Winooski public meetings in 2022

Municipal Infrastructure Commission

The Municipal Infrastructure Commission meeting was cancelled because a quorum of members was not present. No official discussion or actions were taken. The agenda included items such as a historic preservation presentation, the FY2023 work plan, and a weatherization program discussion.

• No quorum present; meeting cancelled
• Historic Preservation Presentation listed
• Fiscal Year 2023 Municipal Infrastructure Work Plan listed
• Weatherization Program Discussion listed
• Minutes from 11.17.22 and 9.15.22 (missing) noted

City Council

The City Council approved several grant applications and a 30-hour Housing Initiative Director position. The council also established a new procedure for political signs and appointed Deputy Mayor James Duncan as Airport Commissioner. A proposal for a second round of COVID-19 recovery nonprofit grants failed due to lack of a second motion.

• Approved Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Recreational Trails Program Grant (3-0)
• Approved Vermont Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant (3-0)
• Approved Political Sign Procedure as amended (3-0)
• Approved Housing Initiative Director Position at 30 hours (3-0)
• Approved Housing Trust Fund Down Payment Assistance Application 002 (3-0)
• Appointed Deputy Mayor James Duncan as Airport Commissioner (3-0)
• Approved Consent Agenda including 12.5.22 minutes and 12.8.22 accounts payable warrant (3-0)
• COVID-19 Recovery Nonprofit Grant Program second round motion failed

Liquor Control Board

The Winooski Liquor Control Board will discuss and potentially approve a Second Class liquor and tobacco license for Pradhan, and a First Class and Third Class restaurant/bar license plus an entertainment permit for RMJ. Both items are up for a vote at this meeting.

• Pradhan: Second Class Liquor License and Tobacco License
• RMJ: First Class Restaurant/Bar License, Third Class Restaurant/Bar License, and Entertainment Permit

The board approved a 2nd Class Liquor License and Tobacco License for Pradhan, with the tobacco license pending a Certificate of Fitness. The board also approved multiple licenses and an entertainment permit for RMJ.

• Approved Pradhan 2nd Class Liquor License and Tobacco License pending Certificate of Fitness (3-0)
• Approved RMJ 1st Class Restaurant/Bar License (3-0)
• Approved RMJ 3rd Class Restaurant/Bar License (3-0)
• Approved RMJ Entertainment Permit (3-0)
• Approved RMJ Restaurant License Application (3-0)

Housing Commission

The Commission recommended the approval of a $5,000 Down Payment Assistance Program application. Members also discussed potential updates to the Housing Trust Fund guidelines and the Public Building Registry ordinance.

• Approved previous meeting minutes
• Recommended approval of DPA Application 002 for $5,000

Inclusion and Belonging Commission

The Inclusion and Belonging Commission approved previous meeting minutes and established a rotating leadership structure. Parker Silver was appointed Interim Chair and Nick Woolf was appointed Interim Minutes Clerk for the next three meetings.

• Approved August 11, 2022 meeting minutes
• Appointed Parker Silver as Interim Chair for three meetings
• Appointed Nick Woolf as Interim Minutes Clerk for three meetings

Planning Commission

The Commission agreed to maintain existing design review language in Section 4.4 and add a new section (Section 5.15) for adaptive reuse. Members discussed parking minimums and maximums but paused the conversation pending further research. The Commission also received updates on zoning permits, including a demolition application for St. Stephen’s Church.

• Approved November 10th meeting minutes (3-0-1)
• Agreed to add Section 5.15 to include design review language for adaptive reuse
• Tabled discussion on parking minimums and maximums until the January meeting

City Council

The City Council approved a financial commitment for a garage on Lot 7D and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement. The Council also approved corrections to the 2022 Grand list and passed a consent agenda for minutes and warrants.

• Committed $11.4M for garage on Lot 7D and authorized seeking additional funding up to $11.6M (4-0)
• Approved Assessor’s Office Errors & Omissions, decreasing Grand list by $146,959 and revenue by $2,102.45 (4-0)
• Approved Consent Agenda including minutes from 11.7.22 and 11.28.22, and various payment warrants (4-0)

Liquor Control Board

The Winooski Liquor Control Board will discuss and possibly approve a second-class liquor license and a tobacco license with endorsement for Hometeste Foodmarket. The meeting includes a call to order, pledge of allegiance, and adjournment.

• Discussion/approval of Hometeste Foodmarket 2nd Class Liquor License
• Discussion/approval of Hometeste Foodmarket Tobacco License and Tobacco Endorsement

The board approved a second-class liquor license and a tobacco license for Hometeste Foodmarket. The business is located at 325 Main Street Ste 4.

• Approved Second Class & Tobacco License for Hometeste Foodmarket (4-0)

Winooski Memorial Library Committee

The committee approved the updated position description for the Youth Committee to be presented to City Council. Members also established new leadership roles for the committee and approved the previous meeting's minutes.

