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, September 18, 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 6:02 PM Members Present: Mayor Kristine Lott, Councilor Thomas Renner, Councilor Bryn Oakleaf, Councilor Aurora Hurd and Councilor Charles Judge Officers Present: Elaine Wang, City Manager, Paul Sarne, Communications Director, Angela Aldieri, Finance Director, Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director, Eric Vorwald, Planning & Zoning Manager, John Audy Jr, Fire Chief, Ray Coffey, Community Services Director, Jenny Willingham, City Clerk, Amanda Casper, Assistant City Clerk Others Present: Karole Cannon, Brigitte Gulliver, Charlie Baker (CCRPC), Darren Schibler (CCRPC), Dan Albreck (CCRPC), Melissa Corbin (Downtown Winooski), Rob Taylor, Anna Marchessault, Luke M, Mike O’Brien, Marielle Matthews, Ron Zurich, Will P, Bill Niquette, Connor Daley II. Pledge of Allegiance Minutes: led by Councilor Thomas Renner III. Agenda Review Minutes: None IV. Public Comment Minutes: Karol Cannon addressed Council over concerns about lack of Speed Bumps in Residential Areas, due to high traffic volume and safety concerns. Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director was invited by Council to address Cannon’s concerns. Rauscher gave an overview of what qualifies a street for Traffic Calming Measures, confirming that Cannon’s street is at the top of the list. Rauscher cited budgetary restrictions for the main delay in action from the City. V. Consent Agenda A. Approval: City Council and Liquor Control Board Minutes of September 5, 2023 B. Approval: Payroll Warrant August 20 - September 2, 2023 C. Approval: Accounts Payable September 13, 2023 D. Approval: Estoppel Certificates and Agreements for 25 Winooski Falls Way Minutes: Items A through B on the Consent Agenda were presented by Council for approval Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Renner, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 5-0. VI. Council Reports Councilor Judge: None Mayor Lott: shared that the Finance Commission met to discuss the Budget Goals Process and helped identify information that staff is going to include as Council has their goal setting conversation. The Planning Commission has pivoted from designing a Designed Review District to a Local Historical Registrar and apply that review only to specifically identified buildings on the Registrar verses a whole looking at a whole District. More information to come at the next Planning Commission meeting in October. Mayor Lott and City Manager, Elaine Wang, met with the Superintendent and School Board President to coordinate on content for the shared meeting between them and Council on October 11th, 2023. Councilor Renner: thanked everyone who attended and participated in Winooski’s 2nd Annual Pride Celebration. It has been one of Downtown Winooski’s biggest events. Councilor Renner gave his thanks to Downtown Winooski and the City for all their help organizing and planning, along with the vendors and artists who contributed. Councilor Renner also informed the public that Blingo will continue Tuesdays. Visit www.downtownwinooski.org for times and locations. Councilor Hurd: reported that the next Inclusion & Belonging meeting will not be held until next month on October 12th, 2023. Councilor Hurd was unable to attend last week’s Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission meeting but discussion centered around reviewing the scholarship policy and the scholarship program usage data. Councilor Hurd stated Community Services Director, Ray Coffey, would share more information as it is available. Councilor Oakleaf: shared that there was an Airport Public meeting on September 14th, 2023. One of the agenda items was progress on the sound insulation program. Councilor Oakleaf has forwarded the community inquiries to Airport Officials to follow up with. Councilor Oakleaf stated that if other comments, questions, or concerns come up that they are happy to facilitate reaching out to find the answers. The next Airport Commission meeting will be held on October 4th, 2023 and the Agenda will be available late the week before. There will be an Agenda Item for Noise Exposure Map Updates and Sound Insulation Progress. If anyone wants to attend or offer comments before hand, reach out to Councilor Oakleaf. The next Infrastructure Commission meeting is this Thursday September 21st, 2023 at 6:30 PM. The Agenda Announcement went out this afternoon and will be looking at long term options for traffic calming and street scaping for LaFountain Street and Dion Street. VII. City Updates Chief Hebert Retirement Announcement • Announcement made; press release went out. • Recognition, thanks, and congrats for ~30 years of dedicated public service and leadership to Winooski’s residents, visitors, city staff, and elected officials • started in ‘96 as an officer, working up through the ranks of Sergeant, Interim Deputy Chief, Interim Chief, then officially becoming the Chief of Police in 2014 • nothing public Per Chief Hebert’s request, we’ll honor his accomplishments and bid him farewell on a personal level, forgoing public gestures – not a surprise • Importance of role, hiring process moving forward (RFP for executive search firm is out, job and brochure will follow, with opportunities for public process Winooski River Bridge Replacement Project 1st Public Meeting • The first public meeting for the Winooski River Bridge Replacement project will take place tomorrow night (Tuesday, September 19th ) 6 PM at the O’Brien Community Center here in Winooski. Join the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the project partners to learn more, ask questions, and get involved in the process. • Interpretation will be provided in Nepali, Somali, Arabic, Swahili, and potentially Mai Mai (still looking to book this language). A virtual attendance option, light refreshments, and limited childcare will  also be provided. • For full details, visit our website at winooskivt.gov/news. Now Hiring • The City of Winooski is currently hiring for a Public Works Department Equipment Operator, an entry level position responsible for a wide range work associated with maintaining our streets, sidewalks, water systems, facilities, and grounds while operating a variety of vehicles and equipment that do not require a Commercial Driver’s license. • We’re also hiring for the brand-new position of Part Time Fire Inspector, who will serve the community by proactively reducing risks of fires across the community, life safety and public health building inspections, and daytime emergency response at the Winooski Fire Department. • Learn more and apply at winooskivt.gov/jobs Join a City Commission • Residents looking to get involved in the public process are invited to apply