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 8, 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 T Members Present: Mayor Thomas Renner; Mayor Thomas Renner; Deputy Mayor Bryn Oakleaf; Councilor Aurora Hurd; Councilor Elsie Goodrich; Councilor Alison Turkos Officers Present: Elaine Wang, City Manager; Ray Coffey, Community Services Director; John Audy, Fire Chief; John Spittle, Fire Marshal; Justin Huizenga, Chief of Police; Tom Cardin, Police Lieutenant; Ali Jackson- Smurthwaite, Police Officer; Paul Sarne, Communications Director; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director; Jenny AF Willingham, City Clerk; Kim Hier, Assistant City Clerk Others Present: Doug Nedde, Brian Colombini, Tim Cece, William Bugbee, Ted Nelson, City Assessor; Zoom User “iPhone”, Zoom User “NBC5” I. II. Call to Order at 6:01 PM Agenda Review Minutes: Move item D - Discussion/Approval: Grand List Errors & Omissions ahead of item C - Discussion: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (FY27) Public Safety Budgets Presentation. Item C now becomes item D. R Motion: Motion to accept the changes to the agenda made by Councilor Turkos, seconded by Deputy Mayor Oakleaf. Motion carried 4-0. III. Public Comment Minutes: There was no public comment. D IV. Consent Agenda A. Approval: Liquor Control Board Meeting Minutes of December 1, 2025 and City Council Meeting Minutes of December 1, 2025 B. Approval: Accounts Payable Warrant December 3, 2025 C. Approval: Subsequent to Payout Warrant September 2025 D. Approval: Update from Winooski's Commissioner to the Burlington Airport Board of Commissioners - Elaine Wang, City Manager E. Approval: Development Review Board Appointments - Ravi Venkataraman, Director of City Planning F. Approval: Approve Guaranty and Indemnification Agreement - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director G. Approval: Accept State Infrastructure Bank Loan for Improvements Related to Abenaki Garage - H. Approval: Winooski City Council Legislative Priorities - Mayor Thomas Renner  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov I. Approval: Corrected Treasurer's Report from November 3, 2025 - Mayor Thomas Minutes: None. Motion: Motion by Councilor Goodrich to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Deputy Mayor Oakleaf, motion carried 4-0. V. Council Reports T Mayor Thomas Renner: The Planning Commission and Finance Commission have not met since the last Council meeting. They will meet this week. Mayor Renner congratulated former Mayor Kristine Lott on the recent birth of her son. Deputy Mayor Bryn Oakleaf: The Municipal Infrastructure Commission will meet on December 18th at the Community Room at the Myers Pool. The agenda is not set but will go out soon. AF Councilor Aurora Hurd: The Inclusion and Belonging Commission will meet on December 17th. They will be discussing a working group for putting up banners on Main Street, discussing the comprehensive work plan and planning strategy, and discussing drafting group norms for the commission. Councilor Elsie Goodrich: The Housing Commission will meet on December 16th at 6:00pm to discuss changes to the construction and rehabilitation program. Councilor Alison Turkos: The Safe, Healthy and Connected People Commission will meet on December 9th at 5:30 in the Community Room at the Myers Pool. VI. City Updates Elaine Wang, City Manager, gave the following updates: R The Fiscal Year 2027 budget process continues tonight – stick around for the Public Safety presentation. We’ll hear from the Fire and Police Chiefs to learn more about their respective departments, code enforcement, and more. To view the full proposed budget and all upcoming meetings, please visit winooskivt.gov/fy27. Speaking of public safety, the Operation Fire Cuffs toy drive has begun - this cherished local tradition unites neighboring public safety agencies to bring toys and joy to children at the Golisano Children’s Hospital at UVM D Health. Donations can be provided at the Winooski Fire and Police Departments – for donation specifics, visit the news updates section at winooskivt.gov. VII. Regular Items A. Discussion: Public Hearing on Ordinance Update: Chapter 16.12a Parks and Recreation (related to Horseback Riding) - Ray Coffey, Community Services Director Minutes: Public hearing began at 6:06pm. Following discussion at the City Council meeting on November 3rd 2025, there were questions remaining regarding wetland delineation in Casavant Natural Area. In discussing with the State, it was determined that the bulk of the work will need to take place in the spring. Discussion involved prior work that has taken place regarding wetland delineation for the Sugar House Hotel project and a  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov study done in 2012 and how closely those results may mirror present conditions. Discussion ensued involving adjusting the location of the trail should the floodplain location or wetlands delineation interfere with current plans; whether or not a possible dog park was being treated as a separate project; and the need for the ordinance update in order to provide the option to look more formally at trail development. Staff could work on permitting and setting up delineation work in the spring, provided the ordinance is updated. There was no public comment. Motion: Motion by Deputy Mayor Oakleaf to close the public hearing at 6:12pm, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Motion