HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesPROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
CITY OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN
SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
SPECIAL MEETING held Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 8:25 p.m. in Council Chambers,
City Hall after the Transitional Housing Workshop.
Mayor Palmeri presided.
PRESENT: Council Members Lynnsey Erickson, Bob Poeschl, Michael Ford, Deb
Allison-Aasby, Jake Krause, and Mayor Lori Palmeri
EXCUSED: Council Member Mugerauer
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.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION, DIRECTION TO CITY MANAGER & FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Palmeri suggested holding joint meeting with the Winnebago County Health
Department, Chamber of Commerce, Oshkosh Convention Center & Visitors Bureau,
Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, Tavern League & Common
Council to discuss options to keep businesses open while reducing community spread
during the pandemic.
Council Member Ford suggested a workshop with the business community to discuss
current practices. He mentioned creating a COVID-19 task force with business owners and
representatives to gain the perspective of what was needed, what precautions were
already in place and how decisions of the Council would affect the business community.
Mayor Palmeri mentioned a topic to be discussed could be best practices from the
businesses and stated there had been a variety of interest from citizens and businesses.
She expressed the urgency to schedule the task force meeting.
Council Member Allison-Aasby asked what Council’s intended outcome would be. She
stated the numbers received were for the County of Winnebago not specific to Oshkosh
and asked for specific numbers related to Oshkosh cases.
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Mayor Palmeri explained that the highest infected areas within the City were Census
Track 5 located along the river to Irving East of Main and Census Track 7 which was
located within the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus.
Council Member Allison-Aasby asked what type of housing was located in the areas and
questioned if the Council would hinder businesses who complied to the new restrictions.
Mayor Palmeri explained the intent was to have a meeting with business owners to discuss
options and allow the Attorney’s Office to advise Council further.
Deputy Mayor Krause stated his support for a meeting that was equitable for all parties
involved. He expressed the need for businesses and stakeholders to take ownership for
their part in the process.
Council Member Erickson stated her support for a meeting to find solutions together. She
explained weekly updated data by municipality was available on the Winnebago County
Health Department website.
Mayor Palmeri stated the meeting would allow everyone to share resources.
Council Member Poeschl expressed his concerns with the timing of the meeting and
suggested Council should hold the meeting as soon as possible.
Mr. Rohloff stated the Winnebago County Health Department would describe the current
COVID-19 situation as uncontrolled community spread. He indicated he would reach out
to businesses and groups interested.
Mayor Palmeri mentioned creating rules for businesses would not be enforceable.
Mr. Rohloff stated a topic of discussion for the meeting would be “what the community
could do to reduce the spread” and mentioned staff would arrange a meeting. He asked
Council to respond based on their availability.
Council Member Allison-Aasby expressed the meeting should be held sooner rather than
later.
Deputy Mayor Krause explained having the community support would be instrumental
to stop the spread and explained the meeting should be held soon.
Mr. Rohloff stated he would schedule the meeting for next week.
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Council Member Poeschl suggested to include day time options.
MOTION: ADJOURN (Allison-Aasby, second, Ford)
CARRIED: VOICE VOTE
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
PAMELA R. UBRIG
CITY CLERK