Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.09.24 Newsletter TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager DATE: February 9, 2024 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. INFORMATION SESSIONS FOR ARPA FUNDING PROPOSALS: The City of Oshkosh is currently soliciting funding proposals from local entities serving Oshkosh residents to make use of the City’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and has scheduled three informational sessions for those interested in learning more: • Thursday, February 15th @ 6:00 p.m. at City Hall • Friday, February 16th @ 10:00 a.m. at City Hall • Friday, February 16th @ 2:00 p.m., Live Q&A on Oshkosh Media and City of Oshkosh Government Facebook Live The City received approximately $20.5 million in funds under ARPA; in 2021, Council directed that approximately 25% of that total, or $5.1 million, be allocated to non-profit entities and non- infrastructure purposes. To date, Council has allocated $2,775,480 of that $5.1 million, leaving approximately $2,350,000 in remaining ARPA funds. The City will give preference to projects that can have all funds expended through December 31, 2024 in an effort to ensure that the opportunity for our community to utilize these funds is not lost. Agencies that may have previously applied to the City or another governmental agency for ARPA funds are eligible to submit a new application for the remaining funds. The application deadline is Friday, March 1, 2024. For details about the criteria for applicants’ evaluation and for the ARPA Funding Application, please visit the City’s website at www.oshkoshwi.gov and look for the “Hot Topics” section of the main page. 2. EARLY ABSENTEE VOTING IS WELL UNDERWAY: Early absentee voting allows citizens to cast a ballot before the scheduled Election Day, providing flexibility for those with busy schedules, travel plans, or other commitments. This opportunity ensures that your voice is heard and allows you to play a significant role in shaping the future of our community, even if you can't make it to the polls on Election Day. For those of you who prefer to cast your ballot in advance, next week marks the final week to participate in early absentee voting for the February 20th primary. Visit our early absentee polling location at 19 East Irving Street, February 12th through February 15th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and February 16th, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to submit your absentee ballot or drop off a ballot that has been mailed to you. Visit https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/CityClerk/Elections.aspx for up-to-date elections information! 3. UPCOMING PROGRAMS AT THE LIBRARY: There’s still time to see the 2024 Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon symbols at the Oshkosh Public Library. Swing by the First Floor Reading Room to explore a vibrant display of LEGO dragons and a colorful dragon mini mural created by artist Spencer Young. A variety of Lunar New Year cultural items are available for viewing in a display case on the Second Floor behind the service desk. Saturday sessions have been added for the Oshkosh Public Library’s popular Read to a Dog program. Children in grades 4K – 5 can read to a trained service dog to help improve their skills and boost their confidence. Our furry friends are great listeners! Call at 920-236-5208 or visit the Children’s Department to schedule an appointment. Sessions are also offered on Monday afternoons. Looking for a cozy, inviting spot to read and relax on a gloomy Sunday? Join the Oshkosh Public Library for Cozy Time under the Dome. Find a good book, grab a cup of warm apple cider and enjoy the soft glow of the lights in the historic area under the Dome. Cozy Time is offered every Sunday through Feb. from 1 to 5 p.m. For more library events and activities visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org. 4. GET INVOLVED IN A BOARD OR COMMISSION: If you are interested in serving your community, please consider becoming a member of one of the City’s citizen advisory boards, commissions, or committees. To learn more about the boards and commissions, or to complete an application to serve, follow the link below: https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/BoardsAndCommissions/ 5. 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.oshkoshwi.gov/ 6. LOOKING AHEAD: I will be out of the office on Monday, February 12th. The meetings I have scheduled for rest of the week include following: on Tuesday at 7:30 a.m., I will attend the Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Outlook Breakfast; at 9:30 a.m., I will meet with staff to discuss recruitment strategies; and at 2:30 p.m., I will meet with staff to get an update on the Grand Opera House’s renovation and expansion project. At the request of the Opera House Foundation, we are working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the renovation project so that we are in alignment on the project’s scope and financing. I think it is a good suggestion. On Thursday at 10:00 a.m., I will meet with representatives from ADVOCAP to discuss a potential ARPA funding application; at 2:00 p.m., I will do the same with representatives from Covey. On Thursday at 6:00 p.m., we will host the first of our public information sessions regarding ARPA funding, held at City Hall. Friday at 10:00 a.m., we will have the second of our ARPA information sessions, again at City Hall. At 11:30 a.m., I will meet with Library Director Darryl Eschete in order to introduce him to Winnebago County’s Human Services Director, Bill Topel. At 2:00 p.m., we will hold our last ARPA information session, which will be a Q&A show broadcast live on Oshkosh Media. If you have any questions about my upcoming schedule, please do not hesitate to contact me.