City Council

To be approved at 07-05-17 Barre City Council Meeting Special Meeting of the Barre City Council Held June 27, 2017 A Special Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order by Mayor Thomas Lauzon at 6:00 PM at Barre City Hall. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilor Sue Higby; from Ward II, Councilor Brandon Batham; and from Ward III, Councilors Anita Chadderton and Lucas Herring. Also present were City Manager Steven Mackenzie and City Clerk/Treasurer Carolyn Dawes. Absent: From Ward I, Councilor Jeffrey Tuper-Giles; and from Ward II, Councilor Michael Boutin. Public Hearing – Barre Area Development Presentation of Historic District Public Meeting. Mayor Lauzon opened the public meeting at 6:01 PM. Barre Area Development Corporation executive director Joel Schwartz introduced Vermont State Architectural Historian Devin Colman, who gave a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed update to the Barre City downtown district listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, which is administered by the National Parks Service. Mr. Colman reviewed the City’s several buildings and areas currently included on the National Register. He said placement is predicated on a building or site being at least 50 years old and significant. Being on the NR provides access to federal tax credits. The current project is to update the existing downtown historic district, and then possibly look to expand the district or create complimentary ones. The update will be presented at the next meeting of the Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Once approved there, it will be forwarded to the National Parks Service. Mayor Lauzon closed the public meeting at 6:51 PM. The Mayor recessed the Council meeting at 6:52 PM. An audio recording of this meeting is available from the City Clerk. Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held June 27, 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 Sue Higby; 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 1, Councilor Jeffrey Tuper-Giles. Adjustments to the Agenda: NONE Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Chadderton, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried with Councilor Higby abstaining.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Special meeting on June 12, 2017 o Special meeting on June 20, 2017 o Regular meeting on June 20, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2017-26:  Accounts Payable: $196,460.36  Payroll (gross): $152,187.41  2017 Licenses & Permits – NONE 1 To be approved at 07-05-17 Barre City Council Meeting The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  Water & sewer bill payments are due by June 30th.  Next week’s Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 5th, due to the July 4th holiday. Council will approve the municipal tax rate at that meeting. Mayor Lauzon said the Council will tour the municipal pool as part of next week’s meeting. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Chadderton, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. Applicant Address Venus Dean 166 Fairview Street Seventy-Four South Main Ltd. Co 31 Brook Street Seventy-Four South Main Ltd. Co 160 S. Main Street Liquor Control – Council approved a request for BYOB alcohol at Rotary Park on July 14th from 4:30 – 7 PM for a CVMC Rehab picnic on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Successful bid opening for the Smith Street segment of the bike path. Work to begin shortly.  No problems along Gunner’s Brook following recent severe storms. The trash racks appear to be working as intended.  VT Youth Conservation Corps crews began working in the cow pasture last week. They will be working on a variety of projects around the City for a total of eight weeks.  The municipal pool opened yesterday for the season. Visitors & Communications – NONE Old Business – NONE New Business – A) Introduction of New Director of Public Works. Manager Mackenzie introduced Bill Ahearn. Mr. Ahearn said he is a Barre Town resident, and is a civil engineer with 37 years in the field, most of it with the Agency of Natural Resources and VTRANS. He has worked in bridge design, wastewater collection design, solid waste management, hazardous materials, materials testing and research. His first work day will be Wednesday, July 5th, and he plans on focusing on facilities, and planning for new technologies. Councilors welcomed Mr. Ahearn, and said they look forward to working with him. B) Request for Semprebon Annuity Funding Match to BGS Grant Application (Mathewson Playground Improvements). Friends of Mathewson Playground committee members John Santorello, Ellen Sivret and Derrick Blodgett distributed a flyer outlining their plans to replace the aging play unit and the safety matting at the playground. The budget for the project is $62,897. They have raised $16,616 in grants and donations, and are applying for a $20,000 Buildings and General Services grant, and are requesting up to $26,281 from the Semprebon Annuity Fund, which is the balance of funds needed to complete the project. Council approved allocating up to $26,281 from the Semprebon Annuity Fund to the Friends of Mathewson Playground on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. 