City Council

To be approved at 04/26/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held April 12, 2022 The Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Jake Hemmerick at 7:00 PM at Barre City Hall. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilors Emel Cambel and Thom Lauzon; from Ward II, Councilors Michael Boutin and Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors Michael Deering and Samn Stockwell. City staff members present were Manager Steve Mackenzie, Finance Director Dawn Monahan, Fire Chief Doug Brent, Deputy Fire Chief Joe Aldsworth, Police Chief Braedon Vail, Deputy Police Chief Larry Eastman, Public Works Director Bill Ahearn, Human Resources Director Rikk Taft, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda:  Unfinished business item A will be moved to later in the meeting, once Public Works Director Bill Ahearn arrives from attending the Barre Town selectboard meeting.  New item C is deleted, as there are no vacancies on the Police Advisory Committee.  Re: new business item A – there are no limits on the number of seats on the Transportation Advisory Committee.  Move unfinished business item B and consolidate it with strategic planning new business item G.  Add personnel to executive session.  Get a legal overview of local cannabis control boards, and add to future agenda for Council discussion. Visitors and Communications – NONE Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items as adjusted on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of April 5, 2022 B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Approval of Week 2022-15, dated April 13, 2022: i. Accounts Payable: $293,347.26 ii. Payroll (gross): $125,044.23 C. 2022 Licenses & Permits: 1. Entertainment Licenses: i. Quarry Kitchen & Spirits, 210 N. Main Street, annual license D. Authorize Manager Execution of Accu-Data Workforce Solutions HR/Payroll Contract. [Moved to new business.] E. Approval of Bond Documents & Resolution #2022-03 for Revolving Loan Funds for N. Main Pump Station. F. Ratifications of Council Resolution #2022-03 re: Senate Action on H.444 (Barre City Charter Changes) G. Ratification of Manager’s Execution of Re-Appraisal Contract with New England Municipal Consultants. H. Resignation of Reverend Carl VanOsdall from the Cow Pasture Committee. I. Standard Allocation Method of Revenue Replacement for ARPA. [Moved to new business.] J. Resignation of Steve Micheli from the Central Vermont Solid Waste District of Supervisors. City Clerk & Treasurer Report – 1 To be approved at 04/26/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  The new Central Vermont Career Center School District will hold its organizational meeting on May 9th at Spaulding High School. The Clerk will be advocating for the board to change the articles of agreement to remove the requirement that ballots be commingled. Other clerks from the member towns are expected to join in making the request. Liquor Control Board – Clerk Dawes noted a number of the licenses up for consideration this evening are waiting for approval by the Fire and/or Police Departments, however, with no Council meeting next week, the Clerk is asking for approval of the entire list contingent upon the establishments receiving the appropriate department approvals before being submitted to the Division of Liquor Control. Council approved the following liquor license renewals, contingent upon them receiving required department approvals, on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. Establishment Address License class American Legion Post #10 320 N. Main Street 1st, 3rd & outside consumption Asian Gourmet 276 N. Main Street 1st, 3rd & outside consumption Cornerstone Pub & Kitchen 47 N. Main Street 1st & 3rd Jerry’s Sports Tavern 30 Summer Street 1st & 3rd Ladder 1 Grill 8 S. Main Street 1st, 3rd & outside consumption The Meltdown 83 Washington Street 1st & outside consumption Mr. Z’s 379 N. Main Street 1st Morse Block Deli 260 N. Main Street 1st Mulligan’s 9 Maple Avenue 1st, 3rd & outside consumption Pearl Street Pizza 159 N. Main Street 1st & 3rd Quarry Kitchen & Spirits 210 N. Main Street 1st, 3rd & outside consumption Beverage Baron 411 N. Main Street 2nd Champlain Farms 15 S. Main Street 2nd Cumberland Farms (2 locations) 524 N. Main & 132 S. Main 2nd Dollar General (2 locations) 540 N. Main & 74 S. Main 2nd Forget-me-not Flowers & Gifts 214 N. Main Street 2nd Jiffy Mart 350 N. Main Street 2nd North End Deli Mart 375 N. Main Street 2nd Quality Market 155 Washington Street 2nd Roscini (dba AR Market) 159 N. Main Street 2nd Walgreen’s 355 N. Main Street 2nd City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie added the following announcements to his written report:  Reviewed the Green Up Day schedule, and noted the City will provide a roll-off dumpster behind City Hall over the GUD weekend.  