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, January 12, 2026, 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; Deputy Mayor Bryn Oakleaf; Councilor Alison Turkos; Councilor Aurora Hurd; Councilor Elsie Goodrich Officers Present: Elaine Wang, City Manager; Paul Sarne, Communications Director; Ray Coffey, Community Services Director; Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiatives Director; Barb Pitfido, Senior Programs Manager; John Audy, Fire Chief; Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director; Angela Aldieri, Finance Director; Nathaniel Eddy, Library Director; Robin Merritt, Parks and Recreation Director; Jenny Willingham, City Clerk; Kim Hier, Assistant City Clerk Others Present: Logan Devaney, Nick Warner, William Bugbee, Judy Lance, Lauren Chilote, Jen Berger, Bridget O’Brien, Brian Colombini I. Call to Order 6:00 PM II. Pledge of Allegiance led by Deputy Mayor Bryn Oakleaf III. Agenda Review Minutes: No discussion. Motion: None made. IV. Public Comment Minutes: No public comment was made. V. Consent Agenda A. Approval: Liquor Control Board Meeting Minutes of January 5, 2026, and City Council Meeting Minutes of January 5, 2026 B. Approval: Payroll Warrant December 21, 2025 - January 3, 2026 C. Approval: Accounts Payable Warrant January 8, 2026 D. Approval: Community Services Grant Application Approval - Ray Coffey, Community Services Director E. Approval: Community Services Fundraising Initiatives - Ray Coffey, Community Services Director F. Approval: Resolution Setting Fees for Thrive Program - Ray Coffey, Community Services Director G. Approval: Finance Commission Appointment - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director H. Approval: TD Bank Cash Management Master Agreement - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov Minutes: Move item G to regular item A. Motion: Motion by Councilor Turkos to approve consent agenda, removing item G and making it the first regular item, seconded by Councilor Goodrich. Motion passed 4-0. VI. Council Reports Mayor Thomas Renner: The planning commission is continuing their discussion on gentle infill and accessory dwelling units (ADU’s), which he has referenced in previous meetings. They have come to an agreement on the roles for outdoor signage for businesses. They have been briefed on a project through Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission regarding building typographies, funded by the federal government, which would provide a visual of what new buildings would look like in existing neighborhoods. Deputy Mayor Bryn Oakleaf: Municipal Infrastructure Commission will be meeting Thursday January 15th. The meeting will be at City Hall. There should be external presenters at the meeting. Councilor Aurora Hurd: Nothing to report. Councilor Elsie Goodrich: The Housing Commission will meet on Tuesday, January 27th at City Hall. Councilor Alison Turkos: The Safe, Health, Connected People Commission will meet on Tuesday January 13th. The meeting will take place at the Winooski Library, 32 Malletts Bay Ave. from 6:30 to 8:30. They will be meeting jointly with the Library Committee. There will be a presentation from the architects who are doing the design work for the O’Brien Center and Library renovation projects. VII. City Updates Elaine Wang, City Manager, gave the following updates: The Fiscal Year 2027 budget process continues tonight – stick around for the Community Services Department presentation. Learn about the Library, Senior Center, Recreation and Parks, Thrive Afterschool, the Pool, and more. For full budget details, visit winooskivt.gov/fy27. If you have questions about the proposed budget, please email them to budget@winooskivt.gov. Interesting in running for Winooski City Council or Winooski School District Board of Trustees? Many terms are up for election, including Mayor, 3 City Council seats, a Winooski School District Treasurer, and 3 school board trustee seats. Residents must file a Consent of Candidate form and petition with a minimum of 30 signatures (more are encouraged) by 5 PM on Monday, January 26, 2026. Visit the news updates section of winooskivt.gov to download your paperwork and to learn more or visit the City Clerk’s Office Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 4 PM or call us at 802 655 6410.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov VIII. Regular Items A. Approval: Finance Commission Appointment - Angela Aldieri, Finance Director Minutes: Logan Devany introduced himself and gave a brief overview of his background and interest in the Commission. Motion: Motion made by Deputy Mayor Oakleaf to appoint the proposed Commissioner as recommended for a term expiring June 30, 2027, seconded by Councilor Turkos. Motion passed 4-0. B. Discussion/Approval: Winooski Valley Parks District Presentation and Budget Ask Nick Warner from the Winooski Valley Parks District presented their budget ask. They do not currently manage any property within Winooski however they have supported improvements to Winooski’s parks and natural areas. Memorial Park is a current area of focus including upgrades needed such as dealing with non-native species present in the park as well as a large ravine next to the Colchester town line