Winooski meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Winooski boards appoint secretary, weigh building typologies report

Winooski's Finance Commission appointed a new secretary this week, while several boards and commissions turned their attention to a Building Typologies Report that will shape planning and zoning work into the next fiscal year. The City Council issued a quorum notice for a school event but took no official action.

Finance Commission

The Finance Commission met Aug. 18 and approved the previous meeting's minutes. It also appointed Autumn Crabtree as secretary. The commission discussed low turnout at the Comprehensive Plan open house and ways to improve public outreach, but took no formal action on that topic.

Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission

The Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission met Aug. 12 and heard a presentation from the Howard Center Community Outreach Team about mental health and substance use response work. The commission unanimously approved the previous meeting's minutes. No other formal decisions were made; the rest of the meeting was discussion and planning.

Planning and historic review

Two boards met Aug. 12 with the Building Typologies Report on their agendas, though neither has published minutes yet.

The Local Resources Advisory Board was scheduled to review two Certificate of Appropriateness applications: ZON27-05 for 100 West Canal St. and ZON27-04 for 183 Main St. The board also planned to discuss the Building Typologies Report, approve previous meeting minutes, and hear public comment on non-agenda topics.

The Planning Commission met Aug. 13 and was scheduled to discuss a reorganization, a planning and zoning update dated July 23, 2026, the FY2027 work plan, and an introduction and review of the Building Typologies Report. The agenda also included routine items like public comment and city updates.

City Council quorum notice

The City Council issued a quorum notice for the annual Back-to-School BBQ at the Winooski School District (60 Normand Street) on Aug. 20. A quorum of councilors may attend the event, but no official City Council actions will occur. The notice was issued to comply with Vermont's Open Meeting Law.

Coming up

The Housing Commission will meet Aug. 25. The agenda includes a discussion of the Building Typologies Report, election of FY27 officers, approval of the FY27 workplan, a review of FY26 LL Survey Data results, and updates from the City Council and the Inclusion & Belonging Commission. Public comment is scheduled for each agenda item.

Winooski Council Approves Sign Plan, New Fire and THRIVE Positions

The Winooski City Council on Aug. 3 approved a sign master plan for 111 Winooski Falls Way, authorized a memorandum of understanding with Downtown Winooski, and created new positions in the fire department and THRIVE program. All votes were 4-0. The council also approved commission appointments and the consent agenda. The item on boards, committees, and commission structure was not discussed due to time constraints.

City Council

The council approved the 111 Winooski Falls Way sign master plan and Act 250 permit application (4-0). It authorized the City Manager to sign the FY27 MOU with Downtown Winooski (4-0). New position descriptions were approved for Assistant Fire Marshal, Career Lieutenant, and THRIVE Program Assistant Director (each 4-0). The consent agenda, including minutes, warrants, and resolutions, passed 4-0. Commission appointments for James Paradissis and Jarron Khan were also approved 4-0.

Liquor Control Board

The Liquor Control Board, meeting the same day, approved the consent agenda granting conditional liquor licenses to Onion River Hotel, Treetops, MOSS Café & Bar, and McKee's Original. The motion passed 4-0. No other substantive decisions were made.

Other recent meetings

The Winooski Memorial Library Committee met Aug. 6 and received updates on programming, statistics, and legislative changes. No formal motions or decisions were made; the meeting was informational, covering the summer reading challenge, increased circulation, and new state laws affecting libraries.

Three other bodies met but have not yet published minutes. The Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission (Aug. 12) heard a presentation from the Howard Center Community Outreach Team and discussed planning for a public event on Aug. 27 to increase engagement in the comprehensive plan rewrite. The Local Resources Advisory Board (Aug. 12) reviewed two Certificate of Appropriateness applications for properties at 100 West Canal St and 183 Main St, and discussed a Building Typologies Report. The Planning Commission (Aug. 13) discussed a reorganization, a planning and zoning update, the FY2027 work plan, and introduced the Building Typologies Report.

Coming up

The Finance Commission will meet Aug. 18. Agenda items include approving minutes from July 14, receiving updates from the City Council liaison and the Inclusion & Belonging Commission, appointing a secretary, and debriefing the Comprehensive Plan open house. Public comment is also scheduled.

