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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.10.25 Newsletter TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: John Fitzpatrick, Interim City Manager DATE: January 10, 2025 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. MENOMINEE PARK AMUSEMENT OPERATIONS: Following discussion with the Advisory Parks Board, and as part of the 2025 budget process last fall, the difficult decision was made to discontinue the amusement ride operations at Menominee Park. This includes the water rides (kayaks/canoes/pedal boats) and the train. Many factors were considered as part of this decision, including: difficulty in securing seasonal/part time staff 18 years or older, as required by state law; the need for approximately $50,000 to construct a secure facility for after-hours storage of the train and make necessary repairs to the train and tracks; revenues not covering the operating or capital costs; and the proliferation of lily pads in the amusement lagoon. Additionally, the train engine (believed to be from the 1950s) will require replacing in the future. The past few years, Parks Department staff made changes to amusement operations and hours to try to maximize revenues while reducing costs, as well as to assist with staff recruitment. With the recent heightened media attention to this decision, some potential private fundraising efforts to help support the necessary capital and operating costs for the amusement train have been brought to the attention of staff. As Council is aware, the City has had many wonderful public/private partnerships to accomplish projects and support operations. Staff will continue to have discussions with potential partners in an attempt to continue the train operation in 2025, as long as staff recruitment is successful as well. For further information, please contact Ray Maurer, Parks Director, at 920-236-5080. 2. FARMINGTON AVENUE/CHRISTIAN DRIVE SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING SUBDIVISION NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING SET: The City will be holding a meeting on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 404 at City Hall to discuss the single- family subdivision plans for the Farmington Avenue and Christian Drive area where the City has purchased property. Property owners along Christian Drive and Farmington Avenue, and portions of Eichstadt Road and Olson Drive, were invited to the meeting to learn more about the City’s housing initiative. The neighborhood meeting is in response to neighborhood concerns that were voiced at a recent Plan Commission meeting about the proposed project. The initiative will facilitate the construction of single-family homes that are affordable to residents with an income of approximately $80,000-$140,000, which is considered the “workforce” income tier in Winnebago County (80%-140% of the area’s median income, which is roughly $100,000). The new subdivision will meet all City requirements of a new subdivision for stormwater, sidewalks, and green space, including a new city park, which has been identified as a need in the City’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreational Plan. If you have questions about the meeting, please contact Director of Community Development Nieforth. 3. OSHKOSH SECURES PASSPORT FOR CITIZEN BENEFIT: Council and staff have heard requests from the public to simplify and modernize parking management. In response, the City is taking a step forward by partnering with Passport, a technology leader in parking management. By adopting Passport’s innovative platform, the City aims to streamline its parking permit and enforcement systems, creating a more efficient and user-friendly experience for all. Through Passport’s secure online system, users can easily apply for, purchase, and manage their parking permits digitally, eliminating the need for in-person visits and paper-based systems. The system will provide residents a more seamless experience when navigating the City’s parking network. The City will also gain access to robust tools, which will allow for greater efficiency and management. This system will be implemented over time in the coming months. If you have questions about this, please contact Transportation Director Jim Collins or Information Technology Manager Tony Neumann. 4. WINTER ICE SKATING RETURNS TO MENOMINEE PARK: Winter ice skating opens on Saturday, January 11th, on the Menominee Park Zoo lagoon. The outdoor rink will be open, weather permitting, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Menominee Park Zoo through February. The outdoor rink nestled in the heart of Menominee Park promises to be a magical winter attraction. The Lake Fly Café will serve as a warming shelter, and weekend skate hours will remain open as conditions permit. On the weekend, free skate rentals from Dr. Eric’s Skate Club will be available to the public. The public is welcome to skate on the rink in conjunction with the extended Menominee Park Zoo hours of Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The warming shelter and free skate rentals will not be available on weekdays. The outdoor rink will only be open when weather and ice conditions permit. Closures will be announced on the Menominee Park Facebook page. For information about Winter Skating at Menominee Park Zoo’s Lagoon, located at 520 Pratt Trail in Oshkosh, contact the Oshkosh Parks Department at 920-236-5080. 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: 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. 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.