HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesPROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
CITY OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN
OCTOBER 27, 2020
REGULAR MEETING held Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. virtually.
Mayor Palmeri presided.
PRESENT: Council Members Lynnsey Erickson, Bob Poeschl, Michael Ford, Deb
Allison-Aasby, Jake Krause, Matt Mugerauer, and Mayor Lori Palmeri
ALSO PRESENT: Mark Rohloff, City Manager; Pamela Ubrig, City Clerk; and Lynn
Lorenson, City Attorney
Council Member Erickson read the Invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Erickson.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Palmeri proclaimed October 26 through October 30, 2020 as Take Back the Week.
Alicia Johnson, Director of UW-Oshkosh Women's Center, thanked Council for their
support and encouraged citizens to visit the Take Back the Week Facebook page.
CITIZEN STATEMENTS
Mayor Palmeri indicated Council had received an email from Heidi Supple regarding the
closing of Golden Corral.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Report of Bills by the Finance Director
Resolution 20-426 Approval of Cash & Investments Report – Year to Date ending
7/31/2020
Resolution 20-427 Grant Electric Easement at 811 E. Murdock Avenue (Plan Commission
Recommends Approval)
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – OCTOBER 27, 2020
2
Resolution 20-428 Approve Appointments to the following Boards & Commissions:
Long Range Finance Committee
Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Transit Advisory Board
Resolution 20-429 Disallowance of Claim by Kelly Jolin
Resolution 20-430 Approve Combination “Class A” License
MOTION: ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA (Mugerauer; second, Allison-Aasby)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Poeschl, Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer,
Mayor Palmeri
ACTION TAKEN ON ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Ordinance 20-431 Approve Closure of Ohio Street from West 17th Avenue to West 20th
Avenue (Staff Recommends Waiving the Rules & Adopting on First
Reading)
MOTION: SUSPEND RULES (Ford; second, Krause)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Poeschl, Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer,
Mayor Palmeri
MOTION: ADOPT (Poeschl; second, Krause)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Poeschl, Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer,
Mayor Palmeri
Mayor Palmeri asked for the project timeline.
James Rabe, Director of Public Works, explained the contractor would be working on the
manholes and that one lane would be open during the update. He stated the street closure
was projected to last two weeks.
Ordinance 20-432 Approve Closure of Bowen Street from East Melvin Avenue to East
New York Avenue (Staff Recommends Waiving the Rules & Adopting
on First Reading)
MOTION: SUSPEND RULES (Mugerauer; second, Poeschl)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Poeschl, Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer,
Mayor Palmeri
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – OCTOBER 27, 2020
3
MOTION: ADOPT (Mugerauer; second, Krause)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Poeschl, Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer,
Mayor Palmeri
Mayor Palmeri asked for the timeline of the project.
James Rabe, Director of Public Works, explained the work would take one week beginning
on November 9, 2020.
Resolution 20-433 Approve Extension with Running Inc., for Non-Ambulatory
Paratransit Service
MOTION: ADOPT (Mugerauer; second, Ford)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Poeschl, Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer,
Mayor Palmeri
Mayor Palmeri asked for a summary.
Jim Collins, Director of Transportation, explained the contract was for citizens who were
unable to use the fixed bus route or use ambulatory services. He stated the cost increase
was due to increased wages and the decreased number of rides. He stated the City paid
per ride for the 24 hour 7 days a week service. He explained the extension of the contract
would allow time for the City to evaluate the service as well as the opportunity to bid both
the ambulatory and non-ambulatory proposal.
Mayor Palmeri stated Federal and State operating grants covered 53% of the additional
cost, Winnebago County covered 30% and the City absorbed 17% through the Go Transit
Fund Balance.
Resolution 20-434 Accept Gift of Rectangular Rapidly Flashing Beacons & Associated
Signage from Winnebago County Aging & Disability Resource Center
to be used for the Crosswalks at the Roundabout on Washburn Street
& West 9th Avenue
MOTION: ADOPT (Allison-Aasby; second, Poeschl)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Poeschl, Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer,
Mayor Palmeri
Mayor Palmeri asked for a description.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – OCTOBER 27, 2020
4
Mr. Rohloff explained the flashing beacon would be the same as the signs at Jackson Street
and Murdock Avenue.
Resolution 20-435 Approve Conditional Use Permit to Allow a Roof Mounted Small
Solar Energy System at 924 South Sawyer Street (Plan Commission
Recommends Approval)
MOTION: ADOPT (Erickson; second, Mugerauer)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Poeschl, Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer,
Mayor Palmeri
Resolution 20-436 Approve Conditional Use Permit to Allow a Residential Group
Development Located at the East 3200 Block of White Tail Lane (Plan
Commission Recommends Approval)
MOTION: ADOPT (Ford; second, Allison-Aasby)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Poeschl, Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer,
Mayor Palmeri
Resolution 20-437 Approve 2021 Business Improvement District Operating Plan &
Budget
MOTION: ADOPT (Krause; second, Ford)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Poeschl, Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer,
Mayor Palmeri
Mr. Rohloff stated the Business Improvement District’s (BID) concern was the funding for
parking and asked the City to consider a solution for the future. He explained the BID
would continue to contribute $15,000 to the parking fund.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION, DIRECTION TO CITY MANAGER & FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Palmeri stated the 2021 budget schedule started on October 30, 2020 with a review
of the budget amendments draft.
