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 September 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: Mayor Kristine Lott; Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner; Councilor Bryn Oakleaf; Councilor Aurora Hurd and Councilor Charles Judge Officers Present: Elaine Wang, City Manager; John Audy, Fire Chief; Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director; Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director; Ray Coffey, Community Services Director; Paul Sarne, Communications Director; Ravi Venkataraman, Director of Planning and Zoning; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director; Jesse Acri, Human Resources Director; Jenny Willingham, City Clerk and Adam Hoffnung-Warantz, Assistant City Clerk Others Present: Judy Lance; Eli Ogilvie; Mike Lapierre; Melissa Corbin, Executive Director, Downtown Winooski; Meaghan Diffenderfer and Laura Wade I. Call to Order at 6:02 PM II. Agenda Review Minutes: Councilor Hurd requested that Consent item H be moved to Regular Item A. III. Public Comment Minutes: Judy Lance spoke to commend the Community Services staff at the pool this past summer and specifically complemented the lifeguards. In addition, Judy appreciated the signage from the Winooski Mosaic campaign and how they help to contribute to businesses on Main Street. Finally, Judy had questions related to the newly installed trees along Main Street and sought more information related to their upkeep and watering. Jon Raushcer, Public Works Director, was able to share that the trees have a one-year warranty. The City is also working with a landscape designer to ensure the trees are properly maintained. Mike Lapierre expressed their concerns related to parking violation costs, as well as loud vehicles driving by their residence. Mike asked for clarification regarding noise ordinances to discourage drivers. Finally, Mike sought information related to the Armory and was informed that the Development Review Board will be meeting on September 18th and is open to public comment. IV. Consent Agenda A. Approval: City Council, Liquor Control Board, and Cannabis Control Commission Meeting Minutes of August 4, 2025 B. Approval: Payroll Warrant July 20-August 2, 2025, and August 3-August 16, 2025 C. Approval: Accounts Payable Warrants August 14, 2025, and August 27, 2025  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov D. Approval: Subsequent to Payout Warrants May and June 2025 E. Approval: Resolution - Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month in Winooski F. Approval: Resolution - Energy Efficiency Day G. Approval: Vermont League of Cities and Towns, Property and Casualty Intermunicipal Fund, VLCT Employment Resource and Benefits Trust - Annual Meeting Voting H. Approval: Inclusion & Belonging Commission Appointments – moved to Regular Item A I. Approval: Revision to Health Insurance Opt Out Payment Policy for Non-Union Employees to Match Union Employees J. Approval: Letter of Attestation to State Downtown Vibrancy Fund K. Approval: Emergency Purchase and Fund Balance Request for City Hall Fire Alarm Panel Motion: Motion to approve the agenda items A-G and I-K and move Consent Item H to Regular Item A from Deputy Mayor Renner and seconded by Councilor Judge. Motion carried 4-0. V. Council Reports Mayor Kristine Lott: The Planning Commission met the previous week. The Finance Commission is still seeking members. There are two positions open for members and two as an alternate. Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner: SHCP did not have a quorum, but he did want to share that the city is participating in a program that enables folks to recycle plastic bags, and the bags are then used to create park benches. Downtown Winooski's ED shared some updates around Halloween, a new role coming to the downtown coalition and the success of the Mosaic program. The organization also shared concerns over parking fine amounts and customer service of parking staff. Councilor Bryn Oakleaf: Municipal Infrastructure Commission met on August 21st. We did have a quorum and the Commissioners voted to move West Street forward for traffic calming evaluation during the FY26 year. Following that agenda item the Commissioners reviewed the FY26 work plan and finalized a summary of items to work on for the coming fiscal year. Councilor Aurora Hurd: The Inclusion and Belong Commission met on August 21st where we discussed and gave feedback on VEIC- EV Funding Project after Dave Roberts gave a presentation on it. Because we did not have a full quorum, we didn’t discuss anything else on our planned agenda, so we will be holding a special meeting on September 24th. Councilor Charles Judge: The Housing Commission met on August 26th but was unable to participate. VI. City Updates City Manager Elaine Wang gave the following updates: Armory update: The Champlain Housing Trust is proposing a two-phase development at 255 Lafountain Street in Winooski to create permanently affordable housing for families, including 24 rental apartments in four three-story buildings, centered around a green space and parking area, with a mix of 3 and 4-bedroom units designed for large families. Phase 2 will add six affordable shared-equity homes for sale in three duplexes. The project emphasizes neighborhood compatibility while addressing critical housing needs.