Municipal Infrastructure Commission

8/4/2021 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Chair Laura Dlugolecki, Timur Tsutsuk, Corey Mack, Peter Wernsdorfer, Jason Williams, City Councilor Bryn Oakleaf City Staff Present: Jon Rauscher Guests Present: None Call to Order by: Chair Dlugolecki Meeting Start Time: 6:30 PM Minutes Recorded by: Jason Williams II. Public Comment Public comment was received by a member of the Tree Committee about ways to reach out to diverse communities about the tree giveaway. Input can be provided to Jon or Chair Dlugolecki after the meeting. Suggestions were made to contact the School Board, the new Winooski DEI coordinator, and posting signs at the pool. III. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: Approve Motion by: Timur Tsutsuk Second: Peter Jason and Corey abstained IV. Department and City Updates Jon updated on the City Manager search. Council will be interviewing three candidates at the end of this month. Started with 20 applicants, 10 of whom met the requirements. Plan is for finalists to hold a public forum in September. Jon updated that the Main Street revitalization project is in the 90% complete phase. In the stage of requesting easements. Still targeting next spring for construction start, bidding this winter. Submitted a federal Department of Transportation grant. Believes Winooski will be very competitive. $7 million grant submitted to fund the general fund side of streetscape work. Hickok Street will be wrapping up soon. Coming in significantly under the bond limit. Circle repair work is coming along, and Jon is not hearing a lot of complaints. Corey raised questions and concerns about managing traffic (including sidewalk traffic) for private construction. Jon replied that the City is being more conservative in what it is allowing for this type of construction. On- street parking will be lost, but there will be requirements for sidewalk traffic management. Timur asked about pool closures. Jon reported that there were some issues with balancing and chlorinating the pool, but it has been worked out.  that the City is being more conservative in what it is allowing for this type of construction. On- street parking will be lost, but there will be requirements for sidewalk traffic management. Timur asked about pool closures. Jon reported that there were some issues with balancing and chlorinating the pool, but it has been worked out. V. Annual City Council Priorities and Strategies Review Chair Dlugolecki shared that at the last meeting, there was going to be a plan developed by City Council. Councilor Oakleaf has information to share as a result of the Council discussion and walked through a plan for the Council’s retreat discussion. Items identified related to municipal infrastructure include: l Prepare a traffic calming policy l Prepare a City-wide ADA transition plan l Vermont Agency of Transportation capital project coordination l Update the tree ordinance l Continue implementation of the Main Street Revitalization project VI. Annual Work Plan Discussion Jon has drafted a work plan aligning the Commission’s plan with the priorities identified by the Council. He believes the traffic calming policy will be a big area of focus for the coming year. Jon expects the Commission will spend one meeting each review the ACA policy and storm water ordinance. He expects the Commission will be asked to review design and materials for the Main Street Revitalization project. Chair Dlugolecki forwarded the draft work plan for review. Jon suggested Commissioners offer their ideas for additions. Councilor Oakleaf shared that the federal administration has opened-up county-level funds for local governments. This will result in Winooski getting additional funding, which will impact these priorities. There will also be additional support likely, of an unknown amount, resulting from the federal infrastructure plan. Jason asked whether the Commission had time to review the work plan before deciding on it. Jon responded that Commissions have as much time as they need, but the goal is to bundle plans for the Commission’s review. Chair Dlugolecki suggested there is a role for the Commission in offering input on the Transportation Master Plan, particularly as it relates to pedestrian goals. Jon responded that he intends to update the Plan when the Main Street Revitalization project is completed. Corey asked about how to connect other efforts, like the annual paving plan, with the Transportation Master Plan. He also asked that the Commission be involved in other ongoing activities, like changes to East Allen Street. Jon reported that the City will be seeking a Vermont Agency of Transportation grant for a portion of East Spring Street for the addition of a sidewalk. Councilor Oakleaf shared that the Planning Commission is reviewing portions of the Form Based Code ordinance. Incentives are being evaluated to see what incentives make sense for developers to take advantage of additional stories. Corey asked about connectivity to the ADA transition plan. He also suggested looking to the City of Burlington’s approach for sidewalk assessment, which seemed affordable for the scope and results. Jon suggested hiring a consultant may be the best approach for the plan. Chair Dlugolecki asked how the Commission would like to approach the work plan. Councilor Oakleaf suggested the Commission would have time, as the Council is not meeting this month  Corey asked about connectivity to the ADA transition plan. He also suggested looking to the City of Burlington’s approach for sidewalk assessment, which seemed affordable for the scope and results. Jon suggested hiring a consultant may be the best approach for the plan. Chair Dlugolecki asked how the Commission would like to approach the work plan. Councilor Oakleaf suggested the Commission would have time, as the Council is not meeting this month for work outside of selecting the new Manager. Timur suggested everyone review and the Commission aim to approve at its next meeting in September. The Commission agreed to this plan. Jon would also like to bring ARPA federal fund prioritization to the Commission. Chair Dlugolecki will poll the Commission members about availability in September to meet. VII. Adjourn Motion by: Corey Second: Peter Meeting End Time: 7:42 PM