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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN REGULAR MEETING held Tuesday November 28, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. Mayor Castle presided. PRESENT: Council Members Dennis McHugh, Bryan Bain, Paul Esslinger, Burk Tower, Shirley Mattox, Meredith Scheuermann 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 McHugh read the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Larry, Johnnisha, Jessamine and Royion Bush from Lincoln Elementary School; and, Alex Ovadal from Oshkosh Christian Elementary School. Public Hearing The Mayor ordered the following Public Hearings: Approval of & Authorization to Submit the 2007 Action Plan to Obtain 2007 Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Funds There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was CLOSED. Approve Zone Change I 764 and 770 Elmwood Avenue Council Member Mattox questioned the design. Martin Kleiber, 111 Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee WI, explained the design was an effort to recognize both modern and traditional styles of architecture. There were no other appearances and the Public Hearing was CLOSED. Consent Agenda The minutes of the November 14, 2006 meeting were presented as written. The Report of the City Manager was read. The bills were presented in the amount of $3,706,206.44. 1 Proceedings of the Common Council- November 28, 2006 The Report of the City Clerk was read. Resolution 06-341 Approve Parking Agreement; Adopt Final 2007 Operating Plan- Downtown Oshkosh Bid Resolution 06-343 Authorize Participation in Emergency Medical Service Study Resolution 06-344 Approve Change Order No. 31 Public Works Contract No. 05-051 Concrete Paving - Various Streets (Vinton Construction Co., Decrease, $120,578.90) Resolution 06-345 Award Bid 1 Public Works Contract No. 06-141 Water Main Extension - Ripple Avenue to Marvel Drive (Kruczek Construction Inc., Green Bay, $129,900.00) Resolution 06-346 Disallow Claim 1 Langkau Resolution 06-347 Approve Miscellaneous Licenses MOTION: ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA EXCLUDING RESOLUTION 06-342 (Bain; second, Esslinger) CARRIED: Ayes (7) McHugh, Bain, Esslinger, Tower, Mattox, Scheuermann Castle Resolution 06-342 Approval of and Authorization to Submit the 2007 Action Plan to Obtain 2007 Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Funds MOTION: CARRIED: ADOPT (Esslinger; second, Bain) Ayes (7) McHugh, Bain, Esslinger, Tower, Mattox, Scheuermann Castle Council Member McHugh questioned the definition of the Central City area and the established geographic boundaries. He questioned the work and the time frame involved. He also questioned the dollar amount allocated for administration and salaries. Council Member Scheuermann questioned the monies allocated for 2007and the timing for approval. She questioned if there were remaining funds from 2006. She asked various questions regarding the process to obtain Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Council Member Esslinger questioned where specifically the money would be dispersed and if the projects required Council approval. He questioned the difference in the dollar amount noted in the memo versus the line amount listed in the budget. He questioned if the item could be laid over until the numbers were adjusted. 2 Proceedings of the Common Council- November 28, 2006 Council Member Tower explained that $10,000.00 of the monies for administration and salaries were used for the distribution of the general public services. He questioned if there was a decrease in the Block Grant Program over the past several years. Council Member Bain questioned the percentage of CDBG funds that were to benefit low to moderate income persons. Jackson Kinney, Community Development Director, Darryn Burich, Director of Planning Services, and Mr. Wollangk responded. Action Taken on Ordinances and Resolutions Ordinance 06-348 Approve Zone Change 1764 & 770 Elmwood Avenue FIRST READING; LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES Ordinance 06-349 Approve Traffic Regulations FIRST READING; LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES Ordinance 06-350 Change Council Meeting Date 1 Time in December 2007 FIRST READING; LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES Resolution 06-351 Adopt 2007 City Budget MOTION: CARRIED: ADOPT (McHugh; second, Scheuermann) Ayes (5) Bain, Tower, Mattox, Scheuermann, Castle; Noes (2) McHugh, Esslinger Council Member Esslinger stated he would not support the budget. He explained that there were at least $147,000.00 that could have been cut. He stated that the 2007 budget was not less than the 2006 budget, therefore there were no cuts made to the budget. He explained that the tax bill for the City of Oshkosh would reflect an increase of 1.5 million dollars. Mr. Wollangk responded. Council Member McHugh expressed concerns regarding the final budget. He explained that Department Administrators had presented preliminary budgets stating they could operate their departments effectively with the cuts that had been presented and then the Council decided to add additional monies. He noted concerns with various line items. He explained that he did not think it was appropriate to charge citizens for services they did not utilize, including the garbage charge. 