City Council

To be approved at 05/03/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held April 26, 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, Councilor 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, Buildings and Community Services Director Jeff Bergeron, Buildings and Community Services Assistant Director Stephanie Quaranta, Police Chief Braedon Vail, Planning Director Janet Shatney, Fire Chief Doug Brent, Deputy Fire Chief Joe Aldsworth, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: From Ward I, Councilor Emel Cambel. Adjustments to the Agenda: Resident Bernadette Rose said Brian Perkins has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Americans with Disabilities Committee. Manager Mackenzie said Councilors received a memo regarding the litigation issue referenced in the scheduled executive session. The executive session will only be held if there are questions Councilors would like to discuss. Visitors and Communications – Resident Bernadette Rose said she placed Lyme Disease and tick awareness booklets with the Green Up Day bags around the City to remind people to be careful during GUD activities. Tony Campos presented a donation of $500 from the Barre Rotary Club to the summer camp scholarship fund, and announced the Rotary pancake breakfast will be held again this summer after a two-year hiatus due to COVID. Mr. Campos noted 2024 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Barre Rotary Club, and the club is noted for being the first one in the country to admit women after the 1987 Supreme Court ruling. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of April 12, 2022 B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Ratification of Week 2022-16, dated April 20, 2022: i. Accounts Payable: $138,747.07 ii. Payroll (gross): $127,834.00 2. Approval of Week 2022-17, dated April 27, 2022: i. Accounts Payable: $300,672.90 ii. Payroll (gross): $140,222.48 C. 2022 Licenses & Permits: 1. Entertainment Licenses: i. Barre Elks Lodge, 10 Jefferson Street, annual license D. Approval Final Coin Drop Request for 2022 E. Authorize Manager to Execute the Police Dept. FFY2021 Violence Against Women STC (Services-Training-Officers-Prosecutors) Grant Agreement for SFY22 F. Authorization to Apply for 2022 ICJR (Improving Criminal Justice Response) – Circle Grant City Clerk & Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  Fourth quarter property taxes are due by May 16th, as the 15th is a Sunday. 1 To be approved at 05/03/2022 Barre City Council Meeting  House bill 444 containing the City’s 2021 and 2022 charter changes continues to be in the House Government Operations Committee. The Clerk has been in contact with committee members to advocate on behalf of the City voters. Liquor Control Board – Clerk Dawes said all license renewal applications have been received and have both police and fire department approvals. The Clerk called Council’s attention to memos from Police Chief Vail regarding Gusto’s, and noted the memos which are to be considered conditions for approval of their licenses. All liquor licenses expire at the end of the week on April 30th. Council approved the following liquor license renewals, contingent upon any recommended conditions, on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. Establishment Address License class Delicate Decadence 14 N. Main Street 1st class Gusto’s 28 Prospect Street 1st, 3rd and outside consumption Council approved an alcohol day use permit application from the Barre Rotary Club for Rotary Park on Saturday, June 19th, from 10AM – 4PM on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Lauzon. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie added the following announcement to his written report:  Bid openings for the North Main Street pump station project were today. Unfortunately, only one bid was received, and it was considerably over the estimate. The City is working with the engineer and contractor to explore cost savings and other funding options. Unfinished Business – A) Americans with Disabilities Committee Appointment (1 vacancy) i. Brian Perkins Mr. Perkins has withdrawn his name from consideration. New Business – A) Homelessness Task Force Appointment (1 vacancy) i. Dr. Steve Finner Dr. Steve Finner spoke of his past experiences related to homelessness and his interest in serving on the task force. Council approved the appointment on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. B) Lucas J. Herring Green Up Day Mayor Hemmerick reviewed the details for local May 7th Green Up Day activities. Former Mayor Lucas Herring talked about safety, and celebrating GUD every week, month, and all year. He noted this is the 52nd anniversary for Green Up Day, and challenged Councilors to collect 52 bags of trash. He also suggested a similar challenge be made to a neighboring community. Council approved issuing a similar challenge to the Barre Town Selectboard on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Deering. Motion carried. C) Consideration of Barre Opera House City Hall Exterior Conceptual Lighting Proposal Manager Mackenzie said City staff have been working with the Opera House to develop preliminary exterior lighting plans, and he recommended the Opera House get informal approval from the City, as landlord, before the Opera House, as tenant, begins the necessary permit process. Opera House executive director Dan Casey, accompanied by BOH board members Bob Pope and Dave Sanguinetti, and Ron 2 To be approved at 05/03/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Kline from Vincent Lighting Systems, reviewed the draft plan. Mr. Casey