City Council

27 WEST ALLEN STREET WINOOSKI, VERMONT 05404 (802) 655-6410 CITY OF WINOOSKI (802) 655-6414 (fax) KATHERINE R. DECARREAU CITY MANAGER MAYOR SETH LEONARD DEPUTY MAYOR BRIAN CORRIGAN mayor@winooskivt.org CITY COUNCIL COUNCILOR NICOLE MACE COUNCILOR ROBERT MILLAR COUNCILOR BRIAN SWEENEY Agenda Monday, April 4, 2016 5:30 p.m. Claire Burke Council Chambers I. Call to Order II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Public Comment IV. Consent Agenda a. Approval: Council Minutes of February 29, 2016 and City Council and Liquor Control Minutes of March 28, 2016. b. Approval: Warrants of April 1, 2016 V. City Update VI. Executive Session: Personnel Matter VII. Agenda Review VIII. Regular Items: a. Approval: Amend French Heritage Day from Saturday June 25 to Sunday June 26 – K. Decarreau b. Discussion: Winooski Audit Presentation – S. Leonard c. Introduction: Vermont Integrated Architects – K. Decarreau d. Approval: Winooski Community Partnership Support Resolution – K. Decarreau e. Discussion/Approval: Ordinances i. Room Size – J. Audy ii. Smoking in Parks – R. Coffey iii. Snow Removal from Sidewalks – Peter Wernsdorfer f. Discussion: Zoning – Form Based Code – J. Audy g. Discussion: Public Safety Program Budget – R. Hebert h. Discussion: Fiscal year 2016 2nd Quarter Financial Outcomes – J. Ticehurst i. Discussion: Community Services Budgets – R. Coffey j. Discussion: Parking Fine Structure – J. Audy k. Discussion: Senior Program Assistant and amended Senior Program Manager Job Descriptions – R. Coffey l. Discussion: Customer Service Coordinator Job Description – K. Decarreau m. Approval: EO2 Job Description Corrections – P. Wernsdorfer Minutes of April 4, 2016 Winooski City Council Page 1 of 7 www.winooskivt.org  n. Discussion: Public Safety Admin Job Description – J. Audy o. Approval: Grant Applications i. Asset Management Implementation – P. Wernsdorfer ii. VLCT PACIF – Davit Hoist – P. Wernsdorfer iii. Structures Grant – P. Wernsdorfer p. Approval: TA60 Annual Financial Plan – P. Wernsdorfer q. Approval: Town Road and Bridge Standards – P. Wernsdorfer r. Discussion: Council Scholarship Dollars for Scholars – S. Leonard IX. Adjourn MINUTES The meeting was called to order by the Mayor at 5:30pm. The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance led by Deputy Mayor Corrigan. Members Present: Mayor Seth Leonard Councilors: Brian Corrigan, Brian Sweeney, Nicole Mace, Robert Millar, Officers Present: Katherine Decarreau, City Manager; Angela Aldieri, Assistant City Clerk; Ray Coffey, Community Services Director; John Audy, Code Enforcement Director; Peter Wernsdorfer, Public Works Director; James Ticehurst, City Treasurer; Kirstie Paschall, THRIVE Manager; Ethan Hausman, Programs Manager; Barbara Pitfido, Senior Program Manager; Eliah Ferree, Community Justice Center Director; Julie Hulburd, Human Resources Manager Others Present: Colleen Sullivan; Elizabeth Murray, Burlington Free Press; Regina Mahony, CCRPC; Ashar Nelson, VIA; Michael O’Brien; Kristina Brines, Paul Frank & Collins; Michael Ohler III. Public Comment No public comment was made. IV. Consent Agenda Councilor Millar noted that he was not in attendance for the meeting on February 29th. The minutes for that meeting were considered separately. MOTION by Deputy Mayor Corrigan, seconded by Councilor Mace to approve the minutes from February 29th as presented. Voted and passed 3-0-1 with Councilor Millar abstaining. MOTION by Councilor Mace, seconded by Councilor Millar to approve the remaining consent agenda as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. V. City Update Ms. Decarreau announced that in the next two weeks contract negotiations will begin with AFSCME on behalf of the Public Works union and the Fraternal Order of Police on behalf of the Minutes of April 4, 2016 Winooski City Council Page 2 of 7 www.winooskivt.org Police union will begin. There was a delay in negotiating the police contract that led to them both being negotiated at the same time. The lengths of the contracts will be considered to stagger negotiations in the future. On April 8th at 6:00pm there will be a talent show at the Winooski School that is open and free for the public to attend. A number of community members are participating. The City will have a band and sing along at the event. The Dog Park Social has been rescheduled for April 15th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. The community is invited to celebrate spring. The Humane Society will be in attendance and both human and canine refreshments will be provided. VI. Executive Session: Personnel Matter Ms. Decarreau stated that Council needs to be updated on an ongoing personnel issue. She asked that Kristina Brines as legal representation and Julie Hulburd, the City Human Resources Manager, be invited to accompany. MOTION by Deputy Mayor Corrigan, seconded by Councilor Sweeney to enter executive session at 5:35pm inviting Kristina Brines and Julie Hulburd to accompany to discuss a personnel matter. Voted and passed 4-0. Meeting reconvened at 5:50pm. VII. Agenda Review Mayor Leonard stated that due to illness the auditor was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. Consequently item b. is not able to be addressed but will be covered at a future meeting. VIII. Regular Items a. Approval: Amend French Heritage Day from Saturday June 25th to Sunday June 26th – K. Decarreau Ms. Decarreau stated that this amendment is at the request of the applicant so that they can work in coordination with the Farmer’s Market. MOTION by Councilor