that continues to erode. Champlain Housing Trust has expressed interest in this as they own property adjacent to the park. C. Discussion: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Proposed Budget: Community Services - Ray Coffey, Community Services The presentation included Thrive Afterschool programs, Recreations and Parks, Senior Programs and Library Services. Staffing levels were discussed. There is a proposal to combine Thrive and Recreation part time staff to provide more flexibility in staffing various programs. Projects and accomplishments for FY25 were reviewed, with kudos given to the Winooski Waves Swim Team who were State Champions in 2024 and runners-up in 2025. Statistics were given for various Community Service programs, including being over 90% full for registered programs, granting $16,000 in scholarships, and serving over 3000 meals to Seniors. Statistics were provided regarding the Myers Pool usage, and Winooski Memorial Library usage. The new library space was discussed including increased space for shelving, and timeline for the move. The proposed budget was presented. A request for a new Seasonal Parks and Trails Manager Position was discussed. Currently Public Works assists with park maintenance. A dedicated staff person would alleviate some of the burden on Public Works. The need for a livable wage increase for step 2 employees was presented, in order to help reduce turnover and to compensate for the challenges that can come with these positions. The list of items not included in the Strategic Investment Budget was discussed including moving some positions to full time, increased funding in various areas such as parks, scholarships and library books/periodicals. FY26/27 Goals were presented including continuing to work with Champlain Housing Trust to redevelop the O’Brien Center, a pavilion for Landry Park, parks and trails improvements, renewed Step Ahead Recognition System (STARS) certification for Thrive, and horseback riding permit process development. Public Comment made by Judy Lance. Judy questioned why it would cost less to move the Senior Center Director to full time than increasing a part time library position to full time. Community Services Director Coffey stated that the Director would be increasing by only twelve hours per week and the library position would be increasing by twenty hours per week, and health insurance premiums would also be a consideration. Judy gave kudos to the bone builder program at the Senior Center and stated she would like to see more programs at the center for people who are not seniors. She also stated that she would like to see the public be made aware of costs related to the library move and expansion. A discussion followed involving existing funds that can be used as well as behind the scenes fundraising efforts leading up to a public fundraising effort.  City of Winooski 27 West Allen Street Winooski Vermont 05404 Vermont’s Opportunity City 802 655 6410 winooskivt.gov D. Discussion/Approval: Goals Update: Municipal Infrastructure, Housing, Safe, Healthy, Connected People - Ray Coffey, Community Services Director, Jazmine Hurley, Housing Initiative Director, and Jon Rauscher, Public Works Director Minutes: Community Services Director Coffey stated that West Allen Park work, work on the O’Brien Center are two significant items. He is pleased with work on these initiatives. Public Works Director Jon Rausher gave his budget presentation at the previous meeting, which included infrastructure items, therefore he did not need to present any items at this meeting. There were no questions from Council or the public. Housing Initiatives Director Jazmine Hurley presented an update on the FY25-26 priority list. The Equitable Housing Needs assessment is moving into phase II. An update was given on the activities involved in the armory project. The City and National Guard extended our current purchase and sale agreement to May 29, 2026. We should have option agreement addendum signed with Champlain Housing Trust soon. Statistics regarding short-term rentals were presented. There are sixteen owner-occupied licenses and forty-four active or pending non-owner occupied licenses, which is six under the cap of fifty. Since 2024, eighteen units rescinded their licenses. Of those, fourteen are converting to long term rentals, three have sold to new owners, and one is unknown. It was stated that the cost of short-term rental licensing might be causing people to change to long term rentals. Mayor Renner gave a Just Cause Eviction update. Through a conversation with State Representative Chloe Thomlinson, he has learned that there is a movement with some of the legislators to have Just Cause Eviction statewide, therefore Winooski’s Just Cause Eviction will not move forward with the State at this time. However, Burlington is investing time in trying to get their Just Cause Eviction initiative looked at by the legislature. If that were to happen, Winooski’s initiative might also be taken off hold. Motion: No motion necessary. IX. Adjourn Minutes: None. Motion: Motion by Councilor Turkos to adjourn at 8:17pm, seconded by Councilor Hurd. Motion passed 4-0. Attest: __________________________________________ Kim Hier, Assistant City Clerk