City Council

To be approved at 06-12-18 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held May 29, 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, Councilor Michael Boutin; and from Ward III, Councilors John LePage and Richard Morey. Also present were City Manager Steven Mackenzie and City Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: From Ward II, Councilor Brandon Batham. Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Herring said new item D would be taken up before new item C 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 22, 2018  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2018-22:  Accounts Payable: $109,118.62  Payroll (gross): $131,133.41  2018 Licenses & Permits – NONE The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes reported on the following:  The fourth quarter property tax delinquency rate was 4.79%.  The City received the new Promise Grant, and can now incur expenses. The current soccer camp will be covered for 50% of the cost, as half of the dates are after the May 18th effective date for the grant. The balance of the cost will be covered out of budgeted recreation program funds.  Continuing to follow the tax bill through the special legislative session, hoping to delay the effective date on tax bill changes to next year.  The bond application has been tentatively approved, and paperwork will come to the Council for approval at the June 12th meeting.  There are three properties going up for tax sale on Thursday.  The Board of Abatement is holding hearings Thursday evening. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. Applicant Address Nelberta Brink 20 Lunde Lane Edna Martineau & Cynthia Meigs 84 Circle Street Greg D’Agostino 210 Merchant Street Liquor Control – Council approved an Alcohol Day Use Permit for a birthday party at Rotary Park on July 14th on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  The bike patrol “Bees” have begun training and will begin patrolling next week. There is one position still available. 1 To be approved at 06-12-18 Barre City Council Meeting  All police cruisers have been outfitted with radar units for more speed enforcement.  The portable speed monitoring cart will be out monitoring traffic throughout the City.  The City continues to recruit people interested in serving on committees and boards.  The Memorial Day parade and ceremonies are being held tomorrow. Visitors and Communications – Former Councilor Anita Chadderton, visiting from Maine, thanked the Council for being named the dedicatee for the FY17 annual report. Ms. Chadderton said it was an honor, and she continues to advocate on behalf of the community and its children. The Council offered a hearty round of applause to thank Ms. Chadderton for her many years of service to the community. North Seminary Street resident Steven Budd said he has recently had some poor interactions with the police department, related to break-ins at his home. Manager Mackenzie said he will coordinate a meeting between Mr. Budd and Chief Bombardier. Old Business – NONE New Business – A) Appointment of Mark Martin to Cow Pasture Committee. New City resident Mark Martin expressed his interest in serving on the Cow Pasture Committee. Council approved his appointment on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Higby. Motion carried. B) Barre Rotary – Mural Project Update. Barre Rotary Club president Caroline Earle said the City will be repairing the retaining wall along Summer Street before the Rotary Club installs a mural. Ms. Earle said the Club is currently holding a raffle as a fundraiser for the project, and is working with local artists, schools and students on design and execution of the mural. There was discussion on other funding sources, long-term maintenance, solar lighting, and the timeline for the repair work and art installation. D) Dept. of Health 3-4-50 Follow Up. Joan Marie Misek and Karen Nelson from the VT Department of Health presented Mayor Herring with a certificate honoring Barre City as having met the gold level requirements for the 3-4-50 program, which focuses on creating healthy communities. Ms. Misek said Barre City is the first community in the state to reach the gold level. There was discussion on ongoing investment and commitment to a health community, upcoming municipal pool improvements and bike path construction, and a walk/bike audit to be performed in the near future. C) Introduction of City Facebook Page. City Manager Executive Assistant Nick Landry reviewed the Facebook page, and said it is a work in progress. Mr. Landry said the City is looking to reach different demographics through different media formats. There was discussion on maintaining and policing content and comments, using the page for public notices and events, visuals and scheduling, administering the page, and adding the Facebook logo to printed materials to encourage people to like the page. E) Discussion and/or Action on Park Center and TIF district. Mayor Herring reviewed a memo from Barre Area Development Corporation executive director Joel Schwartz, in which Mr. Schwartz said he has concluded that development of the Park Center project is highly unlikely to be able to obtain necessary New Market Tax Credits. There was discussion on the NMTC program increases in grand list values necessary to support a new TIF bond to pay for structured 2 To be approved at 06-12-18 Barre City Council Meeting parking, and the number of parking spaces needed. Mayor Herring said it appears the project will not be moving forward, and no further action by the City is necessary. F) Ratification of Police FOP Contract. Manager Mackenzie asked Council to ratify the Fraternal Order of Police union contract recently ratified by the police union members. The contract is for one year, and they are scheduled to begin negotiating on a potentially longer contract next month. Council approved ratifying the FOP contract as recommended by Manager Mackenzie on motion of Councilor LePage, seconded by Councilor Higby. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin voting against. G) Authorization for FY19 Heating Oil and Propane Purchases. Manager Mackenzie asked Council to authorize him to enter into contracts for heating oil and propane purchases based on pricing and consultations with DPW director Bill Ahearn, BCS director Jeff Bergeron, and the fuel broker. There was discussion on current and projected prices, replacement of boilers, and anticipated energy efficiencies. Council authorized the Manager to execute heating oil and propane purchase contracts as prices are deemed prudent on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor LePage. Motion carried. Round Table – Councilor LePage spoke of a personal joy surrounding a recent tour of the Career Center, where he was able to deliver donations he had received to benefit community gardens. Councilor Morey said long-time BCEMS principal James Taffel is retiring next month, and has been a wonderful educator and administrator during his tenure. Councilor Higby said public libraries are becoming centers of lifelong learning, and the summer Authors at the Aldrich series begins next week. She encouraged people to celebrate Memorial Day by sharing family stories and memories. Mayor Herring reminded people of tomorrow’s Memorial Day parade and ceremonies. He spoke of the Authors and the Aldrich and the upcoming Concerts in Currier Park, and said June 2nd is statewide Neighborhoods Day, and free trees will be given away at the Civic Center that day to those who have registered on the Arbor Day website. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, 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 3