Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission

11/8/2022 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Courtney Blasius, Aurora Hurd, Mary Hussmann, Elise Carlson, Meredith Bushey City Staff Present: Ray Coffey, Robin Merritt Guests Present: Call to Order by: Mary Hussman Meeting Start Time: 6:30 PM Minutes Recorded by: Meredith Bushey II. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: Approved Motion by: Courtney Blasisus Second: Meredith Bushey III. Public Comment None IV. City Council and Department Updates l Halloween event was a huge success! Estimated 2500 people just on Saturday alone. Sunday was steady. Downtown Winooski, Robin and Rec team were a great success - more volunteers than expected. l ARPA funding non-profit allocation: ¡ Because United Methodist previously received $5000, Council decided to give them another $5000. ¡ $10,000 awarded to Somali Bantu Community Association of Vermont/Winooski Parents/CVOEO ¡ $5,000 to DREAM ¡ If another round of funding is allotted, applicants who were not allocated funds would be allowed to resubmit. l November 12 th is the Budget Presentation to City Council meeting. Ray invited commissioners to attend. l Ray is working on 21 c - 5 year grant through AOE. Currently in 5 th year of 5 year block. Approval by City Council awarded. V. Inclusion and Belonging Liaison Update N/A VI. 2022 Myers Pool Season Summary and Review  V. Inclusion and Belonging Liaison Update N/A VI. 2022 Myers Pool Season Summary and Review l Accolades to staff for making the season a huge success. l Significant increase in visits; however 2021 numbers may not be accurate secondary to software glitch. However, overall, certainly more use this year than last year. l Swim lessons numbers down; swim lessons that were opened were filled. l Drop in camp slots. l 950 kids passed the deep water swim test in 2022! Swim test is a rite of passage among the youth and when passed, children quite proud. l Lessons included toddler swim lesson and toddler play group, senior class, low stimulus swim time, adult BIPOC affinity swim lesson, aqua aerobics. A second aqua aerobics classes was added given that it filled up consistently. l Scholarships more readily available to increase # of passes sold. l Resident > non-resident membership; frequently near or at capacity l Drop in senior pass area because free senior Friday reduced impetus to purchase a pass. l Running an outdoor pool in VT is not a money-making venture. Short season, affordable passes, difficulty to make the cash flow work. l Pool crosses fiscal years; so some revenue is totaled into both fiscal years. l In a nutshell, pools are expensive and it is difficult to break even. l More seasoned management coupled with lifeguard staff who would like to return will promote a positive experience next year. VII. Update on Recreation Programs and Discussion of Community Needs Survey Recreation Programs l Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funding and Program Update (ESSER) – formula funding received by WSD as part of Federal COVID relief. l WSD Contracted with the City of Winooski in Spring o 2021 to run free youth programming through summer of 2023. l $300,000 contract in FY22 l $200,000 contract in FY23 l Funding will come to a close in September, 2023. l Funding supports 5 staff members ranging from 8 hours/week to 1.0 FTE as well as additional contractual and supply/materials costs associated with programs. l Courtney asked if there is a plan to sustain this staffing. l Ray reported that inflation and cost of living is driving up staffing costs, but the hope is that the staff funded by ESSER Funding will continue to be funded. l ERRER Funding has provided over 315 unique programs l ESSER funding has also provided during the months of June-August includes 81 unique programs – increase in enrollment likely because programming is free. l Thrive Summer has seen a 370% increase in increase in enrollment from 2020 to 2022. l Next: working hard to minimize financial barriers to programs including fundraising, etc. Winooski Recreational Programming Needs Survey Commission ideas for community outreach: Front Porch Forum, Next Door, paper forms in central locations (e.g., community meals, youth programming, library, food bank, holiday events), Downtown Winooski involvement, tax and water tax stuffers, WSD newsletter, make QR code for survey, Winooski News. Surveys must be interpreted into different languages.  Winooski Recreational Programming Needs Survey Commission ideas for community outreach: Front Porch Forum, Next Door, paper forms in central locations (e.g., community meals, youth programming, library, food bank, holiday events), Downtown Winooski involvement, tax and water tax stuffers, WSD newsletter, make QR code for survey, Winooski News. Surveys must be interpreted into different languages. VIII. Adjourn Motion by: Meredith Bushey Second: Elise Carlson Meeting End Time: 8 PM