City Council

To be approved at 09-17-19 Barre City Council Meeting Special Meeting of the Barre City Council Held September 10, 2019 The Special Meeting of the Barre City Council began at 6:00 PM at the Civic Center complex, and was called to order by Mayor Lucas Herring at 6:31 PM when a quorum was established. In attendance were: From Ward II, Councilors Michael Boutin (arrived 6:31 PM) and Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilor Rich Morey. Also present were City Manager Steve Mackenzie, Buildings and Community Services Director Jeff Bergeron, BCS deputy director Stephanie Quaranta; and members of the Civic Center Committee: Art Dessureau, Sue Higby, Brad Ormsby, Charlie Atwood, and Brent Gagne. Absent: From Ward I, Councilors John Steinman and Jeffrey Tuper-Giles; and from Ward III, Councilor John LePage. There was discussion on repairs that are under way and still needed for the BOR, Alumni Hall, and the auditorium. Documentation was outdated, which Jeff Bergeron will update and provide back to the committee and Council. Additional conversation is still needed on rate adjustments at each of the facilities. Mayor Herring adjourned the meeting at 6:50 PM. There is no audio recording of this meeting. Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held September 10, 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 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 City Manager Steve Mackenzie and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: From Ward I, Councilor John Steinman. Adjustments to the Agenda: NONE Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Special meeting of August 27, 2019 o Regular meeting of August 27, 2019  City Warrants as presented: o Ratification of Week 2019-36:  Accounts Payable: $1,760,904.61  Payroll (gross): $116,357.62 o Approval of Week 2019-37:  Accounts Payable: $671,991.26  Payroll (gross): $118,596.08 o 2019 Licenses: NONE The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  The Board of Civil Authority is holding property tax assessment appeal hearings next Thursday, 1 To be approved at 09-17-19 Barre City Council Meeting September 19th, beginning at 6:00 PM.  Water/sewer bill payments are due by September 30th. Approval of Building Permits – NONE Liquor Control – NONE City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Only one bid was received for the pool project, and the bid was approximately twice the projected cost. The City will work with the consultant and advisory committee to revise the project and put it back out to bid. Construction is tentatively scheduled for next year, and the pool will not open for the 2020 season.  The Keith Avenue parking lot is open. Signage and lighting will be installed in the near future.  Work on the Pearl Street pedestrian way continues, with arches, concrete, sculpture and lighting to be installed.  BOR chiller repairs are ahead of schedule, and the alarm installation is on schedule. All should be completed in time for the ice season.  Replacement of water, sewer and storm sewer utilities have begun on lower Merchant Street. The project is expected to take 3-4 weeks to complete.  Pearl Street Ext. will be closed next week for 3-4 days to remove a tree.  “No smoking” and “no bike riding on the sidewalks” signs have arrived and will be installed as staff time allows.  Met with Barre Town to resolve 4th quarter water billing questions related to malfunctioning Town equipment.  The request for bids for sale of 5 Second Street has been issued.  RFP for use of the rear portion of Wheelock House has been issued.  Realtor William Raveis will be marketing some larger City-owned properties for sale. A list of smaller parcels is being vetted by staff, and those identified as marketable will be offered for sale.  The schedule for the fall yard waste drop off at the Barre Town stump dump is being finalized. Visitors and Communications – Midway Street resident Robert Marsh said the street is in terrible condition. Manager Mackenzie said the street is scheduled to be repaved next month. Mr. Marsh said people aren’t observing the stop sign at the intersection of Merchant/Midway/Warren Streets, and suggested a traffic signal be installed. The Mayor said a discussion on Merchant Street traffic-related issues is on next week’s Council meeting agenda. Resident John Clark said he dropped his tax payment in the drop box on the front of City Hall at 3:45 PM on the August 15th due date, but his payment was deemed late and charged late fees and interest. Mr. Clark recommended the drop box have a way to date stamp envelopes, and there should be cameras. Clerk Dawes said she checked the drop box at 4:30 PM that day and retrieved all envelopes in the box. The Clerk said Human Resources director Rikk Taft reviewed the security video from the front of the building and didn’t see anyone deposit anything in the drop box. The Clerk said she plans on reviewing the video herself. Members of the Spaulding High School football team distributed gift bags containing schedules and coupons to the Council. The team spoke of their Rising Tide leadership program, and thanked the community for its ongoing support. They invited everyone to their home game this Friday. 