HomeMy WebLinkAbout05. Council Minutes January 14, 2014 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
CITY OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN
JANUARY 14, 2014
OJHKOIH
ON THE WATER
REGULAR MEETING held Tuesday, January 14, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers, City Hall.
Mayor Tower presided.
PRESENT: Council Members Kyle Clark, Sean Fitzgerald, Steve Cummings, Tom Pech
Jr., Steven Herman and Mayor Burk Tower
EXCUSED: Council Member Deb Allison-Aasby
ALSO PRESENT: Mark Rohloff, City Manager; Pamela Ubrig, City Clerk; Lynn Lorenson,
City Attorney; and Dave Patek, Director of Public Works
Council Member Clark read the Invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jacob Spanbauer & Bailey Boelter from Read
Elementary School; and, Elizabeth Bird & Addison Vaughan from Roosevelt Elementary
School
PUBLIC HEARING
Ordinance 14-02 Approve Rezoning 2490 Jackson Street from M-3 General Industrial to
R-3 Multiple Dwelling with a Planned Development Overlay (Plan
Commission recommends approval)
FIRST READING; LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES
CITIZEN STATEMENTS TO COUNCIL
Patricia Diener, 1316 Broad Street, expressed concerns about individuals dumping debris
and snow onto the west side of a property located on Eleventh Avenue. She also expressed
concern about residents not shoveling snow off the sidewalks in her neighborhood.
Mayor Tower asked who should be contacted at the City regarding sidewalks not being
shoveled.
Mr. Patek stated the Engineering Division, 920-236-5065, was the department citizens should
call regarding snow removal concerns. He stated all calls to the City remained anonymous.
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL— JANUARY 14, 2014
Mee Yang, 2825 Prairie Wood Drive, President of the Hmong Service Center, expressed
concerns with lack of accountability of funds from previous years events. She requested that
the City of Oshkosh not issue special event permits under the Hmong Service Center
organization to the former president of the Hmong Service Center.
Mayor Tower noted Ms. Yang's comments were on the record; however he stated the City
had no control over private organizations.
Mr. Rohloff indicated the Ms. Yang had an appointment to meet with him in the coming week.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Bills presented by the Finance Director
Approval of Cash Report for November 2013
Receipt and Filing of Common Council Minutes from December 10, 2013 and January 2,
2014
Receipt and Filing of Museum Board Minutes from November 7, 2013
Receipt of Claim filed with the City's Insurance Company:
A) Jeannee Haugen for alleged damages from hitting a pothole with her bicycle
B) Richard Werner for alleged damages to his mailbox from the snowplow
Resolution 14-03 Authorize the Filing of Applications for Federal Operating & Capital
Assistance, State Operating Assistance & County Transportation
Assistance
Resolution 14-04 Approve Agreements for Transportation Services with Winnebago
County
Resolution 14-05 Approve 2014 Software Maintenance Agreements for IT Division to
Harris Computer Systems, Tyler Technologies & ESRI, Inc. (Total
Amount of$123,439.81)
Resolution 14-06 Award Partial Bid Award to Lunda Construction for Boat Works
Riverwalk Bridges ($1,073,264.00)
Resolution 14-07 Approve Spot Blight Designation; Authorize Redevelopment Authority
to Acquire 2332 Jefferson Street (Redevelopment Authority Approved)
Resolution 14-08 Approve Spot Blight Designation; Authorize Redevelopment Authority
to Acquire Vacant Lot, 100 Block West Custer Avenue
(Redevelopment Authority Approved)
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL— JANUARY 14, 2014
Resolution 14-09 Approve Spot Blight Designation; Authorize Redevelopment Authority
to Accept Donation of Property at 1125 North Main Street
(Redevelopment Authority Approved)
Resolution 14-10 Renew Bird City Wisconsin Designation; Designate May 3, 2014 as
International Migratory Bird Day
Resolution 14-11 Approve Conditional Use Permit; Planned Development for Existing
Developments & New Construction Projects at Lourdes Academy at
1100 Witzel Avenue, 110 & 250 North Sawyer Street (Plan
Commission Recommends Approval)
Resolution 14-12 Amend Special Assessment Policy Relative to Certification of
Completion of Construction
Resolution 14-13 Approval of Change Order No. 1 for Public Works Contract No. 12-23
with Straight Line Fence, LLC for Permanent Boundary Fence
Installation for James Road Area Detention Basin (+$3,397.00)
Resolution 14-14 Approval of Change Order No. 1 for Public Works Contract No. 13-04
with Carl Bowers & Sons Construction Co. Inc. for Various Concrete
Paving & Utility Projects — North & South Central Areas ($146,614.30)
Resolution 14-15 Approve Charges for Extraordinary Services for Special Events -
2014
Resolution 14-16 Approval of Special Event - Otter Street Fishing Club, Inc., utilize
Menominee Park for their Otter Street Fisheree / January 31 &
February 1, 2014
Resolution 14-17 Approval of Special Event - Oshkosh Downtown Rotary to utilize
Opera House Square & city streets for their Heart of Winter/ February
1, 2014 WITHDRAWN BY STAFF
Resolution 14-18 Approval of Special Event - Skier's Outlet to utilize the parking lot at
2550 South Washburn Street for their Skier's Outlet Rail Jam /
February 8, 2014 WITHDRAWN BY STAFF
Resolution 14-19 Approval of Special Event - Oshkosh Southwest Rotary to utilize
Menominee Park for their Battle on Bago / February 21 & 22, 2014
Resolution 14-20 Approval of Special Event - Oshkosh Festivals, Inc. to utilize 547 N.
