City Council

To be approved at 09-05-17 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held August 29, 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 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: From Ward I, Councilor Sue Higby. 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.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Regular meeting on August 22, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2017-35:  Accounts Payable: $1,629,743.99  Payroll (gross): $118,431.68  2017 Licenses & Permits – o Taxi Driver License:  Nicholas Diedrich, Central Vermont Green Cab The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  Water/sewer bills go in the mail this Friday and are due by October 2nd.  City Hall will be closed Monday, September 4th for the Labor Day holiday.  There are 4 properties scheduled for tax sale on September 7th.  Working on modifying the funding request application and policy. Proposed revisions will come to the Council for review and discussion at the next meeting. Mayor Lauzon said he received Councilor Chadderton’s resignation today, as she is moving to Maine to be closer to family. The Mayor said at its next meeting, Council will warn a ward caucus for mid-October. Clerk Dawes said her recommended dates are October 18th or 19th. Mayor Lauzon said the September 5th Council meeting will be canceled due to the Labor Day holidays. The next Council meeting will be September 12th. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Chadderton, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. Applicant Address Little River Wood Products LLC 11 Averill Street Roslyn Haldane 69 Brook Street Liquor Control – NONE City Manager’s Report – NONE Visitors & Communications – NONE 1 To be approved at 09-05-17 Barre City Council Meeting Old Business – A) Boy Scout Community Wide Yard Sale & Sidewalk Sale – Ratification of Approval to Use City Sidewalks. Mayor Lauzon reviewed his email communications from last week, about use City sidewalks for the upcoming event. The Mayor said he polled the Council, and received four affirmative responses regarding use of the sidewalks. He requested Council ratify that approval. Council ratified the email approvals from last week on motion of Councilor Chadderton, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. New Business – A) Barry Partnership Update. Barre Partnership executive director Josh Jerome updated the Council on the following:  This year’s Heritage Festival had an estimated attendance of 16,000 – 18,000. No smoking efforts were successful, and the New Directions Coalition engaged more than 100 people over the course of the weekend. Mr. Jerome thanked all the sponsors, venues and volunteers who helped make the weekend a success. There was discussion on offering more heritage-related food vending options in the future.  Summer Concert Series finished up a couple weeks ago.  The Farmer’s Market continues through October 4th. They are holding special events including a salsa making contest, and free Jazzercise.  The Mix & Pitch series ran through the summer, and one of the participants won the local Road Pitch event and will be going on to the statewide event.  The annual Run/Walk for Veterans is scheduled for November 11th. The run/walk event will happen before the traditional annual parade.  Annual membership meeting set for October 5th.  Working with the Vermont History Center on a future event.  Beginning to work on banner sales for the upcoming seasons. Councilor Herring said his term on the board will be ending at the October 5th annual meeting. He said Mr. Jerome is doing a great job leading the organization. B) Barre Area Development Corporation Update. BADC executive director Joel Schwartz offered updates on the following:  Have received five proposals for development of a marketing plan. Will be interviewing four of the applicants, and the selected company will develop a marketing strategy and brand for Barre.  Reviewing the Planning Commissions proposed zoning revisions and offering feedback. Will be reviewing draft language with the BADC board.  Aubuchon’s says there has been some interest expressed in their North Main Street property.  Joined with Central Vermont Economic Development Corp. and other local agencies to contract for matching services; matching potential leads with available spaces in the area.  Activity at the industrial park includes expansion of the creamery, relocation of Vacutherm manufacturing to the former Northern Power building, Tenco relocation to the campus, and a new tenant in the former Schwann’s space.  Will be conducting road trips to other Vermont communities to visit their downtowns with an eye towards developing ideas for retail and other business development.  Wrapping up the Granite City Grocery grant. Mayor Lauzon asked about development of the 5 year economic development plan. Mr. Schwartz said he has developed an outline and is gathering data. C) Municipal Pool Leak Investigation Report/Update. Manager Mackenzie said repairs to the pool filter system were made earlier this week, and Department of Public Works director Bill Ahearn would like a week or so to monitor the situation and determine if the repairs solved some or all of the leakage problems. He will report to Council at its next meeting. 2 To be approved at 09-05-17 Barre City Council Meeting D) Appointment of City Manager Steve Mackenzie as VLCT Annual Mtg Delegate. Council appointed the Manager as VLCT delegate on motion of Councilor Chadderton, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. E) Approval of Asset Management Grant. Mayor Lauzon reminded Council that DPW director Ahearn had reviewed the proposed grant application at a previous meeting. The Mayor recommended Council authorize submittal of the grant application. Council approved the Mayor’s recommendation on motion of Councilor Chadderton, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. F) Acceptance of Claim Settlement – Houle Brothers Granite Co., Inc. and Acadia Insurance Company. Mayor Lauzon said this item would be deferred until the September 12th Council meeting. Other) Mayor Lauzon and Councilors expressed their appreciation of Councilor Chadderton’s years of service to the people of Barre City, as a long time school board member and Councilor. Her dedication to children was especially noted. Councilor Chadderton said she hopes the City builds a youth center with an indoor pool, which would create an opportunity for people to come together in community. All those present offered a standing ovation in honor of Councilor Chadderton’s years of service to the Barre community. Round Table – Councilor Chadderton reminded drivers to watch out for children and be especially careful during these first days of school. Councilor Batham said he participated in a data walk on public education, offering a snapshot on education problems post-Act 46. He said he and Councilor Herring are developing a list of the City policies that should be reviewed for possible amendment. He wished Councilor Higby a happy birthday, which is August 31st. Councilor Herring said the Vermont Center for Crime Services will be holding an event at the Aldrich Library on September 27th focused on victim service needs. He said he contacted the contractor about white paint that has been applied to the sidewalks during the Routes 14/302 construction this season. He was told the paint is temporary and will wear off. He announced he will not be here for the September 19th meeting. Councilor Tuper-Giles said he did a ride-along with the Police Department on Friday evening, and sat in with dispatch. He said the City officers do a great job, and he appreciates what they do. Mayor Lauzon thanked the Routes 14/302 contractor for making adjustments to manhole covers to mitigate the impact they have when driving over them. They will be leveled out when the final course of pavement is put down later this year. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM on motion of Councilor Chadderton, 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