City Council

Winooski City Council Meeting Monday, May 20, 2019 6:00 PM Claire Burke Council Chambers 27 West Allen Street - Winooski, VT 05404 Mayor Kristine Lott - klott@winooskivt.gov Councilor Hal Colston - hcolston@winooskivt.gov Councilor Jim Duncan - jduncan@winooskivt.gov Councilor Amy Lafayette - alafayette@winooskivt.gov Councilor Mike Myers - mmyers@winooskivt.gov Jessie Baker, City Manager - jbaker@winooskivt.gov I. Call to Order II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Agenda Review IV. Public Comment V. Consent Agenda a. Approval: City Council Minutes of May 6, 2019 b. Approval: Payroll Warrant ending 04/21/2019 to 05/04/2019 and Warrant ending May 17, 2019 c. Approval: Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission PAC Appointment d. Approval: Capital Improvement Plan Amendment for Fire Dept. e. Approval: Hickok Street Watermain Replacement – Engineering Serv Agreement Amendment 3 VI. City Update VII. Council Reports VIII. Regular Items a. Approval: Event Permit: Winooski Farmers Market – H Carrington b. Approval: Event Permit: Winooski Wednesdays – H Carrington IX. Public Hearing: 6:05 p.m. a. Discussion/Approval: Chapter 29 Tree Ordinance X. Regular Items c. Discussion: Airport Briefing – History– J Baker d. Discussion/Approval: Airport Resolution – J Baker e. Discussion: Chittenden Solid Waste District Budget – S Reeves f. Approval: Appointment: Bryn Oakleaf as the Winooski Representative to the Chittenden Solid Waste District and Candice Holbrook to serve as the Alternate – J Baker g. Discussion: Chittenden County Public Safety Authority Briefing – J Baker h. Discussion/Approval: Security Camera and Server Replacement -Fund Balance Request – J Rauscher i. Discussion/Approval: O’Brien Community Center Lease – Howard Center Lease Amendment – R Coffey IX. Adjourn  MINUTES The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Myers. Members Present: Mayor Kristine Lott Councilors:James Duncan, Amy Lafayette, Michael Myers. Councilor Colston was absent. Officers Present: Jessie Baker, City Manager; Janet Brouard, Sr Asst City Clerk; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director; Heather Carrington, Economic Development Director; Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director; John Audy, Fire Chief; Rick Hebert, Police Chief; Alicia Finley, Park & Recreation Manager; Others Present: Marguerite Adelman, Robert Ackland, Kelsey Adams, Meredith Bay-Tyack, Bryn Oakleaf, Sarah Reeves, Executive Director of CSWD; Lucy Gluck, Judy Lance, Michael Morris, Michelle Palardy, Kelly Coffey, Fiona Griffin. III. Agenda Review – None IV. Public Comment – None V. Consent Agenda MOTION by Councilor Lafayette seconded by Councilor Myers to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Voted and passed 3-0. VI. City Update  Thanks to all who came out for Public Safety Hero’s Day yesterday! Beautiful day and a special thanks to all of our first responders who give so much of themselves.  Thanks to the City Clerk’s office for staffing the special school election on May 7 th  Vermont Economic Progress Council will be here on Friday, May 31 st for their annual TIF monitoring site visit.  BTV will be releasing the Noise Exposure Map at a scheduled meeting at the Airport on May 29th. They will be holding a special Winooski meeting on May 30 th from 5:00 to 7:00 at the OCC. Open house so come when you can.  2019-2020 Policy Priorities and Strategies Retreat will be held on June 1st – at the OCC from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Leadership has been developing materials in advance of that discussion. Our hope is to have these out to you by Wednesday of this week for your review. VII. Council Reports Councilor Myers said he was unable to attend the Public Works Commission meeting. Councilor Lafayette said that Downtown Winooski had its first meeting since hiring the new Director. We are very excited to have Meredith on board and here tonight. Mayor Lott asked if anyone was interested in attending the Community Services Meeting since Councilor Colston is unable to attend. She attended the Planning Commission meeting. They are moving right along with the Gateway Zoning, Historical Preservation and streamlining the permit process, Councilor Duncan said that he was not able to make the Public Safety meeting however he did meet with the Chief. He said the Public Safety Day was a huge success. He was pleased with the turn out. VIII. Regular Items a. Approval: Event Permit: Winooski Farmers Market Ms. Carrington said that City Staff has received an event application from the DWTN Winooski for the Winooski Farmers Market to be held Sundays, May 26 through October 27, 2019 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. The downtown organization proposes to hold the event on the city owned property in front of the Champlain Mill once again this year, rather than closing Winooski Falls Way. The proposal included a request to close 9 parking spaces along Winooski Falls Way from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm each Sunday. City department heads have specified the following conditions for permit approval. • DWTN Winooski staff will be present to run the market • Set-up and breakdown will be completed by DWTN staff • DWTN Winooski will communicate with the Downtown Association to verify that use of the bus stop bathrooms is permissible again this year. • The OCC will no longer provide meals storage for the free meals program, as the space will be leased. Ms. Carrington says in accordance with all this, staff recommends approval for this event. MOTION by Councilor Duncan seconded by Councilor Myers to approve the Event Permit for Winooski Farmers Market as presented. Voted and passed 3-0. b. Approval: Event Permit: Winooski Wednesdays Event Ms. Carrington said that the Winooski Department of Recreation and Parks has submitted an application to hold the Winooski Wednesday free concert series in Rotary Park for the third year. The proposed event would be held on the first Wednesday of every month from June through October, 2019. As in past years, the following requirements will be met; • Monkey House will be catering (catering permit required) • The event will use the same barrier layout as last year for cordoning off the alcohol service area. • Ms. Finley will do outreach to businesses to encourage cross-promotional take-out/dine in specials for event dates. Ms. Carrington said staff also recommends approval for this event. MOTION by Councilor Lafayette seconded by Councilor Myers to approve the Event