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov The Development Review Board had a meeting scheduled for August 21 to review the sketch plans for this project but had to reschedule due to a lack of quorum (meaning they didn't have enough members who could attend to make decisions due to scheduling conflicts). The meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, September 18, at 6:30 PM. Community members are encouraged to join all public meetings – you can attend in person or online. To be alerted when they are happening, please subscribe to our news updates and meeting notices at winooskivt.gov/subscribe. You can also find any of the upcoming meetings at winooskivt.gov/agendacenter. VII. Regular Items A. Approval: Inclusion & Belonging Commission Appointments Minutes: The candidates were interviewed by the Councilor and Staff Liaisons to the Commission, along with the Inclusion and Belonging Chair. Appointee Meaghan Diffenderfer was able to introduce themselves via Zoom and is excited for the opportunity to participate with the Inclusion and Belonging Commission. The City Council also expressed their excitement about the new appointments. The appointments for the Inclusion and Belonging Commission approval are: • Re-appoint Harly Rodriguez as a Member (2 yr-term ending on 6/30/2027) • Appoint King Kaseen as Member (2 yr-term beginning on 11/1/25 and ending on 6/30/2027) • Appoint Meaghan Diffenderfer as an Alternate with a 1-yr term ending on 6/30/2026) • Appoint River Bond as an Alternate with a 1-yr term ending on 6/30/2026) Motion: Motion to approve the appointments and re-appointment for the I&B Commission made by Councilor Oakleaf and seconded by Councilor Judge. Motion carried 4-0. B. Discussion: Public Hearing on Ordinance update: Overview of Amendments to Unified Land Use & Development Regulations (ULUDR) - Inclusionary Housing - Ravi Venkataraman, Director of City Planning Minutes: Ravi gave a brief overview of the proposals for amendments related to inclusionary housing requirements which would require a set aside for affordable housing units that contain twenty or more dwelling units. There are also outlined incentives for exceeding minimum housing units as well as application registration and requirements. Mayor Lott opened the public hearing at 6:30 PM. No public comment was given. Mayor Lott closed the public hearing at 6:32 PM. C. Discussion/Approval: Approval of the Amendments to Unified Land Use & Development Regulations (ULUDR) - Inclusionary Housing - Ravi Venkataraman, Director of City Planning Minutes: Deputy Mayor Renner commented about speaking with residents and people from boards and commissions that they are enjoying the work done by the City’s Planning and Zoning Director related to the amendments. Councilor Oakleaf had some specific questions related to the language within the amendments and discussion ensued between the Director of Planning and Zoning and Councilors over their concerns. Councilor Hurd  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov shared their concerns related to equity regarding lower income housing and how that could be addressed within the city. Through further discussion, clarifying language is introduced in the amendments where property owners will need to submit inclusion forms year. Per the Housing Initiative Director, there is a draft procedure in place based on language the City of Burlington uses. Fire Chief John Audy and City Manager Elaine Wang gave insight regarding enforcement of these amendments and the legality of updating specific language for energy efficient appliances. Eli Ogilvie made public comments in favor of a system for tenants to learn about appliance efficiency and inquired about the City providing resources for this. Mayor Lott noted that more discussion is needed regarding energy efficient appliances at a future date. Motion: Motion to approve the Amendments to the Unified Land Use & Development Regulations by Deputy Mayor Renner and seconded by Councilor Hurd. Motion carried 4-0. D. Discussion: Public Hearing on Ordinance Update - Chapter 28 Fees - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director Minutes: Angela Aldieri reviewed the proposed fee increases related to non-resident library cards, language to allow summer programing price consistency in the same season even if crossing fiscal years, increasing water and sewer fees, inclusion of new payments in lieu of affordable housing projects, and language for fee waivers for the scholarship policy that Council already approved. Mayor Lott opened the public hearing at 6:50 PM. No public comment was given. Mayor Lott closed the public hearing at 6:51 PM. E. Discussion/Approval: Adoption of Draft Updates to Chapter 28 Fees - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director Minutes: Discussion ensued related to the rationale for the increase in non-resident library fees, and the increase in fees was suggested the by Winooski Memorial Library Committee. Motion: Motion to approve adoption of draft updates to Chapter 28 fees by Deputy Mayor Renner and seconded by Councilor Judge. Motion carried 4-0. F. Discussion/Approval: Introduce Amendments to Winooski Code Chapter 15 Parking, Section 15.03.01 Fines, and Set Public Hearing Date - Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: Staff recommend two changes to the City Code of Ordinances Chapter 15, on Parking: • Reduce the unpaid meter fine from $30 to $25 • Increase the overtime fine for 15-minute spots to match the unpaid meter fine amount  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Unpaid meter fine: Background: About one year ago, Council adopted changes to City Code of Ordinances Chapter 15, on Parking. Among these were increasing the fine for an unpaid meter to be higher than 12 hours of hourly parking, from $12 to $30. The purpose of this change was to incentivize people to pay their meter (or move their vehicle); Code Enforcement regularly noted people parking for many hours without paying, preferring to risk paying the lower fine rather than the meter. Whereas the point of paid parking is to incentivize turnover of parking spots and therefore patron access to parking. Feedback: Downtown businesses, and the City Clerk’s office, have received many complaints about this $30 amount of fine. A common statement is that people say they will not come back to Winooski because of the amount of the fine. Data: Staff reviewed the data and determined that the increase is meeting its objective; there is a decrease in the number of unpaid meter tickets per enforced hour. The data also shows that paid meter revenue has increased slightly, which is inconsistent with the perception that people are ‘boycotting’ Winooski over the parking fine. Recommendation: However, to reduce tension felt by downtown businesses from upset customers fined by the City for unpaid meters, staff recommend the amount of fine be decreased slightly, to $25. This amount was suggested by a business owner. Overtime in 15-minute spots: Background: In proposing last year’s