City Council

To be approved at 05/28/24 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held May 21, 2024 Prior to the Call to Order-City Clerk Cheryl Metivier conducted a ceremonial swearing-in of the newly elected Mayor Thomas Lauzon, newly elected council member representing Ward I- Sonya Spaulding as well as, newly elected council member representing Ward II- Amanda Gustin and returning for a second term from Ward III, Councilor Michael Deering. The Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Thomas Lauzon at 6:00 PM at City Hall, Barre, Vermont. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilors Emel Cambel and Sonya Spaulding; from Ward II, Councilors Amanda Gustin and Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors Michael Deering and Samn Stockwell. City staff members present were City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro, City Finance Director/Assistant City Manager Dawn Monahan, and Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Metivier. Absent: NONE Order of Business; Mayor Thomas Lauzon presented the Council with a motion to appoint a deputy Mayor to approve/sign warrants is his absents. Councilor Campbell nominated Samn Stockwell, which was seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion was approved. Adjustments to the Agenda:  Addition of 3A –Resolution of 2024-09 Appreciation of Barre City Emergency Medical Services Staff on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of National Emergency Medical Services Week, May 19-25, 2024.  Addition of 4. F-Recognition of Joe Mullen’s resignation from the Homelessness Task committee. Visitors & Communications: Cat Allen from the Parks & Recreation Committee announced the need for more volunteer members, with a suggestion for older teens to come forward and join. 3 A. Resolution 2024-09 was read by Clerk Cheryl Metivier recognizing the importance and appreciation of our local Emergency Medical Service Staff consisting of Fire personnel, EMT, Paramedics and Educators. May 19-25, 2024 marks the 50th year anniversary of National Emergency Medical Services Week. Approval of Consent Agenda: Sonya Spaulding asked to abstain from the motion to approve consent agenda, due to a conflict of interest in approving warrants, as her company was listed as a vendor. Motion was brought by Mayor Lauzon, moved by Councilor Deering and seconded by Councilor Gustin. Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of May 7th, 2024. B. City Warrants as presented: 1 To be approved at 05/28/24 Barre City Council Meeting 1. Ratification of Week 2024-20, dated May 15, 2024: i. Accounts Payable: $152,349.27 ii. Payroll: $152,024.45. 2. Approval of Week 2024-21, dated May 22, 2024 i. Accounts Payable: $241,078.21 ii. Payroll (gross): $153,598.49 C. Clerk’s Office Licenses and Permits: NONE D. Authorize the Manager to execute contract(s) E. Ratify Council’s 5/7/24 approval of Aldrich + Elliot contract F. Recognition of Joe Mueller’s resignation from the Homelessness Task committee. City Clerk & Treasurer Report – City Clerk/Treasurer Dawes reported on the following:  Ward 1 & 2 ballot recount for Councilor seats were conducted on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 at 1 p.m.in the Council Chambers with the assistance of members of the Board of Civil Authority and Justices of the Peace. The count was led by Clerk Cheryl Metivier and had concluded by 3:30p.m. The end results remaining the same as the determined winners from the Annual Meeting held on Tuesday May 14th. For Ward 1, Sonya Spaulding held the seat, as well as, for Ward 2, Amanda Gustin held on to the seat for Councilor. Liquor Control Board/Cannabis Control Board – NONE City Manager’s Report – Manager Storellicastro reported on the following:  Thanked voters for passing the city budget.  Spoke about attending an Architect charrette, a short collaborative meeting during which a members can share their work. Imagining it would be a useful tool designing the north ends 2nd and 3rd street options, as well as, the Dessereau Machine property.  CVRPC grant aimed toward transit projects with a focus on downtown. Working with Janet Shatney from the Zoning & Planning Dept. to determine the best application for the $100,000 funds.  No interest in Wobby Park for development, but will continue to seek the best use  Announced the Open Turf at the Civic Center, community members are encouraged to come in and use the turf during operating hours at no cost.  The plea for pool lifeguards was announced the swimming season will begin soon, and life guards are needed. Please contact the Managers office to inquire.  An additional plea for committee volunteers was placed. Membership is low in many committees, and are now unable to meet due to a lack of quorum. Contact the Managers office or visit the City of Barre’s website for information.  Thanked the Council for adjusting the agenda to recognize the Emergency Medical Services members and added the week also recognizes the Department of Public Works staff for their continued hard work.  