Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.14.25 Newsletter : TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Rebecca Grill, City Manager DATE: March 14, 2025 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. 2025 GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS PROGRAM UPDATE: The 2025 Great Neighborhoods Program (GNP) application cycle will open soon to active recognized neighborhood associations in the city. The GNP is designed to enhance the image, increase the marketability, and improve physical conditions of Oshkosh neighborhoods. The program provides active recognized neighborhood associations the ability to collaborate with City staff to initiate, plan, and implement projects and activities that enhance the quality of life through strategic improvements to the public right-of-way or property. The GNP is funded by the City’s Capital Improvement Program and is intended to strengthen neighborhoods in Oshkosh by unifying all those working toward improving and revitalizing Oshkosh neighborhoods. Examples of projects from 2024 include the following: • City-owned utility box wraps for River East and Historic Jackson • Stevens Park trail lighting and flag pole installation • Quarry Park Master Plan and marigold terrace along Knapp Street for Quarry Park The reason why this program is so successful is because the projects are resident and neighborhood initiated, meaning that the ideas come directly from recognized neighborhood associations that are active in the city. Neighborhood associations interested in applying for funding shall hold a meeting that welcomes all neighbors to attend and discuss potential project ideas. Those present will vote on project ideas for the GNP. After the group comes to a consensus, they work with City staff to submit a project application. Program Timeline March 10, 2025 - City staff presentation at Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods Alliance meeting April 5, 2025 – City staff presentation on GNP and other city programs at Neighborhood Association Spring Rally April 7, 2025 - GNP application is open April - July 2025 - Neighborhood Associations meet with City staff to go over their project ideas July 18, 2025 - GNP applications are due July 21 - September 2025 - City staff review GNP applications to ensure all necessary information is submitted September - October 2025 - GNP Review Team scores the applications (two neighborhood representatives needed) Fall 2025 - GNP projects on Common Council agenda for consideration of approval For more information, contact Associate Planner Brandon Nielsen via email or call 920-236- 5061. 2. SEASONAL HOURS BEGIN APRIL 1ST AT YARD WASTE DROP-OFF CENTER: Seasonal hours of operation for the City’s yard waste drop-off center, located on 3rd Avenue between Idaho Street and Ohio Street, will go into effect April 1st. The operating hours will be from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Please empty all bags and containers at the drop-off center. Permits are required to use the drop-off center. The cost of a single vehicle permit for a City of Oshkosh resident is $25; the cost to a non-resident is $125 (including the Townships of Algoma, Black Wolf, Nekimi, Oshkosh, and Vinland). Permits are valid from January 1st to December 31st of the year issued. Permits can be purchased at the Collections counter at City Hall, located at 215 Church Avenue, or Kitz and Pfeil Ace Hardware, located at 427 North Main Street. Yard waste from commercial operations, including tree trimmers, landscapers, and apartment buildings, is prohibited from the yard waste drop-off center per requirements of Municipal Code Chapter 23, Section 23-9, (K). All yard waste being transported in trucks or trailers to the drop-off center must be properly secured with a tarp. If you have any questions, please contact Public Works Field Operations Manager Ryan Lemke or Public Works Sanitation Manager Eric Moran. 3. MONTHLY BRUSH COLLECTION BEGINS THE WEEK OF APRIL 7TH: Regular monthly curbside brush collection begins the week of April 7th. Curbside collection of brush is scheduled on the garbage collection day during the first full week of each month that does not contain a City of Oshkosh observed holiday, from April through December. The annual spring cleanup is scheduled for April 21st through May 9th. Spring cleanup is an extended brush collection schedule to help residents dispose of yard waste. Brush is defined as tree branches, leaves, hedge clippings, and garden debris (no grass, dirt, root balls, or stumps). Brush must be placed in paper biodegradable bags and branches must be bundled and tied. Bundles can be no longer than four feet in length and have no branches greater than three inches in diameter. Bags and bundles shall not exceed fifty pounds in weight. Place bags and bundles at least three feet away from the garbage and recycling carts on the terrace or driveway apron, no later than 5:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day. Please be sure not to obstruct the sidewalk. Plastic bags, other containers, and loose leaves will not be collected during spring cleanup or monthly collection. The Sanitation Division does not pick up grass, dirt, root balls, or stumps at any time. If you have any questions, please contact Public Works Field Operations Manager Ryan Lemke or Public Works Sanitation Manager Eric Moran. 4. START OF CONSTRUCTION FOR WEST 15TH AVE RECONSTRUCTION: The City of Oshkosh would like to notify residents that construction on one of the 2025 street reconstruction projects is beginning. The general contractor for the West 15th Avenue Reconstruction Project is Carl Bowers & Sons Construction (Bowers). Bowers plans to begin construction at the end of the week of March 10th. Advanced warning signs have been placed seven days prior to the start of construction. The purpose of this project is to reconstruct West 15th Avenue from Ohio Street to Oregon Street. Sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, and corresponding laterals will be installed, replaced, or repaired, as needed, and electrical work will be completed prior to placing new concrete pavement. Listed below are the expected phases of construction for this project: • West 15th Avenue (Iowa Street to Oregon Street) – Starts the week of March 10th o Anticipate eight weeks for utility installation; pavement restoration to follow • West 15th Avenue (Ohio St to Osceola Street) – Starts approximately the week of April 28th o Anticipate eight weeks for utility installation; pavement restoration to follow All of the work in these phases is weather dependent. The substantial completion date for this Project is October 24th. If you wish to sign up for e-mailed construction updates for Contract 25-07, please send a blank e-mail to contract2507-subscribe-request@listserver.oshkoshwi.gov. You will receive an e-mail stating your subscription request has been received. You must reply to the message within five days to complete the subscription. If at any time you wish to unsubscribe, please send an e-mail to this address: contract2507-unsubscribe- request@listserver.oshkoshwi.gov. If you have any questions, please contact Construction Management Supervisor, Craig Ramthun. 5. FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES NEW BOAT FOR ICE RESCUES: The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office dropped off a new boat, Boat 15, to Oshkosh Fire Department Station 15 last Friday. The boat, used for ice rescues, is owned by the Sheriff’s Office and jointly run by the County and the City. The new boat has updated electronics, including GPS, radar, and forward-looking infrared (FLIR, or thermal imaging) cameras. See images of the new boat below. 6. 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 Landmarks Commission Long Range Finance Committee Plan Commission 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. 7. 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.