Permit for Winooski Wednesdays as presented. Voted and passed 3-0. IX. Public Hearing a. Discussion/Approval: Chapter 29 Tree Ordinance The Mayor opened the Public Hearing at 6:18 pm. Councilor Duncan gave an overview of the proposed ordinance. Discussion ensued with participation from the audience. MOTION by Councilor Duncan seconded by Councilor Myers to approve the Tree Ordinance as presented. Voted and passed 3-0. The Mayor closed the Public Hearing at 8:22 pm and resumed the Regular City Council Meeting. X. Regular Items c. Discussion: Airport Briefing –History The City Manager said given the upcoming release of the Airport’s Noise Exposure Map, we wanted to provide a historical briefing to the Council tonight. Ms. Baker said that the City has been working with the Burlington International Airport and the VT Air National Guard for the past 3 years on the relationships between all parties and specifically on the arrivals of the F-35’s. She said that the Winooski residents approved a referendum opposing the federal decision to base the F-35’s at the Airport and asked the City to join a lawsuit seeking to prevent the planes from coming. She said the City spent close to $12,000 in legal fees associated with the lawsuit. In August of 2016 the lawsuit was dismissed, thus clearing the way for the F-35’s to be located at the airport. Ms. Baker said that the City is making sure that the Winooski residents’ voices are being heard. Several members of the audience were in attendance to voice their opinions. Discussion ensued. d. Discussion/Approval: Airport Resolution The City Manager said we have the following Resolution for discussion/approval. This Resolution opposes the Basing of Any Nuclear Weapon Delivery System in the State of Vermont. There were several citizens in the audience in favor of this resolution and strongly encouraged the Council to pass it. After lengthy discussion the Mayor asked for a motion to this Resolution. MOTION by Councilor Duncan seconded by Councilor Lafayette to approve the Airport Resolution as presented. Voted and passed 3-1, Councilor Myers voted no. Skipped to item f. CSWD Representative delayed. f. Approval: Appointment: Bryn Oakleaf as the Winooski Representative to the Chittenden Solid Waste District and Candice Holbrook to serve as the Alternate. The City Manager said that both Bryn and Candice have served as our Rep’s for the past two years. Unfortunately Candice could not be here but Bryn is and at this time she invited Bryn up. Ms. Oakleaf gave a brief history of her tenure at CSWD. She is very passionate about their mission and hopes to continue for years to come. MOTION by Councilor Myers seconded by Councilor Lafayette to appoint Bryn Oakleaf as Winooski Representative and Candice Holbrook as the alternative to CSWD. Voted and passed 3-0. g. Discussion: Chittenden County Public Safety Authority Briefing The City Manager invited both chiefs to come up. She said that we currently staff our dispatching needs in the Police department. Their position is 24/7/365 with one on staff at all times. She said Winooski dispatched approximately 10,000 calls last year. The dispatchers provide most of the administrative duties for the Police Department as well as provides 24/7 customer support. She said that neighboring communities along with Winooski have discussed the idea of regional dispatch for decades. After a positive vote from all but one neighboring town on Town Meeting Day 2018, the Chittenden County Public Safety Authority (CCPSA) was established. This district was established to provide county dispatch needs that would enhance response time and greater mutual aid. Since the formation of this district, we are moving forward at a fast pace and are looking, if all goes as planned to begin the centralized dispatch service by July, 2020. The Council appreciated the update and looks forward to the future progress. e. Discussion: Chittenden Solid Waste District Budget The City Manager said Sarah Reeves, Executive Director of the CSWD is here to present an overview of the FY20 budget. Ms. Reeves gave a lengthy and in-depth breakdown of what the CSWD has accomplished over the last year, what their goals are for the upcoming year and what areas of business are changing and those that are remaining constant. She said they currently serve 156,000 people along with 6,000 businesses. Their current funding sources are user fees, tax on trash and material sales. She said for the sixth year in a row, they are not recommending an increase. They are, however, charging now for those individuals who bring in just recyclables a fee of $2.00 per visit. She wanted to let the Council know that the District is currently researching building a new facility. They will be talking much more about this over the next 12-18 months. The Mayor thanked her for taking the time to be here tonight.  h. Discussion/Approval: Security Camera and Server Replacement- Fund Balance Request Mr. Rauscher said that he and Chief Hebert are here tonight to make a fund balance request to replace existing city-wide cameras and server. The existing camera system is way beyond its useful life. The replacement work includes six cameras located within the police department, seven pole and building mounted cameras and 16 cameras within Cascade parking garage. Work will also include replacement of the server within the police department for camera networking and operations. MOTION by Councilor Lafayette seconded by Councilor Duncan to approve the Security Camera and Server Replacement-Fund Balance Request as presented. Voted and passed 3- 0. i. Discussion/Approval: O’Brien Community Center Lease – Howard Center Lease Amendment The City Manager said in preparation for the full transition of the Community Services Department to the O’Brien Community Center on July 1, 2019, the City requested the ability to use a previously vacant office in the Winooski Family Center effect April 1. This lease amendment codifies that the agreement between the City and the Howard Center, and formally amends the Howard Center’s lease which is due to expire on June 30, 2019. At this time we request authorization for the City manager to execute the attached lease amendment MOTION by Councilor Myers seconded by Councilor Duncan to approve the O’Brien Community Center Lease –Howard Center Lease Amendment as presented. Voted and passed 3-0 IX. Adjourn MOTION by Councilor Duncan seconded by Councilor Lafayette to adjourn the City Council Meeting at 8:47 pm. Voted and passed 3-0. ___________________________________________ City Clerk