City Council

To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, February 11, 2025 5:00pm https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88982525535?pwd=VzlXOU5taldoYkgySUdTcldqSUVGQT09 Zoom Meeting ID: 889 8252 5535 Passcode: 675736 One tap mobile 929-205-6099 Agenda Item 1. Call to Order – Councilor Samn Stockwell called the meeting to order at 5p.m. 2. Executive Session – real estate Finding for executive session was moved by Councilor Spaulding, seconded by Councilor Deering- approved Motion to enter executive session was moved by Councilor Spaulding, seconded by Councilor Cambel Invited to executive session; DPW Director Brian Baker Manager Nicolas Storellicastro Motion to exit executive session made by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Stockwell 3. Adjournment Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Spaulding, seconded by Councilor Deering. 3. Adjournment REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, February 11, 2025 6:00pm https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88982525535?pwd=VzlXOU5taldoYkgySUdTcldqSUVGQT09 Zoom Meeting ID: 889 8252 5535 Passcode: 675736 One tap mobile 929-205-6099 Agenda Item 1. Call to Order – 6:00PM 2. Adjustments to the Agenda Remove 4.F Replace 4f with PBR –Closing Grand List Tentative Removal of 8D 3. Visitors & Communications State Representatives Michael Boutin and State Representative Teddy Waszazak As promised, these gentlemen gave the Council and viewer a review of what is in the works, and what bills or projects they are currently working on. 1 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Charter changes duly considered. Lobbyist want to make it an easy thing to do. TIF reimbursement of 437,000 in committee now with Ways & Means committee SPARC- Project specific TIF – would be beneficial for the North End or Prospect Heights Submitted a bill setting restrictions of persons repeating crimes in buildings Would like to change the balance of municipality share of Local OPT from 70-30(state) to 80-20(state). Governor’s Budget -1 million dollar proposal for Prospect Heights Money for flood recovery Campaigning for a fleet of VACTOR trucks. Recapped the Governors proposed School Education spending package and plan. Christian Meyer-Director of the Regional Planning Commission. Wanted to reach out to Washington county members in regards to conversation about transfers of the Green Mountain Transit service to another operator. The conversations are happening at the Legislator and the Department of Transportation. The services would remain in place for areas including Barre City, and would reduce costs. *Joelen Mulvaney- please place visitors on agenda for preparation of questions. 4. Consent Agenda A. Approval of Minutes i. Meeting of 1/28/25 B. Clerk’s Office Licenses & Permits Entertainment; Barre Historical Society American Legion Barre Elks Club Gusto’s/JWD Corp Ladder One Grill Vermont Granite Museum Barre Partnership Pearl Street Pizza Barre Pride-Baked with Love-ratified Summer Street Tavern *Erica Reil asked about the approval of her permit for an event in June. Stated her email went unanswered. Fireworks; Barre Partnership Waste Services; MK Trucking Casella Waste Myers Containers *Councilor Deering would like the waste services to be sent the ordinance reminder in regards to timelines. C. Ratify Council’s 1/28/25 appointment of HR Administrator as ethics liaison D. Approve 2025 coin drop schedule; 2 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Granite City Blast – 4/5/25 Project Graduation – 5/3/25 Barre Community Baseball – 6/7/25 American Legion – 7/5/25 BCEMS-PTO – 9/20/25 Barre Elks Lodge – 11/8/25 Christmas for Kids 12/6/25 E. Lift waiver of all planning department application and recording fees for 2024 flood damage F. PBR - 4155 G. Authorize the Manager to execute contract(s) i. 10-wheel dump truck: $100,000 ii. A+E Step II headworks final design amendment: $247,000 H. Approve Vermont State Revolving Loan Fund applications i. Wastewater Plant rate study: $151,600 ii. Wastewater Plant collection system 20-yr evaluation: $216,500 iii. Wastewater Plant headworks replacement: $254,500 Motion to approve consent agenda moved by Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Stockwell- approved 4-a. Approve City Warrants i. Ratify week of 2/5/25 ii. Approve week of 2/12/25 Motion to Approve City Warrants moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Cambel- approved Councilor Spaulding –abstained 5. City Clerk & Treasurer Report Ward II Caucus is scheduled for Thursday, February 13th, 2025. This is an in person event. Nominations are named, nominations are closed. The Candidates will have the opportunity to speak and answer questions. *Joelen Mulvaney wanted viewers to be assured the vote is private. *Caitlyn Burnham wanted to be sure the Clerk’s office educated that absentee ballots are not part of the Caucus process. Third quarter tax installments are due, TUESDAY, February 18th, 2025. Our office is closed Monday, February 17th in observance of Presidents Holiday. The BUUSD/CVCC elections are Tuesday, March 4th at the Barre Auditorium from 7am to 7pm. Absentee ballots have been mailed out. 6. Liquor/Cannabis Control Boards Liquor License; Class 2– Emsley’s Florist Cannabis; 3 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Terrapin Gardens-Tier 1 Indoor Cultivator Emerald Peak Cultivation – Tier 1 Small Indoor Cultivator Motion to approve the Renewal of the Liquor & Cannabis Licenses moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Stockwell – approved. 