City Council

To be approved at 10-15-19 Barre City Council Meeting Special Meeting of the Barre City Council Held October 8, 2019 The Special Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order at 6:00 PM at Barre City Hall by Mayor Lucas Herring. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilors John Steinman and Jeffrey Tuper- Giles; from Ward II, Councilor Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors John LePage and Rich Morey. Also present were City Manager Steve Mackenzie, Police Chief Tim Bombardier, Caroline Earle representing the Fraternal Order of Police, dispatcher Tonia Parshley, and Clerk Carol Dawes. Absent: From Ward II, Councilor Michael Boutin. Executive Session - Councilor Tuper-Giles 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 Steinman. Motion carried. Council went into executive session at 6:01 PM to discuss personnel under the provisions of 1 VSA § 313 on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried. Manager Mackenzie, Chief Bombardier, Ms. Earle and Ms. Parshley were invited into the executive session. Council came out of executive session at 6:34 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried. Council approved the Manager’s recommendation regarding an employee grievance on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried with Councilors Waszazak and LePage voting against. The special Council meeting adjourned at 6:35 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried. There is no audio recording of this meeting. Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held October 8, 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 City Manager Steve Mackenzie and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Herring said the agenda items on Green Mountain Transit and Park-Mobile have been deferred to future Council meetings, and the City Manager’s report will be taken up later in the agenda. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by 1 To be approved at 10-15-19 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried with Councilor Steinman abstaining.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Special meeting of September 24, 2019 o Regular meeting of September 24, 2019  City Warrants as presented: o Ratification of Week 2019-40:  Accounts Payable: $389,962.73  Payroll (gross): $145,391.16 o Approval of Week 2019-41:  Accounts Payable: $197,841.20  Payroll (gross): $122,136.34 Council approved a food vending license for Rise Up Bakery at 48 Granite Street on motion of Councilor LePage, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried. The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  The Board of Civil Authority property tax assessment appeal inspection team reports and deliberations will be held on October 17th.  The BCA is holding a joint meeting with the Barre Town BCA for a preliminary training on reapportionment.  There are three properties scheduled for tax sale on October 24th. Approval of Building Permits – Council ratified the following building permits on motion of Councilor LePage, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. Applicant Address David Wells 7 Highland Avenue Debra Gable & William Laprade 92 S. Main Street Beverly Raymond 4 Upland Avenue John & Cynthia Hooker 29 Beckley Street Rachel Keach & James Kline 97 Tremont Street Council approved the following building permits on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. Applicant Address Samantha Davis-Hiscock & Benjamin Hiscock 10 Olliver Street City of Barre 6 N. Main Street Thad & Martha Blaisdell 1 Fairview Street Liquor Control – Council approved the following ½ year third class license on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried with Councilors Boutin and Tuper-Giles abstaining. Applicant Address Simply Delicious 14 N. Main Street Visitors and Communications – NONE Old Business – A) Sale of 5 Second Street using the Sealed Bid Process. Manager Mackenzie said no bids were received. 2 To be approved at 10-15-19 Barre City Council Meeting B) Review Municipal Pool Upgrade Project Re-Scoping Plan/Schedule. The Manager reviewed the revised re-scoping plan developed in conjunction with staff, the pool advisory committee, and the consultant. The beach entry will be included in the base bid, and other items will either be removed or bid as optional. The plan is to have the revised plan out to bid by early February, with construction planned for next season. New Business – A) Transportation Update. Jim Alvarez from Central Vermont Medical Center gave an update on assisting patients to reach the Barre Health Center on South Main Street. Mr. Alvarez said they are providing transportation assistance through Payless Taxi. Additionally, Green Mountain Transit will deviate from its regular route by ¾ of a mile to allow people to take the bus to the health center. There are ongoing discussions on extending the bus route to serve that area on a regular basis, and CVMC has offered to partner in the construction of a bus shelter. John Moore from Green Mountain Transit said their studies show a need for extended service running south on Route 14 to cover the school, health center, pool and playground area, senior center and grocery store. A route extension would likely impact frequencies on current routes, and require additional funding support from partners. There will be public hearings on these proposals. B) Morrisville Connector Update. This item is deferred to a future meeting. While Mayor Herring assisted in setting up his laptop for the CVMC presentation, Manager Mackenzie began his manager’s report. Manager’s Report: Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Gave updates on the following construction projects: Pearl Street pedestrian way, lower Camp Street, Merchant Street, Ayers Street sidewalks, Hill Street paving repairs, Midway interim paving, Pearl Street parking lot reconfigurations. The Manager’s report will continue later in the meeting. C) CVMC Priority Focus in FY20. Patti Fisher, Chief Medical Officer for Central Vermont Medical Center, reviewed the results of the community health needs assessment. Dr. Fisher said the