City Council

To be approved at 10-22-19 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held October 15, 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: NONE Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Special meeting of October 8, 2019 o Regular meeting of October 8, 2019  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2019-42:  Accounts Payable: $200,627.71  Payroll (gross): $116,070.00 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 on October 23rd for a preliminary training on reapportionment.  There are three properties scheduled for tax sale on October 24th. Approval of Building Permits – Clerk Dawes noted that due to the recent ordinance changes, building permits no longer require Council approval as they are being approved administratively in the planning and permitting department. Lists of permits will continue to be included in Council packets. Liquor Control – Council approved the following ½ year third class license on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried with Councilors Boutin and Tuper-Giles abstaining. Applicant Address Gusto’s 28 Prospect Street City Manager’s Report - Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Attended coordination meeting for the 2020 census complete count committee, which is being headed up by Capstone. It was announced at the meeting that each uncounted person results in a $30,000 loss in federal funding to the community.  UVM men’s and women’s basketball teams are holding open practices this Saturday at the Civic Center Auditorium.  The Transportation Advisory Committee is meeting tomorrow evening.  The yard waste disposal program at Barre Town has been extended for one additional weekend. 1 To be approved at 10-22-19 Barre City Council Meeting  The fire department, in conjunction with Domino’s Pizza and local hardware stores, offered free pizza delivery by a fire truck and smoke detector testing this past weekend.  The arches have been installed in the Pearl Street pedway, and lights for the Keith Avenue parking lot have arrived and will be installed in the near future. Ribbon cutting is scheduled for November 8th.  Striping crosswalks, stop bars, and other street painting is under way.  No smoking signs have been installed in City parks, and will be going up in the playgrounds.  Ice starts being formed in the BOR next week, with the opening date set for October 27th. Visitors and Communications – Councilor Morey said the Barre Partnership will be holding a Halloween costume parade on Saturday, October 26th, beginning at noon. The parade will gather at the Capstone parking lot and travel down North Main Street to Prospect Street. Council approved the parade permit, contingent upon making arrangements with the Police Department, on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor LePage. Motion carried with Councilor Morey abstaining. Mayor Herring said approval will be ratified at next week’s meeting. Old Business – NONE New Business – A) Approve Veteran’s Day Parade Permit. Council approved the November 11th Veteran’s Day parade permit on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. B) Potential for Arts District and Cultural presence/Arts Council. Councilor Tuper-Giles said he is looking for suggested locations throughout the City to host a variety of arts events and exhibits, and is discussing support and funding opportunities available through the Vermont Arts Council. It was suggested there could be art installed along the bike path, and site-specific performances could be held throughout the City. Councilor Tuper-Giles will give an update in January. C) Budget Survey. Councilor Boutin said participation on the current budget survey has been disappointing, and he plans on keeping the survey open for a while longer in the hopes of reaching at least 250 participants. There was discussion on ways to spread the word including pushing the survey out through the neighborhood watch groups, and making it easier to find on the City website. The survey will stay open until there are 250 participants or November 30th, whichever comes first. D) Update on Park-Mobile Parking Software Agreement Review and Implementation. Manager Mackenzie said he has reviewed the agreement and comments made by staff, and is waiting for a final review by City Attorney Oliver Twombly. The Manager said he has a phone conference next week with the Park-Mobile rep to discuss proposed changes to the agreement. Implementation will follow 45-60 days after execution of the agreement. Round Table – Councilor Steinman thanked the public works department for painting the crosswalks. Councilor Waszazak acknowledged yesterday’s Indigenous Peoples Day. He reminded people of tomorrow’s Transportation Advisory Meeting and Thursday’s Housing Forum. 2 To be approved at 10-22-19 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor LePage said California recently approved legislation prohibiting privately run prisons, and he hopes the issue will be taken up in Vermont. Councilor Morey said people need to be vigilant about ticks, as they are still out and about this fall. Mayor Herring reported on the following:  Council will not meet on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, as they fall on Tuesdays. Council will likely meet on Thursday, January 2nd in lieu of the holiday dates. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 7:29 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 3