City Council

To be approved at 11/01/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Special Meeting of the Barre City Council Held October 25, 2022 The Special Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Jake Hemmerick at 6:00 PM at Barre City Hall. In attendance in person or virtually were: From Ward I, Councilors Emel Cambel and Thom Lauzon; from Ward II, Councilors Michael Boutin and Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors Michael Deering and Samn Stockwell. City staff members present were City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: NONE Also present: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: NONE Executive Session – Manager Storellicastro requested adding a real estate discussion regarding 22 Hill Street to the items to be discussed in executive session. Councilor Cambel made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of real estat, and personnel issues would clearly place the City of Barre at a substantial disadvantage should the discussions be public. The motion was seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin voting against. Council went into executive session at 6:05 PM to discuss real estate and personnel issues under the provisions of 1 VSA § 313 on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Lauzon. Manager Storellicastro and Clerk Dawes were invited into the executive session. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin voting against. Councilor Stockwell recused herself from the real estate discussion around 22 Hill Street due to conflict of interest. Councilor Stockwell rejoined the executive session for additional discussion on personnel issues. Council came out of executive session at 7:00 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. Council authorized Manager Storellicastro to issue the letter to committees and boards as discussed and edited in executive session on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Deering. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:01 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Deering. Motion carried. Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held October 25, 2022 The Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Jake Hemmerick at 7:02 PM at Barre City Hall. In attendance in person or virtually were: From Ward I, Councilors Emel Cambel and Thom Lauzon; from Ward II, Councilors Michael Boutin and 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, Deputy Police Chief Larry Eastman, Interim Fire Chief Joe Aldsworth, Finance Director Dawn Monahan, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. 1 To be approved at 11/01/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Absent: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: Adding a new consent agenda item for approval to execute the Wheelock House lease extension, to be ratified at next week’s meeting. Visitors and Communications – NONE Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Special meeting of October 11, 2022. ii. Regular meeting of October 11, 2022. B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Approval of Week 2022-43, dated October 26, 2022: i. Accounts Payable: $228,318.18 ii. Payroll (gross): $141,181.98 C. 2022 Licenses & Permits: D. Acceptance of Vermont Department of Public Safety FY22 State Homeland Security Grant Program Award. E. Approval to execute the Wheelock House lease extension. City Clerk & Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  Ballots for the November 8th general election are being mailed to new voters as they register. Voters can return the voted ballots before the election, or bring with them to the polls.  The Board of Civil Authority is meeting tomorrow evening at 6PM to complete this year’s property tax assessment appeals.  The Board of Civil Authority is holding its pre-election meeting on Thursday, November 3rd, at 6:00 PM in the Council chambers. Liquor Control Board/Cannabis Control Board – Clerk Dawes noted Councilors will consider a Cannabis Manufacturers Tier 2 license application at next week’s meeting for Green Mountain Hash, which is working in conjunction with ForbinsFinest LLC. City Manager’s Report – Manager Storellicastro noted the following:  Held a town hall with the Department of Public Works’ staff members.  DPW is doing water main work in the Warren Street neighborhood. Councilors thanked the Manager and DPW for outreach efforts to those who might be effected.  Semi-annual hydrant flushing will be taking place in the near future.  Coordinating street lane painting with VTRANS.  The ice is down in the BOR, and public skating begins on November 8th.  Met new Barre Area Development Corporation executive director Aimee Green.  Held final meeting with last group of committee chairs.  The year’s Wheels for Warmth event is being held at the Vermont Granite Museum this coming Thursday – Saturday. The City is working closely with the event to coordinate traffic control.  There are a number of Halloween activities over the next several days, including a parade and party on Saturday, and downtown trick-or-treating on Monday, October 31st. 2 To be approved at 11/01/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Unfinished Business – NONE New Business – A) Extra Mile Day Mayoral Proclamation. Mayor Hemmerick read the profiles for this year’s nominees Jason & Ashley Aldrich, Margaret Ferguson, and Renita Marshall, and read the mayoral proclamation. A copy of the proclamation was given to Ms. Aldrich, and copies will be mailed to Ms. Ferguson and Ms. Marshall. B) FY24 Budget Department Reviews: Police Department & Emergency Medical Services Department. Police Chief Braedon Vail reviewed the draft FY24 budget and noted the purchase of body cameras will be made with grant funds, or asset forfeiture funds rather than general funds. The Chief said the police, communications, and meter enforcement departments account for 25% of the City’s general fund budget. He spoke of call volumes, the embedded mental health clinician, staffing levels, the community outreach specialist, and liability associated with operating a jail. The Chief reviewed revenues from various parking initiatives including meters and permits. Interim Fire Chief Joe Aldsworth reviewed the draft FY24 budget for fire and emergency medical services. He spoke of calls for service, ambulance revenues, contracts for billing services provided to other towns, phased equipment replacements, mutual aid, and seeking grant funding for radio replacements. The Interim Chief said there will be a separate presentation to Council on code enforcement initiatives. He noted there are 2,600 apartments on the rental registry. There was discussion on the permitting process and fees in comparison with state permits, revamping electrical permits to more closely match the state, and setting aside funds annually for vehicle replacements. C) Approval to pay remaining Enterprise Aly Acquisition principal. Manager Storellicastro reviewed his memo regarding use of the fund balance to pay off the note for the 2011 purchase of 16 Enterprise Aly, and noted it would provide a savings of $15,000 per year in the general fund budget for the next 10 years. The total principal amount due is $149,153.63. Councilor Lauzon said he has a philosophical difference of opinion with regards to interpretation of sec. 601(b) of the City’s charter, and allocating funds for reduction of future property taxes. There was discussion on the use of the undesignated fund balance, and the charter language. Council authorized the Manager to use the fund balance to pay the $149,153.63 remaining principal on the purchase of 16 Enterprise Aly, with payment to be made in FY23, on motion of Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried with Councilor Lauzon voting against. Upcoming Business –  Consideration of cannabis Manufacturers Tier 2 license application at next week’s meeting.  Presentation of draft FY24 budgets for the Permitting, Planning & Assessing Department, and Buildings and Community Services Department, including recreation, at next week’s meeting.  Presentation of a grant application from the Diversity & Equity Committee.  Discussion on re-setting committees and boards.  Creation of a charter working group in advance of 2023 town meeting.  Presentation of the capital improvement plan. Round Table – Councilor Stockwell noted the great Halloween decorations in the Howard Street/River Street neighborhood. 3 To be approved at 11/01/2022 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Deering reviewed the Halloween, school, and recreation activities this weekend. Councilor Boutin thanked those who made donations to the Barre Partnership for street decorations for Merry Barre Holidays. Councilor Lauzon reminded people of this weekend’s Wheels for Warmth event at the VT Granite Museum, and encouraged people to have their chimneys cleaned before using their fireplaces and woodstoves. Mayor Hemmerick reminded people to check their smoke detectors, and replace batteries as needed. Executive Session – NONE The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM on motion of Councilor Boutin, 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