for an open seat on our advisory commissions! We’re looking for Finance Commissioners (focused the City’s budgets, financial policies, grants, loan programs, and more), Inclusion and Belonging Commissioners (focused on equitable policies and best practices for inclusion in municipal government), and Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commissioners (focused on Recreation and Parks, Library and Senior Services, and Public Safety aspects of our Police and Fire departments). Applicants with related experience, skill sets, and interests are encouraged to apply and we welcome diverse voices. If this is your first time serving, we’ll do our best to support you! Learn more and apply at winooskivt.gov/news. Construction Update • The Vermont Agency of Transportation project at U.S. Route 7 and East Allen St. is resuming. Lane closures may be required throughout the week until the 21st. Delays may occur, particularly in the evening hours. Work will be done at night from 7 PM to 6 AM. Residents should expect increased lighting and noise during construction. • Work on the expansion joints on the Winooski-Burlington Bridge is scheduled to begin next week. Please anticipate lane closures and possible flagged traffic at this location. As a result, delays may occur. Sign up for project updates at winooskivt.gov/news. VIII. Regular Items A. Discussion/Approval: Inclusion & Belonging Commission Appointments - Jenny Willingham, Interim Staff Liaison & Councilor Aurora Hurd, Council Liaison Minutes: Jenny Willingham, Interim Staff Liaison, and Councilor Aurora Hurd, Council Liaison, introduced the two Inclusion and Belonging Applicants: Anna Marchessault and Lily Hammerling, for approval. Anna Marchessault introduced herself and Jenny Willingham read a prepared statement on behalf of Lily Hammerling. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Judge, seconded by Councilor Oakleaf. Voted and passed 5-0. B. Discussion/Approval: Introduce Amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 17 (Public Building Registry), Set Public Hearing Date - John Audy, Fire Chief Minutes: Fire Chief, John Audy Jr, presented Council with changes to the Municipal Code Chapter 17. Mayor Lott asked for a motion to be made to introduce the changes. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Renner, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 5-0.  Minutes: Mayor Lott asked for a motion to be made to set a Public Hearing Date for October 2nd, 2023. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Hurd, seconded by Councilor Oakleaf. Voted and passed 5-0. C. Discussion: Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) Annual Report Presentation - Elaine Wang, City Manager, Charlie Baker, CCRPC Executive Director Minutes: Charlie Baker, CCRPC Executive Director presented an Annual Report to check in to see how well the CCRPC has been performing in the City of Winooski. Charlie Baker touched base with ongoing projects, future projects, and took questions from Council. Discussion ensued. D. Discussion: Introduce Chittenden County Brownfields Program - Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works, Dan Albrecht, CCRPC Senior Planner Minutes: Dan Albrecht and Darren Schibler, CCRPC Senior Planners, Introduced Council to the Chittenden County Brownfields Program update. He presented a slideshow to Council and the Public to expand on what exactly Brownfields does and does not do, as well as, how their funding works. Albrecht updated Council on past projects, current projects, and future goals. Discussion ensued with Council. E. Discussion/Approval: Winooski Falls East (Lot 7D) - Revised Design Approval - Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works Minutes: Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works, along with Bill Niquette, presented Council with a Revised Design for Lot 7D for approval. A rendering of the Revised Design was shown to Council and the Public along with the previously approved Design. Discussion ensued with Council about changes. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Renner, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 5-0. Minutes: Mayor Lott called for a 5-minute Recess at 7:36 PM before proceeding to the next Item. City Council resumed session at 7:42 PM. F. Discussion: Strategic Vision Goal Area Update: Municipal Infrastructure - Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works Minutes: Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works presented Council with the first Strategic Vision Goal Area Update for the 2023/2024. Rauscher went over the list of initiatives, highlighting the big projects. Funding and grant opportunities were discussed. Discussion ensued with Council. G. Discussion: Update from Downtown Winooski - Elaine Wang, City Manager, Melissa Corbin, Downtown Winooski Executive Director Minutes: Melissa Corbin, Downtown Winooski Executive Director, presented Council with an in- depth Update from Downtown Winooski. Melissa informed Council of the state of the organization at the time of her take over, such a financial discrepancy, which has required outside sourcing to forensics to rectify. Melissa presented Council and the Public with current goals and plans for where the organization should go moving forward. Discussion ensued with Council. H. Discussion/Approval: Letter of Attestation for Downtown Winooski State Grant - Elaine Wang, City Manager, Melissa Corbin, Executive Director, Downtown Winooski Minutes: Elaine Wang, City Manager and Melissa Corbin, Executive Director of Downtown Winooski presented Council with a Grant for Downtown Winooski for approval with the understanding this money does not replace the city funding that is already allocated to Downtown Winooski in the budget. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Renner, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 5-0. I. Discussion/Approval: Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Planning - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director Minutes: Angela Aldieri, Finance Director, presented Council with the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget  Planning, giving them a breakdown of when the meetings will be held and what will be discussed at each meeting from October through December as the Budget for 2025 is compiled. Discussion ensued. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Renner, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 5-0. IX. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 PM Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Judge, seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to adjourn. Voted and passed 5-0. Attest: _____________________________________________________________ Amanda Casper-McFadden, Assistant City Clerk