City Council

27 WEST ALLEN STREET WINOOSKI, VERMONT 05404 (802) 655-6410 CITY OF WINOOSKI (802) 655-6414 (fax) JESSIE BAKER CITY MANAGER MAYOR SETH LEONARD COUNCILOR ERIC COVEY sleonard@winooskivt.org DEPUTY MAYOR BRIAN CORRIGAN CITY COUNCIL COUNCILOR NICOLE MACE COUNCILOR BRIAN SWEENEY bcorrigan@winooskivt.org Agenda Monday, June 5, 2017 6:00 P.M. CLAIRE BURKE COUNCIL CHAMBER I. Call to Order II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Agenda Review IV. Public Comment V. Consent Agenda a.Approval: City Council Minutes of May 15 & 16, 2017 and Liquor Control Minutes of May 15, 2017 b.Approval: Payroll Warrant as of 5/7-5/20/2017, Accounts Payable Warrant as of 06/1/2017, and Subsequent to Payout Warrant for April 2017 c. Approval: Library Page Job Description d. Approval: Emergency Fire Station Roof Replacement e. Approval: Sullivan Powers & Co, P.C. Audit Engagement Letter f. Approval: Annual Financial Plan – Town Highways g. Approval: Purchasing Policy h. Approval: Grant and Major Donations Policy i. Approval: Local Emergency Operations Plan VI. City Update VII. Council Reports VIII. Regular Items a. Approval: Appoint Ted Regula as Representative to Chittenden Solid Waste District Board – J. Baker b. Approval: Appoint Bryn Oakleaf as Alternate to Chittenden Solid Waste District Board – J. Baker c. Approval: Chittenden Solid Waste District FY2018 Budget – J. Baker d. Approval: FY2018 Library Programs Use of Reserves – R. Coffey e. Discussion: Sales Tax Reallocation Application – H. Carrington f. Discussion: Housing Commission Charter – H. Carrington g. Approval: Tax Increment Financing District Use of Reserves City Lights Sidewalk Improvements – J. Baker h. Approval: Community Justice Center Grant Amendment – R. Hebert i. Discussion: FY2018 Community Justice Center Budget – R. Hebert j. Discussion: Information Technology Policy – J. Baker k. Approval: FY2018 Parking Budget – J. Baker l. Approval: FY2018 Community Development Budget – H. Carrington m. Approval: FY2018 Tax Increment Financing District Budget – J. Baker n. Approval: Appoint Jessie Baker to Joint Survey Committee – J. Baker IX. Executive Session a. Discussion: Fraternal Order of Police Contract Negotiations X. Adjourn MINUTES June 5, 2017 Winooski City Council The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Deputy Mayor Brian Corrigan. Members Present: Mayor Seth Leonard Councilors: Brian Corrigan, Brian Sweeney, Nicole Mace, Eric Covey Officers Present: Jessie Baker, City Manager; Carol Barrett, City Clerk; Angela Aldieri, Staff Accountant; Ray Coffey, Community Service Director; Heather Carrington, Economic Development Director; John Audy, Code Enforcement Director; Richard Hebert, Police Chief, Eliah Ferree, CJC Director; Kirstie Paschall, Thrive Director Others Present: Michelle O’Donnell, CJC staff; Bryn Oakleaf, Maura O’Neil, WCP; Kelsey Adams, WCP; Roland Dion, Eric Lind III. Agenda Review – None IV. Public Comment – None V. Consent Agenda MOTION by Councilor Sweeney seconded by Councilor Corrigan to approve the Liquor Control Meeting of May 15, 2017 as presented. Voted and passed 3-0-1 Councilor Mace abstained. MOTION by Councilor Mace seconded by Councilor Sweeney to approve the consent agenda as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. VI. City Update The City Manager gave the following updates: • Community Program Funds – Staff to make a recommendation at your next council meeting. If there is a Councilor who would like to participate, please let me know. (10 applications ) • Reminder: Council Priorities discussion will be on Saturday, June 24th. We will also set the tax rate that day • Orchard Terrace - New water line on Orchard Terrace is being activated tomorrow. Curbing and sidewalks being started this week followed by paving. We anticipate that this work, including paving, will be completed by mid-July. • Staff met with the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission last week to go over their initial review of the City’s Master plan in preparation for the upcoming rewrite. We hope this will be one focus of the discussion on June 24th. • Marketing and Branding - We anticipate that our consultant, Michael Bento, will be here the week of July 10th (attending the Farmer’s Market the day before), holding stakeholder meetings, and hosting a community dinner to get input on the City’s future brand. • Next week we will be releasing a community survey that will inform the Economic Development Strategic Plan. • BTV will be holding a Noise Compatibility Program Update Open House on Wednesday, June 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 2nd level of BTV. All are welcome! If you cannot attend, information can be found at btvsound.com. • Events o Discover Jazzfest is underway in Winooski from June 2nd – June 11th, and that the first Winooski Wednesday concert on June 7th will be part of Jazzfest. o 1st Concert in the Park is this Wednesday, June 7th, at 6 PM in Rotary Park featuring Sabouyouma (West African Group). Huge thanks to Downtown Winooski for sponsoring these events and Waterworks Food + Drink for donating their amazing sound system! o Reminder that the Winooski Farmers’ Market has opened for the season and takes place on Sundays from 10am to 2pm. o June 10th: 10-12 noon Memorial Park Interpretive Walk – Re-explore the newly renovated Memorial