City Council

To be approved at 04-11-17 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held April 4, 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, Councilor Brandon Batham; 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 II, Councilor Michael Boutin. Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Lauzon said items will be rearranged to accommodate those in attendance. 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 Special meeting on March 23, 2017 o Regular meeting on March 28, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2017-14:  Accounts Payable: $206,697.56  Payroll (gross): $126,433.82  2017 Licenses & Permits – o Entertainment Licenses:  Barre Partnership, annual license for spring, summer and fall events The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  All dogs were to be licensed by April 3rd. Licenses still available, however there is a $3 late fee. Dog owners are given another month to license their dogs before the list is turned over to the animal control officer for enforcement.  Re-vote on BCEMS & SHS budgets set for May 9th. Ballots are printed and have been mailed to those who voted early or absentee on Town Meeting Day. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. Applicant Address City of Barre 14 Reid Street City of Barre 17 Harrington Avenue City of Barre 19 Harrington Avenue Christine & Nancy Palin 36 Leonard Street Christopher Miller & Carey English 3 Cooley Street New Business – B) Introduction of New Firefighters to Council. Deputy Fire Chief Joe Aldsworth introduced Dylan Flood and Eric Cruger as new firefighter 2/aspiring medics. FF Flood said he is originally from Rutland, and his grandfather was a fire chief who died in the line of duty. FF Cruger said he is originally from St. Johnsbury and has a decade of fire service. FF Flood’s sons, Matthew and Caleb, were present and introduced to the Council. Council welcomed the new firefighters. 1 To be approved at 04-11-17 Barre City Council Meeting Council named Matthew, Caleb and FF Cruger’s son, Hayden, as honorary junior firefighters on motion of Councilor Herring, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. Deputy Chief Aldsworth said he inspected the new ladder truck recently, and there is some spot painting work being done along with final installations. A firm delivery date should be set in the near future. Liquor Control – Council approved the following liquor license renewals on motion of Councilor Tuper- Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. Establishment Address License The Alley Cat 10 Keith Avenue 1st class & outside consumption American Legion 320 N. Main Street 1st class & outside consumption Asian Gourmet 276 N. Main Street 1st class Cornerstone Pub & Kitchen 47 N. Main Street 1st class Espresso Bueno 248 N. Main Street 1st class Gusto’s 28 Prospect Street 1st class & outside consumption Mutuo Inc. 20 Beckley Street` 1st class Positive Pie 219 N. Main Street 1st class Smolder Mist Pub 107 S. Main Street 1st class & outside consumption AJ’s Sunoco 320 Washington Street 2nd class Bella Campo Food Products 131 S. Main Street 2nd class Beverage Baron 411 N. Main Street 2nd class Central Market 50 Summer Street 2nd class Dente’s Market 406 N. Main Street 2nd class City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Held meeting with staff and Black River Design to discuss renovations to old police station and other areas in City Hall.  Running ads for the Deputy Police Chief position, as current Deputy Chief Andy Marceau is retiring in July.  Issued RFP for engineering services associated with north end storm water projects.  Defibrillator installed in City Hall, and staff trained in its use.  Coordinated efforts with the police, fire and public works departments to be on storm watch later this week due to forecast of potential significant rain fall.  Winter parking ban expired on April 1st. Visitors & Communications – NONE Old Business – NONE New Business – continued A) Approval of Cow Pasture Management Plan. Cow Pasture Stewardship Committee chair Chris Russo-Fraysier said she was present to answer any questions. There was discussion on establishing policies and/or ordinances around prohibited uses of the property, creating an annual schedule, establishing a 10 year financial plan, and property value increases due to proximity to green belts in communities. Council approved the plan on motion of Councilor Chadderton, seconded by Councilor Higby. Motion carried. 2 To be approved at 04-11-17 Barre City Council Meeting D) Approval of Coin Drop Request from Barre Partnership. E) Approval of Coin Drop Request from Barre Lion’s Club. Council considered both agenda items together, and approved both coin drop requests on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. There was a brief discussion on the Barre Town budget proposal being voted at their annual meeting on May 9th, and their allocations to the Aldrich Library. Mayor Lauzon said the Town is seeking an equal share of assets should the library ever dissolve. He said he will review the deed for any restrictions on the property, and will research past contributions to the library from both Barre City and Barre Town. C) Review/Re-approval of Barre Opera House Lease. Mayor Lauzon said this agenda item will be deferred. The Mayor said he would like to review the lease for adjustments to the required insurance coverage levels, lease term and use of the space. There was discussion on calculating the in-kind value of space and services provided by the City to the Opera House. There was discussion around canceling next week’s meeting, should there be a light agenda. Manager Mackenzie will review the agenda with the Mayor to make the final determination. It was confirmed that the Council will meet on Monday, May 8th instead of Tuesday, May 9th due to the May 9th school budgets revote. Round Table – Councilor Higby announced this Saturday’s Vermont History Day at Montpelier High School. She also mentioned the Vermont History Center located in Barre City, and its current exhibit: “Freaks, Radicals & Hippies: Counterculture in 1970s Vermont”. Councilor Tuper-Giles encouraged people to sweep the sidewalks in front of their homes and businesses. He also reminded people not to park on the sidewalks. Councilor Herring said the annual egg hunt is scheduled for April 15th. He would like to set up council committees to review charter, ordinances and policies, and recommended two councilors serve on each committee. He said the Barre Partnership and Spaulding High School OVX (Our Voices Xposed) are preparing their Council presentations on smoking in the downtown. They are tentatively scheduled for next week’s agenda. He will send around his draft ordinance language for review. Councilor Batham announced tomorrow’s central Vermont job fair at the auditorium. He requested a brief executive session on personnel matters. Manager Mackenzie said the City has received the third and final easement for the Smith Street segment of the bike path, clearing the way for construction this summer. Mayor Lauzon asked Councilors to send their priority lists to him for consolidation. The Mayor said it was nice to see Summer Street Housing featured on the cover of the new TIF annual report. He continues working with the Community Justice Center, and they have identified a potential new home on Keith Avenue. He is in discussions with the state about consolidating demolition of the properties in the flood mitigation project area, and will reach out to the congressional delegation for additional support. Executive Session - Councilor Batham made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of the 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 Chadderton. Motion carried. 3 To be approved at 04-11-17 Barre City Council Meeting Council went into executive session at 8:10 PM to discuss personnel issues under the provisions of 1 VSA sec. 313 on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried. Council came out of executive session at 8:22 PM on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. No action was taken. The Council meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. An audio recording of this meeting is available from the City Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 4