VERMONT LEAGUE OF CITIES AND TOWNS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Thursday, November 10, 2022
MINUTES
VLCT Board Members Present (in person): President Jessie Baker, Bill Fraser, Mary Ann Goulette, Joe Major, Lucrecia Wonsor, (via Zoom): David Allaire, Julie Hance, Charlie Hancock, Delsie Hoyt, Ann Lawless, Ken Linsley, Miro Weinberger, and Georgette Wolf-Ludwig
VLCT Staff Present (in person): Executive Director Ted Brady, Seth Abbene, Jessi Hill, Karen Horn, Shaina Lyon, Linda Mahns, and Gwynn Zakov (via Zoom): Katie Buckley, Joe Damiata, Elena Esteban, Abby Friedman, and Lisa Goodell.
Others Present (in person): Secretary of State Elect Representative Sarah Copeland Hanzas.
Agenda Item #1: Call to order by the President
President Jessie Baker called the meeting to order at 12:24 p.m.
Agenda Item #2: Additions and Deletions to the Agenda
Jessie Baker asked if there were additions or deletions and if not, offered to entertain a motion to adopt the agenda as is. Bill Fraser made a motion to accept the agenda as is. Mary Ann Goulette seconded the motion. The agenda was adopted unanimously.
Agenda Item #3: Consent Agenda
The consent agenda, including the minutes from October 6, 2022, and the Personnel Report for October, and the 2023 Town Fair proposed dates, 2023 Compensation Schedule, and 2023 Health Benefit Addendum, was motioned to approve by Lucrecia Wonsor and seconded by Mary Ann Goulette. Approved unanimously.
Agenda Item #4: Discussion with Secretary of State Elect Sarah Copeland Hanzas
Introductions and welcomes went around the room for Secretary of State Elect Sarah Copeland Hanzas. Rep. Hanzas gave an introduction of herself and spoke about items that were at the top of the list that her office is working on for 2023 as well as the working relationship between the Secretary of State’s office and VLCT. Rep. Hanzas asked VLCT Board members for their input and feedback on hybrid and remote meetings, accessibility issues, safety issues, and warning notifications for meetings. Rep. Hanzas announced that the Town Clerk Advisory will be reinstated at the Secretary of State office. Ted Brady asked if a staff member from Rep. Hanzas’ office might be able to serve on VLCT’s upcoming Town Fair Committee.
Agenda Item #5: Organizational Update
Ted Brady provided updates with Board members on the progress of the new AMS rollout, Finance updates, office space, recruitment consultants, equity committee, 2023 workplan, MAC, FFA, RMS, and VMERS. Ted also announced the upcoming NLC’s City Conference that he will be attending on November 16-19, and provided dates and locations for upcoming Selectboard visits he has scheduled.
Agenda Item #6: Town Fair Recap
Shaina Lyon provided a report, statistics, survey results to highlight a summary of a successful Town Fair 2022.
Agenda Item #7: Adopting 2024 Dues Schedule
Ted Brady provided a summary and schedule for the proposed 2024 dues and asked the Board for their input. Jessie Baker asked for a motion to approve the 2024 VLCT Dues schedule. David Allaire made the motion and Georgette Wolf-Ludwig seconded. Approved unanimously
Agenda Item #8: Break
A break occurred at 1:49 – 1:58 p.m.
Agenda Item #9: Considering 2023 Municipal Priorities
Karen Horn and Gwynn Zakov provided recommendations to the Board for its consideration for Municipal Priorities to guide them in their Advocacy work for 2023 Legislature. Top priorities included Open Meeting Law amended to allow for fully remote meetings, Housing and Land Use Regulatory updates, Municipal Revenue Sharing for non-Local Option Tax, Public Safety and Emergency Medical Services (Recruitment, Retention, Accountability), Municipal Toolbox 2023, and Project Based TIF. This first set of recommendations were asked by Jessie Baker for separate motions to approve.
Bill Fraser made the motion to accept the section on Municipal Revenue Sharing for non-Local Option Tax as amended. Miro Weinberger seconded. This recommendation was approved unanimously.
Charlie Hancock made a motion to accept the section on Project Based TIF as amended. Bill Fraser seconded. Approved unanimously.
The rest of the municipal priorities as recommended by Karen Horn and Gwynn Zakov was requested to be accepted via a motion by the Board. Mary Ann Goulette made the motion and Lucrecia Wonsor seconded. Approved by all except Delsie Hoyt who stepped away.
The second recommendation was a VLCT proposal to improve Municipal Policing. The topic was described as of great importance for many towns and cities. Bill Fraser made a motion to accept the Policing proposal as presented. Miro Weinberger accepted. Approved unanimously.
The final proposal was presented to the Board on Housing and Land Use Recommendations and minor changes were made to the proposal during the meeting. Bill Fraser made a motion to accept the letter as amended. Georgette Wolf-Ludwig seconded. Approved unanimously.
Agenda Item #10: Board Schedule and Committee Appointments
Ted Brady provided the summary of proposed VLCT Board and Committee meeting dates for 2023 as well as the VLCT Committee appointments (including Joe Major for the Nominating Committee), and the Equity Committee nominations. Jessie Baker asked for a motion to adopt the first two items on the agenda with the inclusion of Joe Major to the VLCT Nominating Committee. Mary Ann Goulette made the motion and Lucrecia Wonsor seconded. Approved unanimously.
Jessie Baker asked for a motion to accept the Equity Committee nominations. Mary Ann Goulette made the motion. Bill Fraser seconded. Approved unanimously.
Agenda Item #11: Executive Session (if necessary)
This was not necessary.
Agenda Item #12: Other Business
The next meeting is scheduled for December 15, 2022, at 12:20 p.m.
Agenda Item #13: Adjourn
Jessie Baker entertained a motion to adjourn. Lucrecia Wonsor made the motion Joe Major seconded. The meeting adjourned at 3:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Mahns
Executive Administrative Assistant