[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6167126,"mediaKeyId","5412509-0dadf9db46fe4d4229d460687f98caed","parentId",5412509,"title","Montpelier weighs TIF, CHIP and Tier 1A paths for Country Club Road infrastructure","audioSeconds",815,"startMs",8586000,"endMs",9401000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5412509-0dadf9db46fe4d4229d460687f98caed&start=8586&end=9401","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5412509-0dadf9db46fe4d4229d460687f98caed/thumbnail_8586000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6167126/Montpelier-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Montpelier-weighs-TIF-CHIP-and-Tier-1A-paths-for-Country-Club-Road-infrastructure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167126-09856551735d73f01acff85a55575084/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917024&Signature=JPFkDjpTH1yaAEVZ0~GeZ4crSXaiWxACU~eBxzSSn~2Yzt04NZ0UV0sVR9yLGqa5Qsvs8GbLK-b8DIjDSr82RVIbIjw87I7chDp2xco90UtPL6TP6Mq8eP84UZWe8UXp87GYCpLMB5Ij-lHhPs5CGMEgLhCb4v1MaxEN2YU11xN3RF98ZgmLYH4EFSZ518S8EjizGAA1XfhYs6TsGYbAiZFrsSVaL780rUTex-duEBVOveXeI615msCjRyKZIlhjRebiLUvh~JySwFG1R7GLYxmQ1tBXZnv3r-sIAjFu5yIcNch02CCS180caDEmBX3TzUj4CQtlaxnm7ar9Tm5ZOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montpelier City, VT","date","2025-07-17T13:07:50Z","article","City planning staff reported new state policy options that could change the financing and approval path for the Country Club Road redevelopment project and related Res 9000 parcels.

What staff said and why it matters
- Planning Director Mike Miller briefed council on two recent state developments: the Act 250/Act 250 implementation detail known as Tier 1A future‑land‑use mapping and a new program commonly called CHIP (project‑based tax increment financing, sometimes styled in discussion as “CHIP TIFF”). Miller said the earlier plan to expand the city’s growth center (to make the site eligible for TIF) might be unnecessary if Tier 1A designation on the regional map achieves the same eligibility for incremental financing.
- Miller explained timing is critical: if Tier 1A status is effective this December, the city might avoid a growth center application; if it is not effective until mid‑year, a growth center application still could be the faster route to secure financing eligibility for upcoming infrastructure work.

Difference between TIF and CHIP as described
- Miller summarized that TIF is a district‑level tool that allows the city to pool increment across multiple parcels (useful when multiple developments must share access or infrastructure). CHIP is project‑based and simpler to apply for, but may limit the ability to share revenues across multiple adjacent projects if separate developers pursue separate CHIP applications.
- Staff flagged a practical difference: TIF had required large consultant work (White & Burke) and is administratively heavier; CHIP rules were still in development and staff said they were seeking written guidance from state officials on whether CHIP could handle multiple developers and whether a municipal sponsor would carry the financing obligation.

Related planning and process concerns
- Miller emphasized the need to preserve secondary access and connectivity between Country Club Road and other parcels; he said staff do not want to end up with disjointed projects where roads do not connect because financing and project timing differ.
- Councilors and residents urged parallel visioning and stronger public engagement. Councilor Adrian proposed a community design/visioning initiative to collect ideas from residents, local schools and nonprofits and return design concepts to council as part of preparatory work prior to issuing any RFP for a developer.
- Sandra Vinson (public comment) clarified that the program under discussion is legally a “CHIP TIFF” and that municipalities remain the primary obligors; she said program rules were expected in November and that CHIP requires detailed parcel‑level baseline and projected value figures to calculate increment.

Next steps
- Miller said he will seek written confirmation from state officials on Tier 1A timing and CHIP rules and will return to the council with answers. Council did not adopt any formal change to the project process in this meeting.

