HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.31.25 Newsletter
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: John Fitzpatrick, Interim City Manager
DATE: January 31, 2025
RE: Weekly Newsletter
1. COMING SOON! “BRIDGING PAST AND PRESENT,” A COLLABORTIVE SERIES
EXPLORING NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE: In the fall of 2023, the City
of Oshkosh engaged the University of Milwaukee's Cultural Resource Management (UWM-
CRM) to provide consultation for the road construction project in Menominee Park to ensure
compliance with historic preservation regulations. During their archaeological work, UWM-
CRM identified evidence of an early Native American village from circa 900 to 1600 CE.
Through consultation with the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources, and associated Tribal Nations, UWM-CRM developed a plan to protect
the site. From the local community to national news coverage, much interest followed these
discoveries.
The Oshkosh Public Museum and the Friends of the Oshkosh Seniors Center partnered to
develop a project to demystify this archeological work and highlight Native American art
and cultural heritage through presentations and workshops. The program, “Bridging Past
and Present: Exploring Native American Cultural Heritage,” provides opportunities to
increase understanding of our region's Indigenous communities, both past and present. The
program received funding through the Wisconsin Arts Board and the Friends of the Oshkosh
Seniors Center. As the program series took shape, Discover Oshkosh became a sponsor, and
the Oshkosh Public Library agreed to develop a program.
The series kicks off on Sunday, February 23, at 2:00 p.m. at the Oshkosh Convention Center,
and the public is invited to join us for the free opening program. A panel consisting of
Jennifer Haas, Director of the Cultural Resource Management Program at UWM, David
Grignon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin,
and William Quackenbush, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of the Ho-Chunk Nation will
share their involvement and perspectives about the recent Menominee Park archaeological
work. While the event is free, we ask that you register for the opening program. Visit the
Oshkosh Seniors Center website for more information, as well as links to the program
brochure and registration page.
2. LANDSCAPE OPERATIONS IS AWARDED A $25,000 URBAN FORESTRY GRANT
FROM THE WISCONSIN DNR: The Oshkosh Parks Department is excited to share that
they have been selected to receive an urban forestry grant of $25,000 from the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop a current urban forestry management
plan for the City of Oshkosh. The competition for this funding was high. The DNR received
67 grant applications totaling $1,119,789.00. However, the DNR had only $629,680.00
available for the 2025 Urban Forestry grant, allowing only 43 grants to be awarded.
Applying for this funding required a 50% match of the total project budget, and we want to
acknowledge the $25,000 in matching funds provided by the Taking Root II Fund from the
Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. The Taking Root II Fund was established to help the
community recover from the devasting effects of the Ash Borer. Receiving funding to
develop an urban forest management plan for Oshkosh will provide a framework for policy
and action that guides city government decision-making to help maintain, preserve,
enhance, and restore its urban forest. The project will also include purchasing and planting
trees on terraces and in parks.
If you wish to donate to the Taking Root II Fund to help ensure a healthy urban forest in
Oshkosh, please contact the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation at 920-426-3993. If you
have questions about forestry-related topics, please contact Travis Derks, Landscape
Operations Manager, at 920-236-5080.
3. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND IN OUR PARKS: The Oshkosh Parks
Department relies on the generosity of volunteers to help us with special events and park
projects. Recently, we have significantly improved the volunteering process, making it a
simple and straightforward experience for the public to get involved. The Parks Department
has seen an increase in local companies doing group projects such as planting and providing
cleanup assistance. It is a great way to build a team environment within your company, and
the Parks Department is truly grateful for the help.
By volunteering, you or your organization can play a significant role in enhancing the special
events and appearance of our community. If you're interested in making a positive impact,
please visit the Parks Department volunteer webpage to explore how you can be of help.
For more information on these events or volunteer opportunities, contact Kathy Snell, Special
Events Coordinator, at (920)236-5080.
4. FIRST INSTALLMENT OF TAXES DUE ON JANUARY 31ST: Taxpayers have the option
of paying their real estate taxes in four installments. The first installment is due on January
31, 2025, and must be paid on or before 5 working days after the due date. If payment is not
made on time, the installment option is lost and the TOTAL unpaid balance of the tax bill
becomes delinquent. All delinquent taxes are subject to interest of 1% per month (fraction of
a month counts as a whole month) from February 1st until paid and may be subject to
additional penalty (sec. 74.47, Wis Stats). Wisconsin state statutes 74.11 & 74.12 set interest
and penalties on delinquent tax amounts and they must be applied equally to all taxpayers.
Treasurers do not have the discretion to waive interest or penalty for hardship. There are
only two limited exceptions laid out in state law: Severe Postal Error (very specific
situations); and Active Military Deployment of 90+ days over the period. In person forms of
acceptable payments are cash and check at the City Hall. Online payments are accepted with
credit/debit card or e-checks, for additional fee, at our online bill pay webpage.
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, by email or call 920-
236-5002.
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.
Bridging Past and Present:
Exploring
Native American
Cultural Heritage
The Sunday free public event is the start of a series of workshops, lectures,
and informational opportunities to help understand the region’s indigenous
communities, both past and present. It begins with the recent Menominee
Park archaeological work viewed through the lens of our neighboring
Tribal Nations and archaeology professionals. It will continue with
program offerings of Native American Artists celebrating their vibrant
cultural heritage of the past through their art.
Light refreshments will be
served. Questions about the
event may be directed to
Anne Schaefer, 920.232.5306
Speakers Include:
•David Grignon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Menominee Indian
Tribe of Wisconsin
•Jennifer Haas, Director of Cultural Resouce Managerment, University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee
•Dr. Pascale Manning, Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
•William Quackenbush, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Ho-Chunk Nation
•Anna Cannizzo, Director, Oshkosh Public Museum
Sunday, February 23 at 2 pm
Oshkosh Convention Center
2 North Main Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901
Please register at: oshkoshwi.gov/SeniorServices/