HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_02.13.2024CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
02.13.2024
CLOSED SESSION (5:00 PM, Room 404, City Hall): The Common Council
convened into Closed Session to discuss bargaining options, strategy,
parameters, and terms related to the negotiation of a development
agreement with Aligned Medical Oshkosh for ThedaCare/Froedtert
project pursuant to Section 19.85(1)(e) of the Wisconsin State Statutes
where competitive bargaining reasons require a closed session.
CALL TO ORDER - 6:01 pm
ROLL CALL
Present:Matt Mugerauer, Mayor; Lynnsey Erickson; Karl Buelow; Paul
Esslinger; Mike Ford; LaKeisha Haase
Absent:Joe Stephenson
Staff
Present:
Mark Rohloff, City Manager; Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney;
Diane Bartlett, City Clerk
Attendees:Russ Van Gompel, Finance Director
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Trinity Lutheran School
CITIZEN STATEMENTS TO COUNCIL
Sean Fitzgerald, 517 Gehres Ct., Oshkosh, WI
Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the city should continue with the special
assessments. He believes it is unfair to the residents who have invested in
their special assessment. A home's resale value will increase with a new
road, sanitary drainage and water in front of it. Therefore, there are ways
a homeowner can recoup the money they have invested. Mr. Fitzgerald
recommended the Council stay the course and keep special assessments
as is.
Rob Kleman (representing The Oshkosh Chamber, 120 Jackson St,
Oshkosh)
Mr. Kleman stated that the Chamber of Commerce surveyed their
members. Results show 26% are in favor of the VRF and utility increase,
and 74% are not. With this approach, chamber members feel roads will
not get fixed fast enough. Mr. Kleman proposed a combination of a lower
VRF, a smaller utility increase, a lower assessment cap with a combination
of a general levy increase. He believes it is important to keep residents
"responsible/accountable".
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Report of Bills and Payroll by the Finance Director
Receipt & Filing of Minutes - Common Council Regular Meeting, 01.23.24
Receipt & Filing of Minutes - Library Board, 12.21.23
Receipt & Filing of Claim Filed with the City's Insurance Company - City of
Oshkosh
Res 24-50 Disallowance of Claim by Robert Wilcox
Res 24-51 Approve Amendment to 2024 Operating Budget to Provide Funding for
Limited Term Employee (LTE) Services in the Legal Department ($8,000.00)
Res 24-52 Approve Granting an Easement to Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) for Mill
on Main, LLC Development (Redevelopment Authority Recommends
Approval)
Res 24-53 Approve Conditional Use Permit for a Personal Storage Facility Located at
1990 Walter Court (Plan Commission Recommends Approval)
Res 24-54 Approve Professional Services Agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group,
Inc. for 2024 Water Utility Technical Services ($213,770)
Res 24-55 Approve Professional Services Agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group
for 2024 Wastewater Utility Technical Services ($282,840)
Res 24-56 Approve CIP Amendment and Amendment No. 1 to Professional
Services Agreement with Donohue & Associates, Inc. for
Wastewater Treatment Plant Lifting Systems Improvements (+$49,707)
Res 24-57 Award Bid for Public Works Contract No. 24-08 to O&J Coatings, Inc. for
Fernau Water Tower Painting and Mixing ($986,000)
Res 24-58 Award Bid for Public Works Contract No. 24-07 to Dorner, Inc. for Cherry
Street Reconstruction and Prospect Avenue Water Main Construction
($5,282,786.69)
Res 24-59 Award Bid to H&H Sales Company Inc. for Stainless Steel Flatbed Body for
the Streets Division ($12,900.00)
Res 24-60 Approve Purchase of Three-Year Endpoint Security Services (ESS)
Agreement from Center for Internet Security (CIS) for IT Division
($91,206.00)
Res 24-61 Approve Cooperative Purchase of Cardiac Monitors from Zoll Medical
Corporation for Fire Department ($1,112,929.46)
Res 24-62 Approve Inter-Agency Agreement for Automatic Aid with the Town of
Algoma to Provide Assistance for Structure Fires
