City Council

To be approved at 10/08/24 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council (Draft) Held September 24th, 2024 Council Chambers-Barre City Hall The scheduled Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Thomas Lauzon at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall, Barre, Vermont. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilors Emel Cambel (remote) and Sonya Spaulding; from Ward II, Councilors Amanda Gustin and Teddy Waszazak ; and from Ward III, Councilors Samn Stockwell (remote) and Michael Deering .City staff members present were City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro, DPW Director Brian Baker and Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Metivier. Absent: Adjustments to the Agenda – Remove (G) from the agenda, postponing due to illness. Visitors & Communications: Burt and Sandra Perry of Palmizano Plz, as well as Joyce Shaw of Westwood Parkway submitted petition signature for a (4)-way stop sign to be place at the intersection of Berlin St., Prospect St and Westwood Pkwy for the safety of the community who frequent that roadway which vehicle often speed excessively on. Councilor Stockwell validated the need for some action to be taken due to the increased number of accidents there. Burn Rose also mentioned the safety of another intersection located on the lower portion of Prospect St were Allen St connects. Her concern is for pedestrian safety and the need for crosswalks and speed control. Approval of Consent Agenda: A. Approval of minutes i. Regular Council meeting Tuesday, September 10th, 2024 (Corrected) B. Clerk’s Office License & Permits- 2024 ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE: Has Police Chief Approval / DPW Brian Baker sign off /  Jonathan for Barre / Currier Park / October 19, 2024 / 11am – 1pm 2024 VEHICLE FOR HIRE DRIVER’S LICENSE: Has Police Chief Approval.  Melissa A. Tobin-Davis  Gregory A. Davis 2024 VEHICLE FOR HIRE SERVICE OPERATOR’S AND VEHICLE LICENSE: Has Police Department Approval.  802 Community Angels CATERING PERMIT  The Woods Lodge LLC-Vermont Granite Museum-Oct. 5th -10:30am-8:30pm C. Authorize Manager to execute contracts- none D. Authorize First Amendment to LOI with DEW for Seminary Street housing project Motion moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Waszazak- approved 4-a. Approval of City Warrants 1 To be approved at 10/08/24 Barre City Council Meeting A Ratify warrant from week of September 18th, 2024 B. Approval of warrants from Week of September 25th, 2024 Moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded Councilor Stockwell – Approved (Councilor Spaulding abstained) City Clerk & Treasurer Report *On Tues. Sept 17th the BUUSD budget was passed, with 1802 yes votes, and 1321 no vote. We hope to get the final tax bills to the property owners immediately after the 30 day grace period. *VEMS-Vermont Elections Management System has begun mailing ballots for the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election to every active registered voter. Please be allow until the first week in October for your ballot to arrive. If you do not receive a ballot by then, please contact the city Clerk’s office for assistance. If you were not a registered voter at the time the State Elections Division downloaded voter information, Sept. 3 rd. The Barre City clerk’s office will be issuing your ballots directly. All ballots can be returned directly to the office during normal hours, or by placing the ballot in one of our (2) convenient drop boxes. Liquor/Cannabis Control Boards. LIQUOR LICENSES (PD approved) 2024 NEW Second Class License w/ Tobacco and Tobacco Substitute  Arandas Mexican Cuisine LLC @ 377 N. Main St Moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Spaulding-Approved City Managers Report *FEMA still has set up space at the Auditorium, on the basement level, for community members to visit and discuss assistance in person. *New Project & Grant Specialist, Nancy Lynch has been added to the City staff . *VT Coyotes Team will be using the Barre Auditorium for the 2025 Season. New Business A. 2nd Reading Warned 6:10PM Ord. #2024-02: Minimum Housing Ordinance modernization (Stockwell) Moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Gustin - approved B. Report form River Access Task Force clean up (Danielle Owczarski) Danielle and Peter Anthony shared their and members of the community’s effort to clean parts of the Stevens Branch and the Jail Branch rivers. Groups gathered using canoes where possible, and pulled loads of debris out of the river. The staff of the Dept. of Public Works for the City of Barre then removed the piles to dispose of. Danielle hopes that next round will have more volunteers and canoes! 2 To be approved at 10/08/24 Barre City Council Meeting C. Consideration of seeking voter approval of a bond issue to fund Headwork’s replacement at WWTF at a special city meeting in November a. Resolution #2024-16: Necessity resolution for Headwork’s bond b. Approve warning for bond vote to present to voters c. Set public information meeting on bond question for Monday, October 28, 2024 DPW Director Brian Baker, fielded questions on the need for the new processing system at the Waste Water Treatment plant. The increased non-biodegradable contents processed at the plant has repeatedly ruined the pump, and upgrading is essential. Community member Ellen Kaye and some council members inquired about the Barre Town municipality contributing to the expense. The DPW Director did confirm a review of the fees charged to the town. Motion moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Deering - approved D. Move the annual city meeting (Town Meeting Day) to May 13, 2025 Motion moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Waszazak - approved E. Approve $250,000 ARPA allocation to create a housing revolving loan fund/trust Motion moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Stockwell – approved F. Discuss flood resiliency plan (Waszazak/Gustin) Councilor Gustin gave a brief summary of the on-going effort to hear from community members in regards to the needs and ideas for moving forward in flood mitigation throughout all Wards of the city. Continued conversation are being held at the Kitty Corner café and Espresso Bueno. Upcoming Business Manager- *Budget review *Bond WW facilities coming the 24th Mayor Lauzon- *Prospect Heights project numbers, with balance scenarios with the EPA grant. *North End focus with neighborhood meetings Councilor Spaulding- *North End and all other Wards- conversation forums *Increase housing w/ infill Round Table- Councilor Stockwell- Bike path was enjoyable and felts safe. Councilor Deering – pumped about the upcoming fall sports season Councilor Gustin – A Flood Resiliency forum will be Thursday, Sept 26th, 5:30pm at the Labor Hall. Excited about the Granite Museums open house Councilor Spaulding – Thanked voters for passing the BUUSD budget. Shared her appreciation and love for the Opera House Please vote in the upcoming BUUSD budget revote. More information can be found on the BUUSD website. 3 To be approved at 10/08/24 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Stockwell – Echoed the BUUSD budget revote on Tuesday, September 17th. Mayor Lauzon – Housing legislation Grants for more housing Execute the need for an executive session. Real estate related. Moved by Councilor Spaulding, seconded by Councilor Gustin – approved Move to go into executive session. Moved by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Campel – approved (Mayor Lauzon recused) Exit executive session. Moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Gustin - approved Adjournment- moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Deering- approved Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 8th, 2024. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 4