City Council

Winooski City Council Remote and In-Person Meeting Monday March 21, 2022, at 6 PM Attend online: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84364849328 Attend by phone: 1 646 558 8656 Attend in person: Winooski City Hall (27 West Allen St - masks & 6' distancing required) I. Call to Order II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Agenda Review IV. Public Comment V. Consent Agenda a. Approval: City Council Minutes of 03/07/2022 b. Approval: Accounts Payable Warrant for 03/16/2022, Payroll Warrant for period 02/20/2022-03/05/2022 and Subsequent to Payout Warrant – January c. Approval: City Council Meeting Calendar VI. Council Reports VII. City Updates VIII. Public Hearing – ULUDR Amendments – Form Based Code Parts 1 thru 4 and Park 9 – 6:15 PM - E Vorwald IX. Public Hearing – VDCP Grant (OCC/CHT) – J Rauscher X. Regular Items a. Approval: Adoption of ULUDR Amendments – Form Based Code Parts 1 thru 4 and Part 9 – E Vorwald b. Approval: Authorization to submit VDCP Grant – J Rauscher c. Discussion/Approval: Mask Mandate Reconsideration – W Harrison d. Discussion/Approval: City Council Liaison Appointments – K Lott e. Approval: Public Records Request Policy – E Vorwald f. Discussion: Equity Updates – Y Gordon g. Discussion: Equity Advisory Commission Charter – Y Gordon h. Discussion: Goal Update/Economic Vitality – W Harrison i. Approval: Audit Contract Award – A Aldieri j. Approval: City Manager Contract – K Lott XI. 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) XII. Adjourn  MINUTES The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Coucilor James Duncan led the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Kristine Lott Councilors: James Duncan, Bryn Oakleaf, Aurora Hurd, Thomas Renner Officers Present: Wendy Harrison, Interim City Manager; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director; Paul Sarne, Communications Manager; Ray Coffey, Community Services Director; Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director; Yasamin Gordon, Equity Director; Jenny Willingham, City Clerk; Eric Vorwald, Planning & Zoning Manager Others Present: Bruce Wilson, Daisy Berbeco, Emmett Avery, Michael O’Brien III. Agenda Review- none IV. Public Comment- none V. Consent Agenda a. Approval: City Council Minutes of 03/07/2022 b. Approval: AP Warrant for 03/16/22- Payroll Warrant 02/20/22-03/5/22 & subsequent to Payroll Warrant- January c. Approval: City Council Meeting Calendar to move 07/11/2022 meeting to 07/18/2022 MOTION by Councilor James Duncan seconded by Councilor Aurora Hurd to approve the minutes of the City Council, approval AP warrant & subsequent to Payroll Warrant- January and approval to move City Council Meeting on 07/11/2022 to 07/18/2022. Voted and Passed 4-0 VI. Council Reports: Councilor Duncan provided an update on the Tree Committee (Centennial Celebration) on May 7, 2022. Future discussions include tree replacement and alignment for tree planting in the City.  Councilor Oakleaf provided an update on the Infrastructure Commission tentative meeting schedule. In addition, an update on CSWD meeting schedule. Councilor Hurd – none Councilor Renner- none Mayor Lott provided an updated Planning Commission last Thursday. One of the topics discussed was a Public Hearing to discuss priority housing incentives. VII. City Updates Interim City Manager Harrison provided an update on the following: • Pool passes will begin to be issued on 3/22/2022. The first 50 people to register will be invited to a pre-season kick-off party on Sunday, June 5th. • Community Gardens plots are available • ARPA grants up to $10,000 for Winooski business’. The applications are due on April 8th. In addition, a survey for people to complete information on any impact due to COVID. • Night flying is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22nd to Friday, March 25th then the following Tuesday, March 29th to Friday, April 1st. • Provided an update on 300 Main Street. The tenants will not be evicted. The tentative plan is to renovate 2 units at a time. Interim Manager Harrison thanked the roundtable and hopes to continue to promote a collaborative discussion regarding housing affordability. VIII. Public Hearing-ULUDR Amendments -Form Based Code Parts 1-4 and Part 9 (6:15 pm) Mayor Lott granted a 3 minute recess at 6:12 pm to reconvene at 6:15 pm for the Public Hearing. At 6:15 pm , the Public Hearing began to discuss proposed Draft Amendments to the Form Based Code. Mr. Vorwald provided an overview on the general provisions, regulations, definitions to define a more consistent and clear interpretation. Planning Commission Chair, Michael O’Brien was also in attendance. There were not any questions from City Council nor the Public. The Public hearing closed at 6:17 p.m. IX. Public Hearing- VDCP Grant (OCC/CHT) At 6:17 pm, Mayor Lott called for the Public Hearing to begin Mr. Rauscher provided an overview on the application process. As part of the grant process, a Public Hearing needs to occur. The amount of the grant is $500,000 with a 10% local match. Mr. Rauscher spoke about the Capital Improvements needed for the OCC. Discussion occurred regarding possible organizations/tenants for space at the OCC. