City Council

To be approved at 06/06/2023 Barre City Council Meeting Special Meeting of the Barre City Council Held May 30, 2023 The Special Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Jake Hemmerick at 5:05 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, Police Chief Braedon Vail, Fire Chief Keith Cushman, Deputy Fire Chief Joe Aldsworth, Community Outreach Specialist Brooke Pouliot, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: NONE Others Present: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: NONE Visitors and Communications – Jesse Rosado said there’s been no progress to date with restoring the Green Mountain Transit commuter routes. Mr. Rosado said these are ride-to-work routes, and commuting along the routes to Waterbury, Burlington, Northfield, Route 100 and Route 2 are no longer possible due to the service changes. He said the Council needs to continue to be in contact with the GMT leadership team to push for restoration of service schedules to pre- pandemic levels. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of May 23, 2023. B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Approval of Week 2023-22, dated May 31, 2023: i. Accounts Payable: $2,273,977.57 ii. Payroll (gross): $141,178.03 C. 2023 Clerk’s Office Licenses & Permits: NONE D. Ratify Council’s 5/23/23 approval of an extension request for abstract grand list lodging City Clerk & Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  The Board of Abatement is holding hearings next Tuesday, June 6th, at 6PM before the Council meeting.  Water/sewer bills are being mailed out tomorrow. Due by end of June. Liquor Control Board/Cannabis Control Board – Council approved an alcohol day use permit for Rotary Park on July 15 & 16 for a memorial family event on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried with Councilor Boutin abstaining. City Manager’s Report – Manager Storellicastro noted the following:  Council is conducting 8 committee interviews this evening, 17 interviews next week, and the remaining 14 interviews at the June 20th meeting. Council agreed to start the June 20th meeting at 6PM due to the large number of interviews scheduled for that evening.  The schedule for use of the Barre Town stump has been extended, and the location is available to Barre City residents on June 3rd and June 6th. 1 To be approved at 06/06/2023 Barre City Council Meeting New Business – A) Update on preparations to address emergency housing transitions. Manager Storellicastro reviewed the timeline of regional planning with municipalities and service providers; projected numbers of individuals, children and families being displaced by the end of the motel housing program; and details from the letter of interest submitted by the City to the state for proposed use of the BOR as an emergency shelter. There was discussion on the impact of the Governor’s veto of the FY24 budget, and how camping in Barre City is being addressed. Representative Peter Anthony and Representative Jonathan Williams said the legislature is exploring the impacts of the vetoed budget. A veto override session has been scheduled for June 20th. There was discussion on the proposed charge of $75/day/person for use of the BOR as an emergency shelter. Manager Storellicastro said it’s based on what the state has been paying through the motel housing program. The amount included in the letter of interest sent to the state is negotiable. There was discussion on camping currently going on in the City, interactions between campers and public safety personnel, establishing a clearinghouse for apartments by bringing landlords and prospective tenants together, revoking any policies or ordinances prohibiting camping, the number of people who will be unhoused in the first wave effective June 1st, and how to monitor camping locations. Ericka Reil from the Homelessness Task Force said a centralized camping location would be best, with availability of services and a meeting place for those in need. Jesse Rosado said he is happy to see the motel housing program ending. Mr. Rosado said camping should be sited in the middle of the City. He said the state will provide services for the vulnerable populations, and we will end up where we always have been if we can get through the next 30 days. Rick DeAngelis from Good Samaritan Haven said they have staff based in the hotels, and some of those who are current housed in the motels are working out their own housing solutions. Two local motels are offering a 15- day grace period, and there are a few openings at the Haven. They are looking into opening two emergency shelters in Montpelier that would add up to 80 beds, and they are meeting with the state to discuss the details. Ellen Kaye said the community needs to help support those sheltering outdoors. There was discussion on additional outreach to service providers, non-profit organizations, and interfaith groups; referrals from public safety to service providers; suspension of City policies disallowing camping; and seeking input from the Homelessness Task Force, Planning Commission and staff on camping locations and what services will be required. Police Chief Brad Vail said there needs to be a regional approach to camping. If not, there will be a strain on resources in those communities that allow camping. There was discussion on capacity at Good Samaritan Haven post-pandemic, possible overflow shelter at a Montpelier church, accommodating pets owned by those being unhoused at the end of the motel housing program, no designated camping locations in Barre City, Montpelier or Berlin; and the need for sanitation facilities. Steve Finner said there are places in the City where porta potties could be located. 2 To be approved at 06/06/2023 Barre City Council Meeting B) Volunteer appointments/reappointments: i. Buildings & Facilities Committee Incumbent committee members Sue Higby, Richard Dente and Jon Valsangiacomo spoke of their interest in continuing to serve on the committee. Council approved the reappointments for 2-year terms each on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Boutin. Motion carried. ii. Transportation & Public Works Committee Incumbent committee member Art Bombardier spoke of his interest in continuing to serve on the committee. Council approved the reappointment for a 2-year term on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Deering. Motion carried. iii. Cow Pasture Stewardship Committee Susan McDowell spoke of her interest in serving on the committee. Council approved her appointment to a 1-year term on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Lauzon. Motion carried. iv. Homelessness Task Force Miriam Ben-Dor and Joseph Mueller spoke of their interest in serving on the task force. Council approved their appointments for 2-year terms each on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. C) Clerk/Treasurer Annual Review/Set Compensation. Clerk Dawes referenced her annual review memo and requested a compensation increase of 4% for FY24. Council approved an increase of 6%, reflecting recent inflation numbers, on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. Upcoming Business –  Committee interviews continue June 6th and June 20th  Capital Improvement Plan update June 6th  Appointments to the TIF downtown action team  Approval of new stormwater fees It was requested to add a future discussion on using ARPA money to establish a revolving housing fund. Round Table – Everyone sang to Councilor Lauzon on the occasion of his birthday. Councilor Lauzon turned red. Councilor Lauzon said he is pleased that the cleanup of his Prospect Street property will start on Monday. Councilor Deering thanked the Barre Area Veterans Council for coordinating the annual Memorial Day parade and ceremonies. Executive Session – NONE The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM on motion of Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 3