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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.17.25 Newsletter : TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Rebecca Grill, City Manager DATE: October 17, 2025 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. E-BIKES TO BE DISCUSSED AT OCTOBER 28th MEETING: The Transportation Committee considered potential changes to our current bike regulations at their meeting on October 13th, and City staff plan to bring the discussion and the Committee’s recommendation to Council on October 28th. The purpose of the discussion will be for Council to provide direction to City staff as to whether ordinance changes are warranted, and what those changes should be. As e-bikes become increasingly popular in our community, we've seen growing discussions about where these and traditional bicycles should be permitted. As dynamic modes of transport, e-bikes can provide accessibility for those who face challenges with conventional biking, enhancing activity and mobility across our city. However, they also can travel at relatively high speeds and have the potential to compromise safety in certain situations. Current Regulations: Under current state regulations, e-bikes are classified as and treated like traditional bicycles. That means the City is unable to regulate e-bikes differently from traditional bicycles, so any ordinance changes will apply to both. Under current City ordinances, bikes are allowed on roads, sidewalks, park paths, and other designated bike areas. Recommendation: After careful consideration, the recommendation of both City staff and the Transportation Committee is to implement sidewalk restrictions in areas where businesses have entrances and exits next to the sidewalks. In these areas, pedestrians exit a building directly onto the sidewalk, and neither pedestrians nor bicyclists have good visibility of each other. Prohibiting bicycles in these areas addresses the highest potential for bicycle and pedestrian conflicts, ensuring safe navigation for everyone. It also preserves the use of e- bikes in power mode in areas with challenging grades, such as on our bridges. For more information about other options that were considered by the Transportation Committee, please review the Staff Report from their meeting. You can also watch their full discussion, including input from Police Chief Dean Smith, on Oshkosh Media’s YouTube channel. If you have any questions about this issue before it comes to Council for discussion on October 28th, please reach out to Transportation Director Jim Collins at jcollins@oshkoshwi.gov or (920) 232-5342. 2. GO TRANSIT UPDATES ROUTES 2 AND 3 FOR STUDENT SAFETY: In a collaborative effort to enhance student safety and accessibility, the City of Oshkosh has partnered with the Oshkosh Area School District to restructure bus services near Vel Phillips Middle School. Effective Monday, October 20th, these adjustments are designed to improve student safety and convenience. Route Changes • New Route 3 Stop: A new bus stop on Jackson Street, located approximately 40 feet north of the campus drive on the west side, will operate with service twice an hour at :15 and :45 during fixed route service times. • Route 2 Stop Removed: The current Route 2 stop at Jackson and Congress will be discontinued to streamline services and focus resources more effectively. Advantages for Students • Enhanced Safety: Students no longer need to cross Jackson Street to access their buses. • Increased Capacity: The Route 2 bus was often at capacity after school. • Proximity and Accessibility: The new Route 3 stop is closer to campus than this route’s previous stop. • Better Pickup Times: Slightly later pickups allow students more time to reach the stop, reducing stress and ensuring timely departures. The City and GO Transit value our relationship with the Oshkosh Area School District and are excited to bring these changes that prioritize student safety and accessibility. For questions about the changes, please reach out to Transportation Director Jim Collins at jcollins@oshkoshwi.gov or (920) 232-5342. 3. FALL LOOSE LEAF COLLECTION BEGINS MONDAY: Fall loose leaf collection begins the week of October 20th. Loose leaf collection is scheduled on the day after your regular garbage collection day, from October 20th through November 21st. For residents whose garbage is collected on Friday, loose leaf collection is on Monday. The schedule is as follows: Friday Garbage = Monday Loose Leaf Collection 10/20 10/27 11/03 11/10 11/17 Monday Garbage = Tuesday Loose Leaf Collection 10/21 10/28 11/04 11/11 11/18 Tuesday Garbage = Wednesday Loose Leaf Collection 10/22 10/29 11/05 11/12 11/19 Wednesday Garbage = Thursday Loose Leaf Collection 10/23 10/30 11/06 11/13 11/20 Thursday Garbage = Friday Loose Leaf Collection 10/24 10/31 11/07 11/14 11/21 Loose leaf collection is for leaves only; no grass, brush, or garden plants. Leaves should be piled loosely on the terrace for collection, not in the street, no later than 5 am on the day after your schedule garbage collection day. For properties without terraces, rake the leaves as far out to the street without obstructing the sidewalk or going into the curb line or the street. Loose leaf collection may end at any time due to weather or equipment issues. Scheduled loose leaf collection will end the week of November 17th through November 21st on the scheduled loose leaf collection date. Yard Waste Collection week is scheduled during the week of November 3rd through November 7th. Place small branches, garden debris, or leaves into biodegradable paper bags no later than 5 am on garbage day. If you have any questions, please contact Public Works Field Operations Manager, Ryan Lemke or Public Works Sanitation Manager, Larry Wilkins at (920) 232-5383. 