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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.28.25 Newsletter : TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Rebecca Grill, City Manager DATE: March 28, 2025 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. TEMPORARY DRINKING WATER CHANGE, INCREASED CHLORINE SMELL OR TASTE: Chlorine is used as a primary treatment in most municipal drinking water systems to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. The City of Oshkosh uses a combination of ozone and chlorine to disinfect its drinking water. In 2025, the City of Oshkosh is replacing the ozone system equipment at the Water Filtration Plant. During this project, there will be periods of time that the ozone system will be offline, and chlorine will be utilized as the primary water treatment method to meet disinfection regulations. Throughout this project, the level of residual chlorine in the water will be safe to drink, but some residents may notice an increased smell or taste of chlorine in the water. The first ozone system shutdown is planned to start on Monday, April 7th. This shutdown is expected to last a few weeks. As construction progresses, the ozone system may go offline multiple times. The City of Oshkosh will share information with residents on social media, the City of Oshkosh Water Utility webpage, and other channels as necessary. To reduce the scent and taste of chlorine, the following actions can be helpful: • Utilize a filter such as an activated carbon filter to remove residual chlorine. • Pour water into a glass or pitcher and wait 15 - 20 minutes to evaporate chlorine. • Boil water for 15 minutes to evaporate chlorine. If you have questions regarding this project and the temporary shutdown of the ozone system, please contact Utilities Operations Manager Jason Ellis, Assistant Director of Public Works / Utilities General Manager Steve Gohde, or Director of Public Works James Rabe. For general questions regarding drinking water quality, contact the Water Filtration Plant at (920) 236-5165. 2. PROJECT UPDATE ON CODE REVIEW, FEE SCHEDULE, AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS ASSESSMENT BY MATRIX CONSULTING GROUP: Matrix Consulting Group (Matrix) is well underway with their review of the City’s overall development review process, auditing the Inspection Division’s building codes, and assessing the Inspection Division’s fee schedule and structure. This week, Matrix representatives were in Oshkosh to start interviewing staff in City departments to fully understand the existing development review process and listen to staff’s ideas on ways to improve the process. Matrix representatives are also currently reviewing our City building codes and building permit fee schedule and structure. As for next steps, there will be a customer service survey released in April and Matrix will also be conducting both in-person and virtual meetings in the following months to meet with elected officials and community stakeholders to discuss the development process, city building codes, and building permit fees. This will allow them to gather feedback on concerns and opportunities. The overall assessment and recommendations are scheduled to be completed in July 2025, and Matrix will present the findings and recommendations to the Common Council. Please contact Assistant Director of Community Development Sara Rutkowski with any questions. 3. THE IMPORTANCE OF DETECTABLE WARNING FIELDS FOR CITY SIDEWALKS: Detectable Warning Fields (DWF) are mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Compliance ensures our City remains accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities. Purpose and Importance: • DWFs are a system of truncated domes that serve to alert visually-impaired pedestrians of upcoming transitions, such as street crossings and hazardous drop- offs. • They are critical for the safety and independence of those using canes or relying on foot detection. ADA Design and Specifications: • Dome Pattern: The surface is characterized by a grid of truncated domes or bumps, strategically designed to be distinguishable underfoot or when detected by a cane. • Dimensions: Domes should be aligned in a square pattern with a diameter of 0.9-1.4 inches, dome height of 0.2 inches, and space between domes of 1.6-2.4 inches. • Material: Made from durable, weather-resistant materials that withstand environmental wear and ensure longevity. The City specifies that all DWFs to be cast iron. • Color Contrast: Must provide a marked visual contrast from the adjacent surface, typically using a distinct color to highlight the transition zone. The City requires the DWFs to be in their “natural” state, meaning that we don’t have them painted or coated with any substance, as the paint or epoxy coatings can be slippery. Placement and Installation: • Installed at the bottom of ramps and other critical transition points in accordance with ADA guidelines. • The detectable warning should cover the entire width of the curb ramp and extend approximately 24 inches in the direction of pedestrian travel. The Department of Public Works remains committed to improving City infrastructure to meet the diverse needs of our community. We are continually assessing and updating our specifications and practices to align with best practices and regulatory changes. Your understanding and support of these initiatives are vital for our continued success in creating a safer and more inclusive City environment. If you have any questions, please contact Engineering Division Manager / City Engineer, Justin Gierach. 4. GRANT PROVIDES OFD NEW HAZMAT EQUIPMENT: Thanks to a generous grant from the State of Wisconsin, the Oshkosh Fire Department was able to purchase new hazardous materials (hazmat) equipment. The grant allowed OFD to update their current radiation detection equipment with two new models. The new models interface with software used to communicate readings to local, state, and federal partners. OFD also purchased new radiation detectors, which better track the exposure rate and dose of radiation our first responders may encounter on scene, and two meters that can identify which radionuclides are present on an emergency scene. 5. OFD CELEBRATES RETIREMENT: After five years with the Oshkosh Fire Department, Management Analyst MaryJo Van Gompel is retiring on April 1, 2025. We appreciate her service and wish her the best in her retirement! 6. OPD HAPPENINGS: The Oshkosh Police Department welcomed new Records and Reports Clerk Bethany Jennerjohn, part-time Telecommunications Clerk Brooklyn Baker and part- time Court Clerk Lindsey Whitney. Congratulations, and welcome to the OPD team! • Bethany Jennerjohn currently resides in Hortonville, WI. She attended the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice in June 2021. Prior to becoming a Records and Reports Clerk, Bethany worked as a Criminal and Traffic Clerk with the Winnebago County Clerk of Courts Office. • Brooklyn Baker currently resides in Ripon, WI. She is attending Ripon College, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in exercise science. • Lindsey Whitney currently resides in Oshkosh, WI. She is a 2019 graduate from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in human services with an emphasis on leadership. Prior to becoming a part-time Court Clerk, Lindsey had previous experience as a Court Liaison Clerk for the City of Menasha Police Department. 7. OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE OPD: The Oshkosh Police Department continues to build positive relationships in the community through their various events and initiatives. Cocoa with a Cop: School resource officers, along with several officers and K9 Gema, held “Cocoa with a Cop” events in March at Oshkosh West and Oshkosh North High Schools, Carl Traeger Middle School, and Perry Tipler Middle School. “Cocoa with a Cop” is such a great way for students and officers to start their morning: “Great conversation and positive connections – One Cup at a Time!” Daisy Troop Visits OPD: A local Girl Scout Daisy troop spent time at the Oshkosh Police Department on March 12th. Officers Jason Konitzer and Kaylee Raabe provided a tour of the department and demonstrated a squad car. The officers also spoke with the troop about what it means to be a police officer. The Daisy troop had a great time with the officers! DARE Fundraiser: Several officers participated in a DARE fundraiser on March 11th. Culver’s Westowne Restaurant hosted the event in support of the DARE program. Officers, along with members of their families, greeted and served customers. A portion of all proceeds will go back to the local community. Thank you to Culver’s and to everyone who came out in support of the DARE program! 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 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. 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.