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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.21newsletterCity 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: August 21, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and Common Council FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager SUBJECT: Weekly Newsletter 1. MUSEUM BUILDING UPDATES: Work will begin within the next few weeks! The south side of the Sawyer home will be completed first, then work will move to the north side of the building. As part of the project, Public Works will remove the cast-iron fountain basin from the grounds. This is important not only for the landscape plan but because once the basin is out, we can ensure the old Sawyer artesian well is not playing any part in our water issues. Continuing with other capital projects, Museum staff will soon start the repair of the Carriage House cupola, as well as the replacement of various trim that has deteriorated. 2. COMMERCIAL RENTAL OF DOCKLESS ELECTRIC SCOOTERS: A local resident is interested in growing their dockless electric scooter business in the City of Oshkosh. As a result of these early discussions, staff has researched other Wisconsin municipalities, state statutes, and ordinances, and has begun preparing materials needed to communicate with electric scooter providers who wish to operate their business within the City. In July 2019, the state passed a law legalizing the use of electronic scooters on roadways, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and bicycle ways. Under state law, a city may regulate electronic scooters in certain ways, including restricting scooters on roads in excess of 25 miles per hours, restricting scooters on sidewalks and bicycle ways, and restricting short term commercial rental of scooters to the general public. Potential options for the City to consider at this point could include 1) no regulation on electronic scooters at all, 2) a prohibition on dockless rental systems in the City unless done as part of pilot program, or 3) a complete prohibition on dockless rental systems in the City. In addition, the City may also separately consider restricting electronic scooter usage on roads in excess of 25mph, and on sidewalks. The Traffic and Parking Advisory Board and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee have discussed and made recommendations on this topic at their respective August meetings. We will also seek direction from Council, with the goal of proposing an ordinance for future approval. If you have any questions, please contact Associate Planner Alexa Naudziunas or Transportation Director Jim Collins. Weekly Newsletter 3. GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS PROGRAM UPDATES: The Great Neighborhoods Program deadline has been pushed back to allow neighborhood groups to meet virtually to decide on project applications. The new deadline is September 30, 2020 and virtual decision making will be permitted to accommodate pandemic conditions. After several years of administering the program, staff has made changes to better align with City goals and objectives. The adjustments are featured in the eligibility requirements and the project scoring criteria. The goal of the adjustments were to make the program more equitable and make it easier for neighborhoods who have not received funding in recent years to have a competitive chance of acceptance. We are incentivizing projects with modest budgets and that have already received private fundraising which would leverage city dollars. In an effort to improve ease of implementation, staff encourages projects that align closely with Capital Improvement Projects. Staff hopes to release the details of the proposed changes to Common Council and residents in early September. For questions, please contact Alexa Naudziunas, Associate Planner. 4. NASRO AWARD: The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) selected Officer Mike Wissink as the recipient of the 2020 NASRO National Award of Valor. Officer Wissink was presented with his award during the Opening Ceremonies of the 30th Annual NASRO School Safety Conference held in Orlando, Florida, on August 3-4, 2020. Due to the pandemic, the conference was virtually recorded where it was viewed by conference attendees on August 5, 2020. The NASRO recognized Officer Wissink for the courage, tenacity and heroic actions he showed in his protection of the Oshkosh West High School community during the shooting incident on December 3, 2019. Congratulations to Officer Wissink on this distinguished honor! 5. SECURITY DETAIL: On Monday, August 17, 2020, President Donald Trump stopped for a visit at Basler Flight Service at Wittman Regional Airport. The Oshkosh Police Department partnered with the Wisconsin State Patrol, Brown County Sheriff’s Office and Fond du Lac Police Department to provide safety and security for the Oshkosh community during this event. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to these law enforcement agencies who assisted in making this a successful event. 