3 Proceedings of the Common Council- November 28, 2006 Council Member Scheuermann stated she was pleased with the fact that the budget process was started earlier than past years. She explained that figures had changed through out the preliminary process and she was happy to be able to make additions at the last budget workshop. She stated that over-all she was comfortable with the proposed budget. Mayor Castle stated he would support the budget. He explained that he was in the minority regarding the issue of a yard waste fee increase, but it was important to realize that it was a give and take process. He stated that the preliminary workshops were a good exercise and he urged Council to unanimously support the proposed budget. Council Member Tower stated he was pleased with the budget process and the end result. He explained that the process started earlier than in past years, there were preliminary numbers that were changed throughout the process. He commented on the increased involvement from both the Council and citizens of the community. He stated there were services that were provided that all citizens did not utilize, however, it was important to balance all perspectives. He explained that there were $660,000.00 in fees that were eliminated. He stated there were a number of factors affecting the budget including inflation and explained he did not agree with all aspects but would support the budget. Council Member Bain reiterated comments regarding the earlier start process, more data, and more involvement. He stated those were goals that were set and accomplished from the 2006 budget process. He stated it was important to look at future improvement to the budget process and stated possible goals for the 2008 budget could include establishing a budget committee andlor zero-based budgeting. He explained that approximately 1.1 million dollars were cut from the 60 million dollar budget. He stated he would support the budget. Council Member Mattox stated that through the budget process there were a lot of ideas exchanged and if the all or nothing approach was taken results would not have been accomplished. She stated she was pleased with the budget process and thanked the City Manager and department heads for their hard work. She explained that the City of Oshkosh was the third city in the state to be a "Tree City USA" for 25 years and questioned if a line item could be added to the Parks budget to include $2,000.00 for trees. She explained there were over 8 million dollars in trees lost to the storm of 2001. Mr. Wollangk responded. Council Member Bain stated he would not support the request for trees at the present time, but suggested that the Parks Director explore opportunities for publiclprivate partnerships regarding the park flowers and trees. Resolution 06-352 Approve 2006 Tax Levy MOTION: ADOPT (Esslinger; second, Scheuermann) CARRIED: Ayes (5 Bain, Tower, Mattox, Scheuermann, Castle; Noes (2) McHugh, Esslinger 4 Proceedings of the Common Council- November 28, 2006 Resolution 06-353 Adopt 2006 Tax Rates & Levy MOTION: ADOPT (Bain; second, Scheuermann) CARRIED: Ayes (5) Bain, Tower, Mattox, Scheuermann, Castle; Noes (2) McHugh, Esslinger Council Member Bain stated that the 2006 rate was the lowest tax rate since 1997. He explained that in 1997 shared revenue was over 27% of the budget and that this budget was 18%. He stated the City only had one mechanism to make up the difference and that was with property taxes. He explained that tax levies could be cut, which would result in lost services. Council Member Esslinger stated the avenue for increased revenue mostly resulted In increased taxes, however there were other alternatives such as controlled spending. Council Member Tower stated that progress had been made by the transfer of fees into the tax levy. Resolution 06-354 Approve 2007 Capital Improvement Program MOTION: ADOPT (Esslinger; second, Scheuermann) MOTION: AMEND TO DELETE DOCK PROJECT AND USE THE FUNDS FOR PROJECTS IN THE 2007 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (Esslinger; second, McHugh) LOST: Ayes (2) McHugh, Esslinger; Noes (5) Bain, Tower, Mattox, Scheuermann, Castle VOTE ON ORIGINAL RESOLUTION: CARRIED: Ayes (5) Bain, Tower, Mattox, Scheuermann, Castle; Noes (2) McHugh, Esslinger Council Member Esslinger stated that the dock at Riverside Park was a want not a need and the money should be included in the Parks 2007 Capitol Improvement Program. He stated that the 6' incline that currently exists should have been addressed in the initial planning process of the project. He stated that improved playgrounds and fishing piers would be more beneficial for the community than the proposed dock. He questioned what opportunities would be remaining for individuals who desired to fish along the shore. Council Member Scheuermann questioned what the impact would be. She explained the merchants would benefit from the docks and expressed concerns with safety issues. She stated her support for the docks. 