City Council

To be approved at 11-05-19 Barre City Council Meeting Special Meeting of the Barre City Council Held October 29, 2019 The Special Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order by Mayor Lucas Herring at 6:00 PM at the Barre City public works campus. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilor John Steinman; from Ward II, Councilor Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilor Rich Morey. Also present were City Manager Steve Mackenzie, Public Works Director Bill Ahearn, and Deputy Public Works Director Steve Micheli. Absent: From Ward I, Councilor Jeffrey Tuper-Giles; from Ward II, Councilor Michael Boutin; and from Ward III, Councilor John LePage. The Council toured the public works campus and buildings. Mayor Herring adjourned the meeting at 6:46 PM. There is no audio recording of this meeting. Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held October 29, 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, Councilor Rich Morey. Also present were City Manager Steve Mackenzie and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: From Ward III, Councilor John LePage. Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Herring said the discussion on Working Community Challenges will be moved to the end of the agenda to accommodate the presenters. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Morey. Motion carried with Councilor Steinman abstaining.  Minutes of the following meetings: o Regular meeting of October 22, 2019  City Warrants as presented: o Approval of Week 2019-44:  Accounts Payable: $1,613,426.46  Payroll (gross): $121,352.86 The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  Second quarter property taxes are due by November 15th. Liquor Control – Council considered a special event permit from North Branch Vineyards LLC of Montpelier and Lost Nation Brewing of Morrisville. Clerk Dawes said this is the first time the City has received a special event permit application with more than one establishment listed on it. She confirmed with the Department of Liquor and Lottery that such a practice is allowed. 1 To be approved at 11-05-19 Barre City Council Meeting Council approved the special event permit application for North Branch and Lost Nation on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried with Councilors Boutin and Tuper-Giles abstaining. Council approved a BYOB request for a birthday party at the Old Labor Hall on November 10th on motion of Councilor Morey, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried with Councilors Boutin and Tuper-Giles abstaining. City Manager’s Report - Manager Mackenzie reported on the following:  Completed reconciliation of the Park Mobile contract. Hope to have executed within a week.  Researched abutters for 5 Second Street and 3 Portland Street, and will be issuing the RFP for sale of the two properties to the abutters and general public in the near future.  Yard waste drop off runs through this weekend, and curbside pickup is scheduled for next week.  Winter parking ban goes into effect November 15th, and runs to April 1st. Visitors and Communications – NONE Old Business – NONE New Business – B) FY2020 First Quarter Update. Finance Director Dawn Monahan reviewed the first quarter budget-to-actuals for FY20. Revenues are running slightly ahead, but property tax collections are skewed due to the large state payment received at the beginning of the fiscal year. Ambulance revenues are running ahead of budget, but cell tower rental revenues will be reduced due to loss of a contract. Overall expenses are running a bit below budgeted figures. Ms. Monahan said work on the FY19 audit is running smoothly, and the audit is expected to be completed sometime in December. The projections for the end of year balance for FY19 is approximately ($200,000), which will use up most of the fund balance at the end of FY18. C) President Theodore Roosevelt Historic Marker. Councilor Waszazak said final wording for the marker has been developed, and overall approval is expected next week. Once approved, the Manager will be contacted to arrange installation in the spring. D) Preparation of Public Works Department Campus Planning RFP. Manager Mackenzie passed out a tax map of the campus and said he and staff are developing the RFP and refining the scope of work. The RFP will have a final review by Council at the November 12th meeting before being released. The RFP would allow exploration of other locations. E) Discussion and/or Action regarding the rear of the Wheelock House. Mayor Herring said the City received three proposals for use of the rear of the Wheelock building, however two of the proposals have been withdrawn. The remaining proposal is the budget for a teen center presented by Washington County Youth Service Bureau. The Mayor said the City can begin to explore grant and other funding opportunities once the Council authorizes use of the rear of the building for a teen center. Council approved authorizing use of the rear of the Wheelock building for a teen center, and beginning the search for funding options on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried. 2 To be approved at 11-05-19 Barre City Council Meeting F) Discussion on Holiday Parking Meter Donation Program. Councilor Boutin made the motion to designate funds collected through the holiday meter donation program for the teen center. The motion was seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles. There was discussion on whether the funds could be reallocated to support recreation programs should the teen center not move forward, and Councilor Waszazak offered a friendly amendment to allocate the funds for the recreation department. The friendly amendment was accepted by the original mover and seconder. There was further discussion on the use of the funds. The original motion was revised by Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Tuper-Giles: Council approved designating the funds to the recreation department for use in the operations of the teen center. If the center does not move forward, the funds will be released for general program support in the recreation department. Motion carried with Councilor Waszazak voting against. A) Discussion and/or Action on Working Community Challenge. Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission executive director Bonnie Waninger, Central Vermont Medical Center CEO Anna Noonan, and Barre Area Development Corporation executive director Joel Schwartz spoke of the partnerships being developed in support of the working community challenge. Ms. Waninger said they are requesting the Council endorse a letter of support for the grant application. Ms. Noonan said the CVMC Thrive program’s focus and intent is to build partnerships to amplify and improve communities. What has been missing from the program has been involvement from municipalities and the business community, and she welcomes the growing partnerships. They are hoping to receive a $50,000 planning grant, which would allow them to lay the necessary groundwork to apply for a 3-year $300,000 grant. Mr. Schwartz said economic development is a piece of the puzzle through providing access to jobs, workforce investment and training. Council approved endorsing the letter of support on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Steinman. Motion carried. Round Table – Councilor Steinman said the Barre Rotary Club will start cleaning out the closet space on the second floor of the Wheelock building this weekend. The space will be used for storage of supplies and clothing for people in need. Councilor Morey said he participated in last week’s Petal it Forward flower give-away organized by Forget Ne Not Flowers and Gifts. He said last weekend’s Halloween parade was wonderful, and downtown trick or treating is scheduled for Thursday from 4-5 PM. The 5th annual Granite City 5K Run/Walk is this coming Saturday. Mayor Herring said he attended last weekend’s 50th anniversary celebration for the Barre Tones women’s barbershop group. Executive Session – NONE The Council meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM on motion of Councilor Tuper-Giles, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. Due to a technical error, there is no audio recording of the meeting. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 3