• Approved Youth Committee position description
• Appointed J. Wignall as Vice-Chair, C. Khajehali as secretary, and P. Doherty as chair
• Approved November 2022 meeting minutes

Board of Civil Authority / Board of Abatement

The Board of Civil Authority acknowledged that a tally error occurred during the official return of votes. The board determined that the error did not affect the outcome of the election.

• Acknowledged tally error did not affect election outcome (5-0)

Municipal Infrastructure Commission

The Municipal Infrastructure and Finance Commissions will hold a joint remote meeting to review the draft FY22 General Fund Capital Plan. The agenda includes public comment and council updates, with the primary business being discussion of the capital plan document.

• Review of Draft FY22 General Fund Capital Plan
• Public comment period

The commission reviewed the 5-year General Fund Capital Improvement Plan, including FY24 vehicle replacements and street resurfacing. Members discussed funding gaps for paving, traffic calming measures, and the use of reserves. No formal votes on the plan were recorded.

• Reviewed FY24 plan to replace 3 vehicles (1 PD, 2 DPW)
• Discussed need for ~$305k in additional FY24 paving funds
• Discussed using reserves for traffic calming on LeClair and Richards Streets
• Adjourned meeting at 7:31 PM

Development Review Board

The board approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Public hearings were held for a subdivision at 165 East Spring Street and a site plan for 1 Tigan Street, and a sketch plan for 205 West Allen Street was reviewed; however, no final decisions were recorded for these items.

• Approved previous meeting minutes (5-0)

Planning Commission

The Commission approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Members spent the remainder of the session discussing draft language for Article IV, specifically regarding curb cut standards, design review, and parking requirements.

• Approved previous meeting minutes (4-0)

Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission

The commission approved previous meeting minutes and received updates on City Council's ARPA non-profit allocations. Members reviewed the 2022 Myers Pool season and discussed the upcoming end of ESSER funding for youth programming in September 2023.

• Approved previous meeting minutes
• City Council awarded $5,000 ARPA funding to United Methodist
• City Council awarded $10,000 ARPA funding to Somali Bantu Community Association of Vermont/Winooski Parents/CVOEO
• City Council awarded $5,000 ARPA funding to DREAM

City Council

The City Council approved several nonprofit grants for COVID-19 recovery and authorized a joint grant application for recreational programming. Council also appointed an alternate member to the Municipal Infrastructure Commission and proclaimed Small Business Saturday. A proposal for a second round of recovery grants failed due to lack of a second.

• Approved COVID-19 Recovery Nonprofit Grants to Somali Bantu Community Association ($10,000), Winooski Parents and Students Project ($10,000), CVOEO ($10,000), Winooski United Methodist Church Food Shelf ($5,000), and Dream ($5,000) (4-0)
• Approved 21 C Grant Memorandum of Understanding for grant application (4-0)
• Appointed Dallas Wheatley as an Alternate to the Municipal Infrastructure Commission (4-0)
• Approved Small Business Saturday Proclamation for November 26, 2022 (4-0)
• Approved Consent Agenda including 10/17/22 minutes and various warrants (4-0)
• Tabled political sign procedure discussion
• Denied $30,000 for COVID-19 Recovery Nonprofit Grants Round 2 (motion failed due to lack of second)

Winooski Memorial Library Committee

The committee approved previous meeting minutes and discussed a new youth committee position description to be presented to City Council. Members agreed to change the meeting structure to solicit agenda items from all members and will vote on a Vice-Chair at the next meeting. The committee also reviewed proposed FY 2024 budget needs to maintain staffing levels.

• Approved previous meeting minutes
• Agreed to solicit agenda items from all committee members
• Agreed to vote on a Vice-Chair at the next meeting

Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission

The Commission recommended $10,000 grants each for four top-scoring nonprofit applications. It also recommended that the City Council increase the total funding allocated to the program to support additional organizations.

• Approved $10K grants each for Fight for Kids Foundation, Methodist Church/Winooski Food Shelf, Somali Bantu Association, and Winooski Parent and Students Project (Unanimous)
• Approved recommendation to fund Age Well, CVOEO, and Pathways if additional funding becomes available (Unanimous)
• Approved recommendation for City Council to increase funding for the COVID-19 Recovery Nonprofit Grant Program (3-0-1)
• Approved previous meeting minutes

Housing Commission

The commission approved previous meeting minutes and confirmed Anna as Secretary. Members reviewed current housing quality inspection procedures and discussed the search process for a Housing Initiative Director.

• Approved previous meeting minutes
• Confirmed Anna will continue as Secretary

Municipal Infrastructure Commission

The Municipal Infrastructure Commission will meet to discuss priorities for ARPA funding. The body will also review budget requests for FY24 to be submitted to the City Council.

