HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesPROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
CITY OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN
AUGUST 23, 2022
REGULAR MEETING held Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, City Hall.
Mayor Palmeri presided.
PRESENT: Council Members Lynnsey Erickson, Michael Ford, Matt Mugerauer,
Courtney Hansen, Bill Miller, Aaron Wojciechowski and Mayor Palmeri
ALSO PRESENT: Mark Rohloff, City Manager; Jessi Balcom, City Clerk; Lynn Lorenson,
City Attorney; and Russ Van Gompel, Director of Finance
CITIZEN STATEMENTS
Nathan Weyenberg, 901 Coolidge Avenue, expressed his concern with the proposed
installation of sidewalk/curb/gutter. He stated the infrastructure needed to be repaired and
asked if there would be non-conforming setbacks.
Jerald Kuiper, Coolidge Avenue, stated his apprehension regarding the installation of the
sidewalks which would only be used by a few residents. He asked for staff to review the
project.
Council Member Miller asked staff to review the project.
Mr. Rohloff stated the Capital Improvement Plan would be reviewed at the September 13,
2022 Council Meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Report of Bills by the Finance Director.
Receipt & Filing of the Common Council Minutes from August 10, 2022.
Resolution 22-350 Approve CIP Amendment and Award Bid for Public Works Contract
No. 22-25 to Dorner, Inc. for Ripon Lane – Asphalt and Utilities
($523,917.34).
Resolution 22-351 Award Bid to B&P Mechanical Inc. for Transit Garage HVAC
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Equipment Replacement for Transportation Department
($121,825.00).
Resolution 22-352 Approve Street Right of Way Dedications for the Widening of South
Main Street (Plan Commission Recommends Approval).
Resolution 22-353 Approve Special Event – University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Athletics
to host the UW Oshkosh Football Games at Titan Stadium / September
9, October 1, October 16, October 22 & October 29, 2022.
Resolution 22-354 Approval Special Event – Oshkosh Corporation to utilize Riverwalk
& City streets for the Oshkosh Corporation-Amcor United Way 5K
Walk-Run / September 27, 2022.
Resolution 22-355 Approve Special Event – Labor of Love d/b/a Bella Medical Clinic to
utilize City streets and South Park trail for the Walk for Life event /
October 1, 2022.
Resolution 22-356 Approve Special Event – Special Olympics Wisconsin to utilize City
streets & Riverwalk for the Run with the Cops 5K / October 6, 2022).
Resolution 22- 357 Approve Special Event – Run Away Events to utilize the Riverwalk &
City sidewalks for the Lumberjack & Jill Run-Walk event hosted at
Dockside Tavern / October 8, 2022.
Resolution 22-358 Approve Special Event – Wisconsin Herd to utilize City streets &
Riverwalk for the Run with the Herd 5K & Fan Fest hosted at the
Oshkosh Arena / October 30, 2022.
Resolution 22-359 Approve Special Event – Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services Inc.
to utilize Menominee Park & City streets for the Race for the Light
Walk-Run / December 3, 2022.
Resolution 22-360 Approve Appointments to Various Boards & Commissions.
Resolution 22-361 Approve Class “B” Fermented Malt & Class “C” Wine, Combination
Class “A”, Combination Class “B”, Special Class “B” License, &
Operator Licenses.
MOTION: ADOPT CONSENT (Ford; second, Erickson)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Ford, Mugerauer, Hansen, Miller, Wojciechowski
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and Mayor Palmeri
Council Member Wojciechowski asked how many open liquor licenses were available.
Mr. Rohloff explained approximately 7-8 were still available.
Council Member Wojciechowski asked if that included the Saw Dust District license.
Mr. Rohloff explained that was additional.
ACTION TAKEN ON ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Ordinance 22-362 Amend Section 17-38.1 and Section 17-32 of the City of Oshkosh
Municipal Code Pertaining to Public Nuisance Abatement.
FIRST READING: LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES
Mayor Palmeri asked for a summary.
Ms. Lorenson explained the update included clarification of how the public nuisance
activity would apply in multi-family residences. She stated the appeal procedure process
was added and additional clean-up of the definitions.
