HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.14.23 Newsletter
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager
DATE: July 14, 2023
RE: Weekly Newsletter
1. DEBT RESOLUTION MAY REQUIRE MODIFICATION: As a follow up to the discussion
from the City Council meeting on July 11th, attached is a copy of Resolution 22-368,
“Framework for Future Debt.” This resolution was the guideline on the intent to issue an
average of $18,000,000 for the years 2024-2033, or nine years, to address the identified facility
needs of the City. If the Council desires to issue $2,000,000 in additional debt annually to cover
sidewalk reconstruction projects and to fund the cost of other special assessment relief, then
this resolution should be modified to include these dollar amounts. Staff wanted to provide
this background so that the Council understands what we are proposing. Please contact
Finance Director Van Gompel if you have any additional questions.
2. 2023 OSHKOSH COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS POSTED: This past spring, city staff
worked with independent consultant, Polco, to conduct a comprehensive quality of life
survey for residents of Oshkosh. The instrument, known as the National Community
Survey™ (NCS), allows the City of Oshkosh to compare results and benchmark residents’
opinions against other communities across the nation. The survey included questions about
quality of life, important characteristics of community services provided by Oshkosh, and
priorities for the future. The City of Oshkosh has been conducting annual community
surveys since 2009. Initially, they were intended to be a way for citizens to prioritize items for
the Council’s budget considerations. While this purpose still remains true, the surveys are
also used to help measure quality of services for incorporation into performance-based
management. The 2023 survey results, as well as previous years’ results, are available on the
City of Oshkosh website at https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/CitizenSurveyResults/.
The NCS was among the first scientific surveys developed to gather resident opinion on a
range of community issues, and has been used in more than 350 jurisdictions across 46 states.
2023 marks the second year that Oshkosh has utilized the NCS platform. Communities using
the NCS have reported that the tool improved service delivery, strengthened
communications with community stakeholders, and helped leaders identify clear priorities
for use in strategic planning and budget development. The NCS is the only resident survey
endorsed by the International City/County Management Association and the National
League of Cities. Residents with questions about the survey may contact the City Manager’s
office by phone at (920) 236-5002 or by email at citymgr@ci.oshkosh.wi.us.
3. FIRE DEPARTMENT CREATES DIVERSITY GRANT WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
Thanks to a generous donation from a private organization, the Fire Department is partnering
with Firefighter ABC’s and the Fox Valley Technical College Foundation to create a grant
program designed to remove obstacles for underrepresented groups to pursue careers in
firefighting and emergency medical services. The goal of the partnership is to help prepare
qualified candidates to enter the field while increasing the diversity within the profession. See
the attached media release for program details.
4. FIRE DEPARTMENT EXPLORER PROGRAM HOLDS FIRST GRADUATION: On July
6th, the OFD held its first Explorer Post 9424 graduation. We had 7 area high schoolers
complete the program. The Explorer Post 9424 is a program open to teens ages 14 to 18 who
are interested in pursuing a career in the fire or emergency medical services (EMS).
Teens who are enrolled in Explorer Post 9424 will gain experience in firefighting techniques,
emergency medical protocols, educating the public, responsibility, and interpersonal skills.
Explorers are able to work alongside firefighters and get to experience many aspects of the
fire and EMS. For more information on the next Explorer program, including start dates and
cost, contact Firefighter Hunter Resop at hresop@ci.oshkosh.wi.us.
5. 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/
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. LOOKING AHEAD: The meetings I have scheduled for the week of July 17th include the
following: At 2:30 PM on Monday, I will be meeting virtually with Melissa Waller of Pre-
Emergency, LLC to continue the City’s “Continuity of Operations” plan. On Tuesday at 1:30
PM, I will be meeting with Director of Community Development Kelly Nieforth to discuss
property owned by the City and the Redevelopment Authority. On Wednesday at 7:30 AM, I
will be attending the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Commission’s Board of
Directors Meeting. Thursday and Friday, I will be attending the League of Wisconsin
Municipalities Board Retreat in Mount Pleasant. If you have any questions about my schedule,
please contact me.