City Council

To be approved at 05-29-18 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held May 22, 2018 The Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order by Mayor Lucas Herring 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, Councilors John LePage and Richard Morey. Also present was City Manager Steven Mackenzie. Absent: City Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Adjustments to the Agenda: Agenda items were moved around to accommodate those in attendance. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Regular meeting of May 15, 2018  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2018-21:  Accounts Payable: $292,222.55  Payroll (gross): $108,821.62  2018 Licenses & Permits – NONE The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – NONE Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. Applicant Address Susan Lewis 32 Daniel Drive Brian Hartigan & Penny Kellogg 14 Elliot Street Liquor Control – NONE City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Advertising for board, committee and commission positions is ongoing.  Official City Facebook page is up and running. A review will be given at next week’s meeting.  Yard waste pick-up runs this week.  Memorial Day preparations ongoing for all cemeteries. City Hall will be closed Monday. Parade and ceremony at City Hall Park will be Wednesday. Visitors and Communications – NONE New Business – A) Mayoral Proclamation of Poppy Day. Mayor Herring read the proclamation, and presented a copy to Charith Zickmund, president of the American Legion Auxiliary, which focuses on supporting veterans, community service and educating children. Ms. Zickmund described the beginnings of poppies as a symbol of the sacrifice soldiers make, especially those who make the ultimate sacrifice. She distributed poppies to the Councilors. 1 To be approved at 05-29-18 Barre City Council Meeting B) SADD – Opiate Education Project. Ginny Burley from Central Vermont New Directions spoke of the local efforts at educating around opiate and drug misuse. Local abuse by students is higher than state averages, and Washington County usage is higher than other counties. Zoey Pickel and Emma Lee, Spaulding High School students, spoke of their work on educating students and the public about the effects of opiates. They spoke of the effects of misuse on families and children. They encouraged people to store and dispose of medications safely, and to raise awareness by talking with friends and family. There was discussion on addiction and resources available through the school. Councilors voiced their appreciation of the presentation and the work being done by SADD and Central VT New Directions. F) Asset Naming Policy. Mayor Herring, Councilors Batham and Higby, and Buildings and Community Services assistant director Stephanie Quaranta met to continue work on the draft policy. There was discussion on past practice for naming public property, developing policies to receive private donations, and upcoming policy creations and revisions. Councilors will send proposed revisions to Councilors Higby or Batham, who will compile the suggestions and come back with a new draft at the June 12th meeting. C) Approval of VTrans F&M Agreement FM0264 Statewide STP HRRR (24) re: School Zone Pedestrian Safety Improvements. Director of Public Works Bill Ahearn said VTRANS has asked for approval of a finance & maintenance agreement for signage to be placed near all the schools in the community. Acceptance of the F&M means the City is accepting responsibility for ongoing maintenance of the signs. There is no cost to the City for the initial signage. Council approved acceptance of the F&M on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Higby. Motion carried. D) Approval of Lions Club Monument in Currier Park. Director of Buildings and Community Services Jeff Bergeron said the Barre Lions Club is asking to donate installation of a monument and flagpole in Currier Park. Mr. Bergeron reviewed the details and size of the proposed monument. Lions Club members Judy Cookson and Bob Norway spoke of the club’s desire to honor Lions International’s centennial. There was discussion on pouring a footing, ongoing maintenance, and lighting the flag. Manager Mackenzie will follow up with the Club on the agreement and ongoing maintenance understanding. Council approved placement of the monument and flagpole on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. E) Central Vermont Public Safety Authority Update. Central Vermont Public Safety Authority executive director Paco Aumand and board chair Tom Golonka gave an update on the current status of CVPSA activities. Mr. Golonka reviewed the deliverables outlined at their last presentation before Town Meeting Day. Mr. Aumand spoke of the discussions with Capital Fire District about their joining the Authority, which will be brought to the CFD meeting in July for possible action. Work on the proposed single site dispatch center continues, along with a radio simulcast project that would benefit the fire departments in Capital West. He spoke of possible funding 2 To be approved at 05-29-18 Barre City Council Meeting sources, including bonding. Recently passed bill H.273 includes a study on creating a statewide dispatching system. There was discussion on the proposed dispatch center, exit strategy planning, and creation of a single site dispatch plan. CVPSA has allocated funding for training in the member communities. Steven Whitaker from Montpelier said he believes in CVPSA’s vision, but believes it is out of sequence and needs to develop regional trust and additional local communities as members. Mr. Whitaker said he is encouraging CFD not to join the district. There is overlap between the core communities of mutual aid and the new central Vermont internet communications union district, which will create opportunities around communications problem solving. There was continuing discussion on past voter support, Barre Town’s dispatching, and alternate visions. There will likely be an update after CFD’s meeting in July. Old Business – A) Council Approval to Accept the Governors Highway Safety OP and DUI Grants. Manager Mackenzie reviewed Deputy Police Chief Larry Eastman’s memo. Council approved accepting the grant on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried with Councilor Batham out of the room at the time of the vote. B) Approval of Pouliot Ave. SW Engineering Services Agrmt w/ Watershed Consulting. Manager Mackenzie reviewed the memo on implementation of the stormwater mitigation plans in the Pouliot Avenue area. The majority of the work is covered through a grant with a local share, most of which is in-kind. Council approved the agreement on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. Round Table – Councilor Higby spoke of this weekend’s statewide open studio weekend. She spoke of the different ways Studio Place Arts is participating. Councilor Morey spoke of the recreation camps being offered by the City this summer. Councilor Tuper-Giles encouraged people to get the drug counseling support they need. He said people should be safe and have fun over the Memorial Day weekend. Councilor Boutin reminded people of the remaining week of discounts available through downtown merchants to benefit the Heritage Festival. Councilor LePage said he has been receiving comments from the public in support of the more recent positive behavior at Council meetings. Councilor Batham wished everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend, and encouraged people to attend Wednesday’s Memorial Day parade. He reminded Council he will not be in attendance next week. Mayor Herring attended the Barre Area Senior Center’s 50th anniversary celebration over the weekend. The next three Wednesdays will see meetings for established neighborhood watch groups. City Hall will be closed Monday for Memorial Day, and the parade will be on Wednesday. Next week the Council will discuss creating City mission and vision statements. The Mayor said the Council will be taking the first 3 To be approved at 05-29-18 Barre City Council Meeting week Council meetings off during the months of June, July and August. Executive Session – Councilor Boutin made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of litigation issues 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 8:46 PM to discuss litigation issues under the provisions of 1 VSA sec. 313 on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. Manager Mackenzie was invited into the executive session. Council came out of executive session at 8:52 PM on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor LePage. Motion carried. No action was taken. The Council meeting adjourned at 8:52 PM on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor LePage. Motion carried. An audio recording of this meeting is available from the City Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 4