Winooski Housing Commission Approves Bank Partnerships; Other Boards Meet on Licenses, Zoning

The Winooski Housing Commission voted 3-0 on July 28 to contact three financial institutions to expand access to Housing Trust Fund programs. The commission approved reaching out to North Country Federal Credit Union, Vermont Federal Credit Union, and Community Bank for partnerships. No other decisions were recorded in the minutes from that meeting; the commission set aside approval of its May 19, 2026 minutes without action.

Housing Commission

The commission's only action was the approval to contact the three banks. It also received reports on housing inspection violations and recent zoning regulation amendments, but no votes were taken on those items.

Other Recent Meetings (Agenda Only)

Several other boards met during the past two weeks, but their minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are available to report.

Local Resources Advisory Board (July 28)

The board held two certificate-of-appropriateness reviews: one for 183 Main St (ZON27-04) and one for 100 West Canal St (ZON27-05). Both reviews included building permit applications and state historic register documents. The board also considered approval of minutes from May 20, 2026.

City Council (August 3)

The council reviewed quarterly updates on strategic vision goals, including housing and infrastructure. The agenda included a sign master plan and Act 250 permit amendment for 111 Winooski Falls Way, a downtown Winooski memorandum of understanding, position descriptions for Assistant Fire Marshal, Career Lieutenant, and Thrive Program Assistant Director, an event permit for a Neighborhood Block Party on North Street, and a resolution recognizing International Youth Day.

Liquor Control Board (August 3)

The board considered new conditional liquor licenses for three businesses at 111 Winooski Falls Way: a Third Class Hotel License for Onion River Hotel, a First Class Hotel License for Treetops, and a Restaurant License for MOSS Café & Bar. It also considered renewal of the restaurant license for McKee's Original at 19 East Allen and a seasonal sidewalk application for that business.

Winooski Memorial Library Committee (August 6)

The committee reviewed the FY26 budget, heard a report from the Friends of the Winooski Library, and received library updates. No specific decisions or proposals were detailed in the agenda.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official meeting calendar for any newly scheduled sessions.

Winooski Council Opens and Closes Hearing on Gentle Infill Amendments; Finance Commission Names New Leadership

The Winooski City Council opened and closed a public hearing on the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations (ULUDR) Gentle Infill amendments on July 13, with both actions passing 4–0. The council also approved its consent agenda by the same 4–0 vote.

City Council — July 13

The council's July 13 meeting centered on the ULUDR Gentle Infill amendments. Councilors Goodrich and Oakleaf moved to open the public hearing, which passed 4–0. The council then moved to close the same public hearing, also passing 4–0. The consent agenda was approved 4–0. No further details on the content of the amendments or public testimony were included in the minutes.

Finance Commission — July 14

The Finance Commission approved minutes from its previous meeting and appointed new leadership. Cait Hoffmann was named Chair and Brittany Nevins was named Vice Chair. The commission postponed the selection of a Secretary to its next meeting.

Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission — July 14

This commission's July 14 meeting was limited to procedural business. Members approved the minutes of the previous meeting on a motion by Courtney, seconded by Marielle. The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m. on a motion by Dana. No substantive policy actions or votes were recorded.

Development Review Board — July 16

The Development Review Board's July 16 meeting was listed as agenda only, with minutes not yet published. The agenda included approval of previous meeting minutes, a public hearing on a site plan review application for 125 Hickok Street, city updates, and other business. Because minutes have not been published, outcomes of these items are not yet available.

Coming up

Two meetings are scheduled in the next two weeks that may be of interest to residents.

• **Housing Commission, July 28** — The commission will discuss housing quality with the Winooski Code Department, receive Planning Commission updates, introduce a new commissioner, and consider approval of financial partners for the Winooski Housing Trust Fund.
• **Local Resources Advisory Board, July 28** — The board will review certificates of appropriateness for 183 Main St (ZON27-04) and 100 West Canal St (ZON27-05), each including a building permit application. The board will also vote on approving minutes from its May 20, 2026 meeting.

Winooski sets 2026-2027 municipal tax rate at $0.8321; council opens and closes hearing on Gentle Infill amendments

The Winooski City Council approved the 2026-2027 municipal tax rate of $0.8321 and a local agreement rate of $0.0005 in a 4-0 vote on July 6, 2026. The same meeting included approval of payroll and accounts payable warrants, an external commission reporting procedure, and the appointment of Carly Schneider to the Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission.

