City Council

To be approved at 10-24-17 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held October 17, 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. Adjustments to the Agenda: Councilor Herring asked that renewal of the Manager’s contract be considered after an executive session. 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 October 3, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Ratification of Week 2017-41:  Accounts Payable: $296,915.38  Payroll (gross): $124,061.53 o Approval of Week 2017-42:  Accounts Payable: $482,417.09  Payroll (gross): $130,321.13  2017 Licenses & Permits – o Taxi Driver Licenses:  Amy Elizabeth Richardson, Central Vermont Green Cab  Alice May Seavey-Windsinger, Central Vermont Green Cab  Dennis Glenn Seavey-Windsinger, Central Vermont Green Cab o Parade Permit:  Spaulding High School Homecoming Parade, October 21st The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  Ward 3 caucus warned for Thursday, October 19th at 7:00 PM at Alumni Hall.  Second quarter property taxes are due by November 15th. Clerk Dawes distributed and reviewed her memo on the received proposals for converting the $500,000 flood mitigation projects line of credit to a long term note. She reviewed the interest rates offered for 10 year and 20 year notes, and said she had consulted with the Manager as to the preferred term of the loan. Her intention is to accept the 20 year note proposed by Union Bank. She thanked all the local financial institutions who submitted proposals. Approval of Building Permits – Council ratified the following building permits on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. The permits were approved last week by Councilor Herring, acting on behalf of the Council. Motion carried. Applicant Address Bernard & Gail Barclay 26 Railroad Street Logan Merrill 4 Hale Street Metro Development One LLC 21 Metro Way 1 To be approved at 10-24-17 Barre City Council Meeting Debra Gable & Williams Laprade 92 S. Main Street Richard Heitmann 21 Brooklyn Street Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Herring, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. Applicant Address Matano Salvatore, trustee for St. Monica Charitable Trust 79 Summer Street Nefertiti Land Trust 30 Willey Street Matt White 21 Hall Street Heather Macaskill 11 Bridgeman Street Liquor Control – Council approved BYOB alcohol consumption at the Old Labor Hall for a private party on Saturday, October 21st from 7:00 PM – midnight. It is anticipated that there will be approximately 40-50 people in attendance. Motion was made by Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Water system flushing has been completed.  Yard waste drop off at the Barre Town stump dump continues through October 28th. Curbside pickup will run the week of November 6th.  The ribbon cutting for the Gunner’s Brook flood mitigation projects is scheduled for October 27th at 11:00 AM. The ribbon cutting for the Smith Street bike path segment will be scheduled for the following week.  The Veteran’s Day parade will be held on Saturday, November 11th. The parade steps off from the auditorium at 10:30 AM with ceremonies at City Hall Park at 11:00 AM. Visitors & Communications – Webelos Scouts Evan and Logan Cross attended the Council meeting to earn their merit badges. They said they have learned fire building, tent building and knot tying during their time in the Scouts. Council welcomed them to the meeting. Kris Pavek spoke about the community garden program she coordinates at the Barre City Elementary and Middle School, and the Pathways to Accessibility project they are currently raising funds for. The project will create greater accessibility to portions of the gardens. Ms. Pavek is looking for opportunities to speak to local organizations about the project, and other ways to raise the necessary funds. The project will break ground in the spring. Old Business – A) Holiday Decoration Program Brief Update. Manager Mackenzie said he met with Councilor Higby and Barre Partnership executive director Josh Jerome. The consensus was there is not sufficient time to implement the program this year. The goal is to have it up and running in time for next year. New Business – A) CVPSA Presentation & update. CVPSA board chair Tom Golonka and executive director Paco Aumand introduced other CVPSA board members in attendance: Barre representative Michael Smith, Barre representative Martin Prevost, and at- large representatives Kim Cheney, Doug Hoyt, and Sam Dworkin. They noted Montpelier representative Dona Bate was not present. 2 To be approved at 10-24-17 Barre City Council Meeting Mr. Golonka said they are not asking for any vote tonight, but are reviewing the steps to a successful phased approach to regional dispatch services. There is no intention to ask for additional funding in the FY19 budget. What funds are budgeted for would be used for training of dispatch staff through both member communities. Mr. Aumand said the current plan being developed calls for Montpelier to turn over dispatch operations to CVPSA in FY19, with Barre City deferred until at least FY20. The executive director position would be abolished, and the board would run the Authority. Mr. Golonka said at last week’s presentation to the Montpelier City Council, the Council passed a resolution in support of CVPSA’s efforts, and requested that a more detailed plan be presented in four weeks. He said other items being considered are changes to the charter to accommodate possible additional member communities and capital needs. There was discussion on incorporating public safety expertise from each community, including dispatch staff, in the planning efforts; setting up workshops and trainings; reviewing funding levels; developing policies & procedures; including Capital West as a potential new member; needed equipment upgrades and digital integration; development of a capital budget; balance of community representation on the board; comparative call volumes; and potential legislative changes related to dispatching. CVPSA will return in a few weeks with more details on the plan that’s currently being developed. C) Approval of Errors and Omissions Adjustment – 12 Harrington Avenue. Mayor Lauzon said the E&O adjustment is required to correct an error that resulted in 12 Harrington Avenue being designated as tax exempt for the current year. The correction will put the property back on the tax rolls. The adjustment is recommended by City Assessor Joe LeVesque, the City Manager and the Clerk. Council approved the Errors & Omissions adjustment for 12 Harrington Avenue on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. B) Mayoral Proclamation Naming November 1st as Extra Mile Day. Clerk Dawes read the proclamation, and noted that this year’s Joint Service Clubs community service honorees are Marilyn Blake, Tim Boltin, Carol Dawes, Gary Hass & Deb Phillips, and Chris Pavek. The proclamation will be sent to the Extra Mile American organization, and the names of this year’s honorees and their bios will be submitted for the EMA website. Round Table – Councilor Higby said Studio Place Arts was recognized by the Times Argus and its readers as the Best of the Best Arts Exhibition Site in central Vermont. Councilor Tuper-Giles thanked the local bike shop for donating a bike to a person in need. He said it was a great example of the wonderful and supportive community we live in. Councilor Herring said members of the Spaulding High School OVX group were featured in the Spaulding High School newsletter for their efforts to place cigarette butt butlers throughout the downtown. He recommended people sign up to receive VT Alerts by registering at the website, and reminded people of Thursday’s ward 3 caucus. Councilor Boutin said he attended the Greater Barre Community Justice Center board meeting, where they were reviewing the draft MOU between GBCJC and the City. The draft MOU will come to the Council for consideration in the near future. Councilor Batham said he attended the VLCT annual Town Fair with Manager Mackenzie and other City 3 To be approved at 10-24-17 Barre City Council Meeting staff. He reminded people of Thursday’s ward 3 caucus, and said the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development is holding its first Innovation Spaces Conference at Castleton College on October 26th. The focus of the conference is maker spaces. Mayor Lauzon thanked Gusto’s and all those who participated in last weekend’s benefit for the Pelkey family. They are raising money to attend the winter Olympics, where their daughter is competing. Executive Session – Councilor Boutin 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 Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. Council went into executive session at 8:40 PM to discuss personnel issues under the provisions of 1 VSA sec. 313 on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. Council came out of executive session at 9:17 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. New Business, continued – D) Renew City Manager’s Contract. There was discussion on the Manager’s contract. Councilor Batham said he would be voting against, but this is no reflection on the Manager’s performance. Council approved the Manager’s Employment Agreement as presented, amended to extend the agreement to July 10, 2020, on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried with Councilor Batham voting against. The Council meeting adjourned at 9:19 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, 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