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, February 5, 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 6:00 PM Members Present: Mayor Kristine Lott, Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner, Councilor Bryn Oakleaf, Councilor Aurora Hurd & Councilor Charles Judge Officers Present: Elaine Wang, City Manager, Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director, Ray Coffey, Community Services Director, Paul Sarne, Communications Director, Eric Vorwald, Planning & Zoning Manager, Angela Aldieri, Finance Director, Justin Huizenga, Police Chief and Jenny Willingham, City Clerk Others Present: Jonah Frangiosa, Keiran Reynolds, Connor Daley, Nick Brownell, and Langley Smurthwaite II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Agenda Review Minutes: None IV. Public Comment Minutes: None V. Consent Agenda A. Approval: Liquor Control Board and City Council Minutes of January 22, 2024 B. Approval: Payroll Warrant January 7 - 20, 2024 C. Approval: Accounts Payable February 1, 2024 D. Approval: Main Street Revitalization Project USDA Loan Extension E. Approval: American Rescue Plan Act MS4 Grant Authorization F. Approval: Vermont Economic Progress Council Tax Increment Financing District Annual Report Motion: A motion by Councilor Judge seconded by Deputy Mayor Renner to approve the Consent Agenda. 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 Kristine Lott: Planning Commission continued to consider changes to dimensional standards to support ACT 47 and Council direction to make tri and quadplex more accessible in Winooski. Proposed changes reductions to some standards actually align better with current neighborhood development. The Deputy Mayor Renner and I presented the FY25 City Budget on Town Meeting TV. This recording is available on YouTube, TMTV’s website, and on the City’s website on the FY25 budget page. Councilor Judge and myself will be at the Senior Center on February 14th at 10:00am for a coffee chat to share budget and ballot information and listen to residents. Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner: Downtown Winooski has not met since our last meeting. Blingo is Tuesday night starting at 6:00 pm at the Monkey House. Council has been out in the community talking about the budget and there are upcoming events where residents can connect with council, city staff and the school board. The next events are: • Sunday, February 18 at the Farmers Market located at the O’Brien Center from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm • Monday, February 19 a community dinner at the O’Brien Center at 4:00pm • Wednesday, February 28 at the Monkey House at 6:30 pm • Monday, March 4 at the Winooski School District at 6:00 pm Councilor Judge: The Winooski Housing Commission met on Tuesday, January 28th at 6:00 PM. The Commission reviewed the Housing Initiatives Director’s data visualization of the Fiscal year 2024 Landlords survey. Just over 75% of Winooski landlords responded to the survey, providing critical information to the housing commissioners as they continue to work with the City and Council to address Winooski’s ongoing shortage of quality affordable housing. The rental cost data in the graphic skews significantly lower than market rents as it includes all Affordable units and only some of the market rate housing stock. The Commission also reviewed changes to the language used in the Winooski Housing Trust Fund Policy Guidelines and added a section to describe the Interest Rate Buy Down Program, as well as having an engaged discussion around replacement regulations and inclusive zoning in preparation for our joint meeting with the Planning Commission next month. Housing Initiative Director will present draft amendments to the public building registry as they pertain to short term rentals in tonight’s’ presentation. Councilor Hurd: Safe ,Healthy, Connected People Commission will meet on Wednesday, February 14th at 6:30 pm at the O’Brien Community Center. On the Agenda is a presentation from the new chief of police. The Inclusion & Belonging Commission will meet on February 15th at 6:00 pm. The Inclusion & Belonging Commission will have a zoom option. Councilor Oakleaf: The Winooski Bridge Replacement Committee will meet February 7th from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Refer to the project website for updates: https://burlingtonwinooskibridge.vtransprojects.vermont.gov/indes.php/news-and-events Airport Commission meets February 7th at 4:00 pm. Please visit the Burlington City website for meeting agendas and details. Municipal Infrastructure Commission will not meet this month. Further details will follow. Chittenden Solid Waste District- Full Board meeting is set for February 28th at 6:00pm. Please visit www.cswd.net for meeting agenda and details.