HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.12.21 Newsletter
DATE: February 12, 2021
TO: Honorable Mayor and Common Council
FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager
SUBJECT: Weekly Newsletter
1. GOVERNOR EVERS TO PROPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX: Attached is a press
release from Governor Tony Evers’ office regarding a proposal in the upcoming state budget
to allow cities and counties with a population of 30,000 or greater to enact a 0.5% local sales
tax. The League of Wisconsin Municipalities made us aware of this proposal, and the details
are similar to the information contained in the Governor’s press release.
Due to partisan division between the executive and legislative branches, I have doubts that
this proposal will go anywhere. With that said, the council has consistently discussed the
need to have local control over our finances, and this certainly qualifies as an area of local
control. Because the proposal includes authority to enact a tax by local referendum, this gives
the local residents total control over this decision.
As this is a local control issue, I will certainly be advocating for this provision, but recognize
that this is a delicate policy issue for the Council. I would suggest that Council have this as
a topic for our March 11 meeting with our legislators, and place it on a subsequent Council
agenda for discussion. If you have any other thoughts or questions on the matter, please
contact me.
2. CITY TO KEEP ALL MEETINGS VIRTUAL: In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
and the ongoing federal, state and local advisories to practice social distancing and avoid the
congregation of crowds, all Council, board, commission, and committee meetings will
remain as virtual through April 30, 2021. As a reminder, City Hall is open to the public.
3. LIBRARY EXPANDS SERVICES: Browsing is back at Oshkosh Public Library! Starting
February 10, the library welcomed patrons back to browse the shelves for materials and is
once again allowing computer use, printing, faxing and device charging without an
appointment. Masks and physical distancing are required. Programs remain virtual and
gathering is prohibited. Children ages 12 and under must be with an adult. Complete
information about library services is at http://bit.ly/3a1fxuT.
While the library has been serving the community throughout the pandemic, local COVID
case data and adherence to CDC-recommended safety precautions led to the decision to
allow patrons into the building on a wider basis. Many thanks to community members for
their continued support. Welcome back!
4. VIRTUAL AUTHOR VISIT: The library is pleased to welcome Kate Messner, the featured
author for this year’s Wild Winter Read Off, for a virtual visit on Saturday February 27 at 10
a.m. Get to know this dynamic, award-winning author and former middle school teacher via
Zoom. Those who aren’t participating in the reading program can for the Zoom call at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpdOGuqjkoHNxY8CYxfZH1byNHEOSfEkEc
5. 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/.
6. 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
7. UPCOMING MEETINGS: Among the meetings I have scheduled for the week of February
15 include the following: At 10:30 AM on Monday I will be meeting with staff to discuss
changes to the GOEDC Emergency Response Loan (ERL) program. At noon I will be virtually
attending a presentation sponsored the Wisconsin Herd/Milwaukee Bucks regarding Race,
Sports and Leadership. On Tuesday at 11:00 AM I will be attending a meeting with staff
regarding changes to our budget document. At 1:30 PM I will be attending a planning session
for a panel I will be on regarding Career Advice for a City Management Conference
scheduled for the first week of March. At 8:30 AM on Wednesday I will be doing my monthly
morning interview on WOSH with Bob Burnell. At 10:00AM on Thursday I will be attending
a virtual WCMA Regional meeting. At 10:00 AM on Friday I will be attending the virtual
WCMA Mini Winter Conference. If you have any questions regarding my attendance at any
of these meetings, please contact me.