The City is making arrangements again this year for residents to use the Barre Town stump dump for yard debris drop off. The schedule will be published when finalized.  City is holding a tire drop off, bulky trash drop off, and fall yard waste pick-up later in the year. Unfinished Business – B) Update on Next Steps for Council’s Strategic Planning Process & Contract. Moved to and consolidated with new business item G. New Business – A) Transportation Advisory Committee Appointment (1 vacancy). i. Ericka Reil 2 To be approved at 04/26/2022 Barre City Council Meeting ii. Tina Routhier It was noted again that there is no limit to the size of the committee, so no limit on the number of vacancies to be filled. Ericka Reil and Tina Routhier both shared their interest in and expertise around the Transportation Advisory Committee. Council approved both appointments on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. B) Americans with Disabilities Appointment (1 vacancy). i. Brian Perkins Resident Bernadette Rose spoke on behalf of Brian Perkins, noting Mr. Perkins is experiencing internet connection issues this evening. This appointment interview will be reschedule to the April 26th meeting. C) Police Advisory Committee Appointment (2 vacancies). i. Michael Milo It was noted under adjustments to the agenda that there are no vacancies on the PAC. Manager Mackenzie is sharing other volunteer opportunities with Mr. Milo. D) Civic Center Committee Request to Expand to 9 Members. Civic Center Committee chair Charlie Atwood said the committee currently has 7 members, and they would like to expand to 9 members. They have a couple people in mind who will go through the application and interview process. Council approved the expansion in the number of committee members on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. E) Update on Twin Cities EMS Teams Communications Project. Manager Mackenzie said a team of Barre City and Montpelier public safety officials and city managers have been meeting since 2019 to review communications-related capital needs, and possible funding sources. Barre City Fire Chief Doug Brent said there are similarities between the two communities and their dispatch centers, and both need replacement radio systems and dispatch consoles. The state police have been providing free dispatching services to many smaller Vermont communities, but will be moving away from providing those free services over the next 36-48 months. It is anticipated Barre City and Montpelier will be called upon to contract with some additional smaller towns to provide dispatch services. Chief Brent said the legislature is working on identifying funding available to dispatch centers to help them upgrade and be ready to accommodate the expanded service areas. The Twin Cities group is seeking $3.2 million in state funds to make the necessary system replacements and upgrades. The Chief said this same report will be presented to Montpelier City Council at their meeting tomorrow night. There was discussion on seeking federal funding, how the communications upgrades tie into the Televate report commissioned by the Central Vermont Public Safety Authority (CVPSA), revenues from contracted services helping offset operational costs, economies of scale, improvements in efficiency, and operational changes. CVPSA board chair Dona Bate said replacement the radio system is needed now, as the equipment is fragile and destined to fail. Montpelier resident Steve Whitaker said there are problems with governance in CVPSA, and there have been some misstatements made at the communications committee meetings. Mr. Whitaker said public safety needs both LMR and broadband communications access, but only LMR is being considered. He recommended the cities receive expert advice, and said the economics aren’t sustainable. Montpelier City Manager Bill Fraser said CVPSA presented regional communications plans to both City Councils, but the Councils weren’t interested in pursuing the plan through CVPSA. Mr. Fraser said the communications systems can be expanded to include broadband when that service is available throughout the service area. Council acknowledged receipt of the update and support of the direction in which the team is moving on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. 