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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWeekly Newsletter Date: February 17, 2012 To: Mayor & City Council From: Mark A. Rohloff, City Manager WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Subject: FISHING SHANTIES ALONG SOUTH SHORE REDEVELOPMENT AREA 1.: In recent months, the city has been approached by individuals who have indicated that they have an interest in the fishing shanties that are in the Fox River east of Wisconsin Avenue in the Boat Works area. These individuals are aware that the city has plans to eventually redevelop the area. In light of the discussions regarding beginning development of the Riverwalk in the South Shore area after the north side is complete in 2012, these people have asked about the city’s intent with these structures. For the most part, staff has limited information and history on how these shanties got there and who may claim some type of “ownership” interest in them. In reviewing the redevelopment plans for this area, the shanties are not shown, and I have proceeded with the understanding that the shanties do not have a place in the redevelopment plans for this area. In a brief discussion with the RDA a couple of years ago, I gathered a similar intent from members of the Redevelopment Authority, although no official action or position was taken by the RDA. I am aware that Council Member Poeschl has expressed an interest in the shanties, and has asked that the Landmarks Committee consider the historical value of these structures. To date, neither the RDA nor the Landmarks Commission has specifically discussed the shanties. Although some individuals have approached us about the shanties, we do not know who is responsible for all of the individual shanties, especially during the winter when they are unoccupied by anglers. In previous years, some of the shanty “owners” approached us about permitting electrical service to these areas, but with redevelopment plans not showing the shanties in long term plans, and the inability of these individuals to demonstrate any ownership or land rights, we have not permitted electrical service to these structures. They do not qualify as real estate either, as property records are non-existent. I am aware that some Council Members have taken an interest in these structures, and that others may have been approached by persons who have an interest in these shanties. I have asked both Community Development and the City Attorney’s office to look into the issues surrounding these shanties to determine their status as we begin the planning process for Riverwalk development in this area beginning in 2013. For the time being, I wanted Council to be aware of this issue and that the people with interest in these shanties may be trying to build a case to preserve them in the redevelopment area. Please contact Community Development Director Davis or City Attorney Lorenson with any questions, and they will try and answer them as best as they can. Weekly Newsletter February 17, 2012 Page 2 CITY CENTER HOTEL PARKING STRUCTURE 2.: In the days leading up to the purchase of the City Center Hotel by the UW-Oshkosh Foundation and the Pfefferle and Batley Group, we had discussions with the new owners regarding the status of the parking structure adjacent to the hotel. Please find enclosed a letter from City Attorney Lorenson, along with an estoppel certificate that we agreed to provide prior to the closing of the hotel. The purpose of this certificate is to give the new hotel owners some certainty that we were not going to pursue any claims against them for any breaches by previous owners of agreements regarding the parkingl structure. This parking structure will need to be addressed at some point in the future, and I assured the new owners that we would work with them cooperatively to make sure that this did not become a detriment to them, either financially or aesthetically. For the time being, the city remains responsible to maintain the structure, which is owned by the hotel. The land beneath the structure is owned by City Center LLC., the group that owns the City Center office complex. The city itself has a ground lease for this property from City Center, which we have assigned to the hotel so that they may have the structure on the City Center land. If this sound convoluted, that’s because it is, but was necessary years ago when we were seeking federal funds. We will work through these issues in the coming months and present to Council a plan to make sure that the hotel is not unnecessarily burdened with this structure. Please read this information and if you have any questions regarding the status of this parking structure, please contact City Attorney Lorenson or me. STAFF PURSUES EFFORTS TO PRESERVE WISCNET 3.: Council Members may recall that as part of the state budget discussions last year, legislation had been proposed to prohibit cities and public libraries, among other entities, from using the state’s WiscNet service. Please find enclosed