City Council

Mayor Kristine Lott - klott@winooskivt.gov Councilor Hal Colston - hcolston@winooskivt.gov Councilor Jim Duncan - jduncan@winooskivt.gov Councilor Mike Myers - mmyers@winooskivt.gov Councilor Bryn Oakleaf – boakleaf@winooskivt.gov Winooski City Council Hybrid Meeting Monday, September 20, 2021 at 6:00 PM Attend Online: https://www.us06web.zoom.us/j/87976951015 Attend by Phone 1 646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 879 7695 1015 Attend in person: Winooski City Hall (27 West Allen Street) - Masks and 6' distancing required I. Call to Order II. Agenda Review III. Public Comment IV. Consent Agenda a. Approval: City Council & Liquor Control Minutes of September 7, 2021 b. Approval: Accounts Payable Warrant as of 9/15/21 and Payroll Warrant for period 8/22/21- 9/4/21 and Subsequent to Payout for July c. Approval: Long Term Financial Planning V. Council Reports VI. City Updates VII. Regular Items a. Discussion: Mayor’s Memo - City Manager Hiring Process Update – K Lott b. Discussion: City Manager Candidate Presentation – K Lott & P Townsend c. Approval: Welcoming Week Proclamation – K Lott d. Discussion: Goal Update – Municipal Infrastructure – J Rauscher e. Discussion: End of Fiscal Year Review – A Anastasi-Hill f. Discussion/Approval: Position Description Update: Recreation and Parks Manager – R Coffey g. Discussion/Approval: Position Description – Communications Manager – P Townsend & H Carrington h. Approval: Updates to Charter & Position Description for Winooski Memorial Library Committee – R Coffey i. Discussion/Approval: Howard Center Contract – J Rauscher VIII. Executive Session a. Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A § 313 (3) the appointment or employment or evaluation of a Public Officer or employee (City Manager Hiring Process Recommendations) - P Townsend, K Lott & Y Gordon b. Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (2) the negotiation of real estate purchase or lease options related to Lot 7D (Abenaki Way) – J Rauscher, P Townsend & K Lott IX. Adjourn  MINUTES The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. Members Present: Mayor Kristine Lott Councilors: Hal Colston, Michael Myers, Bryn Oakleaf, Councilor Duncan arrived at 6:04 p.m. Officers Present: Phoebe Townsend and Jon Rauscher, Co-Interim City Managers; Carol Barrett, City Clerk; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director: Alex Anastasi-Hill, City Treasurer; Paul Sarne, Communications Coordinator; Ray Coffey, Community Services Director; Rick Hebert, Police Chief; Janet Brouard, Sr. Asst. City Clerk; Nate Eddy, Librarian; Yazmin Gordon, Equity Director. Others Present: Marguerite Ladd, Sheldon Goodwin, Sarah Van Ryckevorsel, Nicole Mace, Aurora Hurd, Amy, Robin, Maura Carroll, Steven Berbeco, Daisy Berbeco, Andrew Garami, Michael O’Brien, Luna. II. Agenda Review – None III. Public Comment – None IV. Consent Agenda MOTION by Councilor Colston seconded by Councilor Myers to approve the Accounts Payable Warrant as of 9/15/21, Payroll Warrant for period 8/22/21; Subsequent to Payout for July and Long Term Financial Planning as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. MOTION by Councilor Myers seconded by Councilor Colston to approve the City Council and Liquor Control minutes of September 7, 2021 as presented. Voted and passed. 3-0-1. Councilor Oakleaf abstained. V. Council Reports Councilor Oakleaf – Is encouraging folks to attend the Municipal Infrastructure Commission meeting, Thursday, September 30, at 6:30 p.m. I also want to thank those who participated in the tree offer that was two weeks ago and for those who participated in the Blood Drive this past Friday. Councilor Myers – I would like to send out gratitude to the VFW on September 11, we did a remembrance for the tragic event that happened 20 years ago. Councilor Myers thanked the Fire Dept., Police Dept., Veterans and the 100 or so people who attended the event. The VFW and Jeff Myers purchased a memorial bench to recognize Lt. Cram’s service, not only for his Community of Winooski, but also for his Country. I also wanted to thank Mike Cram’s family for being there for the unveiling of the memorial bench. Also, to Paul Sarne thank you for capturing this on film. Councilor Colston – said he was not able to attend the SHCPC meeting. He gave a brief overview of the minutes. They discussed the shared work plan with Community Services and the draft was reviewed on June 26 and on July 19; the City Council approved the document for the coming year. They discussed Winooski Pool, ESSR Funds, Rec. Programs, and Outreach Plan for Working Community grant. They formed a diversity and equity inclusion commission about the Police Dept. Also in the plan is to develop a plan for occupation tenancy at the O’Brien Community Center, continue to bring increased childcare options. The tower ladder replacement was discussed along with a plan for management of Memorial park. He also said Mary Hussman spoke about how the school board and the head of the school board could come to the next commission meeting. Councilor Duncan – said we had over a hundred trees given away at the Senior Center. I would like to thank the committee members for helping unload and distributing trees along with our Director of Public Works. I’m also going to be joining the Winooski School District as a stakeholder, working on the SRO as a parent and member of the City Council and but not representing the City Council views. I wanted to let everyone know that I was invited and participating in the