City Council

To be approved at 10-10-17 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held October 3, 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, Councilor Lucas Herring. Also present were City Manager Steven Mackenzie and Clerk/Treasurer Carolyn Dawes. Absent: From Ward III, one seat vacant. Mayor Lauzon opened the meeting with a moment of silence for the tragic events in Las Vegas, Nevada, earlier this week. Mayor Lauzon said that due to a lack of items for next week’s agenda, the meeting is canceled. The Mayor said the meeting on October 31st is also canceled. 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 September 26, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2017-40:  Accounts Payable: $688,649.24  Payroll (gross): $123,445.39  2017 Licenses & Permits – o Parade Permit:  Barre Area Veterans, Veterans Day Parade, November 11th. The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  Board of Civil Authority property tax assessment appeal hearings continue on October 12th.  Ward 3 caucus warned for Thursday, October 19th at 7:00 PM at Alumni Hall. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. Applicant Address Joseph, Ruth and Rachel Hicks 83 Delmont Ave Liquor Control – NONE City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Staff has completed the annual maintenance inspections of the various sections of the bike path.  The Routes 14/302 paving project is nearing completion, and the City is building a punch list of final items that need to be done by the contractor.  Received pricing for salt, which is down 3.5% from last year.  Meeting with Councilor Higby and Josh Jerome of the Barre Partnership later this week to discuss holiday decorations. A report will come to the Council at its next meeting.  Police union negotiations will continue later this month. 1 To be approved at 10-10-17 Barre City Council Meeting  The City is flushing water lines through October 15th.  Yard & lawn waste disposal drop off at the Barre Town stump dump is ongoing through October 28th. Streetside pickup will be scheduled for early November.  The Manager will be attending the VLCT Town Fair later this week.  City Hall will be closed next Monday for Columbus Day. Visitors & Communications – NONE Old Business – A) Annual Meeting Funding Requests Application & Policy Approval. Clerk Dawes included a copy of the latest draft of the application and policy in the Council packets. The draft incorporated edits suggested at last week’s meeting. Council approved the application and policy on motion of Councilor Herring, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. New Business – A) Holiday Decorations Program Discussion (continued) and/or funding approval. This item is deferred to the next Council meeting. B) Approval of Errors and Omissions Adjustment – 12 Harrington Avenue. This item is deferred to the next Council meeting. Round Table – Councilors expressed their dismay and sadness over the tragic events in Las Vegas, and their support for the victims, their families, and the community. Councilor Batham said he will be attending the VLCT Town Fair. Councilor Herring said he attended last weekend’s stand down event at the auditorium. There was a great turnout of veterans and support services. Councilor Tuper-Giles reminded residents of the citizen feedback form on the City website. Councilor Higby said October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and encouraged awareness and action. One in eight women will develop breast cancer, and some of the ways to combat it are through a healthy diet, exercise, knowing your family history, self-examination, mammograms, and MRIs. She will be installing pink lightbulbs at Studio Place Arts to raise awareness. Council requested pink lightbulbs to install around City Hall. Councilor Higby said she will place the order. Mayor Lauzon said an executive session is needed for Council to discuss an extension of Manager Mackenzie’s contract. Executive Session – Councilor Tuper-Giles made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of the personnel issue to be discussed would clearly place the City of Barre at a substantial disadvantage should the discussion be public. The motion was seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. Council went into executive session at 7:25 PM to discuss personnel issues under the provisions of 1 VSA sec. 313 on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. Council came out of executive session at 8:15 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by 2 To be approved at 10-10-17 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. No action was taken. The Council meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. An audio recording of this meeting is available from the City Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 3