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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.12.24 Newsletter TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager DATE: April 12, 2024 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. CITY WATER QUALITY IN COMPLIANCE WITH EPA’S NEW PFAS LIMITS: On April 10, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced the final Maximum Contaminant Limits (MCL) for six (6) PFAS compounds: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (referred to as GenX Compounds), and PFBS. Compound Final MCL (enforceable levels) City-Treated Water Test Results PFOA 4.0 ppt Non Detect PFOS 4.0 ppt Non Detect PFHxS 10 ppt Non Detect PFNA 10 ppt Non Detect HFPO-DA (commonly known as GenX Chemicals) 10 ppt Non Detect Mixtures containing two (2) or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS 1 (unitless) Hazard Index Non Detect ppt (parts per trillion), also expressed as ng/l (nano grams per liter) City test results are from USEPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) testing. The City of Oshkosh Water Utility takes its mission to protect public health and safety by providing a sufficient supply of safe drinking water for public consumption and fire protection very seriously. As can be seen by the testing results above, the City of Oshkosh Water Utility is in compliance with the new USEPA standards for PFAS compounds. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat. They were first used in the 1940’s and are now in hundreds of products including stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpeting, cleaning products, paints, and fire-fighting foams. Certain PFAS are also authorized by the FDA for limited use in cookware, food packaging, and food processing equipment. Chemically, individual PFAS can be very different. However, all have a carbon-fluorine bond, which is very strong and therefore, they do not degrade easily. The widespread use of PFAS and their persistence in the environment means that PFAS from past and current uses have resulted in increasing levels of contamination of the air, water, and soil. Accumulation of certain PFAS has also been shown through blood tests to occur in humans and animals. While the science surrounding potential health effects of bioaccumulation is developing, exposure to some types of PFAS have been associated with serious health effects. 2. MUSEUM DIRECTOR ACCEPTS POSITION IN IDAHO: Oshkosh Public Museum Director Sarah Phillips has accepted the position of Director of the Idaho State Museum at the Idaho State Historical Society. She will continue at the Oshkosh Public Museum through May 10th, where she has provided oversight of the exhibitions, programs, presentations, and staff. During her time with the city, Phillips energized the Museum and highlighted the many assets of the Museum, bringing greater awareness to the cultural asset that we have in Oshkosh. Phillips previously worked in various positions at the Idaho State Museum, and earned a Masters of Applied Historical Research with an emphasis in Museum Studies and 20th Century American History from Boise State University. The city of Oshkosh wishes Sarah the very best in the next chapter in her career, and congratulates her for her service to the city. 3. DNR TO ASSIST WITH PRIVATE-SIDE LEAD WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT: During the March 26, 2024 Common Council meeting, the Department of Public Works (Department) informed the Common Council that we expected to receive the Financial Assistance Agreement (FAA) from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) for the private-side lead water service line replacement program by approximately April 15th. The Department has been informed by the WDNR that they are still working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on terms to be included in the FAA. It is now believed that the City will not receive the FAA for our review until mid-May. If you have questions regarding the private-side lead water service lateral replacement program, please contact Assistant Director of Public Works / Utilities General Manager Steve Gohde. 4. LEGISLATURE MAKES CHANGES TO MUNICIPAL BORROWING: Wisconsin’s Act 128 (the “Act”), passed in 2023, took effect on March 23, 2024. The Act extends the statutory maximum maturity date for general obligation promissory notes from 10 years to 20 years. Before this Act, the City would sometimes issue 10-year general obligation notes and 20-year general obligation bonds in the same year. With this change, local governments will no longer have a reason to issue general obligation bonds because issuing promissory notes will achieve the same 20-year maximum term, and carry the following additional advantages in comparison to bonds: • Spending Flexibility • No Referendum Requirement • Method of Sale Flexibility • More Flexibility for Towns • Administrative Simplicity 5. OFD PARTNERS WITH PANTRY FOR FIRE SAFETY: On Tuesday, April 2nd, the Oshkosh Fire Department was at the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry with the Oshkosh Police Department. The Pantry was kind enough to let the Fire Department use their facility to distribute StoveTop FireStop devices to their customers aged 60 and above. Cooking fires are very common in Oshkosh. Unattended cooking accounts for a large portion of residential fires. The FireStop devices are designed to extinguish these types of fires without any action necessary by the resident of the home. StoveTop FireStops are basically a pair of cans filled with a fire extinguishing agent. These devices are magnetically attached to a range hood and activate when flames make contact with a fuse on the underside of the can, putting out the fire. The Police Department assisted the Fire Department with distribution, and also handed out scam prevention and other safety information to customers. The Fire and Police Departments would like to thank the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry for being such a great community partner. 6. FIRE DEPARTMENT HOSTING RECOGNITION EVENT: The Oshkosh Fire Department is hosting an invitation-only recognition dinner on Saturday, April 20th, from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Oshkosh Convention Center. The recognition dinner is funded by Country Financial Representative Philip Karsnia. During the dinner, awards will be presented for Exceptional Duty, Lifesaving, Teamwork, Guardian Angel, Friends of the Fire Department, and Fire Chief’s Award. Awards are presented to City of Oshkosh firefighters, as well as citizens who were selected through a nomination process. 7. 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 this link: oshkoshwi.gov/BoardsAndCommissions/ 8. 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: onboard.oshkoshwi.gov/ 9. LOOKING AHEAD: The meetings I have scheduled for the week of April 15th include the following: on Monday at 7:30 a.m., I will attend the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce’s Government Relations Meeting; at 10:30 a.m., I will meet with staff and representatives from the Oshkosh Area School District to discuss the student busing program. On Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., staff and I will meet with a local business owner regarding liquor license regulations. On Friday at 10:00 a.m., I will meet with staff to discuss facility improvement projects proposed to be included in a future capital improvement program (CIP); at 2:00 p.m., I will be meeting with Rep. Mike Schraa. If you have any questions about my upcoming schedule, please do not hesitate to contact me.