City Council

To be approved at the 10/21/2025 Council meeting. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, September 30th, 2025, 6:00pm IN PERSON LOCATION: Council Chambers, City Hall 6 N. Main St., Barre, VT Item 1. Call to Order; 6:00 PM Item 2. Adjustments to Agenda; Add; Move Item 4D to 4-a as ii Item 3. Visitors & Communications; Oliver Trombley, resident and former City Attorney, spoke of his concerns about the reduced funding for the Potash Brook in the CDBG-DR application submitted on Sept. 30th. In his opinion, the urgency and importance of the funding to resolve the flooding this brook causes not only the Currier Park area, but also the downtown business. The original request for funding was $3 million, was reduced in the application process to $500,000. The City Manager, Councilor Gustin and Mayor Lauzon, members of the team who have key roles in the application process, explained the constraints of the grant limited funds for flood mitigation, and caused the team to make the decision to reduce funding verses losing funding altogether. Noting, a second round of funding may bring more funding for this type of project. Item 4.Consent Agenda; A. Approval of Minutes- 9/24/25 B. Licenses & Permits; Event; SHS Homecoming Parade- Sat. Oct 4th, at 4pm- beginning at the BOR/ending at City Hall Park. C. Approve citywide idling policy D. Ratify Council’s 9/24/25 decision to authorize the Manager to negotiate an extension of the Prospect Heights real estate option E. Authorize the Manager to execute contract(s)-none Motion to authorize the approval of the Consent Agenda dated 9/24/2025 moved by Councilor Bergeron, Seconded by Councilor Hilgartner, approved by all. Item 4a. Approve City Warrants; Approve City Warrants; i. Approve week 9/24/25 ii. Approve letter of support for Vermont Historical Society Regional Priority List application To be approved at the 10/21/2025 Council meeting. Motion to approve City Warrants and letter of support for the Historical Society Regional Priority List application moved by Councilor Deering, seconded by Councilor Bergeron, approved. Approved *Councilor(s) Gustin and Councilor Spaulding abstained. Item 5. City Clerk Report; 321 CVCC (Central VT Career Center) ballots have been mailed to date. The ballots for the Barre City bonds will be sent to those same requestees. We will be sending absentee ballots to all who have requested election ballots for the year. If you have not yet requested an absentee ballot you may contact the Clerk’s office for one. Item 6.Liquor / Cannabis Control Boards; Campo Di Vino- Taylor Beaudet – 1st & 2nd Class Motion to approve Liquor/Cannabis licensures moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Gustin, approved by all. Liquor & Cannabis Board closes. Item 7.City Managers Report; The Managers primary focus has been on completing the CDBC-DR application that have a due date of today, September 30th. The applications were very complex, but have been successfully submitted, thanks to the team of dedicated professionals. The total request was $27,000,000. The City Hall parking issues have been addressed temporarily. Together with the People’s Health & Wellness Clinic and the Churches, a permitting system has been set in place. The area will be available to those who wish to hold events at the park as outlined in the updated event application necessary for holding organized events in City owned spaces. Item 8.New Business; New Business; A. Volunteer appointment (Cemeteries) Donna Drayman-Pulice of Barre City has applied for a seat on the Cemeteries Committee. The Barre resident has an interest in the rich history of the City, and knows the cemeteries reflect a lot of that history. She has ample time to dedicate to any responsibility and tasks. A motion was moved to approve the appointment of Donna Drayman-Pulice to the Cemeteries Committee was moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Bergeron, approved. B. Warned for 6:30 PM: Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District Public Informational Hearing The hearing opened at 6:47 pm. To be approved at the 10/21/2025 Council meeting. Stephanie Clarke of White + Burke and TIF Administrator Carol Dawes gave a brief review of previous information in regard to the role the City will play in the development of the lot on Seminary St. to prepare for Downstreet Housings role. The original approval was geared toward parking, but with the changing times and needs of City, VEPC allowed the switch to affordable housing. Steve Cohen of Downstreet described the goal of constructing a 31-unit affordable housing development. The structure will have studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom affordable units. The City will