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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.04.20 Newsletter DATE: December 4, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and Common Council FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager SUBJECT: Weekly Newsletter 1. COOPERATIVE WEATHER = PROJECT COMPLETION! Since spring, Menominee Park Zoo and its team have been working with a newly introduced pack of wolves with great concentration on developing social behaviors between the two female and one male wolves. The wolves were having difficulty adjusting to their new surroundings so zoo staff made the decision to look into other options for their placement. Through continued communication with the organization which provided the wolves to us, we were able to develop a plan to relocate the current pack and introduce a sibling pack (1 male / 2 females) that were born in captivity in May 2020. The new pack made Menominee Park Zoo its home on November 4th. We are excited about their arrival and look forward to seeing them develop and become an icon of the zoo. 2. DON’T FORGET OUR PARKS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON:  Spanbauer Field - As you get around to the parks to enjoy the weather, please be sure to swing by Spanbauer Field to view the renovations to the athletic facility. In addition, next spring when you come out to view a ball game, be sure to check out the newly renovated restrooms.  Roe Park - Check out Roe Park, as we have developed a permanent home for the ice rink that was previously installed at Riverside Park. This site will be level and more manageable for installing and maintaining the rink, and we hope patrons will enjoy a more intimate and protected setting from winter conditions while skating. We appreciate the partnerships we have established with Winnebago County, the YMCA, Oshkosh Recreation Department, Dr. Eric’s Skate Club, Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau. Watch for fun and exciting programs and events being planned for the rink on the Parks Department website.  Menominee Park - Don’t forget to stroll through Menominee Park as Celebration of Lights celebrates its 2020 season. Enjoy the season ahead and stay healthy! If you have any questions regarding the parks, please contact Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director at (920) 236-5080. 3. HELP US #FINDERNIETHEELF: Just because the weather outside might be getting chilly doesn’t mean you can’t get out and enjoy our FABULOUS Oshkosh Parks! We wanted to provide a fun, family-friendly activity and hope that you will take part in it. Beginning December 1 we are going to have Ernie the Elf hiding in our parks. Each week on Tuesday and Friday we will post a new clue to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OshkoshParks to help you find what park Ernie is in. If you figure it out, be sure to head on down with the family to find him. If you find him, snap a picture of your family with Ernie in his hiding spot and post to Facebook using the hashtag #FindErnietheElf to let everyone know you found him! Then bring him down to the Oshkosh Parks Department at 805 Witzel Ave to trade him in for fun prizes! Be sure to use the hashtag #FindErnietheElf throughout the game to be entered into more fun drawings! Once Ernie is found, we will move him along to another park for you to explore. For more information about #FindErnietheElf be sure to visit our website at: https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Parks/WinterFun or contact Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager, at (920) 232-5319. 4. PLANTING TREES, IT’S WHAT WE DO: The Landscape Operations Division recently completed the installation of 200 terrace trees throughout the Sawyer/Paine and Congress Field Neighborhood Association areas. The project focused on species diversity and included nine different types of trees. The project was funded through a WI DNR Urban Forestry Grant and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation ‘Taking Root’ Program. For questions regarding this project and more tree plantings please contact Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager, at (920) 236-5080. 5. REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONES WITH A MEMORIAL TREE: There were 26 new trees added throughout several parks in the City of Oshkosh 2020 due to donations through the Memorial Tree program. Many thanks to all of the donors who assisted with funding the program and helping us to add new trees to keep the urban forest thriving. For more information on the Memorial Tree Program you can print off a brochure at https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Parks/ or call the Parks Department at (920) 236-5080. 6. THANK YOU VETERANS: Over the years our military has shown their abilities to adapt to change and so the Oshkosh Seniors Center embraced their philosophies of flexibility this Veterans Day. Usually, we would hold a lunch to honor the Veterans of the Oshkosh Seniors Center but this year we decided to be as safe as possible and hold a “Drive-Through Event” to say thanks to all that have served. Mayor Lori Palmeri helped to hand out lunches and chat with participating Veterans. Many of the Veterans shared stories about their youth and memories overseas or at bases in the United States. It’s quite a privilege to share our thanks to these special individuals that served in our military forces. 