City Council

To be approved at 06/14/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held June 7, 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 in person or virtually 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, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: NONE Mayor Hemmerick called for a minute of silence in honor of the recent untimely passing of executive assistant Jody Norway, who was a vital part of the City’s management team for the past three years. Adjustments to the Agenda:  New agenda item 9A, setting property tax payment deadlines, is moved to the consent agenda.  New agenda item 9D, discussing a Local Cannabis Control Board, is deferred.  New agenda item 9C, ARPA outreach, is deferred.  Consideration of a Pearl Street Pizza entertainment license is moved from the consent agenda to new items following 9B. Liquor Control Board is moved to follow consideration of the entertainment license for Pearl Street Pizza. Visitors and Communications – Planning Director Janet Shatney said the recently mailed out rental registry invoices referenced the wrong fiscal year. They are for FY23. Ms. Shatney thanked those who have already returned their renewals. Mayor Hemmerick noted resident Amanda Garland was recently honored statewide by the VT Urban and Community Forestry Program as the 2022 Recipient of the Leader Award for her work on the Barre City Tree Stewardship and Community Garden Committees. Councilors offered their congratulations to Ms. Garland, and thanked her for her work on behalf of the community. It was noted the Tree Steward Committee will be planting trees on N. Main Street later this week, and the one being planted in front of City Hall will be dedicated to Jody Norway. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of May 31, 2022 B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Approval of Week 2022-23, dated June 8, 2022: i. Accounts Payable: $114,167.35 ii. Payroll (gross): $145,319.23 C. 2022 Licenses & Permits: 1. Entertainment Licenses: i. Faith Community Church, July 10th from 8AM – 2PM. Worship, picnic, games D. Presentation of Annual FY22 Internal Financial Controls Checklist for Barre City E. Authorization of Sullivan, Powers & Co. FY22 Audit Engagement Letter F. Added: Approval of Property Tax Due Dates for FY23. 1 To be approved at 06/14/2022 Barre City Council Meeting City Clerk & Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  Water/sewer bills were mailed out last week, and are due by June 30th.  Encouraging voters to request ballots by mail for the August 9th primary elections. Ballots will be available by June 24th.  The Clerk thanked the community for the outpouring of love and support showered on staff members following the untimely passing of the Manager’s Executive Assistant, Jody Norway. City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie said there was nothing to add to his written report. Unfinished Business – A) Authorize Award of No. Main St. Pump Station Construction Contract to Neil H. Daniels Construction, Ascutney VT Public Works director Bill Ahearn reviewed the engineering contract adjustments and noted the contract has been reduced by approximately $350,000, from $1,377,635 to $1,024,297.19. Mr. Ahearn reviewed the list of changes associated with the reductions. He said Council will need to approve the full contract amount, and a change order will be signed at the same time to reflect the reductions. There was discussion on the various changes and the impact on future development or repair needs. Council approved awarding the contract in the amount of $1,377,635 to Neil H. Daniels Construction, with the understanding there will be value engineered reductions that will reduce the actual costs to $1,024,297.19, and authorized the Manager to sign on behalf of the City, on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. New Business – A) Council Approval of Property Tax Due Dates for FY23. This item was moved to the consent agenda. B) Review/Approve License Agreement with Pearl Street Pizza for use of Pearl Street Pedway. Clerk Dawes reviewed the license agreement and arrangements for use of the pedway by Pearl Street Pizza. Council approved the agreement and authorized the Manager to finalize negotiations between the parties and sign on behalf of the City on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. Council approved an annual entertainment license for Pearl Street Pizza for use of the Pearl Street Pedway on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Lauzon. Motion carried. Liquor Control Board – Clerk Dawes said Pearl Street Pizza has submitted an outside consumption permit application to allow alcohol service on the newly licensed area on the Pearl Street Pedway. The outside consumption permit will be issued in conjunction with the finalized license agreement. Council approved the outside consumption permit for Pearl Street Pizza on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor CAmbel. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. C) ARPA Outreach Reboot. This item is deferred. D) Establishment of Local Cannabis Control Board & Related Zoning Discussion. This item is deferred. E) Discussion re: 22 Hill St. Disposition and/or Request for Proposals. Mayor Hemmerick noted the City of Barre will be taking ownership of this property, which was acquired 2 To be approved at 06/14/2022 Barre City Council Meeting through tax sale. The Council talked about possible ways to solicit proposals for purchase and redevelopment of the property, and criteria for information to be provided with the proposals. Zachariah Watson from Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity expressed their interest in the property. A draft RFP will be developed and brought back to Council for review at a future meeting. F) Mayor Proclamation for Pride Month. Mayor Hemmerick read the proclamation naming June Pride Month in Barre City. Those in attendance offered reflections on Barre area LGBTQ+ opportunities, celebrations and events. Upcoming Business – Mayor Hemmerick listed future agenda items including:  Retirement recognition for Manager Mackenzie on June 12th at The Meltdown  Strategic planning session Saturday, June 18th 8AM – noon Round Table – Councilor Stockwell thanked the Mayor for the Pride Month proclamation. Councilor Waszazak said he was pleased to see the work being done on the Warren Street sidewalks. Councilor Deering said he was pleased to see the Farwell Street soccer field has been mowed and is available to host games. Councilor Boutin said the police department and regional branches of the DEA and ATF did a great job with the recent drug bust at Green Acres. Councilor Deering said it makes his neighborhood feel safer, and encouraged people if they see something, they should say something. Councilor Lauzon congratulated Rainbow Bridge Community Center on their recent grand opening. He said it’s been a difficult week for City Hall and City staff with the loss of Jody Norway, and he encouraged everyone to thank the people in their lives and let them know they are valued every day. Mayor Hemmerick congratulated Councilor Deering on his graduation from Vermont Community College over the past weekend. The Mayor noted the Spaulding High School artwork that has graced the Council chambers for the past month is coming down later this week, and he thanked the artists for allowing us to enjoy their talents. He noted the Granite Center Garden Club has been sprucing up the gardens around the City. The Mayor spoke of the loss of Jody Norway, and her support of the work of the City and Council. Executive Session – Councilor Lauzon made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of personnel discussions associated with appointments would clearly place the City of Barre at a substantial disadvantage should the discussions be public. The motion was seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. Council went into executive session at 8:05 PM to discuss personnel under the provisions of 1 VSA § 313 on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Manager Mackenzie and Rikk Taft were invited into the executive session. Motion carried. Council came out of executive session at 8:20 PM on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. Councilor Waszazak made the motion to authorize the Manager to execute an employment agreement with R. Nicolas Storellicastro for the position of City Manager upon successful completion of the 3 To be approved at 06/14/2022 Barre City Council Meeting background check and VCIC review. The motion was seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:22 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 4