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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLefeber Alec - Supplemental Questionnaire Thank you for your interest in the open Common Council seat. Below is a list of questions the Common Council would like you to answer and send back to KZuercher@oshkoshwi.gov by 4:30pm Thursday, November 20th, 2025. Council Candidate Name: Alec Lefeber 1. How do you view the role of a City Council Member– what is your job as a council member? I view the role of a City Council Member in two ways. First, the Council acts essentially as a board of directors for the City Manager. Our job is to set direction, steward long-term planning, and evaluate the City Manager’s performance to ensure that their work aligns with the vision we set for the community. It isn’t about micromanaging staff or promising outcomes we can’t realistically deliver but providing clear guidance and creating the conditions for the City to succeed. Second, I see the Council as a bridge between residents and their local government. People bring us their concerns, frustrations, and ideas, and we need to listen with an open mind. We also serve as part of the public-facing side of the City, showing up at events, being accessible, and helping residents feel connected to their government. A Council Member helps translate the community’s needs into policy and long-term vision while also being a familiar, approachable presence in public life. 2. Will you be running for a seat on the Oshkosh Common Council in the next election – whether you are selected for this appointment or not? Yes, I plan to run in the spring election regardless of the outcome of this appointment. If I were selected, I would treat the appointment as a chance to learn the work firsthand so that, if elected in April, I can step into the role with a strong foundation rather than spending the first few months learning the ropes. I’ve already been speaking with local leaders, begun introducing myself to the community, and taken early steps to prepare for the campaign. 3. Do you understand the time commitment required for a Council Member (meetings, constituent interactions, general community involvement, etc.) and do you have the time and flexibility to accommodate this schedule? Yes, I understand the time commitment required. I’m fortunate to work in a flexible, work-from-home position with generous hours and time off, which gives me the ability to meet the demands of the Council’s schedule. I’m prepared for the workload and take the responsibility seriously. I would make myself available for meetings, emails, and phone calls throughout the week, and I would set aside time on weekends to meet with residents when needed so that people can reach me in the ways that work best for them. 4. Where do you see this community in five years? In five years, I want to see Oshkosh as a place where young people can see a future, where families can put down roots, and where the unique character of our neighborhoods remains strong. At the same time, I recognize that families in Oshkosh are feeling real pressure from rising costs, housing challenges, and broader national uncertainty. Local government can’t control everything that affects people’s daily lives, but we can help shield residents from some of those impacts by strengthening neighborhoods, expanding attainable housing options, supporting small businesses, and keeping services reliable and stable. Those local actions matter, especially in unpredictable times. How much progress we can make in the next few years will also depend on what happens at the state level. Wisconsin is approaching an important moment in the 2026 elections, and if the state chooses representatives who restore stronger support for municipalities, cities like Oshkosh could regain the flexibility needed to address long-standing challenges. Increased shared revenue would allow us to strengthen streamlined services, improve infrastructure, and move forward on housing and public space improvements. Regardless of what happens at the state level, I believe Oshkosh can make meaningful progress. We can continue to invest intentionally in housing, small business vitality, and the health of our downtown. We can build on the city’s momentum around arts and culture, protect essential services, and maintain a steady focus on quality of life. With careful planning and honest communication, we can move the city forward even in a difficult environment. 5. A group of residents demands action on something we legally cannot do or have no control over. How do you respond, publicly and privately? I would start by acknowledging their concern and validating why the issue matters to them. Then I would explain clearly what the city can and cannot do under state law and why those limits exist. Even when we can’t take the specific action they’re asking for, we can often point to related tools, resources, or steps that help address the underlying issue. Honesty, empathy, and clarity go a long way. People may not love the answer, but they deserve to understand it and know they were heard. Depending on the seriousness of the issue and the level of community concern, the Council can also explore options to advocate through the proper channels. That could include directing the City to communicate with state lawmakers, asking them to review the relevant statutes, or collaborating with neighboring municipalities if regional advocacy would carry more weight. What that looks like would depend on the situation, but I believe it’s important to show residents that even when our hands are tied locally, we are willing to elevate their concerns in a responsible way. 6. What is your definition of sustainability and how do you relate it to city operations? To me, sustainability means managing our community in a way that preserves long-term stability environmentally, financially, and socially. In city operations, that