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, March 17, 2025 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 Bryn Oakleaf; Councilor Charles Judge Officers Present: Elaine Wang, City Manager; Paul Sarne, Communications Director; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director; Ray Coffey, Community Services Director; Ravi Venkataraman, Director of City Planning; Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director; Jenny Willingham, City Clerk; Amanda Casper, Assistant City Clerk Others Present: None I. Call to Order at 6:01 PM II. Agenda Review Minutes: The City Attorney is on a time limit this evening and needs to be present for the executive session. Proposal: Move Items 8 and 9 ahead of the regular items to accommodate the City Attorney’s availability. Motion: Items 8 & 9 moved ahead of the regular items III. Public Comment Minutes: None. IV. Consent Agenda A. Approval: City Council and Liquor Control Board Meeting Minutes of February 18, 2025 B. Approval: Accounts Payable Warrants of March 5 and 12, 2025 C. Approval: Payroll Warrants February 2 - 15 2025 and February 16 - March 1, 2025 D. Approval: Subsequent to Payout Warrant December 2024 E. Approval: Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Contract Award F. Approval: Certified Local Government Agreement G. Approval: New Public Rights-of-Way (Roads) Consideration and Naming H. Approval: Winooski Armory Redevelopment Project Request for Congressionally Directed Spending I. Approval: Winooski Police Department Renovation Project Request for Congressionally Directed Spending J. Approval: Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Financing K. Approval: City Manager Evaluation Summary L. Approval: Resolution - Women's History and Gender Equality Month M. Approval: Resolution - International Transgender Day of Visibility N. Approval: Resolution - Francophone Month  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Minutes: Deputy Mayor Renner abstained from voting on item I. Mayor Lott presented Items A-H and items J-N for council approval. And then put item I up for approval separately. Motion: A motion was made to approve items A-H and J,K,L,M by Councilor Judge, seconded by Deputy Mayor Renner. Voted and passed 4-0 Motion: A motion was made to approve item I by Councilor Judge, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Voted and passed 3-0. Deputy Mayor Renner abstained V. Council Reports Mayor Kristine Lott: shared that the Finance Commission had met the previous week and reviewed three key items: the results of an exit poll conducted on Town Meeting Day, which showed that about half of voters were seeking information ahead of time, mainly through the city’s website and social media. Many voters felt that the amount being requested was fair or trusted City leadership. The Commission also reviewed their section of the master plan, making minor suggestions for the upcoming comprehensive update. Additionally, they were introduced to the Small Business Loan Program, which will be evaluated in more detail at the next meeting on April 8th. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations related to transportation demand management. The amendments aim to reduce vehicle trips, improve traffic flow, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, while encouraging alternative transportation. There were no public attendees at the hearing, and the amendments will be brought to the City Council for further consideration. The next regular Planning Commission meeting will be on April 10th, and a joint Planning and Housing meeting is scheduled for March 27th to continue discussions on inclusion areas. Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner: briefly updated the council, noting that the "Safe, Healthy, Connected People" meeting did not take place last time but will be held tomorrow (March 18th) at 5:30 PM at the O'Brien Community Center. He was unable to attend the last Downtown Winooski meeting due to family issues, so no updates were available from that meeting. Councilor Aurora Hurd: reported that they were unable to attend the I & B Commission’s last meeting due to illness but has been working with the chair to explore ways to connect with the Winooski School Anti-Racism Commission to develop civic engagement opportunities. While there will be no I & B meeting in March, ambassadors will be attending other scheduled meetings in their roles. The I & B will reconvene in April. Councilor Bryn Oakleaf: noted that there was no Infrastructure Commission meeting this month due to a lack of discussion items. The next meeting will be on April 17th, with a focus on the car charging planning grants. Additionally, the Main Street revitalization work is set to begin next Monday, and this will be addressed in future discussions. Oakleaf also thanked residents for re-electing them for a third term. Councilor Charles Judge: thanked the residents of Winooski for re-electing him to the city council for the next two years. He expressed his gratitude and mentioned that he looks forward to continuing to serve the community. He also announced that the Winooski Housing Commission will meet on March 27th at 6 PM at City Hall, with a Zoom option available for those who cannot attend in person.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov VI. City Updates Elaine Wang, City Manager, provided the following updates: Main Street Revitalization Construction Update Construction will resume soon! The contractor is expected to return to the project area during the week of March 24, with work resuming by March 31. Short-term closures, night work, detoured traffic, lane shifts and closures, side street closures, detour routes, and on-street parking restrictions are expected. Flaggers, uniformed officers, and signs will direct traffic at each work zone where necessary. Temporary interruptions to utilities and driveways are also expected. In late April, the project will resume the 24/7 lane closure on Main Street, restricting traffic to northbound only. Southbound traffic will be detoured onto Tigan Street and Weaver Street. This year, the project will finish replacing the water and sewer systems and installing stormwater pipes and underground utilities. Main Street will be reconstructed through excavation, curb installation, paving, and line striping. New sidewalks, streetlighting, signs, landscaping, and upgraded traffic signals will also be installed. Construction will take place primarily Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM, from April through early winter. The project is expected to be completed by summer 2026. To read the full announcement with details about construction starting back up, please visit winooskivt.gov/mainstreet. Residents, businesses, and visitors who travel through the area are encouraged to sign up for weekly updates and traffic alerts. Business on Main Street: to help the Main Street Outreach Team contact you about direct impacts, please fill out the form available on the project website, winooskivt.gov/mainstreet. Main Street Business Support Marketing Campaign In related news, businesses on Main Street, please keep an eye out for an announcement about a special marketing campaign in support of Winooski businesses on Main Street. Through a special grant, the City has partnered with a LONDONmiddlebury, a marketing firm located right here in Winooski to help encourage residents and visitors to support our businesses. If you haven’t received an email, text, or WhatsApp notification about this, please send an email to info@winooskimainstreet.com, or call 802-655-6410 and ask for me, Elaine. Vermont Garden Network Greenhouse Opening The Vermont Garden Network and Winooski Recreation and Parks are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of the Landry Park Greenhouse on Saturday, March 22. The event is free, family-friendly and open to everyone - participants will enjoy activities such as a heated greenhouse tour, seed swap & sharing table, sowing onions & spring greens, and block printing. Free food/refreshments!  