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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.03.23 Newsletter TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager DATE: February 3, 2023 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. VEHICLE BARRIERS: The Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau has generously donated $100,000 towards funding for the purchase of Meridian Archer 1200 Vehicle Barriers. This donation will fund half the cost of 24 barriers and a specialized trailer used to transport them to events. The Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau continues to support the Oshkosh Police Department's initiative to provide additional security and safety of event attendees at special events throughout the City, specifically at parades, Farmers Markets, running events, etc. 2. OSHKOSH REMAINS A UNIQUE URBANIZED AREA PER THE 2020 U.S. CENSUS BUREAU: After the 2010 decennial census, there was discussion of the Oshkosh and Appleton urbanized areas being combined into one urbanized area and many thought this would happen with the 2020 census. If the urbanized areas were combined, it would change some of the mechanisms with which GO Transit is funded, require some funding to be shared amongst the urban areas, and add additional layers of reporting. However on December 29, 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau released its tabular list of 2020 urban areas, and Oshkosh and Appleton remain their own urbanized areas. The criteria used to define an urbanized area changed a bit from contiguous population to contiguous housing units. This change most likely played a role in the areas remaining separate. You can find the list and a description of the criteria used for determining urban areas in the 2020 decennial census by following this link: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo- areas/urban-rural.html The Federal Transit Administration refers to urban areas with 50,000 or more population as Urbanized Areas (UZAs) for consistency. This has not changed despite the Census Bureau’s new criteria for defining urban areas. If you have any questions about this, please contact Transportation Director, Jim Collins. 3. WINTER ISN’T OVER YET: Why Is Sidewalk Clearing So Important? Many times staff are asked “Why do I have to get the sidewalks adjacent to my property cleared within 24 hours after a snowfall?” The simple answer is “because that’s the requirement in the Municipal Code”, but the real answer is so much more important and valuable of a lesson. The public sidewalks are a critical piece of infrastructure in urbanized communities. There are many people that utilize the public sidewalks to get to school, work, the grocery store, or for exercise. For many people, the sidewalk is their only way to get from place to place. It is imperative that sidewalks are cleared in a timely manner so that the public can safely utilize this critical infrastructure. The City of Green Bay is currently recalling one tragic incident that could have been avoided if adjacent property owners had just kept the public sidewalk cleared of snow and ice. Twelve years ago, an individual in a wheelchair could not navigate the sidewalks, and was forced to utilize the street to get to where he was going. Unfortunately, he was hit and killed, for no other reason that the adjacent property owners did not clear their public sidewalks in a timely manner. More information on the remembrance of this tragedy in Green Bay can be found on the FOX 11 webpage (https://fox11online.com/news/local/lights-on-green-bay-bridges-to-remember-hit-and-run-victim- downtown-john-kennedy-wheelchair-snow-covered-sidewalks-shovel-velp-avenue). With all this in mind, please clear your sidewalks for everyone involved. 4. SPRING PRIMARY SET FOR FEBRUARY 21, 2023: In person, early absentee voting will be available at the City Clerk’s Department (Room 108) in City Hall (215 Church Avenue) starting Tuesday, February 7 from 8AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday, until Friday, February 17. If you requested an absentee ballot by mail, you should be receiving it shortly. Please visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/ to find your voting location (polling place), district and ward. If you would like to help protect democracy, ensure equitable voting access and serve your local community, please consider becoming an Election Inspector (Poll Worker). Please contact the City Clerk’s Department if you have any questions regarding this paid position. 5. MEMBERS WANTED: If you are interested in serving your community, please consider becoming a member of a Board, Commission or Committee. The Long Range Finance Committee, Landmarks Commission, and Transit Advisory Board, just to name a few, currently have vacant positions and are looking for members. Please go to the City’s website (https://onboard.ci.oshkosh.wi.us) to fill out an application! 6. ANNUAL EMPLOYEE UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN WRAPS UP: The annual City of Oshkosh United Way campaign wrapped up on December 30. This year, 36 employees participated raising a total of $4,700.20. As always, our goal is to increase participation and raise awareness. Thank you to all who participated and for being a part of our team. I appreciate your thoughtful consideration in joining me this year in support of the Oshkosh Area United Way. Let’s continue to LIVE UNITED and change lives for the better! 7. 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/. 8. LOOKING AHEAD: Among the meetings I have scheduled for the week of February 6, include the following: On Tuesday at 10:00 AM I will be meeting with city staff in regards to new developments. At 1:30 PM. I will be meeting with Oshkosh Media staff to discuss planning for the State of the City scheduled for March 13. On Thursday at 7:00 AM I will be attending the Westside Association Developers Panel. At 10:00 AM I will be presenting the 211 Proclamation on behalf of Mayor Palmeri at the Oshkosh Area United Way offices. At 11:00 AM I will be meeting with staff to follow up on outstanding issues. If you have any questions about my schedule, please contact me.