5 Proceedings of the Common Council- November 28, 2006 Council Member Mattox questioned the docking facilities by Park Plaza Hotel. She questioned if DNR requirements were met. She stated that the area was a gateway to the community and the facilities should be provided to allow visitors access to the City. She stated she would support the docks and they fit with the Comprehensive Plan and the vision for the waterfront development, and it would generate additional economic support for the City. Council Member McHugh questioned the number of boats that would be accommodated. He questioned why the docking facility would be installed before the river walk was established. He stated that private developers were funding docks on the south side of the river. He noted various concerns and stated that priorities were lacking in the Capital Improvement Program. Mr. Kinney responded. Council Member Bain explained he would not support adding the docks to the 2007 Park Capital Improvement Program, but would support the idea of utilizing the funds for park improvements. Council Member Tower stated his support for the docks. He explained the long term vision of the area and stated it would be an investment for the future. Resolution 06-355 Approve Labor Contract 1 Oshkosh Professional Police Association MOTION: CARRIED: ADOPT (Esslinger; second, Scheuermann) Ayes (5) Bain, Tower, Mattox, Scheuermann, Castle; Noes (2) McHugh, Esslinger Council Member Esslinger explained that direct and indirect labor was 87.43% of the operating budget and reduced labor would result in savings. He stated he would not support the contract. Council Member McHugh stated he would support labor contracts similar to the private sector, but he would not support the proposed contract. Mayor Castle explained it was important to keep control of negotiations without the aid of mediation and expressed his support. Council Member Tower sated that the salary increases were less than comparables, he noted significant changes in health benefit provisions, which resulted in savings to the City and the employees. He explained that in the area of health insurance progress was made with the cooperation of the employees. He stated that arbitration was not the answer, that over-all it was a good contract and that he would support it. Council Member Mattox stated her support for the contract. She explained that the City was in the service business and the employees should be compensated justly. She stated that the mediation process would not be in the best interest. 6 Proceedings of the Common Council- November 28, 2006 Council Member Bain stated that, relating to labor contracts, citizens wanted to see health care issues comparable to the private sector. He explained that state law dictated that for anything that unions conceded something of equal value had to be given in exchange. He stated that concessions had been made and he supported the contract. Citizen Statements Gordon Doule, 1225 Summit Avenue, stated various concerns with the community. Mayor Castle reminded Mr. Doule of the five-minute rule for all speakers addressing the Council. He cautioned Mr. Doule on his behavior and advised him that continuance of inappropriate behavior would ban him from future meetings. Council Member Statements Mayor Castle announced that he would not seek re-election in April. Council Member Mattox announced a variety of events available the month of December. Four historic properties would present "Celebrate the Season". The Oshkosh Public Museum would be decorated as a Sawyer Edwardian House with holiday events and refreshments. The Morgan House would display private collections on the theme "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". Both Houses would be free to the public on December 2nd and 3rd. December 9th the Paine Art Center will celebrate its 60th anniversary. The Grand Opera House would have many performances in December, including a free Community Carol Sing on Sunday, December 1 th at 6:30 p.m. with a collection for the Salvation Army. The EAA would host the 23rd annual Christmas in the Air on Monday December 11th from 2:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. with Santa arriving by helicopter at 6:00 p.m. The Grand Opera House would have a film series featuring 12 films and the tickets were $4.00. The Gallery Art Walk would be December 2nd. Whatever Else is Pertinent or for the Good of the City Mr. Wollangk announced that the Senior Center received a Silver Star Award from the Wisconsin Parks and Recreation Association for the Oshkosh Seniors Triathlon. He stated the Celebration of Lights had new displays and lights. The fee was $7.00 per car or $5.00 with the donation of a non-perishable food item. He added that December th, 9th, and 14th would be free nights. He asked for Council's permission to hold a workshop after the meeting of December 1 ih regarding water and sewer utility rates. He thanked Council for their diligent work on the budget process. He explained the tax bills would be mailed the first week of December. Attorney Kraft apologized for conduct related to the referendum on the tax levy limit that may have been less than professional. MOTION: CARRIED: ADJOURN (Bain; second, Esslinger) VOICE VOTE 7 The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. PAMELA R. UBRIG CITY CLERK 8