assessment is done every three years and helps CVMC to set its priorities and strategies, and develop implementation plans. The data is posted on the CVMC website. D) Authorization to Award Energy Plan Public Engagement Consultant to EcoStrategies. Energy Committee member Conor Teal said the Committee received three submissions to their RFP for public engagement consultants, and they recommend awarding the contract to EcoStrategies LLC. Council approved awarding the contract as recommended on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. Mr. Teal encouraged the community to participate in developing the energy plan. E) Errors and Omissions Adjustment Recommendations #1 2019. City Assessor Joe LeVesque presented five possible E&O recommendations. There was discussion on 3 To be approved at 10-15-19 Barre City Council Meeting whether there were actually errors or omissions associated with the five presented recommendations. Mr. LeVesque said only the 204 Hill Street property qualified, as he had made an error in not properly evaluating the wet condition of the property, and the impact on the property assessment. He recommended reducing the land assessment for 204 Hill Street by $20,000. Council approved the reduction on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried with Councilor Steinman abstaining. Council did not act on the other four recommendations for 122 Batchelder Street #1, 14 Ayers Street, 435 N. Main Street and 36 Leonard Street. F) Presentation of Mayoral Proclamation Naming November 1st Extra Mile Day. Mayor Herring said he signed the proclamation again this year. G) Approval of Proposed City Fee Changes. Clerk Dawes reviewed the proposed fee changes in the fire and permitting departments. Council approved the changes on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried. H) Review and/or Approval of Wheelock House Lease with the Barre Partnership. Barre Partnership executive director Tracie Lewis and board chair Caitlin Corkins reviewed the draft lease and noted some minor changes they’d like to incorporate in the document. There was discussion on operations of the welcome center, pro-ration of utilities bills, and the length of the lease term. Council approved the lease as amended and authorized the Manager to negotiate the length of the lease and sign on behalf of the City on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried with Councilor Morey abstaining. I) Establish Process for Review & Selection of Wheelock House Tenancy Proposals. Manager Mackenzie said the City received three proposals for use of the rest of the Wheelock House building. Proposals were received from Washington County Youth Service Bureau, Studio Place Arts and the Montessori School of Central Vermont. There was discussion on making the proposals public, and inviting representatives from each organization to a future Council meeting. The proposals will be discussed at the October 22nd meeting. J) Update on Park-Mobile Parking Software Agreement Review and Implementation. This item is deferred until next week. City Manager’s Report – continued Manager Mackenzie continued his report on the following:  Upper Camp Street and Midway Street water and sewer line construction projects are deferred to next season.  The painting machine has been repaired, and crosswalks and street striping will be completed by the end of the month. Councilor Tuper-Giles asked that the crosswalks be rainbow striped next June for Pride Month.  Flushing of the water lines was completed last week. There was discussion on offering a small discount to water users as compensation for the discolored water many experienced this year.  Reviewed employee vacancies.  Attended VLCT town fair and annual meeting, where they reviewed the 2020 legislative priorities and initiatives.  No smoking signs will be installed in the parks and playgrounds later this week. 4 To be approved at 10-15-19 Barre City Council Meeting  The Youth Triumphant memorial was washed last week.  Contract negotiations with firefighters and steelworkers are ongoing, and there’s a kickoff meeting scheduled for negotiations with public works.  Fall yard waste drop off at the Barre Town stump dump is ongoing, and yard waste pickup will be scheduled for early or mid-November.  The Veteran’s Day parade is scheduled for November 11th.  Green Mountain Power will be closing Prospect Street tomorrow for installation of a water main. They will be closing the street again later this week to install the sewer line.  One panel of the Civil War monument in City Hall Park was destroyed over the weekend during a car accident. The panel will be replicated and replaced. Councilor Steinman asked how to get the Post Office to clean up its lawn. Manager Mackenzie said he’ll contact the postmaster. Round Table – Councilor Waszazak said there is a housing forum on Thursday, October 17th, at the Elks Club, and the Aldrich Library will present its annual report to the Barre City Council and Barre Town Selectboard on October 21st. Councilor Tuper-Giles said he welcomed the VT Department of Environmental Conservation last week, and was impressed by the amount of funding support the VDEC has provided the City in the past. Councilor LePage said he was proud to be all in pink this evening in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Councilor Morey recommended that people walk the bike path from Fairview Street to Bridge Street, as the fall foliage is beautiful. Mayor Herring reported on the following:  The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board is holding its annual meeting in Barre City later this week.  Barre Area Development Corp. has released the marketing website: www.barrerocksolid.com.  Police Officer Amos Gaylord and police dog Mikey will give a public demonstration in the near future.  Granite City Grocery will give a presentation at a future Council meeting. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 9:02 PM on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. Motion carried. An audio recording of the meeting is available through the Clerk’s office. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 5