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HomeMy WebLinkAboutnewsletter TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager DATE: September 16, 2022 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. PFAS SAMPLING REVEALS CITY WATER SAFE AND BELOW EPA THRESHOLDS: As was discussed at the September 13, 2022 Common Council meeting, the City of Oshkosh Water Utility opted to participate in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Voluntary Drinking Water PFAS Sampling Project. On August 3rd, a sample of treated drinking water was taken from the Water Filtration Plant, and sent to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (State Lab) for testing as part of the project. This sample was tested for the presence of eighteen (18) various PFAS compounds by the State Lab. Of the eighteen (18) compounds tested for, only one (1) compound was detected in the sample, PFOS, and that was at the extremely low concentration of 1.55 nano-grams per liter (ng/l), also referred to as parts per trillion (ppt). We are pleased that these results confirm that our water source is safely below acceptable limits. The current State of Wisconsin regulation for PFAS compounds in drinking water is 70 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, individually or combined. More information on PFAS Compounds, the full analysis from the State Lab, and several useful links can be found on the Water Utility page of the City’s website (link below). As the City continues to test for these compounds, future test results will be added to the webpage. https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/PublicWorks/WaterUtility.aspx 2. NEW YORK AVENUE AND ALGOMA BOULEVARD INTERSECTION CLOSURE: As work continues to progress on the reconstruction of Algoma Boulevard, the intersection of West New York Avenue and Algoma Boulevard is planned to close to all traffic late afternoon on Thursday, September 22nd. This closure will occur after student pick-up from Read Elementary School on Thursday afternoon. The intersection closure has been scheduled based upon there being no school on Friday, September 23rd. The intersection will reopen no later than 7:00 a.m. on Monday, September 26th. This closure is required to complete paving work within the right-of-way in a safe manner for both the City’s contractor’s employees and the travelling public. Motorists are urged to plan alternate routes and expect delays due to the closure. As always, please be cautious when approaching any construction zone. If you have any questions, please contact Construction Management Supervisor, Mike Blank. 3. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TOUCH A TRUCK EVENT: The family favorite Touch- a-Truck will be returning to the Leach Amphitheater on Saturday, September 24. In order for this event to run smoothly however, the City of Oshkosh Parks Department needs more volunteers! Are you willing to step up to the plate and help? Please see the attached flyer for sign-up information or call Kathy Snell, Special Events Coordinator, at (920) 232- 5304 for more information on how you can help make this event a success. 4. MANUFACTURING VICTORY: The Arsenal of Democracy tells the inspiring story of the Home Front effort that produced tanks, planes, ships, and guns with staggering speed and unparalleled energy. This surge in productivity not only brought the country out of depression, but also created mighty military forces, supplied the Allies abroad, and opened new doors of opportunity and social change. The Oshkosh Public Museum is pleased to host Manufacturing Victory from The National WWII Museum. Though the exhibit tells a national story, there are many Oshkosh connections to explore. The exhibition will include a local history section from our collections to share our community’s contributions to Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s arsenal of democracy. Drawing from OPM’s archives and object collections, this local section will highlight Oshkosh businesses that earned government contracts for war materials and how residents organized war activities. Local businesses like Oshkosh B’Gosh, Dunphy Boat Company, Mondl, Bell Machine Company, and Oshkosh Truck manufactured war goods including uniforms pieces, weapons, and vehicles that were used by the Army, Navy, and Marines. Some of these companies even received the prestigious Army-Navy “E” for Excellence Award for their work. Residents not only worked in these factories, but contributed to scrap drives, joined the Red Cross, participated in Civil Defense training, purchased war bonds, trained as pilots at the Oshkosh Normal School, and other activities. Oshkosh had a well-organized and documented home front war effort, and we are eager to share this history within the national context of Manufacturing Victory, on view October 1 – December 30 at your Oshkosh Public Museum. From The National WWII Museum, New Orleans. National touring sponsor Hewlett-Packard. Local support provided by The JEK Foundation. 5. OPD 5K – "RUN WITH MAGIC": The OPD Mental Health & Wellness 5K - "Run With Magic" was held on Saturday, September 10, 2022, in Menominee Park. This family fun run/walk was open to all ages as both an in-person and virtual event and featured our new therapy K9, Magic and her handler BHO Sopata! Medals were awarded to the top 3 male and top 3 female participants as well as the top 3 youth (12 & under) category for the in-person race. Medals will also be awarded to the top 3 participants (any category) in our virtual race, which ends the 17th! This year’s 5K hosted 247 participants with all proceeds raised supporting our goal of offering officers, non-sworn staff and law enforcement families of the Oshkosh Police Department support, education, training and awareness in mental health and resiliency. Congratulations to Officer Ryne Scopp for taking the top male spot for the 4th straight year! 6. WELCOME TO THE OPD TEAM: On Monday, September 12, 2022, the Oshkosh Police Department welcomed the hiring of Brad Willis, a part-time Report Processor. Brad Willis relocated from Glendale, Arizona, and currently resides in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Prior to his employment as a Report Processor, Brad worked for the Berlin Public Library as well as the Neenah Public Library. Congratulations and Welcome to the OPD Team! 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 8. LOOKING AHEAD: Throughout the week of September 19, I will be continuing my meetings with the finance department to review 2023 department budgets. The other meetings of note for the week are as follows: At 10:30 AM on Monday I will be meeting with Tiny Homes representatives for an update of their project. At 2:00 PM I will be meeting with representatives from COTS regarding their ARPA application. On Tuesday at 10:00 AM Mayor Palmeri, Assistant City Manager John Fitzpatrick, and I will be meeting with representatives from the Menominee Tribe. On Wednesday at 7:30 AM I will be attending the GOEDC Board of Directors meeting. At 4:30 PM I will be meeting with the CVB and other stakeholders to get an update on their branding project. On Thursday at 2:00 PM I will be holding my quarterly Virtual Employee meeting. On Friday I will be out of the office attending the Local Government Funding Task Force Team meeting in Lake Delton. If you have any questions about my schedule, please contact me.