City Council

To be approved at 12/10/24 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council (Draft) Held November 26th, 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 6:03 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall, Barre, Vermont. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilors Emel Cambel and Councilor Sonya Spaulding; from Ward II, Councilors Amanda Gustin and Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors Samn Stockwell and Michael Deering. City staff members present were City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro, and Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Metivier. Absent: none Adjustments to the Agenda – Add 4E Holiday Parking Add 8F to new business – Update on Flood Resiliency Plan (Gustin, Waszazak) Add executive session. Resolution #2024-17 Recognizing the distinguished public service of Rep. Peter Anthony After a resounding standing ovation of appreciation motion moved by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Spaulding the council approved the following; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Barre City Council, that the City of Barre commends Peter Anthony for his invaluable contributions to the City and State, and that the City Council does hereby declare November 27, 2024 as Peter Anthony Appreciation Day, in gratitude for his service; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be placed in the permanent records of the City of Barre and that a copy be transmitted to Peter Anthony Resolution #2024-18 Recognizing the distinguished public service of Rep. Jonathan Williams After a second resounding standing ovation of appreciation motion moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Stockwell the council approved the following; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Barre City Council commends Jonathan Williams for his service and for his commitment to the democratic ideals of our city, and that the City Council does hereby declare November 29, 2024 as Jonathan Williams Appreciation Day; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be placed in the permanent records of the City of Barre and that a copy be transmitted to Jonathan Williams. Visitors & Communications – none Prior to approving Consent Agenda; Councilor Spaulding read a letter penned by Danielle Ozarski directed toward the “Christmas for Kids” holiday gift program, requesting inclusiveness among all beliefs. Much discussion followed the reading. Consent Agenda- A. Approval of Minutes i. Meeting of 11/19/2024 (with corrections requested by Councilor Stockwell) B. Clerk’s Office Licenses & Permits – none 1 To be approved at 12/10/24 Barre City Council Meeting C. Authorize the manager to execute contract(s) Proposal for Lobbying Services for the City of Barre – 2025 Legislative Session Prepared by Maggie Lenz – Atlas Government Affairs D. Approve letter of attestation for The Barre Partnership Downtown Vibrancy Fund application E. Holiday Parking – free parking through the Holidays Motion to approve consent agenda-Move made by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Cambel- approved Approve City Warrants A. Week of 11/20/2024 Motion to approve city warrants-Move made by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Cambel City Clerk & Treasurer Report Early Dec we will be working with our program IT contact and L. Brown to produce the final tax bill including the education tax rate. We are unsure what these bills will look like, but hoping to get a template to confirm. The clerk’s office is formatting an insert to help understand the final tax bills, what is due since the BUUSD budget was voted approved and how the payments will be divided for payment. Liquor/Cannabis Control Boards- none City Managers Report *Reminder the new parking rules are in effect. Learn how to stay informed. *Regroup App is up and running as another method of communication between the City and community members. This will be the best method to stay informed about the Winter Snow Ban parking restrictions, however notification will be sent through VT alert and FB. A rollback to the rules had to be put in place in some areas of the City due to the narrowed streets during sand and salt events. Please see the website for those areas where all cars must be off the streets 1am – 6am daily. *The Barre Auditorium has been awarded $499,792 dollars in grants for improvements and upgrades, no match from the City required. Inquiry was made by Councilor Waszazak in regards to the traffic study for the intersection of Prospect St., Berlin St and Westwood Parkway. New Business A. Volunteer appointments i. PAC –tabled until next week ii. TPW – Lisa “Mitch” Bernard Motion to approve appointment of Lisa Bernard to TPW committee- Move made by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel, Approved B. Resolution #2024-19: Expend SLFRF (ARPA) funds in an amount up to $969,955.40 for the purpose of municipal workforce retention to pay for payroll expenses for the period 7/17/2024 through 10/2/2024 C. Resolution #2024-20: Establish a Special Projects Fund and authorize the allocation of funds for future 2 To be approved at 12/10/24 Barre City Council Meeting projects. With discussion of ensuring funds are used with planned spending, can continue to be built upon and used with policies in mind. Motion to approve Resolutions #2024-19 & #2024-20-Move made by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel, approved. D. Approve charge of the JEDIB committee (Spaulding) With much discussion involving recent holiday inclusive pleas, with discussion of committee representation on behalf of the City, a priority list of goals provided and an agreement to amend the list. Originally the motion to approve the charge and work plan for the JEDIB committee was moved by Councilor Spaulding, seconded by Councilor Stockwell Motion to amend original motion to approve charge of the JEDIB committee’s work plan to approve the committee work plan acknowledging receipt of the list of priorities was presented by Councilor Gustin, Councilor Spaulding agreed to the friendly amendment. A motion to the amendment was approved by all. Motion to approve original was approved by all. E. Update on elevation funding priorities City staff received 13 intakes from property owners interested in being considered for elevations, including the Good Samaritan Haven, which VEM has deemed eligible for this funding as a “residential property.” After review of the intakes, one property was eliminated because it is commercial, and only residential properties are eligible for this funding. Further, one other elevation intake property was approved for a buyout during the application process, and based on state guidance, it is recommended that this property not be considered for elevation at this time. As a result, there are 11 eligible properties that have been sorted into priority tiers. (assessments with RIVER program engineers for input). Staff recommends that Council set the general priorities outlined below:  Tier I: Adjacent to new floodplain project o 3 Berlin/Vine Street properties  Tier II: Low-Priority Redevelopment Sites o 1 River Street property o 1 First Street property  Tier III: High-Priority Redevelopment Sites o 3 N. Main Street properties o 1 Second Street property  Tier IV: Eligibility Challenges o 1 Brooklyn Street property (floodway) o 1 Seminary Street property (shelter) F. Update on Flood Resiliency Plan (Gustin, Waszazak) Updates on parts 1.4 and 4.5, being 1.4 neighborhood gaining input on what happened during the flooding events regarding their specific neighborhoods, and 1.5 being education and workshops on small mitigation measure they may implement on their private properties. Grants funds awarded by Vermont Council on Rural Developments Climate Catalyst Fund will be put toward (5) neighborhood walks with hot beverages, snack and brochures with discussion on a local level to focus on 3 To be approved at 12/10/24 Barre City Council Meeting what failed or worked in the hyperlocal areas. Secondly, pairing with Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission for (4) workshops at the Aldrich Library, are in planning stages for residents to participate to learn and implement measures. Upcoming Mayor – Legislation priorities – budget Councilor Gustin – Budget discussion including resident outreach for input. Round Table Councilor Stockwell – Art committee for Ward 5 Apartments. Great and exciting for Ward 3, to hopefully be revealed in January. Councilor Waszazak – The State House tree was donated by the American Legion in Barre. Councilor Spaulding – Worst Song Ever event benefiting River Access Task Force was fun. Councilor Gustin – Happy Thanksgiving! Also, the 1st White House tree came from Vermont. Councilor Deering – Celebrate Holidays your own way. Merry Barre activities this weekend. Mayor Lauzon – Toured the North End with FEMA, biggest request allow future building on buy-out areas. Happy Thanksgiving. Findings for executive session moved by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Gustin approved. Motion to enter executive session moved by Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Waszazak, approved. Motion the exit executive session moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Stockwell, approved Motion to adjourn moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Stockwell, approved Meeting adjourned at 8:31pm Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10th, 2024. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 4