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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.24.20 Newsletter City Manager • Mark A. Rohloff City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 920.236.5002 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us DATE: April 24, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and Common Council FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager SUBJECT: Weekly Newsletter 1. STAFF CONTINUES EFFORTS ON COVID COMPLIANCE AND RECOVERY: Following Governor Evers’ extension of the “Safer at Home” order through May 26, and his Executive Order regarding the “Badger Bounce Back” guidelines, Staff is continuing work to ensure that the city stays in compliance with the orders, while at the same time planning for the eventual lifting of restrictions that will return us to normal operations. Staff continues to hold daily weekday briefings of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC). I am pleased to note that we are joined in the EOC by representatives from the Neenah-Menasha Fire Department and the Fox Crossing Fire Department, all of whom are coordinating emergency operation efforts in their respective communities. Additionally, Chief Stanley and I participate in a weekly meeting with representatives of the healthcare systems within the Greater Oshkosh area, as well as other governmental entities, including Winnebago County and UW-Oshkosh. The purpose of the briefings are to share information and resources so we can all maximize our response to the public. Our common goal remains to ensure public health and safety throughout this emergency, and to take the appropriate measures that are being recommended by health professionals to avoid the spread of COVID-19. At the same time, staff is also planning on the return to normal operations. Towards that end, departments are preparing procedures to ease back into full operations, consistent with the Governor’s Executive Orders, as well as procedures for us to reopen while ensuring the safety of our residents and employees. Everything is subject to change, so as more information is released by the state regarding our ability to reopen, we will share this information with the public. Meanwhile, the Oshkosh Public Library will be releasing information on their authorized ability to provide curbside service (for more information see below) as allowed by the most recent Executive Order. We will continue to monitor any other authorized changes so that we may remain responsive. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding our response, please contact me. 2. ASSESSOR’S OFFICE TO HOLD OPEN BOOK AND BOARD OF REVIEW: As required by law the Assessor’s Office will be holding Open Book and Board of Review at the following times.  Open Book: May 4 - 8, 2020, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, City Hall Room 206  Board of Review: May 28, 2020, 9:00 am, City Hall Room 406 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Oshkosh Assessor’s Office will be altering the 2020 Open Book process in the interest of public and employee safety. City Hall will remain closed to the Public, except for Open Book appointments. The attached insert will be included with this year’s change of assessment notice to make sure property owners are made aware of this change. 5/1/2020 Weekly Newsletter 2 3. UPDATE FOR JELD-WEN/STRINGHAM WATERSED OUTFALL RECONSTRUCTION: This Capital Improvement Project (CIP) starts at the intersection of West 5th Avenue and Iowa Street and runs to the Fox River, and includes the vacant parcel on the northeast corner of West 4th Avenue and Michigan Street. The project involves the removal of existing storm sewer, dredging a limited section of a back water channel to the Fox River, dewatering of dredged material, installation of a 6’ x 12’ box culvert, and installation of a box culvert outfall. Beginning the week of April 27th, Advance Construction, Inc. (Advance) and their subcontractors will begin the final phase of improvements and restoration on this project. This will be the last step in being able to complete the outfall reconstruction. This final phase will include the reconstruction of concrete riverwalk pavement, electrical conduits, asphalt paving restoration, sidewalk restoration and grading within the project limits. In order for Advance to complete their work, a section of the Riverwalk will need to be closed. Starting the week of April 27th, the Riverwalk from Oregon Street to approximately Michigan Street on the south side of the Fox River will be closed for approximately fourteen (14) days. If you have any questions about this Contract, please contact Construction Management Supervisor, Mike Blank. 4. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR OSHKOSH PARKS AVAILABLE: Don’t let us have all the fun, come volunteer at our events! Looking to do a little volunteering this year, or do you have kids or grandkids that need some hours? The Oshkosh Parks Department has many opportunities for you at our different facilities. To see all that the Oshkosh Parks Department has to offer for volunteering, visit the new community volunteer website that will list all of our event opportunities: www.volunteeroshkosh.org. We hope to see you at some of our events! If you have any questions about our events or want to volunteer, you can also contact Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager, at (920) 232-5319. 5. HELP NEEDED AS PARKS STAFF PATIENTLY WAITS FOR FACILITIES TO REOPEN: We anxiously await the day that we can open up our parks facilities to the City of Oshkosh and surrounding communities. When we do we will need plenty of smiling faces to work the season at our facilities. If you or someone you know would like to be one of those smiling faces, please be sure to check out the City of Oshkosh Employment Opportunities page to see where you might be able to join in on the fun at our Revenue Facilities which include Menominee Park Children’s Amusement Center, Pollock Community Water Park, and Menominee Park Zoo! For more information contact Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager, at (920) 232-5319 or check our website: https://selfservice.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/MSS/employmentopportunities/default.aspx 6. SUPPORT FROM OUR PARKS FRIENDS: The Oshkosh Parks Department would like to send out a huge shout of THANKS to Walmart Oshkosh. They were kind enough to contact us and make a very generous donation that will help us out with all of our events this summer. During uncertain times one thing is certain, the City of Oshkosh residents and businesses are here to support each other no matter what. Thank you again! 