City Council

To be approved at 04-23-19 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held April 16, 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, Councilor John Steinman; 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 Carol Dawes. Absent: From Ward I, Councilor Jeffrey Tuper-Giles. Adjustments to the Agenda: NONE Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor LePage, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Regular meeting of April 9, 2019  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2019-16:  Accounts Payable: $264,803.19  Payroll (gross): $129,048.17  2019 Licenses & Permits – o Pool Table & Video Machine Licenses:  Gusto’s, 2 pool tables/3 video machines, 28 Prospect Street  Mingle Nightclub, 1 pool table, 214 N. Main Street  American Legion, 1 pool table, 320 N. Main Street  Jerry’s Sports Tavern, 1 pool table, 30 Summer Street o Movie Theater Licenses:  Paramount Theater, 2 screens, 241 N. Main Street The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk Dawes reported on the following:  The results from last week’s April 9th special school election are posted on the City website.  The sample ballot for the May 14th special school budget votes is posted on the City website.  H.73, the charter changes bill, has passed the legislature, and is effective upon passage. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. Applicant Address Vicki Abare 28 Plain Street Nancy Bouffard 41 Merchant Street Liquor Control – Council approved the following 2019 liquor license renewals on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. Establishment Address License Mr. Z’s 379 N. Main Street 1st class Gusto’s 28 Prospect Street 1st class & outside consumption Smolder Mist Pub 107 S. Main Street 1st class & outside consumption Elks Club 10 Jefferson Street 1st class Asian Gourmet 276 N. Main Street 1st class Morse Block Deli 260 N. Main Street 1st class 1 To be approved at 04-23-19 Barre City Council Meeting Soup N’ Greens 321 N. Main Street 1st class Beverage Baron 411 N. Main Street 2nd class Fastop 377 N. Main Street 2nd class Champlain Farms 15 S. Main Street 2nd class Champlain Farms 169 Washington Street 2nd class North End Deli Mart 475 N. Main Street 2nd class Cumberland Farms 524 N. Main Street 2nd class Cumberland Farms 132 S. Main Street 2nd class Eric Tuper-Giles from The Reynolds House Inc. at 102 S. Main Street addressed the Council with regards to their new 1st class liquor license. Council approved the new license on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  The RFP for the Keith Avenue parking lot and Pearl Street pedway projects was released yesterday. Responses are due in a month.  There will be a temporary traffic lanes shift on Summer Street beginning next week for four weeks to allow for repair work and mural installation on the Summer Street wall.  The state has selected the Barre City Public Safety Building for its Capitol for the Day program. The Governor and his cabinet will be there in the morning on Monday, April 22nd.  City staff members are coordinating flood watches over the next several days when warmer weather and rain are forecast.  Yard waste drop off at the Barre Town stump dump begins April 27th. The schedule is posted on the City website. Visitors and Communications – NONE Old Business – A) Municipal Pool Upgrade Progress Report (with Advisory Group). Project Manager John Hickock gave a powerpoint progress report, and said they are approximately 15% of the way through the design work on the project. Mr. Hickock reviewed the pool improvement plan and goals, the layout and features, and the budget with alternatives. Manager Mackenzie said available funds total approximately $900,000, which should support the version of the plan that includes rehabilitation of the pool and equipment building, and construction of the beach entry. Funding does not seem to be available for the proposed splash pad, but it will still be included in the design work in the hope that funds will be identified in the future. There was discussion on fundraising options and sponsorships, the condition of piping under the pool, and the next phases of the project. Bids are expected to be solicited late summer, with the contract being awarded in early September and construction starting shortly after that. Project completion is tentatively scheduled for June 2020, with an eye towards being open for a full season next year. New Business – A) American Red Cross – Sound the Alarm. Kerri Foley and Lisa Lemieux said the Red Cross Sound the Alarm program will be installing free smoke detectors in owner-occupied single homes beginning April 27th. Visit their website at soundthealarm.org to make a reservation, or visit the auditorium that day to schedule an installation and learn more about home fire safety preparedness. They are working closely with the VT Division of Fire Safety and the Barre City Fire Department, and the expectation is that 600 alarms will be installed in the Barre area. 2 To be approved at 04-23-19 Barre City Council Meeting B) American Legion Baseball. Shawn Stabell said American Legion Post 10 has organized a baseball team after a hiatus of 15 years. The team is made up of 15-18 year-olds, and will play other Legion teams throughout the state during their 22-game season. Mr. Stabell said they have been working closely with Barre Youth Sports and Barre Community Baseball to get the team set up. Councilors wished the team a great first season. C) Aldrich Library Update. This item is deferred. D) Authorization to Submit USDA Application for New Ambulance. Fire Chief Doug Brent asked Council to approve applying for a $50,000 grant to help with the planned purchase of a new ambulance. Council approved submitting the application, and authorized the Manager and Clerk to sign the application on behalf of the City, on motion of Councilor Steinman, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. E) Authorization to Submit GHSP Grant Applications for: a. Occupant Protection Patrol. b. DUI Patrol. c. Advance Speed Sign. Council reviewed a memo from Deputy Police Chief Larry Eastman, requesting authorization to submit grant applications to the Governors Highway Safety Program. Council approved submitting the applications, and authorized the Manager to sign on behalf of the City, on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. F) FY19 Council Priorities Update. Mayor Herring reviewed the list of priorities, removing items that have been completed, or are no longer relevant. There was discussion on priority updates, posting Council packets on the City website after meetings, and moving forward with the sale of City-owned property. G) Pre-authorization for Manager to Execute FY20 Fuels Contracts. Manager Mackenzie reviewed his memo from earlier in the day, and asked Council to pre-authorize him to accept fuels contracts when the pricing is most advantageous for the City. Council authorized the Manager to execute heating oil and propane purchase contracts as prices are deemed prudent by the Manager, on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. H) Letter of Support of Commuter Rail Service in H.529 – Transportation Bill. Mayor Herring said there is pending legislation that supports commuter rail, but does not include the Barre area. The Mayor requested Council to approve submitting a letter of support to include the Barre – Montpelier corridor in a study for a possible pilot community rail service. Council approved the request on motion of Councilor LePage, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. Round Table – Councilor Steinman said the Agency of Natural Resources has discovered a third rabid coyote, and encouraged people to keep their pets safe. Councilor Boutin expressed his sorrow at the recent passing of long-time resident Gerald Dudley. Councilor LePage voiced his frustration with the weather. He encouraged people to hang in there; spring will come. 3 To be approved at 04-23-19 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Morey said batting cages are available for rent in the BOR at the Civic Center. The Recreation Department is hosting the annual egg hunt this Saturday at Rotary Park. Mayor Herring reported on the following:  April 27th is scrap metal day at the auditorium; and yard waste drop off at the Barre Town stump dump begins that day.  Green Up Day is May 4th.  Our local legislators are scheduled to give an update to the Council on May 7th.  The Granite City Grocery annual meeting is May 29th at the Auditorium. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 8:48 PM on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried. An audio recording of this meeting is available through the City Clerk’s office. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 4