City Council

To be approved at 07/19/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held July 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 in person or virtually were: From Ward I, Councilors Emel Cambel and Thom Lauzon; from Ward II, Councilor Michael Boutin; and from Ward III, Councilors Michael Deering and Samn Stockwell. City staff members present were Manager Steve Mackenzie, Public Works Director Bill Ahearn, Finance Director Dawn Monahan, Planning Director Janet Shatney, Police Chief Braedon Vail, Human Resources Director Rikk Taft, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: From Ward II, Councilor Teddy Waszazak. Also present: Incoming City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro. Adjustments to the Agenda:  The executive session will include discussion on litigation and negotiations, and will not include personnel as previously included on the agenda.  Presentation from VLCT will be moved to the beginning of new agenda items.  Committee reappointments, appointments and resignations are adjusted as per the memo from Manager Mackenzie.  Move appointment of Public Works Director Bill Ahearn as CVSWMD rep from the committee appointments agenda item to the officer re-appointments agenda item. Approval of Consent Agenda: Additional committee member resignations were noted and added to the list being accepted as part of the consent agenda. Council approved the following consent agenda items as amended on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of June 28, 2022 B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Ratification of Week 2022-27, dated July 6, 2022: i. Accounts Payable: $527,883.50 ii. Payroll (gross): $156,457.52 2. Approval of Week 2022-28, dated July 13, 2022: i. Accounts Payable: $131,915.00 ii. Payroll (gross): $174,195.55 C. 2022 Licenses & Permits: 1. Pool Licenses: i. Country Way Condominiums ii. Westview Condominiums 2. Fireworks: i. Heritage Festival, July 30, 2022 D. Award of Annual Winter Towing Bid E. Ratification of FY23 Fuel Contract with Champlain Valley Fuels. F. Approve Lease Agreement with Office Systems of Vermont for new Multi-Function Printers (MFP) City Wide G. Approve Extension Request to Director of PV&R for Abstract Grant List Lodging. H. Accept Committee Volunteer Resignations: 1. Diversity & Equity Committee – Danielle Owczarski, JD Fox 1 To be approved at 07/19/2022 Barre City Council Meeting 2. Planning Commission – Jackie Calder 3. Transportation Advisory Committee – Giuliano Cecchinelli 4. Energy Committee – Elaine Wang, Phil Cecchini, Conor Teal 5. Tree Committee – Conor Teal 6. Community Garden Committee – John LePage 7. Civic Center Committee – Brad Ormsby 8. Development Review Board – Denise Ferrari, James Hart I. Approve Dissolution of the Inactive Dog Park Committee as Recommended by the Committee Chair Visitors and Communications – Jesse Rosado said there has been a decrease in services offered by Green Mountain Transit to the Barre area, and people are no longer able to connect to the various commuter routes running through Montpelier. Mr. Rosado suggested Council host a public hearing with representatives from GMT to discuss the service changes. The City will look to add this to a future meeting agenda. Ericka Reil of the Homelessness Task Force said there have been issues getting access to City Hall for scheduled committee meetings. Manager Mackenzie said he will be in contact with Ms. Reil to work out communications for making arrangements for future meetings. City Clerk & Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  Voters are encouraged to request ballots by mail for the August 9th primary elections. To date 820 ballots have been mailed out, and 350 have been received back.  Noting the dissolution of the Dog Park Committee, the Clerk said there is just over $520 of unspent funds in the dog park allocation from the Semprebon Bequest Fund. This will come up for discussion the next time Council reviews the Semprebon funds. Liquor Control Board – Council approved an expanded outside consumption permit for The Quarry Kitchen & Spirits for closure of Depot Square on Friday and Saturday of Heritage Festival weekend on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – Manager Mackenzie has not yet issued a written report, but expect to do so later this week. The Manager said capital improvement planning and strategic planning are moving forward, and he will provide Council with an update on staff vacancies. He noted there were interviews earlier today for the water/sewer department meter reader position, and a couple applications have been received for the executive assistant position. Unfinished Business – NONE New Business – B) Presentation of VLCT (VT League of Cities & Towns) Service Resolution. VLCT Executive Director Ted Brady presented a resolution honoring retiring City Manager Steve Mackenzie’s years of service to the City of Barre and to the State of Vermont. Those in attendance offered a standing ovation. A) Council Recognition of Retiring City Manager Mackenzie’s Service. Councilors offered remembrances of Manager Mackenzie’s years of service. Mayor Hemmerick presented the Manager with a plaque acknowledging Steve’s successful completion of “the impossible job” of city manager. There was additional applause and kudos. 