City Council — July 6

The council voted 4-0 on each item: approval of June 15 meeting minutes, a payroll warrant covering June 7–June 20, 2026, accounts payable warrants dated June 26 and July 2, 2026, the External Commission Reporting Procedure, Schneider's appointment (along with other applicants), and the tax rate. The municipal tax rate of $0.8321 and local agreement rate of $0.0005 will apply to the 2026-2027 tax year.

Liquor Control Board — July 6

The Winooski Liquor Control Board approved new Second Class Liquor, Tobacco, and Tobacco Endorsement licenses for Stewart's Shops at 262 Main Street. City staff reported no concerns regarding the existing convenience store. The motion passed 4-0, and the meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m.

City Council — July 13

The council approved its consent agenda 4-0. Councilors Goodrich and Oakleaf moved to open a public hearing on the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations (ULUDR) Gentle Infill amendments, which passed 4-0. The council then moved to close that same public hearing, also passing 4-0. No further action on the amendments was recorded in the minutes.

Finance Commission — July 14

The Finance Commission approved minutes from its previous meeting. Cait Hoffmann was appointed Chair and Brittany Nevins was appointed Vice Chair. The commission postponed the selection of a Secretary to its next meeting.

Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission — July 14

The commission voted to approve minutes from its previous meeting, with a motion by Courtney and a second by Marielle. A motion to adjourn by Dana ended the session at 7:08 p.m. No substantive policy actions or votes were recorded beyond these procedural items.

Winooski Memorial Library Committee — July 9 (agenda only)

Minutes have not yet been published. The agenda listed updates on current library operations, discussion of a move to 65 Winooski Falls Way, summer planning and programming, and a public comment period.

Planning Commission — July 9 (agenda only)

Minutes have not yet been published. The agenda included discussion of recently reviewed Development Review Board projects, recent changes to the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations and changes currently under consideration, and updates from the Mayor, the Inclusion and Belonging Commission, and city staff. No formal decisions were listed.

Development Review Board — July 16 (agenda only)

Minutes have not yet been published. The agenda listed approval of previous meeting minutes, a public hearing on a site plan review application for 125 Hickok Street, city updates, and other business.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Winooski Council sets 2026-2027 tax rate at $0.8321; liquor licenses approved for Stewart's Shops

The Winooski City Council approved the municipal tax rate for the 2026-2027 tax year at $0.8321, along with a local agreement rate of $0.0005, in a 4-0 vote on July 6. The same meeting saw the council approve Carly Schneider's nomination to the Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission, also by a 4-0 vote.

City Council — July 6

The council approved several items by 4-0 votes, including the June 15, 2026 meeting minutes, a payroll warrant covering June 7–June 20, 2026, and accounts payable warrants dated June 26 and July 2, 2026. The council also approved an External Commission Reporting Procedure. All votes were unanimous with four members present.

Liquor Control Board — July 6

The Winooski Liquor Control Board approved new Second Class Liquor, Tobacco, and Tobacco Endorsement licenses for Stewart's Shops at 262 Main Street. City staff reported no concerns regarding the existing convenience store. The motion passed 4-0, and the meeting adjourned at 6:02 PM.

Winooski Memorial Library Committee — July 9

The committee's agenda included updates on current library operations and a discussion of a potential move to 65 Winooski Falls Way. Summer planning and programming were also listed for discussion, along with a public comment period and committee member updates. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Planning Commission — July 9

The Planning Commission and Development Review Board were scheduled to discuss recently reviewed Development Review Board projects and recent amendments to the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations, including changes currently under consideration. The agenda also included updates from the Mayor, the Inclusion and Belonging Commission, and city staff. No formal decisions were listed on the agenda. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **City Council — July 13:** A public hearing on proposed amendments to the Unified Land Use and Development Regulations for "Gentle Infill," followed by discussion and possible adoption of those amendments. The council will also consider appointments to the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee and vote on a Disability Pride Month Resolution, plus accounts payable and payroll warrants.
• **Finance Commission — July 14:** Approval of commission officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary) and a discussion of the Payment Agreement Procedure and its appendices.
• **Safe, Healthy, Connected People Commission — July 14:** Review of draft goals and actions for the Safe, Healthy, Connected People chapter of the Comprehensive Plan rewrite, presented by Ravi Venkataraman, Director of City Planning. New members Carly Schneider and Dana Howe will be introduced.