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov VII. City Updates Towm Meeting Day The Annual Town Meeting Day election will take place on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 7:00 am to 7:00 PM at the Winooski Senior Center at 123 Barlow Street. All election, ballot, and budget information can be found at winooskivt.gov/townmeeting. Early and absentee voting will be available as always- learn how to register and find helpful voting resources at winooskivt.gov/vote. TIF Closure Governor Phil Scott and Mayor Kristine Lott were joined by state and local leaders last week during a press conference in Rotary Park to celebrate the success of Winooski’s Tax Increment Financing District which has led to more jobs, more housing, and an increase in the grand list and contributions to the state education fund. Many thanks to everyone who attended and who couldn’t make it but were there in spirit! To read the full press release, visit the news updates section of our website at winooskivt.gov. Local Resources Advisory Board Members On January 16th, City Council voted to establish a Local Resources Advisory Board and the City is now accepting applications for membership. The Board supports the protection and preservation of the City’s historic preservation, history, architecture, archaeology, and related disciplines are encouraged to apply. Members may be from other communities if they provide expertise not met by Winooski residents. The City of Winooski seeks to appoint board members who are representative of the community as a whole-a commitment to principles of equity and inclusion is paramount. For full details, visit the news updates section of winooskivt.gov. VIII. Regular Items A. Discussion: Public Hearing - Amendments to the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations (Multiple Sections) - Eric Vorwald, Planning and Zoning Manager Minutes: The Public Hearing was open at 6:11 pm. Eric Vorwald, Planning & Zoning Manager provided a summary of the Unified Land Use and  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Development Regulations (ULUDR). These amendments include new regulations to establish local protections for historic, cultural, architectural, and archeological resources. The primary change from the January 8th meeting was to have a Local Advisory Board versus a Commission. Nick Brownell questioned how this these regulations will help property owners to make additions as well as Insulation and heating issues. Would these improvements be covered by a State Commission. Mayor Lott Responded that the State does not have such a program. The State recommended to develop local controls. This might create pathways to access grant funding for home improvements. In addition, it is only the building Façade and not the interior. The Public Hearing closed at 6:16 pm. B. Discussion/Approval: Amendments to the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations (Multiple Sections) - Eric Vorwald, Planning and Zoning Manager Minutes: Discussion ensued about local protections for natural resources such as wetlands, wildlife habitat, etc. Eric Vorwald stated there are protections addressed in other parts of the regulations. In addition, discussion around delisting a property and property owner stops managing the property. Eric Vorwald stated there are other mechanisms in the City Code for those properties delisting by neglect. Motion: Motion by Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to approve the Amendments as presented. Voted and passed 3-1. Councilor Hurd voted nay. C. Fiscal Year 2023 Audit Report - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director Minutes: The Audit Report will be available to review due to an emergency dental appointment. This item is tabled until the February 20th meeting. D. Discussion/Approval: Introduction of Draft Amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 17 to Address Short- Term Rentals - Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director Minutes: Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director provided an overview of the introduction of draft Amendments. Discussion ensued regarding the fee schedule for owner vs. non-owner occupied annual license fees. Council agreed to increase the fee for non-owner occupied from $1,000 to $1,400. In addition, discussion ensued over the amount of insurance that is required and if the amount is a standard amount in the industry for platform-provided rates. The waiver period for non-compliance is extended to 14 business days instead of the 7 calendar days. Additional discussion with John Audy, Fire Chief to explore government and non-profit building inspection language. The last major summary item was to clarify the process for potential in-field violation issuance. A Public Hearing to address these amendments to Chapter 17 will occur on February 20, 2024. Motion: Type Here A 5 (five) minutes recess was called at 7:10 pm to resume at 7:15 pm.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov E. Discussion: Introduction to Update Municipal Code Chapter 28 Fees - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director Minutes: Angela Aldieri, Finance Director provided an overview of the proposed changes to Chapter 28 Fees. Discussion ensued over the proposed changes and fee structures. Ray Coffey, Community Services Director provided an example for the addition of a rubric and rate structure for community service programs. A public hearing to discuss the proposed changes to update the Ordinance (Chapter 28 Fees) is scheduled for February 20, 2024. IX. Executive Session - City Manager Review - Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (3), the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee Motion by Councilor Hurd seconded by Councilor Judge the need to enter into an executive session at 7:45 pm. Voted and passed 4-0. Motion by Deputy Mayor Renner seconded by Councilor Hurd to enter into an executive session at 7:45 pm. Voted and passed 4-0. Motion by Councilor Hurd seconded by Councilor Judge to come out of executive session at 9:03 pm. Voted and passed 4-0. X. Adjourn A motion to adjourn was made by Deputy Mayor Renner seconded by Councilor Judge to adjourn at 9:03 pm. Voted and passed 4-0. Attest: _____________________________________________________________ Jenny Willingham, City Clerk