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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.26.23 newsletter TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager DATE: May 26, 2023 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. FEDERAL DEBT CEILING AND THE ISSUANCE OF 2023 BONDS: City Staff continues to monitor the Federal Debt Ceiling Standoff and the impact on the issuance of our 2023 Bonds. Finance Director Russ Van Gompel is scheduled to meet with Todd Taves, our Financial Advisor at Ehlers, on Tuesday, May 30 to determine if we want to proceed with the issuance of bonds on May 31. Other cities and states may pause borrowing plans until the Federal Government addresses the need to increase the debt ceiling. As stated at the City Council meeting, interest rates are increasing since the markets are not sure when the resolution of the “debt ceiling” can be negotiated. The markets are not going to settle down until there is some indication that the Feds will resolve the issue. The other factor to consider is the supply of other issues in the market. If other potential debt issues get pulled, there will be less volume and the potential for more favorable bids for an Oshkosh issuance. In the meantime, the Finance Department is working with Public Works and Purchasing to review the status of 2023 projects. It is possible that we may have to consider delaying the bidding of 2023 projects which have not been awarded. Please read the attached article from “The Bond Buyer” that describes how other cities share our uncertainty over issuing debt. 2. NEW SENIORS CENTER DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED: The Oshkosh Parks Department is pleased to announce the hiring of Daniel (Dan) Braun as the next Seniors Center Manager. Dan has worked for the Oshkosh YMCA in various capacities since 2007 including: Health and Wellness, Active Aging Programming, Aquatics Management, and he is currently the Director of Risk Management and Downtown Aquatics. Dan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from UW Oshkosh. Dan will start with the Senior Center on July 5. Jean Wollerman, current Seniors Center Manager, will be retiring July 21. We are excited to welcome Dan to our team. If you have any questions, please contact Ray Maurer, Parks Director, at (920)236-5080. 3. OSHKOSH FIRE DEPARTMENT HAPPENINGS: On May 15 the Oshkosh Fire Department welcomed members of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors to Station 14. They came to tour the station and learn more about the partnership between the City of Oshkosh and Winnebago County to provide fire protection and EMS to the airport. Thanks to everyone who stopped by! On May 16 the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Awards Ceremony took place and the Oshkosh Fire Department received a Commendation Award for the ice rescues at Lake Winnebago on February 18-19, 2022. 4. SPRING IS HERE: The Parks Department is excited for the spring season and progress on many items in the park system to date. Improvements are taking place at the Menominee Park Zoo. With cooperation from the Street Division crews, we were able to add over 800’ of paved paths throughout the west portion of the Zoo. This improvement will aid in accessible routes and contribute toward our goal of paving all paths in the Zoo. In addition, in cooperation with the Menominee South Neighborhood Association, two fountains have been added to the Zoo lagoon which will add a whole new perspective to the Zoo experience. The Neighborhood Association secured grant funds from the City’s Great Neighborhoods Program for this project. Finally, the Bear/Fox Exhibit construction continues to make good progress. The Roe Park playground reconstruction is on schedule for completion by June 1. The new structure is in place and planning to complete resilient surfacing in the coming days. The Pollock Community Water Park lazy river plastering project was completed last week. The pool opens for the season on Wednesday, June 7. With the weather getting warmer, we hope to see you enjoying the Oshkosh Parks. If you have any questions regarding park projects, please contact Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director, at (920) 236-5080. 5. PARKS FACILITIES PLANNING SUMMER EVENTS: With summer on the horizon our popular Live at the Leach Concert Series will continue at the Leach Amphitheater. Be sure to print off the attached flyer and plan accordingly. The department worked to bring in some great entertainment that is sure to be a hit! If taking it easy is more your thing, you will want to mark your calendar to head over to the Pollock Community Water Park for yoga in the water. Registration is required for these classes, so be sure to print off the attached flyer, mark your calendars and register to join. The classes would be included with your daily pass for the Pool so be sure to come in early and enjoy the day at Pollock Community Water Park. If you have any questions regarding these events, please contact Jenny McCollian, Revenue Facilities Manager, at (920) 236-5080. 6. SENIORS CENTER HAPPENINGS: Summers at the Oshkosh Seniors Center means outdoor fun on the Fox River. The Center is located right along the river, and we feature programs in the summer that are held outdoors. On June 8, from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM, you can join and listen to Bill Hill, a fingerstyle guitarist and vocalist who sings popular standards from Fats Waller to Bobbie Darin. The outdoor concert includes a box lunch and costs just $10, thanks to a grant from the Ladies Benevolent Society. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the day with live music and picturesque views. If you want something to calm your mind, join the Mindfulness Meditation group that holds class outside when the weather is good. Classes include guided meditation instruction and time for discussion. Beginners and experienced meditators are welcome. Class is held on Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The cost for residents of Oshkosh is $1.25, and non- residents will pay $1.75 per session. Anyone aged 50 or older can use the Oshkosh Seniors Center programming. If you want more information about the Center, please call Jean Wollerman, Senior Services Manager, at (920) 232-5300. You may find the Center’s program newsletter on our webpage. https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/SeniorServices/. 7. SPECIAL EVENTS – MEMORIAL DAY PROCESSION & SERVICES: The Oshkosh Patriotic Council will once again be hosting the annual Memorial Day Procession. This year the Procession will move back to its usual start, beginning on Algoma Blvd. in front of City Hall and ending at Riverside Cemetery. Algoma Blvd. will be closed to traffic beginning at 7:30 AM. Participants will be staged in the City Hall parking lot and along Algoma Blvd. The Reading of the Names at the South Park War Monument and the Laying of the Wreath at Riverside Park for those lost at sea, 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) 236-5080. 8. LINKS & ATTACHMENTS: Attached is the most recent Oshkosh Public Library Highlights. 9. GET INVOLVED: If you are interested in serving your community, please consider becoming a member of a Board, Commission or Committee. Follow the link below to apply: https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/BoardsAndCommissions/ 10. 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/ 11. LOOKING AHEAD: Among the meetings I have scheduled for the week of May 29, include the following: On Tuesday at 1:30 PM I will be attending a virtual meeting for League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance (LWMMI). This is the annual meeting for League Insurance that is required according to its bylaws. I continue to serve on their board of directors. On Thursday at 8:00 AM I will be meeting with the Appleton Mayor, Jake Woodford, to discuss issues of mutual interest. At 4:00 PM I will be attending the Public Museum Board meeting, at which we will be discussing the recommendation of the Council subcommittee to merge the Museum Board and the Public Art and Beautification Committee. After this meeting, staff will begin preparing the appropriate ordinances to effectuate the change that was approved by Council. Please note that I will be on vacation Friday, June 2. If you have any questions about my schedule, please do not hesitate to contact me.