City Council

To be approved at 05-08-17 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held May 2, 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; and from Ward III, Councilors Anita Chadderton and Lucas Herring. Also present was Clerk/Treasurer Carolyn Dawes. Absent: City Manager Steven Mackenzie. Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Lauzon said Manager Mackenzie is not present, so there will be no manager’s report. The Mayor also said the Barre Partnership update has been deferred. Other agenda items may be rearranged to accommodate those in attendance and warned first reading times. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Regular meeting on April 25, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2017-18:  Accounts Payable: $187,723.64  Payroll (gross): $123,340.81  2017 Licenses & Permits – o Food Establishment License:  Snack Shack, 515 N. Main Street (seasonal) o Food Vending License:  Hot Diggity Dogs, hot dog cart with multiple vending locations  Ice Cream Man, ice cream truck  Heney Realtors, free beverages and popsicles at Currier Park concerts The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  Fourth quarter property taxes are due by May 15th.  BCEMS/SHS budget re-votes are May 9th. Early absentee ballots available in the clerk’s office.  Charter changes approved by the voters on Town Meeting Day have been approved by the House and are now being considered by the Senate. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Chadderton, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. Applicant Address John & Mary Hannigan 32 Upland Avenue Carol Cowan 62 Country Way Barre Housing Authority 14 Washington Street Spaulding Union High School 155 Ayers Street John Lague 23 W. Second Street Liquor Control – NONE City Manager’s Report – NONE 1 To be approved at 05-08-17 Barre City Council Meeting Visitors & Communications – NONE Old Business – NONE A) Barre Partnership Update. This item is deferred. B) CVRPC FY 18 Annual Appointment. Council approved Planning Director Janet Shatney as the Barre City representative to the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission board, and Zoning Administrator Heather Grandfield as the alternate on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. Round Table – Councilor Batham announced the following:  Aldrich Library Spring Fling fundraiser this Saturday, May 6th.  Encouraged Barre Town voters to support the Aldrich Library funding article V on next week’s Town Meeting ballot.  The Cow Pasture Committee is hosting a bird count and green up activities on Saturday, May 6th. Councilor Chadderton thanked the Mayor and his wife, and the Barre City Fire Department for their help last week during and after her house fire. She said the department personnel really cared about both the property and people involved. Councilor Herring said the spring yard waste drop off and pick up schedule is posted on the City website and Facebook page. He also said the Fire Department is hosting a Coffee with a Firefighter event at Espresso Bueno on Saturday, May 13th from 9:00 – 11:00 AM. Councilor Tuper-Giles said parade applications for this year’s Heritage Festival are available. He asked the Council to serve as this year’s judges. Councilor Higby thanked National Life Group for its ongoing support and sponsorship of area organizations, and recent donation of the lobby mural to the Vermont Historical Society. She reminded people to support their local organizations through participation in spring fundraisers or through financial contributions. Mayor Lauzon announced the following:  The May 23rd Council meeting is canceled.  Granite City Garden Club is calling for help preparing beds for planting. The Mayor said he will contact them about setting up a work time for councilors.  Thanked Police Officers Bullard and Pickel for their work on the traffic stop last week of a gentleman in violation of conditions of release. The traffic stop led to drug-related charges. New Business – continued C) Warning for 7:15 PM – First Reading Ordinance #2017-02: Foreclosed and Abandoned Property. Mayor Lauzon opened the first reading at 7:22 PM. Planning Director Janet Shatney reviewed the draft ordinance, and recommended incorporating it into the current chapter on vacant properties. There was discussion on the resources necessary to carry out inspections and enforcement, creating the authority to inspect and secure abandoned properties, licensing property management companies, and creation of a registration program. 2 To be approved at 05-08-17 Barre City Council Meeting The Ordinance Committee will work with Ms. Shatney and inspector Capt. Matt Cetin on revising the draft language, and will bring it back to the Council for continued review in 30 days. Mayor Lauzon closed the first reading at 8:12 PM. D) Warning for 7:30 PM – First Reading Ordinance #2017-03: No Smoking. Mayor Lauzon opened the first reading at 8:12 PM. Councilor Herring reviewed the draft language. Councilor Higby said she will not be supporting the ordinance, as new law is not necessary. She talked about enforcement of current littering and no smoking laws, courtesy signage to encourage people to stop smoking, other sources of air pollution, and creating a welcoming community. Councilor Boutin said he also will not be supporting the ordinance. Councilor Chadderton said she is concerned about protecting older people on oxygen and children with asthma. Councilor Batham said he was originally skeptical and continues to be concerned about pushing people out of the downtown. He said he would support pushing the enactment date out to July 1, 2018 to allow time to address questions of enforcement. Councilor Herring made the motion to approve the first reading and schedule a second reading and public hearing. The motion was seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Councilor Batham made the motion to amend the draft ordinance to set the enactment date as July 1, 2018. The motion for the amendment was seconded by Councilor Higby. Council voted on the amendment. Motion carried with Councilors Batham, Boutin, Chadderton and Higby voting for, and Mayor Lauzon and Councilors Herring and Tuper-Giles voting against. Council voted on the motion to schedule a second reading and public hearing. Motion carried with Mayor Lauzon and Councilors Batham, Chadderton, Herring and Tuper-Giles voting for, and Councilors Boutin and Higby voting against. Mayor Lauzon closed the first reading at 8:40 PM. Councilor Herring said the Spaulding High School OVX group has secured funding to purchase 10 cigarette butt containers. They will be attending a future meeting to update the Council. Executive Session - NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 8:42 PM on motion of Councilor Batham, 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