7. SPECIAL EVENT PLANNING FOR 2021: Each year around this time, organizers begin planning for the upcoming year. We see a good deal of applications beginning to be submitted. This year is no different. With the hopes that 2021 will look slightly different than this past year, organizers are submitting applications with normal plans in place. This year, however, as we have been doing since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, we will be requesting they provide us with alternative plans in the event we are faced with similar challenges. This year many organizers chose to cancel their events, while others pressed on, changing logistics to accommodate for social distancing, masking and added cleaning and disinfecting measures. While events continue to be planned, we may see some of these modifications become the “new normal”, remaining in place long after the pandemic is over. It is our hope that as the pandemic situation improves, Special Events will once again thrive in our community. Until then, we will continue to work with the Winnebago County Health Department and our event organizers to ensure events are able to meet recommendations provided to them. Should you wish to host a special event or have any questions regarding doing so please contact Kathy Snell, Special Event Coordinator, at (920) 232-5304. 8. WELCOME AND CONGRATULATIONS: On Monday, November 30, 2020, the Oshkosh Police Department welcomed Penny Knoll as its newest Records and Reports Clerk.  Penny Knoll currently resides in the Van Dyne area. She graduated with an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Fox Valley Technical College and went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Marian University. Prior to beginning her employment as a Records and Reports Clerk, Penny spent 12 years with the Fond du Lac County Jail, earning the rank of Sergeant. She was most recently employed at FZE Manufacturing. Welcome to the OPD Team Penny! On Tuesday, December 1, 2020, during a virtual Police and Fire Commission meeting, the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the promotions of the following individuals:  Captain Kevin Konrad has been with the Oshkosh Police Department for over 30 years beginning in March of 1990. Captain Konrad is a graduate of both the Criminal Justice Executive Development Institute and the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Command College. During his tenure with the department, he has performed the duties of a Patrol Officer, Police School Liaison Officer, Crime Prevention Sergeant, Patrol Sergeant, Professional Standards Division Lieutenant where he served for 8 years as the department’s Accreditation Manager, and most recently served as a Lieutenant in the Patrol Division. Captain Konrad has served as a Field Training Officer, a member of the TAC and SWAT Teams and continues to actively serve as a member of the Honor Guard. Throughout his career, he has received numerous letters of recognition in addition to earning Letters of Commendation in 1991 and 2006 for actions in the line of duty.  Lieutenant Michael Hotter has been with the Oshkosh Police Department for 10 years beginning in February of 2010. Lieutenant Hotter served 8 years in the United States Marine Corps, completing one tour of duty in Iraq. During his tenure with the department, he has performed the duties of a Patrol Officer and Patrol Sergeant. Lieutenant Hotter has served as a Field Training Officer and currently serves as a Firearms Instructor, Background Investigator, Sig Sauer and Colt Armorer and is an active member of the Crisis Negotiations Team. During his career, he earned 2 Department Commendation awards in 2018 and 2019, a Noteworthy Performance of Duty award in 2020 as well as several Supervisor’s Logs for his commendable actions in the line of duty.  Sergeant Kyle Roberts has been with the Oshkosh Police Department for 9 years beginning in April of 2011. Sergeant Roberts served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, earning the rank of Sergeant (E5) and serving one tour of duty in Afghanistan where he was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. During his tenure with the department, Sergeant Roberts has performed the duties of Patrol Officer, earning a Lifesaving award in 2016 and a Medal of Valor in 2017 for his commendable actions in the line of duty. Sergeant Roberts actively serves as a Field Training Officer, Suicide Prevention trainer, a member of the SWAT Team and is the Coordinator for the Winnebago Area Peer Support Team. 9. 2020 SHOP WITH A COP: The Oshkosh Police Department participated in this year’s Shop With A Cop event at Walmart on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. Generous donations from organizations such as Walmart, PepsiCo and TelecomPioneers Wisconsin Chapter #4 made this year’s Shop With A Cop possible! Due to the pandemic this year, the Shop With A Cop program looked a little different than it has in the past. Typically Police Officers shopped with children who bought gifts for their family members and themselves. This year, 10 families were chosen to receive $400 in gifts per family! Police Officers and employees of the police department purchased gifts from each family’s wish list then wrapped and delivered them to the families. A sincere thank you to the donors and volunteers who make this program such a success and provide an opportunity for the police department and the community to come together to provide a heartwarming holiday season for Oshkosh families. 10. 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 11. ATTACHED REPORTS & UPDATES: Attached please find the weekly Museum Board memo. 12. 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/. 13. UPCOMING MEETINGS: Among the meetings I have scheduled for the week of December 7 include the following: At 7:30 AM on Monday, I will be meeting with Mayor Palmeri to go over Tuesday's Council agenda. At 2:00 PM I will be meeting with Museum Director Larson to receive an update for the landscape plan for the Museum. At 4:00 PM on Tuesday I will be meeting with staff to discuss redevelopment opportunities within the city. At 3:00 PM on Wednesday I will be meeting with staff to discuss plans for “State of the City 2021” and what accommodations we should make for what will likely be a virtual event. At 7:30 AM on Thursday I will be attending the virtual GOEDC Executive Committee meeting. If you have any questions regarding my schedule, please contact me.