City Council - Regular Meeting

It is 6:31. Uh call to order this Wooki City Council retreat. Um we'll start at the pledge of allegiance. By deputy may to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Um, agenda review. Anything on the agenda that anyone would like to change, move or discuss? All right. No. All right. Uh, in that case, we will move on to public. What did you have a comment? Sorry. Uh, no. I was just anticipating.

Um, now I'm all lost here, Bren. There we go. We'll move on to public comment. Uh, this is a time for folks to make a public comment on something that is not included in tonight's agenda. If you'd like to speak about anything in the agenda, I will just ask you to wait until that moment. Um, let's see. Do we have anybody online, members of the public or staff? So, I'm going to assume yall are going to wait. All right, we will move on for public comment to our regular items. Uh, first item is discussion approval fiscal year 2026 review and fiscal year 2027 work plan overview. Um, Elaine, did you want to take charge on this for sure?

I shall. Yes, happy to do that.

Yeah. So, I'm mostly reading from my cover sheet, just heads up. So, the cover the council retreat is where the city council sets policy priorities and strategies for the city. In previous years, the retreat has occurred in late May or early June. That is a couple months into the new council year and just before the new fiscal year. Uh, as a side note, or rather early this year because I was aiming for 100% attendance by the leadership team, which we are able to get except for a health issue. um this may not have been necessarily been critical. So just thinking ahead of uh scheduling in the future. Now the city budget dictates the resources that are available for the work in the new fiscal year and the budget that budget is reviewed by the previous city council in the previous year and were set by voters in March. So uh that's the timing is a little bit interesting and for many years this has habitually resulted in more work added during the policy uh policy parties and strategies retreat than staff has uh capacity to complete. So this year just about every department has finally reached a tipping point where they cannot absorb anymore. Uh for context, you can see the fiscal year 2027 operational work plans document that was in the posted packet. It shows ongoing responsibilities as well as fiscal year 2027 project work. And note that operations are under the city manager perview rather than city councils. So those are provided um as just information to council and we won't be going over them during this meeting. It's a lot to absorb anyway. So, uh, didn't seem useful to present it. Uh, we have not found a great way to present it in the past that was easily absorbable. So, we're just presenting it in the packet. Uh, this year's retreat, therefore, by design limits council's ability to add work to fiscal year 2027. Instead, staff will briefly comment on

how fiscal year 2026 council policy priorities and strategies went. Uh, that is success and challenge factors. More detail on each item can be found on the latest goal updates as linked in the cover sheet and you have a couple coming up at the next meeting uh next week. We'll then review fiscal year 2027 staff policy priorities and strategies which are the items staff proposed to report out to council on quarterly uh the way we have in the past on the council policy priorities. uh these reflect what have been resourced in the fiscal year 2027 budget and and are in line with city plans. So uh we will be ask there is a decision point in here. We'll be asking council to approve this list as the reporting list. Um if you want to see less or more for us to report on from our operational work plan uh feel free to discuss that and add that. any questions about what we're covering today under this agenda item? And thank you all for making time to meet with me ahead of time so that we could try to address those questions beforehand. So, as we review fiscal year 2026 and 2027, we'll go in order of lead department as in those who are listed in the fiscal year 2026 document u first in the department's involved column. I'm going to share my screen. so that we can have that as a reference. It'll probably be a little bit small to look at, but it will give us some reference once I find where my sure button is. Boy, that's really small. Is there any way to make that bigger? Paul or Stephen?

That's a good question. I try maximizing the PDF screen. I've never seen it look like that. I don't even know if it's worth it. It might it might um might be if you download the PD share it like if you open it in Acrobat, right? the it'll be on record. That's true. Paul, does the the magnifying glass on the lower right corner do anything?

Um, probably zoomed into the window itself. Yep. There you go. That'll have to do. All right. Back to my notes here. Derby. I'll see. All right. So, and please feel free to ask questions as we go. I know we did some of these quite recently, so you might not have any, uh, which is fine. We can zip through this portion of the agenda. So starting with me, modest progress was made against uh cross cutting one, cross cutting two, crosscutting four, six and eight because those relied on existing staff and these are important uh priorities for the community and staff plan to continue them and you'll see those in the fiscal year 2027 policy porters and strategies list. the the two economic vitality items uh these two green ones here made more progress thanks to additional resources and external partners. Save healthy connected people 10 did not uh take place because we didn't have the staff capacity to do that and it was a maybe item. So we uh took that into account and not prioritizing that. And then for fiscal year 2027, I haven't added anything uh where I'm the lead on. And that's all for my presentation. Then I'll turn it over to the next

department. Before I do, are there any questions about those? All right, Revie, you want to come up? Just as you're taking a bite of course. Oh, you want to come up? Oh, right.

So, starting on this list. Oh, sorry. I'll go back to that for 26.

Oh, right. Okay. So, I believe mine are crosscutting three with a comprehensive plan update. Um, and then housing with the unified land use development regulation updates. Um, let's see. And then, uh, guess coordination and assistance with other housing goals as needed. Um, yeah. Not sure if there's any other goals on on here that are specific. No, those are the two.

Those are the two main ones. Okay. Um, with the comp plan update, that one's going a little slower than anticipated. I wanted to start um public engagement sooner. Um, but that's been delayed because I've had to take on other tasks uh with the ULUDR updates. Um, so with the housing aspect of it, with the ULUDR updates, we were doing the building technologies project with the consultant. Um, and we've had to do a couple other uh major updates as I think you're aware of with the ULUDRS that are going through the amendment process as we speak. Um, so next week uh I think that'll be ULUDR heavy um with uh a public hearing and another introduction of uh of amendments.

Um moving towards Do you want me to shift towards Oh yeah.

27. Okay. Um so shifting to its 27 with comp plan update. Uh we have a good foundation so far. Um I had requested a data a data update uh from CCRPC during FY26 that's been completed. Uh so we have uh all of our data is updated for going to next year. Um I'll be coordinating with public works about the transportation elements. We've had some back and forth already and we have uh some direction on that. Um so with the next steps with the comp plan is public engagement and then reviewing uh our master plan and turning that into the comprehensive plan that is more reflective of the community today. Um first uh public engagement is uh expected to happen later this month. You'll hear more about it probably later this week, early next week from us. Um and then there will be one public engagement event um throughout the summer or every month uh on different elements of the master plan pillars. So um this month will be focused on land use um and then proceeding from that safe healthy connected transportation um included into municipal infrastructure and um uh what is the other one? economic vitality. Um the housing sections being covered through the equitable housing needs assessment as there is robust uh public engagement happening for that. So we're going to collaborate and um and crosspollinate with that project. Um with ulud updates um I think I'm hoping most of it will wrap up with FY26 but there is carryover from the building technologies into FY27. Um so those updates will um will happen throughout in step in stages uh as the planning division discusses how they want to incorporate the building technologies project. Um I foresee more updates with the ULUDR on the technical

aspects of it. Um questions have been raised about um the uh duration of permits um and the enforcement of permits um along with certain definitions that just don't have any uh basis or foundation in the ULUDRS but are referenced in the regulations. So um we'll be working with the planning commission to clean that up and provide more direction not only to me but also to the public. Um with that um is there anything else? No, those are the Okay. All right.

I forget for the comp plan, is there like a statutory time when that has to be completed by? Yes. So, uh, town plans, comp plans, um, they last eight years. Um, so our our current master plan went into effect in March 2019 and it's set to expire March 2027. So, um, I'm aiming to have all of that ready going into the fall for the planning commission first and then to you, uh, to review and adopt hopefully. Great. Thank you. All right. Thanks. Thank you.

Saw something was happening up there. Who was next? All right. So I have um one item here. It's about the staffing audit. So after meeting with staff and reviewing the different options related to the staffing audit and skills matrix work, the conversation devolved into exploring implementation of a human resources inter information system which I know we had talked about previously. Um through these discussions it became clear that an HRIS would help us better assess and track organization capacity on an ongoing basis including staffing levels, skills and skill needs, certifications, training and workforce needs across departments. In addition to supporting the goals of the staffing audit, it would also provide broader operational benefits to all departments and appears to be the best long-term value for the city. And this is um phase one of the staffing audit project because the work on this will continue. Yeah. So Jesse basically just um did both updates because the same item is continuing through and just is manifesting in fiscal year 2027 as the

the implementation of it. Exactly. That was an easy one. Quick one. Any comments, questions? No, it sounds great. I mean, I think it's important in whichever way you can to be able to do the staffing audit cuz I we all know that cap, you know, capacity is hard and I think it's important to understand what you all need. So, um, thank you. Sure. Thanks.

All right. Uh, Jasmine So this is not No. Yeah. It's just what those things. Okay. This is the challenge of doing it in May, early May. It's like there was a lot of last minute organization. So,

um, okay. So, for fiscal year 26, um, for all of the housing items, so H2 has been fully implemented and will continue to be re-evaluated annually. Um, that'll be coming again for review next month. Um, H3 is progressing more slowly than originally anticipated, but is expected to be completed by the end of the grant period in December 2026. Um, so that'll carry on through next fiscal year as well. Um,

I'll just add actually, so it's slower than planned, but we it's not unsurprising that it's taken a bit because of the community engagement piece. This is true. Um H4 is also moving forward despite some challenges. Um and staff remain positive about um continued progress. Sorry, I'm like which one is which. Yeah, you only need to address the ones with H in

uh H6 is currently on hold pending more substantial information to share with the community. Um we have a meeting at the airport tomorrow. So, um perhaps in my next housing update, um there will be more information on the sound mitigation program. Um and then H7 remains on hold pending legislative intervention. And I think I skipped H1. H1 is continuing as Revie just mentioned. Yeah, you weren't first.

