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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesPROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN FEBRUARY 11, 2020 REGULAR MEETING held Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall Mayor Palmeri presided. PRESENT: Council Members Deb Allison-Aasby, Steven Herman, Matt Mugerauer, Jake Krause, Bob Poeschl, Bill Miller and Mayor Lori Palmeri ALSO PRESENT: Mark Rohloff, City Manager; Pamela Ubrig, City Clerk; Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney and Jim Collins, Director of Transportation Council Member Allison-Aasby read the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Lucinda and Austin Housworth from Shapiro STEM Academy. PRESENTATION Pam Ruder, Executive Director of Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods, gave an update on the 2019 Greater Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhood. She explained the organization added 3 additional neighborhood associations for a total of 18 and stated the organization provided education to the neighborhoods on how to engage with their neighborhood. She mentioned the 4,201 volunteer hours that was valued at $106,831 and stated Rock the Block had begun which was a program that provided revitalization to neighborhoods. Mayor Palmeri asked if the total investment included the in-kind volunteer hours. Ms. Ruder confirmed it did include those hours. Mayor Palmeri encouraged the community to participate in Rock the Block. CITIZEN STATEMENTS Larry Luther, 23 E. New York Avenue, explained his concern regarding the transitional living program located on 1105 Jefferson Street. Mayor Palmeri asked what he would like Council to do. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 11, 2020 2 Mr. Luther explained he would like to have Council consider the areas where the transitional living programs were located and to review the process of how long the individuals stay in the home. Council Member Allison-Aasby stated the City would begin discussions with the partners to see if there was an alternate location. Deputy Mayor Herman suggested a change to the ordinance with regarding neighborhood restrictions or discuss an alternative location that would continue to provide the services to clients and create a plan for the future. Mayor Palmeri stated the situation had been previously addressed and agreed there would be a discussion with the key partners. She mentioned a workshop to further the discussion. Mr. Rohloff stated the topic would be added to the February 25, 2020 Council agenda for discussion. ACTION TAKEN ON ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Ordinance 20-58 Approve Zone Change from Urban Mixed Use District (UMU) to Urban Mixed Use District with a Planned Development Overlay (UMU-PD) for Properties Located at the 700 Block of South Main Approved) MOTION: ADOPT (Mugerauer; second, Poeschl) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mugerauer, Krause, Poeschl, Miller, Mayor Palmeri Mayor Palmeri asked for a summary of the planned development overlay. Mark Lyons, Planning Service Manager, stated the planned development overlay provided the ability to make sure the City standards were met. He explained the overlay provided flexibility to the property owner and provide public input. Ordinance 20-59 Approve Request to Attach to the City from Town of Nekimi / Williams Voluntary Attachment; 3403 Oregon Street MOTION: ADOPT (Herman; second, Allison-Aasby) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mugerauer, Krause, Poeschl, Miller, Mayor Palmeri PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 11, 2020 3 Ordinance 20-60 Designate Bike Lanes on Snell Road from Jackson Street to Moser Street (Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee / Traffic & Parking Advisory Board Recommend Approval) FIRST READING: LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES Resolution 20-61 Approve Specific Implementation Plan Amendment for Construction of a Detail Facility at 355 North Washburn Street (Plan Commission Recommends Approval MOTION: ADOPT (Mugerauer; second, Allison-Aasby) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mugerauer, Krause, Poeschl, Miller, Mayor Palmeri Resolution 20-62 Approve Special Class “B” License, Operator Licenses & Taxi-Cab Driver License MOTION: ADOPT (Herman; second, Mugerauer) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mugerauer, Krause, Poeschl, Miller, Mayor Palmeri Resolution 20-63 Approve Agreement in Principle to Provide Free Transit Service for Oshkosh Area School District Students MOTION: ADOPT (Mugerauer; second, Allison-Aasby) MOTION: AMEND WORDING FROM A 3 YEAR COMMITMENT TO A 2 YEAR COMMITMENT ENDING IN 2022 (Herman; second, Miller) CARRIED: Ayes (6) Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mugerauer, Poeschl, Miller, Mayor Palmeri Noes (1) Krause VOTE ON RESOLUTION AS AMENDED: CARRIED: Ayes (7) Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mugerauer, Krause, Poeschl, Miller, Mayor Palmeri Jon Doemel, 1923 Doemel Street, stated his support to provide students free public transportation. Hannah Dumke, 515 Madison Street, stated she was a school social worker for Merrill Elementary / Middle and Oaklawn Elementary Schools and she explained the student PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 11, 2020 4 attendance and truancy issues. She stated her support for the free public transportation for students. Mayor Palmeri asked how