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 October 6, 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 Thomas Renner, Councilor Bryn Oakleaf, Councilor Aurora Hurd & Councilor Elsie Goodrich Officers Present: Elaine Wang, City Manager; Ray Coffey, Community Services Director; Paul Sarne, Communications Manager; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director; John Audy, Fire Chief; Nate Eddy, Library Director and Jenny Willingham, City Clerk Others Present: Brian Colombini; Kristin Truong; Ruth Steinmetz; Charlie Baker; Mike O’Brien; Glenn Patterson; Greg Huysman and Zoom User “Geariva We Build Smiles”. I. Call to Order at 6:01 PM II. Agenda Review A. Pull Item E from Consent Agenda B. Reschedule Item E on Regular Item to October 20, 2025 C. Add Discussion after Regular Items IX. III. Public Comment Minutes: None IV. Consent Agenda A. Approval: City Council Minutes of September 15, 2025 and October 1, 2025 B. Approval: Payroll Warrant August 31-September 13, 2025 and September 14-September 27, 2025 C. Approval: Accounts Payable Warrant October 1, 2025 D. Approval: Subsequent to Payout Warrants July and August 2025 E. Approval: Library Committee Appointment: Dana Visser Minutes: Agenda Review to pull item E from the Consent Agenda Motion: Councilor Oakleaf made a motion seconded by Councilor Hurd to approve the Consent Agenda without Item E. Voted and passed 3-0, Councilor Goodrich abstained  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov V. Council Reports Mayor Thomas Renner: Downtown Winooski: Volunteers are needed for pumpkin carving on October 21st – October 23 at the Winooski Senior Center. Please visit downtownwinooski.org to learn more and see the full schedule of Halloween activities. Councilor Bryn Oakleaf: A possible Municipal Infrastructure Commission (MIC) is held on the 3rd Thursday at 6:30. A location is undecided for the next meeting. Councilor Aurora Hurd: A Special Inclusion & Belonging Commission meeting was held on September 24th. The Commission was presented with the new Language Access Procedure by Paul Sarne, Communications Director. The Commission provided feedback on the procedure. The Commission is continuing to move forward to the Work Plan for FY’26. The next Inclusion & Belonging Commission will be on Wednesday, October 15th at 6:00 PM. The “Banned Books” week is happening at this time. (October 5-October 11) Councilor Elsie Goodrich: Introduced herself and she is excited to be a new Councilor VI. City Updates Elaine Wang, City Manager, gave the following updates: Concrete Repair and Road Resurfacing began today – a notice went out last week on all City channels detailing the project. Affected streets include sections of Dion, Bellevue, Franklin, and George Streets. Work is planned throughout October – residents and visitors can expect traffic disruptions, parking restrictions, and driveway blocking. For specific details, please visit the news updates section on our website. Halloween in Winooski – it’s that time of year again, Downtown Winooski and Winooski Recreation and Parks need your help making this beloved community tradition a success! • Community volunteers are needed • Pumpkin carving takes place from October 21 – October 23 at the Senior Center • The main event occurs on Saturday, October 25 at Rotary Park o everything is free and open to all o enjoy family-friendly games and activities, trick or treating, DJs and live music, and of course, enjoy 1000 lit-up pumpkins! o New this year – Halloween activities will also be happening at the Farmers Market on Sunday, the 26th, and the fun continues on October 31st with a special Double Feature movie screening in Rotary Park o Looking for another way to help out? Consider donating or sponsoring a pumpkin o all event, volunteer, and support details are available at downtownwinooski.org/Halloween VII. Regular Items A. Discussion/Approval: Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) Annual Report Presentation and Budget Preview - Elaine Wang, City Manager  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Minutes: Charlie Baker, Executive Director of Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) accompanied by Mike O’Brien (CCRPC Representative) presented the Annual Report detailing the many ways CCRPC has supported and supplemented Winooski staff. The CCRPC provided staff assistance in conjunction with the Master Plan for the Bridge, Malletts Bay Crossing & East Spring Street/VT 15. In addition, there were scoping studies, GIS, Technical Assistance, energy planning and implementation and a number of other projects where CCRPC provided assistance. Charlie Baker gave an update on the shared equity-related positions (FY26) with Winooski and the City of Essex Junction at this time to collaborate on an equity advisor workplan. This would be added to the existing Community Engagement