7. Managers’ Report – *Winter Ban Tonight *Recurring towing some are repeats. Please sign up for the “Regroup App” this is the best way to be notified of The parking bans in place. *Looking for future Warming Shelters that may be mobilized more frequently. *Announce the receipt of the Cozzi Trust funds – 2.6 million for Hope Cemetery 1.4 million of Capital Improvement These funds have been invested for now. The interest on the account will produce extra revenue for the City. *A security camera has been replace on the front of City Hall. This is a pilot program, which may develop into additional security cameras. *Jeremy Winn-Spiro, Lisa Liotta, Ellen Kaye voiced concerns on policy, privacy, monitoring purposes and would like future discussion on the agenda inviting Chief Vail from BCPD. *Michael Boutin supports the camera. 8. New Business A. 2nd Reading Warned 6:20 P.M. Ord. #2025-1: Open Meetings Law updates Discussion brought the decision to re-warn the 2nd reading addressing only OML updates and pronouns to the next Council meeting and address the stricken/abolished “Rec. Department” language and more comprehensive review with a committee considering the equity assessment tool at a later date. *Joelen Mulvaney want more review of all ordinances using the equity assessment tool. *Lisa Liotta concerned of the elimination of the Recreation Department. *Jeremy Spiro-Winn keeping with the purpose, re-warn the reading to next week. *Councilor Cambel withdrew her second of the motion, therefore the motion to move lags momentum to move forward. *Councilor Spaulding proposed warning for Article 1 – OML changes only next meeting. B. Approve 2024 TIF Annual Report Certification (Dawes) Carol Dawes – TIF manager for Barre City outline the annual report, the area the TIF district covers and how TIF funds can be used. Motion to Approve 2024 TIF Annual Report Certification moved by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Deering – approved. 4 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting C. FY26 budget kickoff and survey results The Manager outline the expanses and revenues for the City. Most expenses are fixed – wages, benefits, and a smaller amount for fixed discretionary expenses. The revenues are primarily property taxes and Pilots (76%), city generated funds (22%), State assistance (2%) A briefing of the Budget Survey results were outlined. Most participants were homeowners, with incomes over $70,000, which does not represent the residents of Barre City accurately. D. Flood Resiliency Plan Update (Gustin) – Differed to a later date due to illness. E. Discuss charter change regarding appointment of Clerk (Stockwell) Councilor Stockwell outlined her reasons for presenting the charter change to having an appointed City clerk vs. an elected. Viewers commented and voice their thoughts briefly before the meeting was bombed by explicit content. The video feed had to be shut down. More public discussion will be brought up another Council meeting. 9. Upcoming Business Mayor Lauzon – Housing project list Councilor Stockwell – DPW staffing workload Dept. Heads recap of staff and activity 10. Round Table Councilor Stockwell-deaths of people sleeping in hallways, unoccupied housing is tragic Councilor Spaulding – Ward II Caucus, Thursday, February 13th 7pm at Alumni Hall Black Lives Matter exhibit at the SPA w/ Sue Higby Councilor Deering – BCEMS is looking for full time substitute’s – some classrooms are having to shut down on some days. 11. Executive Session – personnel, legal Findings for the need for executive session were moved by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel- approved Motion to move into executive session were moved by Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Deering-approved Motion to exit executive session were moved by Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Spaulding-approved Motion to adjourn meeting moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Stockwell- approved Meeting adjourned at 10:00 pm 5 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Next regular meeting is scheduled for February 25th, 2025 at 6pm. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 6