7. VIRTUAL ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION: To keep everyone safe and healthy during this pandemic, the Arbor Day Foundation is suspending the requirement to hold a public Arbor Day celebration in 5/1/2020 Weekly Newsletter 3 2020. Communities will be able to maintain their Tree City, Tree Campus and Tree Line designations in 2020 without meeting this standard. City Forester Bill Sturm along with other professional arborists, landscapers and biologists participated in a virtual Arbor Day event on April 24 through the “UW-Oshkosh Sustainability” Facebook page. Happy Arbor Day Everyone! If you have any questions regarding the virtual Arbor Day event please contact Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager, at (920) 236-5080. 8. CONNECTING WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING: The Oshkosh Seniors Center has been in touch with its participants via email, phone, mail, and social media. It’s hard to know what effects social distancing is having on individuals. The Center plans on surveying participants when they return to better understand the effects of socially distancing. What we are hearing is that people don’t want to be a burden. They are “stretching” their basic needs to make sure they are staying at home as much as possible. One person is freezing her milk in ice cube trays for her cereal each morning. It’s a clever solution, but you wonder what kind of harm is being done as they make these dramatic changes to avoid going out. We hear over and over how much they miss their routines and socializing with friends. This type of sudden change is really challenging. The phone calls we have been able to make have been greatly appreciated. Often we will end up chatting with people for 15 minutes or more. The Center encourages everyone to connect with the older adults they know. In September, the Oshkosh Seniors will be launching “Connecting through Tech”, a comprehensive program aimed at teaching seniors to use technology to avoid being socially isolated. Our contact with participants has demonstrated people with technology skills are faring much better than participants with few skills. The “techy” folks can get to the internet for a class, do a video chat with family and friends, and interact through Facebook. One man held a virtual tasting of a bourbon with his son via Facetime! Another person plays virtual bridge with friends. There are also low tech options for people to use during these times of social distancing, and the Oshkosh Seniors Center will be ready to teach seniors willing to learn upon their return. If you have any questions, please contact Jean Wollerman, Senior Services Manager, at (920) 232-5300. 9. SPECIAL EVENTS UPDATES: All organizers of Council approved special events scheduled in May have been contacted and are working on cancellations and postponements. Special Events staff continue to reach out to these organizers as well as those whose events are scheduled further out. Event organizers continue to look for ways to connect with the community through alternative promotions and on-line activities. They understand and appreciate the need to consider the safety and welfare of our community. I can’t express enough how great they have all been to work with through all of this. The decisions of how to move forward will be dependent on the coming weeks and what restrictions and guidelines will be provided by local, state and federal authorities. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Snell, Special Events Coordinator, at (920) 232-5304. 5/1/2020 Weekly Newsletter 4 10. LIBRARY OFFERS CURBSIDE PICKUP BY APPOINTMENT: Beginning Friday, April 24, the library will offer contactless, curbside pickup by appointment only. Due dates on all items have been extended to June 1. Staff cannot accept in-person returns. Please return materials to the Mount Vernon Street book drop. Curbside Pickup  Place your holds. You can call 236-5205 to request materials (limit 5 items to keep phone calls short), or place holds through the library’s catalog (standard limit of 50). Phones will be staffed during regular business hours.  Schedule a time for pickup. When you receive a call that your items are ready, schedule an appointment for pickup.  Follow the signs. Drive to your assigned pickup stall and call the number on the sign to let us know you have arrived. Alternate arrangements will be made for people who walk or bike to the library, and for those who don't have a mobile phone.  Collect your items. A cart with your checked-out materials will be brought out by a staff member and placed in front of your stall. You also have the option of opening your trunk for items to be placed inside. Please maintain proper social distancing when leaving your vehicle to retrieve your items. Once books are returned, they will be quarantined for at least three days. Holds that were filled before the Safer at Home Order will be the first to be available. Home Delivery and Interlibrary loan remain suspended at this time. Thank you for your patience as we provide services in a new way that’s safe for everyone. Under the Safer at Home Order, the Public Library building remains closed to the public. Wait times may be longer than usual or you may receive a busy signal when you call to request materials, so please be patient. We look forward to seeing you soon! 11. COVID-19 RESOURCE LINKS AND INFORMATION:  Citizen Covid-19 Information Site https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/covid19.aspx.  Centers for Disease Control And Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/  Wisconsin Department Of Health Services https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/  Winnebago County Public Health Department https://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/health/divisions-program-areas/communicable- disease/covid-19-coronavirus/wchd-covid-19-situation 5/1/2020 Weekly Newsletter 5 12. ATTACHED REPORTS & UPDATES: The Oshkosh Public Library April highlights. 13. MEETING MINUTES FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: All meeting minutes are uploaded to the website upon approval. Please follow the link below for the most updated information & meeting minutes: https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/BoardsAndCommissions 14. UPCOMING MEETINGS: The meetings I have scheduled for the week of April 20 include the following: On Monday at 9:00 AM, I will be meeting with Mayor Palmeri to go over Tuesday’s Council Agenda. At 1:00 PM on Wednesday I will be attending the Joint Review Board meeting regarding the amendments to plans for TID #’s 14 and 19 to create additional Revolving Loan Funds (RLF’s). For the remainder of the week I will be available on a limited basis, splitting my time between City Hall and being “on call” for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). If you have any questions, please contact me.