Park! Join #Winooski Parks and Rec. staff with UVM Associate Professor of Archeology John Crock and Winooski Valley Park District Programs Director Lauren Chicote for an interpretive walk through one of Vermont’s most archeologically sensitive sites. Learn about the historical and natural relevancy of this important Winooski park June 5, 2017 Winooski City Council  while enjoying the outdoors! Many thanks to Environmental Products and Services of Vermont for helping our Parks staff do a significant clean up this summer. They helped us remove 3.3 tons of trash! • At the end of May, Ray hosted a delegation of visitors from Armenia, here through a US Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program for a 2 hour discussion on refugee resettlement. This was a very positive discussion and we believe will lead to professional partnerships in the future. • Staff Updates: o Colleen Sullivan, our AmeriCorps VISTA Food Systems Specialist recently sat on a panel at the Hunger Council of Chittenden County to represent the City and speak to other professionals about her work here in Winooski. o Paul Sarne recently received his Associates in Multimedia Communications from CCV. He’s been carrying a full course load during his two years of service! o Aphaia Lambert –Harper (our Recreation Assistant) just graduated from UVM with a degree in Political Science and Religion VII. Council Reports Councilor Covey said there is no update on the Public Safety Committee. Councilor Sweeney also said there is no update on the Community Services Committee. The Mayor thanked the staff for a great Memorial Day Parade. He said he met with Charlie Baker and they discussed the City and the Airport working together and having a strategic and positive meeting. We need to put on the June 19 agenda a Resolution “World Refugee Day” June 20, Councilor Corrigan said the Bridge Committee meeting started on June 1, 2017 and the meeting was 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon. He suggested we have an alternate because he will not be able to make some of the meetings if they are in the afternoon. He stated Burlington schedules the meetings. Councilor Mace said she has met with the Treasurer and is looking forward to meeting with Jessie. VII. Regular Items a. Approval: Appoint Ted Regula as Representative to Chittenden Solid Waste District Board MOTION by Councilor Corrigan seconded by Councilor Covey to appoint Ted Regula to the Chittenden Solid Waste District Board as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. b. Approval: Appoint Bryn Oakleaf as Alternate to Chittenden Solid Waste District Board Ms. Oakleaf said she has worked for ANR for the last 5 years within the Solid Waste Program and she has been a resident of Winooski for 6 years. MOTION by Councilor Mace seconded by Councilor Corrigan to appoint Bryn Oakleaf as alternate to the Chittenden Solid Waste District Board. As presented. Voted and passed 4-0. c. Approval: Chittenden Solid Waste District FY2018 Budget The Mayor stated the Chittenden Solid Waste District presented the FY2018 Budget at the previous meeting. MOTION by Councilor Covey seconded by Councilor Sweeney to approve the FY2018 Chittenden Solid Waste District as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. See attached. - Public Comment: Mr. Lind said he arrived late for public comment. The Mayor explained the Public Comment process. Mr. Lind of 75 Main St. said he has lived there for almost 30 years. There have been changes to the on street parking and adjustments around my driveway. The paint has faded and it is difficult for me to get into my driveway when I have my boat. I have made several attempts to the Public Works Dept and Code Enforcement and no response. The City Manager noted the complaint and will look into it. d. Approval: FY2018 Library Programs Use of Reserves Mr. Coffey updated the Mayor and Council concerning the STEP Library Assistant position description that had been previously approved by the City Council on May 18, 2015. The sole update is a change in the funding source, as we June 5, 2017 Winooski City Council anticipate funding this position from the Library Program budget as opposed to the General Fund budget as in past years. This position, which will be included in the City’s Summer Teen Employment program, will entail 12 hours/week (two of which will be committed to the STEP Program’s job skills training) and will run from June 19, 2017 – August 12, 2017. Mr. Coffey said we have already received City Manager approval to amend the current year budget to reflect the anticipated costs between June 19 and June 30 (current fiscal year). He said we are requesting approval in the Regular Items section of the Council agenda for the authorization to use Library Program reserves in FY2018 to fund the position between July 1, 2017 and August 12, 2017. The majority of the expense will be covered by the aforementioned FY2017 donation, but give that the program straddles fiscal years we are requested to make a request for use of reserves to access those funds as of July 12, 2017. See attached 2017 program budget report. MOTION by Councilor Corrigan seconded by Councilor Covey to approve the request for FY018 use of Library reserves. Voted and passed 4-0. e. Discussion: Sales Tax Reallocation Application Ms. Carrington said the City staff has been