The Brattleboro Selectboard will approve a one year extension with Golden Cross for ambulance services at their next regular meeting, putting in place a new contract that extends well beyond the EMS service decision the board plans to make in less than six months.
They’ll approve rules of conduct, plan a board retreat, adopt new parking rules, endorse a bike and walking plan, and consider changing the way the budget is prepared. They will also most certainly crow about winning a major award.
….
The Brattleboro Selectboard will meet on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 5:15pm and is expected to enter immediately into executive session to discuss contracts and labor relations agreements with employees. The Selectboard will reconvene the business part of the meeting at 6:15pm in the Selectboard Meeting Room at the Brattleboro Municipal Center at 230 Main Street. The public may also participate in the meeting over Zoom. The attached agenda contains information on how to access the meeting remotely, including the required “passcode.” ASL interpreters will be available for deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.
Jessica Sticklor (she/her/hers)
Executive Assistant
Town of Brattleboro
230 Main Street, Suite 208
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 251 – 8115
…..
BRATTLEBORO SELECTBOARD
TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023
SELECTBOARD MEETING ROOM + ZOOM
EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5:15 PM
REGULAR MEETING – 6:15PM
If you join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone, please use this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
(*6 Mute/Unmute – *9 Raise Hand)
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1079
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-1079-livestream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
AGENDA
(please note that all times are approximate)
1. CONVENE REGULAR MEETING (6:15 PM)
2. APPROVE MINUTES – April 4, 2023
3. CHAIR’S REMARKS
4. MANAGER’S COMMENTS
5. SELECTBOARD COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (6:25 PM)
7. CONSENT AGENDA (6:35 PM)
A. Vermont Agency of Transportation Matters
(i) Approval of the Annual Financial Plan
(ii) Certification of Compliance for Town Road and Bridge Standards
B. Dump Truck – Approve Purchase
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (6:40 PM)
A. Parking Ordinance Change at Community Schoolhouse and Municipal Center- Second
Reading and Possible Adoption
B. Selectboard Housekeeping Update ( 6:45 PM)
(i) Selectboard Retreat Planning
(ii) Selectboard Rules for Conduct
9. NEW BUSINESS (7:00 PM)
A. Bike Walk Action Plan – Endorse Plan (7:00 PM)
B. Financial Report (7:40 PM)
C. EMS Update (7:55 PM)
D. Golden Cross Contract – Approve Extension (8:10 PM)
E. FY24 General Fund Budget After Action Review (8:20 PM)
F. Committee Appointments (8:45 PM)
10. CORRESPONDENCE/FYI
A. Warrants and Department Reports
11. MEETINGS
See Town Calendar
12. ADJOURNMENT (8:35 PM)
…..
MEMORANDUM
To: Selectboard
From: John Potter, Town Manager
Re: Administrative Report
Date: April 14, 2023
————————–
The following will summarize the proposed motions for the regular Selectboard meeting on
Tuesday, April 18, 2023. The Board will convene the regular meeting at 6:15pm in the Selectboard
Meeting Room and on Zoom. All times listed below are approximate, and interested parties should
monitor the meeting if they do not want to miss an agenda item.
Join the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067892659
The “Meeting ID” for this meeting is:
860 6789 2659
Passcode: 12261753
You also can call in using your telephone
by dialing any of these toll-free numbers in the United States:
833-548-0282
877-853-5247
888-788-0099
833-548-0276
(use *6 to Mute/Unmute, *9 to raise Hand)
The meeting also will be carried live on BCTV:
On Cable TV: Channel 1079
Streaming Online: https://www.brattleborotv.org/channel-1079-livestream
Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/brattleborotv
7. CONSENT AGENDA (6:35pm)
A. Vermont Agency of Transportation Matters
(i) Approval of the Annual Financial Plan
(ii) Certification of Compliance for Town Road and Bridge Standards
B. Dump Truck – Approve Purchase
In a memorandum dated April 4, 2023 Department of Public Works Director Dan Tyler encloses the VTrans Annual Financial Plan, which is required to be submitted to VTrans 60 days after the adoption of a municipal budget. In a memorandum dated April 4, 2023, Public Works Director Dan Tyler encloses the VTrans Annual Certificate of Compliance which is required to ensure eligibility for possible Class II roadway and structure funds.
In a memorandum dated April 1, 2023, DPW Director Dan Tyler requests that the Selectboard authorize the replacement purchase of Highway Division Vehicle #11 (HD#11), for a price of $78,630 and to authorize the purchase of equipment and upfit for Highway Division Vehicle #11 for a price of $91,597. HD#11 is scheduled for replacement per the Long-Term Capital Replacement Plan. The proposed truck purchase pricing was received from ATG through the Vermont State Bid System for the truck cab and chassis for a price of $95,630 with a trade in of $17,000 offered for the current HD#11, for a proposed net price of $78,630. The proposed equipment and upfit pricing were received from Viking Cives through the Vermont State Bid System for a price of $91,597. This includes but is not limited to the dump body, hydraulic systems, snowplow and wing accessories, and lighting. The budget for this purchase is split over two fiscal years. $80,000 was budgeted and approved in the FY23 Capital Budget and $90,000 was budgeted and approved in the FY24 Capital Budget. The total approved budget for this purchase is $170,000. By approving the Consent Agenda, the Selectboard will approve the purchase of a replacement HD #11 dump truck for $170,227.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS PRESENTED.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (6:40 pm)
A. Parking Ordinance Change at Community Schoolhouse and Municipal Center- Second Reading and Possible Adoption
In a memorandum dated April 10, 2023, Planning Director Sue Fillion discusses the proposed changes to Chapter 16, Appendix C in the Brattleboro Code of Ordinances. The Board is asked to hold a Public Hearing for a second reading and to possibly adopt the proposed changes to the Brattleboro Code of Ordinances Chapter 16, Article VI, Stopping, Standing, and Parking, Section 2, Parking Area, and Appendix C, regulations governing the control of traffic.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO ADOPT THE CHANGES TO CHAPTER 16, TRAFFIC, ARTICLE VI, STOPPING, STANDING, AND PARKING, SECTION 2, PARKING METER AREAS, AND APPENDIX C, REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CONTROL OF TRAFFIC.
