City Council

To be approved at 12-06-17 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held November 28, 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 Lucas Herring and John LePage. Also present were City Manager Steven Mackenzie and Clerk/Treasurer Carolyn Dawes. Absent: From Ward 1, Councilor Sue Higby. Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Lauzon said two agenda items have been deferred for two weeks. 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 November 21, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2017-48:  Accounts Payable: $1,637,975.76  Payroll (gross): $139,796.28  2017 Licenses & Permits – NONE The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  Water & sewer bills are going in the mail this week. Payment is due by the end of December. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Herring, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. Applicant Address Chad Perkins 789 N Main Street Liquor Control – Mayor Lauzon said Walgreen’s has purchased Rite-Aid, and has submitted an application for a new 2nd class liquor license. A representative for Walgreen’s had planning on attending this evening’s meeting, but was unable to get here from Manchester, VT. She has arranged to attend by phone at the December 12th meeting. The Mayor said while this is technically a new license, it only reflects a change of ownership. There are no other operational changes. Council approved the new 2nd class liquor license on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  There has been some confusion around the holiday parking. The Manager reminded everyone that Council approved 2 hour free parking at the black and yellow topped meters only. Those meters that are part of the free parking program have been bagged for the season.  Continued work on the FY19 budget, police contract negotiations, and lighting on Summer Street.  Auditors expect to have a draft FY17 audit available by mid-December.  Suggestions are needed for dedication and photos for the FY17 annual report. Visitors and Communications – NONE Old Business – NONE 1 To be approved at 12-06-17 Barre City Council Meeting New Business – A) Resolution 2017-14: Public Hearing 7:15 PM and Adoption of the Updated 2017 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Planning Director Janet Shatney said the state and FEMA have approved the updated draft, and the next step is for Council to approve it. It was recommended that additional language be included to clarify that ice jam impacts had been observed in the past around the railroad trestle crossing the Stevens Branch in the North End. Ms. Shatney said the proposed additional language more accurately reflects reality, but may cause FEMA and the state to require a new review and approval of the plan. Mayor Lauzon opened the public hearing at 7:16 PM and invited comments and questions from those in attendance. Hearing none, the Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:17 PM. Council approved the resolution and adopted the updated local hazard mitigation plan, to include grammatical corrections and the recommended additional trestle language to be drafted by staff, on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Herring. Motion carried. Mayor Lauzon asked Ms. Shatney about a pair of memos between the Cow Pasture Committee and the Planning Commission regarding re-zoning the cow pasture as conservation. Ms. Shatney said the recommendation is being included in the draft zoning ordinance revisions. B) Informational Presentation on Safe Families for Children. This item is deferred to December 12th. C) Greater Barre Community Justice Center Program Description and M.O.U. Approval. This item is deferred to December 12th. D) Public Input Meeting #3 Regarding Municipal Pool Refurbishment or Replacement Planning. Mayor Lauzon said he would like to narrow the options for the pool, as he has heard no support for permanently closing the facility. Council informally concurred. Resident Jen Renko said she sees a need for a longer term solution, and would like a year-round facility or a YMCA. Councilors Boutin and Herring said they had contacted the Burlington YMCA and the national organization, and there was no interest in setting up a facility in Barre. There was discussion on the creation of a non-profit or for-profit organization to take on building and operating a recreation facility, location for such a facility, feasibility or market studies, and affordability of such a facility. Barre City legislative representative Tommy Walz said it would be ideal to find an organization willing to take on this project. There was discussion on adding a pool facility to the Civic Center complex, funding options, regional appeal and participation, working jointly with the schools. Resident William Toborg said he doesn’t see a need for a year-round facility at the moment. Mr. Toborg said the City should focus on increasing usage through additional advertising, installing Wifi, heating the pool, and partnering with local merchants on pool promotions. There was discussion on a longer season and expanded hours, and the expected 20 year life of refurbishment. Councilor Batham said he could not support the bonding for an indoor facility; that refurbishment is a better option. Councilor Tuper-Giles said he would like to see a question on the March Annual Town Meeting ballot, and it’s worth pursuing private investors and non-profits to see if there is interest in creating a year-round facility. There was discussion on local options taxes as a funding source, and operating costs. 2 To be approved at 12-06-17 Barre City Council Meeting Barre Town resident and Barre City property owner Samantha Davis-Hiscock said the current location is good, and that refurbishment is a huge expense for a 10 week season. She said current usage of the outdoor facility is dependent upon weather conditions. There was discussion on seeking support from neighboring communities, prioritizing other capital needs, and gauging public interest. Councilor Herring reminded anybody interested in serving on a citizen review committee on the municipal pool’s future should contact the Manager’ office. Another public input session will be held at next week’s Council meeting. Mayor Lauzon will reach out to neighboring communities to gauge interest in being involved. He will also reach out to the administration to see what might be available for state-funded support. Other) Mayor Lauzon said in response to Councilor Batham’s commentary in the Times Argus, he agrees that civility is lacking at Council meetings. He said he will insist on respectful behavior from all. The Mayor said Councilors have free access to place items on the meeting agendas. Councilor Batham said he and Councilor Herring are working on Council policies and an on-boarding process. Round Table – Councilor Tuper-Giles thanked those who participated in and attended the holiday parade. Councilor Herring reported on the following:  Will be away for the December 12th meeting.  CV ISP will be presented at the December 5th meeting.  Breakfast with Santa will be held on December 16th.  Christmas community dinner on Christmas Day.  Announced he is running for Mayor. Councilor LePage said there is a significant property tax increase coming from the state, and schools are expected to be level funded. He said communities need to be more supportive of their schools. Councilor Batham said there is a holiday bazaar at the Church of the Good Shepherd on December 2nd. Mayor Lauzon said Council will hold its dollar drop on December 9th to support Christmas for Kids. All Councilors and Mayor spoke of Manager Mackenzie’s dedication to his job. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 8:59 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