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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWeekly Newsletter Date: April 8, 2011 To: Mayor & City Council From: Mark A. Rohloff, City Manager WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Subject: ATC OFFICIALS MEET WITH RIVER MILL CONDO RESIDENTS 1.: On Thursday evening, representatives from American Transmission Company (ATC) met with residents of the River Mill condominium project and adjoining areas regarding ATC's proposal to replace their wooden poles with metal poles along the Fox River. You may recall that River Mill residents requested that Council intercede in ATC's attempt to seek new easements to install these metal poles. Among the concerns that the residents had were the placement of poles closer to the River Mill building; the removal of mature trees that go along the river; safety concerns regarding stray voltage; and the corresponding impact on property values. Some of the concerns expressed by River Mill residents also dealt with their belief that ATC may be preparing to upgrade the existing 69 KV line with a 138 KV line. While such an upgrade would normally require PSC approval, the residents fear that ATC may be making piecemeal upgrades to their system to avoid PSC review and approval. I have no way of knowing if these concerns are perceived or real. As I listened to the questions and answers from ATC officials, I could not identify any place where the city could exercise regulatory authority, as most of the authority granted to ATC comes from the Public Service Commission (PSC). Several residents were unhappy that the city appeared to be unwilling to assist them. I explained that our limited authority prevents us from being able to assist the area’s properties. For the most part, this is essentially a civil matter between two property owners. In this case, the prior owners of the River Mill condo area had granted an easement to WPS (later succeeded by ATC) to place these poles and power lines on the River Mill property. ATC also has eminent domain rights for public utilities, not unlike our municipal authority when we are extending utilities. The primary difference, however, is that ATC does not have an elected public body to which residents can express their concerns. The only recourse that the residents have in this case is the PSC. Having said that, the PSC's rules are very specific and limited as to what can be done. I believe the River Mill residents' next move is to pursue the PSC regulations regarding the upgrade of power lines, with the hope that they can make a case to the PSC that ATC may be trying to circumvent some rules for power line upgrade. While I cannot confirm that this is actually taking place, this seems to be the River Mill residents' best approach at this time. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please advise me. Weekly Newsletter April 8, 2011 Page 2 CVS DRUG STORM DEVELOPMENT PRESENTED TO RESIDENTS 2.: Also on Thursday th evening, the proposed developers of a CVS Pharmacy on 9 Avenue, near Koeller Street, made a second presentation to residents in this area. The proposed layout did not change significantly from what was presented at an earlier public informational meeting. However, the CVS representatives did indicate that they had responded to concerns that were expressed at the initial meeting, and had identified changes that they were proposing to make. After a slow start to the discussion, the residents eventually began to express concerns about impacts of the store on the neighborhood, particularly traffic. The irony of this situation is that while the residents identified the traffic volume as their biggest concern, CVS officials pointed to the high traffic volume as being the reason why they want to locate it at this site. The many residents in attendance were concerned that the city has already decided that this is a good location for the store. Planning Director Darryn Burich did a commendable job of explaining that the zoning for this area is appropriate for a development such as the CVS store. However, staff does recognize that there are traffic issues in this area and compatibility issues with the adjoining residential area. To date, staff has not reviewed the traffic issues, many of which will have an impact on the staff's ultimate review and recommendations to the Plan Commission and Common Council. Based upon these two informational meetings, I expect that CVS will submit a formal application, at which time staff may begin to review these issues. I would expect that a traffic impact analysis be conducted that addresses all of the issues that were raised by the residents during these informational meetings. If you have any questions regarding this proposed development, please contact Community Development Director Davis or Planning Director Burich. OSHKOSH BOAT CLUB DONATION 3.: The Oshkosh Boat Club has generously offered to donate boat tie-ups along the newly constructed River Walk in Riverside Park. Parks staff is coordinating with the Boat Club on the number and location of the tie-ups to be installed this spring. As boat tie-ups along the River Walk were planned in the River Walk Project, the newly approved Gift Policy authorizes the City Manager and/or Department Head to accept the donation of these items. Thank you to the Oshkosh Boat Club for their generous donation that will improve and enhance the River Walk access for the boating community. MENOMINEE PARK RESTROOM/SHELTER BUILDING 4.: The city received five proposals from architectural firms for design and construction services for the new restroom/shelter building at Menominee Park that was included in this year's Capital Improvement Program. The central restrooms directly north of the zoo will be demolished and a new facility constructed. After reviewing the proposals, we have entered into an agreement with HGM Architecture from Oshkosh for this project. Design of the facility will begin immediately, with demolition of the old facility scheduled for mid-August, and construction of the new facility to begin shortly thereafter. Construction is expected to be completed later this fall. We are planning to add some architectural features to the building that reflect the feel and history of the park. DEPARTMENT REPORTS & UPDATES 5.: Other items I'm enclosing with today's Newsletter include an apropos letter from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Executive Director Dan Thompson, explaining that the current Wisconsin budget crisis has been 16 years in the making. I am also enclosing the latest FOCUS newsletter from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, which again talks about the state's 2011-13 budget. Weekly Newsletter April 8, 2011 Page 3 I am also enclosing the official letter from the United States Post Office, informing us of their decision to consolidate the mail processing operations at the Oshkosh Processing and Distribution Facility with those of the Green Bay Processing and Distribution Center thus, closing the Oshkosh Processing and Distribution Facility. This is not the outcome we were hoping for and I know everyone is not happy with this decision. You might have caught Mayor Esslinger on the news, eloquently expressing the city's disappointment. I am also enclosing the notice of our spring yard waste collection rules, which was recently published in the newspaper. As you can see from the thth notice, spring yard waste collection begins April 18 and continues through May 6. Insofar as th minutes are concerned, I'm enclosing the following: The minutes of the February 24 Library st Board meeting; the minutes of the March 1 Police & Fire Commission meeting; the minutes of ndth the March 2 Long Range Finance Committee meeting; the minutes of the March 7 th Sustainability Advisory Board; the Minutes of the March 9 Landmarks Commission meeting; the thth minutes of the March 14 Advisory Park Board meeting; the minutes of the March 15 Plan rd Commission meeting; the minutes of the March 23 Transit Advisory Board meeting; and the th meeting notice, agenda and background material for the April 13 Traffic Review Advisory Board meeting. th UPCOMING MEETINGS 6.: Meetings I have scheduled for the week of April 11 include the th following: On Monday, April 11, at 7:30 a.m., I will be attending the Chamber Governmental Affairs Committee meeting. At 10:00 a.m. on Monday, I am meeting with Dennis Leatherman regarding the Farmers Market. At 11:30 a.m. on Monday, I will be attending the employee recognition event at the Public Museum. Following that meeting, I will be meeting with AECOM Economics at the Museum to discuss the Museum's Economic Impact Study that they are th undertaking. On Tuesday, April 12, at 8:00 a.m., I will be meeting with representatives of Baker Tilly and area agencies involved in the Public Health Consolidation Study. On Wednesday, April th 13, at 6:45 a.m., I will be attending the employee recognition event at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. At 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, I am meeting with Joe Fahey of Institute for Wisconsin's Future regarding the impact of the state budget on the City of Oshkosh. At 1:30 p.m. that day, I will be attending the Economic Development Committee meeting of East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. For the remainder of the week, I will be out of the office for some minor surgery. As a result of my absence, there will likely be no Newsletter next Friday, th April 15. If you have any questions about my attendance at these meetings, or my absence, please do not hesitate to contact me. MAR/jdc