Main Street & city streets for their Oshkosh St. Patrick's Day Parade
& Party/ March 15, 2014
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL— JANUARY 14, 2014
Resolution 14-21 Approval of Special Event - DuTriRun, LLC to utilize city streets for
their Oshkosh Half Marathon, 5K & Lionhearted Kids Run /April 12 &
13, 2014
Resolution 14-22 Approval of Special Event - UWO LGBTQ Resource Center to utilize
city streets for their 5th Annual Fox Valley LGBTQ Ally March /April
17, 2014
Resolution 14-23 Approval of Special Event - Oshkosh Fast Club to utilize Reetz
Diamonds at Menominee Park for their Greater Raider Open Fast
Pitch Tournament / May 30, 31 & June 1, 2014
Resolution 14-24 Approval of Special Event - Oshkosh Saturday Farmers Market, Inc.,
to utilize city streets for their Oshkosh Saturday Farmers Market
(Summer) / June 7, 2014 through October 25, 2014 (every Saturday)
Resolution 14-25 Approval of Special Event - Oshkosh Festivals, Inc. to utilize Leach
Amphitheater, Riverside Parking Lot (east side) & city streets for their
Oshkosh Irish Fest/June 12, 13, 14 & 15, 2014
Resolution 14-26 Approval of Special Event - Otter Street Fishing Club, Inc., to utilize
Menominee Park for their Otter Street Walleye Tournament/June 13,
14 & 15, 2014
Resolution 14-27 Approval of Special Event - Tour of America's Dairyland to utilize city
streets for their Oshkosh Criterium on the Water/ June 26, 2014
WITHDRAWN BY STAFF
Resolution 14-28 Approval of Special Event- Color Vibe Race Series LLC to utilize city
streets for their Color Vibe 5K Race/July 26, 2014 WITHDRAWN BY
STAFF
Resolution 14-29 Approval of Special Event - Oshkosh Yacht Club to utilize Menominee
Park for their Xtreme Regatta/July 14 & 15, 2014 WITHDRAWN BY
STAFF
Resolution 14-30 Approval of Special Event - Otter Street Fishing Club, Inc. to utilize
Menominee Park for their Otter Street Kids Fisheree/ August 9, 2014
Resolution 14-31 Approval of Special Event - Oshkosh Flight AAU Basketball to utilize city
streets for their Oshkosh Gus Macker 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament/
August 22, 23 & 24, 2014 WITHDRAWN BY STAFF
Resolution 14-32 Approval of Special Event- Oshkosh Festivals, Inc., to utilize city streets
& Riverwalk for their Oshkosh Oktober Fest/October 4, 2014
Resolution 14-33 Disallowance of Claim by Douglas Berger WITHDRAWN BY STAFF
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL— JANUARY 14, 2014
Resolution 14-34 Disallowance of Claim by Jeannee Haugen
Jeannee Haugen, 532 Oak Street, explained the circumstances of her claim was for
reimbursement of medical expenses and lost wages as the result of her hitting a pothole on
Ceape Avenue while riding her bicycle. She stated with a new job she did not qualify for
FMLA and had no insurance. She asked the Council to explain why her claim was denied.
Ms. Lorenson indicated Ms. Haugen's claim was referred to the City's insurance company.
She explained that under Wisconsin Statutes, the City was not liable for circumstances when
it had no knowledge of the situation. She stated the City could only be held liable if it was
aware of the condition and did not take appropriate action. She acknowledged the City's
insurance company completed an investigation and found the City was not liable for Ms.
Haugen's claim as the City was not aware of the pothole until after Ms. Haugen's incident.
She indicated that the pothole had since been repaired. She stated Ms. Haugen had six
months from the notice of disallowance to pursue her case in court.
Ms. Haugen questioned who was responsible for the maintenance of City streets.
Mayor Tower indicated the Public Works Division was responsible for the maintenance of
City streets.
Ms. Haugen asked if the pothole had been repaired.
Council Member Clark clarified that disallowing a claim was merely an administrative action
done by the Council. He explained the investigation and recommendation of the claim was
done prior to Council disallowing the claim.
