City Council

To be approved at 12-18-18 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held December 11, 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 Rich Morey. Also present were City Manager Steve Mackenzie and City Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Herring said a discussion will be added at the end of the new items on the agenda to talk about funds collected at Saturday’s coin drop to benefit Christmas for Kids. 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 Regular meeting of December 4, 2018  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2018-50:  Accounts Payable: $234,467.76  Payroll (gross): $130,877.76  2018 Licenses & Permits – NONE The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes reported on the following:  Water/sewer bills are due by December 31st.  The Clerk’s office will be closed Monday, December 24th. The water/sewer billing collection office will be open, but no clerk’s office services will be available that day, and the vault won’t be available for access.  Free 2-hour parking is available at the black and yellow-topped meters through New Year’s Day. Funds collected in the meters during this time will be used to support recreation programs. The Clerk recommended Council warn first and second public hearings for any possible charter changes to be considered at March 2019 Annual (Town) Meeting elections. Setting the public hearings will be on next week’s agenda. Approval of Building Permits – NONE Liquor Control – Council approved a temporary outside consumption permit application for the Elks Club for January 1, 2019 from 10AM – 6PM 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:  Last Saturday’s Breakfast with Santa had more than 200 people in attendance, which is the largest crowd ever. It was a wonderful event with great entertainment, food, and arts & crafts.  The City staff holiday party is Monday, December 17th at Ladder 1 Grill. City Hall will be closed that day from noon – 2:00 PM. The City will be recognizing staff longevity at the holiday party. 1 To be approved at 12-18-18 Barre City Council Meeting Visitors and Communications – NONE Old Business – NONE New Business – A) Permission for Sno-Bees to groom a trail through the Cow Pasture. Mike Perrigo from the Sno-Bees requested permission to groom a trail through the Cow Pasture. Mr. Perrigo said he serves on the Cow Pasture Committee, and the Sno-Bees are aware of the conservation restrictions. Council granted permission on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. B) Authorization to Award Pool Refurbishment A/E Contract. Manager Mackenzie reviewed the memo from the RFP review committee, and said he agrees with their recommendation to award the contract to CHA Design/Construction Solutions from South Burlington. There was discussion on the difference between the estimated cost and the bid price, and the process for developing estimates. Council approved awarding the contract to CHA Design on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. C) Authorize DuBois & King Engineering Agreement for City Hall Heating System & Controls Assessment. Manager Mackenzie reviewed his memo on the D&K engineering agreement. There was discussion on the installation of the second boiler in City Hall; and the need to review the entire heating system, conduct an inventory assessment, catalog and diagram the current system. Council approved the agreement and authorized the Manager to sign on behalf of the City on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. D) Approve Resolution 2018-11 to Submit LWCF Pool Refurbishment Grant Application. Council approved the resolution and authorized the Manager to sign on behalf of the City on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. E) Discussion of Teen Center and use of Wheelock House. Mayor Herring called for any conflicts related to this topic. Councilor Tuper-Giles noted he is president of the Barre Partnership, and there is a possibility of the Partnership being involved in use of the building. Councilor Higby noted Studio Place Arts did not seek funding from the Vermont Community Foundation Closing the Opportunity Gap funds in 2018, and cannot speak to what SPA’s intentions might be in 2019. Councilors did not see conflicts in these disclosures. There was discussion on staffing and supervision, layout, partnering with those currently operating the teen center in Montpelier, Barre Partnership operation of a visitor’s center in a portion of the building, attendance capacity, code issues that need to be addressed, budget for fit-up costs and operations, and fair market value for rental of the space. Mayor Herring will make all related documents available to Council in hard copies or electronically. F) Coin Drop Funds. (added under adjustments) Councilor Boutin said $3,600 was raised during last Saturday’s coin drop, and an additional $1,500 in private donations has been received or pledged, bringing the total to $5,100. He said Barre City 2 To be approved at 12-18-18 Barre City Council Meeting Elementary and Middle School has identified 12 at-risk children who would receive gifts, which are to be delivered by police officers. it was noted that past funds have been divided between the school and Barre Salvation Army for its Christmas for Kids program. Councilor Boutin made the motion to donate 50% of the funds to BCEMS and 50% to the Salvation Army. The motion was seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. There was further discussion on use of funds, designating other or additional recipients, and purchase & delivery of gifts. Councilor Boutin withdrew his motion, which was acceptable to the seconder. Councilor Boutin made the motion to donate all funds collected to Barre City Elementary and Middle School to purchase gifts for at-risk children. The gifts are to be delivered by police officers. The motion was seconded by Councilor LePage. Motion carried. Round Table – Councilor Higby suggested people purchase gift certificates from local businesses as holiday gifts. She received an email about Tai Chi classes being offered at the Barre Senior Center to help prevent fall risks. Councilor Morey encouraged people to shop downtown. Councilors thanked those who donated during Saturday’s coin drop, and thanked Northfield Savings Bank for handling the funds collected. Councilor LePage cautioned people to be careful on icy surfaces. Councilor Batham said the Council on Aging is partnering with local churches to offer a Christmas Day dinner. They are looking for donations and volunteers. Executive Session – Councilor Batham made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of the personnel and real estate issues to be discussed would clearly place the City of Barre at a substantial disadvantage should the discussion be public. The motion was seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. Council went into executive session at 8:13 PM to discuss personnel and real estate under the provisions of 1 VSA § 313 on motion of Councilor Batham, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. Manager Mackenzie, Public Works Director Bill Ahearn, and Clerk Dawes were invited into the executive session. Council came out of executive session at 9:53 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. No action was taken. The Council meeting adjourned at 9:53 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Batham. Motion carried. An audio recording of this meeting is available from the City Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 3