City Council

To be approved at 07-17-18 Barre City Council Meeting Special Meeting of the Barre City Council Held July 10, 2018 The Special Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order by Mayor Lucas Herring at 6:10 PM at the Barre City garage campus. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilors Sue Higby and Jeffrey Tuper-Giles; and from Ward II, Councilors Brandon Batham and Michael Boutin. Also present were City Manager Steve Mackenzie and Public Works Director Bill Ahearn. Absent: From Ward III, Councilors John LePage and Rich Morey. The Council toured the City public works garage campus. Mayor Herring adjourned the special meeting at 6:45 PM. There is no recording of the meeting. Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held July 10, 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 were City Manager Steve Mackenzie and City Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Herring said approval of an interim assessor will be added after the last new agenda item. 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 Special meeting of June 26, 2018 o Regular meeting of June 26, 2018  City Warrants as presented: o Affirmation of Week 2018-27:  Accounts Payable: $131,297.21  Payroll (gross): $118,921.06 o Approval of Week 2018-26:  Accounts Payable: $503,500.45  Payroll (gross): $153,755.42  2018 Licenses & Permits – o Animal Licenses:  Anthony Slowik, 30 Maplewood Avenue, 6 chickens o Entertainment Licenses:  “Courtney’s Allies” candlelight vigil, City Hall Park, July 11, 2018 from 7:oo – 9:00 PM  Faith Community Church, worship service and picnic, Currier Park, August 19, 2018 from 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM 1 To be approved at 07-17-18 Barre City Council Meeting The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes reported on the following:  The tax bill file was created yesterday and sent to the printer. The bills are expected to be in the mail by the end of the week.  Early absentee voting for the August 14th primary election is available. Approval of Building Permits – NONE Liquor Control – Council approved the following liquor control items on motion of Councilor Tuper- Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining.  New 2nd Class License: Jiffy Mart, 350 N. Main St. New owners – Global Montello Group Corp.  Outside Consumption Permits: o Quarry Kitchen & Spirits, Depot Square, Heritage Festival, Saturday, July 28, 2018 from 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM. The end time was adjusted to coincide with all other alcohol service associated with the Heritage Festival. The adjustment was included in the motion, second and approval. o Elks Club, fenced-in outdoor area off Jefferson Street abutting building:  July 27-28, 2018, from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Heritage Festival  August 18, 2018, from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Cornhole tournament  September 1, 2018, from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Barbeque  Request to Cater Permit: o Cornerstone, Heritage Festival, tent on Church Street, July 27-28, 2018, from 11 AM – 10 PM.  Special Event Permits: o Old Route Two Spirits Inc. sample pours and bottles for sale.  Barre Farmer’s Market, Currier Park, 4:00 – 7:00 PM  July 18, 2018  July 25, 2018  August 1, 2018  August 8, 2018  August 15, 2018  Heritage Festival, N. Main Street in front of Morse Block Deli, July 28, 2018, 1 – 9 PM City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  The office is accepting applications for the executive assistant position, as Nick Landry will be leaving in early August. Filling other vacancies, including the engineering tech and finance director positions, are in the works.  Working with VideoVision on improvements to audience audio for Council meetings.  The gazebo has been washed, and will be repaired before the Heritage Festival. Youth Triumphant will also be washed before the festival.  Tomorrow’s neighborhood watch meeting has been postponed. A new date hasn’t been scheduled yet.  Central Vermont Public Safety Authority is holding listening sessions on their proposal to unite dispatch services. There is a session Thursday evening at Alumni Hall.  New (returning) Fire Chief Doug Brent started yesterday.  The Manager will be on vacation next week. Planning Director Janet Shatney has been appointed as acting manager in his absence. Visitors and Communications – NONE 2 To be approved at 07-17-18 Barre City Council Meeting Old Business – A) Finalize FY19 Council Objectives. Mayor Herring asked for comments on the list he emailed out recently. Councilors offered the following as additions/amendments to the priorities list:  Different ways to address blighted buildings (Higby & Morey)  Ordinance changes (Boutin and Tuper-Giles)  Philanthropic activities, arts districts, assessment of DOC costs, resale shops, recreation as an economic development tool, parking costs (Higby) Mayor Herring said he will update the list and send it around again. B) Ratification of 6/26/18 VT DOC/BCJC Base Grant Acceptance Authorization. Council ratified their approval last week of accepting the base grant on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. New Business – A) Introduction of the Civilian Bike Patrol (the “Bees”). Police Chief Tim Bombardier introduced the members of the bike patrol: Cameron Fehnel, Brock Adams, Ethan Kennedy, and Mark Palasits. They all said they enjoy talking with the community. The biggest challenges are the weather and occasional disrespect. They suggested more “no trespassing” signs be placed in the area behind