City Council

To be approved at 12/17/24 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council (Draft) Held December 10th, 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 and Councilor Sonya Spaulding; from Ward II, Councilors Amanda Gustin and State Representative Teddy Waszazak; and from Ward III, Councilors Samn Stockwell (remotely) and Michael Deering. City staff members present were City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro, and Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Metivier. Absent: none Adjustments to the Agenda – Insert *NEW* agenda item – Approval of $5000.00 donation from Brusa Trust to Capstone Fuel Your Neighbors Assistance Program replacing 8B, and moving all subsequent items down the item line. Visitors & Communications – Christmas for Kids volunteers; Officer Jason Fluery, Katie Fluery, Jenn Charbonneau and State Rep. Michael Boutin The group announce the resounding success in fund raising to date, of over $20,000. Through collections from the coin drop, the ticket raffle held during the MMA event at the Auditorium, and through private donation the funds will serve more than 70 families and more than 110 children. These funds are not just used for gifts, but are given for basic necessities, such as food, fuel, clothing, bedding and personal hygiene essentials. Caitlyn Burnham – Concerned for showing support for a religious agenda. Consent Agenda- A. Approval of Minutes i. Meeting of November 26, 2024 (with edits requested by Councilor Spaulding) B. Clerk’s Office Licenses & Permits – none C. Authorize the manager to execute contract(s) i. Police cruiser replacement D. Approve Sno-Bees Snowmobile Club landowner’s permission form Motion to approve consent agenda made by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Cambel-approved Approve City Warrants i. Ratify week of 11/04/2024 ii. Approve week of 12/11/2024 Motion to approve city warrants-Move made by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Waszazak 1 To be approved at 12/17/24 Barre City Council Meeting City Clerk & Treasurer Report The final version of the 24-25 tax bill is in L Brown’s hands as of Thursday, Dec 5th. The bills will be mailed by the end of this week. Included in the envelope with the tax bill, is an insert for clarification and clarification of information provided on the revised bill. The insert has been posted on a few media sites; Regroup, FPF (Front Porch Forum). The balance shown remaining for the Q2 will be due Feb 17th with the Q3 payment. No penalties or interest will be added. Any questions may be directed to the Clerk’s office. Liquor/Cannabis Control Boards- Special Events Permit Submitted by; Neddo Family Vineyard, LLC For an event at Nelson Hardware – Thursday Dec 12th. (Ladies Night) City Managers Report *Update on new parking ban; the Manager would like to bring a 1st reading to change the ordinance from 1am-6am, to, 11pm to 6am to council soon. *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. Template for success is 2000+ subscribers. *An update on the study from VHP in regards to stop a sign for the intersection of Prospect St., Berlin St. and Westwood Parkway should be ready for next council meeting. *Fire hydrant repairs are due, calculating 42 are out of service and 16 replacements required. The (16) replacements, will come with a cost of approx. $95,000. However, Fire Chief Cushman is confident safety is not compromised. *Watching the forecast, and monitoring the rain levels and snow melt. Councilor Gustin- Announced Barre-Up has resources ready if needed. New Business 8A. Volunteer appointments i. PAC (Police Advisory Committee)– Eli (Poa) Mutino Motion to approve appointment of Eli Mutino to the Police Advisory Committee moved by Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Waszazak – approved. 2 To be approved at 12/17/24 Barre City Council Meeting ii. JEDIB – Matt Mulligan Motion to approve appointment of Matt Mulligan to the JEDIB committee- Move made by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Cambel - approved 8B. Approve $5000.00 donation from Brusa Trust to Capstone Fuel Your Neighbors Assistance Program East Rise Credit Union will match all funds up to $325,000. Councilor Deering proposed an increase of $5000, totaling $10,000 dollars, to be matched by East Rise Credit Union. Motion to approve donating $10,000 to the Capstone Fuel Your Neighbors Assistance Program moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Gustin – approved. 