HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.29.24 Newsletter
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager
DATE: August 29, 2024
RE: Weekly Newsletter
1. NEWSC AND FOX-WOLF WATERSHED ALLIANCE INTRODUCTORY STORM
WATER VIDEO: The Northeast Wisconsin Stormwater Consortium (NEWSC) and the Fox-
Wolf Watershed Alliance have collaborated to create an educational storm water video
tailored for elected officials across the basin. In partnership with members, including the
City of Oshkosh, this video aims to emphasize the critical role of storm water programs in
communities, provide essential information on urban runoff pollution, and encourage
support for local storm water initiatives. This concise 7-minute video highlights the
importance of effective storm water management within the community. You can watch the
video using the following links or QR code:
Elected Official Video
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSqvr7YV2mQ)
If you have any questions regarding the City of Oshkosh Storm Water Management
Programs, please contact Civil Engineering Supervisor Alyssa Deckert, Engineering Division
Manager/City Engineer Justin Gierach, or Director of Public Works James Rabe.
2. WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONSTRUCTION ON STH 91:
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WDOT) is beginning construction on STH 91
between STH 44 and the west Winnebago County Line starting Tuesday, September 4th. The
construction work will include culvert replacement and upsizing, bridge rehabilitation,
roadway resurfacing, and railroad intersection improvements. STH 91 will be closed to
through traffic during this project and is detoured utilizing CTH M and STH 44. The
intersection of Clairville Road will be closed during the railroad crossing work.
The City had expressed serious concerns about this project due to the increased risk of
downstream flooding in Sawyer Creek. Even with legal challenges we presented, the DOT
ignored our concerns and proceeded with the increase culvert size.
The WDOT has a project website available for the public to get information about the project,
and they have requested that construction-related questions regarding this project be
directed to Onsite Project Construction Leader Matthew Courtney at 432-234-2777 or
mcourtney@collinsengr.com.
3. WAUGOO AVENUE OPENED ON AUGUST 29TH: Waugoo Avenue, between North Main
Street and Mill Street, has fully re-opened to traffic as of the morning of Thursday, August
29th. The work for this project consisted of the construction of concrete pavement and
sidewalk on Waugoo Avenue, along with storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water main relay, and
electrical work. If you have any questions, please contact Construction Management
Supervisor Craig Ramthun.
4. MUSEUM’S SECOND-FLOOR RENOVATIONS CONTINUE: The second floor of the
Museum has been undergoing a multi-year transformation. Work on the future Waldwic
Gallery (temporary exhibition space) is in the final stages. Final details and inspections are
underway to ensure continued access to the space when it reopens.
Long-term exhibitions This Is Winnebagoland and The Menominee Clans Story remain closed
but are otherwise unaffected by the construction. Closures are to ensure full accessibility and
visitor safety. These spaces will begin welcoming visitors again as soon as possible.
The formerly known “Red Gallery,” which hosted past temporary exhibitions, will remain
closed. This space is being reimagined as a future long-term exhibition that continues our
local history’s story from People of the Waters. This will be the final phase in the second floor’s
complete transformation.
OPM and City staff appreciate your patience as this work continues. We know closures are
disruptive and hope to welcome visitors to the second floor soon. Thank you for investing
in these major infrastructure improvements that strengthen our Museum’s ability to serve
the public.
5. MUSEUM, ARTS, AND CULTURE BOARD INVESTS IN NATIVE AMERICAN
COLLECTIONS REPATRIATION EFFORTS: OPM has hired its first NAGPRA (Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) Collections Assistant Grace Pelisek. This
position, which is funded through Museum, Arts, and Culture (MAC) Board-directed
resources, is one way OPM continues to advance its commitment to the ethical and legal
principles of this critical federal legislation.
Repatriation is the legal process by which museums and other federally funded entities
return human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony
that meet the requirements outlined in the NAGPRA and are claimed by federally
recognized Native American tribe(s) and lineal descendants.
Funding was approved by the MAC Board for this position in October 2023, in advance of
updates to the NAGPRA law passed in early 2024. With this critical position now filled,
proactive work will begin. Phase one of the project will include a review of all of OPM’s
NAGPRA holdings, reexamining OPM’s previous NAGPRA activities, and enable proactive,
sustained outreach to tribal nations and lineal descendants.
OPM thanks the MAC Board for their investment in this work, and looks forward to closer
relationships with tribal partners to continue the responsible stewardship of these sensitive
collections.
6. OSHKOSH FIREFIGHTER SHARES EXPERIENCE TREATING OPIOID OVERDOSES:
In case you missed it, the August 21, 2024 edition of the Oshkosh Herald features an article
written by Oshkosh Firefighter/Paramedic Tyler Downs, who does a fantastic job describing
what it’s like to respond to opioid calls here in Oshkosh.
7. DON’T MISS THESE UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE LIBRARY:
Oshkosh Public Library Genealogy Club
September 3rd – November 19th | Under the Dome
Begin your genealogy journey with a series of talks to help jump start your research in an
organized and effective way. Presented by genealogist Sherry Lloyd and librarian Michael
McArthur, these talks will guide you in the research of your family history. Topics include
DNA, Basics of Genealogy, Using Online Databases, Using Local Documents, and Building
a Family Tree. Session times vary; visit the Oshkosh Public Library website for more
information.
Storytime for Grownups at Planet Perk
September 3rd | 6:00 p.m. | Planet Perk
Why should kids have all the fun? Join librarian Sarah Read for a monthly grownup
storytime. Color, work on a puzzle or craft, or cuddle with a cat while Sarah reads you a
short story. Stories will be a mixture of genres, classics and contemporary, with time for
discussion afterwards. It’s like listening to an audiobook, but with friends! Sessions held on
the first Tuesday of each month.
Bizarre History of Wisconsin with Chad Lewis
Wednesday, September 4th | 6:00 p.m. | Under the Dome
Chad Lewis, author and researcher of the strange and unusual, showcases over 100 bizarre
newspaper stories from Wisconsin that have not been seen in over 100 years. These
unbelievable stories were not lost, they were simply hidden. Journey back to the early days
of the state when it was filled with strange deaths, ghosts, sea serpents, peculiar people,
medical anomalies, oddities, psychic phenomena, and UFOs. This will change the way you
view the Good ol' Days of Wisconsin!
Photography exhibit at Oshkosh Public Library
September 7th – October 18th
Experience the essence of Oshkosh through the lens of local photographer Michael Esslinger.
His images will grace the walls of the library's First Floor Reading Room, serving as the
inspiration for this year’s F-Stop theme: Oshkosh Quiet. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet
Michael and admire his work up close during September’s Gallery Walk on Saturday,
September 7th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
8. 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:
BID Board
Board of Review
Board of Zoning Appeals
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee
Landmarks Commission
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.
9. 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.
10. LOOKING AHEAD: As a reminder, City Hall will be closed on Monday, September 2nd for
observance of the Labor Day holiday. The meetings I have scheduled for the week of
September 2nd include: on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m., I will attend the East Central Wisconsin
Regional Planning Commission’s (ECWRPC) meeting of its Aviation Committee. On
Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., Mayor Mugerauer and I will meet with Chancellor Leavitt
regarding the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s recently approved academic restructuring
plan as well as plans for the renovation and rebuilding of their Polk Library. On Thursday
at 5:00 p.m., Mayor Mugerauer, Deputy Mayor Buelow, and I will attend an orientation
meeting for ECWRPC’s Oshkosh Metropolitan Planning Organization. I will be out of the
office on Friday. If you have any questions about my upcoming schedule, please do not
hesitate to contact me.