City Council

To be approved at 06/15/21 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held June 8, 2021 The Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order on video conference by Mayor Lucas Herring at 7:00 PM. In attendance, participating on video or phone, were: From Ward I, Councilors Emel Cambel and Jake Hemmerick; from Ward II, Councilors Michael Boutin and Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors Ericka Reil and Samn Stockwell. City staff members present via video or phone were City Manager Steve Mackenzie, Police Chief Tim Bombardier, Deputy Police Chief Larry Eastman, Human Resources Director Rikk Taft, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: Councilor Waszazak asked to add a discussion on the Development Review Board. Mayor Herring said it will be added at the end of the agenda. The Mayor said the Granite Museum update, the supply bids, and the Alertus security system purchase are all deferred. Manager Mackenzie asked to have an executive session for negotiations. Mayor Herring said the discussion on ordinance chapter 17 will be had after the discussion on the fee schedule. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Hemmerick, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried on roll call vote, with all voting in favor. A. Minutes of the following meetings: a. Regular meeting of May 25, 2021 B. City Warrants as presented: a. Ratification of Week 2021-22, dated June 2, 2021: i. Accounts Payable: $130,511.65 ii. Payroll (gross): $146,974.50 b. Approval of Week 2021-23, dated June 9, 2021: i. Accounts Payable: $1,977,244.81 ii. Payroll (gross): $135,516.64 C. 2021 Licenses & Permits: a. Entertainment License: i. Faith Community Church, July 11, 2021 from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM in Currier Park. Worship gathering and picnic. The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  The Barre Unified Union School District budget will be re-voted on June 9th and again will be held as a drive-through in the BOR. Polls will be open from 7AM – 7PM.  The state has re-opened the utility arrearage assistance program. The program is limited to residential renters, and is offering rent and utility assistance. Renters can learn more by clicking on the link on the City website, Facebook page, and shared on Front Porch Forum. Liquor Control – Council approved an alcohol day use permit application from Marie Pratt for a private party at Rotary Park on July 31st on motion of Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Reil. Motion carried on roll call vote, with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report - Manager Mackenzie noted his written weekly report included in the Council packet. The Manager said the City has been notified it has been awarded one of the Summer Matters grants in the amount of $31,000 to offer recreation programs this summer. 1 To be approved at 06/15/21 Barre City Council Meeting Visitors and Communications – Mayor Herring reminded Councilors to cc the Manager on any emails with staff. New Business – A) Appointment of Hannah Morgan to the Community Garden Committee. Hannah Morgan shared her interest in serving on the Community Garden Committee. Council approved the appointment on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried on roll call vote, with all voting in favor. B) Appointment of Dawn Magnus to the Community Garden Committee. Dawn Magnus shared her interest in serving on the Community Garden Committee. Council approved the appointment on motion of Councilor Hemmerick, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried on roll call vote, with all voting in favor. C) Appointment of Janette Shaffer to the Cow Pasture Committee. Janette Shaffer shared her interest in serving on the Cow Pasture Committee. Council approved the appointment on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried on roll call vote, with all voting in favor. D) Update from the Vermont Granite Museum. This item is deferred. E) Review/Approved City Fee Schedule Changes. Clerk Dawes reviewed the proposed fee changes in the clerk’s office, fire/ambulance department, police department, and recreation. There was discussion on the condition of the grills at Rotary Park and whether they could be repaired, and what appropriate ParkMobile fees would be for use of the electric vehicle charging stations. There was discussion on traffic violation fines. Chief Bombardier said the statutory reference included in the proposed ordinance changes for Chapter 17 Traffic would allow the City to use the fee schedule adopted and maintained by the judicial bureau. It was requested that those fees be listed in the City’s fee schedule. Merchant Street resident Jesse Rosado encouraged Council to think of other ways to control traffic to avoid a penalty-based approach. Chief Bombardier said the intent is not to increase the number of tickets issued but to increase the amount of fines that are retained by the City instead of the judicial bureau. The Clerk will work with Chief Bombardier and Deputy Chief Eastman on the traffic violation fees and proposed ParkMobile EV fees, and bring the proposed fee schedule changes back for Council consideration at next week’s meeting. Old Business – A) Review3/Discussion