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, June 2, 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: Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner; Councilor Aurora Hurd; Councilor Bryn Oakleaf and Councilor Charles Judge Officers Present: Ray Coffey, Acting City Manager; Paul Sarne, Communications Director; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director; Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director; Jesse Acri, Human Resources Director; Jenny Willingham, City Clerk and Adam Hoffnung-Warantz, Assistant City Clerk Others Present: Melissa Corbin, Executive Director, Downtown Winooski; Miranda Lescaze, Champlain Housing Trust; Michael Monte, Champlain Housing Trust; Steve Spear (HNTB); Michael LaCroix (VTrans); Sean Bleything; Eli Ogilvie; Terry Zigmund; Diane Collias; Kim Hier; Jen Berger; Mary Cain and Zoom User “iPad” I. Call to Order at 6 PM II. Pledge of Allegiance lead by Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner III. Agenda Review Minutes: None Motion: None IV. Public Comment Minutes: Terry Zigmund made a public comment regarding truck traffic on Elm Street and sought follow up information on height, weight, and length limits. Diane Collias made a public comment asking for improvements in the Gilbrook and Casavant Nature Areas. V. Consent Agenda A. Approval: City Council Minutes of May 19, 2025 B. Approval: Accounts Payable Warrant May 29, 2025 C. Approval: Payroll Warrant May 11-May 24 D. Approval: Resolution - Recognizing June as Pride Month in Winooski E. Approval: Resolution - Recognizing Immigrant Heritage Month and World Refugee Day in Winooski F. Approval: Event Permit - Downtown Winooski Block Parties G. Approval: Event Permit - Downtown Winooski Juneteenth Celebration H. Approval: Event Permit - Pride in Winooski I. Approval: Event Permit - Neighborhood Block Party, North Street  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov J. Approval: Chittenden Solid Waste District Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Presentation K. Approval: State Treasurers Report: Internal Finance Controls Checklist Minutes: None Motion: Motion by Councilor Bryn Oakleaf. Seconded by Councilor Aurora Hurd to approve the Consent Agenda. Voted and carried 3-0. VI. Council Reports Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner: None Councilor Charles Judge: Councilor Judge was not available during the most recent Housing Commission meeting and has no new updates. Councilor Aurora Hurd: The Inclusion and Belonging Commission meeting is moved to June 12 at 6 PM due to a schedule conflict. Councilor Bryn Oakleaf: The upcoming Municipal Infrastructure Commission for June needs to be rescheduled because the meeting is scheduled for Juneteenth, which is a holiday. VII. City Updates Ray Coffey, Acting City Manager, gave the following updates: The Winooski Mosaic Receipt Raffle is going really well! Over 50 submissions for May – winner announced soon. Keep submitting those receipts, thank so much for supporting businesses on Main Street during the Main Street Revitalization project. To learn more and submit your receipts, visit downtownwinooski.org/mosaic or follow us on social media The Myers Memorial Pool opens this weekend on Sunday, June 8! Get your season passes (Family, Adult, Senior, and Youth) and check out our 2025 offerings at winooskivt.gov/pool. Keep your eyes out for an exciting announcement about the new concession vendor (don’t name) via press release tomorrow Many of Winooski’s boards, commissions, and committees have seats expiring at the end of this month on June 30. If you’ve got relevant experience, skills, interests, or a willingness to engage – please apply on our website by visiting the news updates section at winooskivt.gov. Council and staff welcome a diversity of voices, and if you’ve never served before, we’ll do our best to support you! Current members may indicate their interest in being reappointed, and residents who are not currently serving are welcome to apply. Change of appraisal notices were mailed to property owners in Winooski who have completed permitted work or improvements that increase the value of their property. As part of this process, the City of Winooski is required to host a grievance meeting for property owners who want to appeal their change of appraisal. To learn more and get started, visit the news updates section on our website at winooskivt.gov or call/email/stop by the City Clerk’s Office for help. Friendly reminder: our annual leash law reminder went out last week – check out our news updates or social media channels to learn more about the importance of keeping dogs on leashes while out and about in  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Winooski. Remember: our leash law protects all community members and their dogs and is respectful to your neighbor’s personal and cultural differences – not everyone is comfortable around animals! The only off-leash area in Winooski is at the West Allen Street dog park. VIII. Regular Items A. Discussion/Approval: Hoods Crossing Traffic Signal and Sidewalk Extension Overview - Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director Minutes: VTrans and HNTB (design consultant) will present an overview of the concept plan for the traffic signal and potential sidewalk extension to the Council for feedback and discussion. HNTB highlighted surveys of the proposed area as well as work that will be 100% federally funded. Initially, temporary signals will be installed and proposed installing a railroad warning system as well. All in all, there will be combined traffic and rail structures, as well as a new sidewalk between E. Allen St. & E. Spring Street. Preliminary plans will be submitted in late 2025, with expected construction to occur during 2027. This project ideally will be completed before the bridge project considering traffic will be impacted by that project. Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner asked for clarification regarding having all the funds secured at this moment. VTrans stated that it is not guaranteed yet, but they are working on shifting projects around to ensure that funding is secured before work begins. Public comments by Eli Ogilvie, Sean Bleything, Mary Cain, and Diane Collias all voiced their concerns about the need for this project, specifically the addition of a south side sidewalk on E. Spring Street and updated bike lanes. Mary Cain also requested that project updates utilize our robocall system as well to ensure all citizens have many resources available to them to keep up with the project. Final plans and budgeting will be reviewed later during the calendar year, which will need approval on behalf of the City Council. Motion: None. B. Discussion: Strategic Vision Area Goal Update (Municipal Infrastructure) - Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director Minutes: MI-1. Abenaki Garage (Winooski Falls East Development/Lot 7D) The Public Works Director reviewed the progress regarding the Abenaki Way Parking Garage. The Garage will have three levels, a hotel, and housing. The steel erection for the city-owned garage is substantially complete. The parking garage is still targeted for completion this fall. The housing and hotel components continue with steel erection work, with a targeted building completion date in spring 2026. The City expects to expend shortly the maximum $11.6 million in funding allocation for the parking garage structure, as per the approved agreements. City staff continue to work with the NEDDE team to finalize the design for a revised access to Casavant Park, which will include an improved boardwalk entrance. MI-2. Main Street Revitalization Project New water distribution and sanitary sewer installation work is substantially complete and in service.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov The contractor, Kubricky-Jointa Lime, LLC (KJL), has completed $9.8 million in construction work to date, representing approximately 42% of the contract amount. The current work in progress involves the installation of stormwater piping, conduit, vaults, and pedestals for underground electrical and telecom services. Streetscape paver installation work at the south end of the corridor, south of Spring Street, is also in progress. On June 3rd at 9:30 a.m., Downtown Winooski will host a follow-up meeting for Main Street businesses to provide input on the construction activities. City project staff will attend as schedules allow. Also, on June 17th at 6 pm, the City will host an open house at City Hall for public information. Members of the project team and the Winooski Mosaic marketing team will be available to answer questions. VTrans recently awarded Contract #2 for the Exit 16 DDI project. The project team is coordinating a kick-off meeting in June to discuss construction coordination between that and the City’s Main Street Revitalization projects. For example, the VTrans DDI project includes the installation of a new traffic signal at Tigan Street within the Main Street project area. MI-3. Winooski River Bridge The bridge project team is continuing to prepare the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP), which are targeted for summer/ fall this year. The RFQ/RFP process will shortlist contractors and ultimately award the contract to the selected Design-Build team in 2026. City staff are working with VTrans for the design of a new traffic signal at Hood’s Crossing (Spring/Hood Street and East Allen Street intersection). The new signal will accommodate increased detour traffic on East Allen Street during the bridge construction. Staff continue to try to pin down a date for the public hearing regarding the condemnation for a temporary easement on part of Lot 9 (between the bridge and the Champlain Mill to the east). We are aiming for the week of June 23. MI-4. Base Infrastructure Financial Needs Addressed as part of the FY26 budgeting process. C. Discussion/Approval: Cap on The Number of Non-Owner-Occupied Short Term Rental License That May Be Issued by The City - Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director Minutes: The Housing Initiative Director outlined the Short-Term Rental (STR) License program during its first year of implementation. Compliance rates are high for the first year of a new STR program. As of May 29, 2025, the City received 66 applications and has been able to approve 46 so far. Of the 66, eight withdrew their applications, leaving 58 active applications. Reasons for withdrawal have included transition back to long- term rentals (4), deciding not to STR primary occupancy due to Public Building Registry requirements (1), and selling of the investment properties (3). Staff infer that the high license fee has made STR investment properties slightly less appealing. STR growth in the City does not seem to be happening at the same pace as it did between 2023-2024. This could be due to many reasons. One likely one being the timing of the Burlington STR regulations, causing Winooski properties to take advantage of the lack of STR regulations here at the time. Staff anticipate the new hotel will likely cause more competition in this small market and the broader county, potentially causing more property owners to flip back to long-term renting. The outstanding 12 license applications have all been approved but either have not yet paid (5) or have outstanding code issues (7). None are completely non-compliant and non-communicative. Property owners who have pending applications that continue into the next fiscal year will be responsible for paying the license fees for both years if they meet the STR definition during both fiscal years.