City Council

To be approved at 11-13-18 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held November 5, 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, Councilor Sue Higby; from Ward II, Councilor Michael Boutin; and from Ward III, Councilor Rich Morey. Also present were City Manager Steve Mackenzie and City Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: From Ward I, Councilor Jeffrey Tuper-Giles; from Ward II, Councilor Brandon Batham; and from Ward III, Councilor John LePage. Adjustments to the Agenda: Any liquor control items will be taken up later in the meeting, if additional councilors arrive. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Higby. Motion carried.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Regular meeting of October 23, 2018  City Warrants as presented: o Ratification of Week 2018-44:  Accounts Payable: $219,230.13  Payroll (gross): $130,457.85  Special warrant to wire semi-annual bond payments: $1,071,158.41 o Approval of Week 2018-45:  Accounts Payable: $  Payroll (gross): $  2018 Licenses & Permits – NONE The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes reported on the following:  Polls are open at the auditorium tomorrow from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM for the general, special city and special school elections. Barre City residents can register and vote at the polls.  Second quarter taxes are due by November 15th. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. Applicant Address Kimberly Baker 11 Coolidge Street Philip Moros & Beth Mueller 50 Prospect Street Robert & Linda Nelson 188 N. Main Street Steven & Claudia Mackenzie 24 Knoll Drive Liquor Control – Liquor control is deferred. City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  The fall yard waste pickup is scheduled for the week of November 13th.  The Granite Street storm sewer project is being inspected tomorrow to determine substantial completion. The North Main Street section of the project is still to be done, and may be deferred to next construction season.  There was a pre-proposal meeting earlier today for the pool refurbishment engineering RFP. 1 To be approved at 11-13-18 Barre City Council Meeting  There is a joint Barre City/Montpelier city councils meeting next Wednesday, November 14th, in Montpelier.  City Hall will be closed on Monday, November 12th for Veteran’s Day. Visitors and Communications – NONE Old Business – A) Ratification of Emergency Boiler Work. Manager Mackenzie said the projected cost is $38,000. There have been savings through City staff doing demolition work. The test fire of the boiler is scheduled for tomorrow, with heat in the building scheduled for Thursday. There was discussion on efficiencies in the new boiler, and to be developed through future installation of a new control system. Councilors ratified the emergency boiler work expenses on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. New Business – A) BADC Quarterly Update Report. Barre Area Development Corporation executive director Joel Schwartz reviewed the work of the marketing firm, Imagination Company, with regards to developing a brand for the Barre area. The brand currently being worked with is “Barre – Rock Solid”. There was discussion on developing three portals for working, living and recreating in the Barre area; media strategies; implementation budgets; fundraising; partnering with local colleges and universities, and other organizations. Joel reminded about the Opportunity Zone program at the Blanchard Block this Thursday. B) Award of CY 19 Workers Comp/General Liability Insurance Contracts. Human Resources director Rikk Taft reviewed the proposals received from Vermont League of Cities and Towns and Hickock & Boardman. After taking both proposals into consideration, he recommended staying with VLCT. Manager Mackenzie reviewed his matrix, costs associated with filling the gaps in coverage in the Hickock & Boardman proposal, and lower flood insurance coverage through the H&B plan. The Manager recommended acceptance of the VLCT proposal. Mr. Taft said the City will continue to work with VLCT to improve employee safety. Council accepted the recommendations and awarded the contract to VLCT on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. C) Ordinance Revision for Composting. Mayor Herring said there is some ordinance language that needs to be revised to accommodate the upcoming composting laws. Councilor Boutin said the ordinance committee will work on it. D) Brattleboro Solid Waste Collection. Mayor Herring said he and Mayor Watson from Montpelier are exploring options around solid waste collections in the cities. The possibility of a feasibility study will be on the November 14th joint council meeting agenda. Round Table – All Councilors encouraged people to vote in tomorrow’s elections. Councilor Higby invited people to watch the disassembly of the thread installation at SPA tomorrow. The thread will be spun and woven into fabric, which will be sent to the Squirrel Hill, PA, community as a gift 2 To be approved at 11-13-18 Barre City Council Meeting in their time of grief following the shootings at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Councilor Morey said he attended state government municipal days at National Life, and participated in great presentations on planning and the emerald ash borer. He said his oldest daughter recently won a writing contest. Councilor Boutin said to remember we’re all neighbors as we go to the polls tomorrow. Mayor Herring said Saturday’s Veteran’s Day parade and Boy Scouts events were wonderful. He reminded Councilors to get photos of themselves to the Manager’s office for inclusion on the website, and to make sure their contact information is up-to-date. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM on motion of Councilor Boutin, 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 3