Ending: staff emphasized the city can preserve multiple options but should secure clear state guidance on Tier 1A effective dates and CHIP program rules before deciding whether to proceed with growth‑center expansion, TIF district formation, or developer‑driven CHIP applications.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Montpelier City Council and CIP - Jul 16, 2025 LIVE","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff outlined new state financing and mapping options that could change how the city funds Country Club Road infrastructure, and said they will secure written guidance before recommending a course of action.","taxTitle","Montpelier City, Washington County, Vermont","taxId",68799,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167130,"Residents and service providers press Montpelier council for managed response to unhoused encampments",83,3992000,4075000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5412509-0dadf9db46fe4d4229d460687f98caed&start=3992&end=4075","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5412509-0dadf9db46fe4d4229d460687f98caed/thumbnail_3992000.jpg","/articles/6167130/Montpelier-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Residents-and-service-providers-press-Montpelier-council-for-managed-response-to-unhoused-encampments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167130-6259b46edda37d919a1d8b8970caec12/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917024&Signature=bU1Db1yz62VLuNlg5jKUIHl8c1enz0s9iY3bvBthvY891OXDv8k01pyoD~yq9sG1JxwLmrC-PVYYOMdmIIJkar9QZumEfYapZttREIqrPs6n9K2S7enVsotZf9TqCfpXPSraAUEng2el2~MdpNMEVy7UQvx9ZT2LHpLIHy16LIF09Nj0XNSUtxuAwjUW-berpj8rEikZEA95P~KuGrQhK6zxSWOQ-KdCanNSQfnnMXU-9gTFBfl7l~oHLzETQzUDSnAgbsfGurQQKUCMrNBpwzYyqLGfmNXKqa7gZhCVNkrA4d92NEqx3VYxl8HThLpQ1CuHql1BaCJzuI8dPB-~lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the council’s public‑comment period, several residents and task‑force members urged immediate action on outdoor homelessness and campsite conditions at Confluence Park and other locations.

Long‑standing problem and immediate concerns
- Resident Steve Whitaker described overflowing trash at Confluence Park and said the city’s “sensitive area” signage and enforcement have not controlled litter. He urged the council to “wake up” and identify managed camping options with services and outreach, suggesting “a 4‑plex flush toilet trailer and a 4‑plex shower” as short‑term steps.
- Tory Rodine, a homelessness task‑force member, said some people camping at Confluence Park were displaced motel shelter residents and stressed that some campers are victims of crime rather than perpetrators.
- Zach Hughes, a resident involved in outreach, said telling people “to leave the city isn’t gonna work. They live here,” and endorsed the opening of a shelter in Montpelier as a step forward.

Services, outreach and funding discussed
- Speakers asked the city to use existing or emergency funding and to pursue state assistance. One commenter noted the library lacked evening air conditioning and public restroom access at night and recommended portable, managed facilities and staff outreach to reduce litter and health risks.
- Good Samaritan was acknowledged for opening an 18‑bed shelter option; speakers said that was a positive but insufficient immediate capacity.

Why it matters: speakers framed unmanaged encampments as a public‑health, public‑safety and dignity issue and said lack of shelter, restroom access and coordinated outreach increases 911 calls and harms residents and unhoused people alike.

Next steps discussed
- Councilors and staff took public input and referenced the homelessness task force and regional partners; no formal policy action or vote occurred in the meeting. Council members said they would pursue coordination with state agencies and consider the task force’s recommendations.

Ending: public commentators asked for near‑term, practical measures (portable toilets/showers, outreach staffing and shelter capacity) while urging sustained regional coordination and use of available funding streams.","Multiple residents and task force members urged the council to adopt a managed approach to outdoor homelessness, citing overflowing trash, an eviction from motels and a lack of evening facilities and outreach. Speakers called for short‑term measures such as portable toilets/showers and for regional/state engagement and shelter capacity expansion.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167135,"Consultant kicks off Montpelier city manager search; council signals desire for transparent public input",0,4815000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5412509-0dadf9db46fe4d4229d460687f98caed&start=4815&end=4815","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5412509-0dadf9db46fe4d4229d460687f98caed/thumbnail_4815000.jpg","/articles/6167135/Montpelier-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Consultant-kicks-off-Montpelier-city-manager-search-council-signals-desire-for-transparent-public-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167135-555c671d6556931e6d2099b010298972/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917024&Signature=TSMpiv4f0ubhKD60Mgbs6Db6fWOENijXFxPoGt5fmAqrsPuK6Besye2q1QP34EU9sGckZA02N2fyUO8dlWYO0kw5E-HXNexsL7uTZt2XOdMcV4~8IGpR7krNvOCsnIu-EzVZP3kGmHkpCWXvxJ9mf2enUdIxrFDzqyniFaJ5775rWVvX~ehmvwsr3ENEkcj-qp3gAfHf22heqjmHxK9g77wYtlGVghssCSQZyW7wjjCWLCV8-2v0t05wUHhxc5-A1M1OznIUl0XIrGgXIxAu3~50sVpr25mn-8lzBdBkr0wgdcNGFpp0ZnR73pHaRO86LjfXz70I4oGf8QZtTxdo-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montpelier City Council held a kickoff session with consultant Ian Coyle of Pracademic Partners to define the recruitment process for a new city manager and to set expectations for council involvement and public engagement.