Oh, that's true. That's true. Okay. Okay. Uh what's new? Uh H5. Um I would say that's been happening but is now a written priority. Um so that will continue. Um we anticipate uh starting to look at the core program and trying to uh reinvision that in a way that is um a good macrolevel intervention for housing but um you know sustainable financially um and actually usable to the community. Um,

which one's core? Construction and rehabilitation program. I think that's it. Yeah. The other ones aren't aren't new. So, no. Okay. Comments, questions? Question. Yeah. Couple. Um, is there anything you, we, or the public can do to help advance just cause eviction? We you well the classic answer is you can always lobby the legislature.

Our our representatives are like they they know they've been tasked with it and so they do what they can. So that's the tricky bit. Generally you have most sway with your own legislators but they're already on board. So the the other piece is that it uh in not this year but last year what the holdup was that the governor wasn't going to sign it. So that what whatever avenues you have to lobby the governor would be the other way to do it. Thank you.

There is there is some appetite for like a statewide situation instead of doing a peace meal. that I think that's really the um the stated concern of the current governor. So if there was some momentum around that, that'd be one thing. The um yeah, as everybody knows, the all the air in the room in the legislature this year was really taken up by um by uh

education. Yeah. Which, you know, we all need that sorted somehow because those costs keep going up. and also medical costs which are is also an affordability challenge for our taxpayers. So, it was good that they spent time on those, but yeah, didn't leave a lot of room to work on other things, my understanding. Thanks. Good question. All right. Thank you.

All right. Fire and code. So, poor John is still home. Uh, and it really takes a lot to put him under. So, he's not home lightly. Uh so I'll do my best to represent what he's shared in advance. Uh recruitment and retention. This continues to be a challenge especially on the paid on call side uh through this past year. Uh dispatch working towards the July 1st 2026 start of all fire and EMS calls being received from E1 E 911 and dispatched from Wooki PD. uh accepted the new delivery of the new ladder after four years. Uh that will be in service July 1, 2026. That's quite a lift to get everyone trained up on that. It's not enough just to have a new piece of equipment. You got to know how to use it. There was some work done on the staffing model which was referred to Oh, sorry. I didn't scroll up. um in in here and all of these will continue into fiscal year 2020 seven if I can find my cursor. uh resources like the 111 Weaver, which council approved the purchase of the new ladder and dispatch changes will allow us to forge ahead in our efforts to address uh many areas of concern um take a chunk out of those at least. So that's very encouraging. Um additionally, new to the list, we'll be securing emergency medical transport contract services and obtaining state of Vermont lensure as a first response medical agency. This does not This is like below an AMT level. Advanced emergency medical technician if you're if you're familiar with that scale.

It's below that. So, it's just gives us some uh more capability when we first get on scene to do some very basic first aid the way uh the police department often already does. Um any comments I might be able to or questions you might be able to answer from that. Um where are we in 111 Weaver? I know that we purchased it. I didn't know if sale and everything has gone through and if we're able to start renovating. Yeah, it's closed and they've already been renovating. They've been ripping out carpet and it I he um they gave me a tour and it's actually not too bad in there. The previous owners seemed like they did a nice job renovating it.

Um and yeah, we're I just got a quote today for putting in the the um the internet situation. So, yeah, they're definitely making progress. Great. Great. Well, as it progresses, I'd love and I'm sure other people would love to take a look at it. So, yeah, sure. May I ask you a question? Yes, please. What's the internet situation? So, we I think maybe we previewed it recently during when we were looking at purchasing it or proposing that we purchase it. They We just need internet there that connects with the city's network. Okay. So, they've got to connect the two. It'll be

by a satellite. I mean, not a satellite, but like a dish. It'll beam that, which I don't understand how that works, but it does. Oh, that's right. Yeah. Security. Gosh. Thank you for the reminder. Yep. Okay, John.

Feel free to eat more pizza, too. Sorry. Doesn't even fit on one screen.

I know. So, for the FY26 work, so we just went over that during the last council meeting, so I won't spend too much time. I think we had a good discussion on that. Um as a summary, um all of the must do items are proceeding as planned. Um most of that is the major capital projects. So that's kind of the bulk of the work we're doing now. Uh that's current estimate that's about an $84 million investment in the city's infrastructure. So pretty massive. Um, so a lot of the mayus for the FY26 are, you know, we're not picking those up right now.

So for FY27 on this list, um, a lot of it's a continuation of what's currently happening. So, uh, one, two, three, and eight are the major capital projects, uh, that are Abanaki, Main Street, uh, the parking, new parking garage, and, uh, Hoods Crossing, which is kind of part of the bridge project. So, continuing on to those, just progressing it. So, Main Street, Main Street and and the the bridge are going to kind of flip soon where we're kind of winding down Main Street and then the bridge is going to ramp up. Uh for new items, it's items 4, 10, and 12. So, those are the new capital projects that were identified in the FY27 um budget. So, that is the parking garage elevator project, which will kick off in July. Uh number 10 is the East Spring Street sidewalk. That'll kind of coincide with the that'll be part of the Hoods Crossing uh project that VR is doing, but it is it's a non-participating cost. So the city will be on the hook for that expansion. And number 12 is the um the PD renovations work. So, uh, we're going to be working with Justin here soon to get that RFP out for the next sort of design phase scope ahead of July. And then remaining items in here that are new. Um, the number 13's the water distribution master plan. So, uh, we have a proposal for that right now. That'll start in July. Basically, we're going to be updating our citywide, uh, water distribution master plan. Uh that includes looking at what we've updated since that 2016 report. There's been

some new uh water manes have been installed. Uh it changes some of the hydraulics in the system. So that could change the prioritization of what mains get replaced. And then we're also going to be working with Revy to look at, you know, future planning as far as what kind of demands uh we should be looking at for um potentially upsizing some of those. So, uh, we'll start working on that effort in July. Um, probably doing some field testing, hydrant flow tests to calibrate the model earlier. And then, uh, number 15 is it's on here as a mayo, but I I I think it is probably must do is the treatment plant. So,

we do have a a flood mitigation improvement project that's design-wise that's in the budget for FY27 that does include some outfall improvements that are um there's our current plant has the outfall that goes to Manuski River. There's some deficiencies in the outfall where the pipes sort of misaligned and we have some equipment that's outdated. So, as we're doing that flood mitigation project, um we would be looking to upgrade some of those outfall uh infrastructure pieces. So, we do have a an application into the state revolving loan fund that usually finances these projects at low interest. Um and typically you go through different phases with them. So step one is very concept design level and then you don't actually end up paying on that work until you get to construction. So um and there's usually some grant funding that goes along with these projects. So we have applied to that um and we're waiting to hear back from the state on where that sort of ranks. So that's kind of in progress as well. Um and then number 11 that is the uh that's the UPWP trafficcoming citywide trafficcoming evaluation. So we did we did hear recently that that uh UPWP grant application was approved. So that will be starting well it gets approved in July but then it takes a couple months to get contract set up with whoever they select for the consultant. So I would suspect sometime maybe August, September, the consultant would get on board for that project. Um, those are kind of the new ones. Um, and then there's there's still a few on

there from last year. Uh, the stone ice control that'd be nice to get out um, ideally ahead of next winter just to have some public, you know, uh, involvement with that and just so they know how we're operating. And then the the the parks one with the rotary fountain that's still on there. We initially that was put on because we were getting a lot of public questions. We're like let's just get on the list and and you know make sure we're tracking it. But as I mentioned last meeting, um there is an effort to sort of look at rehabbing that with some uh downtown business support. So we'll keep you updated on that one.

Questions, comments? Thanks, Sean. Um, when you said the garage is going to kick off in July, like reconstruction or you starting to put out bids and stuff, which one? The the uh the garage. Yeah.

So, we still have to get through design phase. So, yeah, when start construction. Um although with that project, it's a little simpler than, you know, your typical projects because it's mostly just replacing equipment. So, it's getting a bid to replace equipment. So it'll be much faster than a typical design build design bid build project. So ideally we would be looking to replace that equipment. I would say you know um probably fall or winter uh would be the target date for that to get construction. Oh that's awesome. Thank you. Any other questions? Eli

um the MI11 transportation comprehensive traffic study. What is that again? That's the trafficcoming traffic. Citywide trafficcoming. It's that's the grants application we submitted for. Gotcha. Um and then is there anything that we can do to make your life a little easier? Um no. I mean, so I right now or like

No, I don't think so. I mean, I'm thinking back to like usually the the main support comes when we're like chasing bond votes and things like that. That's where we, you know, on DPW we get a lot of help from you all to kind of sort of champion projects. But we're kind of in execution mode for a lot of this stuff right now. So that's I'll say two things actually because John's very nice in not saying the things. One thing is when the public reaches out is to explain to them why we can't do anymore

because John gets a lot of complaints like why isn't this fixed why and yes they they do deserve to be fixed there's a good reason for that complaint but this is why we can't get to it right now we are doing delivering on all these other things that have also built up over time uh that was one thing what was the other thing oh the other thing is the fiscal year 2028 budget which you have already been thinking about.

So going off of that a little bit more, is there anything in terms of like I know previous budget discussions of another engineer came up. Is that something or is it more hands-on? Do you need more labor folks or is it more engineering? Is that something you want to propose you want to talk about for us to start thinking about?

Yeah, potentially for FY28. I mean, um I know that's probably a later discussion, but that's where the that's where the the sort of hole is right now. I think we're pretty good on the operation like day-to-day side as far as staffing goes. Um you know, just the you know, the regular potholes and street sweeping and that sort of thing. Um it's more on the, you know, the the big projects, um getting bits out type support where it's more admin and having another staff engineer or something would be be helpful.