approached by 111 East Allen Street, LLC with a request to assist in accessing sales tax reallocation funds through the Vt. Downtown Program for public infrastructure improvements in support of a redevelopment project at 111 East Allen St. The proposed project is located at the corner of East Allen St and East St across from City Lights. The City staff was approached because these applications must come from a local government entity and the funds are allocated to the municipality for infrastructure in support of private development. She said the staff is considering making application to the Vermont Downtown Program for Sales Tax Reallocation for the project. The 6% sales tax for eligible construction materials would be allocated to the City of Winooski for use on associated infrastructure improvements. Based on construction estimates for the proposed project, eligible sales tax funds would be approximately $30,000. Proposed use of the funds would include brick paver public sidewalks and street trees to define the corner of East Allen St. and East St, in keeping with the overall streetscape design of the downtown. The new streetscape will create a sense of arrival in the downtown and enhance the commercial and retail viability of the east side of Winooski’s downtown area. The application process will be overseen by the Community and economic Development Officer should Council approve the application The proposed project has not yet been through the municipal permitting process, and will require internal staff plan review and City Council approval of the proposed design. However, since sales tax reallocation, applications are only considered once per year and applications must be made prior to substantial completion of a project, the 2017 round of funding will be the only possible application window for this project. This request is for approval for application for sales tax reallocation only. Approval of redevelopment plans for 111 East Allen Street will be a separate agenda item for City Council later. Use of these funds will be contingent upon approval of redevelopment plans by City Council. See attached guidelines. Ms. Carrington stated this is the only project that she has been approached about for sales tax reallocation. The City Manager said this application process only happens once a year, this is our opportunity now to apply for this funding. This does not suggest approval of the project in its entirety. Because the project is, in the TIF District the project would still come to you for permitting and so the project could stop at that point, but because of the timing of this grant application this is the time we have to come to you for a discussion of the application. Ms. Carrington said they have 12 months to start construction after being awarded that funding. The City Manager said if we’re awarded these funds and if this project moved forward with permitting it would then come to the City for the FY2019 Capital Planning process to say is this a larger streetscape improvement project that we want to take on through other funding sources. The wrapping in that corner would be part of this project but would we want to pair that with other dollars to do the full streetscape redesign or are other development projects happening in that area that might also be able to fund that work in the future. The Mayor stated that we have a very good record of accomplishment with this program. Ms. O’Neil stated the Winooski Community Partnership would write a letter in support of the project. f. Discussion: Housing Commission Charter Ms. Carrington said at the May 1st City Council meeting she brought a recommendation from the Planning Commission to the City Council recommending a housing commission be established and you asked me to come back with a Charter for Housing Commission. The City Manager said there is one slightly different thing that we are bringing to your attention, which is the vision for this commission. This group could change over time, so it would be a policy setting board with an extension of your body and the Planning Commission. Depending on the findings over time, help guide staff to make operational decisions about housing loans, or first time home buyer programs or whatever those municipal tools are that we chose to activate in the future as the result of the master plan. We have built it so that the Housing Commission reports to June 5, 2017 Winooski City Council the Planning Commission, or on policy related issues as do the other commissions but may report to you if they end up making financial allocation recommendations because you hold that authority the Planning Commission does not. Councilor Mace said under paragraph “Purpose” it seems like were replicating the work that we have done for the housing needs assessment. I thought we had a comprehensive analysis that is one piece. Is it duplicative or are there problems with that report. Ms. Carrington said our hope is to bring partners to that who have a great deal of experience with housing and different perspective on housing and while UVM is a great assessment to that, there are deeper levels of analysis that might prove useful. The Mayor said what this body can do is ask what we would like to have done; we would like to hear recommendations before we make up our own stuff. The proposals that we put forth in the