much of her time was related to providing transportation needs. Ms. Dumke expressed a large amount of her time was to make sure students had their transportation needs met. Mayor Palmeri ask if the schools received bus passes. Ms. Dumke explained students who qualify as experiencing homelessness would receive a bus pass and other situations were reviewed on a case by case basis. She explained the bus passes were provided by the school district, organizations or private donors. Council Member Miller asked how many students were effected. Ms. Dumke explained 25% of her students. Lynnsey Erickson, 112 Otter Avenue, Community Health Strategist, Winnebago County Health Department, stated her support to provide transportation to students in the community. She explained the transportation would allow students to access needed services and opportunities within the community. Joyce Frohn, 425 Congress Avenue, expressed her support to provide transportation for all students. Susan Franz, 1790 Wendy Way, Neenah, stated access for students would provide them greater opportunities. Eric Johnson, 1014 E. Irving Avenue, expressed his support for the free transportation to allow students to have access to multiple opportunities. Deb Martin, 164 Wyldewood Drive, stated her support for free transportation to students. Tracy Ogden, 8021 Cavendish Road, Neenah, spoke on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh, she explained the club provided various services to students after school and the free transportation would assist in their efforts. Mayor Palmeri asked if the Boys and Girls Club was a part of the discussion regarding the transit development plan. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 11, 2020 5 Ms. Ogden stated they were a part of the discussion and the issue was with City bussing that ended at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Palmeri asked how much was spend on bus tokens and if the Boys and Girls Club had other transportation. Ms. Ogden confirmed between $7,000 - $8,000 was spend on bus tokens and the organization had three vans and a bus, the barrier to add another bus was securing a driver with a CDL. Council Member Miller asked how many kids did the tokens serve. Ms. Ogden stated she did not have that number. Council Member Miller asked what percentage would resolve the transportation issue. Ms. Ogden stated between 30% – 40%. Sister MaryJo Selinksky, 2280-D Patriot Lane, stated her support to provide free transportation to students. Bill Vanlopik, 2518 W. Sunnyview Circle, Grand Chute, expressed his support to provide free public transportation. Elizabeth Hengest, 425 Congress Avenue, explained her experience with no transportation to and from school. Deputy Mayor Herman stated that Council Member Poeschl should not participate due to the conflict of interest with the school board. Council Member Allison-Aasby felt Council Member Poeschl could make that decision. Council Member Miller expressed he did not believe there was a conflict of interest. Council Member Krause stated Council Member Poeschl would not have a financial gain. Mayor Palmeri stated she was comfortable with Council Member Poeschl’s participation in the vote. Council Member Krause thanked the citizens for their input on the topic and expressed his support for the resolution. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 11, 2020 6 Council Member Allison-Aasby expressed her concerns with the focus on one demographic and asked what the school district’s role would be. She stated other municipalities had a similar program that was paid for by the school district. She suggested an amendment to support the program for 1 year to allow the school district time to budget for this service and do research on grants or funding sources. Deputy Mayor Herman asked staff if they had met with the school district regularly. Mr. Collins stated yes. Deputy Mayor Herman asked if the school district asked for funds to bus students. Mr. Collins stated no. Deputy Herman asked if the service would be for Oshkosh Public School students. Mr. Rohloff confirmed the resolution stated only the Oshkosh Public School students. Deputy Mayor Herman asked how students would be identified on the bus. Mr. Rohloff explained students would show their student identification to the bus driver to gain access. Mr. Collins stated students in grades 6 through 12 would present their student identification to the bus driver and students in grades K through 5 would ride without identification. Deputy Mayor Herman asked if the school district made the decision to not include parochial school students. Mr. Collins stated he did not ask that question. Deputy Mayor Herman asked about the students that live in the townships. Mr. Rohloff stated if they were Oshkosh Public School District students they would be included. Deputy Mayor Herman asked about the transit fund reserves. Mr. Rohloff stated the transit funds had cash reserves. Mr. Collins explained fuel had been lower than anticipated and the state and federal PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 11, 2020 7 funds were expected in March or April. Mr. Rohloff mentioned the City would not sustain the program long term. Council Member Miller suggested an amendment for a 2 year contract. Mayor Palmeri stated her support for students to receive free transportation for the 3 year plan. Council Member Allison-Aasby expressed her concerns to spend any of the reserve funds for more than