2 To be approved at 07-05-17 Barre City Council Meeting C) Cemetery Committee Columbarium Proposal. Cemetery Committee member Giuliano Cecchinelli showed the Council a proposed design for a columbarium area to hold cremains. Mr. Cecchinelli said the area would accommodate 708 vaults. He reviewed the proposed design with the Barre Granite Association, and received their approval. The Committee will research next steps, including engineering and possible landscape design services. Mr. Cecchinelli will come back to the Council with a proposal and a request for funding after finishing his research. Council expressed enthusiasm for the design and the project. D) Approval of Intent to Participate in a Municipal Roads Grants-in-Aid Program for Funding Assistance in the Municipal Road General Permit Compliance. Planning Director Janet Shatney said the City has an opportunity to participate in a short term grant program in the amount of $14,100 to fix some erosion problems. The local match will be provided by in- kind services and administration. Council approved participating in the grant and authorized the Manager to sign on behalf of the City on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried. E) Ratification of FY 18 Fuel Oil Contract. Manager Mackenzie reviewed the contract, and noted the fuel oil price is $1.7435 per gallon, which is 12% lower than the expiring contract. Council approved the contract at the above listed price on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried. F) Authorization of FY 18 Propane Contract. Manager Mackenzie reviewed the contract, and noted the propane price is $1.114 per gallon, which is 8 cents lower than the expiring contract. Council approved the contract at the above listed price on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Chadderton. Motion carried. G) Discussion/Setting of Council Priorities for FY 18. Mayor Lauzon said he has received the priorities list from all Councilors, and will compile the results and email them out next week. Council will discuss at a 6 PM work session before the regularly scheduled meeting on July 11th. They will also discuss the Manager’s response to the review memo at that time. Due to conflict of interest, Mayor Lauzon did not chair or participate in the following discussion. Acting Mayor Herring chaired the discussion. H) Ratification of Dissemination of Project Information related to Park Center. Acting Mayor Herring said last week’s Council approval to disseminate information related to Park Center had not been properly warned on the agenda, and therefore the action needs to be ratified. Councilor Batham made the motion to ratify the motion approved at last week’s meeting: to authorize Manager Mackenzie, in consultation with attorney Bernie Lambek, to release such documents as are determined to be public based on Council’s discussions during the June 13th and June 20th executive sessions. The motion to ratify was seconded by Councilor Higby. Councilor Boutin said he wishes to renew his comment that the documents are subject to any Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, and so there is no need for such authorization. Councilor Batham said the last two weeks have been challenging, and the Council is all on the same team and all here for the right reasons. Councilor Higby said disagreement can be productive. She said disagreement should be respectful and not personal. Councilor Herring said he is concerned some materials reviewed in executive session were prematurely released without Council consent. Councilor Boutin called the question. Council voted on the motion as presented. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin voting against and Mayor Lauzon abstaining. 3 To be approved at 07-05-17 Barre City Council Meeting Round Table – Councilor Batham said the next Concerts with Councilors date is July 12th. He said the Aldrich Library recently conducted some focus groups, and he will get their data to share. He announced he is establishing a Go Fund Me account to benefit the Chaddertons after the loss of their house to fire in April. Councilor Chadderton said a group of people is helping salvage the contents of their house on July 8th, and those interested in helping should contact her for more information. Councilor Boutin said there should be a discussion about asking people to leave the building during executive sessions to they aren’t listening outside the Council chambers doors. Councilor Herring reminded everyone of the Wednesday evening Concerts in Currier Park, and wished everyone a happy Independence Day. Councilor Higby encouraged everyone to come out to hear this week’s Author at the Aldrich, Dana Walrath, Wednesday evening before the Currier Park concert. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 8:29 PM on motion of Councilor Boutin, 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 4