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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN REGULAR MEETING held Tuesday September 26, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. Mayor Castle presided. PRESENT: Council Members Paul Esslinger, Burk Tower, Shirley Mattox, Meredith Scheuermann, Dennis McHugh, Bryan Bain and William Castle ALSO PRESENT: Richard Wollangk, City Manager, Pamela Ubrig, City Clerk, Warren Kraft, City Attorney and David Patek, Director of Public Works Council Member Esslinger read the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Eric Lehocky and Holly Poeschl from West High School; and, Anna Frassetto, Parker Tenpas and Nick Olsen from South Park Middle School. A proclamation was presented by Mayor Castle declaring October 5, 2006 thru October 14, 2006 as "Earth Charter Community Summit Days" in the City of Oshkosh. Consent Agenda The minutes of the September 13 and 19, 2006 meetings were presented as written. The Report of the City Manager was read. The bills were presented in the amount of $5,353,874.81. The Report of the City Clerk was read. Resolution 06-279 Grant Conditional Use Permit /1018 West Murdock Avenue Council Member Bain questioned the screening and vegetation. Council Member McHugh stated his displeasure with the current condition of the site. He stated that it did not reflect the general character of the surrounding area and he questioned the long term plans. He also questioned the zoning and stated he would not support the resolution. Council Member Mattox questioned if the property was a Brownfield along with the remediation process and the future intent of the property. She also questioned at what point future re- zoning would be addressed. 1 Proceedings of the Common Council- September 26, 2006 David Mickelson, Director of World Wide Facilities for Mercury Marine, stated their intentions were to include slats in the chain link fence which would address aesthetic and security issues. He explained that they did not intend to disturb the vegetation that was on site and their intent was to clean up the area for boat storage. Council Member Tower expressed concerns with the appearance of the property and the adjacent property. He stated that it would be an improvement to the property. Darryn Burich, Director of Planning Services, responded. Resolution 06-280 Award Bid 1 Fencing 1 Red Arrow Park 1 Parks Department (Rammer Fence, Oshkosh, $43,000.00) Council Member Bain questioned the type of fence, and the availability of naming rights and selling space for advertisements. Council Member McHugh questioned if it was appropriate for a chain link fence to be placed in the Capital Improvement Plan. Council Member Mattox questioned if Little League assisted with the funding for the fence. Mr. Wollangk and Mr. Stephany, Parks Director responded. Resolution 06-281 Sell Parks Department Showmobile Council Member Scheuermann questioned the process for selling the showmobile. Mr. Wollangk responded. Resolution 06-282 Approve Street Name Change 1 Portion of South Main Street Josephine Strey, 2312 S. Main Street, stated her approval. Council Member Bain questioned if the Police Department issues had been resolved. Mr. Wollangk responded. Resolution 06-283 Approve Change Order No.1 1 Public Works contract No. 06-05 (LaLonde Contractors, Inc., Increase, $106,126.01) Council Member McHugh requested an explanation of the change order. Council Member Tower questioned the funding. Mr. Patek responded. 2 Resolution 06-284 Approve Developer Agreement IUtility Relocation 12400 Witzel Avenue Proceedings of the Common Council- September 26, 2006 Resolution 06-285 Approve Joint Powers Agreement for Winnebago County 911 Emergency System Resolution 06-286 Disallow Claim 1 Smiley Resolution 06-287 Disallow Claim 1 Staggs Resolution 06-288 Approve Miscellaneous Licenses MOTION: ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA EXCLUDING RESOLUTION 06-279 (Esslinger; second, Scheuermann) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Esslinger, Tower, Mattox, Scheuermann, McHugh, Bain, Castle Resolution 06-279 Grant Conditional Use Permit 11018 West Murdock Avenue MOTION: CARRIED: ADOPT (Esslinger; second, Scheuermann) Ayes (5) Tower, Mattox, Scheuermann, Bain, Castle; Noes (2) Esslinger, McHugh Public Agenda Discussion: Resolution 06-291 Approve Smoking Regulations Daniel Lynch, 310 S. Eagle Street, thanked the Council for the resolution. Action Taken on Ordinances and Resolutions Ordinance 06-289 Approve Parking Regulations MOTION: CARRIED: ADOPT (Esslinger; second, Bain) Ayes (7) Esslinger, Tower, Mattox, Scheuermann, McHugh, Bain, Castle Ordinance 06-290 Approve Traffic Regulations FIRST READING; LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES Ordinance 06-291 Approve Smoking Regulations FIRST READING; LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES Citizen Statements 3 Daniel Lynch, 310 S. Eagle Street, expressed concerns regarding smoking issues with kids. He urged Council to ban smoking in vehicles for individuals under the age of 18 and for smoking within 1000 feet of school property. Proceedings of the Common Council- September 26, 2006 Gordon Doule, 1225 Summit Avenue, stated various community concerns. Council Member Statements Council Member Esslinger recapped possible budget cuts from the last Council Meeting. He stated that those cuts would generate $655,341.00 and he suggested that money be put back in the budget for the displaced protective service positions except for the 2 currently unfilled police sergeant positions. He explained that would allow the City to put the garbage fee back on the taxes and would keep all the firefighters, patrol officers and detectives from being displaced. He stated that would leave the City with a positive balance of $4,341.00, based on a 1 % increase in salary for union contracts. He suggested other possible cuts and revenue generating measures. He explained that the city analysis was of high importance and future savings for the city outweighed the funding that the study would require. He said he would not support an internal audit, but would support an external audit. Council Member McHugh questioned how the garbage fee would be put back into the scenario. He questioned if the proposal included restoring the $2.4 million cost of garbage pickup. He