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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.19.24 Newsletter TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager DATE: July 19, 2024 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. REINSTATEMENT OF BALLOT DROP BOX IN OSHKOSH: On July 5, 2024, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overruled its prior decision, in part, in Teigen v. WEC, and held that secure drop boxes are permitted under state law as a valid method of absentee ballot return. Voters can now return their absentee ballots using drop boxes in the 2024 elections. The use of drop boxes is not mandatory and is at the discretion of the municipal clerk. The City of Oshkosh Clerk has reinstated the use of its drop box located at City Hall. Absentee voters may now return their completed absentee ballot at this location, effective immediately. The City of Oshkosh drop box is located at the main entrance of City Hall, to the left of the doors. It is securely constructed into the building, is ADA assessable, monitored with surveillance cameras, and is tamper-resistant, ensuring the safety and integrity of ballots. The drop box is only accessible for material retrieval from inside the building by City Clerk’s Office staff during the times listed below. There is no new drop box location being considered at this time. For the August State Primary Election, City Clerk’s Office staff will retrieve drop box materials three times daily every weekday. Any returned ballots will be secured in the Clerk’s office until processing at the Central Count location on election day. On August 13, Election Day, Central Count election inspectors will retrieve drop box materials up to 4:30 p.m. If a voter is returning their absentee ballot after 4:30 p.m. on Election Day, they are required to deliver it to the Central Count location on the 4th floor (room 404/406) of City Hall. The City Clerk’s Office is working with the Wisconsin Election Commission (WEC) to ensure full adherence to state and local election laws. This collaboration is critical to ensure the drop box meets all legal requirements and standards. This plan not only secures the process but also encourages voter participation. If you have any questions, contact City Clerk, Diane Bartlett. 2. OPD CELEBRATES RETIREMENT OF SERGEANT ANSELL: On July 12, 2024, the Oshkosh Police Department said goodbye to Sergeant Brandon Ansell, who retired after proudly serving the Department and the City of Oshkosh for over 22 years. During his tenure with the Department, he has performed the duties of a patrol officer, patrol sergeant, criminal investigation sergeant, Vice and Narcotics Unit sergeant, and most recently served as the Professional Development/Training Sergeant. Sergeant Ansell served as a field training officer, member of the SWAT Team, a department instructor for firearms, DAAT (defensive and arrest tactics), Taser, and professional communications. Throughout his career, he has received numerous letters of recognition, Supervisor Logs, a Medal of Valor in 2004, a Department Commendation Medal in 2005, a Distinguished Service Medal in 2014, Noteworthy Performance of Duty Awards in 2019 and 2020, and a Community Service Award and Supervisor of the Year Award in 2021 for his commendable actions in the line of duty. We sincerely thank Sergeant Ansell for his exceptional service and dedication to the Oshkosh Police Department and to the City of Oshkosh. Congratulations on your retirement Brandon; we wish you the very best for a happy and healthy retirement! 3. OPD WELCOMES NEW OFFICERS AND CADETS: The Oshkosh Police Department (OPD) welcomed the hiring of two community service officers, Charles Kolbeck and Jacob Bowman, along with a new parking and control officer, Austin Ewing. Congratulations, and welcome to the OPD team! • Jacob Bowman is a 2023 graduate of Lourdes Academy High School in Oshkosh. He is currently attending Fox Valley Technical College in the criminal justice program. In addition to serving as a community service officer, Jacob remains employed with Kwik Trip. • Charles Kolbeck is a 2022 graduate of Hortonville North High School in Hortonville. He is currently attending the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the criminal justice program. Prior to becoming a community service Officer, Charles was employed by Menards. • Austin Ewing is a 2024 graduate of Oshkosh West High School. He is currently enrolled in Fox Valley Technical College in the criminal justice program. Prior to becoming a parking control officer, Austin was employed with Fleet Farm. OPD also welcomed four new police cadets to the team: Aaron Petkovsek, Alexys Schneider, Guyon Cyprian, and Ryan Bahr. They are attending the 18-week Fox Valley Technical College Police Recruit Academy in preparation for their career in law enforcement. 4. LIBRARY HOSTING “ART AFTER HOURS” EVENT: Oshkosh’s vibrant art scene is set to shine on August 3rd, as the library hosts Art After Hours under the Dome. From 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., adults and teens aged 16 and older are invited to a no-cost evening filled with artistic expression and plenty of fun. A library card is not required to attend. Kick back, connect, and create, with a Community Art Showcase and a variety of stations designed to inspire your inner artist. Relax while coloring or crafting; snack on popcorn, cotton candy, and Sno-cones; and sip delicious mocktails and fresh fruit-infused waters. Try these hands-on activities: • Create spin or string art • Make a personalized bookmark • Relax with magnetic poetry, Light Bright, coloring, and a craft • Paint a mini canvas with your own original design • Receive a henna design (exclusive to women) Want to showcase your artwork? The public is invited to submit original creations for the Community Art Showcase featured during the event. Contact the Library's Community Engagement Librarian Sandy Toland for submissions. Art After Hours and other summer programs are made possible by a grant from the Donald Hansen Fund of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. Special thanks to UWO Go for their promotional support and for providing transportation for UWO students to the event. 5. 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. There are current openings on the following boards and commissions: Board of Review Board of Zoning Appeals Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee Long Range Finance Committee Plan Commission Sustainability Advisory Board To learn more about the boards and commissions, or to complete an application to serve, visit our boards and commissions webpage. If you have questions about current openings, please contact the City Manager’s Executive Assistant, Kami Zuercher, at (920) 236-5002 or kzuercher@oshkoshwi.gov. 6. AGENDAS AND MINUTES FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Upcoming board and commission meeting agendas can be found on our Meeting Notices web page. All meeting minutes are uploaded to the City’s page for boards and commissions upon approval. 7. LOOKING AHEAD: The meetings I have scheduled for the week of July 22nd include the following: on Monday at 10:00 a.m., I will meet with Community Development Director Nieforth to review our tax increment districts; at 2:30 p.m., I will meet with staff and external partners to continue conversations regarding potential options for bridge and Riverwalk lighting. On Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., I will meet with Finance staff to continue preparations for the Capital Improvement Program budget workshop with Council on July 30th; at 10:00 a.m., I am meeting with Grand Opera House Foundation Chair Rick Hearnden on issues related to the Grand’s renovation project; and at 2:30 p.m., I will meet with Human Resources Manager Michelle Behnke to review annual exit interview feedback. On Thursday, Museum Director Anna Cannizzo and I will travel to Keshena, Wisconsin to visit with leadership of the Menominee Tribe. If you have any questions about my upcoming schedule, please do not hesitate to contact me.