City Council

Winooski City Council Remote and In-Person Meeting Monday April 4, 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. Agenda Review III. Public Comment IV. Consent Agenda a. Approval: City Council Minutes of 03/21/2022 b. Approval: Accounts Payable Warrant for 03/31/2022, Payroll Warrant for period 03/06/2022-03/19/2022 c. Approval: TA60 Annual Town Financial Plan d. Approval: Audit Engagement Letter V. Council Reports VI. City Updates VII. Regular Items a. Discussion/Approval: Inclusion & Belonging Charter – Y Gordon b. Discussion: Outreach Plan for Reappraisal – A Aldieri c. Discussion: ARPA Update – A Aldieri d. Introduction: Ordinance Update – Chapter 28 Fees – A Aldieri e. Discussion/Approval: RAISE Grant Application Approval-Main St Revitalization and Winooski- Burlington Bridge – J Rauscher VIII. Executive Session a. 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) b. Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (e) pending or probable civil litigation or a prosecution, to which the public body is or may be a party; c. Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (3) the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee, provided that the public body shall make a final decision to hire or appoint a public officer or employee in an open meeting and shall explain the reasons for its final decision during the open meeting; IX. Adjourn Minutes The Deputy Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:29 pm. Councilor Oakleaf lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Deputy Mayor James Duncan Councilors: Bryn Oakleaf, Aurora Hurd, Thomas Renner Officers Present: Wendy Harrison, Interim City Manager; Angel Lane, Assistant City Clerk; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director; Paul Sarne, Communications Manager; Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director; Ray Coffey, Community Services Director; Yasamin Gordon, Equity Director; Jenny Willingham, City Clerk Others Present: Maggie, Conor Daley, Daisy Berbeco, Robert Millar, Town Meeting TV, Winooski City Hall II. Agenda Review – None III. Public Comment – None IV. Consent Agenda MOTION: by Councilor Renner second by Councilor Hurd to approve items a through d of the Consent Agenda as presented. Voted and passed 3-0 V. Council Reports Councilor Oakleaf – Councilor Oakleaf informed us that the next Municipal Infrastructure Commission meeting will be on April 24th. The monthly meetings will take place on the 3rd Thursday of each month going forward. Councilor Hurd - none Councilor Renner – none Deputy Mayor Duncan – Deputy Mayor Duncan recently gave testimony at the Senate Transportation Committee on a study for regional governance models for the Burlington International Airport. Deputy Mayor Duncan did receive supportive comments from South Burlington and CCRPC. It is nice to see this being addressed in the Legislature. VI. City Updates We’ve hired the next Human Resources Director, who will start next week. Jesse Acri has more than a decade of experience managing with a diverse group of people in a multitude of different industries. The Leadership team was impressed by his energy and experience, particularly in recruitment Happy to report that 355 Main began occupancy last week. There are 30 one-bedroom units, also commercial space on 1st floor and offices on 5th Remaining tenants are expected to move in through May and June Season passes for the Myers Pool are on sale now, and scholarships are available for Winooski residents. Get yours soon and get ready to enjoy another summer at the pool!  Registration for Summer programs for Recreation and Thrive (including summer camps) will start this week, so keep an eye on the City’s website, social media, and school communications for details on how and when to register. The Community Services Department is actively recruiting for several seasonal staff positions, including Pool Director, Lifeguard, and Thrive Program Assistant. Click on the Employment Opportunities section of the City website for more details. VII. Regular Items a. Discussion/Approval: Inclusion & Belonging Charter – Y Gordon Some discussion ensued regarding some language change suggestions. **Deputy Mayor Duncan called a recess at 6:50 pm until 6:55 pm** Equity Director Gordon offered some updated language to the charter. It was well-received by Council. MOTION: by Councilor Hurd second by Councilor Renner to approve the Inclusion & Belonging Charter with the amendments as read by Equity Director Gordon. Voted and passed 3-0 b. Discussion: Outreach Plan for Reappraisal – A Aldieri Finance Director Aldieri presented the material to the Council. There was a time of discussion and some questions/answers. It was expressed that it would be helpful for the Appraisers to attend a council meeting soon. c. Discussion: ARPA Update – A Aldieri Finance Director Aldieri presented the update. She reviewed the new guidance from VLCT and how this could benefit the City by offering more flexibility in the use of these funds. She let Council know that Staff would request Council approval at the April 18th meeting to use the revenue loss standard deduction. Some Discussion ensued. d. Introduction: Ordinance Update – Chapter 28 Fees – A Aldieri Ms. Aldieri presented the material. There are several changes proposed. Some discussion ensued. A public hearing date should be set at the next meeting. e. Discussion/ Approval: RAISE Grant Application Approval – Main St Revitalization and Winooski – Burlington Bridge – J Rauscher Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director explained the two projects and the parameters of the grant. He stated that this grant is very competitive. MOTION: by Councilor Renner second by Councilor Oakleaf to approve to authorize the Public Works Director to submit a RAISE grant application for the Main Street  Revitalization project as presented. Voted and passed 3-0 MOTION: by Councilor Oakleaf second by Councilor Renner to approve to authorize the Public Works Director to submit a RAISE grant application for the Winooski-Burlington Bridge project in coordination with VTRANS, City of Burlington, and Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC). Voted and passed 3-0 MOTION: by Councilor Oakleaf second by Councilor Hurd to authorize the mayor to sign letters of support for both projects. Voted and passed 3-0 MOTION: by Councilor Oakleaf second by Councilor Renner to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:44 pm. Voted and passed 3-0 VII. Executive Session MOTION: by Councilor Hurd second by Councilor Renner to enter into 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) and to invite A Aldieri, J Rauscher and W Harrison to attend. Voted and passed 3-0 MOTION: by Councilor Oakleaf second by Councilor Hurd to enter into Executive Session at 8:40 pm Voted and passed 3-0 MOTION: by Councilor Oakleaf second by Councilor Hurd to enter into Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (e) pending or probable civil litigation or a prosecution, to which the public body is or may be a party; and to invite A Aldieri, J Rauscher and W Harrison to attend. Voted and passed 3-0 MOTION: by Councilor Oakleaf second by Councilor Hurd to enter into Executive Session at 8:49 pm. Voted and passed 3-0 MOTION: by Councilor Oakleaf second by Councilor Renner to enter into Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (3) the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee, provided that the public body shall make a final decision to hire or appoint a public officer or employee in an open meeting and shall explain the reasons for its final decision during the open meeting; and to invite A Aldieri, J Rauscher and W Harrison to attend. Voted and passed 3-0 IX. Adjourn MOTION: by Councilor Hurd second by Councilor Oakleaf to adjourn the City Council meeting at 9:00 pm. Voted and passed 3-0 Attest:_______________________________________________________ Assistant City Clerk