2 To be approved at 07/19/2022 Barre City Council Meeting C) Volunteer Appointments/Reappointments for Consideration/Action: Council approved all following reappointments on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Deering. Motion carried. i. ADA Committee: 1. Marichel Vaught – Reappointment 2. Hillary Cole – Reappointment ii. Cemetery & Parks Committee: 1. Mark Gherardi – Reappointment 2. Star LeCompte – Reappointment 3. Giuliano Cecchinelli – Reappointment 4. Amber Wingerson – New Applicant - deferred 5. Helen Long – New Application - Ms. Long addressed the Council, sharing her interest in serving on the committee. Council approved the appointment on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Lauzon. Motion carried. iii. Civic Center Committee: 1. Paul Dolan – New Applicant 2. Burnie Allen – New Applicant Committee Chair Charlie Atwood spoke on behalf of Ms. Dolan and Mr. Allen, who were not available to attend. Council approved both appointments on motion of Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Lauzon. Motion carried. iv. Cow Pasture Stewardship Committee: 1. Chris Russo-Fraysier – Reappointment 2. Tim Rapczynski – Reappointment 3. Jim Deshler – Reappointment 4. v. Diversity & Equity Committee: 1. Ellen Kaye – Reappointment 2. William Toborg – Reappointment 3. Gregory Quetel – New Applicant – Mr. Quetel addressed the Council, sharing his interest in serving on the committee. Council approved the appointment on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Deering. Motion carried. vi. Transportation Advisory Committee: 1. Michael Hellein – Reappointment 2. Alan Burnor – New Appointment - Mr. Burnor addressed the Council, sharing his interest in serving on the committee. Council approved the appointment on motion of Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Deering. Motion carried. vii. Police Advisory Committee: 1. Steve England – Reappointment 2. Kristin Beaudin – Reappointment viii. Development Review Board – 4-year seat: 1. Jessica Egerton – Reappointment 2. Sarah Helman, Ward 2 – New Applicant – Ms. Helman addressed the Council, sharing her interest in serving on the board. Council approved the appointment on motion of 3 To be approved at 07/19/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. ix. Planning Commission – 2-year seat: 1. David Sichel – Reappointment 2. Becky Wigg – reappointment 3. Raylene Meunier – New Applicant – Ms. Meunier said she was withdrawing her application for personal reasons. Councilors thanked her for her interest. x. Appoint DPW Director Bill Ahearn as Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District Representative. Moved to officer re-appointments. D) Officer Re-Appointments: i. Zoning Administrator – Janet Shatney ii. Health Officer – Robert Howarth iii. Animal Control Officer – Sam Punchar iv. Barre City rep to CVSWMD (appointment) – Bill Ahearn Councilors approved reappointments of Ms. Shatney, Mr. Howarth and Ms. Punchar on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Deering. Motion carried. Mayor Hemmerick recused himself from the discussion and decision on the CVSWMD appointment due to conflict of interest. Councilor Boutin chaired this portion of the meeting. Council approved appointment of Mr. Ahearn as the Barre City rep to CVSWMD on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. Mayor Hemmerick resumed chairing the meeting. E) FY22 General Fund Year-end Balance “Preview”. Finance Director Dawn Monahan reviewed her FY22 year-end memo, and noted she is projecting a year- end surplus of $350,000 - $400,000 to be added to the fund balance. There was discussion on the fund balance carried forward from FY21, and possible uses of available funds. F) FY23 General Fund Budget Pressures “Preview”. Ms. Monahan reviewed her FY23 projections related to inflation pressures on expenses, and noted she is projecting overspending expenses by approximately $134,000. There was discussion on staff vacancies, expenses associated with heating oil, propane, kerosene and vehicle fuel, and possible adjustments when the municipal tax rate is set later this month. Upcoming Business – The following items will be on future Council agendas:  Updates from Barre Partnership and Barre Area Development Corporation.  Welcome new City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro.  Review legal counsel RFPs.  Vehicle and firearms purchase requests from public safety departments.  Review of paving and sidewalk construction programs. Round Table – Councilor Boutin said residents are getting notifications from an alleged insurance company regarding the underground pipes. He said these notices are not from the City, and are likely fake. He said he recently met with local citizens about drug houses in their neighborhoods, and with detectives from the City Police Department. He is a proponent of installing video cameras to surveille the properties in question. He 4 To be approved at 07/19/2022 Barre City Council Meeting reminded people of Wednesday’s concerts in Currier Park, and the Thursday food trucks in the park. Councilor Deering said there was a great theatrical experience in Currier Park last week. He encouraged people to attend a listening session at the school on Thursday to discuss violence, behavior and discipline at the schools. Mayor Hemmerick wished Councilor Deering a happy birthday earlier this month, and noted he moved this week within his neighborhood. Executive Session - Councilor Lauzon made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of litigation and negotiation discussions 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 8:46 PM to discuss litigation and negotiations under the provisions of 1 VSA § 313 on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Manager Mackenzie, incoming Manager Storellicastro and Human Resources Director Rikk Taft were invited into the executive session. Motion carried. Council came out of executive session at 9:30 PM on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. There was no action taken. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. The meeting was recorded on the video meeting platform. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 5