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:26 pm. X. Regular Items a. Approval: Adoption of ULUDR Amendments-Form Based Code Parts 1 thru 4 and Part 9 Mr. Vorwald provided a brief overview of the Amendments. Councilor Hurd inquired about the mention of affordable housing. Mayor Lott stated the Amendment clarified the rules. MOTION by Councilor Renner seconded by Councilor Duncan. Voted and Passed 4-0 b. Approval: Authorization to submit VDCP Grant Mr. Rauscher sought approval to apply for the VDCP Grant in the amount of $500,000. The results should be available in June. Funds from the grant require a 10% contribution from the Municipality. MOTION by Councilor Oakleaf and seconded by Councilor Duncan to submit the application for the VDCP Grant. c. Discussion/Approval: Mask Mandate Reconsideration Ms. Harrison, Interim City Manager requested to rescind the Mask Mandate Immediately. The Mask Mandate Reconsideration was also recommended by Staff. Ms. Harrison provided updated information from the State of Vermont, along with comments from a local business. She noted the State of Vermont does recommend vaccinations. The wearing of a mask is optional at this time. MOTION by Councilor Duncan and seconded by Councilor Renner to rescind the requirement of wearing a mask. Voted and Passed 3-0. Councilor Hurd abstained. d. Discussion/Approval: City Liaison Appointments Mayor Lott provided an overview of the Commissions and individual Councilors’ current Commissions and proposed ones. Planning & Finance- Mayor Lott Safe, Healthy & Connected People - Councilor Hurd Municipal Infrastructure- Councilor Oakleaf Housing & Heart of Winooski (Tree advisory)- Councilor Duncan Downtown Winooski- Councilor Renner e. Approval: Public Records Request Policy Mr. Vorwald provided an overview of the draft for a Public Records Policy.  The City Manager would be the Agent. Guidance from Vermont Statutes Annotated was incorporated into the Policy. A Language Access plan along with an update for fee ordinance was discussed. MOTION by Councilor Duncan and seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to approve the Public Records Policy and the City Manager would be the agent. Voted and passed 4-0 f. Discussion: Equity Updates Ms. Gordon, Equity Director updated the Councilors on the extensive progress of the Equity Audit, proposed Workshops/Trainings and Equity Initiatives. Discussion ensued around the Language Assessment Policy. Ms. Gordon outlined the other partners involved with the audit and the Working Communities Challenge Grant. g. Discussion: Equity Advisory Commission Charter Ms. Gordon outlined and displayed the proposed Equity Advisory Commission Charter. This included the representation of the Commission along with the goals. Discussion ensued by the Councilors on the logistics of the commission. Councilors provided guidance and potential changes to the commission. Ms. Gordon will discuss the imposed suggestions in the City Council Meeting on April 4th. Mayor Lott requested a 5 minute recess at 8:40. h. Discussion: Goal Update/Economic Vitality Ms. Harrison, Interim City Manager provided a Goal Update on Economic Vitality. The Goal Update on Housing will occur in the 2nd meeting in April. i. Approval: Audit Contract Award Ms. Aldieri sought approval for the Audit FY ’22 to be awarded to RHR Smith & Company. RHR Smith & Company was the only bidder in this process. MOTION by Councilor Oakleaf and second by Councilor Renner to approve the audit contract to RHR Smith & Company. Voted and passed 4-0 j. Approval: City Manager Contract Mayor Lott requested an Executive Session pursuant to 1 V.S.A. 313 (3) regarding the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee (City Manager hiring) MOTION by Councilor Hurd and seconded by Councilor Renner to go into Executive Session to discuss employment of the hire of the City Manager at 8:50 pm. Voted and passed 4-0 XI. Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. 313 (3) regarding the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee (City Manager hiring). Mayor Lott requested a motion to enter into Executive Session at 8:51 p.m.  MOTION by Councilor Oakleaf seconded by Councilor Hurd to enter into Executive Session. Voted and passed 4-0 Exited Executive Session at 9:12 p.m. MOTION by Councilor Duncan and seconded by Councilor Bryn to approve the City Manager Contract. Adjourn MOTION by Councilor Renner and seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 pm.1` Attest: _______________________ City Clerk