3 To be approved at 04/26/2022 Barre City Council Meeting F) Background Discussion on Acquisition, Funding, & Policy of Police Body &/or Cruiser Cameras. Police Chief Braedon Vail said he is seeking approval to apply for a grant that would help fund body cameras for all officers. The Chief said cameras will enhance safety and public interactions with the department, and the Bureau of Justice grant opportunity would provide partial funding during the first three years of the five-year lease agreement. Cameras are available through the same vendor that provides the City with Tasers, and a joint contract would provide an opportunity to negotiate better pricing. The estimated annual cost for the cameras is $39,000, with the grant covering $14,000/year for the first three years. There was discussion on policy implications, cruiser cameras, support from the Police Advisory Committee, what capital purchases would be deferred if the body cameras were purchased, costs associated with storing the videos, more details about funding sources. Chief Vail said the state has mandated policy language for use of body cameras. Manager Mackenzie said this will be on the April 26th agenda for further discussion. Mayor Hemmerick said he would like more information about the impact on the capital plan before supporting applying for the grant. Council approved applying for the grant on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried with Mayor Hemmerick voting against. A) Update on Barre Town’s Decision on W/WW cost-share for ARPA funded dispatch equipment. Public Works Director Bill Ahearn said he just came from the Barre Town selectboard meeting where they voted to allocate $12,180 of ARPA funds as cost-sharing towards the water/wastewater dispatch equipment upgrades. Mr. Ahearn said there was a robust discussion at the meeting about fee charges made by the City to the Town and its residents for providing water and wastewater services. It was noted there is a need to have a discussion with the Town about the current agreement and pricing. Councilors thanked Barre Town for sharing in the cost of the equipment upgrades that serve both communities. Consent agenda item D) Authorize Manager Execution of Accu-Data Workforce Solutions HR/Payroll Contract. Finance Director Dawn Monahan said the City will get a refund from the previous contractor, which will be applied to this contract. Funds have already been included in the FY22 and FY23 budgets. There will be a small savings in FY23. Council authorized the Manager to execute the contract on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. Consent agenda item I) Standard Allocation Method of Revenue Replacement for ARPA. It was noted the federal ARPA guidelines allow the City to allocate up to $10 million of ARPA funds towards lost revenue replacement. This would allow the City greater flexibility in use of the funds, and greatly simplify reporting requirements. Council approved applying the standard allocation method of revenue replacement to the City’s ARPA funds on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. G) City Councilor Appointments to Strategic Planning Design Team (3 vacancies). N.B. This also includes unfinished business item B. Update on Next Steps for Council’s Strategic Planning Process & Contract. Manager Mackenzie reviewed the strategic planning timeline, and said the City needs to name a joint staff/council design team to work out the details with the consultant. Staff members who will serve on the design team are Manager Mackenzie, Public Works Director Bill Ahearn, Planning Director Janet Shatney, and Clerk Carol Dawes. Councilors Derring, Cambel, and Stockwell volunteered to be named to the design team. Council approved their appointments on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Lauzon. Motion carried. 4 To be approved at 04/26/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Upcoming Business – Mayor Hemmerick reviewed upcoming Council agenda items including:  Green Up Day activities.  Third quarter budget update.  Zero emissions municipal vehicles.  Local cannabis control board.  Re-allocation of former Mayor Herring’s VLCT board stipend, was donated to the City.  Application to display the large American flag over N. Main Street for Memorial Day. Round Table – Councilor Lauzon reminded people to file their income taxes or an extension by April 18th. Councilor Stockwell said she attended an All In For Barre housing committee meeting, and was impressed by their work. Councilor Waszazak said he attended the going away event for Rev. Carl Hinton-VanOsdall, and noted Rev. VanOsdall’s community service over the years. Councilor Deering said he’s excited about this weekend’s ribbon cutting at Made in Brazil, the new Brazilian restaurant on N. Main Street. Executive Session – Councilor Lauzon made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of property negotiations and personnel 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 9:26 PM to discuss property negotiations and personnel under the provisions of 1 VSA § 313 on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Manager Mackenzie and Public Works Director Bill Ahearn were invited into the executive session. Motion carried. Council came out of executive session at 10:37 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Lauzon. Motion carried. There was no action taken. The meeting adjourned at 10:37 PM on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. The meeting was recorded on the video meeting platform. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 5