said the Opera House will do the fundraising, and the project is expected to cost approximately $50,000. The project would install exterior lighting for the N. Main Street façade and Prospect Street sidewalk areas to help illuminate the historic building, and provide increased public safety. There was discussion on installation and protecting the exterior stone surfaces, and placing additional exterior lighting on the rear of the building at the Opera House’s main entrance. Council approved the Opera House beginning the permit application process, contingent upon a final design being presented to the Council, on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. D) Zero Emissions Municipal Vehicles Dave Roberts from VEIC spoke about the savings associated with using electric vehicles, due to reduced fuel usage and operating and maintenance costs, and he noted the great performance and reduced emissions. Mr. Roberts said there are all-electric and hybrid vehicles on the market, and he reviewed current and upcoming models. There was discussion on funding opportunities; state or dealer incentive programs; purchase price differences between gas and electric vehicles; running a pilot program with a lease vehicle; compiling a cost comparison for purchase, operation and maintenance of gas vehicles vs. electric vehicles; and costs associated with electric infrastructure upgrades needed to support electric vehicles. E) 3rd Quarter FY22 Financial Report Finance Director Dawn Monahan said revenues are running ahead of budget at the end of the 3rd quarter, and expenses are running under budget. Ms. Monahan noted ambulance revenues are running ahead of budget. She pointed out certain departments, and noted vehicle fuel, heating oil and propane are running over budget because of the current economy. The projected year-end surplus is approximately $250,000. There was discussion on federal revenue recovery funds received to date, and vacancy savings. Council asked for an update on the FY21 fund surplus, and what funds have been spent as allocated to date. F) Annual Adoption of the Local Emergency Management Plan Fire Chief Doug Brent said the LEMP must be adopted annually, and noted Planning Director Janet Shatney takes the lead on compiling and updating required data. Council approved the annual adoption on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. G) Resolution 2022-05: A Resolution in Support of Youth Engagement, Service & Student Art: Barre City Clerk Dawes read the resolution, and Councilor noted a few corrections that needed to be made. The resolution was approved as amended on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. H) Ratify Council Letter of Support for Representative Welch Auditorium Earmark Request Manager Mackenzie said the deadline to submit an earmark request came up between the last Council meeting on April 14th, and this meeting. The Manager said he wrote a letter of support on behalf of the City of Barre, and requested the Council ratify the letter. Barre Area Development Executive Director Cody Morrison and Buildings and Community Services Director Jeff Bergeron said the earmark request is for funding support to make significant improvements to the Civic Center Auditorium. The improvements help support the space as a Red Cross shelter and a med-surge overflow site, and would include HVAC and air filtration, enlarging locker rooms, and installing accessible restrooms and ramping. There was discussion on increased operational costs, no local match requirements, other projects the City is seeking funding for through congressional earmarks, working with Norwich University students on 3 To be approved at 05/03/2022 Barre City Council Meeting engineering for the auditorium projects, and being respectful of the historic nature of the building. Council ratified the letter of support on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. Upcoming Business – Mayor Hemmerick said the following items will be on future agendas:  Next week’s meeting will start at 6PM with an executive session to receive the report and recommendations of the manager’s search committee.  Creation of a local cannabis control board. Guidance is coming from VLCT.  Summary of legal expenses associated with Brian Judd v. City of Barre.  Request to fly large American flag over N. Main Street for Memorial Day.  Creation of the planner position, and development of a job description.  TIF update from White & Burke. Round Table – Councilors expressed their excitement around Green Up Day on May 7th. Councilor Boutin expressed his excitement around Blow Up to Glow Up to be held May 7th. He thanked City staff for so quickly responding to the report of a pothole on Hill Street. Councilor Waszazak noted the recent incidents of violence against the LGBTQ community in Vermont, and he encouraged everyone to hold their friends and family close, and check in with their loved ones. Manager Mackenzie noted the City has been washing sidewalks along N. Main Street. Mayor Hemmerick said spring is a time of renewal, and reminded people to be hopeful and thankful. He quoted poet Pablo Neruda by saying, “You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from happening.” He attended the grand opening of the Habitat for Humanity house on Highland Avenue, and attended meeting with Capstone executive director Sue Minter and Clerk Dawes. Executive Session – NONE The meeting adjourned at 9:36 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Deering. Motion carried. The meeting was recorded on the video meeting platform. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 4