Ordinance 22-363 Amend Section of Chapter 30 Zoning Ordinance Pertaining to
Wisconsin Native Perennial Landscape Species (Plan Commission
Recommends Approval).
FIRST READING: LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES
Mayor Palmeri asked for a summary.
Brian Slusarek, Planner, stated the Plan Commission recommended including a list of
Wisconsin native perennial planting for residents to select from.
Ordinance 22-364 Amend Section 25-68 of the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code
Pertaining to Snow and Ice Removal.
MOTION: ADOPT (Mugerauer; second, Ford)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Ford, Mugerauer, Hansen, Miller, Wojciechowski
and Mayor Palmeri
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Council Member Ford asked if anyone would be penalized for using salt on the
sidewalks if the temperature would fall below 15 degrees.
Kelly Nieforth, Director of Community Development, stated there would not be a
penalty and that residents were still required to salt the sidewalks. She mentioned the
update provided a list of alternatives to use during the time when the temperature fell
below 15 degrees.
Resolution 22-365 Approve Settlement with Walmart for Property Tax Assessments for
Tax Years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 for Property Located at 351 South
Washburn Street.
MOTION: ADOPT (Mugerauer; second, Miller)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Ford, Mugerauer, Hansen, Miller, Wojciechowski
and Mayor Palmeri
Mayor Palmeri asked the financial difference.
Ms. Lorenson explained that the total charge back was $50,402.12.
Resolution 22- 366 Approve Tax Increment District No. 43 Project Plan; Designate Tax
Increment District No. 43 Boundaries; Create Tax Increment District
No. 43 Mill on Main (Plan Commission Recommends Approval).
MOTION: ADOPT (Erickson; second, Mugerauer)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Ford, Mugerauer, Hansen, Miller, Wojciechowski
and Mayor Palmeri
Resolution 22-367 Approve Debt Policy (Long Range Finance Committee Recommends
Approval)
MOTION: ADOPT (Mugerauer; second, Ford)
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Ford, Mugerauer, Hansen, Miller, Wojciechowski
and Mayor Palmeri
Council Member Miller asked for an explanation and for the long term plan.
Mr. Van Gompel explained the update was to decrease the goal from 50% to 40% of the
state debt limit. He stated that the change was to maintain and improve the credit rating
to obtain lower interest rates for future debt.
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Council Member Miller thanked staff and the committee for the time put into the policy.
Deputy Mayor Mugerauer stated that the policy would update the goal from 50% to 40%
which outlined a goal for future Councils and the debt issuing agencies.
Council Member Ford explained in 2014 the debt issuance was at 78.6% and the City
continued to lower the debt issuance.
Mayor Palmeri asked if the safe drinking water loan was a part of the debt.
Mr. Van Gompel stated that this policy was for general obligation debt, which is backed
by the tax levy and paid for by property taxes.
Resolution 22-368 Approve Framework for Future Debt (Long Range Finance
Committee Recommends Approval)
MOTION: ADOPT (Mugerauer; second, Miller)
MOTION: LAYOVER UNTIL THE SEPTEMBER 13, 2022 COUNCIL
MEETING (Palmeri; second, Hansen)
LOST: Ayes (1) Mayor Palmeri
Noes (6) Erickson, Ford, Mugerauer, Hansen, Miller,
Wojciechowski
CARRIED: Ayes (7) Erickson, Ford, Mugerauer, Hansen, Miller, Wojciechowski
and Mayor Palmeri
Deputy Mayor Mugerauer thanked staff and committee for their hard work and
dedication to the needs of the City. He explained it would be $60 million over 10 years.
Council Member Miller stated the document provided a road map/benchmarking for
facility needs.
Mr. Van Gompel reminded Council at the Capital Improvement Plan workshop the
facility needs were reviewed and the total $65 million worth of projects in just City
facilities. He explained Council had provided a goal when staff prepared the Capital
Improvement Plan for the issuance of debt. He stated the resolution would memorialize
the goal and add funding for facilities which would be $6.5 million a year and set
parameters.
Mayor Palmeri asked if the Clearwell facilities were included and for a definition of
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facilities to be added.
Mr. Rohloff explained the facilities were public facilities which were funded through the
general fund. He stated the fund would directly impact the tax levy.