carried 4-0. T B. Discussion/Approval: Adopt Amendments to Chapter 16.12a Parks and Recreation - Ray Coffey, Community Services Director Minutes: Discussion took place regarding changing the ordinance now, in order to indicate there is a AF willingness to consider horse activity in the future. This would allow staff time to be allocated to the project. Doug Nedde shared his vision of horse drawn sleigh rides in the winter and carriage rides in the summer and fall. He expressed his willingness to open this up for Winooski residents and his wish to elevate something special and unique about Winooski. Community Services Director Coffey referenced improvements that would be made to the trail, including ADA accessibility that would be able to assist in getting people to the meadow. There was discussion regarding the health and safety of the horses that would be used for the carriage/sleigh rides. Motion: Motion by Councilor Hurd to approve the amendments to Chapter 16 of the municipal ordinance as presented, and direct staff to bring the horse permit back to Council for approval before implementation, seconded by Councilor Goodrich. Motion carried 4-0. C. Discussion/Approval: Grand List Errors & Omissions - Elaine Wang, City Manager and Ted Nelson, Assessor R Minutes: Ted Nelson, Assessor, provided an overview of the entries in the 2025 Grand List that require corrections. He stated that these types of errors and omissions are more common with personal property tax than real estate accounts. It was stated that Casella Waste Management was not an error on the part of the City, the business over-reported, therefore they are overpaying. City Manager Wang stated that it would be more appropriate for Casella to go to the Board of Abatement and request a change. Motion: Motion made by Deputy Mayor Oakleaf to approve the manifest errors in the 2025 Grand List as D presented, denying Casella Waste Management, seconded by Councilor Turkos. Motion carried 4-0. Recess called at 7:30 by Mayor Renner. Meeting resumed at 7:36. D. Discussion: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (FY27) Public Safety Budgets Presentation - John Audy, Fire Chief and Justin Huizenga, Police Chief Minutes: Fire Chief Audy along with Fire Marshal John Spittle began by acknowledging the accomplishments of current and former staff members of the department. Among the items discussed were the organization chart for the Fire Department; the community risk reduction environment; state of staffing and unfilled positions along with challenges with various shifts and coverage; along with the difficulty in filling positions; and relationships with tenants and landlords. Data was presented on inspections, emergency responses, service  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov demands, fire aid given and received, FY26 accomplishments to date, and FY27 goals and priorities. The FY27 budget request was presented. Emerging issues were discussed, with recruitment being a primary concern. Police Chief Huizenga along with Lieutenant Tom Cardin and Officer Ali Jackson-Smurthwaite presented on behalf of the Police Department. Among items discussed were the organizational chart; current state of staffing; strengthening community policing and the “six pillars”; incident statistics; community policing statistics; School District Liaison report; community outreach and success stories. FY26 accomplishments to date were reviewed as well as the strategic vision for FY27. The FY27 budget proposal for the Police Department was presented. Developing issues were discussed, such as recruitment, the need for equipment T replacement, community issues and building improvements. Motion: None E. Discussion/Approval: Consider Airport Commissioner Appointment - Mayor Thomas Renner AF Minutes: Commissioner Connor Daley’s term ended in June, although he has continued to serve. A new Commissioner needs to be appointed starting in January 2027, and a City Councilor is preferred. Deputy Mayor Oakleaf suggested the term be until Town Meeting Day, in the event that makeup of the Council change due to the election. Councilor Turkos stated she would fill the role of Airport Commissioner. Motion: Motion made by Deputy Mayor Oakleaf to nominate Councilor Turkos to fill the Airport Commissioner role, January through March of 2026, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Motion carried 4-0. VIII. Proposed Executive Session A. Discussion: Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (3), the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee Minutes: None R B. Motion: Motion by Councilor Turkos at 8:45pm to enter into Executive Session Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. §313 (3), the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee, inviting all members of the City Council and the City Manager into the session. We will only discuss the topics of appointment or employment or evaluation of the officer or employee during this time. We will not discuss anything else and there will not be any action after we conduct this conversation. Seconded by Councilor Hurd. Motion carried 4-0. C. Motion: Motion at 9:41 PM to exit Executive Session by Councilor Turkos, seconded by Deputy Mayor D Oakleaf. Adjourn Motion: Motion at 9:44 PM to adjourn by Deputy Mayor Oakleaf, seconded by Councilor Turkos. Attest: _______________________________________________ Kim Hier, Assistant City Clerk