One thing I did forget to mention is we do have a lot of storm water work that I I skipped over um that's going to be moving into construction. Those are musts because they're regulatory. Um we have some phosphorous control plan um projects that we have to complete. They're kind of like the rain garden bio retention basins that you see around town. Those those are going to be um moving into construction. And then we do have some design work that we'll be starting on um this probably in July. That'll be we'll be working with Gray with Landry Park and potentially Richard Park if we have enough grant money left over. We have a $243,000 grant right now um through DEEC ARPA funding. Um, so the there's a small rain garden bio retention project that we're doing on Brisen Court that's coming. They'll be started this summer. That's construction and then the rest of it we're going to use for design work with that money.

Any question in there? Go ahead. Um, you were mentioning when you were starting your presentation talk working with Rebby on scoping. Will there be a documented report of that that can be shared with council for the water main distribution? Yeah. So, it'll be um we have the water distribution master plan report on our web page. We're basically going be updating that document and then I'll be reposting it for the public in there. And and honestly, we could do a presentation to you all if if you're interested too. Just kind of a quick let the mayor decide.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It'd be a good one. I mean, it's a major cost item, obviously. Um, right now we're millions of dollars from where we should be, but that I mean, every municipality is millions of dollars behind where they should be in water main replacements. So, this will kind of be a good update for you all as we get into the water budget. Is that something completed in-house or that a consultant is completing or CCRPC? The So, the water distribution one will be a consultant. um RPC doesn't really they wouldn't fund that piece of it. Um so we're using the same consultant that did the original. Okay. Can I ask question? Keep going. Um

are you moving on from this topic? I'm moving on from the water distribution master plan. Okay. I have a a supplement then. There there is something I've been discussing with the leader leadership team that might result in a presentation of some kind relating to how the infrastructure pieces tie into the buildout plan above ground. So there might be there I'm imagining something will come to council related to that intersection. Not sure exactly how it's going to look yet. Not something we've done before as far as I know. Do you have an idea on when what you're aiming for that to be ready? Uh

I think we were Ravi last time and I we talked about it like later this summer maybe if everything else goes well which you know we'll see but that's the idea later this summer. Okay. And you're still thinking of having like fire and code in that discussion as well. Yeah, it would start with infrastructure and then and the housing plan or the develop buildout plan, but then yeah, it affects every department pretty much. Community services, policing. Yeah, fire and code. Yeah. Okay, good. Um something that wasn't mentioned or actually something that I'll go to something that was mentioned, the uh UPWP grant. Um will that be going out to bid?

So the Chenning County bids that work. They they um they have like I think they do like a three-year bidding process with consultants and then they actually select the consultant and then they kind of come to us and they're like what do you all think and most nine times out of 10 we're like yes that makes sense for that consultant. Okay. So CCRPC is project managing the grant. Yeah. Great. That is helpful to know. The way the UPWP works is that it's the work that they're going to do for municipality. Yeah. It's not considered a grant to the city, right? It's not they're not giving us the money. They're doing the work that we want them.

Won the award. Huzzah. Um following up on that, um I was wondering about the uh I'm going to get the acronym wrong because I can't remember it. the RF RFB RFB RFB.

Yep. So, I have I think mayor's been on some of these emails, too. So we um we reached out to Vrans and they are so obviously with the bridge reconstruction and given that it's so close to the lower end of that the circulator where we only have that one RFB, we've sort of made the case to say, you know, that RFB might be out of commission. So, it would benefit the city greatly if as part of the bridge project, a new RFB was installed at the top of the circle on the west side and they seem very um okay with that. Uh I think they still have to kind of run up the flag pole and but frankly like given the project is going to be an $80 million project and they're looking at a $30,000 RFP, they're like sure

hopefully. Yes. So, we've formally submitted that request. We have formally gotten a response back that's positive and we'll keep advocating for it. Okay. Again, I'll repeat the question of my co- counselors. Is there anything that we can do to help you with that? Uh, not yet. I think, you know, um, we've got some horsepower of the city manager sending that along with the mayor and if we hit a bump, then I think we would ask for some additional advocacy. Okay. Did you have a question on that? I just want to I just want to make a note. Um there's a lot of acronyms being used. I'm grateful to be in front of a computer that I can Google them.

Um but if someone is choosing to watch this later, they might not have access to a computer. So I just want to note when you are you're talking about a flashing beacon. Yep. To use a crosswalk. And then I just want to note for people that the acronym UPWP means unified planning work program. Correct. Thank you. Yeah, of course. Yeah. Halftime that one I don't even remember. like it's so you know it's ingrains the acronym but it's yeah exactly

no I I just I think that if we're trying to make this in this uh process more available to people what and like my space what we call dragon giraffe which is like very right and I'm just like I'm learning in real time and it took me a while to realize that what we were talking about was a flashing beacon and so I didn't know that um and so I just wanted to provide context for people might be listening so thank you so much John no that is great and RFB is rectangular rapid flash beacon that's awesome that comes Yep. Yeah, we do appreciate when because we're living in all the time. We don't always remember. So, if you catch that, definitely feel free to speak up. We appreciate that. Helping the community. I'm questions for the moment. Yeah,

I have uh one final question. Um I don't even know if it goes in here, but uh not just ask a question to follow up. So previous year we talked about line striping and figuring out a new way of doing line striping. Would that fall into these things or is that something different? Is it more operational side?

I think it's more operational. So the that is on my next to-do list is to prepare a three-year sort of contract uh three-year bid for line striping. Um, and so we do have a dedicated line now, accounting line for that contract work. Uh, so I think we have a good sort of we have a way to manage that a little better where we're keeping up on schedule. So the plan is that every year we'll be doing contract durable paint that's not, you know, the paint that lasts like not even a season uh on our mostly our gateways in downtown. So, um, you know, Main Street will obviously get new paint this season. East Allen would be getting durable paint this season because it's starting to wear, uh, especially around the circulator as well. Uh, and then Mallets Bay re that was the most recent contract painting. And then internally, public works will do all the neighborhood streets still. um like all the crosswalks and stop bars would that will be with waterbased because it doesn't see the abuse that the um you know the main gateways get but I think we have a good plan. It's just me getting to the contract work that needs to happen.

Yeah. As far as the budget line goes I think maybe a couple years ago leading up into the budget season a couple years ago there postco there was just a lot of push back. So, this is one of those areas where John was trying to be responsible with the budget and it would just be what was left over and so he wouldn't be able to bid it out and if I'm getting this right, until the spring, in which case then we're competing with everyone else who already got their contracts set before the spring. So, now that um council agreed to, you know, council listened to public feedback like, "Yes, we want a dedicated line." Now, John can plan ahead and actually get it into the into the contractor's uh schedule because there's basically one game in town. Yes. Yep. So, the plan would be this year when that contractors in town to do Main Street, they're also going to do our, you know, city contract work while they're here.

All right. Thanks,

All right, Ray. Yeah. Hello. Hello. Um, so I'm going to start with current year. Uh, we'll go through a few of the community services goals and then take some questions and move to looking ahead. Uh, so safe, healthy, connected people one, which is related to redevelopment of the environment center. I think folks here have heard a bit about that, but just to say aloud, it's moving slower than we'd hoped. Um I think the things that have been hanging us up are related to environmental remediation. Um the soil discovery was a curveball that we did not anticipate. Um and then uh fundraising as well. It's been a challenging environment to do philanthropy and fundraising right now. And so I think we are behind where we would like to be at this point. Uh what I will say on a positive note is if anyone saw the libraries Instagram post today, we are actively packing up. Um moving day is next Monday. So, uh, things are moving in good faith with CHT. Um, design work has gone really well. I think really positive public engagement and support, but just some of those behind the scenes pieces are slowing things down a bit. So, tracking towards a fall start date for construction still. That's um what we're holding. Again, that could change dependent on in particular the financing. So, um, and then other kind of community serviceled goals in here. We have a few uh in partnership with uh PD and with public works as well that my colleagues have spoken about or will speak about. Um the progress on the parks and open space plan uh has been positive. I think we're making good headway there. Uh current year projects that are of no uh we've got our pavilion going up uh at Landry Park in partnership with our volunteer Tom Lacatel which is awesome. So that's the pieces are there. The boards are put

together. We're working right now on a plan of how to stand those up. Eli, who has done some barn raising, has been uh sort of informally helping us think through that, which is great. But that's really exciting uh to have that moving forward. Got some grant funding to support that project as well, which is nice. Uh and then another piece uh that we have been really working on quite a bit this year is Memorial Park. Uh so I think we've really pivoted our strategy there from what had been a pretty heavy conversation about management strategy and who's who's going to manage it and really instead I think we've taken a big step back through a grant we got in partnership with friends of the Wiski River and Wiski Valley Park District to say let's just really think about activating this space and get people in here really think about you know through those experiences and engagement what this park could be and then kind of I don't want to say back into but for lack of a better way to say it back into a management conversation through those um those events and activities already through that we've identified some water quality potential water quality projects there we have some pretty significant ravines that are developing that um friends of muski has a lot of experience managing park district has experience managing so they've been working with me to think about some potential funding streams and so I think it's already a strategy shift that's bearing fruit so pretty excited about that uh and then West Allen Park is the other one that's specifically highlighted in the current year. Uh we have gotten a a very conceptual playground design from a playground vendor which is exciting. Um unfortunately their design work stays to the playground structure and I think that there's really a bigger design question in that park. Right now with all due deference to those in the past it's a little bit of a smattering of like a dog park here, a swing set here, a basketball court here. There's not a lot of cohesion to the space. So, I think we really want to make sure we get that part right as we think about the bigger picture. So, um the other thing,