Res 24-63 Approve Amendment to 2024 Operating Budget Fire Department for Fall
Prevention Program
Res 24-64 Rescind or Refund Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes
Res 24-65 Authorize Application for the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual
Insurance 2023/2024 Safety Grant Equipment Program for the Police
Department
Res 24-66 Approve Special Event - Dublin's Irish Pub to Host a St. Patty's Celebration
in Dublin's Parking Lot (2070 W 9th Ave.), March 16, 2024
Res 24-67 Approve Agent Change - SOS Brothers
Res 24-68 Approve Combination "Class A" Beer/Liquor License Surrender and
Approve Issuance of Combination "Class A" Beer/Liquor License - Liberty
Square Gas Station
Res 24-69 Approve Special Class "B" Licenses
Res 24-70 Approve Appointment to Advisory Park Board
MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ABOVE
Motion To Approve Paul Esslinger
Second Karl Buelow
AYE:Mayor Matt Mugerauer, Lynnsey Erickson, Karl Buelow, Paul Esslinger,
Mike Ford, LaKeisha Haase
6 - 0 Passed
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA - none
PENDING ORDINANCE
Ord 24-71 Amend Section 27A-11 of the Municipal Code Pertaining to Parking
Regulations on Designated Streets and Alleys (Congress Avenue)
(Transportation Committee Recommends Approval)
Motion To Approve Karl Buelow
Second Paul Esslinger
AYE:Mayor Matt Mugerauer, Lynnsey Erickson, Karl Buelow, Paul Esslinger,
Mike Ford, LaKeisha Haase
6 - 0 Passed
Ord 24-72 Amend Section 27A-11 of the Municipal Code Pertaining to Parking
Regulations on Designated Streets and Alleys (Punhoqua Street)
(Transportation Committee Recommends Approval)
Motion To Approve Karl Buelow
Second Paul Esslinger
AYE:Mayor Matt Mugerauer, Lynnsey Erickson, Karl Buelow, Paul Esslinger,
Mike Ford, LaKeisha Haase
6 - 0 Passed
Ord 24-73 Amend Section 27A-2 of the Municipal Code Pertaining to Prohibited
Right Turns at the Intersection of North Main St, Harrison Street, and New
York Avenue (Transportation Committee Recommends Approval)
Motion To Approve Paul Esslinger
Second Lynnsey Erickson
AYE:Mayor Matt Mugerauer, Lynnsey Erickson, Karl Buelow, Paul Esslinger,
Mike Ford, LaKeisha Haase
6 - 0 Passed
NEW ORDINANCES - No formal action was taken on the items below
*Ord 24-74 Rename, Recodify, and Amend the Following Chapters and Provisions of
the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code:
Chapter 3 – Currently "Advertising" to "Finance";
Chapter 5 – Currently "Amusements" to "Special Events";
Chapter 8 – Currently "In General" to "Permits and Licenses";
Chapter 12 – Currently "Finance" to "Property and Purchasing";
Section 17-12 – Currently "Advertisements on Private Property without
Owner's Consent Prohibited" to "Notices, Advertisements and Bill
Posting"; and
Move the provisions in the current Chapter 18 to new Chapter 8 and
Repeal Chapter 18 – Currently "Licenses"
*Ord 24-75 Amend Definition of Overtime Parking and Basic Penalties for Violation of
Parking Provisions
*Ord 24-76 Amend Section 27-36 and Appendix 27B Regarding Designation of
Parking Spaces in Downtown Municipal Parking Lots (Transportation
Committee Recommends Approval)
*Ord 24-77 Approve Changes to Chapter 3 of the City of Oshkosh Municipal Code to
Create a Vehicle Registration Fee
*Ord 24-78 Approve Zone Change from Urban Mixed Use District with a Planned
Development Overlay (UMU-PD) to Institutional District (I) for the Property
Located at 240 Algoma Boulevard (Plan Commission Recommends
Approval)
NEW RESOLUTIONS
Res 24-79 Appropriate ARPA Funds for 2024 Projects in Lieu of Issuing Debt (as
amended - SEE AMENDED RESOLUTION ATTACHMENT)
Council Member Ford noted that the policy approved three years ago is
working, and he is pleased to see there will be no stormwater bond
issuance because of the ARPA funds being used.
Finance Director Van Gompel presented an update on the initial
resolution, stating that it originally included a Parks Department shop
sweeper that could be withdrawn because funds were available through
the Parks Department. Therefore, ARPA funds or acquiring new debt for
the item is not required.
