City Council

To be approved at 06-25-19 Barre City Council Meeting Special Meeting of the Barre City Council Held June 18, 2019 The Special Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order by Mayor Lucas Herring at 6:00 PM at Barre City Hall. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilor John Steinman; from Ward II, Councilors Michael Boutin (arrived 6:10 PM) and Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors John LePage and Rich Morey (arrived 6:06 PM). Also present were Manager Steve Mackenzie, Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes, Police Chief Tim Bombardier. Also present were: Department of Liquor Control Inspector Weiland Patrick Ross and J&D Taxi Services owner Douglas Bergeron. Absent: From Ward I, Councilor Jeffrey Tuper-Giles. New Business: A) J&D Taxi Service License Suspension or Revocation Hearing. Chief Bombardier said J&D Taxi Services owner and driver Doug Bergeron was caught selling unstamped and untaxed cigarettes out of the back of a J&D taxi vehicle at the Cumberland Farms on N. Main Street. The case is being handled by DLC Inspector Ross. Inspector Ross said his casework has been completed and turned over to the Washington County State’s Attorney’s office, and an arraignment is scheduled for July 18th. Inspector Ross said the current charges rise to the level of a felony due to the dollar value of the uncollected taxes. Mr. Bergeron said he committed the illegal activity, though he wasn’t aware it was illegal at the time. He said suspension of his taxi driver license would be acceptable, but requested that the licenses issued to the company’s vehicles and drivers not be suspended or revoked. There was discussion on suspension versus revocation, possible pre- and post-arraignment actions including referral to the justice center, and consideration of innocent until proven guilty. Council approved suspending Doug Bergeron’s taxi driver license through the July 25th Council meeting following the July 18th arraignment hearing, at which time the Council will review and consider additional action related to Mr. Bergeron’s taxi driver license. Council will take up the matter for review and reconsideration sooner should there be pre-arraignment arrangements between Mr. Bergeron, the State’s Attorney, and DLC. The motion was made by Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried with Councilors Boutin and Steinman voting against. The Council meeting adjourned at 6:42 PM on motion of Councilor LePage, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. There is no audio recording of this meeting. Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held June 18, 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. 1 To be approved at 06-25-19 Barre City Council Meeting Absent: From Ward I, Councilor Jeffrey Tuper-Giles. Adjustments to the Agenda: Councilor Waszazak asked to talk about Flag Day under Visitors and Communications. Manager Mackenzie said new item J is deferred to next week. Mayor Herring said an executive session will be called for personnel discussion purposes, rather than contracts as was listed on the published agenda. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Regular meeting of June 11, 2019  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2019-25:  Accounts Payable: $233,241.45  Payroll (gross): $121,179.95 o 2019 Licenses:  Animal Licenses:  Serena Wells, 15 Grant Avenue, 9 chickens  Mark Atkins, 21 Camp Street, 3 poultry  Romni Palmer, 10 Giudici Street, 6 chickens  Taxi Operators and Vehicle Licenses:  J&D Taxi Services, 1 vehicle  Taxi Driver Licenses:  Krystle Jewett, J&D Taxi Services The City Clerk/Treasurer Report –  Water & sewer bills were mailed out June 1st, and are due by July 1st.  Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 8th, at 7:30 AM to set the municipal tax rate in advance of the tax bills being sent to the printer later that day.  The Aldrich Library is moving payroll services from the City to their accountant to consolidate accounting services. Approval of Building Permits – Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. Applicant Address Curt & Sheila Kreis Pouliot Avenue vacant lot David Richey 77 Woodland Drive Liquor Control – NONE City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Staff attended an FY18 audit debrief with the auditors, and began planning for the FY19 audit.  Work begins Monday on the Keith Avenue parking lot.  The municipal pool passed its inspection and has been filled for the season, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 24th.  The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps team begins work in the cow pasture next week. They will be camping in the cow pasture while completing their work. 2 To be approved at 06-25-19 Barre City Council Meeting Visitors and Communications – Barre Partnership executive director Tracie Lewis said organization of the Heritage Festival is going well. They are looking for additional vendors, sponsors and volunteers. Councilor Waszazak distributed American flags and spoke of Flag Day, which was June 14th. He said patriotism exists regardless of political spectrum. Beacon Street resident David Sichel thanked City staff for their quick response to notice of a wire hanging down across the street. Resident Denise Koloc said she is interested and available to volunteer in any capacity in support of the City. Old Business – NONE New Business – A) Update from the Community Garden and Tree Stewardship Committees. Amanda Garland, member of both committees, gave updates. Ms. Garland said the Tree Stewardship Committee planted nine trees on N. Main Street, with help from her Spaulding High School students. She thanked the business owners for offering support to the students as they planted the trees. The committee is partnering with the Montpelier Tree Board to share resources, and offered tree pruning training to City staff. They are developing prototypes for tree guards to protect trunks with the first one being installed around a new tree at Mathewson Playground, and they are working on developing a comprehensive tree maintenance plan, and planting screening at the granite museum to screen views of the wastewater treatment plant from the paths running through the museum’s property. The Community Garden Committee has three locations: Elmwood Cemetery, Brook Street and at the Garfield Avenue playground. Ten families