City Council

City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Winooski City Council Meeting (Remote and In-Person) Tuesday June 21, 2022 at 6 PM • Attend online: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84364849328 • Attend by phone: 1 646 558 8656 • Meeting ID: 843 6484 9328 I. Call to Order II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Agenda Review IV. Public Comment V. Consent Agenda a. Approval: City Council Minutes of 6.6.22 b. Payroll Warrant 5.29.22 to 6.11.22 c. Accounts Payable Warrant as of 6.15.22 d. Approval: Event Permit Application - High Street Block Party - Ray Coffey VI. Council Reports VII. City Updates VIII. Regular Items a. Discussion/Approval: Parking Inventory Analysis and Management Plan - Eric Vorwald b. Discussion/Approval: Traffic Calming Manual and Policy - Jon Rauscher c. Discussion/Approval: Sales Tax Reallocation Request - Jon Rauscher d. Discussion - Lot 7D Request Regarding Next Vermont Community Development Program Grant Round - Elaine Wang e. Discussion/Approval: Aerial Fire Truck Bid Award - John Audy f. Discussion/Approval: Updated COVID Business Recovery Grant Guidelines - Angela Aldieri g. Approval: Bank Signatory Updates - TD Bank, Peoples United Bank, Opportunities Credit Union - Angela Aldieri h. Discussion/Approval: FY23 ESSER Contract - Ray Coffey i. Discussion: Goal Update Safe, Healthy Connected People - Ray Coffey j. Approval - Board and Commission Reappointments - Elaine Wang k. Discussion: Update on Prioritization of ARPA/TIF Funds - Elaine Wang l. Discussion - Winooski City Council Community Access/Engagement Procedure - Mayor Kristine Lott m. Approval - Pride Month Resolution - Mayor Kristine Lott n. Approval: World Refugee Day - Mayor Kristine Lott IX. Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (1) (B) labor relations agreements with employees and specifically the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees - Elaine Wang X. Adjourn  MINUTES The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Deputy Mayor Duncan led the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Mayor Kristine Lott Deputy Mayor James Duncan Councilors: Bryn Oakleaf, Aurora Hurd, Thomas Renner Officers Present: Elaine Wang, City Manager, Angela Aldieri, Finance Director, Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director, Eric Vorwald, Planning/Zoning Manager, Jenny Willingham, City Clerk, Ray Coffey, Community Services Director, Paul Sarne, Communications Manager, John Audy, Fire Chief, Bruce Palmer, Deputy Fire Chief. Others Present: Town Meeting TV, Jason Charest, Bill Nedde III. Agenda Review Item b will be discussed at a future City Council meeting. IV. Public Comment None V. Consent Agenda a. Approval of City Council Minutes of 06/06/2022 b. Payroll Warrant of 5/29/22 to 6/11/2022 c. Accounts Payable Warrant as of 6/15/2022 d. Approval: Event Permit Application-High Street Block Party MOTION by Councilor Oakleaf seconded by Councilor Renner to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Voted and passed 4-0 VI. Council Reports Councilor Duncan - Nothing to report Councilor Renner - Winooski Wednesdays are 5 pm to 8 pm at Rotary Park. Great music and free. This Sunday is French Heritage Day. There will be events from 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. Councilor Hurd - Safe, Healthy Connected People did not meet this month but is hoping to meet on July 12th and inviting the Library Committee. Inclusion & Belonging Committee will have the first meeting tomorrow at 9 AM to distribute orientation packets and discuss future schedule. Mayor Lott - The Planning Commission public hearing (2nd) discussing Party Housing incentives along with Zoning/Land Use regulations. The Finance Commission met last week to examine historic data such as population, revenue and expenses in relation to TIF planning. This topic will be revisted at a later date. Mayor Lott was invited to be on the search committee for the Burlington Airport Director. Lastly, a big thank you to staff, City Partners and Downtown Winooski for a successful 2nd annual Juneteenth celebration. Councilor Oakleaf - Infrastructure Committee met on June 16th. The next meeting on July 21st will discuss different incentives for residents. Green Mtn. Power and Vermont Gas are invited to discuss these incentives. In addition, discussion around capital project updates and Councils’ priorities and feedback for the next step in the Energy Component as part of the Strategic Priorities Also, discussion around City’s goal in energy efficiencies and energy resilience in the near future and the Legislation H518 regarding energy resiliency. Also CSWD had the annual organizational meeting. VII. City Updates City Manager Wang gave the following updates: • The City is looking to fill a few paid positions including: New Recreation Operations AmeriCorps Member, City Treasurer, Water Resources Equipment Operator II, and Code Enforcement Officer. Visit winooskivt.gov/jobs • City Council is looking to appoint volunteers to City Commissions. These are: Finance Commission, Planning Commission, Development Review Board, Winooski Commission for Inclusion & Belonging, Safe/Healthy/Connected People Commission and Municipal Infrastructure. • A reminder that the COVID-19 testing clinic at the O’Brien Community Center ends after Saturday, June 25th. There are free at-home tests available. The remaining hours are Wednesday and Friday 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm, and Thursday and Saturday from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm • The Equity Director, Yasamin Gordon resigned effective on June 10th. Winooski has taken some great steps and thanked Yasamin for her dedication over the past year. She left some great tools with which to move forward. For the City Manager, this news and conversations with Yasamin has heightened the Managers’ own commitment to equity work in Winooski. VIII. Regular items a. Discussion/Approval: Parking Inventory, Analysis & Management Plan- E. Vorwald Mr.Vorwald is presenting an updated draft from 4/18 that address’ comments relating to vehicle charging. The purpose of this plan is to provide the City with information and strategies for consideration of multiple aspects of parking including required minimum on-site parking in the land use regulations, management of existing street spaces including expansion of metered spaces and tools to consider for future changes. This is the framework to gather more detailed information on the policies. Councilor Renner inquired, if approved will electrical vehicle charging options continued to be explored. Additional re-developments to include that infrastructure is in place. Councilor Oakleaf expressed concern over the loss of economic opportunities for energy efficiency. Note for minor correction is Appendix C4 and Appendix C2. MOTION by Councilor Oakleaf seconded by Councilor Renner to approve the Parking Inventory, Analysis & Management Plan with the 2 minor edits. Voted and Passed 4-0. c. Discussion/Approval: Sales Tax Reallocation Request- E. Wang An annual application to apply for sales tax reallocation for the development of 17 Abenaki Way (Lot 7D). The City and the developer of a qualified project may jointly apply to the Downtown Board for a reallocation of sales taxes on construction materials that would otherwise have been paid into the Education Fund. Reallocated taxes must be used by the Municipality to support the qualified project. Bill Nedde provided an overview of the highly competitive application process and the awards received in the past. The deadline for this application is July 1st. Discussion ensued over the proposed project and impacts to the City. Mr. Nedde is requesting the City and developer to apply for this application. City Manager Wang said she has not received any additional requests for this application. MOTION by Councilor Duncan seconded by Councilor Renner to approve the Sales Tax Reallocation Request. Voted and passed 4-0. d. Discussion- Lot 7D Request Regarding Next Vermont Community Development Program Grant- E. Wang City Manager Wang provided an overview of this grant. Unfortunately, the O’Brien Center/CHT was not awarded this grant but is looking to reapply for the grant in September. This is a highly competitive grant and discussion ensued over the project(s) to begin the application process. Mayor Lott stated the O’Brien Center was ranked by the Council as the priority. The updated application for the O’Brien Center/CHT grant will be re-submitted in September. Mr. Nedde is asking the City to submit an application for the hotel. Discussion on whether to apply for both of the proposed projects. e. Discussion/Approval: Aerial Fire Truck Bid Ward - J. Audy & B. Palmer Chief Audy provided an overview of this multi-year effort to evaluate, plan and develop apparatus specifications to meet the community and department needs. There were 2 bids received for the purchase of this aerial fire truck. E-One (Desorcie Emergency Products LLC) was selected. This is a multi-facet piece of equipment. Chief Audy gave an overview of the warranty (various parts) of the fire truck. MOTION by Councilor Duncan and seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to authorize staff to execute the contract. Voted and passed 4-0 f. Discussion/Approval: Updated COVID Business Recovery Grant Guidelines - A. Aldieri City Council approved up to $100,000 of American Rescue Plan funding to be used for business recovery efforts on January 24th. On May 2nd, the Council reviewed the three applications and awarded a total of $20,000. During the Council meeting there were some changes to the guidelines and a second round of applications were discussed. These are updated guidelines that attempt to address some of the equity and clarity issues encountered during the first grant cycle. The application process was reviewed by Vermont Professionals of Color Network to provide feedback on the current application process. These applications will be evaluated by the Finance Commission. MOTION by Councilor Renner and seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to approve the updated COVID Business Recovery Grant guidelines. Voted and passed 4-0. g. Approval: Bank Signatory Updates - A. Aldieri Finance Director Aldieri presented Bank Signatory Updates to appoint Elaine Wang, City Manager, Jennifer Willingham, City Clerk/Assistant Treasurer