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HomeMy WebLinkAboutweekly newsletter Date: September 14, 2012 To: Mayor & City Council From: Mark A. Rohloff, City Manager WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Subject: OSHKOSH OUTLOOK 2013 1.: Tom Grogan, Special Assistant to the Chancellor at UW- Oshkosh, has been volunteering his services as a "facilitator" for the Citizens for a Strong Oshkosh group. Part of his efforts has been to help that group reach out to partner with other organizations to develop and sponsor open public conversations about important public issues. This is a non- “partisan” effort to afford an opportunity for the public to learn more about important activities and developments that will take place during 2012-2013. In many ways, these outreach efforts support, enhance and advance the principles and the promise of "civility" in public life. I have enclosed a draft of the promotional announcement. As you can see, I am one of the invited speakers. A fast-paced program is anticipated. The program takes place next Thursday, th September 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the Oshkosh Convention Center. The public is welcomed to attend to hear from key public leaders in an open setting. The City Clerk has noticed this meeting in the event that a quorum of City Council Members attend. NEW SHANTY CONSTRUCTED ALONG RIVER 2.: Council may recall that staff accepted a recommendation and has honored a request from various historical groups that we would not be pursuing any legal action regarding the ability of fishing shanties to remain in the river, pending an historical review by various stakeholders in historic preservation in the city. Staff has not undertaken any actions since that time. However, I feel that it is necessary to bring to the Council’s attention that a new shanty was built/replaced along the river within the past couple of weeks. This shanty is a basic plywood ice fishing shanty type of structure that anyone can construct and haul around. This was constructed without any knowledge or notice to the city. I want to remain committed to my pledge that we would not initiate any legal action, however, the construction of this shanty clearly demonstrates that this is not an issue about historical preservation, nor it is about people who want to be able to continue to use their fishing shanties until they’ve exhausted their usefulness. This is nothing more than an extension of a private use in a public location. I welcome any comments that Council Members may have on this subject as I consider what options may be appropriate for the city to take regarding this issue. LEAGUE ANALYSIS OF ACT 10 DECISION 3.: Please find enclosed an analysis that was prepared by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities on the recent action by Dane County Judge Juan Colas on the constitutionality of Act 10. The League effectively summarizes the specific areas of Act 10 that Judge Colas ruled were unconstitutional. The League also points out that there are several aspects of Act 10 and 32 that remain valid based upon Judge Colas’ decision. Weekly Newsletter September 21, 2012 Page 2 Finally, the League is recommending that municipalities adopt a “wait and see” approach in dealing with this issue until the dust settles from whatever legal challenges may emerge from this decision. We have also received this advice from our own labor law consultants, as well as other labor attorneys that have provided general advice to cities throughout the state. If you have any other questions on the applicability of this decision to the City of Oshkosh, please contact Assistant City Manager/Director of Administrative Services John Fitzpatrick. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS & UPDATES 4.; Other items I’m enclosing with today’s Newsletter include the latest issue of the FOCUS newsletter, published by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, which features an article on the state’s school districts’ financial health. Insofar as minutes are concerned, I’m also enclosing the following: The minutes of the September thth 12 Parking Utility Commission meeting, the minutes of the September 19 Transit Advisory th Board meeting, and the minutes of the August 27 Housing Authority meeting. th UPCOMING MEETINGS 5.: Meetings I have scheduled for the week of September 24 include th the following: On Monday, September 24, at 7:30 a.m., I will be meeting with Mayor Tower to go over the Tuesday Council Agenda. At 11:00 a.m. on Monday, I am meeting with Brad th Masterson of the Housing Authority. On Wednesday, September 25, at 7:30 a.m., I will be attending the OAEDC Board meeting. I imagine that a major point of discussion will be the letter I received from the Chairs of OAEDC and the Chamber regarding the realignment of the two organizations. At 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, I will be attending the United Way Board meeting. th On Thursday, September 27, at 7:30 a.m., I will be attending the Chamco Board meeting. As mentioned previously, at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, I will be participating in the Oshkosh Outlook th 2013 event. On Friday, September 28, I will be in Stevens Point to attend the Urban Alliance th quarterly meeting. On Saturday, September 29, I will be addressing Professor Karl Nollenberger’s leadership class at UW-Oshkosh. If you have any questions regarding my attendance at any of these meetings, please do not hesitate to contact me. MAR/jdc Enclosures