City Council

To be approved at 01/07/25 Barre City Council Meeting Special Meeting of the Barre City Council (Draft) Held December 30th, 2024 at 5pm Council Chambers-Barre City Hall The Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Thomas Lauzon at 5:00pm. The Mayor immediately explained the inaccurate wording on the original meeting warning when it should have been warned as a Special Meeting. Following the guidelines in Charter- chapter II, sec. 203 and in Ordinances- Article I, sec. 2.6, the Special Meeting was properly warned at noon. A motion to adjourn the “regular meeting” was motioned by Mayor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Deering, approved. The warned Special Meeting of the Barre City Council was called to order in person and via video platform by Mayor Thomas Lauzon at 5:02 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 (remote) and State Representative 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. A brief, 10 minute pause to the Council meeting was called by Mayor, for the purpose of clarifying the legality of whether Councilor Waszazak who had resigned on December 17th, but also rescinded his resignation verbally during the December 17th council meeting, could participate in the next agenda item. The concern was brought to the table by Councilor Stockwell and Councilor Spaulding. The City attorneys were consulted by Manager Nicolas Storellicastro, and then advised to allow the Councilor to cast his vote. Absent: none Adjustments to the Agenda – none Visitors & Communications – none Consent Agenda A. Approval of Minutes i. Meeting of December 17, 2024 B. Clerk’s Office Licenses & Permits Business name; Event Event Date Council Approval Liquor Licenses Blood’s Catering Darn Tough Annual January 10th Bevo LLC Catering Governor Scott’s January 11th Inauguration Martignett Co. of NH Inc Barre Opera House January 17th Sampling Burlesque Festival QM Store Inc 2nd Class Liquor Lic & Annual Renewal Tobacco Cannabis 1 To be approved at 01/07/25 Barre City Council Meeting Apple Soup LLC Alternatives Indoor Cultivator; Annual Tier 1 Renewal C. Authorize the manager to execute contract(s) - none D. Authorize Mayor to execute an amendment to extend the option for the Prospect Heights property to October 15, 2025. Motion to approve consent agenda made by Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Deering-approved Note; Councilor Spaulding voting - NO Approve City Warrants i. Ratify week of 12/25/2024 ii. Approve week of 01/01/2025 Motion to approve city warrants-Move made by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel (Councilor Spaulding Abstained) - approved New Business Barre Area Development Corp. board members, Bob Lord, Steve MacKenzie, Carl Rinker and Al Flory gave a presentation identical to the proposal they had presented to the Council earlier in the month, in regards to a community driven project to purchase 143 N. Main St (the old “JJ Newbury” building). The property is to be purchased for $1,400,000 dollars from current owner Jeff Jacobs in order to raise the building creating a healthier and safer area with the intention to redevelop the lot and increase the grand list. Included in the proposal, the BADC asked the pledge of $400,000 dollars from Barre City’s Special Projects funds, through a sponsorship commitment/memorandum of understanding, with no risk of loss for Barre City monies. The remaining funds would be raised through donors, private investors and any one who wants to participate. No funds would be asked until the $400,000 was the final amount needed. With many community members speaking publicly about the ambitious project including; Lisa Liotta, Conner Godin, Amy Galford, Ed Stanak, Sue Higby, Danielle Owczaski, Caitlin Burnham, Ginger Cloud, Beth Hilgartner, Joellen Mulvaney, Jake Hemmerick, Katie Hulbert, Bern Rose, Michael Boutin, Ellen Kaye The main take away from these community members were not to pledge the funds on this project, but use those funds for infrastructure improvement or assisting in home buyouts to make flood victims whole and use other means to obtain ownership of the abandoned property, including levying fines, orders to raise with given timelines etc. A motion to table the “Ratification of Council’s 12/17/2024 decision to pledge $400,000 for the acquisition of 143 N. Main St. by BADC subject to a sponsorship agreement”, was moved by Councilor Spaulding, and seconded by Councilor Stockwell. Voting yes, were; Councilor Spaulding Councilor Stockwell Councilor Cambel 2 To be approved at 01/07/25 Barre City Council Meeting Voting no, were; Councilor Deering Councilor Gustin Councilor Waszazak Mayor Lauzon Motion denied. A motion to approve the “Ratification of Council’s 12/17/2024 decision to pledge $400,000 for the acquistition of 143 N. Main St. by BADC subject to a sponsorship agreement” was moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Deering Voting yes, were; Councilor Deering Councilor Gustin Councilor Waszazak Mayor Lauzon Voting no, were; Councilor Spaulding Councilor Stockwell Councilor Cambel Motion approved. Motion to adjourn moved by Councilor Waszazak, seconded by Councilor Deering, approved Meeting adjourned at 7:37pm Next meeting is scheduled for January 7th, 2025 at 6pm. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 3