Jiffy Mart. Council welcomed them, and thanked them for their service to the community. B) Appointment of Brett Rubinate to Recreation Committee. Brett Rubinate expressed his interest in serving on the Recreation Committee. Council approved the appointment on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by councilor Boutin. Motion carried. C) Award of Cemetery Mower Bids. Manager Mackenzie reviewed the memo from Buildings and Community Services director Jeff Bergeron, who recommended awarding the mower purchases to Tucker Machines. It was noted that Tucker Machines’ bid was not the lowest, but Mr. Bergeron’s memo said the department has been pleased with the level and quality of service provided by Tucker’s. Council approved the purchase of two mowers from Tucker Machines as recommended by Mr. Bergeron on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Higby. Motion carried with Councilor LePage abstaining. D) Award of Bituminous Concrete Paving Bid. Public Works director Bill Ahearn reviewed the two bids received for paving, and said the difference is tied to both the cost of asphalt and the cost of calcium chloride. Mr. Ahearn recommended awarding the contract to H. Hutchins Construction as the overall low bid. Council awarded the bid as recommended on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. E) Authorization to Purchase Pavement Milling Machine For Use On DPW Bobcat Skid Steer Loader. Mr. Ahearn said a pavement milling machine will allow the City to address areas of pavement that are affecting the way storm water flows into the system, and remove significant bumps in roadways. Council approved the purchase as recommended on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Tuper- Giles. Motion carried. F) Assignment of Friot Right of Way License. Manager Mackenzie said the Friots recently sold their home on Maplewood Avenue, and in accordance with the right-of-way license, it can be transferred to the new owners. Council approved the assignment 3 To be approved at 07-17-18 Barre City Council Meeting on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. G) Approval of WWTF Improvements Bond Documents. Clerk Dawes reviewed the bond vote being proposed this evening for a special meeting on August 14th, and said approval of these documents begins the process for bonding, should the voters approve the request. It was noted that the language for the ballot article has been developed by our bond attorneys, and is a requirement for bonding. Council approved the documents on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. H) Approval of August 14, 2018 Special Meeting Election Warning. Clerk Dawes said the above-mentioned bond vote will be held at a special meeting on August 14th, in conjunction with the state primary election that same day. Council approved the warning on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Higby. Motion carried. I) Approval of 2018 Dog Warrant. Clerk Dawes said statute requires the Council to official warrant the list of unlicensed dogs to the police department for enforcement. Council approved the warrant on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. J) Appointment of Interim Assessor Russell Beaudoin. Mayor Herring said this item was added under adjustments to the agenda. Manager Mackenzie said City Assessor Joe LeVesque is indisposed, and the Manager is seeking appointment of Russell Beaudoin as interim assessor to conduct grievance hearings and send out results, so as to keep the process on its statutory timeline. Council approved the appointment on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. Round Table – Councilor Batham encouraged people to vote in the August 14th primary, and said early absentee voting is now available. Councilor LePage said people can report problems with railroad crossings in the City to the phone number on signage located at each crossing. He encouraged those with small pets and livestock to be on the lookout for hawks recently hunting in the area. Councilor Boutin said he and Councilor Tuper-Giles have been reviewing Chapter 11. Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions. They expect to bring forward proposed revisions in a few weeks. Councilor Boutin said he conducted a survey on social media and 92% of the respondents said they support placement of security cameras along Main Street and in City parks. Councilor Higby said this Saturday is the Do Good Festival at National Life, and Studio Place Arts has new exhibitions opening later this week. Councilor Morey thanked the Recreation committee and director for the great work they’re doing. He said his son is participating in the Wicked Cool Science Camp, and is having a great time. Councilor Tuper-Giles said he is enjoying helping out with swimming lessons this week. Mayor Herring reminded everyone of tomorrow evening’s candlelight vigil in City Hall Park. Executive Session – Councilor Boutin made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of personnel issues to 4 To be approved at 07-17-18 Barre City Council Meeting 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 8:20 PM to discuss personnel issues under the provisions of 1 VSA § 313 on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. Manager Mackenzie was invited into a portion of the executive session. Council came out of executive session at 8:35 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. No action was taken. The Council meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. An audio recording of this meeting is available from the City Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 5