6. WELCOME TO THE OPD TEAM: On August 3, 2020, the Oshkosh Police Department welcomed two new Community Service Officers to the team, Blake Chapman and Crystal Young. On Monday, August 10, 2020, the Oshkosh Police Department welcomed three new Police Cadets, Jadon Solis, Alexander Canfield and Daniel Pessoa. All 3 Cadets are attending the 18-week Fox Valley Technical College Police Recruit Academy in preparation for their career in law enforcement  Blake Chapman graduated from Oshkosh West High School and is currently enrolled in the Criminal Justice program at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. Prior to becoming a Community Service Officer with the Oshkosh Police Department, Blake was employed at Players Pizza. Weekly Newsletter  Crystal Young is a graduate of Omro High School and is currently enrolled in the Criminal Justice program at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. Before joining the Oshkosh Police Department as a Community Service Officer, Crystal worked at the Fire Escape pottery store, which is owned by her family.  Jadon Solis is originally from Amherst, Wisconsin and currently resides in Menasha. He graduated in 2020 from Fox Valley Technical College with an Associate degree in Criminal Justice. Prior to joining the Oshkosh Police Department as a Police Cadet, he worked for the Oshkosh Police Department as a Community Service Officer as well as a Guest Service Attendant at Kwik Trip in Neenah.  Alexander Canfield is originally from the Village of Jackson, Wisconsin and currently resides in Oshkosh. He graduated in May 2019 with an Associate degree in CNC/Tool & Die Technologies from Moraine Park Technical College. During this time, Alex also attended Waukesha County Technical College where he earned his Firefighter certification. Prior to joining the Oshkosh Police Department as a Police Cadet, he worked as a Machinist at Signicast and he continues to serve as a Volunteer Firefighter in the Village of Jackson.  Daniel Pessoa is originally from Janesville, Wisconsin and currently resides in Oshkosh. He is a 2016 graduate of Marquette University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theology. Prior to joining the Oshkosh Police Department as a Police Cadet, he worked as a Guest Service Attendant at Kwik Trip in Janesville. Welcome to the OPD Team, Blake, Crystal, Jadon, Alexander and Daniel! 7. PROMOTION AND WELL WISHES: On Tuesday, August 11, 2020, during a PFC meeting, Officer Joseph “Sonny” Gogo was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and retired Sergeants Brent Buehler and Daniel Bittner were presented with their retirement shadow boxes:  Sergeant Gogo has been with the Oshkosh Police Department since May 2016. During his tenure with the Department, he has earned a Department Commendation for his meritorious actions during the Oshkosh West High School incident on December 3, 2019. Sergeant Gogo has served as a Background Investigator, a member of the Mental Health and Resiliency Committee and as a School Resource Officer since August 12, 2019. Prior to his employment with the Oshkosh Police Department, Sergeant Gogo worked as a Police Officer for the Houston, Texas, Police Department for 5 years and most recently served as a Police Officer with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Police Department. Sergeant Gogo is assigned to 2nd shift Patrol. Congratulations Sergeant Gogo!  Sergeant Brent Buehler proudly served the Oshkosh Police Department and the City of Oshkosh for 30 years, including 27 years on 3rd shift Patrol and more than 11 years as a Patrol Sergeant after his promotion in 2008. During his tenure with the Department, Brent served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, and a member of the SWAT and Tactical Teams. He was awarded several medals during his career, including a Medal of Valor, Distinguished Service Medals, Department Weekly Newsletter Commendations, and was named Supervisor of the Year in 2019. We want to sincerely thank Brent for his exceptional service and dedication to the Oshkosh Police Department and to the Oshkosh community. We wish him the very best for a healthy and happy retirement!  Sergeant Daniel Bittner proudly served the Oshkosh Police Department and the City of Oshkosh for 30 years. During his tenure with the Department, he served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, and a School Resource Officer. Dan served a total of 13 years as a School Resource Officer, with 10 of those years at Oshkosh North High School where he also volunteered as a coach. He received two formal Letters of Commendation for major investigations he completed while at North High School. In 2014, Dan was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. We want to sincerely thank Dan for his exceptional service and dedication to the Oshkosh Police Department and to the Oshkosh community. Congratulations! 8. COVID-19 RESOURCE LINKS AND INFORMATION: o Citizen Covid-19 Information Site: https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/covid19.aspx o Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/ o Wisconsin Department of Health Services: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ o Winnebago County Public Health Department: https://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/health/divisions-program- areas/communicable-disease/covid-19-coronavirus/wchd-covid-19-situation 9. ATTACHED REPORTS & UPDATES: Attached is the weekly Museum Board Memo and August Highlights from the Oshkosh Public Library. 10. 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://onboard.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/. 11. UPCOMING MEETINGS: At 2:00 PM on Monday I will be meeting with Mayor Palmeri to go over Tuesday’s council agenda. At 4:00 PM I will be attending the virtual Day by Day Warming Shelter Board Meeting. I will be on vacation Friday August 28. If you have any questions regarding my schedule, please contact me.