Parking ordinance update, staff overlooked that the overtime fine for 15- minute spots ($20) would then be less than the fine for an unpaid meter. This creates an unintended incentive for people to risk an overtime ticket in a 15-minute spot rather than an unpaid metered spot. Recommendation: Staff recommend the amount of this fine match that for an unpaid meter, so increasing from $20 to $25. The process to adopt an amended ordinance is for a member of Council to introduce the amendment (by stating so), warning a public hearing, holding the public hearing, making any further changes based on the public hearing, and then adopting the amended ordinance if so desired by Council. If Council is ready, it may vote to introduce the amendments as presented, and set the hearing date for September 15, 2025. Discussion ensued amongst the Council related to enforcement of the 15-minute courtesy parking spots in the downtown area as well as pricing consistency amongst different violations. City Council had questions about data related to parking citations and wanting to see specific data sets related to the number of appeals received at the City. Public comment from Eli Ogilvie was made to see if the City can change the language on the 15-minute courtesy spots around the rotary. Laura Wade also made public comments regarding the high price of a parking violation but is more concerned about customer service when issuing citations.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Motion: Mayor Lott called for a motion to for a Public Hearing on September 15, 2025, and for City Staff to include parking data per the conversation. Motion called by Councilor Judge and seconded by Deputy Mayor Renner. Motion passed 4-0. G. Discussion: Public Hearing - 8X Franklin Proposed Private Street Name - Gabe's Way - Ravi Venkataraman, Director of City Planning Minutes: The Zoning and Planning Director gave an overview of the development and its new address for E911 purposes. The comprehensive process showed no conflicts nor operational issues with the suggested name. Mayor Lott opened the public hearing at 7:35 PM. No public comment was given. Mayor Lott closed the public hearing at 7:37 PM. H. Discussion/Approval: Approval of Proposed Private Street Name - Gabe's Way - Ravi Venkataraman, Director of City Planning Minutes: Councilor Oakleaf asked for clarification regarding the E911 review as well as the review procedure. Discussions from Ravi Venkataraman and John Audy also addressed questions received by Council about future naming conventions as well. Motion: Motion to approve Gabe’s Way by Deputy Mayor Renner and seconded by Councilor Hurd. Motion passed 4-0. Mayor Kristine Lott asked for a recess at 7:42 PM and reconvened at 7:48 PM. I. Discussion: Goal Updates - Housing, Municipal Infrastructure, Economic Vitality, All/Cross-Cutting - Elaine Wang, City Manager, Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director, Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director Minutes: City Manager Elaine Wang discussed a $25,000 contribution from Essex Junction for a shared Equity Policy Advisor which would be hosted by the Chittenden Country Regional Planning Commission. Essex Junction also had this contribution adopted and is involved as well in how to best use this funding with other communities who will be participating in fiscal year 2027 budget. Essex Junction applied for a grant through the International City/County Management Association that would pay the salary for an Economic Mobility Officer. This consortium applied for a grant and was awarded funding, and the City Manager is currently working on a Memorandum of Understanding. Other equity updates were also discussed with City Council members asking about logistics and potential community-wide events which are all still up for discussion. No public comment was given. J. Discussion/Approval: Filling the Upcoming Vacancy on City Council Minutes: City Council discussed the process for filling the upcoming vacancy for a City Councilor until Town Meeting Day in 2026. Mayor Lott stated that the City went through a similar process six years ago and City Council was responsible for managing the appointment. Council is responsible for deciding on the process for the appointment as well as the timeline for filling the vacancy.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Discussion ensued regarding applications, qualifications, and requirements. Any prospective applicant must be a registered voter in Winooski to be a member of City Council and the Councilors discussed who would be a part of the interview process. It was decided that two City Council members would create a subcommittee to interview all potential candidates, and the entire City Council must utilize a majority vote for the appointment. The subcommittee is going to utilize current applications in place that the City has for Board and Commission appointments. Motion: Motion to approve a subcommittee of Deputy Mayor Renner and Councilor Hurd for City Council interviews on September 19th and a Special Meeting on October 1, 2025, at 6 PM for all City Council members. Motion to approve by Deputy Mayor Renner and seconded by Councilor Hurd. Motion passes 4-0. K. Discussion: City Manager Evaluation Recommendation - Councilor Bryn Oakleaf, Councilor Aurora Hurd Minutes: Councilors Oakleaf and Hurd shared their progress on updating the City Manager Evaluation process utilizing the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) standards. They are working to move away from the Likert Scale Model for better opportunities for more detailed feedback. There was also discussion about moving away from City Staff feedback and using a third party to work on a 360-degree evaluation, yet more work is needed from this subcommittee before following up with the City Manager. They will continue to focus on simplifying questions and will follow up for the next City Council meeting. VIII. Adjourn Motion: A motion to adjourn was made by Councilor Oakleaf and seconded by Deputy Mayor Renner. Motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM. Attest: ________________________________________ Adam Hoffnung-Warantz, Assistant City Clerk