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, December 9, 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; Councilor Aurora Hurd; Councilor Bryn Oakleaf; Councilor Charles Judge Officers Present: Elaine Wang, City Manager; Paul Sarne, Communications Director; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director; Jenny Willingham, City Clerk; John Audy, Fire Chief; Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director; Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director; Ray Coffey, Community Services Director; Ravi Venkataraman, Director of Planning and Zoning; Amanda Casper, Assistant City Clerk Others Present: Town Meeting TV, Sarah Von Ryckevorsel, Britta Tonn, Bridget O’Brien, Jessica Wignal, Judy Lance, Nick Warner, Lauren Chicote, Stewart Ledbetter, Sue O’Brien & Doug Johnson I. Call to Order at 6 PM II. Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Bryn Oakleaf III. Agenda Review Minutes: None IV. Public Comment Minutes: None V. Consent Agenda A. Approval: Cannabis Control Board, Liquor Control Board, and City Council Minutes of December 2, 2024 B. Approval: Payroll Warrant November 11 - 23, 2024 C. Approval: Accounts Payable Warrant December 4, 2024 D. Approval: Resolution – Winooski Falls East (Lot 7D) - Transfer of South Unit at Lot 7D to Onion River Hotel LLC E. Approval: Extension of the Interest Rate Buydown Pilot Program of the Housing Trust Fund Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Judge, Seconded by Councilor Oakleaf. Voted and passed 3-0. VI. Council Reports Mayor Kristine Lott: reported that the Planning Commission will be meeting next Thursday, December 19, at 6:30 PM to follow up on discussion of proposed amendments to land use and the conversation at the developer round table. And today, Monday, December 9th, she met with the City Manager and two state representatives to kick off a monthly collaborative meeting throughout the legislative session to stay in  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov coordination. The Finance Commission is meeting next Tuesday, December 17th, at 6PM. And Staff shared that the Housing Commission will meet Tuesday, December 17th. Councilor Aurora Hurd: issued a brief reminder that Inclusion and Belonging Commission is going to meet this month on the 19th at 6PM over zoom. Councilor Bryn Oakleaf: issued a remaindered that the Winooski Bridge Replacement Project has an open house on Wednesday, December 11th, in Burlington Mainstreet Landing from 4:30-6:30PM. There will be light refreshments and some activities for kids, drop by whenever you can! Councilor Charles Judge: reported that they are trying to set a date for the next Housing Commission, but one has not been set as of yet. VII. City Updates Elaine Wang, City Manager gave the following updates: Burlington/Winooski Bridge Open House The Vermont Agency of Transportation and Cities of Burlington and Winooski invite you to attend the Burlington-Winooski Bridge Replacement and Intersection Improvement Project Open House on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 4 PM at the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington. Everyone is welcome to attend - enjoy light refreshments, snacks, and fun activities for kids and adults to help shape the aesthetic look of the bridge's design. To learn more, visit the news updates section of winooskivt.gov. If you can’t make it, a virtual open house will be available on the project website soon! Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Discussions Tonight continues the Fiscal Year 2026 staff budget presentations. Please stick around for the Public Works and Capital Improvement Plan presentation to learn more about plowing, paving, sidewalks, water/sewer, facilities, equipment and more. For the full schedule of budget meetings and information, please visit winooskivt.gov/fy26. Main Street Revitalization The Main Street Revitalization project is scheduled to pause for the winter later this month. This pause means no paving, no patching, and resuming two-way traffic on Main Street. This will make traveling through the area easier for all vehicles and pedestrians. More details to come about the great work that the project team did this summer. In the meantime, we are now ramping up our public efforts to support businesses impacted by the Main Street Revitalization project, with a marketing campaign. I say public, because this effort was informed behind the scenes by many people. The City, Downtown Winooski, and the Winooski Working Communities Challenge Initiative worked with local stakeholders and businesses to understand the impacts and needs of the Main Street Revitalization project. Over 30 meetings were held with financial institutions, government agencies, and business counseling providers to explore options for loans, grants, donations, and other support. Input was also gathered from communities with similar projects, including Middlebury, Brandon, and Burlington. We’ve posted a request for proposals for a firm to design and implement a marketing and wayfinding campaign to  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov encourage people to support businesses on Main Street. A $25,000 Vermont Community Fund grant was secured to fund this work! Operation Fire Cuffs 2024 The City of Winooski is thrilled to join the 2024 Operation Fire Cuffs annual toy drive for the UVM Children's Hospital. Every year, this special tradition brings joy to children in need and we encourage residents to donate. Donations can be made at the Winooski Fire Department, Monday – Thursday from 8 AM – 5 PM. VIII. Regular Items A. Discussion/Approval: Voter Backed Petition – Animal Control – Jenny Willingham, City Clerk Minutes: City Clerk, Jenny Willingham, introduced Council to the Voter Backed Petition for Animal Control. The petition was accepted by staff and petitioner was notified that it was accepted. City Manager Wang provided an overview and if Council would consider this as “advisory”. The definition of advisory relates to: A. To determine that the petition is for an employment-related