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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.13.26 Newsletter : TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Rebecca Grill, City Manager DATE: February 13, 2026 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR LEAD WATER SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT: The City has received funding from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program to help reduce the cost to private property owners for lead water service line replacement work in 2026. Notices are being sent to property owners adjacent to proposed 2026 water main replacement projects (including street reconstruction projects). The purpose of these letters is to inform the property owners of the City’s ordinance regarding replacement of lead water service lines, explain the City’s financial assistance program, and to encourage property owners to apply for the financial assistance. The City has also received funding from the WDNR through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program to help reduce the cost to private property owners for lead water service line replacement work for properties that in Census Tracts 4, 7, and 12 in 2026. These properties can receive 100% financial assistance up to a total of $6,700 for lead water service line replacement and hard surface restoration. Notices are also being sent to the property owners on these Census Tracts, where the public-side lead water service lines are made of an acceptable material. If you have questions regarding the private-side lead water service lateral replacement program, please contact Assistant Director of Public Works / Utilities General Manager, Steve Gohde. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT AND HEARING ON WATER SUPPLY SERVICE AREA PLAN: Under Wisconsin State Statutes, a public water system serving a population of 10,000 or more is required to prepare a Water Supply Service Area Plan (WSSAP). The WSSAP is a general planning document intended to be complimentary to community comprehensive plans, other more detailed water utility plans, and wastewater utility plans. The WSSAP presents information about existing water sources, water utility infrastructure, service area land use, historical water use, population projections, and future water demands. The WSSAP does not propose to develop new or enlarged water supply sources nor expand treatment, storage, or conveyance assets. The WSSAP recommends the City’s continued use of risk-based asset management and regulatory compliance drives to prioritize replacement of and the upgrade of existing assets. The public is invited to review the City of Oshkosh WSSAP on our website. Written comments will be received until Friday, March 13, 2026. Send comments to DPW@oshkoshwi.gov. Please include “WSSAP” in the e-mail subject line. Alternatively, the public may provide verbal comment during the Public Hearing for the WSSAP to be held at the City of Oshkosh Plan Commission Meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 in Room 406 of City Hall, 215 Church Avenue. If you have questions regarding the City of Oshkosh WSSAP, please contact Assistant Director of Public Works / Utilities General Manager, Steve Gohde at (920) 236-5065. 3. NEW POLLING PLACES FOR SOME OSHKOSH VOTERS: The City has four elections this year, with the first coming up on Tuesday, February 17th. The City is consolidating some of the election day polling places in order to improve the voter experience, utilize locations with adequate parking and accessibility, and reduce costs for each election. While most voters’ polling places will remain the same, voters who previously used the American Legion, St. John’s Church, Father Carr’s Place 2B, and First English Lutheran Church will have a new polling place for 2026. See below for these changes, or check out the full list of current polling places. Previous Polling Place Current Polling Place American Legion 1332 Spruce Street UW-Oshkosh Culver Welcome Center 625 Pearl Avenue St. John’s Church 808 N Main Street UW-Oshkosh Culver Welcome Center 625 Pearl Avenue Father Carr’s Place 2B 1062 N Koeller Street UW-Oshkosh Culver Welcome Center 625 Pearl Avenue First English Lutheran Church 1013 Minnesota Street Wittman Field Regional Airport 525 W 20th Avenue Additionally, the location for early in-person absentee voting has been moved to the UW-Oshkosh Culver Welcome Center located at 625 Pearl Avenue. This site provides hundreds of parking spaces, plenty of room for voter lines to be kept inside the building, handicap accessibility, and an overall greater voter experience. For more information about what’s on your ballot and to find your current polling place, visit myvote.wi.gov. 4. 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 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, 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.