8C. Authorize $60,000 from special projects fund to support Prospect Heights due diligence (PHDI) Previous city manager Steve MacKenzie, Carl Rinker, Angie Harbin, from Downstreet Housing and Planning Commission Committee Chair David Sickler All parties came to the table to discuss and ask the Council to approve allocating funds from the Special Projects fund to meet the due diligence of Prospect Heights. Councilor Stockwell expressed concerns over reallocating fund back in the future, noting the fund need to be spent wisely and with much consideration. Motion to approve authorizing $60,000 from special projects fund to support Prospect Heights due diligence (PHDI) moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Cambel - approved Councilor Gustin – approved Councilor Deering – approved Councilor Spaulding – approved Councilor Stockwell – nay 8D. Set legislative priorities Maggie Lenz of Atlas Government Affairs, State Rep. Teddy Waszazak and State Rep, Michael Boutin The synopsis prepared by Councilor Gustin, listing priorities discussed at the November 19, 2024 meeting, helped guide the Council in discussion on how to refine the list ahead of the new legislation session. Council heard the guidance from Maggie, with her experience from last year, and with knowledge of other municipalities also vying for funding for similar causes, stating the completion is out there and budgets are tight. Suggestions for seeking regional funding for mitigation projects, housing pilot programs were well accepted. The articles listed as request for the (3) charter changes and the flood gauge, would possibly be early addressed. 8E. Update on Flood Resiliency- Councilor Gustin, Councilor Waszazak *Tess Taylor advocate for the Unhoused and Homeless met with FEMA and were told to email them a list of needs, and in return, a list of funding possibilities would be given to match up to the City’s needs. 3 To be approved at 12/17/24 Barre City Council Meeting *Communication upgrades – The Regroup app provides information on parking bans, tax bills and more. 700+ have currently signed up, and hoping to continue the membership. *River Access Task Force raised a good amount of money with a fund raiser held at the Canadian Club, named “the Worst Song Ever”. *The $499,752 dollars recently received for Auditorium upgrades will be well spent for; Foundation insulation Weather-stripping windows and doors Replacing with LED lighting HVAC upgrades *Mayor Lauzon and State Rep. Teddy Waszazak attended a Winooski River basin conversation held by the Vermont Council of Rural Development and Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission on Dec 4th. The takeaway from this conversation is, communities need to combine voices and collective forces for regional watershed projects to be successful for all. *Prospect Heights Development as the update occurred earlier in the meeting. *The infill analysis conducted by CVPC has come back and will be reviewed for tools to identify parcels and match housing possibilities. Upcoming Mayor – Survey the public for priorities within the community for budget purposes. Councilor Gustin – Micro grants for neighborhoods Councilor Stockwell – ADA compliance update. Named officer. Councilor Spaulding – Be sure the ADA conversation happens in a future council meeting. Councilor Deering – addressing panhandling, the situation is becoming unsafe. Manager – may bring public conduct ordinance to the table. Round Table Councilor Stockwell – Performance of the Messiah at the Barre Opera House was amazing, the Barre Opera House which is a great resource. Christmas for Kids is serving a special need to families in the area. If anyone wants to help with specific needs, reach out to local organizations for lists. Councilor Waszazak – The State House tree was donated by the American Legion in Barre. Councilor Spaulding – Is there a better option than the bags on meters during the holidays. Maybe allow fees to be used for donations. 4 To be approved at 12/17/24 Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Gustin – Foxy’s a tribute to phenomenal food. Councilor Deering – Christmas for Kids great success. Foxy’s a historic gem. Mayor Lauzon – Foxy’s a great space. The success for the Christmas for Kids program is appreciated. Findings for executive session moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Cambel approved. Motion to enter executive session including Bob Lord, Carl Rinker, Al Flory and Steve MacKenzie moved by Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Waszazak, approved. Motion the exit executive session moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Gustin, approved Motion to adjourn moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Deering, approved Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17th, 2024. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 5