City Council

To be approved at 04-04-17 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held March 28, 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 Brandon Batham and Michael Boutin; and from Ward III, Councilors Anita Chadderton and Lucas Herring. Also present were City Manager Steven Mackenzie and Clerk/Treasurer Carolyn Dawes. Absent: From Ward I, Councilor Sue Higby. Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Lauzon said the library agenda item has been deferred. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Special meeting on March 20, 2017 o Regular meeting on March 21, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2017-13:  Accounts Payable: $208,789.64  Payroll (gross): $137,558.76  2017 Licenses & Permits – NONE  Ratification of March 23, 2017 special Council meeting approval of entertainment license for Planned Parenthood rally in City Hall Park on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Clerk Dawes said starting this meeting she will have the Mayor or acting Mayor sign an acknowledgement of approval for the AP and payroll warrants, and will keep these acknowledgements on file for the auditors. Mayor Lauzon asked the Council to approve payment of check #121674 in the amount of $799,999, payable to HME Inc for the aerial truck. The Mayor noted Council withheld approval of this check when it was presented on the March 21, 2017 warrant. Negotiations are ongoing with HME Inc. for compensation due to the late delivery of the truck. The compensation will likely be in the form of additional equipment. The Mayor asked Council to approve the check pending Mayor and Manager approval. Council approved payment of check #121674 on motion of Councilor Herring, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. 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.  Re-vote on BCEMS & SHS budgets set for May 9th. Ballots will be printed shortly and mailed to those who voted early or absentee on Town Meeting Day. Approval of Building Permits – NONE Liquor Control – Council approved the following liquor license renewals on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. Establishment Address License Elks Club 10 Jefferson Street 1st class 1 To be approved at 04-04-17 Barre City Council Meeting Mulligan’s Irish Pub 9 Maple Avenue 1st class & outside consumption Simply Delicious 14 N. Main Street 1st class & 2nd class Champlain Farms 169 Washington Street 2nd class Champlain Farms 15 S. Main Street 2nd class Fastop 377 N. Main Street 2nd class North End Deli Mart 475 N. Main Street 2nd class City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Conducting asbestos abatement reviews of the flood mitigation project buy-out properties.  Beginning process to purchase the remaining two buy-out properties.  VTRANS received 2 bids for this summer’s paving project. The bids are being reviewed, and paving is tentatively set to begin May 15th.  The aerial truck is scheduled to be delivered April 3rd. Mayor Lauzon led a discussion on seeking authorization from the state and federal funding agencies to begin demolition on all five of the flood mitigation buy-out properties, regardless of whether the closings have been completed, so as to minimize costs associated with mobilizing equipment. Council informally supported the Mayor’s efforts on this matter. Visitors & Communications – NONE Old Business – A) Introduction to New Councilors and Update on Recent Aldrich Library Developments. This item is deferred. New Business – A) Authorization to Accept State Grants: I. EPA/ANR DEC State Clean Diesel Vacuum Truck Grant. II. ANR DEC Clean Water Initiative ERF Vacuum Truck Grant. III. ANR DEC Clean Water Initiative ERF Street Sweeper Grant. Acting Director of Public Works Steve Micheli asked that Council acknowledge that acceptance of the vacuum truck clean diesel and clean water initiative grants requires that the current vacuum truck be taken out of service upon delivery of the new truck. Council accepted all three grants listed, and acknowledged that the current vacuum truck will be taken out of service upon receipt of the new truck, on motion of Councilor Herring, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. B) Authorization to Award Vacuum Truck Bid and Execute Purchase Order. Manager Mackenzie and Mr. Micheli recommended Council accept the low bid from HP Fairfield. Council approved accepting the vacuum truck bid as recommended on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried. C) Approval of Wheelock House (Antique Center) Lease Renewal. Buildings and Community Services Director Jeff Bergeron reviewed the draft lease. Manager Mackenzie said the changes include increased rental fees to cover property taxes, and increased square footage. There was discussion on the costs of maintaining the building, the benefits of having a tenant in the space, and the costs of replacing the front window. 2 To be approved at 04-04-17 Barre City Council Meeting Council approved the lease and authorized the Manager to sign on behalf of the City on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. D) Consideration/Approval of Coin Drop Request from Barre Community Baseball. There was discussion on the coin drop schedule, and the need for Project Graduation to set its pre- approved coin drop date. Mayor Lauzon asked Clerk Dawes to hold April 22nd as a tentative date for PG. Council approved the Barre Community Baseball coin drop contingent upon them coordinating with the police department on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried. E) Approval of Public Information Request Policy. Council reviewed the draft policy. It was suggested that appeals go to the City Clerk instead of the City Manager, and that the clerk have up to 10 days to respond to any appeal. Council approved the policy as amended on motion of Councilor Tuper-Tiles, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried. Round Table – Councilor Tuper-Giles thanked Granite City Grocery for its wonderful laser tag fundraising event held over the weekend, at which a number of Councilors participated. Councilor Herring said he recently met with the organizers of the Stand Down event being held at the auditorium. He said the Green Mountain Comic Expo is this weekend at the Civic Center. Councilor Boutin said he had a great meeting with Jeannie McLeod, the new executive director of the Greater Barre Community Justice Center. Mayor Lauzon said there will be a discussion on the proposed abandoned & foreclosed building ordinance at next week’s meeting. The Council meeting adjourned at 7:53 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. An audio recording of this meeting is available from the City Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 3