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, September 3, 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 Members Present: Mayor Kristine Lott; Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner, Councilor Aurora Hurd, Councilor Charles Judge Officers Present: Elaine Wang, City Manager; Paul Sarne, Communications Director; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director; Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works; Ray Coffey, Community Services Director; Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director; Jenny Willingham, City Clerk; Amanda Casper, Assistant City Clerk Others Present: Mike Myers, Richard Joseph, Ryan Wade, Jean Elizabeth Shockley, Jason Charvest, Richard Backer, Jean Saysani, Eli Ogilvie, Peter Guarco, Elias Klemperer, Joyce McNight, Carly Staab, Quaron Pinckney, Lucas Pelletier, Marielle Matthews, Michelle Metzler, Representative Daisy Berbeco, Abby Bleything, James Leas, Tom Buckley, Terry Zigmund, Melissa Needham, Joanna Rankin, Daniel Langfitt and Peter Rowan I. Call to Order at 6:01 PM II. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Deputy Mayor Renner III. Agenda Review Minutes: None IV. Public Comment Minutes: Mike Myers gave public comment to pay his respects to the late Roland Dion. Jean Elizabeth Shockley made public comment about extending dog registration requirements to cats in the community. Terry Zigmund made public comment about traffic calming measures for Weaver Street. V. Consent Agenda a. Approval: Liquor Control Board and City Council Meeting Minutes of August 5, 2024 b. Approval: Payroll Warrant July 21 - August 4, 2024 c. Approval: Accounts Payable August 15, 2024 d. Approval: Subsequent to Payout Warrant - June 2024 e. Approval: City Manager Contract Amendment f. Approval: Grant Application to Northern Borders Regional Commission (NBRC) to Recapitalize Winooski Small Business Loan Fund g. Approval: Letter of Attestation to State Downtown Vibrancy Fund  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Minutes: Mayor Lott presented Items A through G on the consent agenda for approval. Motion: Councilor Renner made a motion to approve, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Voted and passed 4-0. VI. Council Reports Mayor Kristine Lott: The Planning Commission took a first pass at Replacement ordinance at their last meeting, aimed at supporting the retention of 2+ bedroom units. They'll work on this again at the upcoming 9/12 meeting. The Finance Commission meeting offered input on community outreach ahead of the budget season. Elaine and I met with the Superintendent and WSD Board Chair to plan for our upcoming joint meeting where the school board will join the council at our 11/4 meeting. Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner: New members on SHCP that Ray spoke about in Regular item A. Main Street Businesses need support, they are experiencing a decrease in sales as a result of construction. Councilor Charles Judge: Housing Commission met on Tuesday august 27th, we welcomed the commissions newest member, Patrice Lumumba who’s appointment was approved by council during our August 5th meeting. The commission had a conversation around the Home Improvement Program and discussed changing the requirements for eligibility, received an update on the roll out of short-term rental registrations, and elected new commission leadership. Housing Commission meets again on September 24th at 6:00. Councilor Aurora Hurd: Inclusion and Belonging met on the 29th of August, they were able to speak with Jazmine Hurley and get an update on Housing in Winooski: what the city staff are working on, as well as the housing commission, interest in Short Term Rentals and where that is going and ways the Inclusion and Belonging commission can continue to support housing initiatives. The commission also discussed Chair Structure and are going to try a Co-Chair model, which sounds like a cool model that may reduce burdens on folks in commission roles to have that additional support. The commission also discussed the commission so far has only had Winooski residents, but the commission discussed having non-residents if they have connections through work or are going to school in Winooski to also be considered. There are still a couple of open positions on the Inclusion and Belonging commission that they are doing interviews for in the next month or so that is something they are keeping in mind for those who have already reached out or are interested in applying. The next Inclusion and Belonging meeting will be in October. Councilor Bryn Oakleaf: attended the August 18th Winooski Farmers Market to represent Council, had great conversations about Capital Improvement projects going on: Main Street and the Winooski Bridge. Various interests in the commissions and attending Council. It was an excellent day and definitely looking forward to more engagement. There was no Infrastructure meeting in August, the next potential meeting will be September 19th. They anticipate having some interviews for vacancies either this week or early next week. The next Airport Meeting commission meeting will be tomorrow, Wednesday, September 4th at 4PM. Noise Sound Insulation is a regular agenda item. The agenda for it is posted on the City’s website. For anyone interested in continuing response for the fire suppressant foam release from earlier this summer, South Burlington’s city council has an agenda item to get an update on that at their meeting tonight.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov VII. City Updates Elaine Wang, City Manager gave the following updates: Temporary Closure of the Winooski Memorial Library Unfortunately, the Winooski Memorial Library has temporarily closed once again in response to additional environmental soil and air testing as part of the process related to the sale of the O'Brien Community Center to the Champlain Housing Trust. Levels of PCE (tetrachloroethylene) were found above indoor air quality standards - likely due to a dry- cleaning business formerly located at the site – and while the levels are not high enough for a State-mandated shutdown, we’ve moved to providing limited library services at the O’Brien Community Center while we work with the Champlain Housing Trust to determine a plan of action going forward. For specific details and updates, please visit winooskivt.gov/library. Thank you for your continued patience at this time. Library Open House & Community Listening Session While the second temporary closure of the Library is difficult, we’re still moving forward with the Open House & Community Listening Session on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 4 – 7 PM, now relocated at the O'Brien Community Center (just next door). If you haven’t heard, we’ve partnered with the Champlain Housing Trust to redevelop the O'Brien Community