Finance Commission

4/11/2023 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Ashley Lucht, Maurice Matte, James Messeder, Parker Silver, Januka Acharya City Staff Present: Angela Aldieri, Mayor Kristine Lott Call to Order by: Ashley Lucht Meeting Start Time: 5:31 PM Minutes Recorded by: Matt Francis II. Public Comment None III. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes February 2022 l Decision: Approved l Motion by: Parker Silver l Second: Maurice Matte March 2022 l Decision: Approved l Motion by: Parker Silver l Second: Januka Acharya IV. City Council Liaison Update Priorities were discussed across commissions for work planning and connections across commissions. Priorities are Housing - they are hiring a housing director. Next meeting will have an update from Downtown Winooski, so would like to hear from V. Inclusion & Belonging Commission Update Two interviews this week to fill-in alternate and permanent position for commission. Discussing priorities and will pore over equity audit. There are preliminary discussions about stipends for meetings other than commission meetings. Inclusion and Belonging commissioners get $50 per meeting. They are discussing what the boundaries are for stipends and meetings. Stipends for Inclusion and Belonging are designed to ensure better representation by people who don’t have the resources are incentivized to participate in policy. VI. Discussion: Review Economic Development Strategic Plan Discussed and went through the goals of the Economic Development Strategic Plan.  Inclusion and Belonging are designed to ensure better representation by people who don’t have the resources are incentivized to participate in policy. VI. Discussion: Review Economic Development Strategic Plan Discussed and went through the goals of the Economic Development Strategic Plan. l A lot of the First goal (fostering business relationships) was done by the previous Community Economic Director who is no longer here. l Commissioners are curious what business leaders say they need from the city and what the relationships are l PS noted that communication objectives in Goal 2 are important to continue to attract more engagement with all the different communities. l The mayor and commissioners noted that Goals 3 and 4 - building infrastructure, multimodal, prioritizing housing are mostly being taken care of. l Commissioners noted that Goal 5 - targeting specific industries still should be prioritized - grocery store, hotel. l Discussed Downtown Winooski - which is a nonprofit that Winooski must have to be able to receive certain funding. They’re hiring a new director and it could be a good opportunity to offload some of the Economic Development goals. VII. Discussion: Finalize Strategy & Priority Recommendations Commissioners discussed recommendations and how the council turns them into objectives and goals. Agreed to clarify ‘housing quality’ to code enforcement. There was discussion around if there should be more context added. The mayor noted that she will be going to council with the objectives. Commissioners wanted to add a point about communication with businesses being a priority as well. VIII. Adjourn Motion by: MF Second: PS Meeting End Time: 6:51 PM