City Council

To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council - Approved Held April 8th, 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 6:01 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 and Councilor Michael Deering. City staff members present were City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro, Assistant Manager/Finance Director Dawn Monahan and Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Metivier. Absent: none Adjustments to the Agenda-Include discussion of adding “Youth First Mentoring” to the Annual Meeting Warning for city funding. Visitors & Communications – none 4. Consent Agenda o Approval of Minutes o i. Meetings of 03/25/2025 & 4/1/2025 o B. Clerk’s Office Licenses & Permits - none o C. Approve RLF agreements o D. Volunteer appointments i. Cow Pasture Stewardship Committee o E. Authorize the Manager to execute contract(s) – Pike Industries Paving contract Motion to approve consent agenda moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Stockwell - approved. 4-a. Approve City Warrants i. Approve week of 04/09/25 ii. Ratify week of 04/02/25 Motion to approved City Warrants moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Cambel - Approved (Councilor Spaulding abstaining) 5. City Clerk & Treasurer Report *With the Annual Town Meeting quickly approaching (May 13th) Monday, April 7th was the deadline for candidates to submit their Consent Forms and petitions. The Clerk’s office has received (5) petitions, including; Ward 1 – Ed Rousse Beth Hilgartner Ward 2 – Jeff Bergeron Ward 3 - 1 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Samn Stockwell Don Routhier Great time to request absentee ballots if you have not done so yet. You may do so by logging onto http://mvp.vermont.gov/ or calling the Clerk’s office. *Looking forward, Saturday, May 3rd is Green-Up Day. The Clerk’s office has a sign-up sheet for areas you intend to cover, and green bags for the collected items during the Event. Darn Tough has asked for suggested areas their team could focus on. If you have any ideas please reach out soon. *May 15th the 4th and final quarter for tax payments are due. Please reach out to the Clerk’s office for final balances if you are unsure. 6. Liquor/Cannabis Control Boards - none 7. City Manager’s Report Currently (27) Buyouts on the roster, of which (21) are FEMA. Six (6), if accepted, are headed toward closing. Elevation finalist will be presented to Council for approval the next meeting. Bulky Waste tentatively scheduled mid-May. Federal cuts have yet to affect City funding at this time. Relining of sewer lines are set to wrap up Friday. *Mayor Lauzon stated VTrans funding is down, but he intends to advocate for Rte 14 paving before it turns to gravel. 8. New Business A. Volunteer appointments i. DRB – Michelle Farnham Motion to approve the volunteer appointment of Michelle Farnham the DRB moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Bergeron -Approved B. Update on motel exits (Unhoused Community Committee) Kathi Partlow / Osa Busch / Dan Barlow / Beth Mueller join, in giving a sobering update on the status of the community members exiting the Hotel/Motel program due to ineligibility. The group is trying to create safe, warm places while remaining connected to critical medical care for those who are now unhoused. Community members can donate blankets, sleeping bags, small propane tanks and tarps to supplement the lacking supplies for these folks. All donations can be brought to Capstone or to 1571 US Route 302 location. The Group hopes to create designated areas that could have facilities, running water, trash collection and secure or monitored place for belongings. Tess Taylor presented QR code stickers meant to provide an easy access to services for those in need. 2 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting C. Approve FY26 budget The Manager Nicolas Storellicastro and Assistant Manager/Finance Director gave a final briefing of the FY26 Budget. The total budget of $14,800,120 is below the 6% asked by the Council. Motion to approved General Fund Budget of $14,800,120 of which an amount not to exceed $10,762,686 is to be raised by local property taxes for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Stockwell, approved. D. 1st hearing warned 6:45PM: Charter changes The first reading of the (3) warned Charter changes were discussed by Council members and guest Carol Dawes. Motion to place charter changes on the Annual Meeting ballot moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Stockwell, approved. E. Approve May 13, 2025 annual town meeting warning With a minor adjustment to the fund retention allowance and an increase to the street and sidewalk improvement budget, the Council approved the 2025 Annual Town Meeting warning for the City of Barre. As well as the inclusion of the funding request from the Youth First Mentoring program. Motion to approve the 2025 Barre City Annual Town Meeting warning was moved by Councilor Deering, and seconded by Councilor Cambel – approved. Upcoming Business; Manager; Christian Myer of Green Mt Transit will come to discuss the reduction in routes on April 22nd. Chief Vail will discuss community safety updates, as well as additional camera installations. Councilor Gustin-Flood Resiliency updates coming soon. Mayor- (5) year contract with Manager Community standard review Camera installation Councilor Deering – Would Tess Taylor come and discuss more on the unhoused community Councilor Stockwell – Vacant building ordinances Round table; Councilor Gustin – Dinner at Foxy’s was amazing. Rain barrel workshop this Saturday at the Library. Councilor Stockwell – Enjoying the sidewalk improvements but would like to see more. Councilor Bergeron – Look at the activity schedule for the Spring break up at the Auditorium and BOR Pickle ball and walking weekday allowed up on the hill. Easter egg hunt on April 19. Check the website for more information. 3 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Councilor Spaulding – Attended a Philosophy Talk at the Bike Shop- discussion of bike infrastructure within communities and would like to see more family friendly bike accessible pathways or roadway striping. Attended the Library Spring Fling and is happy the funding goal was met. Mayor – Attended the Library fund raising event, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The Italian sandwiches from Morse Block Deli were amazing. Making sure he brought some home for later. He is pleased the Library met the goal for raising the $20,000 dollars to close the gap in funding needed. Motion to adjourn moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Deering, approved Meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm Next regular meeting is scheduled for April 22nd, 2025 at 6pm. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 4