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2026-07-08 - City Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes (approval status not verified). No video is posted, so there is no transcript or timing. The minutes list agenda items out of numerical order because the order of business was changed.

  • Regular meeting, 6:30 to about 9:58 PM, with a recess from 8:31 to 8:45 PM. Mayor Marc Gwinn presided; Councilors Cary Brown (District 3) and Pelin Kohn (District 2) took part remotely.
  • Agenda reordered to suit presenters, on Sal Alfano's motion, seconded by Jim Sheridan; unanimous.
  • Rules of Procedure overview from City Manager Kelly Curry; Ben Doyle's motion for a special meeting was withdrawn by consent. Six people spoke in public comment.
  • FY2027 municipal tax rate set at $1.522, with a $0.02 Water/Sewer Benefit Charge and $0.07 Sewer Separation Charge, unanimously.
  • Housing Trust Fund Policies and Procedures amendments approved unanimously.
  • City Manager Performance Management Plan approved unanimously.
  • Bryan Jones reappointed to the Historic Preservation Commission, unanimously.
  • Consent agenda adopted unanimously.
  • Informational items with no action: the City Manager's Fresh Eyes Report, a homelessness update, the draft regional Future Land Use Map, and the ADA Transition Plan.
  • Regular meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at about 9:58 PM and went directly into the special meeting (2026-07-08 - City Council (special)).

Council Rules of Procedure

  • Item 2026-253: Curry gave an overview and listed where Council direction was needed before staff prepared a revised draft. Doyle moved to hold a special meeting to continue the discussion, with a friendly amendment for the following Wednesday; both were withdrawn by consent. Staff would circulate a revised draft and councilors would send comments to the City Manager.
  • Public comment: Dave Bellini (police staffing, expected overtime and vacancy savings; use "Public Comment" instead of "General Business & Appearances"); Richard Sheir (decorum and enforcement against disruptive behavior); Stephen Whitaker (procedures, agenda materials, public participation, public safety, homelessness, encampment policies, legal concerns about recent Council actions); Kim Ward (noise ordinance enforcement and barricades near the North Branch area; the manager confirmed the noise ordinance exists and explained how to complain); Zack Hughes (the Homelessness Committee's work and communication with the Council; the mayor thanked members); Alan Goldman (predictable public comment times and earlier placement of significant items).
  • Item 2026-255: Sheridan moved, Alfano seconded; carried unanimously. Items: payroll and warrant approval; liquor and tobacco licenses; 201 State Street quote approval; cab and chassis purchase; sewer siphon lining project; 2026 Series 3 Vermont Municipal Bond Bank sale. The minutes give no amounts.

Advisory Committee Appointments

  • Item 2026-257: Sheridan moved to reappoint Bryan Jones to the Historic Preservation Commission; Alfano seconded; carried unanimously.

Housing Trust Fund Policies

  • Item 2026-261: Housing Committee Chair Alyssa Schuren presented amendments; Peter Kelman commented. Alfano moved to approve the document as presented; Adrienne Gil seconded; carried unanimously.

Municipal Tax Rate Approval

  • Item 2026-259: Finance Director Heather Graves presented the rate based on the voter-approved budget and finalized grand list. Sheridan moved to approve $1.522, $0.02 and $0.07; Doyle seconded; carried unanimously.
  • Sheridan then moved to take the Fresh Eyes Report before the break; Alfano seconded; carried unanimously.

City Manager Fresh Eyes Report

  • Item 2026-256: Curry presented observations from her first several months in office following the city's leadership transition. Nancy Smith commented.

Homelessness Response

  • Item 2026-263: Curry gave an update. Comments from Kelman, Whitaker, Bellini, Dawn Little, Ward, Carlton Anderson and Smith. No action.

Regional Plan and Planned Growth Areas

  • Item 2026-258: Planning Director Mike Miller gave an informational update on the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission's draft Future Land Use Map prepared under Act 181. Goldman, Anderson and Whitaker commented. No action.

ADA Transition Plan Update

  • Item 2026-260: Curry presented a written update on accessibility improvements to city facilities, website accessibility and infrastructure projects. Kelman commented. No action.

City Manager Performance Management Plan

  • Item 2026-262: Gil presented revisions to the plan and review process; Whitaker commented. Sheridan moved to approve the plan including the revisions; Alfano seconded; carried unanimously.

Council reports

  • Item 2026-265: Doyle recognized Eric Gilbertson for a lifetime achievement award for historic preservation. Sheridan thanked staff, public safety personnel, Montpelier Alive and volunteers for the July 3 celebration. Alfano reported the Complete Streets Committee was revising the e-bike ordinance and had recommended charter updates (see Complete Streets Committee Mission). Gil reported the Country Club Road Review Committee had narrowed the developer search to two finalists and expected to recommend one at the next meeting (see Country Club Road Project). Kohn reported on a cemetery tour and heritage tourism opportunities. Brown had no report.

Clerk, City Manager and Mayor

  • Item 2026-266: the Clerk urged participation in the August 11 election and reminded councilors of their Board of Civil Authority role.
  • Item 2026-267: Curry updated the Council on the Police Department, including the appointment of the Interim Police Chief, recruitment, expected overtime and regional coordination on staffing (see Police Chief Search). She previewed upcoming items: Country Club Road, Public Art Committee updates (Public Art Commission Membership), taser purchases (Taser Purchase Approval), police vehicle purchases (Police Vehicle Purchase) and zoning fee discussions.
  • Item 2026-268: the mayor thanked staff and volunteers for the July 3 celebration and the Police Department for its service.

Sources