and Alexander Anastasi-Hill, City Treasurer as signatories on the City of Winooski bank accounts at TD Bank, Peoples United Bank and Opportunities Credit Union. MOTION by Councilor Renner and seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to appoint Elaine Wang, Jennifer Willingham and Alexander Anastasi-Hill as bank signatories. Voted and passed 4-0. h. Discussion/Approval: FY23 ESSER Contract - R. Coffey Mr. Coffey is requesting approval of the contract with Winooski School District as presented and authorized the City Manager to negotiate ministerial and non-substantive changes to the document. In addition to execute the Contract on behalf of the City. Mr. Coffey also gave an overview of the new programs being offered. MOTION by Councilor Duncan seconded by Councilor Renner to approve the contract and authorize City Manager Wang to execute it. Voted and passed 4-0 i. Discussion: Goal Update, Safe Healthy Connected People - R. Coffey Mr. Coffey provided an update on progress to-date for the Council. Approved goals in the Safe,Healthy, Connected People priority area. j. Approval: Board of Commissions Reappointments - E Wang City Manager Wang provided an overview of the reappointment of Commission members for two-year terms beginning on July 1, 2024. Housing • Jessica Bridge, Member • Anna Wageling, Alternate • Leslie Black-Plumeau, Alternate (willing) • Finance: Maurice Matte, Member (willing) • Ashley Lucht, elevate to Member (willing) from Alternate (Chair Jean Szilva resigned) Safe, Healthy and Connected People • Courtney Blasius, Member (willing) • Meredith Bushey, Member (willing) • Andy Siki, Alternate Municipal Infrastructure • Jason Williams, Chair(willing) The next appointments are for the Development Review Board. These terms will expire on June 30, 2024, and elevate Elsie Goodrich from an alternate to a full member to fill the remainder of the term vacated by Kevin Lumpkin ending June 30, 2023. Three members of the Development Review Board have terms expiring at the end of the fiscal year, June 30th Harland Miller, David Weissberger and Kaitlin Hayes have indicated an interest in being appointed for a new two year term. The next appointments are for the Planning Commission and have terms expiring at the end of the fiscal year on June 30th. Abby Bleything and Sarah van Ryckevorsel have indicated an interest in being reappointed for a two year term. Amy Hougton has indicated that she will be stepping down from this Commission, thereby vacating a full member position. Tommie Murray is the Alternate. These three members are reappointed for two year terms beginning on July 1, 2022. The appointments were for Housing, Finance, Safe,Healthy Connected People and Municipal Infrastructure. In addition the reappointment of Commissioners from the Development Review Board and Planning Commission. MOTION: by Councilor Renner seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to approve the Commission Reappointments. Voted and passed 4-0. k. Discussion: Update on Prioritization of ARPA/TIF Funds – E. Wang City Manager Wang discussed possible options to distribute these ununusal funds from ARPA (1.9 million) and funds after the debt service payment for the Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) end is 2023. Discussion ensued over Outreach plans and recommendations. l. Discussion: Winooski City Council Community Access/Engagement Procedure- K. Lott Mayor Lott explored the various forms of Outreach for our residents. Discussion included possible places, times and events. A procedure was developed to explore opportunities to connect with the residents. m. Approval: Pride Month Resolution - K. Lott This Resolution was read by Mayor Lott to recognize and proclaim the month of June 2022 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and more (LGBTQIA+). The Pride Flag is raised in Rotary Park. MOTION by Councilor Hurd seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to approve the Pride Month Resolution for the month of June, 2022 Voted and passed 4-0 n. Approval: World Refugee Day - K. Lott This Resolution was read by Mayor Lott to support June 20th as World Refugee Day in Winooski. The City of Winooski values our diversity and impact on our residents. MOTION by Councilor Hurd seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to approve the World Refugee Day as June 20th. Voted and passed 4-0 MOTION by Councilor Renner seconded by Councilor Duncan Pursuant to 1 V.S.A.Section 313 (1)(B) labor relations agreements with employees and specifically the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees feel that further discussions should be held in Executive Session. Voted and passed 4-0. MOTION by Councilor Duncan seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to enter into Executive Session at 9:15 pm and to invite Elaine Wang, City Manager. Voted and Passed 4-0 IX. Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A 313 (1) (B) labor relations agreements with employees and specifically the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees- E Wang X. Adjourn MOTION by Councilor Duncan seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to adjourn at 9:25 p.m. Attest: Jenny Willingham, City Clerk