Center and construct a new library for the community – an initiative that will vastly increase our existing space by nearly 4000 square feet. Stop by during our open house to learn more about the project, provide feedback on the design process, and meet with stakeholders who will be present to answer questions. Eastern Equine Encephalitis Last week, officials from the Vermont Department of Health sent out a press release strongly recommending people in towns at high risk for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) avoid spending time outdoors as much as possible between 6 PM and 6 AM to avoid mosquitoes that could carry the virus. If going outdoors, taking steps to prevent mosquito bites is essential. High-risk towns currently include Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester and Swanton and while Winooski isn’t on the list, community members should keep an eye out for further updates and use caution when travelling to high-risk areas as well as when out and about in Winooski. The recommendation will be in place until the first hard frost that kills mosquitoes. For more information, visit healthvermont.gov/eee. Congrats to Jenny Willingham, City Clerk Congratulations to Jenny on earning Certified Vermont Clerk designation from the Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Association. This certification requires both basic and continuing education, as well as a track record of experience and professional service. Those with the CVC have demonstrated a commitment to the profession and to serving their communities. Please join us in congratulating Jenny on achieving this distinction.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov VII. Regular Items a. Discussion/Approval: Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission Appointments - Ray Coffey, Community Services Director Minutes: Ray Coffey, Community Services Director, introduced Council Arica Bronz for approval to be appointed to Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission and Marielle Matthews to be appointed to be appointed as an Alternate. Marielle Matthews introduced themselves to Council and the public. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Hurd, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 4-0. b. Discussion/Approval: Resolution Relating to Requesting Vermont's Congressional Delegation request the Secretary of the United States Air Force replace the current F-35 mission with one that causes no harmful noise to the people living around the airport, and one that is fully compatible with residential neighborhoods - Mayor Kristine Lott Minutes: Mayor Kristine Lott presented the Resolution requesting the Secretary of the United States Air Force replace the current F-35 mission with one that causes no harmful noises to residents to council for discussion and approval. Discussion ensued amongst Council. Richard Joseph made public comment. Jean Saysoni made public comment. Marielle Matthews made public comment. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Judge and seconded by Councilor Renner. Voted and passed 4-0. c. Discussion/Approval: Lafountain/Dion Scoping Study - Presentation of Revised Recommended Preferred Alternative - Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works Minutes: Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works with Jason Charest and Kevin McCarthy from Chittenden County RPC presented to Council and the Public on the revisions to the recommended preferred alternative to the Lafountain/Dion Scoping study. Discussion ensued. Chris Cronrow made public comment. Elias Klemperer made public comment. Lucas Pelletier made public comment. Peter Guarco made public comment. Eli Ogilvie made public comment. Discussion ensued. Ryan Wade made public comment. Jean Elizabeth Shockley made public comment. Joyce McNight made public comment. Molly made public comment. Abby Bleything made public comment. Michelle Metzler answered some of the public’s concerns. Terry Zigmund made public comment. Discussion ensued. Motion: Councilor Oakleaf made a motion to approve Alternate Four that includes on street parking spaces from Main to LeClair Street and considers short term alternatives that provide for traffic calming including ballards and rumble strips leading up to the intersections along the corridor as identified by the engineers, seconded by Councilor Renner. Voted and failed 3-1. Councilor Hurd moved to endorse Alternative 4D for the long term solution with the recommended short term solutions, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 3-1. Councilor Oakleaf voted nay. Minutes: Council took a recess at 8:12 PM and reconvened at 8:19 PM  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov d. Discussion/Approval: Grand List Errors and Omissions – Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: Elaine Wang, City Manager and Ted Nelson, Vermont Appraisal Company presented Council with the Errors and Omissions for the Grand List for approval. Discussion ensued. Motion: Motion to approve the errors and omissions including a future audit into the rental prices (income) on 268 E Allen and 10 Manseau St. within a year. A motion was made by Councilor Renner, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Voted and passed 4-0. e. Discussion/Approval: Introduce Amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 15 (Parking) and Set Public Hearing Date - Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: Elaine Wang, City Manager along with Angela Aldieri, Finance Director, introduced the amendments to Chapter 15, Parking, to Council and asked to set the date of the public hearing for September 16. Motion: Councilor Renner moved to formally introduce the amendments to Chapter 15 and set a Public Hearing Date for September 16th and seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 4-0. f. Discussion/Approval: Request for Use of Reserves: Burlington-Winooski Bridge & Director of City Planning Transition – Angela Aldieri, Finance Director Minutes: Angela Aldieri, Finance Director presented Council with a request for Use of Reserves for the Burlington-Winooski Bridge & Director of City Planning Transition. Discussion ensued. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Judge, seconded by Councilor Renner. Voted and passed 4-0. g. Discussion: Strategic Vision Goal Area Updates: All, Economic Vitality – Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: Elaine Wang, City Manager along with Paul Sarne, Communications Director, led the updates on Strategic Vision Goal Areas. Discussion ensued. IX. Adjourn Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Renner, Seconded by Councilor Hurd to adjourn the meeting. Voted and passed 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 PM Attest: _____________________________________________________________ Amanda Casper, Assistant City Clerk