City Council

To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council (Draft) Held May 6th, 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 Sonya Spaulding, Councilor Emel Cambel ; from Ward II, Councilor Amanda Gustin and Councilor Jeff Bergeron; and from Ward III, Councilor Samn Stockwell, Councilor Michael Deering. City staff members present were City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro, Finance Director/Assistant Manager Dawn Monahan and Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Metivier. Absent: none Adjustments to the Agenda  Remove Item #4-J as there are no contracts for approval at this meeting  Replace #4-J with the interim appointment of Cheryl Metivier to newly separated Treasurers position.  Remove Item #4-D for discussion at a later date of 5/20/2025 Council Meeting. Visitors & Communications – none 4. Consent Agenda A. Approval of Minutes i. Meeting of 4/22/25 B. Clerk’s Office Licenses & Permits - none C. Volunteer appointments (Planning Commission, Cemeteries) David Sichel (Planning Commission) and Norena Zanleoni (Cemeteries Committee) Recommend that David be reappointed to a 3-year term, and that Norena be reappointed to 2-year terms. D. Approve Civic Center Improvement fund use policy (rescheduled for 5/20/25) E. Approve Wobby Park purchase option extension F. Approve informal recreational use of City facilities by the Manager G. Resolution #2025-05 Amend Resolution 2024-19 regarding an expenditure of SLFRF (ARPA) funds for the purpose of municipal workforce retention to pay for payroll expenses for a designated period H. Resolution #2025-06 Authorize allocation to the special projects fund I. Special Community Development Warrant: Transfer ACCD grant funds to Downstreet Housing & Community Development for Granite City Apartments single complete draw J. Authorize the Manager to execute contract(s) Appointment of Cheryl Metivier as Interim Treasurer The motion to approve the Consent Agenda w/ (amended) minutes was moved by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Cambel-approved 4-a. Approve City Warrants i. Approve week of 5/7/25 ii. Ratify week of 4/30/25 The motion to approve the City Warrants was moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Cambel-approved (Councilor Spaulding Abstaining) 1 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting 4-b. Authorize promissory note for inter-fund borrowing related to the acquisition of a new public works garage and approve resolution #2025-07 The City has executed a purchase and sales agreement to acquire 277 Morrison Road for use as a public works garage. The $3 million purchase price of which $2 million will be financed in part by a loan from the water enterprise and $1 million from the capital fund at a 1.05% interest rate. 5. City Clerk & Treasurer Report * As the Annual Town Meeting election draws closer, we are looking forward to seeing the community members at the Polls. *The designated polling location for Barre City is the Barre Municipal Auditorium There is no voting at City Hall on Election Day, all voters must go to the Auditorium to cast a ballot. *The polls are open from 7am – 7pm. *However, we are still excepting request for absentee ballots up to Friday, May 9th. We cannot make any guarantee of delivery on time. Once the ballot is out of our office, it is in the hands of the postal system. *To date, we have mailed 329 ballots out, and have received 171 ballots returned. *To return your absentee ballot, you may use one of the two drop boxes, mail the ballot back or walk it into the Clerk’s office during normal hours 730am-430pm. PLEASE NOTE THE CLERKS OFFICE IS CLOSED ON TUESDAY, MAY 13TH. 4TH QUARTERLY INSTALLMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES ARE DUE BY THURSDAY, MAY TH 15 AT 430PM 6. Liquor/Cannabis Control Boards Cumberland Farms – North & South-2nd Class Liquor, Tobacco, Tobacco Substitute Gusto’s- 3rd Class Liquor and Outside Consumption Motion to approve presented Liquor License renewals moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Deering, approved 7. City Manager’s Report Merchant Row paving project will begin in the coming weeks. There may be some temporary disruption to parking. Bulky Waste event is Saturday, May 10th from 9am-3pm. This is an event for Barre City residents only. A voter registration card, tax bill or lease will be accepted as proof of residency. No hazardous waste allowed. The Barre Town stump dump is open to Barre Town & Barre City residents. Hours of operation are; Saturdays 8am-12 2 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Tuesdays 10am-3pm Prohibited materials: Metal, dog manure, animal carcasses, household garbage, stumps, kitty litter, tires, large trash items, bags, boxes, rope, string, plastic, dirt, stones, bricks, blocks, concrete, asphalt, stumps, pallets and lumber. 