B. Selectboard Housekeeping Update (6:45 PM)
(i) Selectboard Retreat Planning
(ii) Selectboard Rules for Conduct
In a memorandum dated April 14, 2023 Town Manager John Potter discusses a possible Selectboard Retreat with Town Department Heads. The Board is asked to provide any feedback or suggestions regarding these plans. Potter also discusses the edits and comments Town staff has incorporated into the 2023-2024 Selectboard Rules for Conduct of Meeting and Hearings using input the Board provided at the April 4, 2023 Selectboard meeting. Included in the Selectboard’s materials are the final draft of the Selectboard Rules for Conduct of Meetings and Hearings, April 2023 and a redline of the previous draft signaling the recent changes to the document. The Board is asked to discuss and possibly approve the final draft of the Rules for Conduct of Meetings and Hearings for 2023-2024.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO APPROVE THE RULES FOR CONDUCT OF MEETINGS AND HEARINGS FOR 2023-2024.
9. NEW BUSINESS (7:00 PM)
A. Bike Walk Action Plan – Endorse Plan (7:00 PM)
In a memorandum dated March 6, 2023 Planning Director Sue Fillion requests that the Board consider endorsing the 2023 Walk/Bike Action Plan as a guide for future planning, policy development, and potential regulatory and programmatic implementation measures. Fillion discusses the background history and various elements of the Walk/Bike Action Plan. Included in the Board’s backup materials are the Walk/Bike Action Plan and a PowerPoint Presentation that will be presented to the Board during the meeting. Fillion will be at the meeting to answer any of the Board’s questions.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO ENDORSE THE 2023 WALK/BIKE ACTION PLAN AS A GUIDE FOR FUTURE PLANNING, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, AND POTENTIAL REGULATORY AND PROGRAMMATIC IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES.
B. Financial Report (7:40 PM)
In a memorandum dated April 5, 2023 Finance Director Kimberly Frost discusses the Financial Report for March, 2023.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO ACCEPT THE FINANCIAL REPORT, AS PRESENTED.
C. EMS Update (7:55 PM)
In a memorandum dated April 4, 2023 Fire Chief Leonard Howard III provides an update on EMS services for the month of March.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS ITEM.
D. Golden Cross Contract – Approve Extension (8:10)
In a memorandum dated April 14, 2023 Town Manager John Potter discusses the Town’s current contract with Golden Cross, which includes three ambulances accompanied by a paramedic and an AEMT for 24 hours a day for $125,000. The current contract executed in April of 2022 included a provision that allows for a one-year extension at the same rate. Town staff recommends approving this contract extension, which will maintain the current model of service delivery for one additional year. This action will provide continuity of EMS service while the Town investigates how best to move forward in the future.
POTENTIAL MOTION: TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE A ONE YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WITH GOLDEN CROSS AMBULANCE SERVICE, INC. OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
E. FY24 General Fund Budget After Action Review (8:20 PM)
In a memorandum dated April 14, 2023 Town Manager John Potter discusses the budget development process and the budget review process, along with staff’s observations on the current budget process and potential improvements. The FY24 General Fund budget development process was conducted from August 2022 to March 2023. This review is intended to identify areas where staff and/or the Selectboard see potential for improvement. Staff believes that a discussion about the FY24 General Fund budget will enable the Town to make adjustments that provide better experiences for public, the Selectboard, and the staff going forward. The Board is asked to consider the FY24 Budget Process and provide feedback, if any.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS ITEM.
F. Committee Appointments (8:45 PM)
The Board is asked to make appointments to various Town boards and committees. Due to the volume of applicants for the Citizen Police Communications Committee (CPCC), the Agenda Setting Committee of the Selectboard has decided to conduct interviews and possibly make appointments to that committee at their May 2, 2023 meeting. Included in the Board’s materials are all committee applications the Town Manager’s office has recently received, including those for CPCC.
POTENTIAL MOTION: NO MOTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS ITEM.
Not Fragile
…but a major award!
EMS is on the Agenda
The EMS Update will be considered under New Business Item 9D. [P. 185 in the Supporting Documents]
New this month is a breakdown of the payor mix by percentage for the first nine months of billing. The terms “Managed Medicare” and “VA” likely refer to Medicare Advantage and TriCare, respectively.
A breakdown of the amounts invoiced and credited is given, but, unless I’m missing something, the math doesn’t seem to work. The amounts Invoiced: $758,570.88 and Credits applied: $456,198.93 seem to reflect a collection rate of 60%, not 77.5%, as reported.
Noting that at the March 21 Selectboard meeting an approach was approved to “Secure continuity of service through the transition, addressing current contracts, and firefighter capacity by May 2023,” on this Tuesday’s agenda, New Business Item 9D is “Golden Cross Contract – Approve Extension” [p. 187 in the Supporting Documents]
Also, the Financial Report, Item 9B, records Fire Department Overtime at $262,706.47, which is 257.56% of budget [p. 166 in Supporting Documents]
For links to references: bit.ly/3KJYrTa
“Secure continuity of service through the transition..."
The agenda item calls for an ambulance contract that goes for a full year, even though the transition is in 6 months.
It AGAIN gives the appearance that the EMS decision has already been made, and we’re just going through some pretending.
(But yes, change those rules so the public can’t speak as much at meetings. That’s clearly the most pressing issue…. )