VERMONT LEAGUE OF CITIES AND TOWNS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Thursday, June 16, 2022
MINUTES
VLCT Board Members Present (in person): President Jessie Baker, Bill Fraser, Julie Hance, George Putnam, Miro Weinberger, Lucrecia Wonsor. (via zoom) David Allaire, Mary Ann Goulette, Charlie Hancock, Delsie Hoyt, Ann Lawless, and Ken Linsley
VLCT Staff Present (in person): Executive Director Ted Brady, Seth Abbene, (via zoom) Carl Andeer, Ali Barlow (intern), Garrett Baxter, Katie Buckley, Joe Damiata, Elena Esteban, Abby Friedman, Lisa Goodell, Shaina Lyon, Sarah Macy, Linda Mahns, Kail Romanoff, Susan Senning, and Jack Thrasher (intern).
Agenda Item #1: Call to order by the President
President Jessie Baker called the meeting to order at 12:23 p.m.
Agenda Item #2: Additions and Deletions to the Agenda
Jessie Baker asked if there were additions or deletions or a motion to approve the agenda as is. George Putnam made a motion to accept the agenda as is. Julie Hance seconded the motion. The agenda was adopted unanimously.
Agenda Item #3: Consent Agenda
The consent agenda, including the minutes from May 18, 2022 and the Personnel Report for June was motioned to approve by George Putnam and seconded by Lucrecia Wonsor. Approved unanimously.
Agenda Item #4: Organizational Update
Ted Brady gave a comprehensive overview of the Organization Update including updates on the Association Management System (AMS), 2021/2022 VLCT Work Plan, equity work, Benefits programs, the launch of the federal assistance program and a SAVE THE DATE item to honor Senator Leahy’s contributions to Vermont municipalities and downtowns scheduled for August 11th in Montpelier.
Agenda Item #5: Review VLCT 2021 Fourth Quarter Financials and 2022 First Quarter Financials with CFO Seth Abbene
Seth Abbene provided an overview of the 2021 fourth quarter financials and the 2022 first quarter financials. Seth entertained questions and comments from the Board. George Putnam made a motion to approve the VLCT 2021 fourth quarter financials and the 2022 first quarter financials. Lucrecia Wonsor seconded. Approved unanimously.
Agenda Item #6: Town Fair 2022 Recommendations
Shaina Lyon provided survey results from the Town Fair Content Survey and stated the dates for the 2022 Town Fair have been scheduled for October 6-7 in Killington as an in-person only event for voting with remote access to view only. Ted Brady asked for feedback on the survey with regards to content. Top four topics included: Governance, Administration, Infrastructure/Federal Funding, and Partners and Community. Other topics of interest included Public Safety, Housing, Economic Development. Questions were asked about the cost of Town Fair registration and lodging as well as what events might occur in Killington such as networking, gondola rides, and scavenger hunts. Questions arose on the keynote speaker as to when they might speak with the recommendation to have them speak at educational times (Day 2 of the event.) Ted Brady asked for recommendations from the Board on possible keynote speakers.
Agenda Item #7: Break
A break occurred from 1:35 – 1:47 pm.
Agenda Item #8: Policy Committee Review
Ted Brady summarized the membership details in the Finance, Administration, and Intergovernmental Relations (FAIR) Committee chaired by Bill Fraser, Public Safety Committee chaired by Miro Weinberger, Transportation Committee chaired by Delsie Hoyt, Quality of Life and Housing Committee chaired by Mary Ann Goulette and the Environment Committee chaired by Charlie Hancock. VLCT Board President Jessie Baker and Executive Director Ted Brady will be in attendance for these meetings. Ted shared that calls for new volunteers resulted in about a half dozen new committee members.
Agenda Item #9: Legislative /Administrative Committee Appointments
The Board reviewed VLCT appointments and recommendations for appointments to several more boards and commissions including Animal Cruelty Investigation Advisory Board, Climate Council, Criminal Justice Council, Current Use Advisory Board, Downtown Development Board, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Advisory Council, Governor’s Emergency Preparedness, Law Enforcement Advisory Board, Vermont Enhanced 911 Board, Parcel Advisory Board, Public Transit Advisory Council, Rental Housing Safety Advisory Board, Special Investigative Units Board, Vermont Pension Investment Commission, Opioid Settlement Advisory Council, Cannabis Control Board, and the Department of Public Safety Dispatch Working Group.
Agenda Item #10: Meet MAC (Municipal Assistance Center)
Abby Friedman introduced herself and her team: Garrett Baxter, Susan Senning, Carl Andeer, Heather Law, Rick McGuire, Sarah Macy and Kail Romanoff. Each team member gave an overview of their experience and provided summaries on the ongoing work and upcoming projects that MAC provides including training, legal drafting and review, financial consulting, executive recruitment and publishing guidance, templates, reference materials and research reports in digital and print formats.
Jessie Baker introduced the draft VLCT Municipal Assistance Center Inquiry Service Terms of Use Policy and asked Abby Friedman to provide the updates that had occurred to this document. A discussion occurred between MAC staff and Board members on the information provided in the draft.
Agenda Item #11: Update from IT Working Group
This item was tabled until July.
Agenda Item #12: Resolution Recognizing Barre City Manager Steven Mackenzie
Jessie Baker asked for a motion to approve the Resolution Recognizing Barre City Manager Steven Mackenzie. Bill Fraser made the motion and Miro Weinberger seconded. Approved unanimously.
Agenda Item #11: Other Business
Jessie Baker asked if there was any other business to discussion and indicated she will be away for the July meeting and Bill Fraser will be in charge.
Agenda Item #12: Adjourn
Jessie Baker asked for a motion to adjourn. Julie Hance made the motion and David Allaire seconded. The meeting adjourned at 2:54 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Mahns
Executive Administrative Assistant