Mayor Palmeri asked to add the facility definitions.
Ms. Lorenson asked where the definition would be added.
Mr. Rohloff stated Council could layover to include additional language.
Council Member Ford stated he would be voting against laying over due to the risk of
creating a definition if tied to a single report. He explained Council would have the ability
to identify what facilities might apply.
Mayor Palmeri mentioned that she would view the Clearwell facility as a facility.
Council Member Ford stated the debt was two different debt sources.
Deputy Mayor Mugerauer explained the resolution would not commit Council to do any
action however define needs over a period of time. He stated the recommendation was to
address the needs and they had provided a framework.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION, DIRECTION TO CITY MANAGER & FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mr. Rohloff explained a memo and five requests for funding with American Rescue Plan
Act (ARPA) funds for non-infrastructure purposes however he was not prepared to make
any recommendation.
Council Member Ford asked when the recommendation would be expected.
Mr. Rohloff explained that he would share the recommendations at the September 13, 2022
Council meeting. He stated there may be others at a different time frame.
Mr. Rohloff clarified that the virtual option for meetings would be added in September as
he was having staff review options relative to cost.
Council Member Miller asked what the potential was and his concern was for
committee/board members making time for the meeting.
Mr. Rohloff stated that he would not recommend doing what the County was doing for
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virtual meetings. He explained that some Boards/Commissions would like to include the
virtual options.
Council Member Wojciechowski asked if there was an issue with accessibility to attend the
meetings if there were measures in place.
Mr. Rohloff explained that to request American Disability Act (ADA) accommodations,
people may contact the City Manager's office.
Council Member Wojciechowski asked if that applied to Board/Commissions as well.
Mr. Rohloff confirmed it did.
Mayor Palmeri mentioned a joint meeting of the Oshkosh Area School District Board and
Oshkosh City Council - Thursday, October 27 at 5:00 p.m. District Administration Office.
Council Member Ford asked who would be running the meeting.
Mayor Palmeri mentioned deferring to the host for the meeting structure beyond
attendance.
Mr. Rohloff confirmed he would communicate the information to the Superintendent.
Mayor Palmeri stated the 2021 Audit Presentation would be included at the September 13,
2022 Council Meeting.
Mayor Palmeri mentioned the 2nd Budget Workshop on August 30th in Room 404, City
Hall at 5:00 p.m.
Mr. Rohloff stated he would speak with the Superintendent regarding the roles. Mayor
Palmeri mentioned deferring to the host. Mr. Rohloff explained a memo and five requests
for funding with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for non-infrastructure
purposes. He mentioned that additionally short and long term goals were provided along
with a summary. He stated the information was provided to Council for feedback in the
future.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS & STATEMENTS
Report of Council Liaison for Boards & Commissions
Mayor Palmeri mentioned there were open/alternate seats on various
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Boards/Commissions for interested individuals. She stated that youth ex-officio non-
voting seats for high school students were available.
Council Member Wojciechowski mentioned that the Council would be invited to the next
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee meeting.
Mayor Palmeri asked about potentially confirming each member would make the meeting.
Mr. Rohloff stated that staff calls when there might be an issue with a quorum.
CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS & STATEMENTS
Mr. Rohloff explained the following professional services agreements:
AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for Environmental Services during Geotechnical
Subsurface Exploration Project for the 2023 Capital Improvement Projects
($36,000.00)
Strand Associates, Inc. for Interstate 41 Pedestrian Bridge Feasibility Analysis
($42,500.00)
Mr. Rohloff stated the outstanding issues were provided within the Council packet along
with a summary.
Mayor Palmeri asked how the bridge project would fall into the Chapter 12 category.
Mr. Rohloff stated any engineering services would be considered professional service. He
explained the code regulated that when a purchase is over $25,000 but under $75,000, he
was obligated to report to Council. He explained staff from Public Works, Community
Development and Transportation departments had reviewed and agreed that it was
appropriate to utilize Strand based on their experience.
MOTION: ADJOURN (Mugerauer; second, Miller)
CARRIED: VOICE VOTE
The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
JESSI L. BALCOM
CITY CLERK