HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.30.25 Newsletter
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TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Rebecca Grill, City Manager
DATE: May 30, 2025
RE: Weekly Newsletter
1. OPD HAPPENINGS: The Oshkosh Police Department (OPD) welcomed new Police
Officers Kelsey Gill, Mercedes Eichstedt, and Gabriella Schmidt during a Police and Fire
Commission meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Congratulations and welcome to the OPD
team!
• Kelsey Gill is originally from Hubertus, Wisconsin, where she graduated in 2018
from Hartford Union High School. She attended the University of Wisconsin-
Oshkosh, earning her bachelor’s degree with a double major in Criminal Justice and
Political Science in June 2022. On January 2, 2025, Kelsey was hired as an OPD Cadet
and was enrolled in the Fox Valley Technical College Recruit Academy where she
completed her Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on May 16, 2025. Prior to
becoming a Police Officer, Kelsey was employed as a Telecommunications Clerk
with the OPD.
• Mercedes Eichstedt is originally from Berlin, Wisconsin, where she graduated from
Berlin High School in 2020. Mercedes attended Fox Valley Technical College,
earning an associate degree in Criminal Justice in May 2022. On January 2, 2025, she
was hired as an OPD Cadet and was enrolled in the Fox Valley Technical College
Recruit Academy where she completed her Wisconsin Law Enforcement
Certification on May 16, 2025. Mercedes was previously employed as a Correctional
Officer with the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office in the jail.
• Gabriella Schmidt is originally from Winneconne, Wisconsin, where she graduated
from Winneconne High School in 2021. She attended Fox Valley Technical College,
earning an associate degree in Criminal Justice in May 2023. Gabriella earned a
second associate degree from Fox Valley Technical College in Forensic Science in
December 2024. On January 2, 2025, Gabriella was hired as an OPD Cadet and was
enrolled in the Fox Valley Technical College Recruit Academy where she completed
her Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on May 16, 2025. Gabriella was
previously employed as a Community Service Officer with the OPD.
2. FIREWORKS EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT: As we move closer to the 4th of July
holiday, the OPD is gearing up for fireworks education and enforcement. They are
preparing an enforcement plan for the holiday season, which includes public education
through social media and, if possible, traditional media sources to discuss the issues related
to illegal fireworks as well as the consequences associated with using illegal fireworks here
in the city. In addition, they will be regularly using their related produced video on
various social media platforms. OPD is planning on a strict enforcement plan where
officers will be proactively seeking out those who are using fireworks illegally here in the
city.
3. LEMONADE WITH THE LAW! Several officers held “Lemonade with the Law” Tuesday,
May 27th at Vel Phillips Middle School. K9 Gema attended and enjoyed meeting all the
students who stopped by to talk with the
officers and have lemonade before staring
their day. A special thanks goes out to
Oshkosh West Wild Cat Café for their
very generous donation of a new
dispenser for our events.
“Cocoa with a Cop” or “Lemonade with
the Law” events were held once per
month at North and West High Schools,
Perry Tipler, South Park, Carl Traeger and
Vel Phillips Middle Schools throughout
the school year. These events were well
attended and accomplished the officers’
goal of connecting and building positive
relationships with our youth, “One cup at
a time!”
4. CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS BEGINING: The City of Oshkosh would like to notify
residents that construction on two of the 2025 street reconstruction projects is beginning.
Michigan Street and West 11th Avenue Reconstruction – Contract 25-09
The general contractor for the Michigan Street and West 11th Avenue Reconstruction Project
is Advance Construction (Advance).
• Location: Michigan Street from West 7th Avenue to West 11th Avenue and West 11th
Avenue from Ohio Street to Michigan Street.
• When: Scheduled to begin the week of June 2nd. Substantial completion date for
project is October 31st.
o Phase 1: Michigan Avenue (West 7th Avenue to West 11th Avenue), starts the
week of June 2nd
o Phase 2: West 11th Avenue (Ohio Street to Michigan Street), starts approximately the
week of August 4th
• Work to be done: 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.
• Updates: Subscribe to email updates for any of our construction and reconstruction
projects by visiting the Public Works Email Distribution List webpage.
Waugoo Avenue Reconstruction – Contract 25-05
The general contractor for the Waugoo Avenue Reconstruction Project is Advance
Construction (Advance).
• Location: Waugoo Avenue from Rosalia Street to Lake Winnebago.
• When: Equipment and supplies scheduled to be arriving the week of June 2nd, with
construction beginning the week of June 9th. Substantial completion date for project
is September 26th.
o Phase 1: Waugoo Avenue (Rosalia Street to Lake Winnebago), starts the week
of June 9th.
▪ Anticipate 14 weeks for complete construction and restoration.
o Phase 2: Sweet Street (Waugoo Avenue to Babbitz Avenue)
▪ Anticipate 4 weeks for complete construction and restoration.
• Work do be done: 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. The work on this contract also
includes water main relay and services and sanitary lateral replacement on Sweet
Street between Waugoo Avenue and Babbitz Avenue.
• Get updates: Subscribe to email updates for any of our construction and
reconstruction projects by visiting the Public Works Email Distribution List
webpage.
If you have any questions about either project, please contact Construction Management
Supervisor, Craig Ramthun.
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
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
(kzuercher@oshkoshwi.gov) or call 920-236-5002.