City Council

To be approved at 05-30-17 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held May 16, 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: NONE 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 Regular meeting on May 8, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2017-20:  Accounts Payable: $299,877.71  Payroll (gross): $121,296.41  2017 Licenses & Permits – NONE The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  BCEMS/SHS budget revote election results are posted on website.  Fourth quarter property taxes were due yesterday. Additional timely payments should be received via mail over the next few days.  Lions Club holding a Walk for Sight on Saturday, May 20th from 10 AM – noon. Starting at Tatro’s Aces on S. Main Street. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Chadderton, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. Applicant Address Lyman Amsden 50 Brook Street Liquor Control – NONE City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  There is a kick-off meeting Thursday for this summer’s Routes 302 & 14 paving program. The work will begin the day after Memorial Day.  This is the last week for yard waste drop off at the Barre Town stump dump. City-wide pick up with be held the week of May 29th. Visitors & Communications – NONE City resident Jean Merrill asked if the paving work being done this summer will fix the depression at the intersection of E. Parkside Terrace and S. Main Street. Manager Mackenzie said the intention is to have the storm water catch basins lowered and the edges beveled to allow for better water flow. Ms. Merrill asked if a dedicated left turn arrow and left turn lane stop bar set back at the same intersection could be incorporated into the paving project. The Manager said he will follow up with VTRANS. Mayor Lauzon said due to the early time, the agenda will be re-arranged so the first reading for Ordinance #2017-03 is held at its warned time. 1 To be approved at 05-30-17 Barre City Council Meeting New Business – A) Committee Appointments: i. Conor Teal to the Barre City Energy Committee. ii. Dan Souza to the Bike Path Committee. Conor Teal expressed his interest in serving on the Energy Committee. Council approved his appointment on motion of Councilor Herring, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. Dan Souza expressed his interest in serving on the Bike Path Committee. Council approved his appointment on motion of Councilor Chadderton, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. Old Business – A) Warning for 7:30 PM – First Reading Ordinance #2017-03: No Smoking. Mayor Lauzon opened the new first reading at 7:28 PM. Councilor Herring reviewed the latest draft language. Hearing no additional questions or comments, the Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:36 PM. Council approved moving the ordinance to a second reading and public hearing at the June 6, 2017 meeting on motion of Councilor Herring, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried with Councilors Boutin and Higby voting against. New Business – continued B) Update on Municipal Pool Filter Room Status and Summer Opening. Manager Mackenzie reviewed the report from the structural engineer, which said with some repairs the pool would be safe to open for the current season. The report recommended ongoing inspections through the season. The scheduled opening date is June 19, 2017. The Manager reviewed the list of maintenance required to both the pool and the pool house to open the pool this year. Director of Buildings and Community Services Jeff Bergeron said there has been extensive vandalism over the past few months, including damage to the interior and exterior walls of the pool house, broken lighting, and permanent damage to the granite bike rack. There was discussion on installing perimeter lighting and security cameras. Councilor Tuper-Giles made the motion to install adequate perimeter lighting and cameras, seconded by Councilor Herring. Councilor Higby made the motion to table the discussion until more information could be made available, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion failed to pass with Mayor Lauzon and Councilors Chadderton, Boutin, Herring and Tuper-Giles voting against. There was discussion on the costs of installing lighting and cameras, the Manager’s authority to make such purchases up to $5,000, and technical options for security systems. Councilor Boutin called the question. Councilors voted on Councilor Tuper-Giles’ motion. Motion carried with Councilors Batham and Higby voting against. Mr. Bergeron reviewed the list of repairs necessary to get the pool ready to open this season. Bruce Rancourt from Capital Concrete LLC said it would cost $100,000 for his company to sandblast, repoint and seal the pool and surrounding apron, and his rubberized sealant would last ten years. Mr. Rancourt said he could phase the work, and just do the deep end of the pool this year. There was discussion on the minimum work necessary to get the pool open for the year, long-term plans for the pool, seeking funding support from Barre Town, repairs recommended by the City’s insurance carrier, and additional costs associated with monitoring as advised by the engineer’s report. 2 To be approved at 05-30-17 Barre City Council Meeting Recreation Director Stephanie Quaranta said she is exploring other options should the pool not open. There was discussion on transportation, staffing, oversight, and transferring the reading and meals programs to other locations. There was also discussion on offering other summer recreation programs in lieu of opening the pool. Ms. Quaranta said she is prepared to go in either direction, based on the Council’s decision. Councilor Boutin said he would like to see splash pads installed to replace the pool. There was discussion on both the short term and long term solutions, and the costs associated with repairs necessary to open the pool this season. Mr. Bergeron said he estimates the cost at $40,000. Mayor Lauzon said the budget includes $5,000 for maintenance, so the unanticipated expense is $35,000. Councilor Tuper-Giles made the motion to authorize $35,000 for repairs to get the pool operational for this season. The motion was seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Councilor Boutin requested an amendment to say the funds would be used to repair the pool or be used towards the purchase and installation of splash pads, if the opening date would be no later than a week past the currently scheduled opening date of June 19th. Councilors Tuper-Giles and Chadderton agreed to withdraw their original motion and make a new motion as requested by Councilor Boutin. Council voted on the motion. Motion carried with Councilors Batham, Herring and Higby voting against. Round Table – Councilor Batham announced the following:  Thanked the Barre City voters for approving the school budgets, and the Barre Town voters for supporting the Aldrich Library.  Thanked the firefighters for their Coffee with a Firefighter event this past weekend.  Thanked DPW for their outreach while working on Averill Street.  Attended Studio Place Arts’ BASH fundraiser, which was a great event. Councilor Herring said Barre Partnership’s BBQ and Maker Fair last weekend was a great event with good turnout. He also thanked the firefighters for the Coffee with a Firefighter event. Councilor Tuper-Giles participated in last weekend’s Corporate Cup race, and encouraged people to participate in the future. He said many local churches hold community breakfasts throughout the week, and he encouraged people to volunteer or make donations. Councilor Higby thanked those who attended Saturday’s BASH fundraiser, and said Open Studios Weekend is during Memorial Day weekend. Mayor Lauzon said Council will be taking up the discussion on the future of the pool. The discussion will also include exploring the ideas of a teen center and other athletic facilities. Executive Session - NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 9:18 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 3