City Council

To be approved at 02/28/2023 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held February 21, 2023 The Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Jake Hemmerick at 7:00 PM at Barre City Hall, Barre, Vermont. 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, Planning Director Janet Shatney, Deputy Fire Chief Joe Aldsworth, Human Resources Director Rikk Taft, Assistant City Manager Dawn Monahan, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: NONE Other Present: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: NONE Visitors and Communications – People about the deadline to request absentee ballots. Clerk Dawes said early absentee voting is available through the day before the election. The office staff will mail ballots out through the Friday before, but will inform voters that ballots need to be received back by close of polls on election day to be counted. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of February 7, 2023. ii. Special meeting of February 8, 2023 B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Ratification of Week 2023-07, dated February 15, 2023: i. Accounts Payable: $86,965.59 ii. Payroll (gross): $126,114.13 2. Approval of Week 2023-08, dated February 22, 2023: i. Accounts Payable: $304,746.88 ii. Payroll (gross): $126,219.27 C. 2023 Licenses & Permits: NONE D. Authorization of the Certificate of No Appeals or Suit Pending form PVR-4155 for filing in the 2022 Grand List E. Authorization to apply for a Department of Homeland Security grant F. Approval of legislation on TIF district extensions G. Special Community Development Warrant: Transfer ACCD grant funds to Downstreet Housing for Recovery Residence final draw City Clerk & Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  Ballots for the March 7th annual town meeting are available for early absentee voting. Just over 450 ballots have been issued to date. Liquor Control Board/Cannabis Control Board – NONE 1 To be approved at 02/28/2023 Barre City Council Meeting City Manager’s Report – Manager Storellicastro noted the following:  FY22 annual reports are available in City Hall, and will be at the polls for town meeting day. A digital version will be posted on the City website shortly.  There is information on the FY24 budget posted on the website.  There is a two-year paving contract RFP posted on the website. It includes a list of streets and sidewalks proposed for paving/reconstruction over the next two years.  A disability doorbell has been installed at the connector door between the back stairway and City Hall. It will allow anybody who needs help with the door to ring into the Manager’s office for assistance. This is a temporary measure as a number of accessibility improvements are being planned for City Hall.  Thank you to Assistant Manager Dawn Monahan for rolling out a new asset management program. There were questions about the paving program. The Manager said the work is scheduled to start as soon as the contract is executed and the paving season begins. The RFP includes additional details. New Business – A) Discussion of funding guidelines for ARPA innovation projects. Manager Storellicastro reviewed the timeline for developing the Community Innovation Projects and the already approved allocations for ARPA funds. The Manager reviewed his proposed rules for the funding guidelines including the dates for starting and completing projects, and requirements for matching funds. There was discussion on funding projects outside City limits, and allowing opportunities for extensions of the timelines. Jesse Rosado said the conditions being proposed might disadvantage smaller organizations. There was additional discussion on prioritizing City projects and City-funded organizations and projects, prioritizing capital instead of operational expenses, and whether Council would be prepared to allocate additional funds if necessary. Council showed their support by straw poll to consider additional funding as needed. Council approved the guidelines as amended on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. Upcoming Business –  There will be an informational hearing on all City ballot questions at next week’s meeting, along with a budget presentation.  The strategic plan will come back before Council over the next 2-3 meetings for final comments and approval.  Councilor Waszazak said he met with Lt. Governor Zuckerman to talk about next steps with regards to GMT bus service in Barre City. Jesse Rosado said he plans on attending the next GMT board of governors meeting. Round Table – Councilor Deering said he’s been inundated with donations of football pads for the youth teams. Councilor Lauzon said he is excited about attending Bruce Springsteen’s concert at Foxboro in Massachusetts this summer. He attended a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the Prospect Heights 2 To be approved at 02/28/2023 Barre City Council Meeting housing project, and was pleased to see Barre Area Development Corporation and Central Vermont Medical Center in attendance. Councilor Boutin invited people to the ribbon cutting at Quality Market, which is under new ownership. Councilor Waszazak said he had a surprisingly good time at the MMA fights at the auditorium. He said Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks are coming to Foxboro later this year, and they might rival Mr. Springsteen. Mayor Hemmerick noted February is Black History Month, and there are many opportunities for films and documentaries on the topic. He invited people to join him in picking up trash around the City. Executive Session – Councilor Waszazak made the motion to find that premature general public knowledge of labor contract and personnel discussions 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. Council went into executive session at 8:24 PM to discuss labor contracts and personnel under the provisions of 1 VSA § 313 on motion of Councilor Boutin, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Manager Storellicastro was invited into the executive session. Motion carried. Council came out of executive session at 9:03 PM on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. Councilor Boutin said there is a possible need for a meeting of the Animal Control Committee, and Councilor Deering is conflicted out. Councilor Boutin made the motion to appoint Councilor Lauzon as an alternate to the ACC, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. It was noted this action will need to be ratified at next week’s meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. The meeting was recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 3