City Council

To be approved at 11/09/21 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held October 26, 2021 The Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Lucas Herring at 7:00 PM at Barre City Hall. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilors Emel Cambel and Jake Hemmerick; from Ward II, Councilors Michael Boutin (arrived 7:05 PM) and Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors Ericka Reil and Samn Stockwell (arrived 7:05 PM). City staff members present were City Manager Steve Mackenzie, Public Works Director Bill Ahearn, Finance Director Dawn Monahan, 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 Hemmerick, seconded by Councilor Reil. Motion carried. A. Minutes of the following meetings: 1. Regular meeting of October 19, 2021 B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Approval of Week 2021-43, dated October 27, 2021: i. Accounts Payable: $547,435.84 ii. Payroll (gross): $128,780.03 C. 2021 Licenses & Permits: NONE D. Approval of Road Salt Purchase Contracts The City Clerk/Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  The deadline for VT COVID Arrearage Assistance Program 2 applications was October 24th. We’ve had a total of 90 accounts apply for a total of $56,000. We’re still processing last-minute applications as they’re approved by the state.  The draft apportionment maps are available on the Legislative Apportionment Board website. The LAB is recommending single-person districts rather than two-person districts, and have divided Barre City along Route 302 into two districts. The Board of Civil Authority will review the maps at its meeting on Wednesday, and offer feedback to the LAB.  Business license renewals for 2022 went in the mail today. All licenses expire December 31st. Liquor Control – NONE City Manager’s Report - Manager Mackenzie announced the following in addition to his written report:  Yard waste drop off at the Barre Town stump dump runs through November 6th.  Washington County Railroad is making repairs this week to the crossings on Hill Street and Blackwell Street.  Two more speed bumps have been purchased and will be installed along Merchant’s Row. They will be removed in a few weeks due to winter, and will be reinstalled in the spring.  Central VT Home Health & Hospice is holding a flu clinic on November 2nd at the Civic Center.  The Manager will release the RFP for strategic planning this week.  The See.Click.Fix app is available for Councilors to load on their phones and beta test.  Storm drains are being cleaned throughout the City. 1 To be approved at 11/09/21 Barre City Council Meeting Visitors and Communications – NONE Old Business – NONE New Business – A) Presentation of Extra Mile Day Mayoral Proclamation. Clerk Dawes read the proclamation, naming the Barre Rotary Club as this year’s nominee to the national Extra Mile America Association. Rotarians Caroline Earle and Ed Rousse spoke of club activities during the pandemic, in which they focused on creating ways for the community to be engaged in healthy ways. A copy of the proclamation was presented to the club, and will be submitted to the Extra Mile Association. B) FY21 Surplus Funding Recommendations. Manager Mackenzie reviewed the list of proposed projects and purchases for use of the projected FY21 fund balance surplus of approximately $568,000. There was discussion on allocating some of the funds to create a revolving loan fund for the housing task force, pros and cons of using some of the money to subsidize the FY23 budget, making sure playground equipment is accessible, and establishing goals and priorities and using funds and budgeting to further those priorities. Councilor Boutin made the motion to approve allocating money from the FY21 surplus funds for the following items on the list. The motion was seconded by Councilor Waszazak.  BOR roof repair  Purchase of additional speed bumps  Purchase of four speed signs  Creation of an I/T System Administrator staff position There was continued discussion on getting the quarterly budget report and status of capital and street fund projects, creating charter language around use of reserve funds, expenses associated with upcoming strategic planning, and establishing a collective direction before finalizing the FY23 draft budget. Council approved the motion as presented with Councilor Hemmerick voting against. C) Authorization to Proceed with Consultant-Led Capital Improvement Plan Process. Manager Mackenzie said there isn’t enough time available to current staff to complete the capital improvement planning process, and recommended the Council allow him to move ahead with drafting an RFP to secure consultant assistance. Councilor Waszazak made the motion to authorize the Manager to prepare an RFP to solicit consultant proposals for preparation of a CIP for Barre City, seconded by Councilor Reil. There was discussion on using FY21 surplus funds to cover costs, bringing the RFP back to the Council for final approval before release, and developing a ranked prioritization of capital needs on City investments. Councilor Waszazak and Council Reil modified their motion to read, “Authorize the Manager to prepare a draft RFP to solicit consultant proposals for the preparation of a CIP; such RFP to be reviewed and approved by the Council before release.” Council approved the motion as amended with Councilor Boutin voting against. 2 To be approved at 11/09/21 Barre City Council Meeting D) FY22 Council Priorities Review. Mayor Herring offered Councilors the opportunity to make changes, additions or deletions to the priorities list. The Mayor said the list helps with the creation of upcoming Council meeting agendas. It was recommended time be spent on naming problems and goals, and setting prioritizations. Round Table – Councilor Reil encouraged people to get COVID vaccine booster shots. Councilor Cambel said she enjoyed this evening’s spirited conversations. Councilor Stockwell and Councilor Hemmerick said they volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity project on Highland Avenue over the weekend, along with students from Norwich University and people from the surrounding faith communities. Councilor Hemmerick spoke highly of the Obama/Springsteen podcast series. Mayor Herring said the Barre Partnership is hosting a Halloween parade and trick or treating this Saturday along North Main Street. The Mayor thanked those around the City who have decorated for the holiday. He said Step 3 of the Community Visit went well, and the next step is to receive the final report document from Rural Development. He noted the CVFiber annual report was included in the Council packet, and the Council may want to review the City’s appointed representatives to the board to ensure there’s City participation. 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 Stockwell. Motion carried. Council went into executive session at 8:40 PM to discuss negotiations and personnel under the provisions of 1 VSA §313 on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. Manager Mackenzie and DPW Director Bill Ahearn were invited into the executive session. Council came out of executive session at 10:02 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. There was no action. The meeting adjourned at 10:02 PM on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. The meeting was recorded on the video meeting platform. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 3