Planning Commission Study Meeting

To be approved at 05/28/24 Barre City Council Meeting Regular Meeting of the Barre City Council Held June 4, 2024 The 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 at City Hall, Barre, Vermont. In attendance were: From Ward I, Councilors Emel Cambel and Sonya Spaulding; from Ward II, Councilors Amanda Gustin and Teddy Waszazak (remote); and from Ward III, Councilors Michael Deering and Samn Stockwell (remote).City staff members present were City Manager Nicolas Storellicastro, Planning & Permitting Director Janet Shatney and Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Metivier. Absent: NONE Adjustments to the Agenda:  Move to place content 8E to 8A by Councilor Gustin, seconded by Councilor Deering…approved. Resolution 2024-10 – Recognition of June 2024 as Pride Month Visitors & Communications: Amy Galford -Shared her ideas and thoughts of what direction the city should be moving in, in regards to infrastructure. She referenced the water main break on Berlin St over the weekend, as proof in the need of, improvements and replacement of our infrastructure. These actions are necessary for current residents, but also if the city is promoting growth in communities throughout the city, the system must be able to handle the increase in demand. The community members would like to see and feel more inclusive, if a 2 , 4or 6 month capital improvement plan could be posted to keep the community informed. Joellen Mulvaney-Thanked Councilor Stockwell for her PP presentation done at the May 28th council meeting, highlighted the gains the city has made in regards to additional housing. She also followed through with the history of women’s right to vote, and how the political field progressed within Barre and the elected offices. Bernadette Rose-Congratulated Spaulding High School Music & Arts Dept. praising a great performance with extremely difficult scores. Please vote in the BUUSD election, and instead of protesting the budget, protest the high insurance cost the teachers are forced to pay for health care which increased 11%. Invited to participate in BCEMS field days. Hanif Nazerah-Coordinator of the Montpelier E-Bike Lending Library requested that Barre City contribute $3,000 towards a local match for a scoping grant to create a regional community bike share program. Mr. Nazerali has secured $6,000 from Montpelier Alive for this program, and he is requesting an additional $3,000 from the Town of Waterbury I am asking the Council for a letter of commitment for $3,000 as Barre City's contribution to the required local match of $12,000 in the CVRPC sponsored grant application to VTrans. That will leverage $48,000 from VTrans to give total grant funding of $60,000. The award will fund a scoping study for community bike share. Allocation of Barre City funds will only be required once the total local match is committed. Councilor Spaulding suggested using Semprebon funds that are in place for bike path projects. Mayor Lauzon & Councilor Deering suggested getting the Barre Partnership included in the fund raising, and in fact Tracie Lewis had been approached before the council meeting, by Mayor Lauzon, and was enthusiastic to be part of 1 To be approved at 05/28/24 Barre City Council Meeting this project and had already secured $1000.00 with a proposal of starting a “Go Fund Me” page for the remaining funds. Councilor Stockwell –moved to submit the “commitment letter” seconded by Councilor Waszazak, stating the letter should be submitted, with the details of who is funding or where the fund are drawn from could come later. Approval of Consent Agenda: Council approved the following consent agenda items on motion of Councilor Lauzon, seconded by Councilor Cambel. Motion carried. A. Approval of Minutes: i. Regular meeting of May 28th, 2024. B. City Warrants as presented: 1. Approval of Week 2024-23, dated June 05, 2024 i. Accounts Payable: $1,809,910.80 ii. Payroll (gross): $162,391.46 C. Clerk’s Office Licenses and Permits: Vending-Sweet and Salty Sisters VT LLC-Barre Pride, June 8th Vending-Maharasa Spice – Barre Pride, June 8th D. Authorize the Manager to execute contract(s) E. Authorize employee payroll deduction for childcare tax City Clerk & Treasurer Report – City Clerk/Treasurer Metivier reported on the following:  Absentee Ballots for the BUUSD Budget revote were mailed out to community members on Thursday, May 30th. Please reach out to the City Clerk’s office for requests of a ballot. Liquor Control Board/Cannabis Control Board – Above City Manager’s Report – Manager Storellicastro reported on the following:  Looking for lifeguards o Several of our outstanding lifeguards from last year won’t be back due to graduations. o Great way to spend the summer – get paid to hang out at the pool. o Increased pay to $17/hour for lifeguards o Must be 15 years old o Contact me directly – citymanager@barrecity.org and I’ll make sure you get through the process.  