housing needs assessment, we would like to see those analyzed and brought back in terms of determination. This body has actually done this and passed it down to the Planning Commission, and this is where it is going. I think that change is clear. Councilor Mace understands that we have a charter process and a commission process that you want to have some alignment. This to me is missing key things. One, there is not any kind of a reference to the strategic vision statement which talks about, if this group is setting City wide goals for housing. It is important to me that they be aligned with the vision that we have established and that we are going to be talking about later this month. I am not feeling comfortable about a group that is three steps removed working on housing without any real clear direction from the Council in terms of the goals. I thought we had been clear about and we were clear in our response to that report, around some area we thought were worthy of further examination and it has just rather been on hold. I am concerned about, I know having served on a few commissions there is a fair amount of startup time, a lot of staff support that is necessary and not sure who’s going to apply to serve on the commission like this. We have a great track record in the City of attracting tremendous volunteers. The Mayor said #1 this is cookie cutter and I think it is to create the commission and I think there can be a risk of getting to specific. You want to be able to look at this document again in a year or two. It is still relevant and it does not reference something that is too focused, so I think we need to find a different means and I appreciate the concerns and understand that it’s not in here. You have very specific outcomes that you like to see, and we jointly do. We do not want to see the wheel recreated. We have a report that has specific recommendations, not flimsy things that are backed by data information and research. Maybe there is a different way of reassuring that is the work that is going to be done with the group. Ms. Carrington said reference to the strategic vision; it is in alignment with the strategic vision. It makes a lot of sense to me and that would be ongoing. The Mayor said that makes perfect sense, but what we are looking for is very specific outcomes. We want the housing needs analyzed while the data is still fresh and relevant, and that has been the chief driver of this being created and in addition to this being one of the recommendations that was there. Councilor Mace appreciates the Planning Commission having responsibility in this domain and that it’s appropriate that the housing commission regularly report to the Planning Commission. I would also want reports to come to this body as well, particularly on the issues that we have asked for; more analysis and recommendations. There are specific recommendations that we want to know whether to implement and how. I would want to insure we have regular communication with Council The City Manager said for the record there is a series of conversations and recommendations coming out of the staff and Planning Commission around reacting to the recommendations and the housing needs assessment. The first of those ideas is to create this commission to do this work and that recommendation is in the record. I think there is a way we could refer to that not necessarily create it in to the Charter, but have it be a complimentary document that says; remember this is the series of recommendations that came out of the housing needs assessment and the Planning Commissions review of that document. This was the first part of that recommendation, but from that the rest of this work needs to follow. I think there is a way we could bring that back to you at the next meeting. I think it will achieve the goals, Nicole that you are looking to achieve. The Mayor said we would like this group to play a role on how those decisions are made. Councilor Covey said he likes the idea of a separate document that we can pass down from this body saying this is some task for this commission to look into. Councilor Mace said if this is a policy body then why are they reporting to the Planning Commission, The Mayor said the Planning Commission is the steward of the master plan and zoning. It is important for the people who are approving land use regulations in the master plan, are the entities that also understand how we are approaching something like housing. Councilor Mace said she would like a document and here are the Councils priorities for this work. The Charter is the document that can be general and consistent with the other charters. The City Manager’s suggestion is that it be accompanied with a sort of framework for the work, makes sense but we are on the brink to reorient that work and the immediate work we are going to discuss on the 24th is how do we get there from here. How June 5, 2017 Winooski City Council do we articulate for the commissions the work we need them to do to get to that master plan and then how do we orient future zoning changes and commissions work around that resulting master plan? We have done it in reverse and that is why it is challenging right now. g. Approval: Tax Increment Financing District Use of Reserves City Lights Sidewalk Improvements The City Manager is recommending the Council allocate up to $36,593 from the TIF Reserves to reimburse EIV Technical Services for public infrastructure work at 106 East Allen St. The allocation of TIF Reserves is to fund paver installation at Winooski City Lights (106East Allen) in the Downtown District. The estimate is to be between $35,000 and $60,000. She said we received quotes for this work and the contract indicates that this work would be completed for no more than $36,593. If approved, and once the work is complete, the City will reimburse the contractor on submitted invoices. See attached. MOTION by Councilor Corrigan seconded by Councilor Covey to approve the allocation for $36,593.00 from TIF Reserves to fund Public Infrastructure at 106 East Allen St. Voted and passed 4-0. h. Approval Community Justice Center Grant Amendment Mr. Ferree briefed the Mayor and Council on the Grant Amendment. The purpose of the grant is to provide offender reentry support and resource navigation and provide restorative reintegration panels for offenders reentering the Winooski community. This amendment extends the existing grant by one year for an additional amount of $130,000.00. See attached grant. MOTION by Councilor Covey seconded by Councilor Mace to approve the Community Justice Center Base grant amendment as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. i. Discussion: FY2018 Community Justice Center Budget Mr. Ferree presented the FY2018 Community Justice Center Budget. He also outlined the FY017 accomplishments and proposed expenses and revenues budget. Councilor Mace asked why there was more money in FY017 in the “other” line item. Mr. Ferree said this amount of money on the revenue side was left over from a previous employee, so this left us with a couple of options. He said he used it for staff development. The Mayor thanked them for doing amazing work. j. Discussion: Information Technology Policy The City Manager said one this policy is being recommended because it is Best Practice, two it was an audit finding this year and this is a policy that the auditor’s said we should have in place. The Mayor said this is a guide for us from our perspectives. See Attached Info Technology Policy. k. Approval: FY2018 Parking Budget The City Manager said we discussed this budget at our last City Council meeting. This budget reflects staff recommendation towards moving forward with recommendations outline in the parking study specifically around; adding capacity for management, adding communications capacity for funding, signage access control and managing the growth demand. We wanted to correct one thing, which is the $7500.00 for Winooski Community Partnership is reflected in this parking budget it was not in General Fund. The Mayor said he would encourage anybody who saw this on the agenda tonight and expected an expansive presentation to go back and watch the last meeting regarding the budget. See attached budget. MOTION by Councilor Covey seconded by Councilor Corrigan to approve the FY2018 Parking budget as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. l. Approval: FY2018 Community Development Budget The City Manager said this budget was presented at our last City Council meeting. The significant changes that staff put together as we did lowers the revenue into this repayment of this note to the City to $300,000.00 oppose to $400,000.00 to maintain the TIF budget and covers the capacity for Heather, communications capacity and for master plan facilitation. The Mayor said he would encourage anybody who saw this on the agenda tonight and expected an expansive presentation to go back and watch the last meeting regarding the budget. See attached budget. MOTION by Councilor Mace seconded by Councilor Corrigan to approve the FY2018 Community Development budget as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. m. Approval: FY2018 Tax Increment Financing District Budget The City Manager said this budget was presented at our last City Council meeting. We decreased the payout of Community Development Corporation note of $300,000.00 and doubled the appropriation of legal expenses based on actual usage last June 5, 2017 Winooski City Council year. It went from $20,000.00 prior to $40,000.00 in this budget. I will note at the Downtown Association meeting last week they also doubled their legal budget. See attached budget. MOTION by Councilor Mace seconded by Councilor Covey to approve the FY2018 Tax Increment Financing District budget as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. n. Approval: Appoint Jessie Baker to Joint Survey Committee MOTION by Councilor Sweeney seconded by Councilor Corrigan to appoint Jessie Baker to the Regional Dispatch Joint Survey Committee as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. IX. Executive Session a. Discussion: Fraternal Order of Police Contract Negotiations MOTION by Councilor Corrigan seconded by Councilor Mace to go into Executive Session at 7:50 p.m. to discuss the Fraternal Order of Police Contract Negotiations and to invite Jessie Baker, Ray Coffey, Angela Aldieri and Rick Hebert in to executive session as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. X. Adjourn: MOTION by Councilor Mace seconded by Councilor Sweeney to adjourn the City Council meeting at 8:07 p.m. Voted and passed 4-0. ATTEST:____________________________ City Clerk June 5, 2017 Winooski City Council