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Home My WebLink Aboutnewsletter TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager DATE: April 1, 2022 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES IMPACTING CAPITAL PURCHASES: Global supply chain issues and labor shortages are impacting businesses and industries across the nation. We are also being effected at the local level. The City of Oshkosh has seen rising costs of labor and materials influence the expense of purchases and products. The Oshkosh Fire Department is seeing the consequence of this as well. The Fire Department purchases its fire apparatus from Pierce Manufacturing. Earlier this year, a purchase order was issued for a new fire engine to be delivered in 2023. This was done to avoid a significant increase in pricing and to ensure delivery in 2023. At that time, the build out was estimated to be eighteen months. The 2024 CIP allows for a purchase of an aerial apparatus. The Fire Department has been informed that there will be an additional price increase of 7% on May 1, 2022, and that additional price increases later this year and into 2023 are very likely. Additionally, the build out time for new apparatus now stands at twenty-two months. The Fire Department has brought these developments to the attention of the City Manager and Finance Director. The Fire Department is also working with the vendor to identify proactive solutions to minimize the fiscal impact of these market changes and avoid delays in expected delivery. In April, staff will be bringing forth ideas to address these supply chain issues while minimizing the impact on the city’s finances. 2. GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS PROGRAM – 2022 PROGRAM UPDATE: The 2022 Great Neighborhoods Program application cycle is now open until June 2022. The Great Neighborhoods Program is designed to enhance the image, market, and physical conditions of Oshkosh neighborhoods. The program provides residents the opportunity to originate projects that enhance quality of life through strategic improvements to the public realm. Working in collaboration with City staff, residents initiate, plan, and implement projects and activities in the pursuit of Healthy Neighborhoods of choice in Oshkosh. The Great Neighborhoods Program is funded by the City’s Capital Improvement Program and is intended to strengthen neighborhoods in Oshkosh. Projects examples from past years include the following:  William Waters Plaza Re-design  Sea, Sand, Sailor Land Playground Improvement  Ferry Crossing Crosswalk Improvements  Middle Village Community Garden The most important part of this program is that the projects are resident and neighborhood initiated, meaning that the ideas come directly from City of Oshkosh recognized neighborhood associations. During a typical program cycle, neighborhood groups hold a meeting welcoming any neighborhood member to attend and discuss potential project ideas. Those present vote on which project idea makes the most sense to apply for through the Great Neighborhoods Program. After the group comes to a consensus, they work with staff to submit a project application; applications are due on June 6th 2022. For more information please contact Alexa Naudziunas at anaudziunas@ci.oshkosh.wi.us. 3. CITY RECEIVES TIF APPLICATION FOR SAWDUST DISTRICT MILL ON MAIN: Jake Bunz of T. Wall Enterprises Mgt. LLC, submitted a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District application for the redevelopment of a 7.7 acre portion of the Sawdust District Master Plan Area on the northeast corner of 9th Avenue and Main Street. The developer, T. Wall Enterprises, is proposing to invest over $70 million dollars to redevelop this site into 291 apartment units, a clubhouse, and 21,800 square feet of mixed-use commercial space. The site is also next to the planned Pioneer Drive Riverwalk. Creation of the new Tax Incremental District will be considered by the Joint Review Board, Plan Commission, and Common Council this Spring. If you have any questions, please contact Jason Pausma, Economic Development Services Manager. 4. DID YOU MISS IT?: It’s ok, you can still watch the 2022 Oshkosh State of the City! The annual State of the City is a look at Oshkosh’s recent accomplishments and a look ahead at what’s to come for the city. The program is still available to view on the Oshkosh Media YouTube channel! This year’s program featured the City Manager’s address highlighting our city’s progress, looking at what’s to come in 2022, and looking ahead to future goals. The program also featured Community Partnership awards, Citizen Service awards and much more. 5. REMINDER – PUBLIC MEETING FOR OREGON/JACKSON STREET BRIDGE: The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Northeast Region has announced a live, online public involvement meeting to discuss proposed improvement alternatives for the Oregon/Jackson Street Bridge. The meeting will be held live via Microsoft Teams at 5 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2022:  For full video and audio: From your computer browser or mobile device, please follow the link below to the Oregon/Jackson Street Bridge Project website at: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/ne/oshkoshbr/default.aspx and click on the “Join Meeting” link at the time of the public meeting.  For audio only: At the time of the public meeting, call 1-608-571-2209 and enter the Phone Conference ID number (558990023#) when prompted to join the meeting via telephone. You will be able to listen to the presentation and provide comment or ask questions. If you have any questions, please contact Director of Public Works, James Rabe. 6. EGG-CITING NEWS: The Oshkosh Parks Department is "egg-cited" to be bringing back Breakfast with the Bunny and Egg-Citing Day at the Zoo Saturday, April 9. Please make note Breakfast with the Bunny will be located at Webster Stanley Middle School. Due to limited space, you must purchase tickets in advance for designated dining times. We will not be selling tickets at the door for the pancake breakfast. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, milk, and juice. Adults are $5, children (2-17 years) $3, and children one and under are free. "Egg-Citing Day at the Zoo" starts at 11 am and is a fun hunt for eggs inside the Menominee Park Zoo grounds. Both events have crafts, games, and fun activities for the kids. Tickets for "Egg-Citing Day at the Zoo" are $3 for children aged 2 to 17 years old, and children under one are free. Children aged 2 to 17 can attend both events for $5. To purchase your tickets visit: https://tinyurl.com/2e9vtmtf. Thanks to AMCOR for being the Major Sponsor for these two special events. We hope to see you and your families at these fun events. If you have question please contact Jenny McCollian at 920-232-5319. 7. REPORTS ATTACHMENTS UPDATES AND LINKS:  Breakfast with the Bunny and EggCiting Day at the Zoo Flyer  Oshkosh Public Library - March Highlights 8. 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/. 9. COVID-19 RESOURCE LINKS AND INFORMATION:  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/  Wisconsin Department of Health Services: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/  Winnebago County Public Health Department: https://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/health/divisions-program- areas/communicable-disease/covid-19-coronavirus/wchd-covid-19-situation 10. LOOKING AHEAD: Among the meetings I have scheduled for the week of April 4 are: On Monday at 5:00 PM I will be attending the virtual public involvement meeting for the Oregon/Jackson Street Bridge. At 9:00 AM on Tuesday I am meeting with human resources staff to discuss recruitment initiatives. At 2:30 PM I will be meeting with the Oshkosh Food Co-op board members for an update. On Wednesday at 11:00 AM I will be attending the Vel Phillips Middle School groundbreaking ceremony. On Thursday at 11:00 AM I am meeting with the representatives of the Oshkosh Kids Foundation. If you have any questions about my schedule, please contact me.