City Council

To be approved at 09/13/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held August 30, 2022 The Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Acting Mayor Michael Boutin 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 Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors Michael Deering and Samn Stockwell. City staff members present were City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro, Police Chief Braedon Vail, Fire Chief Doug Brent, Deputy Fire Chief Joe Aldsworth, Human Resources Director Rikk Taft, Public Works Director Bill Ahearn, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: Mayor Jake Hemmerick. Adjustments to the Agenda:  New business items A (hazard mitigation HMGP), C (stormwater improvement HMGP), and D (belt filter press) are moved to the consent agenda.  New business item B is withdrawn.  The rest of the new business items are moved to before Unfinished Business. Visitors and Communications – Ron Tallman, Chuck Barney, and Robbie Strachan, representing the Barre Area Veterans Council, presented a new large flag to the City, for display over N. Main Street. Mr. Tallman said they are in the process of raising funds to purchase another such flag as a backup, and requested the flag be displayed in recognition of 9/11. Acting Mayor said the request will be taken up during the new business agenda item on the Fire Department’s plans for recognition of 9/11. Those in attendance gave a standing ovation in recognition of the gift. Steve Whitaker said he made a public records request back on April 22nd, and appealed the request to the head of the agency, but hasn’t had a response. Mr. Whitaker reiterated his request, and said the Council needs to take action. Acting Mayer Boutin said Mr. Whitaker should contact Manager Storellicastro to discuss the request and access to the records. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of August 2, 2022 B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Ratification of Week 2022-32, dated August 10, 2022: i. Accounts Payable: $135,246.83 ii. Payroll (gross): $141,091.92 2. Ratification of Week 2022-33, dated August 17, 2022: i. Accounts Payable: $106,027.13 ii. Payroll (gross): $138,740.82 3. Ratification of Week 2022-34, dated August 24, 2022: i. Accounts Payable: $600,273.31 ii. Payroll (gross): $140,286.35 4. Approval of Week 2022-35, dated August 31, 2022: i. Accounts Payable: $93,644.89 ii. Payroll (gross): $138,860.40 C. 2022 Licenses & Permits: NONE 1 To be approved at 09/13/2022 Barre City Council Meeting D. Authorize application for a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to replace the City Hall generator (moved from new business) E. Authorize reapplication for a HMGP stormwater improvement at N. Main Street – Public Safety (moved from new business) F. Authorize Rehabilitation of Belt Filter Press. (moved from new business) City Clerk & Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  First quarter property taxes are due by September 15th.  Water/sewer bills are going in the mail tomorrow, and are due by September 30th.  Voters should confirm their registration status and mailing addresses, as the Secretary of State’s office will be mailing November general election ballots to all active voters, and will be pulling the mailing list data later this week. Liquor Control Board – Council approved a request to cater application from Cornerstone Pub & Kitchen for an event at the Opera House on September 7th, on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried with Acting Mayor Boutin abstaining. Council approved an expansion of the outside consumption permit area for the Elks Club on motion of Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried with Acting Mayor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – Manager Storellicastro noted the following:  The FY24 budget process has been kicked off. Meeting with all departments to go through their budgets line by line.  Entered phase 2 of the capital improvement plan process; currently reacting to the first draft.  The municipal pool has closed for the season. Preliminary review of numbers show increased usage.  New staff members have joined the City: Roxanne Pike as executive assistant in the Manager’s office, and Michael Smith as water meter reader. It was noted Mr. Smith is a former City Councilor. New Business – E) Discussion and approval of a 9/11 Tribute at the Fire Department. Fire Chief Doug Brent said they are working with Councilors Boutin and Stockwell on ways to honor 9/11. The Chief said the proposal is to hang the hand-made flag that was created in the wake of 9/11 in the fire station main bay, and invite the public to see the flag. Councilor Stockwell said they have developed a flyer that will be available that day which includes the firefighter’s prayer on one side, and a description of what happened on September 11, 2001 on the other. Council approved the tribute plans, including displaying the new, large flag over N. Main Street, on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. F) PD/FD Vehicle Replacement Update and Amendment. Police Chief Vail said the originally approved vendor is unable to procure the replacement vehicles. Alternate vendor Cody Chevrolet can obtain the vehicles, however, the cost is $14,857 higher than the originally approved purchase price. Manager Storellicastro said the City has identified funding for the additional cost. 2 To be approved at 09/13/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Council approved the change in vendor and cost amendment on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Derring. Motion carried. Unfinished Business – A) Update on new DPW Facility – Presenter: Brad Prescott, Banwell Architects. Brad Prescott from Banwell Architects and Brian Lane-Karnas from DeWolfe Engineering presented an update on replacement of the DPW facility including reviewing goals, understanding current & future needs, defining building & campus site requirements, evaluating options and costs. They reviewed the site selection matrix and possible locations that have been reviewed. Several of the possible sites have been deemed cost prohibitive for development. There is a site on the east side of Allen Street that is a possibility, but would require significant site alterations for elevation changes, relocation of transmission lines, and wetlands permits. There was discussion on other possible locations, some of which are outside the City boundaries, revisiting the scope of the project to verify size of the structure and amount of land needed, exploring a phased approach, the City’s bonding capacity, and other funding opportunities. Mr. Prescott said they will bring back their next report in January. New Business, continued - A) Authorize application for a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to replace the City Hall generator. Moved to consent agenda. B) Authorize Contract for Water Rate Analysis. Withdrawn from agenda. C) Authorize reapplication for a HMGP Stormwater Improvement at N. Main Street – Public Safety. Moved to consent agenda. D) Authorize Rehabilitation of Belt Filter Press. Moved to consent agenda. Upcoming Business – There is no Council meeting next week. The next meeting is September 13, 2022. Round Table – Councilor Lauzon said they hosted a great event last week with Congressman Peter Welch, and he thoughts those who participated. He apologized, saying he was sorry Councilor Boutin has been targeting by negative press recently. Councilor Deering invited everyone to attend this coming Saturday’s home opener football game at Spaulding High School. Councilor Lauzon requested an executive session for a legal discussion. Executive Session - Councilor Lauzon made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of legal 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. 3 To be approved at 09/13/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Council went into executive session at 8:50 PM to discuss legal issues under the provisions of 1 VSA § 313 on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Manager Storellicastro and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes were invited into the executive session. Motion carried. Council came out of executive session at 9:16 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Lauzon. Motion carried. There was no action taken. The meeting adjourned at 9:16 PM on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. The open portions of this meeting were recorded on the video meeting platform. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 4