Ian Coyle said his firm would begin with an intake and needs assessment with council and staff, produce a recruitment profile, post the vacancy broadly and run a multi‑stage screening and finalist process including public forums: “we're casting that net as wide and encompassing and as, you know, equitable and diverse as we possibly can.”

Why it matters: the city manager role directs daily municipal operations and budgets; council members said this selection is one of the most consequential decisions they will make and asked for a clear, transparent process with opportunities for residents and staff to provide input.

Council priorities and process questions
- Council members sought clarity on who will “own” the process and how the council should be involved at each stage. Councilor Ben said the council must own the decision and requested a transparent, web‑posted timeline so the public can track progress.
- Members discussed whether to appoint a smaller search committee or have full‑council engagement at all stages. Several members favored full council involvement while also including staff and community voices in advisory or consultative roles.

Public and staff engagement
- Coyle outlined multiple engagement options: a short online survey for broader input, a public facilitated forum or forums, and targeted department‑head input. He recommended a three‑pronged outreach approach (digital survey, paper availability and at least one facilitated public session) to reach different audiences.
- Council and staff asked the consultant to produce a concrete proposal that lists roles, a proposed timeline, sample survey text and a communications plan; communications director Evelyn was identified as a city contact for outreach.

Timeline considerations
- The consultant described a common search timeline: a 3–4 week recruitment posting, virtual first‑round interviews, and an in‑person finalist round. Council members noted budgeting and election calendars; several asked for a timeline that would avoid bringing a new manager in the middle of the city’s budget work and would finish before the new council is seated in the spring if possible.

Next steps
- Coyle agreed to provide a written proposed process, two or three timeline scenarios, and recommendations for public engagement and advisory group structure. Council members asked to receive that document quickly so they could approve a posting and get the public needs assessment underway.

Ending: the consultant said he would work with city HR (Tanya) and communications (Evelyn) to prepare materials and weekly status updates; council members asked for a written proposal and a clear communication plan before posting the vacancy.","The council met with consultant Ian Coyle to start a nationwide search for a new city manager. Council members emphasized council ownership of the final decision, requested broad public engagement and asked the consultant to propose a written search structure and timeline that includes community input and staff involvement.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167140,"Montpelier staff lay out FY26 capital plan, paving priorities and stormwater utility option",1385,110000,1495000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5412509-0dadf9db46fe4d4229d460687f98caed&start=110&end=1495","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5412509-0dadf9db46fe4d4229d460687f98caed/thumbnail_110000.jpg","/articles/6167140/Montpelier-City/Washington-County/Vermont/Montpelier-staff-lay-out-FY26-capital-plan-paving-priorities-and-stormwater-utility-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167140-ee7df06632c5994d7a11b65ba989998a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770917024&Signature=oyw5FKiwt8KKoNN3Ot6v-ava-QxoMByud29WanZYbyo3CJdYlcN0Zo8BbuQd7hga~ipAG8U4lPhqUJDYTYFzazZq64xmPCYzUP5ClLcmvJjQwabJf-LFgts7b4IwnTGcBXdTWx88OCUcQg-1aiM779s3NoFu-n024vZsKKGe6eovTIlMsMM0RWJL0DwBCE71BVzghUbuyvJ2TPBuwF50TORdRrO2u3BDP1CcIKqbW6h5yCMPEXfJZP78nrxmsiwnPTprAl5B8AB38uaWE8qInS-B7PDKIjPjh457ZRxnUNk-ZFwHOFKb~PLivYNoFuG6oNqjZQWamIMU57OBzatzIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff briefed the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) committee on the FY26 capital program and a draft five‑year schedule on funding, paving and equipment priorities, saying the city must increase capital investment to stabilize pavement condition and replace aging equipment.

