City Council

To be approved at 04-09-19 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held April 2, 2019 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 John Steinman and Jeffrey Tuper- Giles; from Ward II, Councilors Michael Boutin and Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors John LePage and Rich Morey. Also present were Manager Steve Mackenzie and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: NONE Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Regular meeting of March 26, 2019  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2019-14:  Accounts Payable: $216,266.57  Payroll (gross): $128,336.11  2019 Licenses & Permits – o Taxicab Driver Licenses:  Roger Bergeron, J&D Taxi o Taxicab Vehicle Licenses:  Green Cab Central Vermont, 1 vehicle The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  Dog licenses were due by April 1st. Dogs licensed after pay a late fine.  Early absentee voting is available for the April 9th special school district election to elect school board members.  Barre City charter change is expected to be approved by the Senate tomorrow.  The Clerk will not be at next week’s meeting, as she’ll be at the polls for the BUUSD election. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. Applicant Address Kenneth & Michelle Lunde 160 Washington Street Quarter Horse LLC 5 Warren Street Liquor Control – Council approved a request to cater application from The Pub in Williamstown for an MMA wrestling event at the auditorium on April 20th from 3:00 – 11:00 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  There is a water main break on Berlin Street below John Street. A limited boil water notice has been issued for streets affected by the break. 1 To be approved at 04-09-19 Barre City Council Meeting  Met with the design team for the Pearl Street pedestrian way and the Keith Avenue parking lot projects. Bids will be issued in mid-April, with construction slated to begin late June. Working with abutting property owners and the parking team on parking alternatives during construction.  Met with VTRANS on coordination of their move into City Place, including an event welcoming department staff to the City.  Begun coordinating the spring yard waste drop off and pick up dates. Visitors and Communications – NONE Old Business – NONE New Business – A) Summer Street Mural Project Update. Mayor Herring noted the Barre Rotary Club representative hadn’t arrived yet. Manager Mackenzie said the wall repairs and prep will be completed shortly. B) 1st Reading of the Unified Development Ordinance, Warned for 7:15 PM. Mayor Herring opened the 1st reading at 7:15 PM. Planning Commission Chair Jackie Calder introduced other PC members present, including David Sichel, Michael Hellien, and Rachel Rudi. Also present were Planning Director Janet Shatney, Zoning Administrator Heather Grandfield, and consultant Brandy Saxton from PlaceSense. Ms. Calder said the Planning Commission has been working on a complete revision of the zoning ordinances for about two years, and has held a series of public meetings to hear and address questions from the public. The PC approved the draft unified development ordinance and has passed it into the hands of the Council. Council now has 120 days to finalize the approval process. During this time, all permits issued by the City must be reviewed under both the current zoning ordinances and the draft zoning ordinances. Alison Friedkin from Downstreet Housing said they are working on a tiny house project on Brook Street. Current zoning does not allow houses as small as those being proposed, but the new ordinance would, so they are anxious to see the new zoning approved so they can move forward with their project. Former Mayor Thom Lauzon said he is working with Downstreet and Norwich University on the tiny house project, as it is being proposed for property he owns on Brook Street. He said he supports the zoning changes that would allow tiny houses to be built. Mr. Lauzon said the new zoning ordinances will shape development throughout the City for the next decade, and the document isn’t quite ready. He said he has concerns about language that would limit where facilities associated with recovery can be placed, along with facilities that dispense medication to support those in recovery. He also has concerns about changes in usage allowance that would prohibit a current tenant in one of his buildings from expanding their business. Mr. Lauzon suggested Council allow 3-6 weeks for additional public review and comments before considering approval. There was discussion on process, including what changes would be allowed without triggering a new review by the Planning Commission, what is the definition of a substantive change, and making high resolution versions of the maps available on-line. Council asked Mr. Lauzon to submit his other concerns and comments in writing. Mr. Lauzon said there appeared to be a boundary line discrepancy on the maps in the Granite Street area. The map was reviewed, and it was noted there is a boundary line error that will be corrected. There was further discussion on transition housing; reviewing maps indicating the location of parks, playgrounds, and other areas that would limit where dispensaries, health clinics and treatment centers 2 To be approved at 04-09-19 Barre City Council Meeting could be located; similar restrictions for adult businesses; and increased number of zoning districts in response to the 2014 municipal plan. Paul Malone, chair of the Spaulding High School board, said the school purchased a digital sign two years ago in anticipation of changing zoning ordinances that would allow such a sign on the school’s property. The draft ordinance would allow the sign, and Mr. Malone encouraged the Council to adopt that section of the ordinances as soon as possible so the school can install the sign. There was discussion on options for adoption of interim zoning. Councilors said they would like to hold a public informational meeting on April 17th to hear comments and concerns before holding a new 1st reading and public hearing at the April 23rd Council meeting. There was discussion on warning requirements for the new 1st reading and the informational meeting. Council approved warning a new 1st reading and public hearing for April 23rd at 7:15 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor LePage. Motion carried. Council will hold a public informational hearing on Wednesday, April 17th at 6:00 PM. A) Summer Street Mural Project Update. Continued. Mayor Herring noted Caroline Earle, past president of the Barre Rotary Club, had arrived to give an update on the Summer Street mural. Ms. Earle said installation is anticipated to happen in mid-May, and they are working with Public Works Director Bill Ahearn on installation details. Ms. Earle presented a donation in the amount of $612 from the Rotary Club to the City to be used for swimming pool passes or other summer recreation needs. C) Discussion and/or Approval of the Social Media Policy. Mayor Herring reviewed the draft revisions. There was discussion on posting, sharing or liking posts on personal Facebook pages, and what constitutes an open meeting. Councilors suggested a few additional revisions and corrections. Manager Mackenzie said executive assistant Jody Norway will make the changes and correct formatting to mirror other City policies. Council approved the policy as amended on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried with Councilors Steinman, LePage and Boutin voting against. D) Review and Acknowledgement of the Social Media Policy, Email Policy, and Conflict of Interest Policy. Councilors will review the policies and sign off on their acknowledgement by next week’s meeting. E) Approval/Execution of Amendment #2 to VTrans Finance & Maintenance (F&M) Agreement re: Barre City/Barre Town MEGC-M 6000(11)(Quarry Street Intersection Project). Manager Mackenzie said the local share of the project is estimated to be $255,000. The project is currently scheduled for two years from now. The Manager recommended Council approve the amendment as presented. Council approved the amendment on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. F) Discussion on Recruitment for current and future Bodies of the City. Mayor Herring reviewed the draft recruitment form. It will be presented to the Board of Civil Authority at Thursday’s pre-election meeting for consideration of placement at the polls during next Tuesday’s BUUSD election to elect school board members. 3 To be approved at 04-09-19 Barre City Council Meeting Round Table – Councilors reminded people to vote at Tuesday’s BUUSD school board election. Councilor Steinman said this Thursday is opening night for the Spaulding High School production of Into the Woods. His daughter is in the cast. Councilor Waszazak said the annual Studio Place Arts BASH fundraiser is April 12th. Councilor LePage encouraged the Council to be responsive to the Spaulding High School request with regards to their digital sign. Councilor Morey said he is wearing blue today in honor of World Autism Day. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 9:26 PM on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. There is an audio recording of this meeting available in the clerk’s office. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 4