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HomeMy WebLinkAboutnewsletter TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager DATE: April 29, 2022 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. NO MOW MAY: Did you know that if all bees were extinct it would destroy the balance of Earth’s ecosystem and affect global food supplies? Maybe even more importantly, bees are responsible for one third of crop pollination and recent studies show that as many as 40% of the world’s pollinating insect species are in decline. Needless to say… our pollinators are a very important part of our daily lives. During the Month of May the City of Oshkosh will relax enforcement of its long grass and weed ordinance, allowing registered participants to suspend or reduce lawn cutting on their property as a way to promote early growing of pollinator friendly habitats. This is especially important in urban areas where floral resources can be more limited. No Mow May is a voluntary, free of charge, conservation initiative. Starting this year Oshkosh requires participants to register using the following link: https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/nomowmay/ The good news is that currently there are almost 600 properties registered to participate in No Mow May within the city! The deadline to register is May 1st, 2022. No Mow May signs can be picked up in Room 204 of City Hall. There will also be local sign distribution events happening, so stay tuned into the City of Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board Facebook page or follow the Pollenablers Facebook page for those updates. If you have any questions about No Mow May, contact Assistant Planner, Brandon Nielsen, at 920-236-5061, bnielsen@ci.oshkosh.wi.us or follow the links below for answers to your FAQ’s: https://beecityusa.org/welcome-pollinators-to-your-lawn-with-no-mow-may/ https://extension.psu.edu/neighborly-natural-landscaping-in-residential-areas 2. HAPPY ARBOR DAY! National Arbor Day is April 29, 2022. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the tree planter’s holiday. There are many ways to celebrate, but a favorite for many is planting a tree or shrub. Before you begin planting, there are a few important things to consider. Make sure the plant will fit in the planned space when it reaches its mature size. You will also want to check the surroundings for any above ground utilities that may interfere. It is important to call Diggers Hotline to check for any below ground utilities as well. When choosing what tree or shrub to plant, you will want to keep in mind the fall color, the tree structure, if it flowers and if it produces fruit. The benefits of trees are incalculable, from providing oxygen and cooling our streets with shade, to helping us relax and connect with nature. If you decide to plant a tree in honor of Arbor Day, please also remember to take good care of it; trees need water just like you and me. If you would like to learn more about how you can celebrate Arbor Day, contact Travis Derks, Landscape Operations Manager, at (920) 236-5080. 3. MEMORIAL DAY PROCESSION & SERVICES: The Oshkosh Patriotic Council faced a new challenge for this year’s annual Memorial Day Procession. With the construction project on Algoma Blvd., the normal route was not an option this year. Thankfully, with the assistance of the Special Events Review Committee members, a new staging area was chosen and new route created. The new starting location of this year’s procession will be at Oshkosh North High School, located at 1100 W. Smith Ave. Participants will be asked to park in the east parking lot, while the bands and other participating groups will be lined-up in the west parking lot. The route will include W. Smith Ave., Vinland St., Murdock Ave., and Algoma Blvd. The procession will conclude at Riverside Cemetery. Road closures will affect the surrounding areas beginning at 8:30 a.m. Oshkosh Media is working with the Special Events Coordinator to share this information with the public in advance. Both the reading of the names at South Park War Monument and laying of the wreath for those lost at sea at Riverside Park will take place, as is customary. For more information on these and other exciting events coming soon, check out the Visit Oshkosh website at: https://visitoshkosh.com/ or contact Kathy Snell, Special Events Coordinator, at (920) 232-5304. 4. 2022 DEBT ISSUANCES: Attached are the revised Pre-Sale Reports for all five of the 2022 debt issuances. The changes reflect an adjustment in interest rates, as well as an increase in General Obligation borrowing to include 2023 projects. The Pre-Sale Reports and the corresponding Resolutions will be discussed at the May 10, 2022 City Council meeting. If you have any questions prior to the meeting, please contact Finance Director Van Gompel. 5. REPORTS ATTACHMENTS UPDATES AND LINKS:  Oshkosh Public Library - April Highlights 6. 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/. 7. 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 8. LOOKING AHEAD: Among the meetings I have scheduled for the week of May 2 are: At 7:30 AM on Monday I will be attending the Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting. At 9:00 AM I will be attending the Joint Review Board Meeting for TIF 42. On Tuesday at 10:00 AM I will be meeting with staff to finalize our facilities study in advance of a Council workshop on this topic. At 1:30 PM on Wednesday I will be attending a virtual meeting with the Urban Alliance Executive Committee. On Friday I will be out of the office, attending a League of Wisconsin Municipalities board meeting in Beloit. If you have any questions about my schedule, please contact me.