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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesPROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN NOVEMBER 24, 2020 REGULAR MEETING held Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. virtually. Mayor Palmeri presided. PRESENT: Council Members Michael Ford, Deb Allison-Aasby, Jake Krause, Matt Mugerauer, Lynnsey Erickson, Bob Poeschl and Mayor Lori Palmeri ALSO PRESENT: Mark Rohloff, City Manager; Pamela Ubrig, City Clerk; and Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney Council Member Ford read the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Ford. SPECIAL PRESENTATION David Arnott, Ruekert Mielke, presented the William D. Hatfield Award to Stephan Brand. He explained the award was presented to operators of waste water treatment plants for outstanding performance and professionalism. He stated Mr. Brand had been a member of Water Environment Federation and Central States Water Environment Association since 1988. He stated Mr. Brand had held positions as waste water operations specialist with a consulting firm in northern Wisconsin, utility manager for a northern Wisconsin community and an environmental coordinator in the paper industry in Wisconsin and Minnesota and held his current position with the City of Oshkosh as water and waste water utility manager for 17 years. Stephan Brand, Utilities Operations Manager, thanked everyone he had worked with for their shared passion for protecting public health and the environment. He stated the award was in memory of his wife Cindy who provided her unwavering support throughout the years. PRESENTATION Tony Neumann, Information Technology Manager, showcased the updated website features. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL- NOVEMBER 24, 2020 2 Mayor Palmeri asked which search option would be used to look for specific items in an agenda. Mr. Neumann stated the search within the topic would only search for specific agenda items. He stated individuals should click on services then online documents and select the topic area they would like to search. Mayor Palmeri stated the park department page cuts off on a mobile device. Mr. Neumann stated he would review the issue. Mayor Palmeri requested an interactive map on the parks page of all the parks. Mr. Neumann explained that would be coming and a URL for bill payments was created which was oshkoshbillpay.com. Mayor Palmeri asked if the page would be found in the search feature. Mr. Neumann explained that page was not included on the City’s website due to it was on a different webpage. Mayor Palmeri asked if property taxes were able to be paid online. Mr. Neumann confirmed yes. Council Member Erickson thanked staff for the changes. Mr. Rohloff stated improvements were still being made and continued feedback was welcomed. Mr. Neumann explained the website would continuously be improved. CITIZEN STATEMENTS There were no citizen statements to Council. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS Mayor Palmeri stated Terri Rushing, 249 W 17th Avenue, sent an email regarding the City mask ordinance. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL- NOVEMBER 24, 2020 3 CONSENT AGENDA Report of Bills by the Finance Director Resolution 20-451 Accept Storm Drainage Easements at the South 4200 Block of State Highway 91 (Plan Commission Recommends Approval) Resolution 20-452 Approve Street Right-of-Way Dedication along the South Side of the 4200 Block of State Highway 91 (Plan Commission Recommends Approval) Resolution 20-453 Approve Agreement for Workers Compensation Third Party Administrator & Specific Excess Workers Compensation & Employer Liability with League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance Resolution 20-454 Approve Parking Ticket Appeals Policy Resolution 20-455 Disallowance of Claim by Brian Ciha Resolution 20-456 Disallowance of Claim by Apex Accident Attorneys on behalf of Patricia Diener Resolution 20-457 Approve Appointments to the following: Advisory Park Board Police & Fire Commission Bid Board Resolution 20-458 Approve Combination “Class A” Agent Change & Operator Licenses MOTION: ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA (Poeschl; second, Mugerauer) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer, Erickson, Poeschl, Mayor Palmeri ACTION TAKEN ON ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Ordinance 20-459 Amend Ordinance Pertaining to Enforcement of Parking Restrictions MOTION: ADOPT (Allison-Aasby; second, Erickson) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer, Erickson, Poeschl, Mayor Palmeri PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL- NOVEMBER 24, 2020 4 Ordinance 20-460 Cancel December 22, 2020 Council Meeting FIRST READING; LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES Resolution 20-461 Approve Conditional Use Permit for a Nonresidential Accessory Structure Exceeding 10,000 Square Feet at 2676 South Oakwood Road (Plan Commission Recommends Approval) MOTION: ADOPT (Mugerauer; second, Ford) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer, Erickson, Poeschl, Mayor Palmeri Mayor Palmeri requested a summary of the project. Allen Davis, Director of Community Development explained the structure would be located in the rear of the building along Oakwood and would be a used for storage. Mayor Palmeri asked if there were concerns regarding the impervious surface area. Mr. Davis stated the property was combined with a large parcel purchased that created a large area of green space on the parcel and the storm water management had been calculated when the parking lot improvements were completed. Resolution 20-462 Approve General Development Plan & Specific Implementation Plan for a Multi-Family Development Located at the 4200 Block of State Highway 91 (Plan Commission Recommends Approval) MOTION: ADOPT (Ford; second, Mugerauer) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer, Erickson, Poeschl, Mayor Palmeri Council Member Ford stated when the topic was reviewed at Plan Commission it was mentioned that staff and the applicant had worked