2026-09-09 - City Council
Summary
Built from the official minutes (items 2026-343 to 2026-365). Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted at this meeting. No video or transcript is on file.
- Called to order 6:30 PM and adjourned 10:33 PM. Mayor Marc Gwinn, Councilors Paul Costello, Pelin Kohn, Cary Brown, Jim Sheridan and Ben Doyle present; Sal Alfano excused. Deputy City Clerk Sara McMillon was secretary.
- River hazard interim amendments approved 5-0 and Mayor authorized to sign the letter of intent 5-0.
- First readings of the Open Burning and Building Code ordinances approved 5-0; second hearings set for September 23.
- Zoning and building fee schedule approved 5-0; Housing Committee told to return with housing incentive proposals.
- City Manager authorized 5-0 to approve individual bow hunting requests at Country Club Road (September 15 to December 15, not 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., approved map areas only).
- Tier 1B Act 250 opt-in resolution approved 5-0.
- Complete Streets Committee mission change approved 5-0.
- Appointments, all 5-0: Mayor Gwinn interim Capitol Complex Commission, Jackie Cassino to the Wrightsville Beach Recreation District board, Councilor Brown as VLCT voting delegate, Vicki Kuskowski to the Tree Board.
- Support for a Vermont Bikepackers gravel event at Country Club Road approved 5-0.
- Consent agenda (payroll and warrants; State stormwater grant agreement for the Pioneer Street/Route 2 area) approved 5-0; August 26 minutes accepted 5-0 after separate discussion.
- Homelessness update: shelter sites under review; draft memorandum of understanding with the Unitarian Church requested.
River Hazard Regulation Interim Amendment
- Planning Director Mike Miller said FEMA found the city out of compliance with Class 8 requirements during a Community Rating System review. Hearing 6:36 to 6:38 PM; Stephen Whitaker spoke about the two-minute comment limit.
- Councilor Sheridan moved the interim changes (seconded by Costello), 5-0; Costello moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the letter (seconded by Sheridan), 5-0.
Open Burning Ordinance Amendment
- Fire Chief Derek Libby: updates the code for Act 162 and other state statutes. No public comment (hearing 6:46 PM). Sheridan moved, Brown seconded, 5-0; further consideration September 23.
Building Code Ordinance
- Libby and Miller: Knox boxes for buildings with monitored alarms or sprinklers, and elevators sized for EMS stretchers. No public comment (6:57 PM). Sheridan moved, Kohn seconded, 5-0; second hearing September 23.
Zoning Fee Schedule Revision
- Miller's time-study method: lower fees for administrative permits, higher for Development Review Board permits. Lauren Heirl and Seamus Lombardo proposed a temporary fee holiday to counter developers' perception that the city is unwelcoming. Stephen Whitaker and Rob Goodwin spoke.
- Sheridan moved approval, Kohn seconded, 5-0.
Bow Hunting Authorization
- City Manager McNicholas-Kury asked for authority to approve individual requests. Maurice Martineau, Whitaker and Walt Goodwin spoke. Doyle moved, Kohn seconded, 5-0. Recess 8:44 to 8:54 PM.
Tier 1B Act 250 Opt-In
- Miller: Tier 1A work will start later and is separate. Whitaker addressed the Council. Kohn moved, Doyle seconded, 5-0.
Complete Streets Committee Mission
- Holly Fowler and Corey Line presented. Costello moved, Kohn seconded, 5-0.
Advisory Committee Appointments
- CVSWMD general manager Theron Lay-Sleeper gave an update and noted a vacancy for Montpelier's representative. The Council directed a competitive application process for the Capitol Complex Commission seat (Tim Senter could be reappointed); Sheridan moved the Mayor as interim, 5-0. Wrightsville Beach: one application (Jackie Cassino) for two vacancies, Jon Copans having resigned; Sheridan moved, Doyle seconded, 5-0. VLCT annual meeting October 6: Doyle moved Brown, 5-0. Tree Board: Sheridan moved, Costello seconded, 5-0.
Country Club Road Project
- Parks and Trees Director Alec Ellsworth (virtual) described the Vermont Bikepackers request to camp and use facilities for a Super 8 gravel event. Costello moved support, Doyle seconded, 5-0. See also bow hunting above.
Homelessness Response
- McNicholas-Kury: several properties are being considered for a winter shelter and a permanent emergency shelter. The Unitarian Church wants its MOU extended for the downstairs City Hall space; the Council directed a draft MOU. A Homelessness Committee recommendation on city lockers is awaited.
Public comment, reports and other business
- General business: Stephen Whitaker and Dave Bellini spoke.
- Future agendas: the City Manager discussed scheduling a Council strategic planning retreat.
- Council reports: Kohn and Sheridan praised staff volunteering at the Senior Center; Costello praised the Commission for Recovery and Resilience and a coming river cleanup day.
- Clerk's report: McMillon noted community anxiety about voter registration and absentee ballots as General Election voting nears. City Manager: staffing stabilization and union negotiations. Mayor: river cleanup day and the 25th anniversary of 9/11.