City Council

To be approved at 09-11-18 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held September 4, 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 items would be rearranged to accommodate those in attendance. The Mayor said he will also add a brief item at the end of the agenda re. a statement of employer support for employees in the guard or reserve. 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 August 28, 2018 o Regular meeting of August 28, 2018  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2018-36:  Accounts Payable: $163,807.83  Payroll (gross): $118,371.97  2018 Licenses & Permits – NONE The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes reported on the following:  Water/sewer bills went in the mail last week. They are due by October 1st. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Higby. Councilor Batham noted for the record that he serves as the Council’s liaison to the Aldrich Library board, but does not see any conflict of interest in this matter. Motion carried. Applicant Address Aldrich Public Library 6 Washington Street Mark Christie 25 Oswald Street Jeremy Jarvis 48 Palmisano Plaza Liquor Control – Council approved a Special Event Permit for Havoc Mead for the Comic Con at the Civic Center Auditorium on September 15 & 16 from 10:00 AM – 7:00 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 start of the Granite Street storm sewer project has been delayed by a week.  Cleaning of the Summer Street wall will be done the end of this week.  This fall’s schedule for drop off of yard debris is likely to be October 13-28. The dates and times will be confirmed and then posted.  Upgrades to the audience audio for the Council chambers will be installed tomorrow.  Council will discuss FY2020 budget goals at next week’s meeting. 1 To be approved at 09-11-18 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Higby asked for updates on the pool rehabilitation project and other major financial projects at the September 18th meeting. Visitors and Communications – NONE Old Business – NONE New Business – D) Proclamation for Patriotism Week. Mayor Herring read the proclamation naming the week of September 10th as National Patriotism Week, and presented the proclamation to Barre Elks Lodge #1535 Exalted Ruler Barbara Watters, Loyal Knight Phil Delia, and Leading Knight Frank Hotaling. They said the Barre Lodge has been named Vermont Lodge of the Year for the second year in a row. They are part of the Veterans Council, and participate in the placement of flags along North Main Street, and the Flag Day ceremonies in City Hall Park. For Patriotism Week they are recognizing local businesses that properly display the flag, and talking with local school students about flag etiquette and respect. Other Elks Lodge activities throughout the year include recognition of first responders, a soccer shoot, and participation in a national hoop shoot. They provide support for Silver Towers Camp in Ripton, which is for people with disabilities and challenges. B) Discussion re: ACLU Request to Rescind the Aggressive Panhandling Ordinance Sec.11-10(c). Councilor Batham said the ordinance section under discussion was adopted in 2008 to address issues of harassment. Councilor Boutin said he is working on proposed revisions for this ordinance chapter with Police Chief Tim Bombardier. Chief Bombardier said he has asked City attorney Oliver Twombly to review the letter from the ACLU and the ordinance language in question. He recommended the ordinance be placed in neutral for the next 2-3 weeks until he and Councilor Boutin can finish their proposed revisions, and Mr. Twombly can review and put together his opinion on the current language. There was discussion on unacceptable behavior, how to spread the word about access to services for those in need, effect of panhandling on local businesses, obligations to all citizens, other avenues of enforcement, ensuring no discrimination, and suspension of enforcement until resolved. Chief Bombardier will inform his officers about the moratorium on enforcement, and Council will discuss again at the October 2nd meeting. C) Preliminary Discussion of a Teen Center. Mayor Herring reviewed his email detailing possible funding and staffing sources for the proposed teen center, and said a potential location is the City-owned Wheelock building on N. Main Street. There was discussion on whether to create a new program or support ongoing programs being offered by other entities, funding options, input from students, other uses for the Wheelock building, not duplicating other local efforts, inclusion of a maker’s space, and using the front of building to house the Barre Partnership and host an information area. Buildings and Community Services director Jeff Bergeron said the building would need renovations to meet ADA accessibility requirements. Mayor Herring said he is looking for informal Council support to apply for possible funding through the Vermont Community Foundation. Councilors voiced their support, with the exception of Councilor Higby, who said she is seeking funding from the same source for Studio Place Arts, which creates a conflict of interest. A) Appointment of Ben Brown to the Bike Path Committee. 2 To be approved at 09-11-18 Barre City Council Meeting This item is deferred as Mr. Brown was not in attendance. Other) Employer State of Support of Guard & Reserve. Mayor Herring said he has signed the employer statement of support. Manager Mackenzie said the City has been and continues to be supportive of employees who are members of the National Guard or Reserve. Round Table – Councilor Batham said he had an enjoyable Labor Day, and he is a proud union member. He said next Wednesday, September 12th, the Vermont Interfaith Action Committee is holding a forum with the four local representative candidates. Councilor LePage encouraged people to buy local. Councilor Boutin said there will also be a debate/forum with the local representative candidates on September 27th. Councilor Tuper-Giles said he met with a couple visiting the Barre area from out of state, and he was pleased to hear how much they were enjoying their visit. Councilor Morey reminded people school is in session and drivers need to be on the lookout for kids along the streets and crosswalks. He said the Spaulding High School football team is holding a fundraiser at the Elks Club on September 9th, and there will be a neighborhood watch meeting for the Everett/Fairview Street neighborhood this Thursday, September 6th. He thanked Public Works Director Bill Ahearn for his quick response to an email about a missing “No Outlet” sign. Councilor Higby passed around booklets for this weekend’s South End Art Hop in Burlington. Mayor Herring said there will be a recognition of VT Granite Museum executive director Scott MacLaughlin at the museum on September 11th, and the Mathewson Playground ribbon cutting and grand reopening is on September 19th. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM on motion of Councilor Batham, 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 3