Mr. Rohloff stated it was standard procedure that whenever a claim was filed the City
investigates the situation immediately. He stated the pothole was repaired in September
when the claim was made, however with the freezing and thawing conditions of winter it was
possible the pothole opened again. He confirmed that when the City was made aware of
potholes crews were scheduled to repair them.
Resolution 14-35 Disallowance of Claim by Patricia Krause
Resolution 14-36 Disallowance of Claim by Richard Werner, Sr.
Resolution 14-37 Approve Class "A" Fermented Malt License, Combination "Class B"
License, Special Class "B" Licenses, Operator, Taxi-cab Driver &
Secondhand Dealer Licenses
MOTION: ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA EXCLUDING RESOLUTIONS 14-12,
14-20, 14-25 & 14-32 (Clark; second, Cummings)
CARRIED: Ayes (6) Clark, Fitzgerald, Cummings, Pech, Herman, Mayor Tower
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL— JANUARY 14, 2014
Resolution 14-12 Amend Special Assessment Policy Relative to Certification of
Completion of Construction
MOTION: ADOPT (Clark; second, Herman)
CARRIED: Ayes (6) Clark, Fitzgerald, Cummings, Pech, Herman, Mayor Tower
Council Member Herman explained this policy came out of the special assessment workshop
and the budget process. He stated the contracts needed to be out in a timely fashion, as the
contractors received their payment for work completed. He questioned if there were
concerns about the wording of the policy pertaining to State projects. He stated it was
important for this policy to work for the citizens and staff.
Mr. Patek stated City staff would have sufficient information on State projects to meet the
City's Special Assessment Policy as it was written. He stated although the State could take
many years to audit their projects, after two years City staff would have dollar amounts that
would be close to the final numbers even if the project was not certified. He stated he was
comfortable using those numbers in order to meet the deadline of the Special Assessment
Policy.
Council Member Herman questioned if there was a discrepancy how the City would handle
the situation. He asked if property owners would be reassessed.
Mr. Rohloff stated the only time the City would need to hold a public hearing to reassess was
if the cost that was noticed to the property owner was exceeded by the new estimate.
Resolution 14-20 Approval of Special Event - Oshkosh Festivals, Inc. to utilize 547 N.
Main Street & city streets for their Oshkosh St. Patrick's Day Parade
& Party/ March 15, 2014
MOTION: ADOPT (Clark; second, Herman)
CARRIED: Ayes (5) Clark, Cummings, Pech, Herman, Mayor Tower
Present (1) Fitzgerald
Council Member Fitzgerald stated he pulled resolutions 14-20, 14-25 and 14-32 from the
Consent Agenda due to his wife being the treasurer for Oshkosh Festivals, Inc. He
indicated that he would be voting present on all three resolutions.
Resolution 14-25 Approval of Special Event - Oshkosh Festivals, Inc. to utilize Leach
Amphitheater, Riverside Parking Lot (east side) & city streets for their
Oshkosh Irish Fest / June 12, 13, 14 & 15, 2014
MOTION: ADOPT (Pech; second, Clark)
CARRIED: Ayes (5) Clark, Cummings, Pech, Herman, Mayor Tower
Present (1) Fitzgerald
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL— JANUARY 14, 2014
Resolution 14-32 Approval of Special Event - Oshkosh Festivals, Inc., to utilize city streets
& Riverwalk for their Oshkosh Oktober Fest/October 4, 2014
MOTION: ADOPT (Pech; second, Clark)
CARRIED: Ayes (5) Clark, Cummings, Pech, Herman, Mayor Tower
Present (1) Fitzgerald
ACTION TAKEN ON ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
Ordinance 14-38 Approve Rezoning Block Bounded by Witzel Avenue, Sawyer Street
Southland Avenue & Josslyn Street (Excluding 230 North Sawyer)
from R-1 Single Family, R-3 Multiple Dwelling & C-2 General
Commercial to C-1 Neighborhood Commercial with a Planned
Development Overlay (Plan Commission Recommends Approval)
MOTION: ADOPT (Cummings; second, Clark)
CARRIED Ayes (6) Clark, Fitzgerald, Cummings, Pech, Herman, Mayor Tower
Council Member Herman questioned if the zoning change affected the whole block.
Darryn Balch, Director of Planning Services, stated the zoning change affected all of the
Lourdes properties on the block. The dentist office would not be affected by the zoning
change.
Council Member Herman asked if the zoning change would be detrimental to the property
owners on the block trying to sell their properties.
Mr. Burich stated the zoning change would not affect property owners trying to sell their
properties.