a year in case of unforeseen issues and stated the hours of operation would still be the same. Council Member Poeschl stated his support and felt the transportation would create a tool and resource for self-sufficiency. Council Member Mugerauer explained the resolution was something Council could do to have an impact. He read an email that stated “students should have the option to arrive to school in a safe and timely manner regardless of their families’ socio economic status”. Council Member Krause stated the Council cared about the students and expressed that Oshkosh would be the first city to support their students and other municipalities would follow. Deputy Mayor Herman suggested to make an amendment to change the term of the contract to a 2 year commitment. Council Member Allison-Aasby questioned if the amendment would show urgency if only committed to 1 year. Council Member Miller stated he would agree to a 1 or 2 year commitment as long as the commitment was negotiated by staff. Mayor Palmeri expressed that 1 year would not provide enough data to create a plan for the sustainability of the service. She stated her support for the 2 year commitment. Council Member Mugerauer explained he supported staff handling negotiations. Council Member Allison-Aasby stated she would support the 2 year commitment as long as the school district understood if there was not another organization/donor the school district would be responsible for two-thirds of the commitment. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 11, 2020 8 Council Member Mugerauer expressed the school district would be liable for two-thirds of the funds if there was no private donor. Council Member Allison-Aasby encouraged Council to contact other municipalities to gain insight on their process. Mayor Palmeri reminded Council on a tax increment finance district the City understood the different projects would grow in the community. She stated the delay in funds would impact the transportation service. She mentioned the City had an opportunity to create a program that no other city in Wisconsin had created. COUNCIL DISCUSSION, DIRECTION TO CITY MANAGER & FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Rohloff reminded Council of the workshops scheduled: FGM Public Facility Study workshop on February 25, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation to present the 2019 Report on March 1, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., and the workshop regarding website changes on March 24, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. He informed Council the location for the 2020 Festival Foods fireworks show would be at Menominee Park. CITIZENS STATEMENTS There were no citizen statements. COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS & STATEMENTS Deputy Mayor Herman stated due to health issues he was unable to participate in the past two Council meeting. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS & STATEMENTS Mr. Rohloff stated the anti-vaping ordinance would be on the February 25, 2020 agenda. He mentioned a follow- up from the strategic planning session on January 29, 2020 was that Council had received the last two citizen surveys. He informed the Council that the network was gradually getting back online. He explained the rates had increased for special assessments for 2020. He reminded the Primary Election would be February 18, 2020 and the polling locations would be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. He stated district 4 had been moved from Webster Stanley School to the Oshkosh Public Library. He reminded Council of the State of the City was on March 9, 2020 beginning at the 6:00 p.m. at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Mayor Palmeri asked if Council would receive information regarding participation. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 11, 2020 9 Mr. Rohloff stated he would be provide information to Council in the near future. Mayor Palmeri stated she received a request from a community member to address housing in the State of the City. MOTION: CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION TO A) CONFER WITH LEGAL COUNSEL WHO WILL RENDER ADVICE CONCERNING STRATEGY TO BE ADOPTED WITH RESPECT TO LITIGATION IN WHICH THE CITY IS INVOLVED IN RELATION TO THE CITY’S WPDES PERMIT AND IN RELATION TO THE UPPER FOX & WOLF BASINS (LAKE WINNEBAGO) TMDL PURSUANT TO SECTION 19.85(1)(G) OF THE WISCONSIN STATE STATUTES; AND, B) DISCUSS BARGAINING OPTIONS, STRATEGY & PARAMETERS WHERE COMPETITIVE BARGAINING REASONS REQUIRE A CLOSED SESSION RELATED TO NEGOTIATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF LAND FOR SLUM & BLIGHT ELIMINATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 19.85(1)(E) OF THE WISCONSIN STATE STATUTES FOR 1) 700 BLOCK OF SOUTH MAIN STREET 2) PIONEER ISLAND & MARINA SOUTH SHORE REDEVELOPMENT AREA 3) 1000 BLOCK OF SOUTH MAIN STREET IN THE SAWDUST DISTRICT; AND, C) CONFER WITH LEGAL COUNSEL CONCERNING STRATEGY TO BE ADOPTED WITH RESPECT TO LITIGATION IN WHICH THE CITY IS LIKELY TO BECOME INVOLVED IN RELATION TO THE TRANSPORTATION UTILITY & TRANSPORTATION FEE PROPOSAL PURSUANT TO SECTION 19.85(1)(G) OF THE WISCONSIN STATE STATUTES (Herman; second, Mugerauer) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mugerauer, Krause, Poeschl, Miller, Mayor Palmeri MOTION: ADJOURN (Mugerauer; second, Herman) CARRIED: VOICE VOTE The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m. PAMELA R. UBRIG CITY CLERK