Sweeney, seconded by Councilor Mace to approve the amendment to the French Heritage Day as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. c. Introduction: Vermont Integrated Architects – K. Decarreau Ms. Decarreau introduced Ashar Nelson with Vermont Integrated Architects who have been contracted to conduct a programming and space study for City Hall. The building is showing signs of energy inefficiency and overcrowding so we are looking for options. Mr. Nelson reviewed his process for moving forward and shared his initial assessment and a draft problem and vision statement. It was noted that the schedule is aggressive and is intended to be finished in early June. Mr. Nelson expressed that the City feels strongly that City Hall should reflect the community rather than those that work there. There will be outreach to receive feedback from the community in the form of surveys and community dinners. There will be sections on the web Minutes of April 4, 2016 Winooski City Council Page 3 of 7 www.winooskivt.org for this project with an e-mail link for members of the public to comment. The first community dinner is slated for April 19th. Ms. Decarreau noted that any continuing decisions would be brought to Council for discussion on funding. d. Approval: Winooski Community Partnership Support Resolution – K. Decarreau Ms. Decarreau stated that this was able to be drafted as a letter of support rather than a resolution. This letter is part of the reapplication for downtown designation that is being pursued by the Winooski Community Partnership on behalf of the City. Ms. Decarreau stated that she is working with the WCP on gathering the documentation and information needed for renewal. MOTION by Councilor Sweeney, seconded by Councilor Millar to approve the letter of support to the Winooski Community Partnership for the downtown designation renewal as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. Due to staff availability item f. was moved forward in the agenda. f. Discussion: Zoning – Form Based Code – J. Audy Regina Mahony of the CCRPC and Michael O’Brien came forward to continue the review of the new zoning code. Form based code guidelines were the subject of review. Discussion regarding neighborhood manners and step down buildings began the discussion. The presentation moved to review the architectural standards of the code specifically addressing the materials allowed. Discussion regarding the bonus story followed. Concern was expressed by Council for the plan to establish a Project Review Committee and if that body would be subject to open meeting rules. Additional issue was raised regarding if the committee was made up primarily of staff members how would having a quorum at unrelated discussion be avoided. The timeline for Council approval of the new code was discussed. Consensus was to have any questions still outstanding addressed at the meeting on April 18th with the public hearing for adoption of the code slated to occur on May 16th. Council was directed to send any additional questions or concerns that they want addressed at the next meeting to the City Manager. e. Discussion/Approval: Ordinances e.i. Room Size – J. Audy Mr. Audy briefly reviewed the room size ordinance and cited other guidelines from neighboring communities and the international building code that support the City ordinance proposed. Mr. Audy went on to introduce Michael Ohler to Council. Mr. Ohler is a social worker with a public housing authority and expressed his opinion that the proposed City ordinance bridges the gap between culture and safety. The ordinance now offers and official means for violations to be addressed on a case by case basis. It was noted that the City may be able to connect families with assistance they are eligible for but not receiving. Council appreciated the changes made to the proposed ordinance to formalize the situational analysis. e.ii. Smoking in Parks – R. Coffey Mr. Coffey presented the draft ordinance previously reviewed by Council. He reviewed his research that this is a public policy that is being adopted across the country in municipalities both large and small that both the CDC and the Surgeon General support. Discussion surrounding the broad definition of park, a blanket versus specified ban, and enforceability followed. A majority Minutes of April 4, 2016 Winooski City Council Page 4 of 7 www.winooskivt.org of Council expressed support for a ban on smoking at West Allen Park, Landry Park, and Myers Memorial Pool. It was noted that the Community Service Commission has begun work to define three types of parks including recreational, natural area, and sitting. Ms. Decarreau stated that due to a split on Council agreement this ordinance would be considered separately from the rest during the approval process. e. iii. Snow Removal from Sidewalks – Peter Wernsdorfer Ms. Decarreau stated that the proposed ordinance would leave the requirement for downtown owners to clear their own sidewalks, but would remove the responsibility language for the rest of the City. It was noted that this does not mean that the City would be assuming responsibility. The City has addressed sidewalk clearing making school routes, bus stop routes, and routes out of town priorities for clearing. This does mean that secondary routes may not be cleared until several days after the storm. The ordinance would also shift penalty for blocking the roads and sidewalks with snow from the plow company to the property owner. A brief recess was called at 8:08pm. Meeting reconvened at 8:11pm. g. Discussion: Public