Lastly, thanked Mark Gherardi from Buttura &Gherardi for the name plaques made for the council members, especially the workmanship and quick turnaround. New Business – A) VLCT-Garret Baxter. Garret Baxter gave an informative presentation on the legal obligation of the City Council and City Clerk & Treasure to hold and be held accountable to the Open Meeting Law rules and regulations, making 2 To be approved at 05/28/24 Barre City Council Meeting public records available, including guidelines to determine what becomes a public record as well as, recognizing conflicts of interest and how to manage those situations. The Power Point presentation was informative and engaging for council members to use as a reference and tool going forward with meetings and publications. B) BADC Update-Aimee Green The year to date summary of projects in process, completed and coming up the pipeline were shared with a Power Point presentation. Some of the highlights were, from January and February, noting the Prospect Heights Development has been place as #1 on the priority list, including draft and review of the proposed purchase and sale agreement between Fecteau and the City, commitment letters, pre-applications for financials and the Catalyst Grants March submittal. Also in the March works, business planning for a classic diner in Barre, a new clothing store, financial planning for Warren’s Kitchen in Barre City and continued work with MacAuley Meats to find a long-term manufacturing tenant. In April, Grant application for Prospect Heights have been submitted, continued discussion on the housing crisis in Barre. The commercial update, renovations for the classic diner “Tasty Bites Diner” are well underway, Warrens Kitchen focusing on the old “Soups & Greens space are awaiting terms from Pomerleau. Amy’s Armoire is scouting for downtown space for purchase was among the exciting projects going on. An outline of social media information announcements and points of interest was presented to keep the public in the loop and ensure transparency of all projects. BADC invited anyone to attend meetings to observe or participate. C) FY24 Budget Update- Financial Director Dawn Monahan & Manager Nicolas Storellicastro An update of how our expenditure are divided and how our sources of revenue compare. Information on the recovery funds from Insurance and FEMA reimbursements showed the financial impact we still must recover to balance. ARPA funding updates were provided. Charting the city’s revenue and expenditures and how those funds have or will be dispersed. Mayor Lauzon took the time to get clarification from Financial Director/Asst. Manager Dawn Monahan as to the true cost recovery when all is said and done. Cat Allen inquired about “who” were the trustees of the $250,000 Housing Trust Fund, later to be informed the trustees are Downstreet Housing. Amy Galford questioned how revolving loans through our ARPA would reflect of recovery cost, and labeling the funds as an obligation. Bernadette Rose inquired, how the abatements have impacted the calculation and the impact of flood expenses. The definitive answer was, current abatements are around $75,000, but are predicted to increase another $100,000 based on future applications from home owners. Mayor Lauzon proposed an idea of hiring qualified grant writers for a partnered grant with the City of Montpelier which must be completed by November. 3 To be approved at 05/28/24 Barre City Council Meeting D) Assign Council Liaisons to Committees A proposal to assign Council members to City Committees to advocate for members, to keep committees on task and to inform the public of projects, duties and commitments of a role as a committee member. Currently Transportation and Public Works, Homelessness Task Force & Parks and Recreation committees are unable to meet due to the lack of a quorum. Sonya Spaulding- adopted Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Samn Stockwell adopted – Transportation and Public Works Amanda Gustin adopted – Parks & Recreation / Cow Pasture Michael Deering adopted – Parks & Recreation Emel Cambell adopted – Cemeteries Teddy Waszazak – Police Advisory Committee Amy Galford proposed a question to find an outline of duties or check list to keep meetings on task, projects and hands for steps or actions each committee will strive to accomplish. E) Authorize One or More Councilors to Approve Weekly Warrants As established at the start of the meeting, Councilor Emel Cambell nominated Samn Stockwell, which was seconded by Councilor Waszazak, motion approved by all. F) Resolution #2024-08; Financial Authorization of Cheryl Metivier, Barre City Clerk/Treasurer Spelling error in document noted and motion moved by Councilor Amanda Gustin, seconded by Councilor Samn Stockwell. G) Set Clerk/Treasurer Compensation Based on 2025 budget and the former City Clerk’s wage the annual salary was presented by Manager Nicholas Storellicastro, motion moved by Councilor Waszazak and seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried by all. Upcoming Business – Next Council meeting is May 28st. There will be a kitchen table style meeting meant to brainstorm ideas and action that can be implemented to begin additional flood recovery improvements, increase revenue and reduce spending cost. Round Table – Councilor Stockwell reiterated the desire for more homeownership opportunities and would like more discussion by the Council during next week’s meeting. Councilor Spaulding thanked the voters and invited question and voicing concern to her in hopes to keep in touch with her ward members. Councilor Deering thank those who voted. He recently attended a Milk & Cookies event at the Aldrich Library where BCEMS Principal Brenda Waterhouse did a reading, as well as St. Monica/St Michaels Kay Cronin. His family attended a production of “The Secret Garden” at the BCEMS, and noted the 4 To be approved at 05/28/24 Barre City Council Meeting performances of the students, he thoroughly enjoyed. Councilor Gustin thank Barre City voter for participating in democracy and was interested in knowing if this council panel was the first time a majority were women. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Lauzon. Motion carried. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 5