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Four options were proposed to the City Council: A) Cap the non-owner occupied STR licenses at 44, the current number of licenses. B) Cap the non-owner occupied STR licenses at 47, the current number of licenses plus the 3 additional anticipated STRs. C) Cap the non-owner occupied STR licenses at 50, the current number of licenses, the additional 3 licenses, and a small buffer. D) Cap the non-owner occupied STR licenses at a number above 50, accounting for all of the above, plus allowing additional growth. Both City staff and the Housing Commission recommend adopting Option C, a 50-license cap on non-owner- occupied short-term rental (STR) licenses. This cap represents a modest increase from the current number of 44 licensed units (effectively 47, once pending units are brought into compliance), offering a small buffer before reaching the limit. The intention behind this recommendation is to proactively manage growth while maintaining flexibility in the early phases of the implementation of this program. Staff continue to strongly support the idea of a cap as a necessary step to curb the expansion of short-term rentals, which can have long-term impacts on housing availability and affordability. At the same time, they anticipate that reaching the cap could introduce new operational challenges, particularly for the Clerk’s Office, as staff may face more frequent and potentially contentious interactions with applicants once licenses are no longer available. To date, Winooski’s STR program has been largely successful in maintaining a collaborative, education-first approach. This has allowed staff to build positive relationships with property owners and community members and has helped avoid enforcement-driven or punitive dynamics. Staff and the Housing Commission also recommend including an annual review of the license cap. This would allow for thoughtful adjustments based on actual demand. If the total number of active licenses remains well below 50, or if the local housing landscape changes when the hotel is in operation, the City would retain the option to reduce the cap accordingly. Motion: Motion to approve Option C, a cap of Short-Term Rentals of 50 units, with an opportunity to reevaluate the cap amount annually by Councilor Charles Judge. Seconded by Councilor Bryn Oakleaf. Motion carries 3-0. D. Discussion/Approval: Amendment to Municipal Code Chapter 17 (Public Building Registry) to Address Non- Owner-Occupied Short-Term-Rental Cap - Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director Minutes: The Housing Initiative Director described the newly proposed language that would be amended to the Municipal Code. The current ordinance states: “Prior to June 30, 2025, this ordinance shall be amended to establish the cap and the mechanism for the allocation of licenses under the cap.” Staff recommend this be changed to “The cap number will be established annually by City Council Resolution.” If Council agrees, the action to take is to introduce this amendment and setting a public hearing date. • Staff recommend that date be June 16, 2025. • The amendment may be adopted by Council the same night if they so choose. • Staff can also have the resolution setting the cap ready for adoption at the same meeting. • The ordinance would not be in effect until 30 days after Council adopts it, which would be July 16, 2025. Motion: Motion to approve an amendment to the Municipal Code language and set a public hearing by Councilor Aurora Hurd. Seconded by Councilor Bryn Oakleaf. Motion carried 3-0.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov IX. Executive Session A. Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (2) the negotiation of real estate purchase or lease options related to Armory lot. Minutes: None Motion: Motion to find Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (2) the negotiation of real estate purchase or lease options related to Armory lot in public and would put they city at a disadvantage so should be discussed in the executive session by Councilor Bryn Oakleaf. Seconded by Councilor Charlies Judge. Motion carried 3-0. B. Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 313 which exempts from public inspection, (a) (1) (A) contracts. Minutes: None Motion: Motion to find Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 313 which exempts from public inspection, (a) (1) (A) contracts and would put the city at a disadvantage so should be discussed in the executive session by Councilor Charles Judge. Seconded by Councilor Bryn Oakleaf. Motion carried 3-0. X. Adjourn Minutes: None. Motion: Motion to adjourn by Councilor Bryn Oakleaf and seconded by Councilor Aurora Hurd. Motion unanimously passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:46 PM. Attest: ________________________________________ Adam Hoffnung-Warantz, Assistant City Clerk