not surprisingly, the price tag for a playground is not cheap. So, I think it was good to get that number in front of us, but also uh a pretty big number for us to think about how we crack in the future. So, that one continues to be an ongoing task for us. And then Wooki Senior Center. This one is we're I don't want to say in a holding pattern, but a little bit in a holding pattern. You know, there's no imminent pressure from the developer. We have a lease on the senior center property through 2043. So, there's no urgency. But I think especially as we think about the redevelopment project at OC and the ways we want to bring all of our community service programming under one um potentially under one roof, that's something that I think may pick up some steam in the next couple years. So nothing I it's I don't want to say it's delayed because there's not a lot we could have been doing but it's it's been on the radar and something you want to keep on the radar. So those are current year kind of priorities for community services. Curious if there are questions or comments on those

for O'Brien Ray if Howard isn't able to raise the money like what does that look like? Like what happens? Yeah, it's a good question. I think what I will say is that positive from positive standpoint, we've not had that conversation or kind of mentality going into this. I think there is a feeling that we're going to continue to work to raise the money and worst case it delays the start. Um so even as we negotiated the lease for the current space or the temporary space we're moving into, we talked about longevity of the lease, ability to extend that if need be. Um, but I think there are opportunities to think about phasing that project if we do need to do that. It gets a little tricky because of the mix of funding that's in there.

Community health centers, redevelopment is a big piece of that. Obviously, the library, our offices, um, and unfortunately, one sort of has to happen before the other. So, the way that we're mapping it out now is that the library piece would happen first. That's kind of the first domino. Yeah. everything clears out and then health center can come in and do their work as sort of a phase one and a half or two, however you want to look at it. So I think if we were to have to really shift strategy, it would require a lot of conversations about how we do that and and what what moves where in the in the process. But yeah, it's it's a good question. Again, I think fortunately I like and appreciate the positivity. We've not gone there yet, but I think it is

not lost in us that that is a possibility. So yeah. Um for the playground, what was the number? Um the very conceptual number which I will say was also a pretty basic design was 200,000 and that's just the structures. So that doesn't include, you know, landscaping, retooling of pathways, walkways, um that sort of plantings, any of that sort of stuff. So it's it's a big number. Yeah.

If anyone has the idea of of doing it ourselves, please don't because I've looked into what it takes to make those things compliant and it is a lot. There's a reason why you just buy something. Yeah. All right. Any other questions? Have a question? Um I noticed uh through the Wooki Gardening Group um some new plots that went in. Yes. At West Allen. Um was that all voluntary um uh labor and and donations or

Yep. Uh so that was done as part of the redevelopment project actually at O'Brien Center. So relocating. So CHT actually covered costs. We were really fortunate actually Longboard Lumber um I'll give them a shout out here donated all the lumber um and and the delivery which we didn't realize was was happening until the boards were being dropped off which was pretty cool. Um and then Robin and her team in partnership with volunteers uh through a bunch of different sources, UVM being one, did the work to put those together and then fill them with the soil. So yeah. So not not new dollars to the city costwise because any of the dollars that went out were through the redevelopment fund for the O'Brien Center project.

Okay. Does that is it the same number of plots or more plots than the current space?

Um so that number of plots so behind the community center we had I believe it was 69 or 70 plots. Um which is hard to believe looking at that space but there truly were that many back there. Um when we went to relocate, I think we ended up having 48 of our gardeners um from the O'Brien Center looking to move elsewhere. So we didn't add additional plots beyond those 48. So there are some fewer in the system now based on that kind of lack of request, but I think when we move back after construction is done into that space, we will grow back into that 70 or so. We're we will be able to move back.

That's the plan as of right now. Yeah, we're holding that space as garden. I think I I say that with a little hesitation in my voice because I think I don't know where things go in the way of parking, storm water, some of those pieces. Um there's some storm water infrastructure that's being looked at back there and I think there's some questions about is it above ground, below ground, what does that look like? Okay. But the plan as of right now is that we will return that to garden space when the project wraps up. All right. Thank you.

Yep. Um and then quickly looking ahead uh to this next year. So obviously some carryover of Brian Center project is going to continue to be pretty heavy on our list. We have two new staff positions which we're thrilled about. Um well one new one expanded. So Barb's position moving from part to full-time and then really thrilled we have four second interviews scheduled for Thursday for our parks and trails steward position. We've had really strong and really fabulous candidates. Lots of candidates. Really good.

That's great. So, we we're feeling really excited and optimistic about that position, uh, being able to get started in a really strong way. And then Barb and I have continued to have conversations about what her schedule is going to look like come July, some new programming ideas. She's been actually touring around to other senior centers in the area. So, she's seen

South Burlington, Essex, Willist, I think she's going to go to Charlotte, she went to Heinburg. So really trying to like just go see those spaces, absorb what they're doing and and think about how she can bring some of those pieces in. So um pretty excited about that. Uh obviously I mentioned Memorial Park, more to come. If there's an event, come check it out. And then I think let's see center is on here. Parks plan is on here. I will one exciting update on the parks plan front. um which Angela, I just got the email today, but we passed compliance for our recreational trails program grant. So, we got a $20,000 grant to do um design work for potentially a boardwalk at Gilbrook Reservoir to connect the parking lot to the main trail network because that trail is pretty dodgy.

So, just got the email today saying we passed our sort of compliance phase and have that funding as soon as we sign our grant contract. So, pretty excited about that project. I think those are Yeah, those are the the big ones. I do have a question. Um, where does public art policy and procedure fit in? I I knew you were going to ask that.

You're welcome. No, no, no. It's um it is on there. We So, as we talked about last time, working on the short-term policy that we'll hopefully have back in front of you all very soon. And then the longer term policy would be something that we get started sort of in the fall. So we're working on getting those meetings scheduled and keeping that train moving. But that'll be on the list of things that we are continuing to work on is the hope since this is FY28, right? This is this is fiscal year 27. So this is the year we're about to start. Okay.

So 28. I think as you think about public art, I think the only thing I would say maybe as a maybe and then this is your prerogative, but like if we were to look at through a budgeting process wanting to fund that policy, I think that's a conversation council would have or or at the very least give some guidance on how we're going to spend city funds that are available for public art. Okay. So, just a clarifying question. Um, so you do intend to continue the conversation for a longer term public art Yep. framework into FY27. Correct. Yeah. Great. Thank you.

Thank you. Thanks. Um while Justin's coming up, realized missed one. Uh electric vehicle charging was another thing under under Revy's jurisdiction, let's say. So FYI, it was number 13. Not unless they have a question. Okay. All right. Can I ask you one? Yeah. Do you mind if I ask a question? Um Oh, you do? Okay.

Yeah. Just hopefully quick one. Um what what do you expect to do with that this like I'm assuming yeah what what is that at the end of it like that's still the report.

Yeah. So in the last in this current fiscal year uh we did an EV uh charging planning study uh that was funded through a Department of Energy block grant. Uh we received $50,000 to do this work. Um and we finished the work. Um so the next step with that is implementation. Um so VR has put out a request for proposals uh for them to utilize their uh NEVI funds. I don't know the what the acronym for NEVI is. So you might need to look that up. Um and because uh under the NEVI program um not mistaken uh there was settlement money involved and then it's part of distribution of settlement money for EV charging infrastructure. Um and there's been some back and forth the federal level but now they've been released. So Vrans is looking to build out that um that infrastructure. Um per the Nav'vi the statewide Navi plan um we have uh we have been targeted for EV charging infrastructure. Um so and but VR is also looking at this holistically and seeing which uh places are site ready, shovel ready uh which places have uh the uh the buyin to put in EV charging and how does that line up with their Nevie plan. Um, so we've put in two locations through their RFP process. Um, I put in uh for Landrew Park. Um, and for uh 190 East Allen Street. So that is the parking lot for Cababan. It's on the south side right as you're going out this way right before the railroad tracks on the south side. Um, I haven't received any word back from VR. Um, so uh yeah, more more to come with that hopefully. um in other implementation things. Uh things still

in discussion, still figuring things out. Um and uh yeah, we'll try to figure out and find more grants and more funding opportunities for future implementation. NEV stands for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. Thanks. Fairly straightforward. Thank you. Not as confusing as uplift or UDR. Um, I just want to also support the work on that. Um, and again, if there's anything we can do to support you, here for it.

Um, if we were to be selected for a grant, what FY year would that go into for infrastructure?

It I don't know. Yeah. So, uh because uh I don't I don't know uh since I haven't talked to BRS yet and BR hasn't reached out to me about these sites. I don't know what their timeline would be. Um what uh engineering that they would need to do before uh the site is done. Um I know that for Landry Park um public works have and um community services um have some plans for um repaving and some storm water work. Um so there would be some coordination that would have to happen hypothetically with VR down the road. So um yeah I can't say whether it would happen in FY27 or FY28. I there there's a lot of uh discussions that need to be had and um a lot of coordination that would need to happen.

Yes. Um in addition to grants, are you looking at any sort of um private funding available for electric vehicles? Are there like car manufacturers that have like incentives for installing their specific models or anything more creative for funding?