Aud project update 2 To be approved at 05/28/24 Barre City Council Meeting o Even better news to report than last time -- USDA has notified us that NO local match is necessary for the $3.5M Sanders grant to upgrade the Aud. o Application is nearly complete, expect to receive the funding soon after we submit, and can begin scoping project based on the grant amount  Focus on HVAC, electrical and ADA components and will do as much as we can within the budget.  Water main break on Berlin street late on Saturday night o Crews worked overnight to about 6AM to repair the issue o Some homes experienced loss of water pressure and then some discolored water o No contamination, so no reason to boil water o Discoloration may persist for a few days, but usually runs its course and water remains safe for drink and to use  Portable toilets funded in budget have been ordered o Placement will be People’s Health & Wellness and Enterprise Aly near the vapor extraction shed. o Delivery in July.  Construction season underway o DPW has been very busy last few weeks  Guardrail projects  Water line replacements  Prepping for pavement on Farwell Street  The plea for pool lifeguards was announced the swimming season will begin soon, and life guards are needed. Please contact the Managers office to inquire. New Business – A) Social Changes/Mosaic-Sultana Khan/Director Gave an informative narrative of the issues facing our youth in Central VT, with outlining strategic steps the community can implement to begin a proactive approach versus reactive to what has happened. Mindful placements of advertising harmful products, creating a safe space for teens and expanding services for addiction. Work done recently benefited local organization with much needed grant funding including, Good Samaritan Haven, Peoples Health & Wellness, Sage Mt Botanical Sanctuary, Turning Point Center of Central VT, Twinfield Together Mentoring and Youth First Mentoring. Announcing viewing of “Just Getting By” film/documentary set for June 19th & 20th at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier. B) Infill Study Report (CVRPC) Eli Toohey, Brian Voigt, Will Pitkin & Christian Meyer Summarized the final findings for area development. The team outline, areas of limitations due to sloping, wetlands, federally protected and flood hazard areas. However the report showed areas of possible development by subdividing larger lots, using vacant lots and unused parking lots. C) RIVER Program presentation (CVRPC) Announced a substantial grant of 90 million statewide, available to Vermont communities through an application process. The grants may be used in prevention, rebuilding or towards infrastructure. These steps can be elevating properties, relocation of homes, buyout homes and flood proofing areas by removing dams, berms and obstructions. (Pat Moulton stated this grant is a great opportunity for 251 Vermont towns, and is not just to cover flood damage.) D) Volunteer Appointments 3 To be approved at 05/28/24 Barre City Council Meeting a. New application-Yana Walder to Cemeteries Committee/Moved Councilor Deering-Seconded Councilor Spaulding motion carried. b. Reappointments; (as a group) Arthur Dessureau-Building & Facilities Committee Charles Atwood-Building & Facilities Committee Helen Long-Cemetery Committee Guiliano Cecchinelli II-Cemetery Committee-extended to 3yr term James Deshler-Cow Pasture Committee-extended to 3yr term Mark Martin-Cow Pasture Committee Christina Russo-Fraysier-Cow Pasture Stewardship Committee Emily Reynolds-Justice Inclusion Diversity Equity & Belonging Committee Gregory Quetel-Justice Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee William Toborg- Justice Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee Ellen Kaye (current Vice Chair) Justice Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee extended to 3yr term Councilor Spaulding moved to approve-Councilor Stockwell seconded…Motion passed Ellen Kaye (current Vice Chair) Justice Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee asked that Council drop gender pronouns in favor of more inclusive non-binary pronouns. Upcoming Business – Next Council meeting is June 11th. Round Table – Councilor Stockwell- Visited Bar Harbor ME discovered the impact of flooding on their walking trails as well. Looking forward and encouraging participation in Barre Pride events June 8th. Councilor Spaulding-BUUSD VOTE. Absentee ballots available with the convenience of drop box out back of City Hall. Happy Pride! Councilor Deering-BUUSD vote. BCEMS field days volunteer participation. Councilor Gustin- had lunch with a good friend States Attorney Michelle Donelly thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting. New clothing store on Main St. –Slow Poke Exchange Councilor Waszazak-Proud to be part of the Memorial Celebration. Looking forward to Barre Pride Saturday and will be also participating is Disc Golf in Millstone trails. The meeting adjourned at 8:54 PM on motion of Manager Storellicastro, seconded by Councilor Gustin. Motion carried. The open portions of the meeting were recorded on the video platform. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl A. Metivier, City Clerk 4