Municipal Infrastructure Commission

1/19/2023 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members in attendance: Brian Borah, Jason Williams, Dallas Wheatley, Michelle Metzler City Staff Liaison: Jon Rauscher (Public Works Director), City Council Liaison: Bryn Oakleaf. Call to order by Jason II. Public Comment None III. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Motion by: Jason Second: Brian Decision: 3-0-1 (Dallas was not present at Nov meeting) IV. Council Liaison Updates Bryn: Budget will require ~5% increase in taxes. It’s been a difficult year with inflation. Jason: Kudos to staff for excellent communication with public Bryn & Jon: Some of the infrastructure /capital projects had to be slightly scaled down for this budget, but we feel that it’s an acceptable compromise. V. Staff Liaison Updates Jon: Main Street Revitalization updates: l Will require lots of contract work before we get to bidding phase. l Right now we are trying to make work as appealing as possible for contract workers l Still a few appeasements left. l Hope is to get have a bid to contractors out next month. l Have to demonstrate progress by September in order to maintain funding, but this should not be a problem Jon: VTrans met w community regarding DDI project. Jon: Parking garage on Abenaki Way updates. Jon: Bridge project – on the horizon. In early phases Bryn: update on historic preservation ordinance / incentives VI. Discussion/Approval: Commission Roles (Chair, Secretary) All agreed to discuss Work Plan first, before discussing commission roles.  Bryn: update on historic preservation ordinance / incentives VI. Discussion/Approval: Commission Roles (Chair, Secretary) All agreed to discuss Work Plan first, before discussing commission roles. Overview of major roles Jason stepping down as Chair. Discussion of Chair roles and call for nominations l Brian self-nominated for Chair. No other nominations. l Motion for Brian as Chair: Brian l Second: Michelle l Decision: unanimous. Call for Vice-Chair nominations. Michelle self-nominated; l Motion for Michelle as Vice-Chair: Michelle l Second: Jason l Decision: unanimous Call for Secretary nominations. Jason self-nominated. l Motion for Jason as Secretary: Jason l Second: Dallas l Decision: unanimous VII. Discussion/Approval: FY23 Work Plan Introduction from Jon about the intended role of MIC Overview of “Must Dos” and “Recommended” Initiatives in the FY23 work plan. Bryn: Energy efficiency day – 1 st Wednesday in October – another opportunity for MIC input Members decided to monitor the St Stephen’s project for now and remove it from area of focus. They also decided to remove the “protection of natural areas” project from MIC focus. Members agreed with the remainder of the work plan. Jon agreed to share updated draft of FY23 Work Plan memo before next month’s meeting Members discussed implementation of an agenda into the workplan in order to ensure that certain action items are completed. Brief discussion of parking policies Members discussed that sidewalk policies might be appropriate for MIC Currently there is no city policy on how to allocate sidewalk space for use by local businesses (patio seating, etc.). There will be proposed ordinance change. MIC expressed interest in providing input. VIII. Adjourn Motion by: Jason Second: Michelle VIII. Adjourn Motion by: Jason Second: Michelle