Coordinator in hopes of the other Chittenden County municipalities to include contributions in the FY27 budget proposal. In addition, the City of Winooski, City of Essex Junction, City of South Burlington and the Town of Shelburne are in collaboration to scope work for an Economic Mobility and Opportunity Special Assistant. This position is funded by a three-year grant by the International City and County Manager’s Association (ICMA). Winooski and Essex Junction are paying their share out of the $25,000 budget allocation for the Equity Policy Advisor due to its equity-related nature. Questions and discussion ensued over additional needs, traffic calming and additional equity initiatives. Motion: None B. Discussion/Approval: Winooski Working Communities Challenge Update - Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: The City Manager provided an overall summary of the background of receiving the Working Communities Challenge grant and how this is administered in Winooski. Ruth Steinmetz is the Initiative Director for the Family Room. The Family Room is a parent-child center in Burlington where the Mission is to build healthy connected communities by supporting families and young children. Ruth has created a local Core team of New Americans that directs projects for Winooski ‘s Working Communities Challenge (WCC). The focus areas are: Housing, Entrepreneurship Support, Youth support and a Collective (statewide) voice. Ruth prepared a detailed presentation on these 4 priority areas of focus. Housing: One example would be the need for larger multi-generational housing units. Another area of concentration would be Entrepreneurship Support and the creation of a Multi-Cultural Business Center that would focus on access, technical issues along with additional assistance for New Americans. Youth Support would provide academic support for New American families including the need for BIPOC youth mentors in the school. In addition, strengthening ties among the school district, residents and businesses. Collective (statewide) voice would focus on access and pathways for New Americans. An important legislative bill was the passing of S.56 (Act 029). Part of this legislative bill is the creation of a study committee to make recommendations of an Office of New Americans. Ruth detailed within the presentation the many additional areas of focus within these 4 priorities. Mayor Renner called for a 5- minute recess at 6:58 PM. Motion: None The meeting resumed at 7:03 PM and moved to the Regular Item G with the possibility of entering into Executive Session. (VIII Proposed Executive Session) C. Discussion/Approval: Winooski Memorial Library Committee Charter Change to Add a Non-Voting Alternate Member - Nate Eddy, Library Director Minutes: Ray Coffey, Community Services Director reviewed a proposed charter change from the Library Committee to add an Alternate Member (non-voting) to this group.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Motion: A motion by Councilor Oakleaf seconded by Councilor Hurd to approve the proposed charter change allowing to add an Alternate Member. Motion carried 3-0 D. Discussion/Approval: Appointment of Deputy Mayor - Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: The City Manager introduced this item. When former Mayor Kristine Lott resigned on September 15, 2025, Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner became the Mayor, so the City Council is currently without a Deputy Mayor. Mayor Renner made a recommendation for the appointing of Councilor Oakleaf as Deputy Mayor. Councilor Oakleaf has the dedication along with intense knowledge of “diving into the details” for the City of Winooski. Motion: A motion by Councilor Hurd seconded my Councilor Goodrich to appoint Councilor Oakleaf as Deputy Mayor. Motion carried 3-0. E. Discussion/Approval: City Council Members' Liaison Assignments - Mayor Thomas Renner Minutes: In Agenda Review for tonight’s meeting, this item is tabled to the next meeting on October 20, 2025. Motion: None F. Discussion/Approval: Conflict of Interest Procedures for Mayor Thomas Renner When Council Matters Relate to His Employer - Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: The City Manager introduced the Conflict of Interest Procedures for Mayor Thomas Renner when Council matters relate to his employer. As stated in the cover letter, Mayor Thomas Renner is employed by Congresswoman Becca Balint. There may be situations where Mayor Renner may be conflicted between his employer and his City Council duties. In order to clearly state upfront what the plan is when Mayor Renner is conflicted, staff recommend designating the Deputy Mayor as the signing authority. Motion: A motion by Deputy Mayor Oakleaf seconded by Councilor Hurd to designate the Deputy Mayor as the signing authority any time Mayor Thomas Renner determines he is conflicted