HomeMy WebLinkAboutweekly newsletter
Date: April 27, 2012
To: Mayor & City Council
From: Mark A. Rohloff, City Manager
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Subject:
INVOICE FOR PUB CRAWL
1.: This week, staff forwarded an invoice to Joe Kubiak in the
amount of $4,987.80 for the April 14, 2012 Pub Crawl special event. In addition, we forwarded
him an invoice for the remaining balance of the October, 2011 Pub Crawl in the amount of
$1,852.95. Recognizing that the Pub Crawl’s revenues are all derived prior to or on the day of the
event, we felt it was appropriate to provide Mr. Kubiak with this invoice as soon as possible so
that all bar owners are aware that he has the bill and should pay it promptly. If he does not pay in
a prompt manner, we will notify the tavern owners who were given assurances that Mr. Kubiak
would be paying this bill on their behalf. It should be noted that staff had estimated that the
amount for the Pub Crawl would be in the vicinity of $5,000; therefore, we provided him with an
accurate estimate of the cost associated with this event.
On another note, one of the criticisms that we received from the Main Street tavern owners was
the belief that there was perhaps a double standard wth respect to the UW-Oshkosh graduation and
the traffic associated with graduation events for the taverns in the University vicinity along
Wisconsin Street. Police Chief Scott Greuel was informed this week that the tavern owners along
Wisconsin Street intend to file a special event permit and will work with the Police Department on
coordinating any extraordinary services that graduation festivities may entail. We appreciate the
cooperation of the tavern owners for both of these events who recognize their impact on city
services. If you have any questions regarding either of these events, please contact Police Chief
Greuel.
RDA RECEIVES UPDATE ON FISHING SHANTIES
2.: At this week’s RDA meeting, City
Attorney Lorenson presented a report with outside Counsel John Thiel regarding the status of the
legal issues associated with the fishing shanties along the Fox River. Council may recall that I
directed staff to suspend any additional activities associated with the fishing shanties after
historical groups requested an opportunity to study the historical and cultural aspects of the
shanties, and identify ways to preserve these structures or their history. I have honored that
request, but asked that Mr. Thiel provide a report to the RDA in accordance with their request.
We have an update on what information Mr. Thiel had collected up to this point prior to
suspension of any additional legal work. Mr. Thiel’s update is enclosed for the Council’s review.
The RDA agreed with staff’s recommendation and provided no direction to Mr. Thiel or Attorney
Lorenson at this time. Therefore, staff will await whatever actions are taken by the Landmarks
Commission, the Fox River Heritage Corridor, and the County Historical Society so that they have
an opportunity to provide whatever input they have requested. If you have any questions
regarding further steps, please contact me.
Weekly Newsletter
April 27, 2012
Page 2
EASTBOUND WIS 21 TO SOUTHBOUND WASHBURN STREET CLOSED APRIL
3.
25TH
: Due to Lunda Construction’s aggressive work schedule and some cooperation from the
weather, the construction of the WIS 21 interchange, including US 41 between US 45 and Witzel
Avenue, is currently ahead of schedule. As part of their contract with the Department of
Transportation (DOT), the contractor is allowed to close the Eastbound WIS 21 to Southbound
Washburn Street movement for seven days to install drainage structures and a temporary lane to
carry traffic from WIS 21 to Washburn Street. The contractor has provided a proposal to the
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DOT, requesting to close the intersection for two weeks beginning Wednesday, April 25. This
two week closure will allow the contractor to complete all drainage structure work, as well as
eliminate the temporary “lane” and allow them to complete the permanent pavement on this
portion of the roundabout as well. This proposal will mean that when the intersection reopens,
traffic will be utilizing the permanent concrete pavement versus temporary pavement with a wider
lane than proposed on the temporary pavement. The contractor feels that by allowing the two
week closure in place of the seven day closure, they will be able to open the entire WIS
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21/Washburn Street roundabout three days ahead of the scheduled date of June 18. The DOT
sees the benefit of this proposal. This would mean that when the intersection reopens in two
weeks, traffic will be utilizing the permanent pavement instead of temporary pavement with a
wider lane than proposed on the temporary pavement. The DOT also believes a huge benefit
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potential in opening the roundabout ahead of the scheduled June 18 date. Prolonged adverse
weather could change the dates mentioned above. Area businesses that are directly affected by
this have been notified and encouraged to contact the DOT with questions/objections. If you have
any questions concerning this, please contact Public Works Director David Patek.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS & UPDATES
4.: Other items I’m enclosing with today’s
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Newsletter include an invitation to participate in this year’s 4 of July parade. Insofar as minutes
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are concerned, I’m enclosing the minutes of the April 17 Plan Commission meeting; the minutes
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of the March 27 Committee on Aging meeting; and the minutes of the March 26 Housing
Authority meeting. The last item I’m enclosing is the Oshkosh Fire Department’s 2011 Annual
Report.
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UPCOMING MEETINGS
5.: Meetings I have scheduled for the week of April 30 include the
following: On Monday, at 1:30 p.m., I will be meeting with a UW-Oshkosh graduate student
regarding questions he has following his attendance at last Tuesday’s Council Meeting. On
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Tuesday, May 1, at 7:30 a.m., I will be attending the Community Sounding Board meeting at
UW-Oshkosh. At 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, I will be meeting with Neenah Mayor George Scherck
and County Executive Mark Harris regarding any final details prior to the Health Department
consolidation that will officially begin on Monday, May 7, 2012. On Tuesday, at 1:30 p.m., I will
be meeting with staff regarding modifications to City Hall as a result of vacancies taking place due
to the Health Department consolidation. On Wednesday, at 7:30 a.m., I will be attending the Fox
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Valley Technical College Advisory Committee meeting. On Thursday, May 3, at 6:45 a.m., I
will be attending an employee recognition program at the water filtration plant. On Friday, May
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4, I will be in Platteville to attend the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Urban Alliance
meeting. If you have any questions regarding my attendance at any of these meetings, please do
not hesitate to contact me.
MAR/jdc