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov VIII. Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 313 Which Exempts from Public Inspection, (a)(1)(E) Pending or Probable Civil Litigation or a Prosecution, to Which the Public Body is or May be a Party City Manager Review Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (3), the Appointment or Employment or Evaluation of a Public Officer or Employee Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by Councilor Judge to have executive session. Voted and passed 4-0. Motion: A motion was made to enter into an executive session by Deputy Mayor Renner, seconded by Councilor Oakleaf. Voted and passed 4-0. Executive Session was entered into at 6:15 PM Motion: A motion was made to exit executive session by Councilor Hurd, seconded by Deputy Mayor Renner. Voted and passed 4-0. Executive Session was exited at 6:25 PM IX. Regular Items A. Discussion/Approval: Settlement Agreement for Assessment Minutes: To approve Settlement Agreement regarding Stephen Crimmin & Liba Hladik assessment and direct the City Manager to execute the agreement. Motion: A motion was made to approve the agreement as presented by Councilor Judge, seconded by Deputy Mayor Renner. Voted and passed 4-0. VI. Regular Items A. Discussion/Approval: Overview of the Approach for the Comprehensive Plan Update - Ravi Venkataraman, Director of City Planning Minutes: Director of City Planning, Ravi Venkataraman gave council an overview of the Comprehensive Plan Update seeking approval on the approach as presented. Discussion ensued. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Judge, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Voted and passed 4-0. B. Discussion/Approval: Municipal Planning Grant Application for 2027 Master Plan Update - Ravi Venkataraman, Director of City Planning Minutes: Director of City Planning, Ravi Venkataraman presented council with the updates to the Municipal Planning Grant Application for 2027 Master Plan to gain approval to apply for a $9,000 Municipal Planning Grant. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by 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 C. Discussion/Approval: Appointment of Deputy Mayor - Mayor Kristine Lott Minutes: Mayor Lott presented Council with the appointment of Deputy Mayor, asking for approval to reappoint Thomas Renner as Deputy Mayor. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Hurd, seconded by Councilor Oakleaf. Voted and passed 3-0. Deputy Mayor Renner abstained. D. Discussion/Approval: City Council Rules of Procedure - Mayor Kristine Lott Minutes: Mayor Lott presented Council with Rules of Procedure to review draft and adopt Rules of Procedure as presented with a change to Article 5 (e) that the mayor is not required to vote, unless to break a tie or achieve a quorum with the vote. Discussion ensued. Motion: A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Renner, seconded by Councilor Oakleaf. Voted and passed 4-0. E. Discussion/Approval: Statewide Code of Ethics and City Council Conflict of Interest Policy – Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: Discuss staff plan of action regarding the Code of Ethics Ordinance and a unified Code of Ethics that combines the statewide Municipal Code of Ethics and the more restrictive aspects of Winooski City Council’s historical Code of Ethics and provide direction on that plan. Vote to adopt the statutory Municipal Code of Ethics, and the Winooski City Council Conflict of Interest Policy, with the more restrictive provisions prevailing where they disagree or one is silent. Vote to set deadline for Council members to take the training and provide documentation to the City Manager. Discussion ensued. Motion: A motion was made Deputy Mayor Renner, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 4-0. F. Discussion/Approval: City Council Meeting Schedule (2025 - 2026) - Mayor Kristine Lott Minutes: Mayor Lott presented Council to adopt the 2025-2026 meeting schedule, including a retreat date, as presented or with changes. Discussion ensued over availability for attached for attached schedule. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by Deputy Mayor Renner. Voted and passed 4-0. G. Discussion/Approval: City Council Declaration of Inclusion - Mayor Kristine Lott Minutes: Mayor Lott presented Council with the Declaration of Inclusion for re-adoption. Motion: A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Renner, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 4-0. H. Discussion/Approval: City Council Equity Assessment Worksheet - Mayor Kristine Lott Minutes: Mayor Lott presented Council with Equity Assessment Worksheet for re-adoption. Motion: A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Renner, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 4-0. I. Discussion/Approval: City Council Community Access/Engagement Procedure - Mayor Kristine Lott  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Minutes: Mayor Lott presented Council with Community Access/Engagement Procedure for re-adoption Motion: A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Renner, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 4-0. J. Discussion/Approval: City Council Liaison Appointments for Commissions - Mayor Kristine Lott Minutes: Mayor Lott presented Council with Liaison Appointments for Commissions for discussion and approval. Discussion ensued. Motion: A motion was made by Councilor Oakleaf, seconded by Councilor Judge. Voted and passed 4-0. VIII. Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 313 Which Exempts From Public Inspection, (a)(1)(E) Pending or Probable Civil Litigation or a Prosecution, to Which the Public Body is or May be a Party City Manager Review Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (3), the Appointment or Employment or Evaluation of a Public Officer or Employee IX. Regular Items A. Discussion/Approval: Settlement Agreement for Assessment VIII. Adjourn Motion: A motion to adjourn was made by Councilor Hurd, seconded by Deputy Mayor Renner. The meeting adjourned at 7:05 PM Attest: __________________________________ Amanda Casper, Assistant City Clerk