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 Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 6 PM • Attend in person: Winooski City Hall (27 W Allen St) • Attend online: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84364849328 • Attend by phone: 1 646 558 8656 • Webinar ID: 843 6484 9328 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM Members Present: Mayor Kristine Lott, Councilor Charles Judge, Councilor Aurora Hurd, Councilor Bryn Oakleaf Officers Present: Jon Rauscher, Interim City Manager, Jenny Willingham, City Clerk, Paul Sarne, Communications Director, Angela Aldieri, Finance Director, Ray Coffey, Community Services Director, John Audy, Fire Chief, Amanda Casper-McFadden, Assistant City Clerk, Jean Carlstedt, Temporary Assistant City Clerk, Johnathan Fenney, State Treasurer Others Present: Scott LaValley, Howard Center, Connor Daley II. Agenda Review Minutes: Move Item “G: Approval: Appoint Alternate Representative to the Board of Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD)” to Item H and replace Item G with: “G. Approval: Board and Commission Reappointments”. III. Public Comment Minutes: None IV. Consent Agenda A. Approval: City Council and Liquor Control Board Minutes of June 5, 2023 B. Approval: Payroll Warrant May 28 - June 10, 2023 C. Approval: Accounts Payable June 15, 2023 D. Approval: USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act – Main Street Revitalization E. Approval: Wolfsgart AirOut Event Permit Application F. Approval: Winooski School District Contract to Support Summer and Afterschool Recreational Programming (ESSER Funds) G. Approval: Approval: Board and Commission Reappointments H. Approval: Appoint Alternate Representative to the Board of Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) Minutes: Mayor Lott presented Items up for approval on the Consent Agenda. Motions: A motion was made by Councilor Judge, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Voted and passed 3-0 V. Council Reports Minutes: Councilor Hurd reported that Inclusion and Belonging Commission met on June 8th to discuss the Stipend Policy being presented later to Council. Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission met on June 13th and received an update from the School Resource Officer. Councilor Oakleaf reported that the Airport Commission met on June 7th no progress has been made since last reported. The next meeting for the Airport Commission will be Wednesday, July 5th. The Infrastructure Commission met on June 15th and said farewell to the commission members that will be leaving, so the commission will have openings and be taking the month of July off. The Infrastructure Commission will reconvene mid to late August. Councilor Oakleaf reported that with the new technology available, the meetings will continue to be hybrid. The Chittenden Solid Waste District has its annual Officer meeting election next Wednesday, June 28th, located in the new offices. Mayor Lott hosted the monthly Winooski Housing Round Table with local partner providers. Primarily focused on exploring grant funding to bring more specific housing support capacity to the Winooski School District. Continued coordination of the training for tenants working with the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, with hopes to implement in July. Mayor Lott attended a Housing Authority Senior Building and wanted to share top concerns: sidewalk and road conditions, public safety, traffic safety, improvement of internet access options. The Planning Commission met and continued discussions of Historic Preservation. The next meetings for both the Planning Commission and Finance Commission will be held in July. Councilor Judge met with Senior residents and top concerns were: infrastructure, biped safety, and stripping and painting. The Housing Commission will be meeting in July at a new time, either the last Monday or last Tuesday of the month. Councilor Judge hopes to have a better update following a meeting on strategies and progress for the year with Robert Millar and Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director. VI. City Updates Minutes: Juneteenth - The City of Winooski would like to thank Downtown Winooski and everyone involved for another amazing Juneteenth event in Rotary Park that took place on Sunday. Keep an eye out for Downtown Winooski’s other event announcements for Winooski Wednesday, French Heritage Day, the Pride Event, and more – visit downtownwinooski.org for details. Board and Commission Vacancies - The City of Winooski is seeking engaged and dedicated residents to serve on our boards, commissions, and committees. Many of these positions have expiring terms ending soon on June 30, 2023. Current members may reapply, and residents who aren't currently serving are welcome to apply! Please visit the news updates section on our website at winooskivt.gov to learn more. Grand List Change and Appraisal Appeals - As of June 7, we completed an abstract of our 2023 Municipal Grand List. Change of appraisal notices will be mailed to advise property owners that completed permitted work or other improvements that increase the value of their property. If you are interested in appealing the appraisal change, please submit a written letter to the City Clerk’s Office before this Friday (June 23) then call or email to set up an appointment at 802 655 6410 / clerk@winooskivt.gov Myers Memorial Pool - The 2023 season is off to a great start – be sure to get your passes if you haven’t yet and check out our schedule and programs at winooskivt.gov/pool!  