Mr. Van Gompel, Director of Finance, explained the two documents that were provided to
Council included the budget enhancements which contained both the impact to the levy
and the enhancements that did not impact the levy. He stated the tax levy spreadsheet was
also updated to include financials from the State of Wisconsin for the equalized value and
a revised estimate of fair market ratio. He asked if Council wanted to see any further
information.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – OCTOBER 27, 2020
5
Mr. Rohloff explained Council can introduce enhancements that could be considered
within the budget and reminded Council staff needed to be aware of any additional
enhancements. He mentioned the updated documents would be provided to Council. He
explained on November 4, 2020 the budget hearing would be held at 5:00 p.m. and
immediately followed by the Budget Workshop on November 6, 2020 with the budget
amendments draft II would be presented to Council. He stated the budget approval would
be on November 10, 2020.
Mr. Van Gompel stated the expenditure constraint would be forthcoming with the
certification of allowable increases.
Mr. Rohloff explained staff had promoted the budget hearing to encourage citizen
participation.
Mayor Palmeri suggested including tuition reimbursement incentives.
Mr. Van Gompel explained the City could do a onetime transfer from the general fund to
an internal services benefit fund.
Mayor Palmeri suggested the housing incentive as well.
Mr. Rohloff stated the joint workshop regarding the Jackson Street Corridor & Safety Study
would be held on October 29, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Allen Davis, Director of Community Development, explained the board and commission
received the notice for virtual presentation and would be recorded for future information.
He state the recommendations would be brought to Council in December.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS & STATEMENTS
Report of Council Liaison for Boards & Commissions
Council Member Ford provided an update on the collaborative effort to mitigate the effects
of COVID-19. He stated Council members had met with representatives from the business
and health community and shared various branded materials for the positive marketing
messaging campaign.
Council Member Allison-Aasby expressed her appreciation for the collaboration with the
various partners.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – OCTOBER 27, 2020
6
Council Member Erickson
Transit Advisory Board
Para Transit RFP
COVID-19 Go Transit precautions being purchased
Free Transit Day November 3, 2020
Council Member Ford
Plan Commission
Discussed analysis to impediment to fair housing choice report
Mayor Palmeri
Chairs of Boards and Commissions
Discussed New Members to Boards
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
Regional Strategic Plan Update Coming January 2021
Economic Impact Study Biking and Walking
Upcoming 2021 Transportation Increase
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Focused on topics for future recommendations
Mr. Rohloff stated the City’s main website had been updated to include translation
through google translate. He explained over 50 different languages were spoken within
the Oshkosh Area School District.
Mayor Palmeri stated once the COVID-19 marketing materials were added to the City
website google translate would also be able to translate those items.
Mayor Palmeri shared that the Ahmadiyya Mosque would host a community blood drive
at 300 N. Eagle Street on November 5th, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS & STATEMENTS
Mr. Rohloff stated in-person absentee voting was available through October 30, 2020 at
City Hall. He explained over 18,000 absentee ballots had been mailed out or in-person
voted. He stated the City had over 36,500 voters. He explained over 14,500 absentee ballots
had been returned and the deadline was November 3, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.
Mr. Rohloff stated Trick or Treat would be held on October 31, 2020 and mentioned social
distancing ideas such as table on the porch or handing candy through alternative ideas.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – OCTOBER 27, 2020
7
He explained GO Transit free fare day would be on November 3, 2020. He informed
Council of a purchase of PPE Extractor & Dryers Using Routes to Recovery Funding
($46,710.50) for the Oshkosh Fire Department. He stated the outstanding issues were
provided to Council.
Mr. Rohloff stated the Jefferson Street alleged meeting that was held 10 years ago did not
happen. He explained the information to the citizen.
Mayor Palmeri explained the neighbors had asked Council to explore legal options as it
related to ordinances to be followed up on.
Mr. Rohloff stated transitional housing did not only house sex offenders.
Ms. Lorenson stated staff would review cases in surrounding municipalities to gain
insight.
Mr. Rohloff explained the City would monitor the cases to assist with zoning and planning
information as well.
Mike Stanley, Fire Chief, stated COVID-19 cases had increased and more testing centers
had opened in surrounding counties. He explained contract tracing would be done by 30
full time employees, the county was overwhelmed and had spent over $150,000 a month
for contact tracing due to the volume of cases.
Mr. Rohloff stated the targeted re-open date for City Hall was tentatively November 6,
2020. He explained he would evaluate the situation with the positive cases before the
potential date.
Mayor Palmeri suggested to keep the information on the City website up to date.
Mr. Rohloff stated the senior center website had continued to update their website as well.
Mayor Palmeri asked that the COVID-19 hotline phone number 920-232-0326 for testing
and information be added.
Council Member Mugerauer requested an update on the library public access be sent to
Council.
MOTION: ADJOURN (Mugerauer, second Allison-Aasby)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Poeschl, Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer,
Mayor Palmeri
The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
PAMELA R. UBRIG
CITY CLERK