prepare the site for development using the TIF funds. The tax base increase the development will add to the City’s bottom-line will exceed the funds invested. Hearing closes at 7:06pm C. Approval of warning for November 4, 2025, Special City Election A motion to Approval of warning for November 4, 2025, Special City Election was moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Bergeron, approved. D. Approval of Necessity Resolution #2025-24 and Declaration of Intent for $2.4M Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District bond A motion to Approve of Necessity Resolution #2025-24 and Declaration of Intent for $2.4M Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District bond was moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Hilgartner, approved. E. Approval of Necessity Resolution #2025-25 and Declaration of Intent for $3.3M Public Works renovations bond This bond is to finance changes needed at the new Public Works facility at 277 Morrison Road to transform it from a warehouse to a garage. Initially estimated upgrades at $2M, estimates have come in higher after going through details of the design process, and to account for contingencies. With the 10% contingency the total as is 3.3 million. Keep in mind that the sale of the old facility and the current rental income of the new facility is offsetting the cost. The bond funding is split between water, sewer and tax dollars. The new facility will lower insurance costs, heating cost and other operating expenses. The project is on schedule with a start date in spring of 2026. A motion to approve of the Necessity Resolution #2025-25 and Declaration of Intent for $3.3M Public Works renovations bond was moved by Councilor Bergeron, seconded by Councilor Gustin, approved. F. Flood Resiliency Plan update (Gustin) To be approved at the 10/21/2025 Council meeting. The Manger focused on the REGROUP ap the City implemented last season. Initially it was often used for the new winter parking ban warnings, but later as seasons and needs changed, it was vital in warning residents of street construction, water main breaks, paving and road closures due to all those circumstances. The Manager will be promoting the use, signing up if free to residents, and currently there are 973 enrolled. These announcements or warnings can also be emailed to you if you do not have cell phones. Item 9. Upcoming Business; Mayor Lauzon; Focusing again on quality-of-life issues. The colder months are approaching, and he would like to know all local organizations are prepared for the influx of need, as well as updates on the Hotel/Motel program. Right now, during the drought conditions it would be the ideal time to remove sediment from the rivers. Work with local State Representatives to push VTrans to move paving plans of Routes 2, 14 and 302 up on the calendar. The projected dates of 2028 are too far out; the streets need attention now. Councilor Gustin; The Flood Resiliency review will come in 8–9-month increments. Manager Storellicastro; Next Council meetings Oct 21st & Oct 28th. Item 10. Round Table; Mayor Lauzon; Go to the Polls. Councilor Deering; Be kind, be safe, be responsible. Councilor Hilgartner; Councilor Gustin; Check out the Slow Poke exchange-some nice clothing, think reuse instead of new! Councilor Spaulding; To be approved at the 10/21/2025 Council meeting. Be sure to vote for the upcoming bonds. Excited of the improvements the funds will provide. Be sure to sign up for absentee ballots if you cannot make it to the polls. Councilor Bergeron The Red Sox Foundation celebrated with seven recipients of the 2025 Wakefield Youth Baseball and Softball Volunteer of the Year in pregame ceremonies at Fenway Park on Saturday, September 27. The award, presented in honor of Tim and Stacy Wakefield, recognizes coaches and administrators from each New England state and a challenger league that have had a positive impact on their youth baseball and softball community. In addition to on-field recognition, each honoree will receive a $1,500 stipend for their league. Jordan Bergeron (Councilor Bergeron’s son), Barre Community Baseball and Softball Serving four-plus years as League President and coach of Barre Community Baseball and Softball, Jordan revitalized the league and oversees all operations while fostering a positive, team-oriented culture. Councilor Routhier Really appreciative of the completion of paving projects throughout the city. Item 11 Executive Session – n/a Item 12 Adjournment; Motion to adjourn moved by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Deering, approved Adjourned at 7:50 pm Next regular meeting is scheduled for October 21st, 2025, at 6pm. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk