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 Monday, May 15, 2023 at 6 PM I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6 PM. Members Present: Mayor Kristine Lott, Councilor Hurd, Councilor Oakleaf, Councilor Judge, Councilor Renner Officers Present: Elaine Wang, City Manager, Angela Aldieri, Finance Director, Paul Sarne, Communications Director, Ray Coffey, Community Services Director, Nate Eddy, Library Director, Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director, Amanda Casper, Assistant City Clerk Others Present: Marielle Matthews, Michael Monte, Miranda Menard, Martin Patterson, Amy Chase, Heather Win, Rayna Chase, Taliah Bennett, Lukas Zweaks, Jessica Wignall, Ryan Chase, Lily Sigles, Conner Daley II. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilor Renner. III. Agenda Review Minutes: None IV. Public Comment Minutes: None V. Consent Agenda A. Approval: City Council, Liquor Control Board Minutes of May 1, 2023 Minutes: Mayor Lott first motioned to approve City Council, Liquor Control Board Minutes of May 1, 2023 with Council Renner abstaining. Motion: Motion made by Councilor Oakleaf seconded by Councilor Hurd. Councilor Renner abstained. Voted and passed 3-0 B. Approval: Payroll Warrant April 16 - 29, 2023 C. Approval: Accounts Payable May 10, 2023 D. Approval: Subsequent to Payout Warrants - December 2022 and January 2023 E. Approval: 2023 Farmers Market Event Permit Application  F. Approval: Authorize Mayor to Respond as Discussed to Public Comment from March 20, 2023 Minutes: Mayor Lott motioned to approve items B through F on the consent agenda. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Judge seconded by Councilor Oakleaf. Voted and passed 4-0 VI. Council Reports Councilor Judge attended the most recent Planning Commission meeting. No updates at this time. Councilor Renner attended the Finance Commission meeting on behalf of Mayor Lott. The new Director of Downtown Winooski was a guest of the Commission, and it was a general introduction of the new Director and an opportunity for everyone to get to know one another. No votes or actions were taken. Mayor Lott provided an update on the Monthly Housing Roundtable Meeting, where the Mayor meets with partners in the housing community and school district. They continued coordination around trainings for tenant information and bringing those from the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity into Winooski. The Vermont Home Improvement Program has seen some progress in identifying a couple of properties suitable for the program. Mayor Lott shared for the public’s knowledge the leadership gathering for the Policy Priorities and Strategies Retreat that took place on Saturday May 13, 2023 to discuss priorities for the upcoming year. The details of this session will be shared at a later date for public comment and approval. Councilor Oakleaf announced that the Airport Commission met on May 3, 2023. No action was taken. They are in the early stages of looking into reviewing the Noise Impact Map. There will be more outreach and communication from the Airport as it gets underway. The Noise Insultation Progress is underway but has yet to reach Winooski, more information to come once it reaches the City. The Municipal and Infrastructure Commission will be meeting Thursday May 18, 2023 at 6:30 PM by the pool and will be reviewing the Lafountain and Dion Street Scoping Study as a primary topic for the meeting. Councilor Hurd announced that the Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission met on May 9, 2023 to do a detailed review of the Community Services Program Needs and Interests survey as well as focus group questions. There is no meeting for Inclusion and Belonging this month. VII. City Updates – Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: Seat Vacancies The City of Winooski is searching for engaged and dedicated residents to serve on our boards, commissions, and committees. Applicants with related experience, skill sets, and  interests are encouraged to apply. Council and staff welcome diverse voices. If you've never served, we will do our best to support you! Current seat vacancies include: • Finance Commission • Inclusion and Belonging Commission • a brand-new Youth Member position with the Winooski Memorial Library Committee • Winooski Valley Parks District Board of Trustees • Chittenden Solid Waste District Board of Commissioners Learn more about these positions by visiting the news updates section of winooskivt.gov On a similar note, the City will have an announcement in the coming weeks advertising our annual board, commission, and committee term expirations which are right around the corner on June 30th. Memorial Day Parade The Memorial Day Parade is returning to Winooski! Join us in partnership with the Winooski VFW and RVA on Saturday May 27th. The parade starts at 12 PM at the Winooski School District, travels down Main Street, and ends at the VFW. Following the parade, join the ceremony to honor our fallen Veterans and enjoy a community BBQ. Volunteers and participants are needed! The parade welcomes all groups, local businesses, creative vehicles, and floats - if you're interested in participating or want to volunteer, please call the VFW at 802 655 9832 or show up early on the morning of the 27th. Blood Drive at the Senior Center The Winooski Fire Department is hosting a blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross at the Winooski Senior Center on Friday, May 19, from 12 – 5:15 PM. Please consider signing up today – your donation can save a life! Visit the news updates section on winooskivt.gov to learn more. VIII. Regular Items A. Discussion: Presentation on Flavored Tobacco Products Bill in Vermont Legislature - Elaine Wang, City Manager, Marielle Matthews, Winooski Partnership for Prevention; Winooski School District Students Minutes: Elaine Wang, City Manager introduced Marielle Matthews, Winooski Partnership for Prevention who along with Heather Win and Winooski School District Students: Rayna Chase, Lukas Zweaks, and Taliah Bennett gave an overview on the Flavored Tobacco Products Bill in Vermont Legislature and the effects these products have on the Vermont Youth. Discussion ensued. B. Discussion/Approval: O’Brien Community Center Update - Ray Coffey, Community Services Director, Michael Monte, Executive Director, Champlain Housing Trust  Minutes: Ray Coffey, Community Services Director introduced Michael Monte, Executive Director, Champlain Housing Trust, and they gave an update of the plans for Champlain Housing Trust to acquire the Obrien Community Center and asked for Council guidance in moving forward. Discussion ensued on logistics of sale and plans for renovations to the space. Public comment was taken from Jessica Wignall, a member of the Library Committee, in support of the Champlain Housing Trust acquiring the Obrien Community Center and the opportunities it will offer the community. Council gave their general approval. C. Discussion: Introduction of Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director - Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: Jazmine Hurley introduced themselves to Council and the public as the Housing Initiative Director. Jazmine gave a brief overview of her experience and education relating to the job position. D. Discussion/Approval: Introduction Ordinance Update – Chapter 28 Fees - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director Minutes: Angela Aldieri, Finance Director presented the Council with the draft for the Introduction Ordinance Update to Chapter 28 Fees. Minor updates were made to Dog Licensing Fees to make fee due dates more clear. Discussion ensued around fee increases and timelines for when those must be presented for change. Councilor Oakleaf proposed to move forward with the fee changes to Chapter 28 as presented to Council and set a Public Hearing date for June 5, 2023. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Renner and seconded by Councilor Hurd. Voted and passed 4-0 E. Discussion/Approval: Winooski Small Business Loan Committee Loan Application Recommendation - Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: Elaine Wang, City Manager gave Council and the public an overview of the Winooski Small Business Loan fund and introduced the Loan Application Recommendation, Lily Sigles owner of Standing Stone Wines LLC for approval. Lily Sigles introduced themselves and their business. Lily gave Council a brief overview of plans for Standing Stone Wines LLC in Winooski. Discussion ensued. Executive Session was offered should Council have confidential questions regarding Standing Strong Wines LLC prior to approval but was not needed. IX. Executive Session - Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 317 which exempts from public inspection, (c) (1) Records which by law are designated confidential or by similar term. Minutes: Did not go into Executive Session - Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 317 X. Regular Items A. Approval: Winooski Small Business Loan Application Decision - Elaine Wang, City Manager Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Renner seconded by Councilor Oakleaf. Voted and passed 4-0  Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Renner and seconded by Councilor Judge to enter into Executive Session. Voted and passed 4-0 XI. 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) Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Judge and seconded by Councilor Renner to exit Executive Session. Voted and passed 4-0 XII. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 PM Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Renner and seconded by Councilor Hurd to adjourn. Voted and passed 4-0 Attest _______________________________________________________ Amanda Casper, Assistant City Clerk