4. WILLIAM WATERS PLAZA GAZEBO CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED: The Community Development Department is pleased to announce the completion of the gazebo at the William Waters Plaza as part of the "William Waters Re-Imagined" project that started in 2016. The completion of the gazebo marks a major enhancement to our public community space, further enriching the cultural and historical fabric of Oshkosh. This announcement underscores the City's commitment to enhancing community spaces, which can lead to increased community engagement and social enrichment. Final plantings around the plaza are scheduled for completion next week, ensuring the site is fully prepared for our enjoyment and use. A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for Tuesday, November 4th and the public is welcome to attend. Event Details: What: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Gazebo at the William Waters Plaza When: November 4, 11:00 AM Where: Gazebo at William Waters Plaza, 103 Washington Ave For questions, please contact Brandon Nielsen at bnielsen@oshkoshwi.gov or (920) 236-5059. 5. COUNCIL SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR VACANT SEAT: The Oshkosh Common Council has opened the process to fill a vacant seat on the Council. There is now a seat open due to the resignation of Council Member Kris Larson. “I would like to thank Mr. Larson for his dedicated service to the City of Oshkosh,” said Mayor Matt Mugerauer. “We are, without a doubt, better off because of his service. While he will be missed on Council, I’m confident that Kris will continue to strongly advocate for ways to make Oshkosh a better place to live, work, play, and invest.” Photo credit: River East Neighborhood Association Interested residents should submit a letter of interest and current résumé to the City Clerk’s office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12. The Common Council will review application materials and any other information submitted by applicants. Application materials may be hand delivered to the City Clerk’s office at City Hall, sent via the U.S. Postal Service, or emailed to the City Clerk’s office: • Postal Address: Oshkosh City Clerk, P.O. Box 1130, Oshkosh WI 54903-1130 • Email address: city_clerk@oshkoshwi.gov Applicants will be asked to make a five-minute presentation at the Tuesday, November 25, 2025, meeting of the Oshkosh Common Council, and Council will vote and make an appointment at the meeting that night. More information about the position and the process can be found on the City’s website. For questions regarding this process, please contact the Oshkosh City Manager’s office at citymgr@oshkoshwi.gov or (920) 236-5002. 6. OPD WELCOMES NEW OFFICERS: The Oshkosh Police Department welcomed three new Police Officers during a Police and Fire Commission meeting on Tuesday, October 14th. Three Police Cadets, Ella Purvis, Connor Cross, and Andrew Simons, who completed their Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification through Fox Valley Technical College on October 10th, were hired as Police Officers. Congratulations, and welcome to the OPD team! • Ella Purvis is originally from Columbus, Wisconsin, where she graduated from Columbus High School in 2021. Ella is a 2025 graduate of Moraine Park Technical College where she earned an Associate degree in Criminal Justice. Ella was previously employed as a Community Service Officer with the Oshkosh Police Department. • Connor Cross is originally from Appleton, Wisconsin, where he graduated from Appleton West High School in 2023. Connor is a 2025 graduate of Fox Valley Technical College where he earned an Associate degree in Criminal Justice. Connor was previously employed as a Community Service Officer with the Oshkosh Police Department. • Andrew Simons is originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he graduated from Oshkosh West High School in 2015. Andrew then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving five years until his honorable discharge in 2020. Andrew was previously employed as a Sales Associate at Harley Davidson of Appleton. 7. KIWANIS ‘N COPS ‘N KIDS READING PROGRAM: Assistant Chief Brian Schuldes, Lieutenant Matt Ziegler, Officer Keith Norkofski and Officer Nicklas Vey visited Carl Traeger Elementary School on Tuesday, October 14 and read to the students. This reading program, sponsored by Oshkosh Kiwanis, has provided Police Officers the opportunity to build valuable connections with our young students during the school year. As a way to reach more children, the reading program expands to our City parks throughout the summer months. Bringing the gift of reading and building positive relationships – “One book at a time!” – remains the goal of this program. 8. GET INVOLVED IN A BOARD OR COMMISSION: If you are interested in serving your community, 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: Board of Review Board of Zoning Appeals Landmarks Commission Long Range Finance Committee Plan Commission Transportation Committee 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, the process of appointment, or need more information about a particular board, please contact the City Manager’s Executive Assistant, Kami Zuercher, by email (kzuercher@oshkoshwi.gov) or call (920) 236-5002.