Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission

12/10/2019 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Kim Jordan, Mary Hussmann, Courtney Blasius, Paul Rabidox, Bruce Wilson, Erin Barnaby City Staff Present: Ray Coffey Guests Present: Omnes Studio staff Call to Order by: Mary Hussmann Minutes Recorded by: Kim Jordan II. Public Comment Winooski Partnership for Prevention: Elaine Ezerins shared information about the WPP. Also, WPP recently got a drug-free commuities grant to total $625,000 to strengthen commnity partnerships and make prevention work sustainable in a grassroots effort. III. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Motion by: Mary Hussman Second: Courtney Blasius Minutes approved IV. City and Department Updates Ray Coffey shared that budget presentations and information will Mondays at 6pm in City Council chambers. Always want people to come out and work on budget. V. Parks and Open Space Master Plan Public Meeting/Presentation Ray Coffey shared background of grant that was received. Omnes shared slide presentation for the process. Currently in Visioning phase. This is a community-driven process. Includes Steering Committee meetings, Community Group meetings, Public meetings, and Immersion visits to understand the culture of Winooski. See Omnes Studio slideshow presentation on City of Winooski website: https://www.winooskivt.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2620/Parks--Open-Space-Master- Plan-Presentation-121019 Next Parks and Open Space Planning Project public meeting: January 14th during SHCP Commission meeting. Comments/questions: l What about “Sitting Parks” with park benches/small parks? Perhaps we need to involve local developers in creating some of these small spaces while building new developments. Question about how we protect our parks. Does the city need to hire “park rangers,” or are volunteer park stewards enough?In terms of safety and care of our citizens: water fountains, needle drops, etc: how do we make sure that these are community spaces? o Specific park hours, lighting, what about homeless/housing insecure folks at parks?  involve local developers in creating some of these small spaces while building new developments. Question about how we protect our parks. Does the city need to hire “park rangers,” or are volunteer park stewards enough?In terms of safety and care of our citizens: water fountains, needle drops, etc: how do we make sure that these are community spaces? o Specific park hours, lighting, what about homeless/housing insecure folks at parks? l Are dog parks included in this plan? West Allen Park needs a water fountain for dogs. o Thoughts about park connector trails and bikeways? l Does this plan address already-established parks, or does it allow for spaces that are not yet parks, but are small parcels that could be pocket parks or similar park development? l Winooski doesn’t have the funding to create new parks at this point, but it is something to consider. l What about zoning of Cassavant and Millbrook and Memorial Natural Areas as industrial/commercial? Is there a plan to rezone these as parks safe from future development? - This is part of what Winooski voters/residents get to decide. l How is ADA acccessibility being factored into this grant? - One of these parks will be universally accessible. This grant is specifically about walkability and is to ensure that parks and trails are accessible for all. l Are you looking at the skate park at Landry Park? - YES! Commission meeting will adjourn before Omnes Studio convenes public activity to elicit comments and questions about Winooski Parks. SHCP Commission members introduced themselves to all present. VI. Adjourn Motion by: Paul Rabidoux Second: Kim Jordan Time: 7:42