City Council

To be approved at 12-19-17 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held December 12, 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 John LePage. Also present were City Manager Steven Mackenzie and Clerk/Treasurer Carolyn Dawes. Absent: From Ward III, Councilor Lucas Herring. Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Lauzon said the item listed under Liquor Control has already been addressed at a previous Council meeting. 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 December 5, 2017  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2017-50:  Accounts Payable: $155,141.44  Payroll (gross): $149,071.50  2018 Licenses & Permits – o Animal Licenses:  Kerri Fredette, 8 Downes Ave., 9 poultry  John Santorello, 176 Elm St., 3 pounds of bees o Food Establishment Licenses:  Community Kitchen Academy, Capstone Community Action, 20 Gable Place  Two Loco Guys, 136 N. Main St.  Cornerstone Pub & Kitchen, 47 N. Main St.  Asian Gourmet, 276 N. Main St.  Bamboo Gardens, 115 S. Main St.  Barre Elks Club, 10 Jefferson St.  Chinatown Restaurant, 302 N. Main St.  Domino’s Pizza, 322 N. Main St.  Dunkin Donuts, 350 N. Main St.  Hollow Inn & Motel, 278 S. Main St.  Ladder 1 Grill, 8 S. Main St.  Mister Z’s Inc., 379 N. Main St.  Snack Shack, 515 N. Main St. o Food Takeout Licenses:  Beverage Baron, 411 N. Main St. o Pool Table/Video Machine Licenses:  Barre Elks Club, 10 Jefferson St., 2 pool tables, 1 video machine o Commercial Swimming Pool Licenses:  Rehab Gym Inc., 219 N. Main St. o Waste Disposal Collector’s Licenses:  Curt & Linda Doyle, 2 vehicles, drop off only  Myers Container Service Corp., 17 vehicles, pick up only  Casella Waste Management, 10 vehicles, pick up only 1 To be approved at 12-19-17 Barre City Council Meeting Mayor Lauzon announced that long-time firefighter and senior call force firefighter John Hannigan is retiring after 18 years of service to Barre City and a 37 year career in firefighting. Clerk Dawes read resolution 2017-15 honoring Firefighter Hannigan, and Council approved the resolution on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Higby. Motion carried. Presentation of the resolution to Firefighter Hannigan was accompanied by a standing ovation by all in attendance. Chief Bombardier thanked Firefighter Hannigan for his service, and presented him with his fire helmet with Senior Call Force Firefighter emblem attached. Firefighter Hannigan thanked the Council and Chief, and said it’s important to keep young people coming up through the cadet program to be firefighters. Chief Bombardier thanked the Hannigan family for all their support over the years for both Firefighter Hannigan and the department. The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  Payment on water & sewer bills is due by January 2, 2018.  City Hall will be closed next Tuesday, December 19th, from noon – 2:00 PM for the employee holiday luncheon. City Hall will also be closed on Christmas Day, December 25th, and New Year’s Day, January 1st. Approval of Building Permits – NONE Liquor Control – Council approved a Request to Cater application from Langdon Street Tavern for an open house event at the Granite Museum hosted by Edward Jones on Thursday, December 14th from 2:30 – 7:30 PM, on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  The police cruiser recently involved in an accident has been declared a total loss. Insurance money will cover most of the cost for a replacement.  Met with School Superintendent John Pandolfo to discuss City and school budgets, and projected impacts on property taxes.  Has been attending Central Vermont Public Safety Authority meetings, as they explore having other municipalities join them, and are working on their FY19 budget.  Last Budget Committee meeting is this Thursday. The Committee and Manager will present a draft FY19 budget to Council at next week’s meeting.  Manager’s office is accepting recommendations for dedications and cover photos for the annual report. Recommendations will come to Council for discussion in the near future. Visitors and Communications – Resident Marcel Groleau asked why the sidewalks hadn’t been plowed this morning during today’s snow storm. Mayor Lauzon said there are many seniors living in Mr. Groleau’s neighborhood, and he will ask the City crews to be mindful of keeping the sidewalks plowed during snow events. Mr. Groleau said he wears a 911 alert device, but it did not connect to the system when he attempted to use it yesterday. He also said a phone call to 911 didn’t connect. Chief Bombardier said Deputy Fire Chief Joe Aldsworth will test the system with Mr. Groleau tomorrow. Mayor Lauzon thanked Councilors who participated in Saturday’s coin drop to benefit Christmas for Kids, and thanked those who made donations. The Mayor said funds raised are more than $5,000. It waas suggested that ½ the funds go to the Salvation Army Christmas for Kids program, and ½ go to the Barre City Elementary and Middle School to be used to provide presents to children they identify as in need. Councilor Boutin said he would like City police officers to help with present distribution. Chief 2 To be approved at 12-19-17 Barre City Council Meeting Bombardier said the department would be happy to work with BCEMS and Councilor Boutin. Council approved dividing the collected funds evenly between the Salvation Army and BCEMS on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. Old Business – NONE New Business – A) Greater Barre Community Justice Center Program Description and M.O.U. GBCJC executive director Jeannie McLeod introduced board members Bob Purvis and Bob Kershaw, and staff member Sara Winters. Mayor Lauzon said the relationship between the City and Justice Center