meetings and dialogue and will be for the next several months. Mayor Lott – attended the Planning Commission meeting and members of the Housing Commission came to present some recommendations based on work that they’ve been doing. They have been investigating on how we can more effectively incentivizedevelopment. Attended the Finance Commission meeting in tandem with SHCPC to look at our scholarship funds and grant funding. Attended the most recent Airport Commission meeting. There was an update on home insulation project. There is a 10-house pilot occurring this year where 10 houses will receive insulation mitigation that we will use as the design process for 50 homes next year. The Airport folks said there are going to start doing outreach on to those potential 50 homes. I, along with folks from our School District joined a task force hearing to look at and how to implement UVM waiting study recommendation that would change the education funding. VI. City Updates Ms. Townsend Co- Interim City Manager said that City staff were in communications with USCRI and other community partners about the plan re-settlement of refugees from Afghanistan in Vermont. We are not sure how many maybe hosted in Winooski we are definitely hopeful to welcome new neighbors. I’m excited to have made it through the hiring process for the City Manager and welcome our candidate Marguerite Ladd. I’m looking forward to your presentation this evening. Mr. Rauscher Co-Interim City Manager said they had a Project Review Committee meeting. This body reviews form base code developments. This past Thursday we reviewed a project at 340 Main St. The lot is next to Jr’s development. They are proposing a four-story building with 24- residential units, mainly studio and one-bedroom units. Park Terrace is the development that has been under construction on the corner of E. Allen St and Manseau St. They officially opened to tenants on September 14, 2021 I also want to give gratitude to our Police and Fire Dept. for being there and joining family and friends of Sargeant Major Michael Cram and paying tribute to 911 memorial. VII. Regular Items a. Discussion: Mayor’s Memo- City Manager Hiring Process Update – K Lott The Mayor gave a recap of the hiring process. We convened a search committee in May with City Staff, School, Local Providers, Residence and Businesses. The Committee developed a criteria and the Committee completed interviews with five candidates and advanced three to the semifinalist to the City Council. After, completing interviews with three candidates at the end of August the Council met in Executive Session. At the September 7 City Council meeting we selected two candidates to advance this financial stage of interviews: public presentation. The goal of the public presentation is to introduce finalist to community with feedback, with what they want to see in the next City Manager. What should be prioritized in our decision-making etc.? In the past week one of the finalist withdrew from consideration after accepting another position. We have here tonight, candidate Marguerite Ladd. Councilor Oakleaf ask if the attendees that are at the OCC able to comment. Ms. Gordon said they are not able to comment but we do have forms here to fill out. b. Discussion: City Manager Candidate Presentation – K Lott & P Townsend The Mayor said they gave Marguerite Ladd a selection of topics relevant to Winooski local government in advance and asked her to present one of them this evening. Ms. Ladd thanked everyone for taking the time for have me here. Local government is a love of mine. Currently, I’m the Asst. Manager in Essex and before that; I was the Town Administrator for the Town of Cambridge. Ms. Ladd chose to speak about the TIF and the expiration of the TIF. Ms. Ladd presented a power point presentation. Several residents of the community questioned her on the TIF prioritization, community engagement, supporting the volunteers and staff of the City. c. Approval: Welcoming Week Proclamation – K Lott The Mayor said the City of Winooski would join Welcoming America and their national “Welcome Week” initiative in a proclamation, designation the week of September 10-19, 2021 at “Welcoming Week” in Winooski. She also acknowledged Tuesday is International Day of Peace. MOTION by Councilor Oakleaf seconded by Councilor Duncan to approve the “Welcoming Week” proclamation the week of September 10 – 19, 2021 as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. d. Discussion: Goal Update: Municipal Infrastructure – J Rauscher Mr. Rauscher gave an overview of the 2021-2022 Policy Priorities and Strategy Update: Municipal Infrastructure: Prepare Traffic Calming Manual /Policy – we are working with the CCRPC and selected transportation consultant, Coordinate VTrans Capital projects – VTrans will have two major projects targeted to start spring 2022. Both projects disruptive for drivers and community members. The first phase of work will mainly consist of utility relocations, ledge removal and the construct of a retaining wall and shared-use path. The bulk of surface transportation work will occur starting in 2023. Implement Main Street Revitalization Project – A quarterly update was presented during the July 19 meeting. There are currently no major updates from July. The project schedule is still targeting bid advertisement this winter with construction string in the June 2022. The current focus of project team is pursuing temporary and permanent easements for construction activities and improvements. e. Discussion: End of