City Council

To be approved at 06/04/24 Barre City Council Meeting DRAFT Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held May 28, 2024 The Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person by Mayor Thomas Lauzon at 6:00 PM at Alumni 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 Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Metivier. Absent: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda:  Councilor Sonya Spaulding requested the approval of City Warrants be moved from the consent agenda and added as a separate item, due to conflict of interest. Mayor Lauzon moved to approve, all agreed. Warrant was moved from 4B on the agenda to 5B. Visitors & Communications: Joellen Mulvaney-Shared ideas of home sharing, as an option for community members in finding affordable living situations, as well as backfilling within existing homes. Ed Stanak-Tossed out thoughts of coop style housing. Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion by Mayor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Waszazak. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of May 21th, 2024. B. Clerk’s Office Licenses and Permits: NONE Liquor Control Board/Cannabis Control Board – NONE New Business – A) Council Discussion The kitchen table style, informal discussion with a focus on priorities in flood recovery projects led to many ideas and proposals, including, but not limited to, a new DPW complex, flood litigation, new housing options aimed toward low-medium income community members, rebuilding the North End, converting existing offices to apartments, building accessory apartments onto existing homes, creating revolving housing funds, coop housing, property tax incentives and research to gather data on where gaps are occurring in obtaining homeownership. Councilor Waszasak-Prioritized a new DPW complex, flood litigation funds, revolving housing funds and “backfilling” existing housing. 1 To be approved at 06/04/24 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Stockwell-Presented a Power Point to outline her ideas on rebuilding, her thoughts on what is most needed for housing, services and infrastructure. These ideas pinpointed the need for more accessibility for the 23% disabled community members, more need for a variety of housing options including converting existing offices, warehouses or building modular homes. Her presentation also highlighted some successes including the Ward 5 school renovation to apartments and the Habitat for Humanity work on Beckley St. to name a few. Councilor Spaulding- Spoke about small scale housing, like tiny homes, condos or townhouses as an option. Working on the infrastructure and flood litigation as a beginning point. She also recognized the need for more visual improvements the community has been asking for, such as paving streets. Councilor Gustin- Recognized that without flood litigation in all neighborhoods, and working with the Barre Town municipality, any improvements could be compromised by the next heavy rainfall. She agreed the North End was heavily impacted and needs crucial funding for recovery, but also doesn’t want to ignore other neighborhoods where damage occurred. She would like to gather data to see where the gaps in affordable housing the community voices are. She would like to find common ground between large 40-60 unit housing complexes to possibly smaller 20-30. Councilor Deering- Spoke of trying to increase the tax base. Finding ways to grow the Grand List higher density housing and housing for those working to come out of poverty. Mayor Lauzon-Focused on getting the ball rolling on a plan for the North End. He opened the conversation to ideas of how to progress forward to show residents things are moving toward new housing for those who want that as an option. Finalizing a plan, is necessary to present to the state, to emphasize the commitment, and dire need, to help the North End residents to become whole again. When the Council members were asked what their “one” goal was; Councilor Gustin- Flood resiliency Mayor Lauzon-North End Councilor Cambel- Flood resiliency Councilor Spaulding- Flood resiliency Councilor Stockwell-Infrastructure Councilor Waszazak- Flood resiliency Councilor Deering-Increasing the tax base B) City Warrants as presented: 1. Approval of Week 2024-22, dated May 29, 2024 i. Accounts Payable: $276,795.41 ii. Payroll (gross): $156,617.9 2 To be approved at 06/04/24 Barre City Council Meeting Round Table-none Upcoming Business – Next Council meeting is June 4th. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM on motion of Councilor Waszazakl, seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 3