Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission

12/8/2020 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Kim Jordan, Mary Hussmann, Bruce Wilson, Paul Rabidoux, Amy Lafayette City Staff Present: Gwennie Talbot, Kate Nicoletti, Rick Hebert, John Audy, Ray Coffey, Molly Schneider, Jenny Hill, Nate Eddy Guests Present: None Call to Order by: Mary Hussmann Meeting Start Time: 6:35 PM Minutes Recorded by: Kim Jordan II. Public Comment None. III. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: Approved Motion by: Kim Jordan Second: Paul Rabidoux IV. City and Department Updates Fire Department (Cheif Audy) l Last Thursday Keen’s Crossing (Winooski Falls Way) had a sprinkler break and 110+ residents were displaced and moved into local hotels. Ray supported food insecure folks and state emergency management offered administrative help so Winooski City staff could pivot and deliver meals to the hotels (50 adults and 10ish children). The sprinkler pipe is the same ype of pipe that burst a few months ago when a different building had a sprinkler burst. Hall Keen, who owns Keen’s Crossing, is being responsive. WFD did inspections this afternoon and many units will be occupied again tomorrow. WFD has pivoted in their roles to make sure residents are back in their homes soon. WFD is hopeful that if there are contaminants in the sprinkler systems, they can address the problem and mitigate it to avoid this type of harm in the future.These were mixed-income units. It is recommended that people buy renter’s insurance. This will be an info push from the City. Community Services (Ray Coffey) l Shoutout to Kate Nicoletti and to the Abby Group (who provides foor at Winooski Schools) for preparing and delivering meals for the displaced Keen’s Crossing residents. Meals were prepared and delivered for the weekend and another delivery was Monday- Wednesday. Hall Keen, owners of Keen’s Crossing, is taking on the cost of all of these meals. l Kate Nicoletti has worked with Josh from the Library to put together art and science kits. Checking those out comes with a QR code to download the book that goes with the  Schools) for preparing and delivering meals for the displaced Keen’s Crossing residents. Meals were prepared and delivered for the weekend and another delivery was Monday- Wednesday. Hall Keen, owners of Keen’s Crossing, is taking on the cost of all of these meals. l Kate Nicoletti has worked with Josh from the Library to put together art and science kits. Checking those out comes with a QR code to download the book that goes with the kits. Promo has gone out for interest for a Snow Art Project. Dungeons & Dragons has continued through the pandemic and continues. Winooski Yoga continues. The More Than A Meal Program at Senior Center is up to about 95 folks each wee. AgeWell will continue to fund this project. We’ve partnered with AgeWell and HANDS (Helping & Nurturing Diverse Seniors) to distribute Christmas meals. We received funding to launch a Youth Council that will have access to $500 to sub-grant out to the community. Winooski School District will be moving to a 1-week all-virtual option because 3 positive Covid cases have been identified in the school community. Therefore, THRIVE program will also be moving online for that week. The whole THRIVE team has been spectacular. l O’Brien Community Center is a new designated COVID-19 esting site for appointments and walk-ins. As of now, all who want to be accommodated can be. The organization running the site is also running sites in Burlington, a Massachusetts-based company. l Budget was submitted to City Council last night. Commissioners are encouraged to attend the meetings. Library (Nate Eddy) l We reopened the library last week for in-person visits. Check city website for updated hours. Visits can be pre-scheduled in 30-minute slots. Last week every time slot was booked. The Library has also expanded its curbside pickup availability. Parking lot wifi access has been going well. Police Department (Cheif Hebert) l It’s been a less-busy month than usual. Focusing on the welfare and services that residents need, and WPD is trying to help folks do as well as they can. the VT State Legislature will be taking on police reform legislation, including a Use of Force Policy, and there will be more talk about that in the months to come. WPD has partnered with the children’s wing at UVM Medical Center to provide holiday gifts. Councilor Lafayette: l The Mayor is pulling all City-wide commission notes together to compile and share. Town Meeting Day: Amy’s term is ending in March and she will not be seeking re-election. If anyone is interested in running for her vacant seat, any individual can declare their intention to appear on the ballot without collecting signatures in person. This is due to statewide Covid guidelines. This also means that SHCP Commission will have a new City Council liaison. City Council approved the job description for the new Equity Director. Hurrah! There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes work done to make this position happen. The position will be part of the City leadership team. V. Adjourn Motion by: Paul Rabidoux Second: Kim Jordan Meeting End Time: 7:10 PM