re: Ordinance #2021-03: Chapter 17 Traffic. There was discussion on the statutory reference for traffic violation fees. The ordinance will be brought back for a 2nd reading and public hearing at next week’s meeting. New Business, continued – F) Authorize Purchase of City Hall Alertus Security Software/Hardware. This item is deferred. Added Development Review Board Discussion. Councilor Waszazak said there have been concerns voiced about the recent DRB decision to approve a demolition permit for a three-unit apartment building on Seminary Street to accommodate an expanded parking lot for Capstone Community Action’s Head Start building on Brook Street. Councilor Waszazak 2 To be approved at 06/15/21 Barre City Council Meeting noted the Council has no authority over the DRB’s actions. He said after talking with Capstone executive director Sue Minter, he found out that there are minimum safety standards mandated by Head Start and the current location doesn’t meet the standards for parking. Capstone is open to discussing other options to the demolition. There was discussion on reviewing the current unified development ordinance language around demolitions, council appeal options at hearings by filing under interested party status, working with the Planning Commission on housing issues, and parking alternatives along Seminary and Brook Streets. It was noted Capstone is working to re-house those being displaced by the demolition. Planning Commissioner and Transportation Advisory Committee member Michael Hellein said there needs to be a review of demolition regulations City-wide, and the TAC should put general people safety on its next meeting agenda. G) Formation of an Ad-hoc Manager Search Committee. Council reviewed the memo on formation of an ad hoc committee. There was discussion on the number of committee members, whether Councilors should serve on the committee, restricting the committee to Barre City residents, developing policies and procedures for the committee, setting a regular meeting schedule, and inviting managers from other Vermont municipalities to offer orientations to the committee members. Appointments will be made by mid-September with the committee starting to hold meetings in October. The hope is to have a new manager on board for up to 30 days of overlap before Manager Mackenzie retires in early July 2022. Jesse Rosado asked when Council plans on returning to in-person meetings. Manager Mackenzie said it will be part of the reopening plan he will present to the Council at next week’s meeting. Round Table – Councilor Reil wished everyone a Happy Pride Month, and encouraged people to get vaccinated. Councilor Waszazak thanked City staff for painting crosswalks and stop bars on the streets. Councilor Hemmerick said Council should review and possibly re-think the winter parking ban. Councilor Stockwell said the new crosswalk bumpouts in Waterbury appear to be too narrow for a wheelchair, and said she notes these types of things now that she’s a Councilor. Councilor Cambel said she’s encouraged by Council’s positive conversations. Councilor Boutin said he met with Buildings and Community Services Director Jeff Bergeron to discuss recent damage in Hope Cemetery, and he’s looking forward to re-starting the ward meetings. Mayor Herring announced the following:  Neighborhood watch meetings are starting to be held in person.  The Diversity and Equity Committee is looking for student members.  Congressman Welch’s office sent word that the Quarry Street intersection project has been added to the list of proposed infrastructure projects being considered for funding by Congress.  Attended an informational meeting with VT League of Cities and Towns executive director Ted Brady about municipal needs in Washington County, and the American Rescue Plan funding municipalities will be receiving shortly.  The Memorial Day ceremonies had a great turnout.  Offered congratulations to Manager Mackenzie and his wife Claudia on their recent 50th anniversary. 3 To be approved at 06/15/21 Barre City Council Meeting Times Argus Reporter David Delcore said he objects to the change in procedures associated with this Thursday’s special Council meeting with the Council and department heads. There was discussion on in- person meetings versus virtual meetings, and mask requirements. Executive Session – Councilor Stockwell made the motion to find that premature general knowledge of negotiations 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 Reil. Motion carried on roll call, with all voting in favor. Council went into executive session at 9:26 PM to discuss police contract negotiations under the provisions of 1 VSA sec. 313 on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Manager Mackenzie was invited into the executive session. Motion carried on roll call vote, with all voting in favor. Council came out of executive session at 10:03 PM on motion of Councilor Reil, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried on roll call vote, with all voting in favor. No action was taken. The Council meeting was adjourned by Mayor Herring at 10:04 PM. There is no audio recording of this meeting. The meeting was recorded on the video conference platform. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 4