due to his employment. Motion carried 3-0. G. Discussion/Approval: Winooski Small Business Loan Fund - Main St. Construction Impact Loan Program Applications - Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: City Manager Elaine Wang provided the background for this program. Since the start of the Main Street construction project in April 2024, the City has heard from local businesses that they are experiencing significant declines in customers and revenue and that they need financial relief. The City explored existing grants programs and low interest loan opportunities to support businesses. The City’s partner for the Winooski Small Business Loan Fund, Green Mountain Credit Union then committed $40,000 from an old grant to buy down the interest on these loans to 0%. This allows up to $200,000 to be issued as zero-percent interest loans to eligible applicants. A creation of Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 loans established guidelines for the applicants in determining the amount that would possibly require the City to guarantee these loans. The Tiers varied from the City not being responsible to guarantee low-risk borrowers (Tier 1), to the City that guarantees 100% of the high-risk borrowers for the life of the five-year loan. (Tier 3). The Finance Director detailed the methods that were used in calculating the amount of the loans.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Motion: None VIII. Proposed Executive Session Minutes: A discussion from Council ensued asking for these interviews to be held in executive session. Motion: A motion for executive session pursuant to 1 V.S.A §313 (a)(6) relating to records exempt from the access to public records provisions of section 316 of that title; provided, however, that discussion of the exempt records shall not itself permit an extension of the executive session to the general subject to which the record pertains, pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §317 (c)(9), Trade secrets meaning confidential business records or information which a commercial concern makes efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to keep secret, and which gives its user or owner an opportunity to obtain business advantage over competitors who do not know it or use it, except that the disclosures required by 18 V.S.A. §4632 are not exempt under this subdivision, invited Green Mountain Credit Union Loan Officer Grey Huysman, City Manager Elaine Wang, City of Winooski Finance Director, Angela Aldieri along with the 3 applicants one by one. The motion to enter into Executive Session was made by Councilor Oakleaf seconded by Councilor Elsie Goodrich at 7:13 PM. Motion carried 3-0. Motion: Motion by Councilor Oakleaf seconded by Councilor Hurd to exit out of executive session at 8:18 PM. Motion carried 3-0. IX. Regular Items A. Discussion/Approval: Winooski Small Business Loan Fund - Main St. Construction Impact Loan Program Applications - Elaine Wang, City Manager Minutes: After deliberating in Executive Session, the Council decided to approve the recommended allowable loans. Motion: Motion by Councilor Hurd seconded by Councilor Oakleaf to approve the following loans: Tier 1- $35,000 (no guarantee provided by the City) Tier-2 $22,090.74 and the Tier-3 loan in the amount of $28,115.49. Motion carried 3-0. A recess was called at 8:45 PM and meeting resumed at 8:50 PM. B. Discussion/Approval: Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Goal Setting - Elaine Wang, City Manager and Angela Aldieri, Finance Director Minutes: Staff asked for Council direction for the Fiscal year 2026-2027. Staff asked if Council would like to see a level services or a strategic investment budget. A context of tax rates and proposed increases was provided by the City Manager. This included comparisons to other communities in Vermont as well as the Grand List Growth History. The Level Services budget allows for the cost of existing services to be updated for inflation/cost of living increase. The Strategic Investment budget creates the opportunity to update existing services and identify priorities as part of the Master Plan. Discussion ensued amongst Council members on what services are vital for the City. After discussion, the Council is directing staff to present a Strategic Investment budget and provide a list of immediate needs as well as a budget for other additional improvements/investments.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Motion: Motion by Councilor Hurd seconded by Deputy Mayor Bryn Oakleaf to approve staff presenting two budgets. One is a comprehensive budget. The second budget would contain a more tailored budget. Motion carried 3-0. X. Adjourn Motion: Motion made by Deputy Mayor Oakleaf seconded by Councilor Hurd to adjourn at 9:28 PM. Motion carried 3-0. Attest: ________________________________ Jenny Willingham, City Clerk