correspondence that I had forwarded to our legislators last year. Unfortunately, our efforts to preserve WiscNet for us did not work out, and the city remains in danger of losing its WiscNet service effective July 1, 2013, which would effectively increase the city’s and library’s internet costs by approximately 300% to 400%. As part of this legislation, the Legislative Audit Bureau is performing a financial and performance audit of the University of Wisconsin’s relationship with WiscNet, which is expected to be completed by January 1, 2013. As a result, legislation has been introduced to extend the July 1, 2013 deadline by one year to allow the Legislature time to review the audit’s findings and possible impacts on WiscNet members. Our Library Director, Jeff Gilderson-Duwe, has been working with the Wisconsin Library Association and its members to support this legislation, which is SB 375- AB 473. I am enclosing some information from Mr. Gilderson-Duwe to indicate our position and support for this legislation. Staff will continue in these efforts to encourage our legislators to preserve this vitally important information resource for our organization and our Public Library patrons. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Gilderson-Duwe or me. USH 41/STH 21 INTERCHANGE INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS 4.: Please find enclosed an invitation from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding informational meetings that are going to be held next week regarding the construction of the above referenced interchange. There is a business-only meeting scheduled Thursday, February rd 23, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m., followed by a general public information meeting from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Both of these meetings will be held at the Winnebago County Highway Garage at 901 West County Y. As a reminder, the interchange will be closed to thru-traffic on th STH 21 effective on Monday, March 19. More information regarding the project is enclosed for the Council’s information. You are also welcomed to attend these public informational meetings. City Clerk Ubrig will notice these meetings so that Council Members may attend freely. Weekly Newsletter February 17, 2012 Page 3 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS & UPDATES 5.: Other items I’m enclosing with today’s Newsletter include this year’s recycling brochure, which will be delivered to every residence in the city beginning next week. Included with the brochure are the county’s recycling guide and its household hazardous acceptable materials list. As a courtesy to our residents, we are also including voting ward information for the upcoming elections, along with a pamphlet regarding the city’s stormwater management efforts. I am also enclosing a memo from Transportation Director Chris Strong to the Transit Advisory Board members regarding route system changes. Insofar as minutes are concerned, I’m enclosing the following: The minutes thth of the February 7 Plan Commission meeting; the minutes of the February 8 Parking Utility th Commission meeting; and the minutes of the January 17 Downtown BID Board meeting. I am also enclosing Museum Director Brad Larson’s weekly letter to the Public Museum Board. The last item I’m enclosing is the latest report on the city’s hotel/motel room tax. th UPCOMING MEETINGS 6.: Meetings I have scheduled for the week of February 20 include th the following: On Monday, February 20, at 12:00 noon, I will be addressing the Oshkosh st Rotary Club at City Center. On Tuesday, February 21, at 7:30 a.m., I will be attending the Leadership Oshkosh Steering Committee meeting. On Tuesday, at 9:30 a.m., I will be meeting with Communications Coordinator Dean Leisgang to perform a preliminary review of the th agenda for the March 19 State of the City event. At 5:30 p.m., I will be meeting with the UW-Oshkosh Finance Club to discuss careers in local government. On Wednesday, February nd 22, at 7:30 a.m., I will be attending the Board of Health meeting. On Wednesday, at 12:00 noon, I will be attending the Southwest Rotary Club meeting, at which the city will be recognized for assisting in community beautification. At 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, I will be meeting with representatives of the City of Omro to discuss our EMS contract and Aurora rd Health Systems’ participation in this process. At 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, I will be attending the Storm Water Committee meeting, at which a financial analysis of the Storm Water Utility will be discussed. On Thursday, at 5:00 p.m., I will be attending the STH th 21/USH 41 interchange meeting at the County Highway Garage. On Friday, February 24, at 8:00 a.m., I will be meeting with representatives of the City of Marshfield, who will be taking a tour of the city’s OCMS facilities. If you have any questions regarding my attendance at any of these meetings, please do not hesitate to contact me. MAR/jdc Enclosures