City Council

To be approved at 9/28/21 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held September 21, 2021 The Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Lucas Herring at 7:02 PM at Barre City Hall. In attendance 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 were City Manager Steve Mackenzie, Finance Director Dawn Monahan, Planning Director Janet Shatney, Police Chief Tim Bombardier, Deputy Police Chief Larry Eastman, Deputy Fire Chief Joe Aldsworth, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: Mayor Herring said two items that have been added to the consent agenda list for approval. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Reil. Motion carried. A. Minutes of the following meetings: 1. Regular meeting of September 14, 2021 B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Approval of Week 2021-38, dated September 22, 2021: i. Accounts Payable: $490,805.35 ii. Payroll (gross): $123,422.57 C. 2021 Licenses & Permits: NONE D. Approval of Veterans Day Parade. E. Approval of Resolution #2021-13 for VCDP Grant Application Authority. The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  The first quarterly property tax payments were due September 15th. The delinquency rate was less than 4%.  Water/sewer payments are due by September 30th. Liquor Control – Council approved a one-day outside consumption permit application for The Melt Down for Friday, October 1st from 6-10 PM as part of the Fall Festival on motion of Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried, with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report - Manager Mackenzie made the following announcements in addition to his written report:  Water flushing continues through this week.  Bulky waste disposal drop-off at the BOR parking lot on September 25th.  Fall yard waste drop off is scheduled to begin October 2nd and continue for six weeks. Visitors and Communications – NONE Old Business – NONE 1 To be approved at 9/28/21 Barre City Council Meeting New Business – A) Barre Community Justice Center Update. Justice Center executive director Jeannie MacLeod said the Center has been in operation for 17 years, and is concentrating on offering transitional housing. They offer transitional housing on the 2nd floor of their building on Keith Avenue and throughout the community, and recently increased from 11 to 15 beds. Funding increases have allowed them to grow their staff. They continue to offer restorative justice panels, with referrals coming from the police department and district attorney. Police Chief Tim Bombardier said there are opportunities to offer support to those experiencing homelessness, regardless of any connection to the Department of Corrections. There was discussion on transportation challenges, and conflict resolution services. B) Discussion and/or Acceptance of BOLA Policy. Mayor Herring noted Council hasn’t had a chance to review the policy yet, and deferred this discussion to a future meeting. C) Removal of Use of Force Policy. Chief Bombardier said the state recently mandated a use of force policy be adopted state-wide, which will be effective October 1st. He recommended Council remove the current policy, effective the end of September. Council approved removal of the Use of Force Policy on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. D) Department Head Update and FY23 Budget Preview/Review. Chief Bombardier said the Police Department has done well continuing to provide services during COVID. The Chief said he has concerns about recruitment and retention of officers, which is a problem state-wide. There was discussion about retail sales of marijuana, truck routes, commercial vehicle enforcement, and relationship building. Manager Mackenzie said the Police Department includes three areas: parking meters and enforcement, dispatch, and the police department. The Manager noted the FY23 draft budget shows reduced revenues from parking tickets and the Circle grant, and decreased personnel expenses due to staffing changes. Overall expense increases are approximately 1%. Chief Bombardier said he’s proposing reinstating the summer bike patrol “Bees”. There was discussion on putting the “Bees” money towards more mental health clinician time, seeking legislative support for additional mental health services, parking revenues and expenses, the Central Vermont Public Safety Authority, and the Fixit Ticket program. Deputy Police Chief Larry Eastman said the Fixit Ticket program offers people opportunities to correct a deficiency in exchange for a ticket being voided. E) Organics Diversion Committee Update. Councilor Stockwell said the task force is exploring options for enhanced recycling and garbage removal, however they need more members of the task force. Councilor Stockwell requested Council increase the size of the Task Force from three members to five. Council approved the request on motion of Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Reil. Motion carried. Round Table – Councilor Stockwell said she attended a recent meeting of the Montpelier Housing Committee, and recommended they be invited to a future Council meeting to discuss their revolving loan fund. Mayor Herring said it’s been a good experience this evening chairing the meeting remotely. He reminded everyone of next week’s Step 2 Community Visit on September 29th. 2 To be approved at 9/28/21 Barre City Council Meeting Executive Session – Councilor Waszazak made the motion to find that premature general knowledge of negotiations and 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 Reil. Motion carried. Council went into executive session at 9:13 PM to discuss negotiations and personnel under the provisions of 1 VSA §313 on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. Council came out of executive session at 10:08 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Hemmerick. Motion carried. There was no action. The meeting adjourned at 10:08 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. The meeting was recorded on the video meeting platform. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 3