City Council

To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council (Draft) Held February 25, 2025 at 6pm Council Chambers-Barre City Hall The warned Regular 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, Councilor Emel Cambel and Councilor Sonya Spaulding; from Ward II, Councilor Amanda Gustin and Councilor Jeff Bergeron; and from Ward III, Councilor Samn Stockwell. City staff members present were City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro, Assistant Manager/Finance Director Dawn Monahan and Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Metivier. Absent: Councilor Michael Deering-Ward III Adjustments to the Agenda – Remove item (4) D – make a stand alone item next Council meeting Add item (8) I – Charter Change – appointment of Clerk position Move item (8) D & E to bottom of New Business Visitors & Communications – none 4. Consent Agenda o Approval of Minutes o i. Meetings of 2/11/25 and 2/18/25 o B. Clerk’s Office Licenses & Permits –Barre Pride Baked w/ Love Event – June 7, 2025 o C. Ratify Council’s 2/11/25 approval of PVR form 4155 o D. Approve financing for purchase of new firetruck o E. Approve Allonge agreement for MCRF loan o F. Authorize the Manager to execute contract(s) Motion to approved Consent Agenda moved by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Bergeron- Approved. 4-a. Approve City Warrants i. Ratify week of 2/19/25 ii. Approve week of 2/26/25 Motion to approved City Warrants moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Stockwell- Approved (Councilor Spaulding abstaining) 5. City Clerk & Treasurer Report *3rd Quarter property tax collection has passed. If you still need to make a payment give the office a call and we will steer you in the right direction for payments. 1 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting *Absentee ballots can still be requested for mailing up until Friday, February 28th. The polling location is the Barre Municipal Auditorium opening at 7am-closing at 7pm. *April 1st is the deadline for dog licensing. If you still have not renewed your canines license you may do so with a current rabies certificate and the $19.00 fee *Parking permits are still available for those who will be working within the city for the upcoming year. The permits are sold on an annual rate, prorated as time passes. These permits allow daily parking at any green topped meter throughout the city. 6. Liquor/Cannabis Control Boards Asian Gourmet – N Main St – 1st, 3rd Liquor & Outside consumption Walgreen – N Main St – 2nd Class Liquor, Tobacco Jiffy Mart – N Main St - 2nd Class Liquor, Tobacco & Tobacco Substitute Ladder One Grill – S Main St - 1st, 3rd Liquor & Outside consumption Valley Bowl Inc. Catering – Trappers Assoc. Annual Banquet – 3/29/25 – Auditorium Kraemer & Kin, LLC Catering – Barre Social Club – 2/28/25 7. City Manager’s Report o FOP contracted negotiated. o Barre Auditorium will be full of activities in the coming weeks with Wrestling State Tournaments, Basketball State Tournaments and Hockey games. o The City of Barre has continued Tess Taylors contract with left over grant funds thanks to the Dept of Human Services. Her valued work and knowledge she pledges to the unhoused are still needed. o A visit to the State House providing testimony to the one million dollar allocation of fundsfor Prospect Heights. o Road condition complaints are trying to be addressed timely. The major routes into and through the City Routes 14, 302 and 2 are the States responsibility. The city has spent $2 million in funds for paving since 2023. o Welcome Jeff Bergeron to the Council, representing Ward II. 8. New Business  A. 2nd Reading Warned 6:20 P.M. Ord. #2025-1: Open Meetings Law updates Will become in effect 14 days from Saturday, March 1st. Motion to acknowledge the 2nd Reading Warned 6:20 P.M. Ord. #2025-1: Open Meetings Law updates moved by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Gustin, approved.  B. Public Hearing Warned 6:30 P.M.: Headworks project finding of no significant impact Officially opened the hearing at 6:29pm. A representative of Aldrich & Elliot outlined the impact on flood plains, environmental impact and NEPA compliance. Hearing closed at 6:35pm  C. Volunteer Appointment i. JEDIB Committee – Carlos Pereira 2 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Carlos Pereira introduced himself, commented on his presence within the community and interest in the committees’ mission. The current Chair to the committee Christopher Roberts gave a strong endorsement. Motion to approve the Volunteer Appointment to the JEDIB Committee – Carlos Pereira moved by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Spaulding – approved for the seat set to expire June 2026.  D. FY26 budget Assistant Manager/Finance Director – Dawn Monahan outline the cuts the City needs to try to make to keep the budget at an acceptable rate for Barre residents without compromising safety, quality of services and funding for much needed upgrades, projecting a 5-6% increase. The City’s Department heads will be holding a budget congress to comb through the revenues and expenditures line-by-line to eliminate what can be.  E. Flood Resiliency Plan update (Gustin) Councilor Gustin introduced a plan to provide neighborhoods to meet, share and learn about how water runs through, storm water run-off patterns and how to create ways to steer the water responsibly for better mitigation during rain events with workshops. Neighborhood walks are; March 1 – Currier Park March 2- Prospect St. March 15 – Orange St March 16 – Tremont St March 29 – Berlin St. Rain gardens and rain barrel workshops will be held at the Aldrich Library.  F. Warn charter change hearings Language added for deadlines for submissions when considering April 8th & May 6th Motion to approve Warn charter change hearings language for deadlines for submissions when considering moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Cambel, approved.  G. Charter Change make Clerk position an appointed position. Councilor Stockwell wants more leverage in managing skills and a duties. Mayor Lauzon has exited the meeting.  H. Approve execution of the Purchase and Sale Agreement for the City’s purchase of the property at 277 Morrison Road in Barre Town, subject to final review and approval of the Agreement’s terms by the City Attorney o Increased storage and work space of 58,000 sq ft. o Increased safety – current building is falling into itself o More efficient heating o No worries of flooding causing additional loss of vehicles, tools, machines and building damage. o Less expense then building outright 3 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Motion to approve execution of the Purchase and Sale Agreement for the City’s purchase of the property at 277 Morrison Road in Barre Town, subject to final review and approval of the Agreement’s terms by the City Attorney moved by Councilor Cambel, seconded by Councilor Gustin, approved.  I. Authorize the City Manager to submit an AUD application to Barre Town Planning Commission related to the acquisition of the property at 277 Morrison Road Motion to approve authorizing the City Manager to submit an AUD application to Barre Town Planning Commission related to the acquisition of the property at 277 Morrison Road moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Cambel, approved. 9. Upcoming Business Manager; March 11th - Budget presentations by PD, FD & DPW Cameras Funding Barre Partnership & Library & BACD Councilor Gustin; Update on inundation modeling report- Roy Shiff will attend. Councilor Stockwell; Standing committee for charter review. 10. Round Table Councilor Gustin; *Excited for the DPW garage purchase *Participate in the tariff protest and shop local only. Councilor Cambel; *Excited about the DPW garage purchase Councilor Bergeron; *Excited about the DPW garage purchase *Thanked Ward II voter for electing him into the seat. *Promoted all the sporting events happening at the Aud & BOR this weekend! Councilor Spaulding; *Attended a BLM art exhibit at the SPA on N Main. Mosaic portraits. *Please vote for the BUUSD/CVCC budgets= 1% decrease. Absentee or in person March 4th from 7am-7pm *Sidewalk maintenance can be addressed by contacting DPW Councilor Stockwell; * Support local businesses *Vote March 4th *Barre Social Club is gorgeous Motion to adjourn moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Cambel, approved Meeting adjourned at 8:50pm Next regular meeting is scheduled for March 11th, 2025 at 6pm. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. 4 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 5