Um I'm I'm not familiar with many that are out there and it's really shrunken down in recent times unfortunately. Um, I I am aware that there are programs for private property owners that want to install electric vehicle charging and they can get funding for that. Um, and that could be something that we could we could promote. Um, uh, but yeah, I'd have to do some more research and dig around. Okay. I I don't know if there are any. I'm just Yeah, I I mean, unless Bren, you know, of any sources,

um, I think it's always good to start the conversation with your utility providers early. So, if there's something possible, certainly engaging with GMP um as a as a just helping with scoping and some project um support early on. Mhm. Yeah, we did explore some

Sorry, Green Mountain Power. We did explore we did explore some more obvious areas from the plan be with a provider because the state is a recipient of settlement funds from the not the Volkswagen but the Stalantis suit. But uh we're we're kind of in a holding pattern with them right now. And some Yeah. So, we'll have to see what they thought of those sites because some of them should be very expensive to explore like in the downtown where everyone would think, well, of course you would want to put it there. Uh, but yeah, we're not sure exactly on what they think of the limitations. It would be the limitations that we would have in terms of cost and

access to three phase power and all that. Well, for Landry Park and for 190 East Allen Street, we've already had conversations with GMBB about that and and received quotes for that. Um so they are in the loop um and would be in the loop when vrans reaches back out. Um so so we have all that documentation ready.

Sorry again. Um because because we're this is all in the scope of public. If a private property owner, say a gas station, wants to convert or something like that, would the public would the would the city be involved in that at all or would that be completely separate from us? It it wouldn't it would I think I mean I think public works would have to be involved because there would be right-of-way work that would be involved. It depends on the scope and extent. Um, in terms of permitting, um, there wouldn't be any zoning permitting because, um, per statute, uh, zoning doesn't cover, uh, public utilities to and and it doesn't cover charging. Um, there depending on the structuriness, there might be uh, code enforcement involvement um, and code enforcement involvement with electrical permits. Um, but that's all for the permitting side of it. It's not as it wouldn't have a connection with the uh with the EV charging readiness plan.

All right. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Now, Justin,

you burn mine. Maybe I'll let you know. Okay. I was first set out in my office. I know. Been fighting it. It doesn't work. Paul, I think we're Oh, it's me.

I can hold it over here.

Uh, yes. So, three and four. We're going to uh kind of combine those because they're they kind of dovetail together. As far as um the staffing levels right now, we're in pretty good shape shape staffing wise. We are currently full staffed on the patrol side, which um it's been a while since we've been full staffed. We do have one person in the academy. We expect to see them out of the academy at the end of this month and then field trained and ready to go by July, August um time frame. So, we're hoping to stay full staffed um up until that point. We do have uh the DLO position that's currently open, the district leaison of the school.

Unfortunately, our DLO moved to San Diego where it's a little bit warmer.

Um so, we do have that position to fill. The applications um for that position have been somewhat lean. We have had some, but it's been um all non-certified. police officers that have been applying. So, somebody with no experience. Um, typically that position, we'd like to get somebody in there that's already not only full-time certified, but has a couple of years of experience. Um, as we limp through this year, um, and look forward to next year, we might have to re-evaluate what we want to do with that as far as maybe we hire somebody that has no experience, send them to the academy, and then put them up at the school. But, um, we'll address that as as that goes on. Um, as far as investing in our uh employees, uh, FY26 and review has been a really good year actually for that. One of the best that I've seen. Um, we met all of our mandated training requirements for calendar year 25. And for our agency, that's about 450 hours. So, just on mandated training. So, that's a pretty big lift for our agency to do. Um, we also did a um voluntary audit of all of our training records and hours that was done by the academy and we um had a very good audit. So, we're we're happy with that. Um outside of the mandated um training, we um we were able to get a lot of the training that we wanted to get done as far as investing in our employees and professional development. We had two officers that went to um firstline supervisor training. We had an officer that went to mid-management training. Um we had two officers that became instructors in um mandated training. So some of the mandated

trainings that we have that are put on by the academy, we can train in house as long as we have officers that are certified to um to conduct those trainings. Um any questions on that? I did I have a question and now I forgot.

Do you all have any questions and maybe mine will come back to me? I have a quick question. Yeah.

Um I can't remember when we talked about it, but the are there any um current officers in training for filling or supporting the detective role? Uh no, not right now. And that was what we were going to talk about uh next. So we did pull that as you know we pulled that role in December just to backfill patrol just because when we lose somebody or two people um it really has a big impact on patrol. So we did pull that position. Um not only does it affect it's good for patrol to have that buffer with the detective not in there. Unfortunately, what it really did was it took that work that the detective was currently doing and it put it on the administrative position. So, the lieutenants and myself. So, that's a big reason why we didn't get to the strategic plan like we wanted to do and um we're a little bit behind on some policy review and implementation that needs to go into effect. So the goal is if we can stay full staff to August when we get the officer out of the academy is to backfill that um detective position and I have that uh noted here and looking ahead for

thanks.

Yeah appreciated that. Um, all right.

Well, I'll note too that this uh it it's thanks to Justin that we've been able to train up new supervisors. I think the way he portrayed it is before maybe because we were always too short staffed. It's like someone would look like they had potential and then they would get promoted and there wasn't any preparing them for the leadership. So, it's great that he's been able to get to that proactively. Um, so looking ahead FY uh 27, as far as the training and retention and investing in our employees, we're really looking at it from a department level view now, which we've never really done before. Um um so we're going to start that by beginning of FY27. We're going to have byianual officer evaluations where a big portion of that will be what direction that officer wants to go in as far as the trainings that they want to seek out to better support them but also better support our agency. And what we're really trying to do is break it down into like an officer experience time frame. So that officer um as far as experience in the 3 to 5 year window, we want to prioritize training like field training, officer trainings, baseline detective training, advanced traffic enforcement training, uh instructor development training. That's that 3 to 5 year window. And then as we push that experience out to an officer that's got five to 10 years of experience, then we want to start looking at firstline supervisor training, mid management training, uh crime scene training, public information officer public speaking training. I missed that one.

No, you're so And you're doing fine. So that's that 5 to 10 year window. And then the 10year plus window, that's when we really want to start looking at executive development training, policy implementation training, strategic planning training, and budget preparation training, which I think, you know, historically what we've done is it's always just been meeting the minimum amount of training hours. But now we're at a portion or a point where we can really look, you know, what's going to benefit the officer for retention, but also what is going to make our agency better and preparing for, you know, potential retirements that are coming.

Any questions, comments? I have.

Yeah. I just want to note that it's so clear that you are so dedicated to your team and your investment in your team and I think that that's not something that we see often in in many leaders. Um, and I'm just speaking like worldwide as someone who's been managed before. Um, but I just it's something that I think is really important and I want to commend you for that. And also everyone and sorry that I haven't said this to the rest of the team. I apologize. Um, but I just to everyone here like it's it's not easy to be a manager. It's not easy to have a team and the way that you invest in your officers and and I just I really want to name that because I think particularly in the work that you are in is very very difficult. Um and so I just really want to commend you for that. Also, you're a phenomenal public speaker.

Thank you. I very much appreciate it. Thank you. Okay. Thanks, Justin. Actually, sorry. Go ahead. Okay. Go ahead. Um, I may be imagining this. Did I see something uh recent update about one of the officers um potentially having interest in the K9 unit?

Yes. Yeah, that's been um it depends on the officer, but yeah, we do have a couple that are interested in it. We talked about a therapy dog at one point. We talked about a patrol dog at one point. So there's a couple different officers that have different interests in it. When it gets to the point where we feel like we're in a position that we can do it because it comes with a lot of training and and a big commitment. Um the good news is is the financial commitment is pretty much covered by grants, right? Um so that wouldn't be a big deal. So depending on the officer that that was selected to do it, I think will dictate which direction it goes. Does the therapy K9 option have lower training demand?

It's a good question. Yeah, I can find We could ask Wilson. I can find out. I would assume so, but I don't want to speak up. Yeah, I don't I don't um but I wasn't imagining that. No. Okay. I know it's come up a couple times over part is coming. I thought that's that too. But I know that there's been talk for several years now about um the support a K9 unit could offer. Um but again that it doesn't come without um a a significant time commitment as well. Right. Okay. Thank you. All right. Anything else? Thank you.

All right. So that concludes the first agenda item at least from the staff side. um in terms of presentation. So now I've got a question for council. Is this list good to for us to report on? Is there anything you want to pull from the operational list to for us to report on? Go ahead. I I guess a clarifying question is anything that's already currently being reported on that's not on here, can that continue such such as the pool use numbers because I don't know that that's mentioned on here. So I don't know what you mean by reporting.

I meant in the same way that we've reported out this year quarterly on the the current policy partisan strategies. This is like the FY27 version. So there's other data that you asked for during budget which you know we would still continue to try to provide as we could. I was thinking reporting. Yeah. Not general. I meant for the quarterly goal report. Okay. All right. Thanks for the clarification. Of course. Yeah. Um line striping in particular. I know you're talking about line striping. Oh line striping. Um

um what about it? Well, I just understanding more of like if we've figured out how to do every three years or things like that. I don't know if there was sounds like it wasn't fully implemented, but I don't completely know. Um, John, you have any objections to adding that to reporting out? Okay. I mean, it's something that we do anyway, so

anything else? I think it's good. All right. All right. So, do you want to just vote, please? So, it's officially a motion to direct staff to consider the list of possibilities as discussed adding in the line stripping. So, moved seconded. All those in favor? I I I

All right. Thank you so much. I have a question. Um, and I do just want to see if there's anyone online who has any questions about all of the items we discussed so far. If you do, raise your hand. All right. Not seeing raised hand. Um, Brenn, you had a question.

I was curious how items for approval tonight adhere to the 2014 policy. I mean, these aren't policies. So, if I'm recalling, then it's not it's like not specific to that. You're approving what the reporting out. Yeah. Is on. So, that was exclusive to policies. Yeah. That's the policy on written directives. I think of it as the policy on policies for shorthand.