Resolution 14-39 Approve Agreement with 531 N. Main LLC for City's Administration of
WEDC Community Investment Program Grant for Property at 531
North Main Street
MOTION: ADOPT (Clark; second, Cummings)
CARRIED: Ayes (5) Clark, Fitzgerald, Cummings, Pech, Herman
Present (1) Mayor Tower
Mayor Tower asked the Director of Community Development to comment on the grant.
Allen Davis, Director of Community Development, stated the grant was through the
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and that the City would serve as
a conduit between the WEDC and 531 N. Main LLC.
Council Member Cummings questioned if there were Historic Tax Credits were available to
531 N. Main LLC.
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL— JANUARY 14, 2014
Mr. Davis replied that Historic Tax Credits were available to 531 N. Main LLC.
Council Member Herman asked how the tax credits would affect the tax base.
Mr. Davis stated the tax credits would go to the owner, however the property would be a
fully taxable property. The grant improvements would increase the value of the property
along with the tax base.
Council Member Herman asked if there would be any liability to the City should the WEDC
disband.
Mr. Davis stated there would be a grant agreement between the City and WEDC. He
explained once the money was granted, the state legislature could not take it away. The
grant would not need to be repaid and there would be monitoring over the years with no
penalties.
Council Member Herman questioned if the Chamber of Commerce was on board with the
grant.
Rob Kleman, 120 Jackson Street, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the
Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, supported the grant. He stated the grant was under a
newly created program by the WEDC and was designed for impact projects in a
community.
Mayor Tower stated he would be voting present on the resolution due to a conflict of a
family member involved.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION, DIRECTION TO CITY MANAGER AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
A joint workshop with the Common Council, Plan Commission and Redevelopment Authority
regarding the vision of the river front development would be held on January 28th at 4:45 p.m.
Council Member Clark provided the Council with educational material on storm water
projects. He stated the maps provided would also be placed on the City's website as he
felt they would illustrate to citizens where their tax dollars were being spent.
CITIZEN STATEMENTS TO COUNCIL
There were no citizen statements.
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL— .JANUARY 14, 2014
CITY MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENTS & STATEMENTS
Mr. Rohloff stated an engineering services agreement for Subsurface Exploration and
Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation for the 2014 CIP was made with Midwest
Engineering Services, Inc. for the amount of $25,131.30. He announced an open house
would be held on January 15, 2014 at 6:00 pm at the Senior Center regarding the
proposed new residential design standards. He clarified that the Marion Road Water
Tower was not being replaced due to its aesthetics. He stated the Marion Road Water
Tower was built in 1936 and it was more cost effective to replace it rather than to repair it.
He explained it was necessary to replace the water tower in the same location for the
purposes of water storage, water pressure, and fire flow.
Council Member Pech questioned what the timeline was for the new water tower.
Mr. Patek believed the new Marion Road Water Tower was slated to be constructed in 2015.
Council Member Fitzgerald asked if the City's detention basins and detention ponds aided
in water pressure.
Mr. Rohloff stated the City could build pump stations, however then the City would rely on
constant energy use to keep water pressure at all times. He stated the advantage of using a
water tower was the City did not have to pay peak time electricity rates due to pumping the
water into the tower overnight during non peak times. He clarified it was much more cost
effective to use a water tower rather than a pump station.
Council Member Herman asked if the current Marion Road Water Tower would remain in use
during the construction of the new one.
Mr. Patek stated his staff had not completed their analysis on whether or not the current
Marion Road Water Tower would remain in use during the construction of the new one.
Mr. Rohloff stated most likely the new tower would be erected next to the existing tower and
the existing tower would be demolished once the new tower was up and running.
Council Member Herman was concerned about demolishing the existing Marion Road Water
Tower prior to the new tower being constructed and operating.
Mr. Patek stated with the operations of the water utility there were times when a water tower
was down. He explained that water towers were periodically taken down and emptied for
inspection or painting. He acknowledged his staff would need to research whether or not the
City could operate minus one water tower for the amount of time it would take to demolish the
current Marion Road Water Tower and reconstruct a new water tower on the same site.
Council Member Clark reported that citizens had contacted him regarding the Marion Road
Water Tower were concerned about the historical value of the water tower, not the aesthetics.
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL— JANUARY 14, 2014
Mayor Tower recognized the Public Works Division for their efforts in repairing broken water
mains during the recent bitter cold weather.
Council Member Herman noted there were four water main breaks on Nevada Avenue near
Bowen Street during the recent cold weather. He asked if the breaks were due to old pipes
or the weather.
Mr. Patek explained the cold weather was more likely to impact water mains later in the
season as the frost continued to go deeper. During the recent cold weather he stated many
of the breaks were service related to the property owners and not necessarily water main
breaks.
Mr. Rohloff confirmed during the recent cold weather the City had thirteen water main breaks
and forty six service breaks.
MOTION: ADJOURN (Cummings; second, Clark)
CARRIED: VOICE VOTE
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
PAMELA R. UBRIG
CITY CLERK
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