City Council

To be approved at 09/14/21 Barre City Council Meeting Special Meeting of the Barre City Council Held September 7, 2021 The Special Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Lucas Herring at 6:00 PM at Barre City Hall. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilor Emel Cambel; from Ward II, Councilors Michael Boutin (joined meeting at 6:04 PM) and Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors Ericka Reil and Samn Stockwell. City staff members present were City Manager Steve Mackenzie, Planning Director Janet Shatney, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Others present: Barbara Schlesinger, PVR district advisor, and incoming City Assessor Steve Schellhamer. Absent: From Ward I, Councilor Jake Hemmerick. Adjustments to the Agenda: NONE 1. Grand List Workshop. Property Valuation and Review District Advisor Barbara Schlesinger gave a presentation on grand lists, including types of property codes, review of the 411 report submitted to the VT Department of Taxes, calculating fair market value, annual calendar of grand list filings, grievances and appeals, errors and omissions, and the equalization study. The meeting adjourned at 7:03 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. The meeting was recorded on the video platform. Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held September 7, 2021 The Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Lucas Herring at 7:03 PM at Barre City Hall. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilor Emel Cambel; from Ward II, Councilors Michael Boutin and Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors Ericka Reil and Samn Stockwell. City staff members present were City Manager Steve Mackenzie, Buildings and Community Services Director Jeff Bergeron, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: From Ward I, Councilor Jake Hemmerick. Adjustments to the Agenda: Councilors added names to those being considered for appointment to the Homelessness Task Force: Patty Menard, Kerry Kelly, and Rosemary Averill. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. A. Minutes of the following meetings: 1. Regular meeting of August 31, 2021 B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Approval of Week 2021-36, dated September 8, 2021: i. Accounts Payable: $160,935.11 ii. Payroll (gross): $153,484.79 C. 2021 Licenses & Permits: NONE D. Authorize Execution of VYCC FY22 Services Agreement. E. Appointment of City Manager as Voting Delegate to VLCT Town Fair. 1 To be approved at 09/14/21 Barre City Council Meeting The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  The first quarterly property tax payment is due by September 15th.  Water/sewer payments are due by September 30th.  The City received the first portion of the county ARPA funds, totaling $828,232.05. Funds will be invested until needed. Liquor Control – NONE City Manager’s Report - Manager Mackenzie noted his report was sent out via email. The Manager said semi- annual water line flushing will be done from September 19th through 23rd. Visitors and Communications – NONE Old Business – A) Appointments to the Manager’s Search Committee. i. Paul Cook iv. Elizabeth Pebbles [sic] ii. Sue Higby v. Maria Conti-Reilly iii. Michael Sitton Mr. Cook, Ms. Peebles, and Ms. Conti-Reilly were not present. Ms. Higby, and Mr. Sitton addressed the Council, sharing their interest in serving on the search committee. B) Appointments to the Homelessness Task Force. i. Brooke Pouliot iv. Patty Menard ii. Teddy Waszazak v. Kerry Kelly iii. Ericka Reil vi. Rosemary Averill Ms. Averill was not present. All other interested persons addressed the Council, sharing their interest in serving on the task force. Mayor Herring said the Council will discuss appointments in executive session, and will make them at the end of the meeting. New Business – A) Approve Request to Suspend American Flag Across Main Street. Resident Brian Judd reviewed a letter from engineer Christopher Temple which stated the cable currently strung across N. Main Street is not structurally sound enough to support the City’s 20’ x 30’ American flag without some adjustments to the anchors. Mr. Judd noted the letter said a smaller flag could be flown from the cable in its current condition. He said next steps for him include contacting the construction company to see if they can perform the necessary adjustments to the anchors, getting the required permits, and perhaps seeing if a smaller flag is available if the adjustments can’t be made in time for hanging the flag on September 10th, or the 11th at the latest. Councilor Boutin made the motion to approve the request, and authorize the Manager to finalize details administratively. There was no second to the motion. Councilor Cambel said the flags already on N. Main Street send a clear message, and she would find the large flag intimidating. She asked who is responsible for covering costs, and what the liability insurance requirements are. Councilor Cambel said there are other ways to honor the losses from 9/11. Mr. Judd said he is covering costs. Manager Mackenzie said he could contact the City’s insurance carrier to find out about liability. Mayor Herring asked if there was any interest in seconding Councilor Boutin’s motion. After hearing no second, the Mayor declared the matter closed. 2 To be approved at 09/14/21 Barre City Council Meeting Visitors and Communications – Mayor Herring noted a late arriver requested an opportunity to address the Council. Resident Peter Zakrewski said he is disappointed Spaulding Crimson Tide hasn’t yet changed its name. Mr. Zakrewski asked the Mayor to reach out to Gusto’s, as he was recently told he cannot talk with the women in the establishment and ask them if they’re married. He suggested the City place cameras in parking lots for security purposes. Round Table – Councilors Waszazak and Reil thanked Councilor Cambel for being so eloquent in her comments about flying the flag over N. Main Street. Executive Session – Councilor Stockwell made the motion to find that premature general knowledge of personnel 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 Waszazak. Motion carried. Council went into executive session at 7:52 PM to discuss personnel under the provisions of 1 VSA sec. 313 on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. Council came out of executive session at 8:11 PM on motion of Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Reil. Motion carried. Councilor Waszazak made the motion to appoint the following people to the Manager’s Search Committee, seconded by Councilor Stockwell:  Paul Cook  Jake Hemmerick  Amanda Gustin  Michael Sitton  Tracie Lewis  Sue Higby  Rich Morey Councilor Boutin said he disagrees with the appointments, and it is inappropriate not to include former Mayor Thom Lauzon. Council approved the appointments with Mayor Herring and Councilor Boutin voting against. Councilor Stockwell made the motion to appoint the following people to the Homelessness Task Force, seconded by Councilor Cambel:  Teddy Waszazak  Tammy Menard  Brooke Pouliot  Kerry Kelly  Ericka Reil Council approved the appointments with all voting in favor. Mayor Herring said the remaining two vacancies on the Task Force will be taken up at the October 12th meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM on motion of Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. The meeting was recorded on the video meeting platform. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 3