City Council

To be approved as 10/24/23 Barre City Council Meeting Special Meeting of the Barre City Council Held October 17, 2023 The Special Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order via video platform by Mayor Jake Hemmerick at 6:04 PM at, Barre, Vermont. In attendance 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 Others Present: City Attorney David Rugh, Stitzel, Page & Fletcher PC; and realtor Michelle Hebert. Adjustments to the Agenda: NONE Visitors and Communications Joelen Mulvaney, chair of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee, said the committee urges Council to use the equity assessment tool for any development in the North End following the July 2023 flooding. Ms. Mulvaney said she emailed the most recent version of the tool to Councilors, and it should be used to gather information for use in the planning process. She also suggested using a survey to gather information from those impacted by the flooding, in addition to holding public forums. Bernadette Rose thanked Mayor Hemmerick for waiting to start the meeting until all Councilors had successfully logged into the Zoom platform. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried on roll call vote. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of October 10, 2023. B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Approval of Week 2023-42, dated October 18, 2023: i. Accounts Payable: $2,208,726.42 ii. Payroll (gross): $151,123.40 C. 2023 Clerk’s Office Licenses & Permits: NONE D. Ratify the Council’s 10/10/23 waiver of event and rental fees for the 2023 Veterans Day Parade; and approval to use the auditorium in case of inclement weather City Clerk & Treasurer Report – City Clerk/Treasurer Carol Dawes reported on the following:  Second quarter tax payments are due by November 15th. Liquor Control Board/Cannabis Control Board – NONE City Manager’s Report – Manager Storellicastro reported on the following:  The second Barre Up flood recovery forum is tomorrow evening in the Barre Opera House from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. 1 To be approved as 10/24/23 Barre City Council Meeting New Business – A) Motion to amend the action that Council approved on October 10th with respect to the sale of the Wheelock Building so as to authorize the Manager to execute a contract amendment with a sale price of $155,000, a $45,000 credit to the Purchaser for repairs at closing, and providing that the City shall retain the first $25,000 of any insurance proceeds received for repair of the building, and authorize the Mayor to execute closing documents and a warranty deed for the sale of the Wheelock Building. Manager Storellicastro said on advice of City Attorney David Rugh, the amendment includes six points of clarity: 1) The due diligence period has been satisfied; 2) Closing shall occur on or before November 7, 2023; 3) The purchase price remains $155,000, and the seller agrees to provide a closing credit of $45,000 towards repairs to damage to the property; 4) Amend clause 24 of the contract to say the City will retain the first $25,000 of any insurance claim received; 5) Reinstate clause 24 in the unlikely event of catastrophic damage to the property between now and the closing; and 6) Purchaser agrees to buy the property in as is condition. Manager Storellicastro will email the addendum document to Councilors for their records in advance of executing the amendment. There was discussion on whether the correct action was to rescind or expunge last week’s action, or approve the amendment. City Attorney David Rugh said amendment is the proper approach, as warned. Council approved the amendment as warned on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Deering. Motion carried on roll call vote, with Councilor Boutin voting against. Upcoming Business – The following will be on the 10/24 agenda:  Presentation on conceptual designs for redevelopment of the North End Round Table – NONE Executive Session – NONE The meeting adjourned at 6:20 PM on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. The meeting was recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn S. Dawes, City Clerk 2