Finance Director Van Gompel also presented an update to the ARPA fund
distribution, stating that with the previously approved distributions, there is
approximately $900,000 available for infrastructure allocation. The non-
infrastructure application process is moving forward, and as a reminder,
ARPA funds need to be appropriated by the end of 2024.
Mayor Mugerauer asked about the potential use of ARPA funds for the
Clear Well project or the Intake project. Both Finance Director Gompel
and Public Works Director Rabe feel it will be difficult to meet the timeline
of appropriating funds for the Clear Well project by the end of 2024, as for
the intake flushing, the city had funds set aside for such an emergency.
Council Member Buelow asked Public Works Director Rabe for an update
on the intake flushing project. Director Rabe stated the project was
complete and went as expected.
Motion To Approve Paul Esslinger
Second Karl Buelow
AYE:Mayor Matt Mugerauer, Lynnsey Erickson, Karl Buelow, Paul Esslinger,
Mike Ford, LaKeisha Haase
6 - 0 Passed
COUNCIL DISCUSSION, DIRECTION TO CITY MANAGER & FUTURE AGENDA
ITEMS
Strategic Planning Session, March 4th, 2024, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM at
Lakeshore Park's Four-Seasons Building
Council Discussion Regarding Mayor Selection Process (Mugerauer)
Mayor Mugerauer opened the discussion with his appreciation of the
conversation that had been created on the topic of changing the title of
Mayor to Council President. He understands why many in the community
are confused about our form of government. Oshkosh is unique and the
only municipality in the state of Wisconsin that has the title of Mayor with
no executive power.
Council Member Ford highlighted the Mayoral duties and noted that they
are equal as a Council President's duty.
Mayor Mugerauer stated that he was surprised that the residents of
Oshkosh did not realize that the Mayor does not have executive power.
He is bringing this to light to set up the Council for future success.
Council Member Esslinger noted that council should remember that the
current form of government was chosen by the citizens. If this is something
the citizens want to change, it should be something they do.
Council Member Buelow remarked that, in general, he would favor more
education in the role of Mayor. The citizens did elect a Mayor to run the
meetings and appoint people to the boards and commissions, and there
is value in that. If there is a misunderstanding in the Mayor's responsibilities
verses the City Managers, the City should clarify that.
Mayor Mugerauer commented that just because you can win an election
doesn't mean you can be an effective leader. He feels that the Council
choosing the most competent person is the most effective way to have a
successful governing body. Mugerauer would also like Council Member
Stephenson to be a part of the Council consensus and discuss changing
the title and the possibility of adopting an ordinance. Since Council
Member Stephenson is absent this evening, Mugerauer would like to revisit
this topic at the next Council meeting.
City Manager Rohloff clarified the process for bringing an ordinance to
Council and how consensus is important. It is designed to avoid "one-offs"
and ensure that staff resources and time are not wasted.
Deputy Mayor Erickson is in support of seeing this subject move forward.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS & STATEMENTS
Council Member Ford recommended seeing "Matilda" at Oshkosh
North at 7 pm on Thursday.
City Clerk Bartlett reminded Council and residents that the early
absentee voting location had changed from City Hall to 19 East
Irving. Council previously approved this location and it will be used
for elections through 2024.
CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS & STATEMENTS
City Manager Rohloff noted that he spoke to the Sustainability Advisory
Board as well as the Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee on our ARPA
non-infrastructure application process. Rohloff also reminded other local
non-profits and organizations that they are encouraged to attend
upcoming meetings to learn more about the ARPA funds available. Mr.
Rohloff expressed that staff will be working with applicants to be sure
applications are complete.
City Manager Rohloff noted the memos below regarding employee
coaching and staff development, and the memo regarding Jacob's
engineering. Both exceed the $25,000 threshold for which Mr. Rohloff is
obligated to report to Council.
Rise Leadership: Employee Coaching & Staff Development ($25,000.00)
Professional Services Agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. for
Wastewater Treatment Plant Secondary Clarifiers No. 2 and No.
4 Improvements Engineering Services ($38,900)
Outstanding Issues
MOTION TO ADJOURN - 6:43 pm
Motion To Approve Mayor Matt Mugerauer
Second Karl Buelow
AYE:Mayor Matt Mugerauer, Lynnsey Erickson, Karl Buelow, Paul Esslinger,
Mike Ford, LaKeisha Haase
6 - 0 Passed
SUBMITTED BY
DIANE BARTLETT
CITY CLERK