City Council

To be approved at 12-04-18 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held November 27, 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, Councilors John LePage (arrived 7:02 PM) and Rich Morey. Also present were City Manager Steve Mackenzie and City Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: From Ward I, Councilor Jeffrey Tuper-Giles; and from Ward II, Councilor Brandon Batham. Adjustments to the Agenda: NONE Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Regular meeting of November20, 2018  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2018-48:  Accounts Payable: $247,667.62  Payroll (gross): $146,415.62  2018 Licenses & Permits – NONE The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes reported on the following:  Currently advertising to fill the assistant treasurer vacancy.  Annual license renewals have started to arrive. They are going to the police department and health officers for preliminary approval, and will be coming to Council for final approval during the month of December. Reminder postcards are being mailed tomorrow to those who haven’t submitted their renewals yet. Approval of Building Permits – NONE Liquor Control – Council approved a special event permit application for Old Route Two Spirits for a holiday party at Simply Delicious on December 7th from 4:00 – 10:00 PM on motion of Councilor LePage, seconded by Councilor Higby. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  All remaining paving for the season was completed yesterday.  Proposals for the pool refurbishment are due tomorrow. Expecting 3-4 responses.  The Energy Committee is co-sponsoring a workshop next Wednesday with Efficiency Vermont.  Public Works director Bill Ahearn will represent the City at Thursday’s Act 250 hearing for the Fecteau Residential project on Beckley Hill.  There is a Toys for Tots drop box in the lobby of the Public Safety Building. Those who have outstanding parking tickets may drop off a new toy of equal or greater value in exchange for having the ticket voided. Visitors and Communications – NONE 1 To be approved at 12-04-18 Barre City Council Meeting Old Business – A) Discussion re: Vacant, Abandoned & Blighted Properties in Barre. Councilors Higby and Morey shared thoughts and ideas on ways to address vacant, abandoned and blighted properties in the City. They have researched examples of programs in other communities. There was discussion on depressed property values, health & safety issues, costs associated with City services provided to such properties, regulatory control and incentives, registration fees and fines, ordinance adjustments, and issuance of quality of life tickets. Planning Director Janet Shatney said the vacant building ordinance is under revision, with the fourth draft currently being circulated for comments. Councilor Higby suggested creating a 2020 Vision for Barre working group consisting of Councilors Higby and Morey and up to three community members. The group would have a goal of reducing problems associated with such properties. Manager Mackenzie said now that Fire Captain Robert Howarth has been named Fire Marshall, staff is meeting tomorrow to discuss actions and responsibilities going forward. The Fire Marshall will play a key role in enforcement of the current and future ordinance. New Business – A) Barre Town Thunder Chicken Land Use Permission Request. Council approved the land use permit request on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. Councilor Higby said she hopes snowmobilers using City property will be respectful of protecting environmental resources. B) Approve Purchase of New Handheld Parking Ticket Enforcement Units. Manager Mackenzie reviewed the memo from Deputy Police Chief Larry Eastman, recommending purchase of three new handheld units. Council approved the purchase on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Higby. Motion carried. C) Authorize Mgr. to Sign Contract for Park-Mobile Meter Payment Cell Phone App. Manager Mackenzie said staff and City Attorney Oliver Twombly have not completed review of the proposed contract. He recommended Council authorize the Manager to sign the contract upon approvals from staff and Mr. Twombly. Council approved such authorization on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. There was discussion on exploring the possibility of giving Park Mobile users the option to round up their parking meter fees to benefit recreation programs. Staff will research whether that is a possibility. D) Authorization to Order New City Hall Boiler #1. Manager Mackenzie explained that even though this is the second new boiler to be installed in City Hall, protocol names this second boiler #1, based on its position in the furnace room. The Manager said he is expecting a price quote from ARC Mechanical in the very near future. In an effort to expedite installation of the boiler, he is recommending Council authorize him to initiate the order once he receives the quote. The Manager said he expects to have the new boiler on line by January 15th. Council approved the authorization on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor LePage. Motion carried. 2 To be approved at 12-04-18 Barre City Council Meeting Round Table – Councilor Boutin said proposed revisions to the miscellaneous ordinances, chapter 11, will be on next week’s agenda for discussion. The first reading is tentatively scheduled for December 18th. He reminded everybody that the Council’s Christmas for Kids coin drop is December 8th. He is working with Officer Fleury on possible distribution of toys by police officers. Councilor Morey said he and his family enjoyed the horse-drawn carriage rides around downtown on Saturday. The rides will be offered for the next four Saturdays during the holiday season. Councilor Higby thanked Councilor LePage for helping decorate parking meters as a way to draw attention to the free parking/recreation donations going on through New Year’s Day. She encouraged people to shop at their local downtown merchants. Mayor Herring said the holiday lights are up and last Saturday’s parade was wonderful. There is a neighborhood watch meeting next Thursday, December 6th. He is working with Barre Town to schedule a joint meeting in January. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Higby. Motion carried. An audio recording of this meeting is available from the City Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 3