8. New Business A. FY24 audit presentation – Richard Brigham This is a 105 page audit. Focusing on pages (5-15) will reveal a user friendly summary. The hard work done by the finance department shows commitment and detail leading up to the outcome which shows an upward trend for the City’s finances. B. Civic Center operations update-Manager The Municipal Auditorium, BOR and Alumni Hall create the majority of the public buildings within the City’s property. These have run on a deficit since FY14, however play a vital role in the community. The goal is to make these spaces more user friendly and affordable for residents and businesses interested in the variety of amenities. The funds for HVAC and upgrades to bathrooms will improve conditions, which will hopefully bring in new opportunities for revenue. The City is interested in ideas for future use. C. Warming shelter update- Tess Taylor (Homelessness and Housing Liaison for The City of Barre) Cary Friberg, Earl Kooperkamp, Ed Frye The warming shelter had much success in providing a warm safe space for the unhoused community to eat, rest, connect with peers and services. The funds provided by the City, in addition to donations allowed the shelter to stay available through the coldest nights throughout the winter and still today. However, the shelter will be closing at the end of May. Currently plans for next season are in progress, and with the volunteer staff from local churches, businesses and the community, the shelter hopes to strengthen and expand to offer more amenities such as laundry and hot showers to those who would benefit. D. Flood Resiliency Plan update- Councilor Amanda Gustin Councilor Gustin, provided a power point presentation outlining the progress made, goals met and future plans to address. Providing updates on each phase periodically to maintain on track and to stay transparent with project stages and outcomes. The future schedule for updates will be consistent with past practices, knowing planning ahead leads to more substantive and well-paced updates. See below for the planned update schedule;  May 6, 2025: review past updates with Council  May 19 – 30, 2025: public comment, including meetings & survey feedback  May 20, 2025: review update process  June 10, 2025: discuss plan updates  June 24, 2025: adopt updated plan E. 2nd hearing warned 7:00PM: 2025 Charter changes –Manager *Appoint and remove the Clerk, who may or may not be the same individual. 3 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting *Sale or lease of City property- The City Council may authorize the sale or lease of any real or personal estate belonging to the City, and all conveyances, grants or leases of such real estate shall be signed by the Mayor, the City Manager, or any councilor duly authorized by an action of the City Council. *At the close of the fiscal year audit, any unexpended funds remaining from the City budget may be retained, if approved by vote of the City Council, as an undesignated fund balance for future use. Any funds retained pursuant to this provision shall be limited to an amount not greater than [five] ten percent of the City general fund budget expenses for the most recent voter-approved fiscal year. Any amount remaining in excess of [five percent in the City budget] such amount must be used in the subsequent budget to cut the tax rate. Former City Clerk Carol Dawes spoke to the Council and viewer to vote NO on Article III (the appointment of the Clerk) stating the clerk is the lead officer of all elections and should not be influence or directed by any member of the City staff or Council. F. Create subcommittee to identify VCRD leadership summit nominee – Mayor Lauzon Mayor Lauzon nominated Councilor Amanda Gustin for the role, recognizing her dedication, the hours poured into her work and her passion for the betterment of the community as a whole. Mayor Lauzon invited her to attend the summit. The nomination was seconded by Councilor Cambel. 9. Upcoming Business-Ron Tallman = Memorial Day Parade Ron came to Council for approval of his request to hold the Memorial Day Parade again this year (the 48th Year) with the use of indoor space in case of inclement weather. In addition, Ron asked Mayor Lauzon to be a guest speaker at the ceremonies. The Event permit is in process. The motion to approve the Memorial Day Parade event was moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Gustin – approved. 10. Round Table Councilor Stockwell - Primo Maggio celebration at the Old Labor Hall on Granite Street featuring “Francis Perkins. Likes seeing road signs because it means improvements are coming. Councilor Spaulding –.Thanked Councilor Cambel for her service as a Council member and a voice for Ward 1. Councilor Bergeron – Watched the State Basketball Championship game – Granite City Blast brought home the title to Barre! Councilor Cambel – Delivered her “Swan Song”-Thanking her constituents for trusting her to represent Ward 1 vigorously. She learned so much during her tenor, including the difficulties in meeting of the minds, the art of respect for differences, learned listening is an important role as Councilor. She is proud of the Councils response and actions after the flooding events. Using science driven data to steer the course for flood mitigation and believes the Council has performed outstandingly and hopes the tone will continue. Councilor Gustin – Phrased Councilor Cambel for her service. The last workshop in the series will be Saturday May 10th at the Aldrich Library. Councilor Deering – Thanked the community for the outreach given during his son’s surgery. The support was was appreciated and heartfelt. So happy to be part of this grand community. 4 To be approved at the next Barre City Council Meeting Mayor – Thanking Councilor Emel Cambel for her service as a City Council member. Will fondly remember her presence and commitment. Green-Up Day though the weather was gloomy, all the Volunteers come out and worked throughout the day to give Barre City a fresh new look. Thank you to all Mothers of children of all ages. Mothering never ends and is a tough but fulfilling role. Happy Mother’s Day 11. Executive Session – none 12. Adjournment Motion to adjourn moved by Councilor Stockwell, seconded by Councilor Gustin, approved Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm Next regular meeting is scheduled for May 20th, 2025 at 6pm. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. (See attached documents) Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 5