Okay. That's helpful. So it's not just generic agenda items. No. Yeah. It doesn't mean that any agenda item has to take two meetings before you can approve it. Okay. Thank you for the clarification. Yeah. No problem. Thank you, deputy mayor. All right. Um time is 7:50. Before we move on to item B, I'm going to call a 5m minute recess. So we'll come back at 7:55. Oh, and uh unfortunately my grand plan for reorganizing this will not work because unfortunately that will not Yeah. I know. I was wondering if we were all going to be in a at a table.

That was my plan. Yes. Can we just put Yeah. Can we bring up chairs? Yes.

The wire. I'll bring upstairs. I don't know. So what we can just converse?

Yeah, because you're you're probably right.

Sure. Let me know what you thought. I'm intrigued. I love it. Angela always whenever we have a leadership meeting. Okay. I love it. Jesse, I love your earrings. I love your earrings. Oh, thank you. That was going to be my comment during your presentation, but I didn't know if it was like okay to say it. And we're all about professionalism here. Yeah.

Friday he was wearing rubber ducks, which I appreciate. That night,

what? There's people really saving me. Um, I'm meeting with the city of Bentonville, Arkansas on Thursday.

I love I feel That's the best place I've ever heard of in my life. So that Arkansas is like the Yeah. Well, hey, it's the one more capital of the world, but they are like famous for criminal infrastructure particularly for being like a bicycle city. And I'm flying there on Thursday because this is not liquor on Saturday and I'm going to be a good wife. But any anyone I talk to like stories like I have to go watch

like oh my god I watch videos all the time was like hi today and I go to die was like I'm going to Southland from the airport like Southern Hospital. Anyway, um just to be like, what is their city government like? And I was like, we don't have money to just open. Mhm.

Priorities, biking, whatever. I mean, right now Absolutely not. They want to go to the Walmartuseum. Walmart. There's a Walmart museum. It's like truly a company talent. I know. It's kind of weird. My friend has a baby there and they're in like like Wall-E like little stars like hair and like it's Yeah,

it's an interesting like town structure. I don't know if I'd want to live in a town that is known for a private corporation because then if anything goes wrong with a private corporation, your town is then closes. Yeah. Industry relies on that tax relies on that industry. I'll bring you home. Turns into a great I'll bring you back. So many other things. It's almost like we were at Mil City. Yeah. Um, you do know you live in a town, right?

No. So, Thomas and Lauren Oh, very nice. Nice to meet you. This is the part of the email Thomas that you're fantastic. Remind us your name. Thank you. Thank you. I didn't know if there was a B in front of I just did this. B is this can only sign the sign. I can only sign the alphabet. All right, the time is 7:56. Uh, we are back from our break.

I don't know that I've ever heard a mayor actually use that to open a meeting. Well, you know, I don't want to shout that loud. Why not?

Thanks everybody for your presentations for the first half. Um so this second half is um for us to discuss FY28 possibilities for the budget. Um I don't know if you I'll just read off the the cover sheet here. Um so encourage council to discuss their goals and asks for FY28 budgeting in the context of the master plan vision areas of economic vitality, safe connected people, municipal infrastructure, housing, existing plans. Uh staff of course is on hand to provide context or asks. Um, and if we're ready by the end of the meeting, council may want to agree on a list of possibilities they would like staff to provide information on by September uh to inform staff uh budget development and council budget goal setting in October. Alternatively, um we can just consider setting the list at our next regular meeting. So, Ela, I don't know if you want to add anything. Um so, we've done this activity in different ways since I've been on council. we've taken um kind of this list and and gone over it. Um I think as this is kind of an open discussion time um it's hard to think of like retreat as we're sitting in our like historic place where we always sit but um I think this is a time for like very open conversation good time to talk with staff uh directly. You know, I think a lot of um what we run up against is our ideas, whether they be our our own or ideas that residents have brought to us and then our our hopes that those things can get implemented, but not fully understanding if staff can actually do those things or um what their time looks like. And um also, you

know, it's it's a great example tonight was um where I spoke about the playground, which I had kind of forgotten about, but um is definitely something that I am interested in. Um so having stuff for this kind of initial conversation, I I think is really beneficial. Um you know, I when I think of FY28 and I guess I should give some context because not everybody has been here. um for for a long long time as we've thought about budgets in past years, we had been um very prescriptive on what council wanted to see um which wasn't the process that you got to experience last year. We were a little more open. Um, I think that there were definitely benefits in the way that we did that, but again, it it left some things um unressed and unseen. Um, I again, thank you, Elaine, for everything you brought to us uh to look at last year. Um, I don't necessarily I think we're too early for me to have thought if of what approach we should take for for next year's budget. But, you know, one thing that I would just like you all to understand kind of some of my top concerns um for going into FY28 budgeting are safety in the city. So, um not just safety that police provides, but also safety for pedestrians and walkers. Um, so we're think I'm thinking of things like line striping and um all of the different studies that we've done that have suggested uh changes to our streetscapes to slow drivers down. Um, I'm thinking of rectangular rapid flashing beacons. Um,

businesses are top of mind in terms of um the bridge work. Um, I I think we kind of saw a lot of bubbling up at the the bridge meeting the other day of businesses starting to really think, oh gosh, yeah, here this project is coming and what is that really going to look like for us? And um there I think the way that we were able to with partners with the uh implement the Mosaic campaign for businesses during the second part of Main Street um built a lot of faith in the business community of of how we can help um or try to help them. I think that's something that we uh should look into or talk about. Uh I don't know if that's we try to allocate create money for a loan program or a grant program or just we try to support a staff position that would be able to seek grants. Um but I think we should just know that it's not just the businesses who are concerned. I've already started hearing, I'm sure you have, from residents who are very worried that uh bridge construction is going to start and businesses are going to start closing up. Um, I added in just uh the playground and the art. Um, those are two important things. Again, uh, you know, Ray, you said $200,000. It's a big number. I'd wager to guess we probably want to spend maybe a little more cuz it sounds like that was pretty basic. But as we are creating housing that we are hoping will bring more families and children into our town, I think we need to make sure that we're trying to think of all the different resources, right? It's great that we have so many amazing services through um Ray's department. Uh but sometimes kids just don't want to sign up for pickle ball. They just want to go play on a playground. So um and then the art the artwork as well. Um you know, Ray's going to be creating a

document for us to follow, but in reality, if we actually want public art, we need to think about funding it as well. And then additional staff for everything that I I spoke about. You know, I think um personally for me getting seeing that engineer position that John briefly talked about a little bit last budget session. Uh it's very important to me to see that again when we talk about FY28. Um and then you know other other stuff that may be necessary. I'm, you know, wondering if maybe we invest, we've invested historically a lot in projects and different things, but maybe this is the year where we start thinking about, well, do we need that extra engineer? Do we need um a forget what the the role is, the CEO role, like is this the year that we do those types of things and we don't do big projects that we're we're bombing for?

Those are kind of my initial thoughts. Um, please feel free to chime in with yours, Stephanie Mayer. Um, I could provide a laundry list, but I wasn't asked for a laundry list. So, maybe I'll give it uh You only give me like half your laundry list

before our our next meeting. Um I I do think that um economic vitality will as we look at FY28 um so that's the second half of 27 and first half of 28. So thinking about like the mobilization of bridge equipment um that you know not knowing where we will in initial project construction phase and traffic impact um by that time um hoods crossing project uh main street ideally will be done by then all wrapped up um not sure if DDI will be done by Then do we

DDI has one again starting I think I just would like to note that diamond you can maybe sometimes you could just say like a 16 I'm not trying to be like a menace on acronyms and now I feel like I'm branded as that. No, no, no. You're holding us accountable. It's good. Uh Diverging Diamond Entertainment 16. Diverging Diamond. John looks like he's looking it up but we're think it's next year. time into it's a fun boulder dash experiment too.

Um so just thinking about bas I I had this kind of realization of how like the the entry points to Vooki and and one of them is the very much needed resurfacing on what on uh Route 15 will be happening soon too. And so folks coming into Wooki, you know, from Colchester, Essex will be experiencing starting it. It has I was going to say because I heard it last night. So I'm thinking of this. No, no. Winsky is very much going to be surrounded by projects

that starting made me think of these additional things like I was at a conference this past week and just the work on culture avenue was a huge headache for a lot of folks. So it's um

we we're basically surrounded by projects and that is a really visceral experience for regional impact. Um so just kind of really leaning into the economic vitality support for me. Um and uh you know public art being potentially an element of trying to attract folks to Wooki despite the construction projects um might be an opportunity there. I will always advocate for line striping and traffic calming. Um, on on those ends, I also would love to see more conversation around the housing and infrastructure sides side of things because I think there may be data that needs to be provided in addition to the water distribution master plan. Did I get that right? Yes. um that help give our community a framework of of what um what the needs are for housing and an overlay of what the infrastructure capacity and and updates would be needed to meet that increased housing demand as well. So to me, I'd say those are like the top handful of things I would advocate for. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Who would like to go next?