2 To be approved at 09-17-19 Barre City Council Meeting New Business – B) Second Reading and Public Hearing 7:15 PM – 2019-07 Minimum Housing Ordinance Updates. Mayor Herring opened the 2nd reading and public hearing at 7:23 PM and invited comments and questions from the Council and public. Planning Director Janet Shatney said minor changes had been incorporated since the 1st reading. There was discussion on “City” references in the ordinance, what department is the main point of contact, the appeals process, and posting ordinance revisions on the website for public viewing. Mayor Herring closed the public hearing at 7:40 PM. Council approved the ordinance revisions on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor LePage. Motion carried. C) First Reading – 2019-06 Buildings and Building Construction Ordinance Revisions. Ms. Shatney reviewed the list of changes incorporated since the last first reading. Council approved moving the ordinance revisions to a 2nd reading and public hearing to be held at the September 24th Council meeting on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. A) Capstone and SOAR Presentation. Capstone Community Action executive director Sue Minter and CCA board member Jon Valsangiacomo gave a Powerpoint presentation on Capstone’s programs, the demographics of poverty, and the Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations & Results (SOAR) program. Ms. Minter said they started as Central Vermont Community Action in 1965, and help people and families out of poverty. They operate the largest food shelf in central Vermont. Ms. Minter reviewed statistics on poverty in our area, and said participation in the upcoming 2020 census is vital to receiving our share of federal assistance. There was discussion on possibly partnering the food shelf with a local grocery store, and looking at ways to collaborate with Granite City Grocery Co-op. Old Business – A) Update on Weathervane Appraisals and Insurance Options. Vermont Historical Society executive director Stephen Perkins said they have been approached by the American Folk Life Museum about borrowing the City’s weathervane for an upcoming exhibit. Mr. Perkins told the museum to contact the City. Manager Mackenzie said Mr. Perkins has informed him the weathervane can likely be covered under the museum’s insurance, provided an up-to-date appraisal is done. The cost of the appraisal, originally estimated as approximately $1,500, would be quickly offset by the annual savings on insurance costs. Mayor Herring noted the discussion on conducting an appraisal had been tabled by the Council at its August 20, 2019 meeting. Council approved taking the discussion off the table on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. There was discussion on the cost of the appraisal, the annual cost of insurance coverage, and the coverage provided by the museum’s insurance policy. Council approved moving forward with an appraisal of the weathervane on motion of Councilor Tuper- Giles, seconded by councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. New Business – continued D) Council Direction Regarding the FY21 Budget. Mayor Herring asked Councilors for their suggestions as Manager Mackenzie works on the FY21 budget. There was discussion on energy consciousness, limiting new spending, exploring new or increased revenue sources, and recognizing that staff compensation increases drive most of the annual increases. Councilors were encouraged to get any ideas to the Manager. 3 To be approved at 09-17-19 Barre City Council Meeting Round Table – Councilor Tuper-Giles delivered a gift basket from Northfield Savings Bank to Mayor Herring, who had won it at the Circle Calcutta fundraiser. He thanked the Manager and Public Works director Bill Ahearn for the traffic-related pop-ups throughout the City, and said he has observed the City’s efforts to make repairs to the Ayers Street traffic signal. Councilor Boutin thanked those who attended last week’s Ward II caucus and cookout. Councilor LePage said Capstone’s presentation shone a light on the impact of poverty on a community, and how poverty is everyone’s concern. Councilor Morey said he had heard both negative and positive public comments recently, and he thanked people for sharing their thoughts. He congratulated Councilor Waszazak on his recent engagement. Councilor Morey noted tomorrow is the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Mayor Herring reported on the following:  September is Suicide Awareness Month, and today is World Suicide Awareness Day.  Received kudos from residents for the recent repaving on lower Camp Street.  The City will be flushing water lines for 1-2 weeks beginning September 29th. Flushing will roil up the water, but will clear out the pipes.  There have been reports of rabies in the area. The City dropped bait traps in August. If you see a questionable animal, contact VT State Police or the game warden. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 9:12 PM on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. An audio recording of the meeting is available through the Clerk’s office. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 4