Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission

8/11/2020 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Kim Jordan, Mary Hussmann, Paul Rabidoux, Bruce Wilson, Courtney Blassius City Staff Present: John Audy, Rick Hebert, Jim Duncan, Ray Coffey Guests Present: Sarah Mell Call to Order by: Mary Hussmann Meeting Start Time: 6:35 Minutes Recorded by: Kim Jordan II. Public Comment Sarah Mell (they/them or she/her) – wife of SHCP Commissioner Kim Jordan and homeowner on Clifford Street: This weekend was the second time that a car almost crashed into our house in the 4 years since we’ve lived here. Officer McCormack and WPD were wonderful. Need signage, lighting, etc.to mitigate any drive-through risks. Is there an opportunity for repair and the impacts of harm in our community for people who experience crime in our community akin to the Parallel Justice Program in Burlington? Also, on Friday night there was an extreme noise disturbance, and Sarah wonders about what residents can do as alternatives for calling the police? What are community accountability processes and opportunties for residents to coalesce around safety and support outside of Winoski police? Chief Hebert: When WPD responds to noise complaints, they try to handle it as respectfully and neighborly as possible. They don’t tend to write tickets. There is national anxiety about calling the police, but Chief Hebert wants to assure Winooski residents that they just want folks with noise complaints to be good neighbors, and not write citations that are punitive. Chief Audy: Get in touch with Jon Rauscher from Public Works, who can help with signage and safety needs regarding traffic. III. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: Approved Motion by: Paul Rabidoux Second: Bruce Wilson Ammendment: Section IV, 2nd point clarifying the typo:”Paul Rabidoux: Does Winooski PD have an emergency response vehicle?.... IV. City and Department Updates  Second: Bruce Wilson Ammendment: Section IV, 2nd point clarifying the typo:”Paul Rabidoux: Does Winooski PD have an emergency response vehicle?.... IV. City and Department Updates Complaints: There is a nuisance smeill near Tigan Street due to a retention pond. John Raucher at Public Works is the point-person and the smell is being addressed. The strong smell coming from the CBD Lab on Elm Street is getting many complaints from residents and City Council is addressing it. There is a complain form that is now online. Fire Department Update by John Audy: In July, Fire Department staff started working together in person with social distance. They are doing trainings and have 3 new P/T firefighters. Kudos to Winooski HR for onboarding new hires. The fire department hired some St Michael’s college students for 12 weeks who did work around the department and collected data. The data being collated over the course of the last 4 years that these students compiled rehgarding service demands, call volume, staffing capacity, and other data. It will be developed into a presentation for the SHCP Commission at a later date. V. City COVID-19 Response Update (John Audy) Shoutout to City leadership team and city staff and residents on their Covid response, balancing safety concerns with essential services. As of August 3rd. all City employees are back to work. There have been no new cases in Winooski in 28 days. Check City website with any questions about Covid resources – testing, protocols, resources, etc. Bruce Wilson: Of the 77 cases in Winooski, how many POC were among the cases? Chief Audy: Jessie Baker, City Manager, has that information from the State Paul Rabidoux: Works with funeral home and during wakes/services, hundreds of participants followed all social distancing and mask protocols. Kudos to City Staff and state leadership for the positive messaging. VI. Project Update: Myers Memorial Pool (Ray Coffey) Construction is mostly finished and the inspection schedule is being finalized, but due to Covid distancing and health requirements, the pool will not open until 2021. The hope is that the pool will open earlier than mid-June. The Myers Pool Community Room will be a year-round space, and the hope is that it will be open soon and will be used for the Thrive Program by second week of September. VII. Staffing Update for Community Services Department (Ray Coffey) Library Director interviews are underway. Excellent candidates and hope to have a hire by the end of September. There were a lot of candidates with geographical diversity, but unfortunately not racial diversity. Racially diverse staffing is a growth area. Bruce Wilson: There are so many People of Color served by the library, but the staff aren’t POC at all. Two Americorps positions will be hired at the City. There will be a Parks and Community Gardens Manager and Recreation Program Manager posted and hired to join the City  Bruce Wilson: There are so many People of Color served by the library, but the staff aren’t POC at all. Two Americorps positions will be hired at the City. There will be a Parks and Community Gardens Manager and Recreation Program Manager posted and hired to join the City staff. These jobs should be posted this week. Mary Hussmann: How is the growth and number of plot with the Communinty Gardens? Ray Coffey: Every year, there has been more interest in garden plots. We have a small waitlist and even though the Landry Park garden was closed this year, it wiill be open again next year. 15 new garden beds will be donated and built next year behind the library, and the shade space and rain barrel system will be another draw to help the popularity of our community garden space. Collaboration with Youth Interventionist, Margaret Bass, who is now part of Community Services, will be doing early intervention work with Winooski youth. Winooski received a grant to do restorative justice in Winooski schools in partnership with Spectrum Youth & Family Services, and the full-time RJ staff member will be working out of the Community Services office. Bruce Wilson: What is the target age group for these RJ services? Ray Coffey: At the WSD, the idea is k-12, but it may be specifically middle-high school. VIII. Adjourn Motion by: Kim Second: Courtney Meeting End Time: 7:45 PM