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov VII. Regular Items A. Discussion: Introduction to Scott LaValley, Howard Center Assistant Director of Outreach Crisis Support - Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: Scott LaValley introduced himself to Council as the Assistant Director of Outreach Crisis Support for Howard Center and gave and overview of Outreach Crisis Support and it’s services, as well as his overall job responsibilities. Mr. LaValley presented Council with the program’s strengths and its opportunities for growth. Discussion ensued. B. Discussion: Introduction of Draft Updates to the City of Winooski’s Public Building Registry Regulations - Eric Vorwald, Planning and Zoning Manager Minutes: Fire Chief, John Audy, presented Council with Draft Updates to “Municipal Code Chapter 17” the City of Winooski’s Public Building Registry. Discussion ensued about verbiage, what is feasible with available staff being at capacity, and mediating the complaints between tenants and landlords. C. Discussion/Approval: Winooski Inclusion and Belonging Commission Stipend Pilot Policy and Workplan – Jenny Willingham, City Clerk Minutes: City Clerk, Jenny Willingham gave an overview to Council of Winooski’s Inclusion and Belonging Commission Stipend Pilot Policy, what it would be used for, and projected cost estimates. Mayor Lott clarified that the Policy was already in place, it was just being voted for. Discussion ensued around what qualifies for a stipend and why. Motion: a motion was made by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by Councilor Judge with the amendment of the removal of the Winooski School District. Voted and passed 3-0 D. Discussion: State Treasurers Report: Internal Finance Controls Checklist - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director Minutes: State Treasurer, Johnathan Fenney presented Council with the Internal Finance Controls Checklist from the State Treasurers Report. Councilor Oakleaf asked for clarification on State Statue and Statutory Language used in the report. Angela Aldieri, Finance Director, offered clarification. Minutes: Council took a short 5-minute Recess due to technical difficulties at 7:25 PM, council resumed at 7:30 PM. E. Discussion/Approval: Ordinance Update – Chapter 28 Fees - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director Minutes: An overview of Chapter 28 Marriage Fees was discussed and warranted that a Public Hearing should take place on July 17th at 6:00 PM to adopt the change in ordinance. Motion: a motion was made by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Voted and passed 3-0  F. Discussion/Approval: Request for Use of Community Development Reserves – Lot 7D Development - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director, Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works, Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: Interim City Manager, Jon Rauscher, and Finance Director, Angela Aldieri presented Council with a Request for Use of Community Development Reserves to remit an Invoice for Lot 7D Development. Angela Aldieri explained to Council borrowing from the fund was always expected with this project to help reduce borrowing needs. Council confirmed no detrimental effects would come from moving around the sum of money requested. Angela Aldieri confirmed the estimated cost of completion of the project. Motion: a motion was made by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Voted and passed 3-0. Councilor Judge abstained. G. Discussion/Approval: Special Warrant - Requisition 5 7D Project - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director, Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works, Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: Angela Aldieri, Finance Director, presented Council with the Special Warrant request to give authorization to cut the check for payment of the Requisition 5 7D Project. Motion: a motion was made by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Voted and passed 3-0. Councilor Judge abstained. H. Discussion: Strategic Vision Area Goal Update - Safe, Healthy, Connected People - Ray Coffey, Community Services Director Minutes: Ray Coffey, Community Services Director, presented Council with the Safe, Healthy, Connected People Strategic Vision Area Goal Update and took questions from Council. Discussion ensued. I. Discussion/Approval: World Refugee Day Resolution - Mayor Kristine Lott Minutes: Mayor Kristine Lott presented World Refugee Day Resolution to Council for adoption. Motion: a motion was made by Councilor Judge, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Voted and passed 3- Minutes: Mayor Kristine Lott asked for a motion to have Executive Session Motion: a motion was made by Councilor Judge, seconded by Councilor Oakleaf. Voted and Passed 3-0. A second motion was made to enter Executive Session by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 3-0. Executive Session was entered at 7:50 PM VIII. Executive Session - Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 313 which exempts from public inspection, (a) (1) (A) contracts: Lot 7D Development and Settlement Agreements Motion: a motion was made to exit Executive Session by Councilor Judge, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Voted and passed 3-0. Executive Session ended at 8:36 PM  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov IX. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 8:36 PM Motioned by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 3-0 Attest: ________________________________________ Amanda Casper, Assistant City Clerk