City Council

To be approved at 01-25-18 Barre City Council Meeting Special Meeting of the Barre City Council Held January 13, 2018 The Special Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order by Mayor Thomas Lauzon at 8:00 AM at Barre City Hall. Mayor Lauzon noted those in attendance besides he were Barre City Manager Steve Mackenzie, Barre City Clerk Carolyn Dawes, and Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce president Bill Moore. There was no quorum present at the start of the meeting. Ward I Councilor Sue Higby arrived at 8:04 AM. There was discussion on funding request applications received. Clerk Dawes said there was missing information on several of the application packets, and the review committee gave applicants until this past Friday to provide the missing materials. All but two of the applicants completed their submissions. Ward II Councilors Brandon Batham and Michael Boutin arrived at 8:10 AM. Mayor Lauzon declared there was not a quorum present. There was discussion on Manager Mackenzie’s proposed budget adjustments. Councilors concurred that the “Bees” police department summer bike patrol should not be cut. There was discussion on seeking new revenues for funding the bike patrol. Councilor Higby requested a list of current grant proposals, ranked by probability. Ward III Councilor Lucas Herring arrived at 8:14 AM, and Ward I Councilor Jeffrey Tuper-Giles at 8:18 AM. Absent: Ward III Councilor John LePage. Council discussed the following:  Rental property registration fees  Ambulance revenues, decreasing call numbers, corresponding expense reductions. Council asked that additional data be provided at next week’s budget workshop, and that Chief Tim Bombardier and Deputy Chief Joe Aldsworth attend the workshop.  Director of finance position included in the budget. Staffing changes in finance department.  Increasing workers compensation insurance premiums and decreasing property & casualty insurance premiums. Council asked that HR director Rikk Taft attend next week’s budget workshop.  Health insurance increases averaging 9.4%. The draft FY19 budget includes an overall 7% increase in health insurance costs.  Worker safety, worker health, and wellness programs as they pertain to workers compensation insurance. Council asked to see reports on the City’s workers comp experience ratings for the past three years.  Placing local option tax charter changes on the ballot.  Funding levels for Barre Partnership, Barre Area Development Corporation, Aldrich Library, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps and holiday lighting. The Council meeting adjourned at 9:50 AM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. There is no audio or video recording of this meeting. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 1