stated he would not support an internal audit, but would consider an outside audit valuable. Mr. Wollangk responded. Mayor Castle explained that Mr. Wollangk had not presented a "proposal" it was a request of staff to show a 3% cut across the board. He stated that money would not be readily available for a city analysis. Council Member Mattox questioned the budget issue regarding the city analysis and felt the information would be useful. She announced that "International Walk to School Day" would be observed Wednesday, October 4, 2006 and the entire month of October would be "Walk to School Month". She stated that the 1 st Congregational Church was starting its 3rd year of the" 1 st Tuesday Music Lunch at Noon Program". She explained that the "Tiffany Exhibit' at the Paine Art Center would close Sunday, October 8th. She stated that October th was the Gallery Walk and the final opportunity to view the "Oshkosh 100" exhibit. She also explained that all activities were free for the "2006 Earth Charter Summit" in Oshkosh. Council Member Bain sited the web site address for Earth Charter and encouraged people to attend the event. He explained that the Winnebago County Board was discussing a %% sales tax proposal and stated that the City of Oshkosh could benefit from the increase through additional revenue and a possible property tax decrease. He announced the 16th annual "Take Back the Night Rally" would take place October 4,2006. He questioned Council on how they would like to proceed with the proposed city audit analysis. He listed alternatives for obtaining information as solicitation of outside consultant services or an in house hybrid option. He stated that a final decision should be made in a resolution form. He explained that he would work with the City Manager and move forward with obtaining information regarding the audit 4 analysis. Proceedings of the Common Council- September 26, 2006 Council Member Tower explained there were pros and cons with both options and questioned if the solicitation for outside consultant services would be an RFP for the services or for the consultants. He explained the need to look to the future, which could include some up front costs. He stated his support for exploring both options. Council Member Scheuermann questioned the timing and budget concerns and stated her support for obtaining information for a city audit. Whatever Else is Pertinent or for the Good of the City Mr. Wollangk asked Council for direction on the preliminary budget and for a time frame for the budget workshops. He questioned if a Riverside Park workshop was desired and if an executive session for an update on labor negotiations should be scheduled after the next Council Meeting. Council Member Tower stated he wanted the garbage fee back in the budget and the budget zeroed out at the state limit. He explained he wanted programs and initiatives with future potential for the City included in the preliminary budget. He stated it was important to maintain conference and training and said he did not want positions that were not currently filled included in the line items. Council Member McHugh stated he thought the garbage referendum would go to zero and the tax levy referendum would be defeated. He explained it was unrealistic to expect a 1 % wage settlement with the unions and that all future projections should include a higher amount. He stated that recommended personnel cuts from the department heads should be recognized. He questioned where funds from unfilled positions and unused line items were relocated. He urged Council Members to meet several times for further discussion prior to the budget hearings. Council Member Scheuermann stated there was a consensus to maintain protective services and she asked the City Manager to be prepared to direct the Council. She stated concerns with an across the board 3% cut for all departments. She questioned the original exercise procedure and asked if there were additional savings to be identified by the department heads. She referenced the elimination of school crossing guards that could be discussed at future workshops along with other cost saving measures. She questioned the scheduling of the budget workshops. She said she would not support a workshop for Riverside Park at this time. Mr. Wollangk responded. Council Member Esslinger stated he would like the worksheet from the budget workshop included in the preliminary budget with a dollar amount for the line items. He stated he did not think meetings would be beneficial before the results of the election were known. He stated 5 he did not support a workshop for Riverside Park at this time but an executive session for labor negotiations was appropriate. Proceedings of the Common Council- September 26, 2006 Mayor Castle directed Mr. Wollangk to prepare a preliminary budget that reflected a zero garbage fee, the possibility of the tax levy referendum being defeated and to abstain from cuts for protective services. He stated that until the election results were in there would be many unknowns and he did not see a purpose of having additional budget meetings. After some discussion, it was decided that department head workshops would be held on November 8th and 9th starting at 5:00 p.m. both nights. He stated the Capital Improvement Program Workshop would tentatively be scheduled for November 20th at 5:00 p.m. He stated that he was not interested in a workshop for Riverside Park at this time, but did want to schedule the executive session for labor negotiations. Council Member Bain also requested the dollar amounts for line items listed in the preliminary budget along with costs available for future ideas. He stated he would like to have an opportunity to meet with the department heads for further discussion. Council Member Mattox questioned if there were incentive programs for employee recommendations for cost saving initiatives or input from city workers. She stated that efforts need to be made to attract young professionals and businesses to the area and the city could not afford to constantly cut. She stated that it was important for the future of the City not to take away items that make the community a good place to live. MOTION: CARRIED: ADJOURN (Esslinger; second, Scheuermann) VOICE VOTE The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. PAMELA R. UBRIG CITY CLERK 6