Barrie City Council Regular Meeting - January 28, 2026

Note: Per the official record, the meeting is dated January 28, 2026. The transcript indicates the meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026—a one-day discrepancy that is noted here for accuracy.

The meeting covered administrative approvals, budget presentations, a letter on immigration enforcement, partner organization funding requests, and a flood resiliency plan update. The council also entered executive sessions for litigation and personnel matters.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from meetings of January 6, 2026 (regular) and January 7, 2026 (special) were approved; a correction was made to language regarding the 143 North Main Street purchase and sale documents.
• Numerous entertainment licenses, fireworks permits, vehicle-for-hire permits, waste disposal permits, and food vendor licenses were approved as part of the consent agenda.
• The manager was authorized to execute a contract with White and Burke; discussion clarified a bonus provision offset against hourly rates.
• City warrants for the weeks of January 14, January 21, and January 28, 2026 were approved, with one councilor abstaining.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public addressed the council on items not on the agenda.

Mayor's Letter on Immigration Enforcement

• Mayor presented a letter to Governor Phil Scott, drafted on behalf of himself and the council, urging a pause in immigration enforcement activities and calling on state and federal action. The letter was read into the record and the council unanimously supported sending it.

City Clerk & Election Information

• Clerk advised residents to request absentee ballots early due to potential weather delays and postal service changes. The clerk clarified that postmarks do not count for ballots; they must be received by 7 p.m. on election day. Alternative polling places at Alumni Hall were discussed, with concerns about elevator speed and stair safety.

Manager's Report

• Budget Survey: Only 136 responses received; survey closes at noon the following day. Results will be presented at the next council meeting.
• Recreation: Skate rentals begin Sunday at the BOR with a donation of 10 new adjustable skates; $3 per rental; donations of gently used skates are accepted.
• CDBG-DR Round Two: Notices for two $10 million projects were published; actual applications expected to total ~$8 million for acquisitions, elevations, and buyouts. Waiting for one property owner's decision and state guidance.
• Snow Removal: Public works praised for handling recent storms; salt shortages mitigated by creative sourcing. A parking ban is scheduled for Thursday night for snow removal.
• Warming Shelter: Running nightly through at least Saturday night; volunteer-run; seeking meal donations and monetary support (via Church of the Good Shepherd). Council requested a future briefing from Tess on shelter operations.

Discussion Items

• Budget Update (Manager): Presented revised general fund budget of $15.8 million (7.24% year-over-year increase). Found $323,000 in new non-tax revenues, $113,000 in savings/cuts, and $170,000 in upward adjustments (including $46,000 for the BEEs program, $49,000 to rebuild the recreation department, and $23,000 for pothole repair). The amount to be raised by taxes increased 6.6%. Proposals to retain Semper Bond annuity interest (~$62,000) and use $10,000 from Brusa Trust for recreation were presented as offsets.
• Department Budgets: Detailed administrative offices (manager, finance, planning/permitting, clerk, legal) showing an 8.39% increase primarily due to adding the housing/homelessness liaison position ($92,000). Facilities, grounds, and recreation budgets showed a 12% increase due to rebuilding recreation programming.
• Revenue Projections: Increases from raising the rental registry fee from $60 to $100 per unit ($82,000), parking meter collections ($15,000), ambulance revenue ($150,000), and cemetery COSI fund interest ($10,000).
• Partner Organizations:
  • Aldrich Public Library: Requested $312,000 (5% increase) for staffing, technology, HVAC, and insurance. Reported 86,847 visitors (25% increase), 574 programs, 71,000 checkouts, and 550 community meetings. Discussion included library assets (~$7.7 million) and the role of the library in serving unhoused populations. Councilors expressed support pending final budget decisions.
  • Barrie Area Development Corporation (BADC): Requested $65,000 (6.8% increase). Highlighted transition under new director, work on 143 North Main and Prospect Heights projects, business recruitment packages, and website investment. Council praised BADC's role in economic development.
  • Barrie Partnership: Requested $72,100 (3% increase from city) plus $2,500 from the town (50% increase). Presented event statistics (farmers market sales grew from $9,579 to $33,794), Heritage Festival data, social media engagement (40,000–60,000 monthly interactions), and Destination Barrie project. Councilors commended partnership efforts and requested post-event impact data.
• Flood Resiliency Plan Update: Focus on improving communications via Regroup system. Plans to launch a phone call feature for seniors, limited to Barrie City residents due to cost caps. Outreach efforts include targeting senior centers, faith communities, and housing authorities. Council encouraged broadening sign-ups through family members and property managers.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda (minutes, licenses, contract authorization).
• Approved warrants for January 14, 21, and 28 (one abstention).
• Approved on-site consumption permit (liquor/cannabis).
• Approved RFQ for 143 North Main Street development.
• Approved retention of Semper Bond annuity in general fund for recreation (unanimous).
• Approved $10,000 allocation from Brusa Trust to support recreation (unanimous).
• Authorized mayor to send letter to Governor Scott on immigration enforcement (unanimous).
• Entered executive session for litigation and personnel matters; no votes or decisions announced.
• Future Items: Manager to invite Tess for a shelter briefing; council will consider additional listening sessions with nonprofits and youth; liaisons may provide quarterly committee updates.