City Council

To be approved at 06/17/24 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held June 11, 2024 Barre City Alumni Hall Conference Room 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 Barre City Alumni Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, Barre, Vermont. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilors Emel Cambel and Sonya Spaulding; from Ward II, Councilor Amanda Gustin; and from Ward III, Councilors Michael Deering and Samn Stockwell .City staff members present were City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro, Planning & Permitting Director Janet Shatney and Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Metivier. Absent: Teddy Waszazak Adjustments to the Agenda:  None Visitors & Communications: Bernadette Rose-Thanks all voters who have already submitted their green ballot for the BUUSD budget revote set for June 18th. Reminding registered voters of the option of absentee ballots requests, or in office voting up until Monday, June 17th. Joe Reil – Barre Pride – Thanks all the community support, local business and church supporters and all community members that attended the celebration, noting the attendance was fantastic. The Barre Pride Celebration intends on returning next year bigger and better! Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of June 11th, 2024. B. Clerk’s Office Licenses and Permits C. Ratify Council’s 06/4/24 approval of a letter of commitment for Central Vermont bike share grant. 1 To be approved at 06/17/24 Barre City Council Meeting D. Approval of Warrants from Week of June 12th , 2024 AP Check Register dated 06/12/2024 $149,437.39 Payroll dated 06/12/24 $158,036.72 City Clerk & Treasurer Report – City Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Metivier reported on the following:  Corrected “GREEN” ballots were mailed out Thursday, June 6th. Please vote the green ballot regardless if you have already voted the original white. Ballots can be place in ballot boxes located behind City Hall and to the right of the Main St entrance doorway to City Hall. Community members can also still request Absentee ballots up to Friday, June 14th, however, the Clerk’s office does not guarantee timely postal deliveries. Liquor Control Board/Cannabis Control Board – Above City Manager’s Report – Manager Storellicastro reported on the following:  Looking for lifeguards Is hoping to find Red Cross Certification courses for those interested. The city will pay 50% up front, and 100% upon successful completion. Any one interested including teens, retired adults, teachers, para-educators and substitute teachers.  Meeting with the RIVER Thursday, June 13th.  HEADS UP- Barre City Permitting and Planning is urging the Council to hold a hearing on July 16 th to review and study reversing zoning ordinances focus on S100 compliance. New Business – A) Mayor Thom Lauzon- Outline (2) potential grant opportunities Vermont Emergency Management-Mitigation Funds with ZERO local match. 90 Million Federal funds are available to all Vermont towns to implement hazard mitigation measures that reduce future flood risk. The federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provide funds to municipalities to harden infrastructure against future flood losses and voluntary buyouts of home in flood plains. The program traditionally requires towns to pay 25% of total project cost; the state of Vermont will now pay the local match. HMGP funds pay for projects that help prevent future damage in areas of repetitive flooding, Vermont towns have installed spillways and large culverts in downtowns, flood-proofed public building, restored river corridors to keep water within their banks, and purchase homes in floodplains to allow water to flow through without damaging structures. Pre-applications are due by August 16th. EPA-Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant. 2 Billion funds available to support community driven projects that deploy clean energy, strengthen climate resilience and build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges. Including, but not limited to; Climate resiliency and adaptation 2 To be approved at 06/17/24 Barre City Council Meeting Mitigating climate and health risks from urban heat islands, extreme heat, wood heater emissions and wildfire events. Community-led air and other pollution monitoring, prevention and remediation Investment in low and zero-emission and resilient technologies and related infrastructure Workforce development that supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants B) Pat Moulton- Led a very informative Power Point presentation continuing on the previously mentioned grants available to Vermont communities through sometimes very complex grant applications processes. The benefit from a thorough, very detailed and dire need narrative within the application could lead to a huge financial relief for Barre City if the grants were awarded. These funds could be applied toward many larger yet narrow focused improvements, (think mile deep inch wide). She opened the conversation for discussion about, the application process, continued definitive on the possible use of the grant money and the need for a competitive application. C) Grant Writing Mayor Lauzon began the discussion of inviting a well versed, and experienced Grant Writer to become a fully staffed position for the City of Barre, whether full time or part time. The idea is any funds this position brings into to City for flood recovery, improvement in the infrastructure or flood mitigation would pay for itself down the road. The Council did agree in every aspect, however was curious if this could be done in the time frame necessary to get qualified and competitive applications to these grants, with upcoming deadlines completed properly and timely. Possibly using ARPPA funds to support staff costs. D) Flood Mitigation Master Plan-Left as a point to think of and plan for the next discussion E) North End Master Plan-Left as a point to think of and plan for the next discussion Input- Bern Rose – discussed cluster areas to focus the flood mitigation and create resting spaces for water as a project for the VEM grant. Amy Galford- Suggesting the Willy Street acted more as a dam than the Berlin St bridge in July’s flooding and this bridge should be prioritized. Inquired about whether joint/partnership applications would boost chances of receiving grants. Councilor Spaulding- Expand Council packet availability prior to council meetings for more transparency and allowing council members to review. Upcoming Business – Next Council meeting is Monday, June 17th. Round Table – Councilor Cambel – Pride Fest was enjoyed. 3 To be approved at 06/17/24 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Stockwell- Barre Pride event on June 8th was fantastic, larger than expected. Councilor Spaulding- Attended Barre Pride events, church hosted activites. Hoped to enjoy the bike ride, but was rained out. BUUSD VOTE. Absentee ballots available with the convenience of drop box out back of City Hall. Councilor Deering-BUUSD vote. Cast a ballot, support your local teachers. Councilor Gustin- Attended the Barre Pride event- Discover the best Popcorn chicken ever! Looking forward to next year. The meeting adjourned at 8:39 PM on motion of Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. http://cvtv723.org/ Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 4