article, and therefore advisory; and B. Against adding the article to the Town Meeting Day warning. Council asked clarifying questions, discussion ensued. Motion: a first motion to determine that the position is for an employment related article and therefore advisory was made by Councilor Hurd, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 3-0. Motion: A second motion to approve adding the article to Town Meeting Day was made by Councilor Judge, seconded by Councilor Oakleaf. Voted and failed 0-3. B. Discussion: Just Cause Eviction Charter Change Public Hearings - Jenny Willingham, City Clerk Minutes: City Clerk, Jenny Willingham introduced Council to the Just Cause Eviction Charter Change Public Hearings with the proposed motion: To warn the two public hearings for a voter-backed charter amendment on Just Cause Eviction accepted on December 13, 2022. The warning notice will be posted in at least two public places in the municipality, and in or near the City Clerk’s Office, not less than 30 (thirty) nor more than 40 (forty) days before the hearing. The Public Hearings will be on January 27, 2025 & February 3, 2025. This proposed charter change will be voted on during Winooski’s Annual Meeting on March 4, 2025. Due to proper warning, this item will be warned for approval, therefore no motion could be made. Discussion will resume for approval on December 16, 2024. C. Discussion/Approval: Winooski Small Business Loan Committee Loan Application Recommendation – Donwoori – Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: City Manager, Elaine Wang introduced Council to a new loan application eligible for the Winooski Small Business Loan Program was referred by Opportunities Credit Union for consideration by the Winooski Small Business Loan Committee. The Council-appointed Loan Committee met on December 2, 2024 to evaluate the application based on the program criteria established in the policy guidelines for the City fund. The Committee recommends approval of the requested $75,000 loan. Discussion ensued. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Hurd to approve the loan as present, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 3-1. Councilor Oakleaf voted nay.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov D. Discussion: Winooski Valley Park District Presentation – Ray Coffey, Community Services Director Minutes: Community Services Director, Ray Coffey, along with Winooski Valley Park District (WVPD) presented Council with an overview of the WVPD work. They are an independent nonprofit and Vermont municipality that manages recreational lands and waters within the boundaries of its 7 member municipalities in the Winooski River Valley. For several years, Winooski has paid less than the amount of dues requested by WVPD, based partially on the fact that WVPD does not currently manage any property within the City. The City Manager’s proposed FY26 budget includes the continued incremental increase as in years past. The conversation staff started in 2023 with WVPD about them potentially taking over management of Memorial Park was previewed to Council during the FY25 budget discussions. The conversation remains ongoing. E. Discussion: Fiscal Year 2026 Staff Budget Presentations: Public Works and Capital – Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works Minutes: Director of Public Works, Jon Rauscher, presented Council with the Fiscal Year 2026 Staff Budget for Public Works and Capital. With focus on the General Fund – DPW, Water Fund, Sewer Fund, along with the City Capital Funds. Total Grant and State/Federal Funding for City-owned Infrastructure: $34,700,000. F. Discussion: Strategic Vision Goal Area Updates: Municipal Infrastructure – Jon Rauscher, Director of Public Works Minutes: Director of Public Works, Jon Rauscher, presented Council with the second Municipal Infrastructure update for the adopted 2024-2025 Policy Priorities and Strategies goals. Discussion ensued. G. Discussion: Certified Local Government Designation – Ravi Venkataraman, Director of Planning and Zoning Minutes: Director of Planning and Zoning, Ravi Venkataraman, presented Council with a background on Certified Local Government (CLG) with intend to get approval to apply for the Certified Local Government designation. The Certified Local Government (CLG) Program is a historic preservation program administered by the National Park Service and the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation. This program focuses on promoting historic preservation at the local level by supporting related planning, education, outreach and rehabilitation efforts. Discussion ensued. Due to proper warning, this discussion will continue with approval taking place on December 16, 2024. H. Discussion: Overview and Introduction of Amendments to Unified Land Use and Development Regulations (ULUDR) – Act 181 - Ravi Venkataraman, Director of Planning and Zoning Minutes: Director of Planning and Zoning, Ravi Venkataraman, presented Council with an overview and introduction of Amendments to Unified Land Use and Development Regulations (ULUDR) to stay in accordance with Act 181. The following changes are proposed: To allow for parking spaces in an adjacent or nearby lot to count toward the parking requirements of a residential use, per 24 V.S.A. §4428. To acknowledge that for conversions of hotels and motels into permanently affordable housing, the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations cannot interfere with the functioning of the use, pursuant to 24 V.S.A. §4413. And to update the public noticing requirements to align with the recent changes to 24 V.S.A. §4464. Sarah Von Ryckevorsel made comment about the historical preservation within Winooski. Due to proper warning, this discussion will continue with approval for a Public Hearing on January 7, 2025 taking place on December 16, 2024.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov IX. Adjourn Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:28 PM Attest: ______________________________________________________ Amanda Casper, Assistant City Clerk