Safety Program Budget – R. Hebert Eliah Ferree was in attendance to present the Community Justice Center budget for the upcoming year. We received notification from the state that the grant funding for FY2017 would be $155,000. The budget will be updated to reflect this information for the next meeting. Mr. Ferree went on to review the services provided by the program. h. Discussion: Fiscal year 2016 2nd Quarter Financial Outcomes – J. Ticehurst Mr. Ticehurst apologized for the tardiness noting that the overfull agendas led to the delay in this report. He stated that staff is managing budgets well and that the projections look positive. i. Discussion: Community Services Budgets – R. Coffey Mr. Coffey and his staff reviewed the proposed budgets for the Community Garden, THRIVE Childcare Program, Senior Programs, Meals Program, Community Event Programs, and the O’Brien Community Center. Each staff member gave an overview of what their programs provide to the City. Discussion regarding budgeted deficits in the programs followed with particular concern about the O’Brien Community Center and the Community Services Program. j. Discussion: Parking Fine Structure – J. Audy Mr. Audy stated that this item is being brought as an extension of the discussion regarding the fine for overtime at the meters. The intent is to determine if Council wishes to change any other fines. Consensus was to reduce the fine for meter not paid to $12 and the fine for delivery zone violation to $20. Discussion regarding a warning system that will be implemented followed. k. Discussion: Senior Program Assistant and amended Senior Program Manager Job Descriptions – R. Coffey Mr. Coffey stated that in designing the job description for the senior program assistant approved as part of the general fund budget an amendment was required for the manager job description. This mirrors the language from similar positions. Minutes of April 4, 2016 Winooski City Council Page 5 of 7 www.winooskivt.org l. Discussion: Customer Service Coordinator Job Description – K. Decarreau Ms. Decarreau stated this is the job description for the part time coverage of the window. This was approved as part of the general fund budget. m. Approval: EO2 Job Description Corrections – P. Wernsdorfer Mr. Wernsdorfer noted that the descriptions previously presented included funding structures for other positions that had not been updated. The descriptions presented tonight have been corrected for the positions as budgeted. MOTION by Councilor Sweeney, seconded by Deputy Mayor Corrigan to approve the EO2 job description corrections as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. n. Discussion: Public Safety Admin Job Description – J. Audy Ms. Decarreau stated that this change is part of the approval for the part time administrative help in the front office that allows this position to focus on administrative work for public safety. Part of the funding for this position would now come from the Rental Registry program that it would support. This position would now report to the Code Enforcement Director. o. Approval: Grant Applications o.i. Asset Management Implementation – P. Wernsdorfer Mr. Wernsdorfer stated that we are going through an effort to modernize and convert to a computerized maintenance and asset management system. This grant became available to cover future implementation work that we were already planning to incur. o.ii. VLCT PACIF – Davit Hoist – P. Wernsdorfer Mr. Wernsdorfer stated it has become evident that there is a need for a hoist for a number of applications. This equipment grant covers 50% of the cost. o.iii. Structures Grant – P. Wernsdorfer Mr. Wernsdorfer stated that this grant is for the repair of the railings and sidewalks on the Burlington/Winooski Bridge. Up to seventeen of the railing panels would be replaced on the upstream side. Work would begin as soon as possible, but most likely in 2017 due to the work on the circulator. MOTION by Councilor Sweeney, seconded by Councilor Millar to approve all grant applications as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. p. Approval: TA60 Annual Financial Plan – P. Wernsdorfer Ms. Aldieri stated that this is an item required to be filed to become eligible for grant awards from VTrans. This is completed annually and ensures that the City is raising at least a minimum amount of tax dollars toward roads. MOTION by Councilor Mace, seconded by Deputy Mayor Corrigan to approve the TA60 Annual Financial Plan as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. Minutes of April 4, 2016 Winooski City Council Page 6 of 7 www.winooskivt.org q. Approval: Town Road and Bridge Standards – P. Wernsdorfer Mr. Wernsdorfer stated this is an item adopted annual to meet funding requirements on grants for VTrans. MOTION by Deputy Mayor Corrigan, seconded by Councilor Mace to approve the Certification of Town Road and Bridge Standards as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. r. Discussion: Council Scholarship Dollars for Scholars – S. Leonard Mayor Leonard stated that he has received a request from the Dollars for Scholars for the annual scholarship contribution from the City Council of $250.00. He asked that each Council member provide a $50.00 check to him for this scholarship for the next meeting. IX. Adjourn MOTION by Councilor Millar, seconded by Deputy Mayor Corrigan to adjourn the City Council meeting at 9:40pm. Voted and passed 4-0. ATTEST: ___________________________ Assistant City Clerk Minutes of April 4, 2016 Winooski City Council Page 7 of 7 www.winooskivt.org