Finance Director Sarah (presenting) said the funding need for FY26 was “really about 3,500,000.0,” and noted the council approved a $220,000 increase in capital funding for FY26 after earlier committee recommendations. She said the plan shown to the committee is for non‑enterprise funds and does not include water, sewer, parking or district heat enterprise budgets.

Why it matters: staff and the consultant concluded the city faces a multi‑million‑dollar gap to bring local streets to steady‑state service levels and that a balanced mix of preventive maintenance and targeted rehabilitation will yield a higher pavement condition index (PCI) over time than a pure “worst‑first” strategy.

What staff proposed and prioritized
- Staff presented a “steady state” target (in current dollars) that would put annual paving at about $1,200,000, sidewalks at $100,000 and stormwater at $400,000; equipment needs were roughly $925,000 per year. Staff said those figures were exclusive of debt service and opportunity projects dependent on outside funding.
- The FY26 CIP as presented prioritized time‑sensitive items and aging equipment rather than funding all deferred projects in year one. The FY26 budget assumed a two‑cent property tax increase approach previously used to grow the capital fund.
- Contracts reported: an existing contract with ECI covering mill‑and‑fill, reconstruction and overlays totaling about $588,000, and a contract with Indus for crack and fog sealing totaling about $75,000. Staff said DPW crews will perform structure adjustments and sidewalk work where feasible to reduce contractor cost.

Paving strategy and LIDAR results
- Zach, Deputy Director of Public Works, described treatments used in the plan — crack sealing, fog sealing, overlays, mill & fill, cold‑in‑place recycling and reconstruction — and explained life expectancy ranges: overlays 7–10 years, mill & fill 12–15 years, cold‑in‑place recycling 13–18 years and reconstruction 15–20 years depending on subbase work.
- The consultant Beta’s LIDAR assessment covered about 46.8 miles and initially included state arterial routes (class 1) that inflated overall PCI. Staff said the citywide PCI currently reads about 69, but removing state routes will likely drop the local (class 2 and 3) PCI into the low‑60s. Beta’s draft showed a roughly $12,000,000 funding gap to reach desired local network condition.
- Staff recommended a balanced investment approach (mixing preventive maintenance and targeted rehab) rather than a worst‑first approach, arguing the balanced approach produces a higher PCI over a multi‑year horizon and is more cost‑effective.

Stormwater utility discussion
- Committee members asked about a stormwater utility as a dedicated revenue mechanism to pay for stormwater maintenance and capital work. Zach explained other Vermont communities have established stormwater utilities as enterprise funds similar to water and sewer, saying “it's an enterprise fund: once they create the utility, it's like the water and sewer funds.” He added that creating a utility allows fees based on impervious surface rather than relying on the general tax base.
- Staff said the city had started work on a utility but flood response and county billing system limits had slowed progress. No timeline was set; staff said the idea had reappeared in strategic planning and staff will propose a timeline if capacity allows.

Grants, projects and contingencies
- Staff said Town Hill Road work will include a cold‑in‑place recycling contract (Indus) and subsequent curb and overlay work under the ECI contract; the city received a Class 2 town highway grant for $200,000 toward that project. Total paving and sidewalk spending for the fiscal year was described as roughly $1.0 million after grant funds and contingency line items were preserved.
- Staff noted three in‑house stormwater projects (Blackwell, Taplin and Scribner) would be implemented jointly with Mangan Excavation using hybrid crews to control cost.

Next steps and questions for council
- Staff asked the committee to consider funding scenarios; Beta will rerun PCI projections with local streets (class 2 and 3) removed and provide modeled outcomes for different funding levels. Staff proposed additional capital committee meetings prior to the budget season to refine the five‑year plan.

Ending: staff said more detailed modeling and reconciliation of capital reserves are underway and they will return with refined PCI scenarios and a proposed meeting schedule for further committee review.","City staff presented the FY26 capital improvement plan, a five‑year funding model and new LIDAR pavement data, highlighting a roughly $12 million local funding gap for non‑state streets and recommending a balanced paving approach while discussing a potential stormwater utility to fund aging drainage infrastructure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Montpelier weighs TIF, CHIP and Tier 1A paths for Country Club Road infrastructure

Residents and service providers press Montpelier council for managed response to unhoused encampments

Consultant kicks off Montpelier city manager search; council signals desire for transparent public input

Montpelier staff lay out FY26 capital plan, paving priorities and stormwater utility option