Fiscal year Review – A Anastasi-Hill Mr. Anastasi-Hill presented the FY21 Q4 Treasurer’s Financial Report said the City’s General Fund projects a final surplus of $550k as a long list of services exceeded revenue targets while expenses remained under budget. Enterprise Funds – Water fund (Fund 201) saw even further growth in revenue from water charges and new developments pushing revenue $268k or 33% over budget. The Wastewater Fund (Fund 205) previously projected a surplus of $33k, which has been allocated towards additional reconstruction costs netting a new deficit of $18k but retaining a healthy net fund balance of $466k. Also, included in the review was the Parking Garage experienced a drop in expected annual revenue, Community Services Fund flipped the annual deficit to a surplus, TIF Fund the deficit of $326k only grew due to a lack of interest income, Rental Registry Fund deficit improved by $23k from $52 k to $29 k & Community & Economic Development Fund will close out the year with a $43k surplus Over the past fiscal year, the City of Winooski has not only retained a sound financial position but has actually exceeded expectations. f. Discussion/Approval: Position Description Update: Recreation and Parks Manager – R Coffey Mr. Coffey said this adjustment to the Recreation and Parks Manager position would have a neutral impact on the General Fund for FY22 given the decision not to refill the part-time Parks and Gardens Manager position. In response to the recent departure of our part time Parks and Gardens Manager, the Community Services Department has proposed a series of updates to Position Descriptions to enable us to better serve the Winooski Community. Tonight, we are seeking approval of the following Position Description update: Re-establish a full time Recreation and Parks Manager role by combining the management duties of the former “Recreational Programs Manager” and “Parks and Community Gardens Manager” positions. A version of this position existed previously. Salary Range: $27.56 - $29.57 hour MOTION by Councilor Colston seconded by Councilor Duncan to approve the Position Description Update: Recreation and Parks Manager as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. g. Discussion/Approval: Position Description – Communications Manager – P Townsend & H Carrington Ms. Townsend said the City Council approved the creation of a Communication Coordinator staff position in 2017. Since that time, the job responsibilities have shifted and expanded resulting in a position description, title and reporting structure that do not accurately represent the position. The position was initially located within the Community and Economic Development Department primarily based on its fund source. In reality, this position provides support to departments city-wide and performs as a member of the Administrative team. In addition, the job responsibilities now include managing the Legacy Campaign, and extensive engagement in developing equitable communications systems, procedures and policy recommendations. These changes are reflected in the revised position description. Staff recommends approval. MOTION by Councilor Myers seconded by Councilor Colston to approve the Position Description – Communications Manager as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. h. Approval: Updates to Charter & Position Description for Winooski Memorial Library committee – R Coffey Mr. Coffey said in July of 2014, the City Council adopted governance document for the Winooski Memorial Library Committee. At the time, this updated governance document was developed collaboratively by City staff and members of the Library Committee (with significant input from legal counsel) in an effort to remain compliant with Vermont State Laws that govern Libraries (Title 22, Chapter,3, Subchapter 3) Mr. Eddy said the charter updates are mostly reflected in Section 4 and 8, which are around financial management, and how the committee collaborates with said Departments and Community organizations. MOTION by Councilor Duncan seconded by Council Colston to approve the Updates to Charter and Position Description for Winooski Memorial Library Committee. Voted and passed 4-0. i. Discussion/Approval: Howard Center Contract – J Rauscher Mr. Rauscher is requesting approval to sign the enclosed 5-year renewal agreement with the Howard Center. He said these are specialist that collaborates with our Police Dept. This program is based on population and we rely heavily on this program. This program is an amazing service to our Police Dept. I strongly support this effort. The Council had some concerns about the participatory role and how often does the committee meet. Mr. Rauscher said the City Manager has a role on the Commission and meets quarterly. MOTION by Councilor Oakleaf seconded by Councilor Duncan to approve the Howard Center contract as presented. Voted and passed 4-0. VIII. Executive Session a. Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A § 313 (3) the appointment or employment or evaluation of a Public Officer or employee (City Manager Hiring Process Recommendations) - P Townsend, K Lott & Y Gordon MOTION by Councilor Oakleaf seconded by Councilor Duncan to go into Executive Session at 7:48 Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 313 (3) the appointment or employment or evaluation of a Public Officer or employee (City manager Hiring Process Recommendations) and to invite Phoebe Townsend, Jon Rauscher and Yasmin Gordon into Executive Session as presented. Vote and passed 4-0.