Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission

12/14/2021 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Meredith Bushey, Mary Hussmann, Courtney Blasisus, Hal Colston (Council Liaison) City Staff Present: Ray Coffey, Nate Eddy, John Audy Guests Present: Kate Nugent (Executive Director for Winooski Partnership for Prevention) Call to Order by: Mary Hussmann Meeting Start Time: 6:33 Minutes Recorded by: Meredith Bushey II. Public Comment Kate Nugent introduced self. Shared goal of her meeting attendance - in order to listen and offer feedback and support in the climate of COVID-19 and increased substance use. Mary Hussmann announced that there are two vacancies for City Council. III. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: Approved Motion by: Courtney Blasius Second: Thomas Renner IV. City Council Update Hal Colston l Budget: January budget will be approved with any amendments l Winooski Garden Group presentation: presented needs that they have pertaining to additional resources required in order to maintain group including additional volunteers and to keep up with planting/maintaining flower beds. l Library Youth Services Coordinator position: approved l Opioid Settlement Process: Entertained idea of becoming part of a national effort instead of City filing a lawsuit. l Mary asked the status of lawsuit against non-citizen voting: City assured by attorney that Winooski has a strong case; identified outside group from Boston that may also be able to assist in making a case. Premise of lawsuit is that we are in violation of allowing all-resident voting which may impact state-wide elections which is not the case. City is proceeding with plan for all-resident voting for the March election. Added: City Updates (was not included on agenda) John Audy, Fore Chief:  proceeding with plan for all-resident voting for the March election. Added: City Updates (was not included on agenda) John Audy, Fore Chief: l Fire Marshall: Internally promoted part-time Lieutenant, to full-time Fire Marshall (Chief Palmer). l Recruitment and retention of staff – difficult to retain staff, pool is folks with 2-3 years of experience versus 10-20 years of experience. l COVID-19: uptick in mental health challenges as a result of pandemic; specifically seen in “housing issues” l Mary asked specific question regarding Fire Department staffing– John Audy reported that we will continue to collaborate with St. Michaels on the rescue and fire front to field calls efficiently and effectively to maintain City safety. l Currently 14 staff on roster, previous year’s average of 20-26. Ray Coffey l Mask Mandate: masking up in indoor public spaces. Topic will be re-visited in 45 days window. l COVID-19: Weekly huddles with Department of Health, school system, UVMMC, etc. Although there is growth in cases in Chittenden county, numbers are not at same levels as other parts of the state. l BIPOC vaccination rate – originally 13-14% discrepancy when adult vaccines were first rolled out; less discrepancy (2-3%) with rollout in pediatric vaccinations preliminarily; speaks to advocacy of city of Winooski for population that has historically not had the same level of access. l Ray presented budget to City Council: Ray encouraged members to review on website l Winter Programs released: strong enrollment l n-person registration events: Staff on Elm Street yesterday to recruit children – higher percentage of completed paperwork, especially among children with English L2 among parental groups l Library Youth Services Coordinator position: Josh Nielson resigned, posted internally and then if no internal candidates the position will be posted externally V. Discussion: Safe, Healthy, & Connected People Municipal Plan Goals – Review of Available Resources and Prioritization Ray Coffey: l ARPA planning process: City is initiating ARPA planning process and how to spend this anticipated funding. l Requested members review goals in meeting and ask clarifying questions regarding goals. l Asked each member to prioritize top 5 goals and submit to group (prioritization in order to gain helpful context prior to delving into a deeper process over the course of the next few months l Reminded Commission of priorities for future policy focus l Shared that aditional resources from ARPA and TIFD (Tax Increment Finance District) are anticipated. l Wants to be intentional on how to use funding. Mary asked specific question regarding whether other commissions are using the same prioritization process l (Yes) Priorities will be brought back to commissions in Feb and then rolled out to community in March.  Mary asked specific question regarding whether other commissions are using the same prioritization process l (Yes) Priorities will be brought back to commissions in Feb and then rolled out to community in March. Mary asked if you can use anticipated $ into a budget request. l (No) – however, the proposed budget includes ESER funding l Budget proposal was recorded and Ray to send Commission link when it comes out. Kate Nugent comments: l Provided accolades that Winooski is the first city to include anything about health. l Suggestions for setting up environment to support and cue in community, healthy behavior and access to mental health care l Advertising -Smoke-free parks VI. Adjourn Motion by: Thomas Renner Second: Courtney Blasius Meeting End Time: 7:49 PM