st class & outside consumption Soup N’ Greens 325 N. Main St 1st class Cumberland Farms 524 N. Main St 2nd class Cumberland Farms 132 S. Main St 2nd class Dollar General 540 N. Main St 2nd class Dollar General 74 S. Main St 2nd class Jiffy Mart 360 N. Main St 2nd class Quality Market 155 Washington St 2nd class Rite Aid 355 N. Main St 2nd class City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Fire Department tower truck is scheduled for delivery either March 25th or April 1st.  Attended coordination meeting with VTRANS on the Quarry Street intersection project. Excavation and retaining wall work will be done this summer. The bulk of the project will not be done until 2020.  Met with personnel for Routes 14/302 paving project. Bids will be opened this Friday, and the work is scheduled to run from mid-May through September.  Completed two of three buyouts for the Gunner’s Brook project. The third will happen later this month. The RFP has been issued for demolition.  Salt consumption is at 104% of budget.  Received five vactor bids. A recommendation will come to Council next week.  Leveraged the clean diesel grant to serve as the local share for the vactor. Visitors & Communications – NONE Old Business – NONE New Business – A) Cow Pasture Management Plan Presentation. Consulting ecologist Emily Brodsky gave a summary presentation of the 10 year management plan, highlighting the goals. Several members of the Cow Pasture Stewardship Committee were in attendance. Councilor Boutin arrived during the presentation. There was discussion on how to address non-native invasive species, management of recreation while supporting biodiversity, prohibited uses, City support, partnerships with the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, preparing a 10 year budget plan, and priorities & timelines. Cow Pasture Stewardship Committee chair Chris Russo Fraysier asked the Council to approve the management plan. Mayor Lauzon said it will be on the April 4th agenda for approval. B) Discussion of BADC Economic Development Strategy. Barre Area Development Corporation executive director Joel Schwartz said they are putting together a 2 To be approved at 03-28-17 Barre City Council Meeting steering committee to develop economic strategies for the Barre City/Barre Town area, which will serve as a work plan for BADC and Mr. Schwartz. He presented an outline, and said he is reviewing other communities’ plans. There will be short and long term portions, and marketing components, and he outlined the proposed makeup of the committee with representatives from BADC, Barre Partnership, Barre City, Barre Town, Central Vermont Economic Development Corp, and other associated organizations. Mayor Lauzon distributed handouts showing the current economic development delivery model involving BADC, Barre Partnership and the marketing position at the Civic Center. The Mayor said he would like the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development to be part of the steering committee, and for the committee to review the current delivery model for its effectiveness. There was discussion on setting delivery dates, goals and objectives; pushing resources further; involvement of other downtown groups; and including renewable energy and arts/culture/recreation. C) Introduction to New Councilors and Update on Recent Aldrich Library Developments. This item is deferred. D) Discussion of Proposed Foreclosed/Abandoned Real Estate Ordinance. Mayor Lauzon said he has been working on a draft ordinance to address issues associated with abandoned properties and those that have been foreclosed on or are in the foreclosure process. The ordinance would include inspection requirements and securing of property. There was discussion on implementation, enforcement, review of the draft with Planning Director Janet Shatney and the Planning Commission, establishment of a registration fee, and the possibility of holding tax sales for properties not in compliance. E) Approval of Audit Adjusting Entries, Financial Statement Form and Management Representation Letter. Mayor Lauzon gave a brief overview of the draft FY16 audit. The Mayor said the adjusting entries, financial statement form and management representation letter are part of the process of finalizing the audit. Council approved the items and authorized the Mayor to sign on behalf of the City on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. There was a request to have some time to review the document. Clerk Dawes said she will offer a review before an upcoming Council meeting. Round Table – Councilor Higby thanked the voters, and said she will be highlighting the importance of cultural vitality during her round table times. Councilor Herring mentioned the following:  Congratulated those elected at Town Meeting  Smoking ordinance concept will come to Council for a first discussion at April 4th meeting  Appoint Councilors as liaisons to committees  What to do with the BOR re. repairs and maintenance  Review consideration of a digital sign for the Civic Center  Review Barre City/Barre Town water/sewer agreement  Review municipal plan  Review contents of annual report  Council tours of City facilities 3 To be approved at 03-28-17 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Boutin welcomed new Councilors Batham and Higby. Councilor Chadderton said four Councilors attended last weekend’s VLCT Selectboard Institute, and there was a discussion on policies at the institute. She requested a review of the City’s conflict of interest policy. Councilor Batham said he’s happy to be here, and grateful to the voters and other candidates. He thanked the street crew for their care of the streets during last week’s snow storm. Mayor Lauzon said he met with the Greater Barre Community Justice Center board to discuss the past poor relationship between the City and GBCJC, and the path forward. The Mayor said it was a very positive meeting. Executive Session – Councilor Boutin made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of the property negotiations and personnel issues to be discussed would clearly place the City of Barre at a substantial disadvantage should the discussion be public. The motion was seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. Council went into executive session at 9:22 PM to discuss property negotiations and personnel issues under the provisions of 1 VSA sec. 313 on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. Manager Mackenzie was invited into the executive session. Council came out of executive session at 9:34 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried. No action was taken. The Council meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. An audio recording of this meeting is available from the City Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 4