City Council

To be approved at 05-16-17 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held May 9, 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 were City Manager Steven Mackenzie and Clerk/Treasurer Carolyn Dawes. Absent: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Lauzon said the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps 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 Regular meeting on May 2, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2017-19:  Accounts Payable: $174,044.48  Payroll (gross): $108,042.23 o Community Development warrant; scattered site grant funds payable to Downstreet Housing and Community Development: $72,565.00  2017 Licenses & Permits – NONE The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  BCEMS/SHS budget re-votes are tomorrow.  Fourth quarter property taxes are due by May 15th.  Charter changes approved by Vermont Legislature. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Chadderton, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. Applicant Address Enough Ministries 84 Summer Street Jon & Paula Winter 3 Dix Place Nelson LaFrance & Cheryl Schubach 109 Washington Street Liquor Control – NONE City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Met with structural engineer re. city hall roof and energy efficiency upgrades, and the municipal pool. Receiving report by Friday on the implications for opening the pool this summer.  Attended Barre Area Development Corp. monthly meeting where there was discussion on establishing goals for creating an economic development plan.  Signed the net metering agreement with Novis for the solar installation on Beckley Hill. Construction set to begin in June, with completion by October.  Gunner’s Brook flood mitigation project work continues; working on pre-demolition process.  Yard waste drop off at Barre Town stump dump began last week. Schedule is on the city website. 1 To be approved at 05-16-17 Barre City Council Meeting There was discussion on the municipal pool; costs to maintain in its current condition, costs for long term repair, replacement or some other form of water recreation. There was discussion on when the state would begin its paving work this summer, and on dirt build-up on streets that can’t be picked up by the street sweeper. Manager Mackenzie reminded everyone to report blocked or plugged storm drains to the Manager’s office. Old Business – This item is deferred. A) Final Public Hearing – 7:15 PM – Close Out VCDP Scattered Site Grant SS-2012 – Barre City- 00005. Mayor Lauzon opened the public hearing at 7:18 PM. The Mayor said this public hearing is being repeated from a few weeks ago due to an error in warning the hearing. He asked for any comments or questions. Hearing none, the Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:19 PM. Council approved closing the grant on motion of Councilor Herring, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried. Visitors & Communications – NONE Barre Partnership executive director Josh Jerome gave an update on current and upcoming activities:  Thanked businesses for sponsoring and hosting the downtown Wifi.  Farmer’s Market will be held in Currier Park in conjunction with the concerts in the park. A grant has been received to provide EBT debit equipment and cover the fees for three years.  Summer concert series has been expanded this year with three additional dates.  Working with Mathewson Playground Committee, providing fundraising and financial support.  Working with BADC on business enhancement program that offers grants to local businesses for window display and façade improvements.  Hosting mix & pitch events, and a road pitch event will return again this summer.  Continuing the work with Barre Energy Committee on projects begun through the Barre Saves Energy project run by Efficiency Vermont.  Holding a BBQ and maker fair this weekend.  Heritage Festival is in the planning stages; the heritage stage events will be held in the Opera House this year.  Planning on holding the 5K race again in November.  Working with a Spaulding High School Career Center students on upgrades to the website.  Working with BADC on the economic development strategy. New Business - continued B) Second Reading and Public Hearing 7:30 PM: Ordinance #2017-03: No Smoking Areas. Mayor Lauzon opened the public hearing at 8:02 PM. Councilor Herring reviewed the draft language as amended and approved during last week’s first reading. Jada MacDonald from Spaulding High School OVX and Virginia Hurley from Central Vermont New Directions Coalition displayed one of the butt containers they have purchased. The containers will be installed at the bus stops. Councilor Higby said she questions if the proposed ordinance changes will make the downtown and community better and be the best use of precious resources. She said the language criminalizes addictive behavior, and her concern is air quality within the proposed buffer zone. 2 To be approved at 05-16-17 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Higby made the motion to ban mobile food vendors using gasoline and diesel fuel generators within tot play areas and the proposed 25’ buffer zone. The motion died from lack of a second. Councilor Batham said it is important to work out the enforcement issues, and to test the ordinance and the City’s readiness. He made the motion to amend the enactment date to January 1, 2018, and to give the Council immediate authority to establish smoking areas and buffer zones for the 2017 Heritage Festival. The motion was seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Councilor Batham said he spoke with Mr. Jerome from the Barre Partnership and is expecting him to report on proposed smoking locations, signage and containers at the May 30th Council meeting. Council voted on Councilor Batham’s motion. Motion carried with Councilors Boutin and Higby voting against. C) Council Approval of 2016 Grand List No Appeal or Suit Pending Certificate. Council approved the certificate and authorized the Mayor to sign on motion of Councilor Herring, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. D) Authorization to Award HMGP Storm Sewer Project Design Consultant RFP. Manager Mackenzie reviewed the selection committee scoring sheet, and said the committee recommended awarding the contract to Dubois & King. The Manager said he recused himself from the selection process because of his past and ongoing relationship with D&K. There was discussion on the bid prices and scoring process. Council authorized the Manager to award the contract to Dubois & King as recommended by the selection committee on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin voting against. E) Approval of Memorial Day Parade Request from Barre Area Veterans’ Council. Council approved the parade request, including use of the auditorium in case of inclement weather, on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. Round Table – Councilor Batham announced the following:  This is teacher appreciation week.  Encouraged voters to participate in tomorrow’s school budget re-votes, and to support the library on the Barre Town ballot.  Firefighters are offering Coffee with a Firefighter at Espresso Bueno this Saturday.  Speaking with Chief Bombardier and the Manager about speeding complaints in the Currier Park area. Manager Mackenzie said he is working with the Chief to develop more effective speed control. Councilor Chadderton asked if the Police Department bike patrol “bees” will be returning this summer. The Manager said yes, they will be on the streets again this summer. Councilor Boutin said he has been communicating with Greater Barre Community Justice Center executive director Jeannie McLeod, and is excited to be serving on the board again. Councilor Herring announced the following:  Spent Green Up Day working with a group of Boy Scouts in Northfield. 3 To be approved at 05-16-17 Barre City Council Meeting  Reminded people of the BBQ and maker’s fair this Saturday.  Wished all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day. Councilor Tuper-Giles encouraged people to participate in tomorrow’s school budget re-votes. Councilor Higby said the library provides a broad range of services to the community, and encouraged Barre Town voters to support. She announced this Saturday’s BASH benefit at Studio Place Arts. Mayor Lauzon offered sympathies and condolences to the friends and family of Tom Curley, who passed away last week. Executive Session - NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 9:02 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