Well, while other counselors are thinking, does staff have anything they'd like to say on what the deputy mayor and myself have said? Do you guys not want to go? Oh, I I can go. I was going to go back and forth. Okay,

I I'll I'll go. Um, so I one of my biggest concerns for FI28 is definitely the bridge. Um, I think there is a lot of risk with that project for the definitely for the businesses downtown. Um, but it also thinks a lot of possibilities for us to try new things. Um, in particular, you know, I think I for FY28 bike rack investments because of how Burlington will be shut off coming in. So, we'll have to rely heavily on pedestrian traffic from Burlington. Um other side of it is somehow leveraging more volunteers. Um that's another aspect of how we do that. Something I would like to see more of. Um a lot of residents have passions and complaints. Um and I feel like if we were able to redirect their energy to somewhere that they can actually do the problem and fix the problem, that could be beneficial. Um and Uh, additionally, another thing I'm hoping to allow for 1228 would be allowing for pilot projects, um, allow streetscapes for residents to say, I like a planter, a planter near the end of my stop sign. Someone always parks there. I can't see the stop sign. Something simple like that. Um, and yeah, I think those were my my top my top points. I'll see.

Sure. Um, so it gets easier as you've covered a lot of these now. Um, my largest ones that haven't been covered, um, would be housing. I want to continue to invest in that in smart growth. Um, especially continuing to assess the need as the need does change in our community. um but especially three and four-bedroom housing because that does continue to be a demand. Um increasing staff capacity specifically around um public works and municipal infrastructure and um I'd like to see some uh more concentrated thinking around the senior center um especially because we do have a new full-time person and the um future of the building itself remains unclear. So, some for planning for that.

Elsie, when you're thinking housing investments, are you thinking um like council creating a fund for housing construction or just continued um support from planning commission to make it easier for housing? Um I think definitely continuing discussions that are happening at planning commission um regarding like um the zoning and how we treat that. I'm not sure if a fund, but I think just like putting a little bit more time and energy into studying the need and where we are in the city. Cool. Thank you. Sorry, before you go on, is there something you want to underline that was already discussed before because it's helpful to see if there's like a Oh, yeah.

Um, I would just come back to economic vitality and aceto office and community and economic development officer. Yes. Yeah. Officer. Yeah. Thank you. Thanks.

I'm just really loving this mic tonight. Um, I think for me the first thing again like I'm if we were on like butcher blog paper I'd be like plus oneing and putting post-it notes and everything that everyone else said. I think the thing that is really coming to top of mind for me right now is getting residents more involved in our local government. And I had a great conversation today with um someone in my capacity as city council leazison to downtown Wuski and he had such incredible things to say like it was as if he knew our annual report and our budget like the back of his hand and I was like my dude why don't you get involved and he was like oh it's really hard commissions meet at 6 p.m. and I'm a I'm a new parent and and

and it was very helpful feedback and feedback that I think you know we probably hear all the time. Um, and I'm not saying that we should like completely overthrow how commissions are when they meet, but I think I would just Well, we have had the discuss started the discussion, so that's not wild to say that,

but I think just seeing I would love to participate and to and to have to further those discussions of particularly obviously from like an equity lens and an inclusion and belonging lens of, you know, and particularly getting like young people involved like students in the school involved and how can we yeah just like have more residents and the people who are involved right now like I see you I see how dedicated you are incredible that you're volunteering and also there's more folks out there and they could do so much and I see that um our staff is very exhausted and when I say exhausted I mean that like I don't want to say that they're at a breaking point because that's not fair for me to prescribe something to you all but just that like being in city government like it is 8:15 15 on a Monday night and y'all are here and that is amazing and also bananas. Um, and I just I'm as someone who comes from like a social justice background, I think really honestly about burnout and I think about doing work that you love because you do it and also sometimes that can lead to forgetting yourself, right? And I think I just want to name for all of you like you cannot pour from an empty cup. And so we have residents in the city who love this city as much as we all do. And so can we help to get them more civically engaged? Could that potentially help to Right. It's like we can't have residents be I mean residents can be police officers, right? But we can't just like throw a bulletproof vest on a resident and be like have fun. That's not going to work. And I'm not saying that that should happen. But I'm just thinking right that like if we could build out commissions, if we could do some things um something that I love that I saw in a city recently was like having residents build um benches for bus stops and it was like very simple, right? It's just like things like that and like yes, everything costs money. We live in a capitalistic society, but like are there ways that things that we could

do, right? It's like I'm thinking of the Wooki neighborhood group. Every zone donates like a bench to a local bus stop, right? Because then it's just it's helping the community, right? and that's what we're all here to do. Anyway, that's my long tangent. Um, so I think that and then I think um for me it's also then whether it's like additional staff or just like supporting staff. It's like how can we show up for you and what do you all need? Um I know that we had conversations. I'm going to forget the name of the pension. I want to say VARF, but that's the abortion fund. But like viewersh municipal employee retirement.

Yep. There you go. Um I knew I wasn't. So, like it's it's things like that that like let you all know that we're invested in you and that we that you're not just like here doing a job, but that we like truly deeply see you as leaders and we want you guys to grow and to stay here. Um, and then I've been thinking a lot about downtown Wooki recently and so definitely I'm also just highlighting the bridge and businesses and so I know we have a round table tomorrow and just listening to the business leaders and what lessons learned from Main Street that we can then continue into bridge and start having those conversations now. Um, and that's it. Thank you.

Amazing. Thank you. Um, do you have any first thoughts or questions about anything we said? I am Well, you all think about that for a minute. If you definitely want to speak up now, feel free. I The way I was hoping this would work, which I feel like right now, at least for me, it did, is just to get an early look. Uh, did you say it did or it didn't? It did work. Yeah. Okay, good. Okay. That was clear on what we wanted to do tonight.

Yes. to get some uh specifics cuz like you know Thomas and Bernal remember when I first started I think it was very specific and then it was too specific and then we were too general and then it wasn't actually what council was looking at. So just giving you this really open opportunity to ask very early so that we have some time to mull it over and then the next step idea is that in September well actually before then um I would repeat back to you what you said and then we'll look at what we tried to make the case or agree with so to speak as uh staff recommendations in the FY28 process. give you some more explanation in September about the things that we would or would not recommend and then have that be like the actual narrowing down opportunity.

So, um I feel like this is a very useful list and I don't feel the need for staff to like jump in and comment right now like that. This is the whole point is to give us some more thoughtful time. But if there is something that anyone wants to comment on that feels particularly like oh I want to make sure council understands this feel free to speak up. And while you're thinking, I do just also Justin, if you I know you're technically full staffed, but if you see that need for that additional police officer, that would be something I'd like to hear about when when the time comes. Um cuz I know that even full staff isn't necessarily where the end goal is for the department in the next, you know, 5 years or whatever. Um I didn't list that, but I think that would be important for us to know when you're doing your presentations. That was very fast.

We're all prepared. Um, so I some other things that come to mind of I think we're also coming from a place of things that have been on our mind for a while that we would love to see. I think something that also strikes me as things that are helpful for planning are um cost escalations. Mhm.

Um we have no idea when oil prices may settle out, if they will continue to rise, if they will um reach a point and then stay that way, decrease. Um that will all have really significant impacts on projects, on cost of living um for everyone, not just city budgets. So, um I would also just say that we need to be really conscientious of of that and to keep a a very close eye on it as I know our staff really will. Um, and I have confidence that, you know, it's um hopefully we're able to get back to seeing funding come towards the city. Um, and and a continuation of of years and years of funding support that we've had. Um, and I I just it's good to also prepare for things that we hope won't continue or won't um ever propose, uh, present themselves. Um, but I, you know, I just think that should always kind of be in our head as far as um, planning for the next few years too.

Yeah. I think of like the bar the horizontal bar chart that we've presented that shows what the major cost drivers are. I'm curious how much gas is going to be a percentage of that this time as like a baseline. This is nothing we can do anything about. Yep. And how does that affect affordability in terms of other things that we might want to do but maybe we shouldn't. Yeah. And I think that was was it last May that Mayor Lot and the team presented on like external factors that influence. Right. Right.

Um I thought that was really helpful conversation of like here's what's in within our sphere of influence and here are things that we more or less have to prepare for or react to. Um it's always nice to come from a place of being prepared um when we can. That's a good point. Thank you. As you talked about that, it made me think of um that graph, John, that we show like every budget season of like $30 million or something and like sewer work that needs to be done across the city. And I always kind of think about how we can be best preparing ourselves for that work. I know that it's not always um advised to raise tax money to not be spent to be put in an account somewhere.

It also shouldn't do that for sewer work. Sewer is an enterprise money. Yeah, it should be paid for with sewer. I do wonder how we can try to be planning for mostly for that. Is it mostly rates? Unless we can get a grant.

Yeah. I mean for enterprise funds we will have a good a better understanding on the water main master plan because that will include most the most outdated costs and prioritize and then that sort of gets built into the capital project for water. Um we will have that for the storm water piping um because we just finished the investigation work. So the intent there would be to have prioritization in the capital plan for storm water and then sanitary kind of follows along with the water man work as well because that's usually water man is usually a priority a pressurized system and then so yeah I mean we can get more maybe longterm I would say with the utility infrastructure and that will actually play into like work throughout the planning housing develment. side too.

One thing I do want to flag for council in preparation for the FY28 budgeting cycle is this year in the FY27 we did utilize a pretty significant amount of reserves in the capital plan in order to even level fund capital plan we will need to be increasing by over $200,000 just for the existing capital. Okay, good to know. Any other thoughts from staff or council?

One last thing that has come up a couple times from the community is what can we do about vacant properties um and being more aggressive. And I will admit that I have asked and in this moment I'm forgetting all of the answers. Um but uh that you've already shared with me. Um but it's you know it comes up at town meeting day a ton. It came up in greenup day I think anytime where

yeah folks are like what can we do about these vacant parcels um you know and I walk around the city you know just as um walking drive around the city and you just can't help but being like oh there's nothing there still. Oh well that one's still standing. I wonder when that'll come down kind of thing. So, um if there's anything that we might be able to do um in 27 or andor 28 to help move that along um just in the realm of being more aggressive on housing conversations. I don't know what is feasible, but I just wanted to raise that up.

