Municipal Infrastructure Commission

3/16/2023 - Minutes I. Call to Order Attendees: Bryn, John, Brian, Dallas, Emily, Michelle, Peter Notes taken by: Dallas Call to order by: Brian II. Public Comment T None III. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes F Michelle moved and Dallas seconded. Emily and Peter abstain due to absence. Decision unanimous. IV. FY24 Strategies and Priorities Discussion A Every year the council has a retreat with staff, May or June. Saturday morning, 2-3 hours long. Lots of prep needed. Get commission input before planning strategies for next fiscal year. No additional funding or R staff capacity for additional projects, but other commissions may be able to be called upon for consideration with certain projects. Protect green spaces. Not many green spaces in Winooski. Might also have overlap with Planning and SHC commissions. D Main street and bridge replacement both underway, bridge in design mode still. Both will need a large effort. Hotel parking garage negotiation is still moving forward. All big capital things. ADA transition plan and LaFountain St scoping study underway. There will be lots of negotiation and discussion over this because developers want to limit parking space to maximize profit, so the council will be negotiating with the builders to reach an agreement. Shared lots are an option. There have been changes in parking ordinances. Some places are eliminating parking minimums. Eliminating parking means more space for housing, and with local buses and improved outdoor infrastructure having less parking would mean more public space for businesses as well. Also the bike lane on Main Street that is going to be implemented is going to cut the street parking in half. Any other concerns about specific policies or financial priorities should be taken to the City Council before the second council meeting, get to Bryn by April 9. Members discussed incorporating timed stop lights at the Main Street pedestrian crossing or maybe raised speed bump crossings to alleviate speeding and protect pedestrians on Main Street. Members also discussed an option where a roof for structure is given to the future bridge project to create the illusion of a tunnel and slow down oncoming cars. Green space protection is public land only. With coming curb upgrades and ADA requirements there could be space for a “green belt” construction, but roads are already very narrow and sidewalks are already cramped.  project to create the illusion of a tunnel and slow down oncoming cars. Green space protection is public land only. With coming curb upgrades and ADA requirements there could be space for a “green belt” construction, but roads are already very narrow and sidewalks are already cramped. Energy compliance and salvage yard can both be recommended to be sent to the Planning Commission. Prioritizations: green spaces, green belts and tree ordinance combination, Energy code compliance, salvage yard. T V. Council Liaison Updates Next council meeting is Monday, March 20. Council Liaison assignments will be discussed. F Council already discussing strategies and priorities for May. VI. Staff Liaison Updates In contract stage for current construction projects. VTrans has picked a consultant (HNTB) for A feedback on the bridge replacement. Project projected at $60M. Winooski is expected to pay 5% ($4M - $5M). Lot 7D still in motion. Garage might be redesigned from concrete to steel due to contractor availability. We now have 2 operational sidewalk plows, and 1 backup. Salt alternatives for the roads: brine, molasses (temperature restrictive). R VII. Adjourn Motion: Peter Second: Michelle D