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, January 16, 2024 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 PM. Members Present: Mayor Kristine Lott; Councilor Thomas Renner; Councilor Charles Judge; Councilor Aurora Hurd; Councilor Bryn Oakleaf Officers Present: Elaine Wang, City Manager; Paul Sarne, Communications Director; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director; Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director; Joseph Shaw, Deputy Director; Jesse Arci, Human Resources Director; Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director; Ray Coffey, Community Services Director; Bruce Palmer, Asst Fire Chief; John Audy Jr, Fire Chief; Barbara Pitfido, Senior Services Director; Jenny Willingham, City Clerk; Amanda Casper, Assistant City Clerk Others Present: Lauren Chicote, Winooski Valley Park District; Nick Warner, WVPD Executive Director; Jess Wignall; Terry Zigmund; Bridget O’Brien; Judy Lance; Connor Daley II. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilor Thomas Renner. III. Agenda Review Minutes: Mayor Lott moved Item E. Discussion/Approval: Local Resources Advisory Board Authorization under VIII. Regular Items to Item B. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Hurd and seconded by Councilor Renner. Voted and passed 4-0. IV. Public Comment Minutes: None V. Consent Agenda A. Approval: City Council Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2024 B. Approval: Payroll Warrant December 24, 2023 - January 6 2024 C. Approval: Accounts Payable January 10, 2024 Minutes: Mayor Lott presented Items A through C to Council for approval. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 4-0  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov VI. Council Reports Mayor Lott: reported that she and Councilor Renner were able to join the Culture and Community class at Winooski High School for a Q&A with students. The students were largely focused on how the City of Winooski is working to improve Housing Affordability and Accessibility. The Planning Commission continued review of Zoning related to updating in alignment with Act 47 State Legislation, Mayor Lott shared the updates from the last Council meeting with the commission that replacement and inclusionary language would like to be seen incorporated into that work. The Planning Commission will be meeting Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 6:30 PM at City Hall and via Zoom. This coming Friday, January 19, 2024, Mayor Lott’s monthly Housing Roundtable will occur where she will share updates and check in with partners on updates related to 300 Main Street or any additional emerging issues. Councilor Renner: None Councilor Judge: None Councilor Hurd: is hoping to be at the Winooski Senior Center for coffee Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 10 AM. Councilor Oakleaf: reported that there will be a Quorum and the Infrastructure Commission will be meeting up at the Pool during their regular meeting time and location. They will be reviewing updates to the LaFountain and Dion Street scoping. VII. City Updates Fire on Main Street: Many thanks to the Winooski Fire Department, the Winooski Police Department, and our neighboring first responders for their service putting out the fire at 246 Main Street that occurred in the early hours this morning. We did have some injuries but mostly minor and related to icy conditions. An investigation on the cause is still underway and an incident report press release will go out later this week. Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Discussions: Tonight continues our Fiscal Year 2025 staff budget presentations. Please stick around for the Public Works Department presentation where we’ll discuss plowing, paving, sidewalks, water/sewer, facilities, and all things DPW and for a general budget discussion later in the meeting. Ask questions and provide input on how you think your tax dollars should be spent. The final Budget Vote/Approval and Public Hearing is on Monday January 22 at 6 PM and the annual City/School Budget Community Dinner will be on Monday, February 19. For the full schedule of budget meetings and information, please visit winooskivt.gov/fy25. You can also send questions between meetings to budget@winooskivt.gov. Homestead Declaration Filing Deadline By Vermont law, property owners (Vermont residents who own and occupy a homestead as your domicile as of April 1, 2023) must file a Homestead Declaration by April 15, 2024. If eligible, it is important that you file so that the homestead tax rate on your property is correctly assessed. For full details and instructions, please visit tax.vermont.gov and search for “Homestead Declaration”. Unclaimed Property Filing Speaking of property, Winooski residents may be eligible to make an unclaimed property claim on the Vermont Treasurer’s website. Unclaimed properties are any type of financial asset owed to an individual, business, agency, nonprofit, etc. To see if you’re eligible and fill out a form, visit vermont.unclaimedproperty.com - there is no charge for this service!  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov VIII. Regular Items A. Discussion: Winooski Valley Park District Presentation - Ray Coffey, Community Services Director, Nick Warner, WVPD Executive Director Minutes: Ray Coffey, Community Services Director introduced Nick Warner, WVPD Executive Director who gave a presentation on Winooski Valley Park District (WVPD) and what how their organization manages recreational lands and waters within the boundaries of its 7 member municipalities in the Winooski River Valley. Judy Lance made a public comment for concerns on handing over Winooski property to another entity. Bridget O’Brien made a public comment in support of the work that the WVPD does. Extensive discussion ensued. B. Discussion/Approval: Local Resources Advisory Board Authorization - Eric Vorwald, Planning and Zoning Manager Minutes: Eric Vorwald, Planning and Zoning Manager presented Council with a resolution to establish a Local Resources Advisory Board and consider the appointment of an interim board until the permanent board can be established for approval. Discussion ensued. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by Councilor Renner. Councilor Hurd voted “Nay”. Voted and passed 4-1 C. Discussion - Fiscal Year 2025 Staff Budget Presentations - Public Works - Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works Minutes: Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director presented Council with the overview the of Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget for Public Works operations, Water Fund, Sewer Fund and Parking Fund Capital. Joseph Shaw, Deputy Director addressed Council and the Public over staffing to project ratio concerns that the Public Works team faces related to the FY25 budget. Terry Zigmund asked for clarification on contract timelines. Bridget O’Brien also expressed her concerns. Extensive discussion ensued. D. Discussion: Strategic Vision Goal Area Update - Municipal Infrastructure - Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works Minutes: Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works presented Council the second Strategic Vision Goal Update for Municipal Infrastructure updates on progress to-date for Council approved goals priorities: Abenaki Garage (Winooski Falls East Development), Main Street Revitalization Project, Winooski River Bridge, Winooski Bike- Ped Masterplan, Base infrastructure Financial Needs, and Lafountain/Dion Scoping Study. Discussion ensued. Minutes: Mayor Lott called for a 5-minute recess at 7:41 PM with Council resuming at 7:46 PM. E. Discussion/Approval: Fiscal Year 2025 Budget - Mayor Kristine Lott Minutes: Mayor Lott opened the discussion on the proposed FY25 Budget. The Major and Council provided direction to staff on a rough tax rate increase they would like staff to meet, and what cost areas and/or items to prioritize and/or cut for the January 22 vote on the budget that will be presented to the voters. Judy Lance asked for clarification on staffing needs and vacancies. Extensive Discussion ensued.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Mayor Lott asked for a vote to provide this direction to staff to bring back a budget with the discussed tax rate increase and that first prioritizes Fire and Infrastructure and second Library. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Judge, seconded by Councilor Oakleaf. Voted and passed 4-0 IX. Adjourn A motion to adjourn was made by Councilor Renner and seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to adjourn at 8:29 PM. Voted and passed 4-0 Attest: _____________________________________________________________ Amanda Casper, Assistant City Clerk