together to reach an agreement. Resolution 20-463 Approve Great Neighborhoods Capital Improvement Program Funding in the Amount of $25,000.00 MOTION: ADOPT (Poeschl; second, Mugerauer) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer, Erickson, Poeschl, Mayor Palmeri Resolution 20-464 Approve Budget Amendment & Fund Transfer; Approve Spot Blight PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL- NOVEMBER 24, 2020 5 Designation; Authorize Redevelopment Authority to Acquire; 413 Scott Avenue ($12,000.00) MOTION: ADOPT (Erickson; second, Poeschl) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer, Erickson, Poeschl, Mayor Palmeri COUNCIL DISCUSSION, DIRECTION TO CITY MANAGER & FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Mayor Palmeri mentioned there was a closed session scheduled to discuss the City Manager’s Review on November 30, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. Council Member Mugerauer stated Mr. Rohloff would be invited into the closed session when Council was ready for him. Mayor Palmeri stated an upcoming presentation regarding the overdose fatality review team report was scheduled for December 8, 2020 at the beginning of the meeting. Mr. Rohloff confirmed the presentation would be at the beginning of the meeting. Mayor Palmeri asked if Council would receive a copy of the report prior to the meeting. Council Member Erickson stated she would touch base with the organization and let them know to provide the information ahead of the meeting. Mayor Palmeri stated that a meeting was schedule to discuss the Jackson Street corridor and safety study on December 8, 2020 and mentioned the student busing agreement with Oshkosh Area School District. Council Member Mugerauer stated earlier in the year an agreement had been reached with the Oshkosh Area School District and Go Transit to provide transportation for students. He explained the year would be a loss and there would be no data to review due to COVID- 19. He suggested extending the contract one year and asked for Council’s input on the topic. He stated the City had Cares Act dollars that could be used covering the City’s portion, the school district would pay the full amount in the third year and the $60,000 in Cares Act would be used and amount would not have to be adjusted for private funding. Mr. Rohloff explained the projected amount would be 30% of the normal occupancy and the City would have had to come up with the loss. He stated the school district would get a third year and the money already received would be applied to the second and third year. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL- NOVEMBER 24, 2020 6 Council Member Mugerauer stated he spoke with Superintendent Cartwright to see if the District would have issues with the funds moved. He explained if Council agreed to extend their contract, the school board would discuss at the next meeting. Mayor Palmeri stated the Council and the school district would meet in the beginning of the year. She explained once the census data was available the City may look at other transit opportunities. Mr. Rohloff stated the issues regarding future transit funding would not be impacted due to the timing of the census information. He explained the funds were available and he would discuss with the superintendent. Mayor Palmeri stated extending the contract would not mean extending the funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Rohloff explained the school district had already paid and the City would extend the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding for another year. Council Member Ford stated his support to extend the agreement and the use of CARES Act funds. Council Member Poeschl asked what the CARES Act dollar amount would be. Council Member Mugerauer explained the amount was $60,000 and stated the fundraising efforts would happen later now that the funding was in place. Mayor Palmeri asked if there was a time requirement that the funds needed to be used from the CARES Act. Mr. Rohloff explained there was no deadline. Council Member Allison-Aasby asked staff to include the topic the agenda at the joint workshop with the school district. She expressed her support to extend the agreement. Council Member Erickson stated her support to extend the agreement with the school district. Deputy Mayor Krause explained he supported the extension of the agreement to provide the district time to receive the data. Mr. Rohloff thanked Council for their input and stated staff would update the agreement. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL- NOVEMBER 24, 2020 7 Mayor Palmeri mentioned a joint workshop with Oshkosh Area School District would be upcoming and asked about potentially dates. Mr. Rohloff stated the potential dates were January 27, February 10 and February 24, 2021 for a start time at 5:00 p.m. and he explained the school board held in-person social distanced meetings. Council Member Poeschl explained the school board meeting would move to the Perry Tipler Middle School gym to provide more social distancing based on the number of people. Mayor Palmeri requested if the workshop was scheduled for 6:00 p.m. the meeting be longer than an hour. Mr. Rohloff thanked Council for the guidance. Mayor Palmeri mentioned a potential agenda item for the joint workshop was the discussion to fund the school resource officers. Council Member Ford asked who should receive the potential agenda items for the joint meeting. Mr. Rohloff stated the items could be sent to his office. Implementation of Resolution 20-154; Does staff implement or does Council wish to extend waiver of special assessments Mayor Palmeri asked if Council wished to extend waiver of special assessments. Mr. Rohloff explained the Council had deferred the 2019 special assessments in April 2020. He stated if Council was satisfied what had been approved then nothing had to be done however if Council would like to change the projects for 2020, the topic would be on a future agenda. Council Member Ford asked about the financial impact to cash flow if Council would extend. Mr. Rohloff explained the major concern would be the cash flow and stated the City had differed $2 million dollars for the 2019 assessments. He mentioned staff could provide more information at a future Council meeting. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL- NOVEMBER 24, 2020 8 Council Member Allison-Aasby asked for more information at a future meeting and expressed her concern of the long term consequences. Mayor Palmeri mentioned a change in the interest rate if Council did not extend. Russ Van Gompel, Director of Finance, explained staff would provide more information and the Long Range Finance Committee would discuss a change to the interest rate. Mayor Palmeri asked if there would be a discussion regarding the replacement of the special assessments. Mr. Van Gompel explained that staff would provide documentation and suggestions to consider at the December 8, 2020 meeting. Mr. Rohloff mentioned staff would do a full analysis to share with Council. Mr. Van Gompel requested to move the topic until January 2021. COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS & STATEMENTS Report of Council Liaison for Boards & Commissions Mayor Palmeri Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.  Draft mission statement was  Presentation from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Redevelopment Authority  Budget review  Update on the request for proposal/Community Gardens Council Member Erickson Transit Advisory Board  Presentation from consultant for the Go Transit site study Council Member Poeschl Sustainability Advisory Board  Reviewed Urban Duck Ordinance  Discussed a Divestment Resolution PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL- NOVEMBER 24, 2020 9 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee  Discussed the Jackson Street Corridor Plan  Discussed adding a Bicycle and Pedestrian route throughout the City Council Member Ford Plan Commission  Approved the Envision North Jackson Plan Mayor Palmeri mentioned there was an open seat on the Traffic & Parking Advisory Board. CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS & STATEMENTS Mr. Rohloff stated the professional services agreement was for the 2021 storm water management assistance with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. in the amount of $30,000. He stated the outstanding issues was provided to Council and he mentioned the review of the fees and charges. He explained finance would review each department’s fees and then provide the information to Council at the December meeting. Mayor Palmeri asked if the review would be about the communication of the fees or just the dollar amount. Mr. Rohloff explained staff would review the dollar amount of the fees. He urged citizens to call with questions regarding the various permits needed. Mayor Palmeri asked if the citizens were able to apply online for permits. Mr. Rohloff explained citizens could apply online. Russ Van Gompel, Director of Finance, stated permits were on the website under online services. Mr. Rohloff mentioned staff had researched ordinances regarding transitional living programs and there was no indication from the State to add additional housing in the future. Mayor Palmeri stated the Winnebago County Board asked Council to allow a second Chapter 980 into a location and at the most recent board meeting there was concern for housing within the new year. She asked if the City would need to have a conversation on the transitional living program and the 980 or keep them separate. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL- NOVEMBER 24, 2020 10 Mr. Rohloff suggested to keep them separate and mentioned that the location the county had identified was the best possible. Mark Lyons, Planning Services Manager, explained the use would be different due to the land uses and zoning. He mentioned the State law had regulations regarding the 980 individuals. Mr. Rohloff confirmed that he would keep the groups separated. Mr. Rohloff stated the COVID-19 numbers had slowly come down and the daily number was around 100. Mike Stanley, Fire Chief, explained the City had not turned a corner and the numbers were still high and encouraged citizens to continue with precautions. Mr. Rohloff stated Winnebago County had passed an ordinance to provide authority to the health director and he would evaluate future steps. He stated the mask order was still in place and City Hall would remain closed through December 4, 2020. Council Member Allison-Aasby asked if staff would consider appointments to access City Hall. Mr. Rohloff stated staff did review situational circumstances to allow citizens to have access to staff. He mentioned he understood the importance for citizens to pay taxes and have the opportunity to have face to face contact with staff. Mayor Palmeri asked if there was information regarding the surge test site data. Chief Stanley explained the information provided was regarding capacity for testing. He stated the surge testing did not have enough time to provide data. Mayor Palmeri mentioned the Sunnyview testing site was still available and asked if the surge site tests were reflected in the numbers on the Winnebago County website. Chief Stanley explained the numbers were included in the number on the website and described the rapid test provided an initial positive and the county recommends the nasal swab for confirmation. Mr. Rohloff stated that was correct. Mayor Palmeri asked how individuals that would receive Council nomination paperwork PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL- NOVEMBER 24, 2020 11 in person. Ms. Ubrig explained there was a sign on the front doors of the City hall to contact the Clerk’s office to receive the paperwork. Mr. Rohloff stated the City would continue to allow access until open. Mr. Rohloff presented a video regarding the recognition of Chief Stanley who received the Firefighter Hero Award. MOTION: ADJOURN (Mugerauer, second Ford) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Ford, Allison-Aasby, Krause, Mugerauer, Erickson, Poeschl, Mayor Palmeri The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. PAMELA R. UBRIG CITY CLERK