are currently gardening, and there is additional capacity available. They will hold a seed swap in February, and a composting workshop this fall. Mayor Herring said Amanda will give the Council a tour of the garden locations tomorrow afternoon beginning at 5:00 PM. B) #2019-04: Warned for 7:15 PM. 1st Reading and Pubic Hearing of the Unified Development Ordinance. Mayor Herring opened the 1st reading and public hearing at 7:25 PM. Planning Director Janet Shatney reviewed the process since the first hearing in April, and said the Planning Commission had incorporated changes in response to comments submitted by the public since that time. The Mayor asked for comments or questions from the Council or public. Hearing none, he closed the hearing at 7:27 PM. Council approved warning the 2nd reading and public hearing for next week’s Council meeting, June 25th, on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried with Councilor Steinman abstaining. D) Authorization to Proceed with Unbudgeted Repair of BOR Chiller System. Buildings and Community Services Director Jeff Bergeron reviewed his memo on the repairs needed to the chiller system. Mr. Bergeron said the system has developed ammonia leaks, and needs to be re-tubed at an estimated cost of $100,000. The system must be running to put down and maintain ice in the BOR. Expected life of re-tubing is 25 years. 3 To be approved at 06-25-19 Barre City Council Meeting There was discussion on the condition of the compressors, cost for replacement if the chiller system, and possible fundraising options to help cover the unbudgeted expense. Manager Mackenzie said he will bring the discussion back for consideration of action at next week’s meeting. C) #2019-03: Warned for 7:30 PM. 2nd Reading and Public Hearing Chapter 18 Ordinance Changes. Mayor Herring opened the 2nd reading and public hearing at 7:35 PM and invited questions or comments from the Council or public. Hearing none, the Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:36 PM. Council approved the Chapter 18 ordinance changes on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried. E) Revise Policy for Penalty and Interest Charges on Miscellaneous Accounts Receivable. Clerk Dawes said the proposed changes are necessary due to the new accounts receivable computer module that goes into effect July 1st. The new system will be much more efficient and provide staff with a streamlined way to process AR invoices and payments. Council approved the policy changes on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried. F) Approval of FY19 Tax Anticipation Note Documents. Council approved the FY19 tax anticipation note documents from Community Bank on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried. G) Review/Acceptance of Annual Financial Management Questionnaire for VT State Auditor. Clerk Dawes said the questionnaire is required to be submitted to the Council and then forwarded to the State Auditor each June. Council accepted the completed questionnaire and approved the Mayor to sign on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. H) Discussion on the Annual Council and Mayoral Appointments. Manager Mackenzie said he emailed the latest draft appointment list. Council will approve appointments at next week’s meeting. I) Discussion and/or Approval of Sale or Retention and Use of the Wheelock House. Mayor Herring reviewed the recent history of the property. Councilor Morey said it isn’t in the best interest of the City to sell the property, or to lease it out and serve as landlord. He suggested the following:  The back section serve as a teen center;  The middle section be turned into a conference room;  The front section to be occupied by the Barre Partnership, and serve as a visitor’s center;  The front upstairs be office space for the Partnership; and  The basement to be used by the Barre Rotary Club for storage of DCF emergency supplies. Councilor Morey said fit-up costs are estimated at $1,000, and the Partnership and teen center would split the utility costs. There was discussion on holding a public process, temporary use of the back ½ as a field office for the Keith Avenue parking lot project, use of the teen center section by pre-school kids and families during the day, and temporary use by the Partnership through the Heritage Festival. 4 To be approved at 06-25-19 Barre City Council Meeting Council will hold an open meeting at the Wheelock House on Tuesday, July 9th, at 6:00 PM to hear from the Partnership and the public about use of the building. Council approved withdrawal of its previous action to sell the building on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried. J) Authorization to Execute Keith/Pearl Projects Construction Phase Agrmt with D&K. Deferred until next week. Round Table – Councilor LePage thanked Councilor Waszazak for the flags, and his reflections on being a patriot. Councilor Morey reminded people the Heritage Festival is looking for vendors, sponsors and volunteers. Mayor Herring reported on the following:  People have been contacting him about holding block parties. He reminded people to reach out to the police and public works departments to discuss street closures and other matters related to block parties.  Saturday, June 21st, is the summer solstice, and International Music Day.  The Council has been invited to tour the new green room meeting space at the Old Labor Hall.  There were several events and activities last Friday, June 14th: o CW Print & Design ribbon cutting. o Visit from Congressman Peter Welch. o Flag Day ceremony in City Hall Park. o Mayor Herring went on a late night ride along with the police department. Executive Session – Councilor Boutin made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of personnel 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 Morey. Motion carried. Council went into executive session at 8:17 PM to discuss contracts under the provisions of 1 VSA § 313 on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. Manager Mackenzie City Attorney Oliver Twombly were invited into the executive session. Council came out of executive session at 8:54 PM on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. No action was taken. The Council meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried. An audio recording of this meeting is available in the Clerk’s office. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 5