City Council

27 WEST ALLEN STREET WINOOSKI, VERMONT 05404 (802) 655-6410 CITY OF WINOOSKI (802) 655-6414 (fax) RAYMOND S. COFFEY INTERIM 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, December 5, 2016 6:00 p.m. Claire Burke Council Chambers I. Call To Order II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Public Comment IV. Consent Agenda a. Approval: City Council Minutes of November 21, 2016 b. Approval: Payroll Warrant 11/6/2016 –11/19/2016, Subsequent to Payout Warrant as of October, and Accounts Payable Warrant as of 12/1/2016 V. City Update VI. Agenda Review VII. Regular Items a. Discussion: Officer Steven Bova – Lifesaver Award – R. Hebert b. Approval: Appoint Michelle McCutheon-Schour to Public Safety Commission – J. Audy c. Approval: Event Permit – Waking Windows May 5th to May 7th – H. Carrington d. Approval: Event Permit – Winooski Wiffle Classic April 28th to April 30th – H. Carrington e. Discussion: Introduction of Alicia Finley – Recreation & Parks Manager – K. Paschall f. Discussion: Update on Pool and Recreation Funds – K. Paschall g. Discussion: Update on Hotel Project – R. Coffey h. Approval: Request to Correct Manifest Errors in Grand List – R. Coffey i. Approval: 2017 Holiday Schedule – R. Coffey j. Discussion: Update of Use of City Property for Events Policy – R. Coffey VIII. Executive Session a. Personnel Issue b. Contract Negotiations IX. Adjourn MINUTES The meeting was called to order by the Mayor at 6:00pm. The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance led by Deputy Mayor Brian Corrigan. Minutes of December 5, 2016 Winooski City Council Page 1 of 5 www.winooskivt.org Members Present: Mayor Seth Leonard Councilors: Brian Corrigan, Brian Sweeney, Nicole Mace, Robert Millar Officers Present: Ray Coffey, Interim City Manager; John Audy, Code Enforcement Director; Angela Aldieri, Assistant City Clerk; Kirstie Paschall, Interim Community Services Director; Heather Carrington, Community and Economic Development Director; Alicia Finley, Recreation & Parks Manager; Officer Stephen Bova; Others Present: Paul Sarne; Chris Freije; Christopher Maloney; Lou DiMasi; Ali Fogel; Maura O’Neill, WCP; Adam Dubroff, Winooski Hotel Group; Bruce Rosenbaum; Brendan Gauthier; III. Public Comment No public comment was made. IV. Consent Agenda Consent agenda was split into two items. It was noted that Council received an amended version of the minutes of November 21st that removed Councilor Mace from the attendance list. MOTION by Council Millar, seconded by Councilor Sweeney to approve the minutes of November 21st as amended. Voted and passed 3-0-1 with Councilor Mace abstaining. MOTION by Deputy Mayor Corrigan, seconded by Councilor Millar to approve the warrants as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. V. City Update Mr. Audy stated that with the winter weather upon us the City has tools to keep the public informed. Nixle can be signed up for to receive e-mail or text alerts that give emergent communications from the City. These messages are linked to the City’s social media accounts. In addition we have installed flashing lights at the entrances to the City that will flash when a parking ban is in effect. The City has also established an informational phone line. He reminded citizens to build extra travel time into their commute to accommodate weather conditions. Staff recently visited the City Lights construction site at the corner of East Allen Street and Abenaki Way. The project is on schedule and anticipated to be ready to occupy in June 2017. Form based code activity has been taking place along Main Street. 325 Main Street is under renovation; 348 Main Street has a mixed use building scheduled for their site; and 394 Main Street will soon be home to residential units. Mr. Audy extended a thank you to Demetrios Michaelides of Donny’s Pizza for their commitment to the community. He and his family have closed their business and moved on to something else. The building has been purchased. Minutes of December 5, 2016 Winooski City Council Page 2 of 5 www.winooskivt.org Commodities Market is scheduled to open on December 14th. Watch their website for additional information. Mayor Leonard noted that the Airport Noise Mitigation meeting was being held. Mr. Coffey was attending on behalf of the City and will join the meeting later. The City has requested that meeting dates that conflict with future Council meetings be changed to allow full attendance. VI. Agenda Review There were no changes to the order of the agenda. VII. Regular Items: a. Discussion: Officer Steven Bova – Lifesaver Award – R. Hebert Mr. Audy asked Officer Bova to come to the front. He read into record a recognition of Officer Bova’s actions in administering CPR to an unresponsive female involved in a motor vehicle accident that were instrumental in her survival and full recovery. Officer Bova was presented with a certificate of recognition. Officer Bova thanked the Council for their recognition and expressed that he plans to work in Winooski for a while. b. Approval: Appoint Michelle McCutheon-Schour to Public Safety Commission – J. Audy Mr. Audy noted that the application for Ms. McCutheon-Schour could be found in the packet. She has been in attendance at Public Safety Commission meetings and has a broad interest in the subject. This appointment would be for a two year term. It was noted that a full list of commission appointments would be brought to a future meeting. MOTION by Councilor Mace, seconded by Deputy Mayor Corrigan to appoint Michelle McCutheon- Schour to a two year term on the Public Safety Commission as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. c. Approval: Event Permit – Waking Windows May 5th to May 7th – H. Carrington Mayor Leonard reminded Council that the dates for this event were previously approved and this item is to look at the details of the event missing at the last meeting. Ms. Carrington stated that an event review meeting was held on October 19th and that Ali Fogel filled out the newest on line application that provides more detailed information regarding the event. Discussion regarding road closures and coordination with Green Mountain Transit followed. Maura O’Neill with the Winooski Community Partnership (WCP) expressed business support for the event. MOTION by Deputy Mayor Corrigan, seconded by Councilor Mace to approve the event permit for Waking Windows as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. d. Approval: Event Permit – Winooski Wiffle Classic April 28th to April 30th – H. Carrington Ms. Carrington stated this is a new event for Winooski that is sponsored by Red Clover Events. The proposed location is the meadow at Casavant Park. The event is expected to draw about two hundred people. An event review was held with staff on November 16th. The applicants noted that they are working with the WCP to have a portion of the event support charity. Discussion regarding the experience of the applicants with running similar events and emergency vehicle access followed. It was noted that any damage to the field would be easily repaired. Maura O’Neill with the WCP expressed full support for the event noting it is for all ages and does not compete with businesses. MOTION by Deputy Mayor Corrigan, seconded by Councilor Sweeney to approve the event permit for the Winooski Wiffle Classic as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. Minutes of December 5, 2016 Winooski City Council Page 3 of 5 www.winooskivt.org e. Discussion: Introduction of Alicia Finley – Recreation & Parks Manager – K. Paschall Ms. Paschall introduced Alicia Finley the new Recreation & Parks Manager to Council. Ms. Finley gave a brief background about her work in recreation and her plans for programming in the City. f. Discussion: Update on Pool and Recreation Funds – K. Paschall Ms. Paschall noted that with the pool not opening again this coming summer that the funding normally used to operate the pool would be again used for pool alternative programming. She gave a brief overview of what the funds would be used for and the types of programs that would be offered. Discussion regarding how many people participated last year and additional programming within the City followed. Additional questions regarding the status of the pool were raised. It was noted that the existing pool is not repairable and a new pool will be necessary. Current proposals have been received from the engineer and are being reviewed by the pool committee. The committee will be going to the commission early in the new year with their analysis. g. Discussion: Update on Hotel Project – R. Coffey Mayor Leonard recused himself from the discussion due to a family connection related to construction and stepped out of the chambers. Deputy Mayor Corrigan presided over this item. Mr. Audy stated that Mr. Dubroff is here to give an update on the design of the hotel. Mr. Dubroff stated that the proposed building has been reduced in size to 49,000sqft down from 71,000sqft. He currently has an application in with Hilton for their new Tru brand of hotel that is targeted to millennials and has smaller room sizes. Mr. Dubroff stated he should hear back in thirty days. He noted that the lobby would be more interactive and allow flow through to the Riverwalk. Mr. Dubroff stated he anticipates breaking ground in early spring. Currently work is being done with the City and the CCRPC regarding remediation work which will begin in the next few weeks. Mr. Dubroff introduced Bruce Rosenbaum who gave a presentation on steampunk design and how it relates to Winooski. He explained that steampunk is a fusion of past, present, and future. The design of the hotel will tell the story of the history of the area. The site of the hotel was formerly a machine shop and a hotel in the late 1800’s. Mr. Dubroff expressed a desire to give the hotel a connection to the community. Discussion regarding an agreement for parking with St. Stephen’s Church, the parking study, zoning requirements, and Act 250 application status followed. Mr. Coffey stated that the City anticipates a completed parking study in early 2017. A stakeholder meeting will be held in December regarding the parking which will be open to downtown residents and business holders to attend. Mayor Leonard returned to the chambers to resume presiding over the meeting. h. Approval: Request to Correct Manifest Errors in Grand List – R. Coffey Mr. Coffey stated that these are a few additional errors brought forward by our contracted assessor, Ted Nelson. MOTION by Councilor Millar, seconded by Deputy Mayor Corrigan to approve the correction of manifest errors in the grand list as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. i. Approval: 2017 Holiday Schedule – R. Coffey It was noted that any Council meetings that would conflict with a City holiday would be moved to the following Tuesday. MOTION by Deputy Mayor Corrigan, seconded by Councilor Millar to approve the 2017 holiday schedule as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. Minutes of December 5, 2016 Winooski City Council Page 4 of 5 www.winooskivt.org j. Discussion: Update of Use of City Property for Events Policy – R. Coffey Mr. Coffey noted that this is an item that has been needed. He noted that a prior policy had been approved in 2011; however, the document did not give much direction to staff. Ms. Carrington reviewed the proposed changes to the current policy. Discussion regarding the possibility for vendors to purchase parking for their event followed. Ms. Carrington reviewed in detail the new application process that would be used that includes more information and ensures that those hosting events are aware of requirements ahead of time. Discussion regarding back up for the receipt of applications and fees followed. It was noted that the fees chapter of ordinance would be presented to Council at the next scheduled meeting. Mr. Coffey and Ms. Carrington stated that the intent of the policy is to manage staff capacity. Council requested clarification surrounding the language of non sequential events, a change from taxpayers to residents, and that past event organizers be notified in advance to the changes in our process. Discussion of the appeals process followed. Maura O’Neill with the WCP expressed support for this policy and her excitement about working with Ms. Carrington in the future. VIII. Executive Session MOTION by Councilor Mace, seconded by Deputy Mayor Corrigan to enter executive session with Ray Coffey at 8:10pm to discuss personnel issues for reasons of privacy and contract negotiations that would put the City at a disadvantage if discussed in open session. Voted and passed 4-0. It was noted that during executive session no action would be taken and that Council would only reconvene to adjourn. IX. Adjourn MOTION by Councilor Millar, seconded by Councilor Mace to adjourn the City Council meeting at 8:45pm. Voted and passed 4-0. ATTEST: ___________________________ Assistant City Clerk Minutes of December 5, 2016 Winooski City Council Page 5 of 5 www.winooskivt.org