Yeah, I don't think there would be a fiscal component, but we Angela Revy and I actually literally met today about this. Um Angela can explain like the tax mechanism that has not necessarily been being applied as it should, which is kind of the fiscal disincentization of that. But I think there's also further down the road ideally like a programmatic or procedural element of that as well that looks a little bit more like you know required check-ins or information that's given. Um but we discussed we need to do a little bit more sussing out of like the definitions that we will have for like vacant because vacant is different from abandoned which is different from like non-habitable. Um so we just need to look at kind of all the different ordinances the charters the definitions and see what is feasible and legally allowable. Um but that's definitely something that we're you know moving forward on hopefully. But Angela can explain that.

It is in the FY27 operational work plan document under housing.

Sure. Um, so our existing charter has a provision that allows for properties that are not used for residential or open space or farmland um, or park space to be taxed at 120% of their assessed valuation. So that generally applies to commercial properties but also applies to vacant land that is just being held for development. Um and uh we were having the conversation today around a property that still technically has a foundation hole on it and whether or not that qualified as vacant under the definitions. Um and if the 20% should be applied there. Uh we believe that it does. So we will be adding that 20% there. Um and we will be applying that for any land that is just being held for development has no actual structures um built on it. Um but we're we're developing that as we go there. It's in charter but there's no actual like procedure documenting it and we're going to be working on developing that as well so that it can be implemented into the future.

Okay. Yeah. There's a little bit of gray area too with like some parcels that have like a permit and they're technically, you know, under construction because they have done one thing, but there's been no progress in months and months and months. So, I think sussing out like what the definitions for all of these things are and what the procedure will be. Um, and then technically a property where there is an abandoned house that is on the property that is inhab uninhabitable. somebody cannot live there, you cannot move in. It will need to be demolished. Currently, still meets the definition of a residential property and you cannot um yeah, under the definition that's in the charter.

So, that would need a charter change potentially. We'll take a look at it closer and maybe check in with our attorneys to see if there's ways that we could interpret it. Okay. Um but based on our read um there's a structure located there that was meant for a residence.

Yeah, there's kind of you know on one end there's parcels that are you know not being developed for cost reasons or just because there was an advantageous land purchase at the time or what have you. And then on the other end, there's kind of more of like generally people who pass away and then there's no immediate family or there's legal issues with who is going to be taking care of the home and those run into more of like the abandoned or non-inhabitable. Yeah. But those are hard as well because I think frequently they're not paying taxes anyway.

And those may be something where we start to look at our delinquent tax process that we have. We have only done one delinquent tax sale in my tenure at the city of Wooki. Um, and you know, we did have a pretty successful turnout. We had one property that was redeemed and one property that turned over during that tax sale, but it is a pretty lengthy and complicated process. Once you sell a property at tax sale, um the bidder's money is held in an escrow for a one-year redemption period where the previous owner is allowed to repay the taxes that they owed to reacquire their deed.

Um so it it's not right off. Even if we were to sell something at tax sale, it would be still vacant for likely a year. Um the new owner is allowed to develop it, but they generally don't because if they make any investments and it gets redeemed, they lose their investments. That makes sense. Generally they say for tax sales don't do anything for 24 months. 24 months. Makes sense. But

so the um for the p general public's information we realize that some of these properties they're very impactful visually because they're on our quarters. Those are the most obvious ones. Um and of course there's some momentum to try and do something. However, it is actually a very small number of total that are abandoned or vacant or uninhabitable. So, just keep that in mind if if you're feeling angsty about it. It's understandable. But also, we haven't had we haven't like jumped right on it because the opportunity is actually not necessarily enormous. Yeah.

I have a follow-up question, but I think I forgot it. Um with. Yeah, there it is. Um, I have to put stars next to things otherwise I will miss it. Um, and I just remembered that I put stars next to my question. Um, so how soon might we know if a charter change is needed? We literally met today. Um, I just scheduled a meeting for like July or June 9th. Okay. So, let me ask the question behind the question. What would be needed if a charter change is it's determined that we need that?

What would the public notice and comment period be needed? And could we do that with enough time to get it on the f the March town meeting day ballot? Oh, March. Yeah. Yeah. March definitely if we needed to. But I think it's really around if we wanted to apply the 120% to those abandoned properties and then you're just increasing the tax bill that's not currently being paid and and increasing the amount you'd have to sell at tax sale in order to redeem. So, uh it's kind of a catch 22 chicken and egg thing. Like yes, you want to disincentivize somebody from abandoning their home, but if they're not paying their taxes anyway,

it doesn't meet the current definition. And so this would be a change to the existing um do you know how many there are that meet that at least two that I know of? I just that feels like a lot to go through for two properties. Yeah. I think most people's concerns are you know the court or the large you know which are actually vacant land. Yes. That's the definition. How long does a property have to be delinquent on taxes before the city can

you can sell any property at tax sale if it has gone delinquent. So this year if somebody does not pay their May 15th installment, they are technically considered delinquent and you could start the tax sale process. It is not recommended. We don't. Um there's a reason why we Angela's only been through one in 22 years. So we we generally work with residents, particularly those that are still here and working with us. I have people who have delinquent taxes back to at least 05.

Um but they are making payments and they are making progress. Their delinquency actually originally when I started working them dated back to 2003. So, we have really caught them up um to where they are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Um their repayment period is supposed to end in the next two years. We have at least three other accounts on payment plans that are active for delinquent property taxes. There are a handful that we're monitoring where their balances are getting a little hefty, where they might be something that we consider taking to tax sale, but we are pursuing other alternatives um including probate for one. Um Okay.

Yeah. And again, this is a small number. That's why I have never I have not had any inclination to go to a tax sale. Also, some of these it's like I don't know that we need to put someone through that, especially given that our overall delinquency rate is really manageable. Generally, we don't pursue unless there's a couple of years at least for tax sale to make it something that's I think I would be more worried about just the ones that are straight up abandoned, right? Like at what point do we decide to move those? And maybe that's more a policy document as opposed to a full charter change. Yeah, that that would again there's there's like two of those and one of them is the probate matter which

it would be very awkward for the city to do that because we would have to appoint someone and manage someone to go through the probate process. So, we're trying to encourage a relative to go through that. Yeah. May I ask a question? Sometimes the lenders are reaching out and they might do something. So, the one on River Street that that uh the bank was advertising for foreclosure. So it's another alternative. Yeah. Right. When there's an owner because then in that case the bank's the owner, but for one of these there's like technically no technically no. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Um

the question that I have is regarding abandoned houses and just the idea of like if it goes to tax sale that's obviously then more time and labor on the staff in this room. But then I also think if there's an abandoned house, is it potentially time and labor on staff outside of this room in the sense of public safety, in the sense of transient populations or people living rougher, folks experiencing homelessness? Um I love youth. happy in my life, but like are there young kids who don't have a third space and like want to go hang out in there? And so I'm also just sort of thinking about that and I just want to name that. I have no data to back this up, but I just um I'm just also naming that like

Yeah, there's a I might say a couple like that and Justin and John Audi are well aware of those and monitor those and if there starts to be activity then they'll they do something about it. Again, it's not that many properties, but we definitely keep an eye on because it can be a safety hazard for everyone. I just I live right next to an abandoned or an empty lot, a vacant lot. So, I'm just like,

and I hear stories about the property on River Street from other folks that I know that live in the area and just like literally closing the door because it's been like open and, you know, strays are getting in there like things aren't boarded up necessarily. And I think while

I you know I want to second councelor Turkos's comment um and that while in the grand scheme of things the numbers are not high it only takes one property to bring down the the grandless value the sale value of the property next to it or the property across the street from it. And that affects the Grand List, you know, and and interests of the community of attracting folks that want to live here, too.

Yeah. Um there it's rare that anyone says something to me where I think that's a bad idea or not worth doing. It's really about capacity because obviously that's a concern that should be a concern. But yeah, it's a matter of like how do we prioritize? Um, and I'll also mention like if there's a situation like that where there is a door open, then definitely call uh the call city hall so that if we haven't seen it yet, then we're sending someone else to make sure that happens. Yep. Thanks. Thank you. All right, anything else going on?

Uh, yeah. I realized after the last agenda item I forgot to open it up to Angela and Jenny and Paul who um on the FY26 and FY27 commentary to which phase provide a lot of support. So if I could just go back to that. Sure. Anything you wanted to add Angel? I'm pretty sure I was chiming in right along there.

Yeah, I'm all set. Thanks Paul. Yeah, speaking very quickly to um the growth project and all the sort of concerns around this support and I are very advocating for that um using the mosaic template sort of that model. Um, so we've been in very active conversations with the trans and the bridge team and just to sort of let you know at least I have been very aggressive about that appropriately appropriately.

Paul, thank you. Thank you also for managing the Zoom sitting all alone. We're all I know we're all in here. Um thanks Elen for making sure they got to chair. Yeah. Thanks. Okay. Um in that case, uh you need a vote. Yes. Um

actually I guess uh only um only if you feel like you have a full view of what everyone said and are comfortable moving the whole thing for staff to consider. That's be the only thing. Otherwise, I can put it down on paper and then share that out as a draft and then you can approve it at the next council meeting. Sure, let's do that. Does that sound good? Okay, let's do that. All right. Well, uh time is 8:38. I will seek a motion to adjourn of the Swiss city council retreat. So moved. Seconded. All those in favor? I.

Wonderful. Thank you so much everybody. Made up for