had suffered over the past few years, and he appreciated Ms. McLeod’s efforts to repair the relationship. Councilor Boutin said he enjoys serving as the Council liaison to the board. Councilor Higby suggested a few revisions to the proposed MOU. Chief Bombardier said the MOU must meet with VT Department of Corrections’ approval. Mr. Purvis said the intent of the MOU is to memorialize the relationship between the City and the Justice Center, and to obligate the Justice Center to changing its bylaws to increase City board representation. He said the contracts with DOC control the work of the Justice Center. Council approved the MOU with Councilor Higby’s adjustments, and authorized the Manager to sign and make any additional adjustments as requested by DOC, on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. Mayor Lauzon said there will be a number of exciting announcements related to the Justice Center after the first of the year. Ms. McLeod said she is grateful for the opportunity to work with the City, and for the renewed sense of momentum. B) St. Monica’s Cemetery “toppled” monuments. Buildings and Community Services director Jeff Bergeron and resident Whitney Maxfield said there are several toppled monuments in St. Monica’s Cemetery. Mr. Bergeron is looking for available funding in his operating budget and from the cemetery perpetual care funds to re-set the monuments. Mr. Maxfield said the Flags for Veterans group has some available funding. The cemetery was turned over to the City by the diocese in 1969, with a small amount of perpetual care funds. Mr. Bergeron said 4-5 burials take place in the cemetery each year, and there are no additional lot sales. Mayor Lauzon said he will work with Mr. Bergeron to ask St. Monica’s Church for some financial support to help with the cost of repairs. C) Overview of the 2018 Capital Equipment Plan. This item is deferred until next week. D) Overview of the 2018 Facilities Improvements Plan. Manager Mackenzie and Mr. Bergeron reviewed the items on the five year plan. Mr. Bergeron said his improvement plan list has been prioritized, and it does not include the DPW campus. There was discussion on potential savings through energy efficiency improvements, replacing the boilers in city hall, and restroom renovations needed in city hall and alumni hall to meet ADA requirements. Mayor Lauzon said it would be helpful to develop a single report that includes capital, facilities, and infrastructure plans and debt service schedule information. There was additional discussion on the rebuilding schedule for the BOR compressors, possible funding support from Efficiency Vermont, inclusion of vehicles in the capital plan, and developing a brief narrative for each of the projects. Manager Mackenzie said all parties will work together to have a complete matrix by early January. 3 To be approved at 12-19-17 Barre City Council Meeting E) Council Discussion and Deliberation re: Municipal Pool Options & Planning. Mayor Lauzon reviewed the history of recent insurance-related pool inspections and repairs, and said he expects the City will be able to open the pool for the 2018 summer season. The Mayor said the City’s insurance provider is looking for a firm direction from the Council as to the pool’s future after summer 2018. There was discussion on developing plans for refurbishment of the pool to include incorporating a walk-in area, a learn-to-swim area, splash pads, and refurbishment of the bathhouse. There was also discussion on extending the season and hours of operation, and the need to review operating costs associated with such changes. Manager Mackenzie asked Council for guidance with regards to those people who have expressed interest in serving on a municipal pool advisory committee. Council concurred that the City does not have the resources to develop an indoor facility, but encouraged those who expressed an interest to explore regional options with neighboring communities. The Manager said the City will engage a pool consultant to assist in the planning for refurbishment. The Manager said he will come back to Council with a refurbishment plan, and there will be opportunities for additional public input as the plan develops. There was discussion on public transportation options for the pool, and free public transportation options to the substance abuse clinic in Berlin. Round Table – Councilors expressed how much fun they had Saturday at the coin drop. Councilor Higby reminded people to shop locally for the holidays, and that gift certificates from local establishments make great gifts. Councilor Boutin thanked the Bible Baptist Church for rolling all the coins from Saturday’s coin drop. Councilor LePage said he will be seeking election to the 1 year Ward III Council seat. Councilor Batham wished everyone a happy Chanukah, and said Santa is visiting at the library this weekend. Clerk Dawes said if the Council is considering any charter changes be included on the Annual Meeting ballot, they will need to meet the week of December 25th to warn the 1st public hearing. Councilor Boutin said he is interested in discussing Local Options Taxes again this year. Mayor Lauzon said Council will hold a meeting on Tuesday, December 26th to allow for warning the necessary public hearings. Councilor Batham requested that Council schedule approval of the Annual Town Meeting warning at its regularly scheduled meeting on January 23rd. Clerk Dawes said that date falls outside the statutory requirements, and suggested Council hold a special meeting on January 25th. That meeting date will include the 1st public hearing for proposed charter changes. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 9:15 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 4