includes investing in infrastructure that lasts, planning for climate impacts, supporting efficient transportation, and budgeting in a way that avoids short-term fixes that create long-term problems. Sustainability is about being responsible with what we have today so future generations aren’t left paying for yesterday’s decisions. From my time on the Landmarks Commission, I’ve also learned that the most sustainable building is often the one that already exists. Reusing or restoring structures where possible reduces waste, preserves neighborhood character, and often provides better long-term value than replacement. When new development is needed, it should be planned and evaluated in a way that supports environmental responsibility while still making fiscal sense for the city. In that way, sustainability becomes part of both our daily operations and our long-term planning. On a smaller, everyday scale, sustainability also means supporting the kinds of initiatives that improve quality of life: encouraging composting and waste-reduction efforts, planting trees in our parks, and making sure residents have access to green spaces. Those small steps add up and make our neighborhoods healthier, more resilient, and more connected. 7. What is your opinion of the City budget and taxes; do you have any ideas to share? Oshkosh has been operating under tight state-imposed limits for many years, which has forced budgets that focus on maintaining core services rather than building new ones. I think the city has handled those constraints responsibly. I don’t support raising taxes, and I also don’t support cutting essential services that residents rely on. The path forward is finding efficiencies, strengthening partnerships, pursuing grants more aggressively, and communicating clearly with residents about what state restrictions prevent us from doing. We have to be realistic yet forward-looking in how we budget. With respect to the current 2026 budget, I was impressed that the City was able to maintain a flat levy and even marginally reduce the city property tax rate. I’m encouraged by the City Manager’s performance and the work done to follow the direction set by the Council. In terms of ideas, one area I think we can strengthen is communication around budget decisions. The discussions involving the Humane Society are an example. The line item itself makes sense on paper, and I understand that negotiations are ongoing, but the public narrative quickly became that Oshkosh was cutting support for animals. I don’t think anyone intended that outcome. It highlighted how important it is for the City and the Council to anticipate how certain budget items may be perceived and to prepare proactive communication that explains the context, the reasoning, and the next steps. Transparent and early communication can help build trust and avoid misunderstandings during the budget process. 8. As a Common Council Member how would you support the Strategic Plan Goals, Mission and Vision of the community? I would support the Strategic Plan by connecting each of its goals to the priorities I’ve been talking about in my own campaign. The plan already overlaps with many of the issues residents raise with me, and I see it as a practical roadmap for moving Oshkosh forward. For quality-of-life assets, I would support continued investment in parks, the library, museum programs, and the Senior Center. These are the kinds of spaces that make a city feel welcoming and connected, and they matter to families and young people. For infrastructure, I would support steady progress on streets, transit, and bike and pedestrian improvements, as well as long-term maintenance of our facilities and utilities. Reliable infrastructure lowers long-term costs and helps renters, students, families, and workers get around safely and affordably. For economic development, I would support streamlining permitting, lifting up small businesses, and moving forward with housing initiatives. Expanding attainable housing, including rental housing, is essential for affordability. Strong economic development also supports a vital downtown and creates more opportunities for young people to build their future in Oshkosh. For neighborhoods, I want to support resident-led neighborhood associations, strengthen older housing, and encourage responsible redevelopment. My work on the Landmarks Commission has shown me how important it is to preserve our cultural and architectural heritage. Oshkosh has many historic buildings that contribute to the identity of our neighborhoods, and I support strengthening our local landmarking efforts, especially since we currently have only two locally designated landmarks. Preserving these structures helps maintain the character of our neighborhoods. Strong neighborhoods also depend on stable, safe, and quality rental housing, so I support efforts that help renters feel included and rooted in the community. For safety and health, I would support continued investment in public safety, behavioral health collaboration, and outreach. A safe community is essential for youth opportunities, strong neighborhoods, and a healthy downtown. For effective government, I would bring my background in communication and clarity. I believe in helping residents understand how decisions are made, and I support efforts to improve transparency, long-term planning, and coordination across departments. I would also support the City’s mission of building a safe and vibrant community by keeping affordability, stability, and public trust at the center of my decisions. The vision of a thriving and sustainable Oshkosh aligns closely with what I want to work toward: a city where renters and homeowners can afford to stay, where young people can see a future, and where our neighborhoods, arts scene, and downtown continue to grow stronger. My goal would be to make sure our day-to-day decisions move us toward that long-term vision.