• ARPA funding priorities discussion
• FY24 budget request for City Council
• Introduction of new commissioner Michelle Metzler

Municipal Infrastructure Commission

The meeting did not have a quorum of members, so no official actions were taken. The agenda included presentations on renewable energy policies and energy programs.

• VT Department of Public Service presentation on Renewable Energy Policies and Program
• Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas Systems/Green Mountain Power presentation on Energy Programs and Incentives

Liquor Control Board

The Liquor Control Board is reviewing various liquor licenses, outside consumption permits, and sidewalk permits. These items involve multiple local businesses located on Allen Street and Main Street.

• New First Class/Third Class Liquor License for Side B, LLC d/b/a Onion City Chicken & Oyster at 3 East Allen Street, Ste. 2
• New Outside Consumption Permit and Sidewalk Permit for Side B, LLC d/b/a Onion City Chicken & Oyster at 3 East Allen Street, Ste 2
• Corrected Sidewalk Permit for Morning Light Bakery at 106 East Allen Street, Suite 101
• New Outside Consumption Permit and Sidewalk Permit for The Archives LLC at 45 Main Street
• Amended Outside Consumption Permit and Sidewalk Permit for Our House at 36 Main Street & 34 Main Street

Municipal Infrastructure Commission

The Municipal Infrastructure Commission will meet to review department and city updates. The body will discuss energy efficiency and follow up on policies, priorities, and strategies.

• Energy efficiency discussion
• Policy, priorities, and strategies follow-up

Municipal Infrastructure Commission

The Commission will review municipal infrastructure policy, priorities, and strategies. The meeting includes a discussion regarding Efficiency Vermont Energy Goals and the Targeted Communities Program.

• Municipal Infrastructure – Policy, Priorities, Strategies Review
• Efficiency Vermont Energy Goals / Targeted Communities Program

Municipal Infrastructure Commission

The Municipal Infrastructure Commission is meeting to review a draft traffic calming manual and a parking inventory analysis and management plan. The body will also receive updates on energy goals and city department reports.

• Review of Draft Traffic Calming Manual
• Introduction of Parking Inventory Analysis and Management Plan
• Energy Goals Update

Liquor Control Board

The Liquor Control Board is reviewing several license applications and renewals. These items include a new restaurant license, an ownership transfer, and a caterer's license.

• Outside Consumption Permit 2022 renewal for Sour Hall Foods LLC Wicked Wings at 211 Main Street #1
• New Restaurant License for Bamyan Kebab House at 65 Winooski Falls Way #104
• Restaurant License ownership transfer for Subway at 476 Main Street, Floor 1
• Existing 1st Class Caterer's License for Our House Bistro LLC at 36 Main Street

Finance Commission

The scheduled meeting for April 12, 2022, could not be called to order because no quorum was present. The agenda items will be carried over to the next meeting on May 10, 2022.

• ARPA Update discussion
• Master Plan Goals – Long Term Financial Planning discussion

Liquor Control Board

The Liquor Control Board is reviewing multiple 2022 renewal applications for liquor licenses, entertainment permits, and sidewalk permits. The board will also consider a new sidewalk permit application for Scout & Company.

• Entertainment Permit renewals for Dos Archivos LLC dba The Archives and Four Quarters Brewing LLC
• Second Class Liquor License renewals for Chida Enterprises LLC, Commodities Natural Market of Winooski LLC, and Walgreens #17485
• First Class/Third Class Liquor License renewals for several local businesses including Asian Bistro of Winooski Inc and Grazers Winooski
• Sidewalk Permit renewals for Asian Bistro, Grazers Winooski, Mule Bar, and Our House Bistro LLC
• New Sidewalk Permit application for Scout & Company at 3 East Main St #1

Municipal Infrastructure Commission

The commission will conduct new member introductions and select a commission chair. The meeting also includes a follow-up regarding energy efficiency goals.

• Selection of Commission Chair
• New Member Orientation
• Energy Efficiency Goals Follow-up

Liquor Control Board

The Liquor Control Board is reviewing several categories of annual renewals. These include restaurant licenses, liquor licenses, sidewalk permits, entertainment permits, and outside consumption permits.

• Restaurant Only - 2022 Renewals (Subway Restaurant and Tiny Thai Restaurant)
• Second Class Liquor Licenses 2022 Renewals
• First Class/Third Class Liquor Licenses 2022 Renewals
• Sidewalk Permit - 2022 Renewals
• Entertainment Permit - 2022 Renewals

Finance Commission

The Finance Commission will meet to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 related to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The meeting also includes a council update and approval of previous minutes.

• Discussion of ARPA – Impacts of COVID

Finance Commission

The Finance Commission will meet to discuss the public presentations for the FY23 budget. The agenda also includes an update on ARPA funding.

• Update on ARPA funding
• Discussion of FY23 Public Budget Presentations