City Council

To be approved at 07/25/23 Barre City Council Meeting Emergency Meeting of the Barre City Council Held July 14, 2023 The Emergency Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Jake Hemmerick at 5:02 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, Assistant Manager Dawn Monahan, Fire Chief Keith Cushman, Deputy Fire Chief Joe Aldsworth, Deputy Police Chief Larry Eastman, Planning Director Janet Shatney, Public Works Director Brian Baker, Buildings and Community Services Director Jeff Bergeron, BCS Assistant Director Stephanie Quaranta, Human Resources Director Rikk Taft, IT Support Ryan Starr, and Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes. Absent: NONE Others Present: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda: New business items B and C were moved earlier in the agenda to allow more time for item A. Visitors and Communications – Amanda Gustin said volunteer intake and deployment will be set up on the Aldrich Library Lawn tomorrow morning beginning at 9:30 AM. Those interested in volunteering to help with flood cleanup will register, sign a waiver, receive supplies and safety materials, and be assigned in teams to work around the City on cleanup efforts. The library will be available for use during the day, and food and water will be on hand. Pam Wilson asked Councilors to provide the names of 1-2 residents in their wards who can serve the cleanup teams as point persons to help deployment to streets and rivers. There is a possibility the volunteer efforts will continue on Sunday, weather permitting. Councilor Lauzon said the last several days following Monday’s July 10th flooding event have filled him with heartbreak, pride, and hope for the future of the community. He noted the passing of Steven Davoll, and asked for a moment of silence in remembrance. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Wasazazak, seconded by Councilor Lauzon. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of June 20, 2023. B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Ratification of Week 2023-26, dated June 28, 2023: i. Accounts Payable: $241,316.24 ii. Payroll (gross): $152,228.17 2. Ratification of Week 2023-27, dated July 5, 2023 i. Accounts Payable: $289,371.65 ii. Payroll (gross): $155,289.00 3. Ratification of Week 2023-28, dated July 12, 2023: i. Accounts Payable: $444,012.95 ii. Payroll (gross): $155,511.19 C. 2023 Clerk’s Office Licenses & Permits: 1. Entertainment license ratification i. Paul Flint, music in City Hall Park, Saturday, July 8th, 3-5 PM 1 To be approved at 07/25/23 Barre City Council Meeting D. Approve property tax due dates for FY24 E. Authorize the Manager to execute contract(s): Sludge Removal; Ayers Street Main Replacement F. Authorize VT Community Sunscreen Dispenser Program grant application and accept the grant if awarded G. Approve moving Brusa Trust Funds to Community Bank City Clerk & Treasurer Report – Clerk/Treasurer Dawes thanked her staff for fielding many phone calls and citizen questions over the past few days, as people look for information and resources following the flood. Liquor Control Board/Cannabis Control Board – NONE City Manager’s Report – Manager Storellicastro thanked all City staff for their many hours of dedicated work fighting the flood and addressing flood rescue and recovery efforts throughout the City. New Business – B) Approve indefinite waiver of building and flood hazard permit and registration fees for any emergency repairs related directly to flood damage. Manager Storellicastro said the Council has taken such measures during past flooding events. There was discussion on putting an end date on the waivers. Council approved waiving building and flood hazard permit fees, including recording fees, for flood repair applications associated with the July 10, 2023 flood event, with the waiver period ending upon two weeks’ notice from the City Manager, on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Deering. Motion carried. Clerk Dawes noted those who will be applying for FEMA and SBA funding support will need copies of documents proving ownership as part of the application process, and she recommended Council approve waiving any fees associated with research, recordings, and copies for any such requests that are flood related. Council approved waiving fees for researching and copies of land records, tax bills, lister cards, and tax maps needed for FEMA and SB applications associated with the July 10, 2023 flooding event on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. C) Approve indefinite moratorium on parking enforcement. Manager Storelllicastro said the moratorium will be for parking meter spaces. Other parking restrictions will still be in place. Council approved a moratorium on parking meter enforcement throughout the downtown streets and parking lots to support cleanout and reconstruction efforts associated with the July 102, 2023 flood event on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. A) Flood recovery update. Manager Storellicastro reviewed the flooding timeline and recovery efforts to date. The Manager spoke of damage assessments; shared photos from around the City, and current & ongoing concerns and risks; and priorities. A multi-agency resource center is opening at the BOR over the weekend. The Manager reviewed volunteer opportunities that will be coordinated through the efforts discussed earlier in the meeting. In addition to the volunteer coordination tomorrow on the library lawn, the 2 To be approved at 07/25/23 Barre City Council Meeting Vermont Labor Council will be set up in the same location to provide food, water, access to services, and emotional support. There was discussion on where people should place items that need to be hauled away and access to dumpsters as they are made available. Deputy Fire Chief Joe Aldsworth talked about pumping out basements, and assessing for leaked fuel oil, and inspecting the waterways for swept away vehicles and other items in the rivers. Chief Aldsworth said Vermont Emergency Management has made cleanup kits available, and the City has received two tractor- trailers of bottled water because of the ongoing boil water order. Manager Storellicastro said the City has received significant assistance from municipal partners including Burlington, South Burlington, St. Johnsbury, and Barre Town, in addition to a number of private contractors. There was discussion on installing an audio alarm warning system when the rivers rise, and reviewing the public notification systems. Amy Galford said the state has fact sheets available on cleaning up post- flood. The fact sheets are posted on the Agency of Natural Resources website at www.ANR.vermont.gov/flood. The City will be creating an assessment intake form, and is working with UVM engineers and geologists on assessments of landslides around the City. Drone footage is being evaluated, and it was noted Barre City experienced a significant level of erosive damage. There was discussion on Barre City’s flood maps, the designated flood plain, and flood insurance; what can be learned from this flooding event, and what can be improved. Upcoming Business – NONE Round Table – Councilor Lauzon said the remaining ARPA funds should be used for flood recovery. A quick SBA loan program should be created so that nobody falls through the cracks. Councilor Lauzon left the meeting at 6:20 PM. Councilor Stockwell said she is struck by the loss, and is encouraged by the gathering of resources and volunteers. Councilor Deering said he is touched by those who have lost everything, but are helping others. He encouraged people to be safe and strong. Councilor Cambel said she has been touring impacted areas of the City, and is heartbroken at how much we’ve lost as a community. Councilor Waszazak said Aldrich Library came through with little damage. The search for a new executive director is ongoing, and the finalist candidates both offered to come to the City to help with recovery efforts. He said Ben & Jerry’s will host a free ice cream day at the municipal pool next Saturday, which will be free that day. There will also be access to resource tables. Councilor Boutin said he is amazed at the commitment the business owners have shown to the community. 3 To be approved at 07/25/23 Barre City Council Meeting Clerk Dawes said Walmart donated $5,000 in store credit for the purchase of cleaning and recovery supplies, and a number of food trucks from all over the northern US have traveled to the City to provide free food for first responders and impacted individuals. Manager Storellicastro said the outpouring of support has been huge, and all City staff members, both in the field and in the offices, are working hard on recovery efforts. Mayor Hemmerick said the community needs and appreciates all the support its getting. On a positive note, the Mayor said they welcomed a new puppy they have been waiting for. Executive Session – NONE The meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Deering. Motion carried. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 4