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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes PCC ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL CO,W ITY OF SHKOSH ISCONSIN J9,2015 UNE REGULAR MEETING held Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at 6:00 p.min the Council Chambers, . City Hall. Mayor Cummings presided. PRESENT: Council Members Caroline Panske, Benjamin Stepanek, Kyle Clark, Deb Allison-Aasby, Steven Herman, Tom Pech, Jr. and Mayor Cummings ALSO PRESENT: Mark Rohloff, City Manager; Pamela Ubrig, City Clerk; Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney and Steve Gohde, Interim Director of Public Works Mayor Cummings called for a moment of silence to remember the lives of Leonard Reinke, Don Jorgenson, Jeremy Monnett and Mike Clark; each community leaders who had recently passed away. Council Member Benjamin Stepanek read the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Benjamin Stepanek PCAA RESENTATION OF OMMITTEE ON GING WARD Mark Ziemer, Director of Senior Services, presented the Life Service Award to Lurton Blassingame in recognition for his service to older adults and the community. CSC ITIZEN TATEMENTS TO OUNCIL Bob Cornell, 548 W. Smith Avenue, invited the public to attend the Night on the River event th sponsored by the Seniors Center on June 18. PH UBLIC EARING Resolution 15-279 Approval of Final Resolution for Special Assessments – Contract No. 15-07 / Utility Repairs and Installation / Sanitary Sewer and Water Relays / Various Locations MOTION: ADOPT (Clark; second, Stepanek) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Pech, Panske, Mayor Cummings Mayor Cummings asked for an explanation of the resolution. 1 PCC–J9,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UNE Steve Gohde, Interim Director of Public Works, stated the resolution was for a utility repair project for a variety of sewer and water mains throughout the City. He gave an explanation on the special assessment policy regarding sewer and water main connections. CA ONSENT GENDA Approval of Bills presented by the Finance Director. Receipt and Filing of Common Council Minutes from May 26, 2015. Resolution 15-280 Approve Professional Service Agreement with AECOM for Environmental Consulting Services for Rivers 1.5 Construction; Marion/Pearl Redevelopment Area ($120,000.00) Resolution 15-281 Approve Purchase Pursuant to Sole Source Exception of seven Thermal Imaging Cameras for Oshkosh Fire Department from W.S. Darley & CO ($49,307.65) Resolution 15-282 Approve Purchase Pursuant to Sole Source Exception of two Quint Fire Engine/Ladder Trucks for Oshkosh Fire Department from Pierce Manufacturing Inc. ($1,751,600.00) Council Member Pech asked for an explanation of the resolution. Tim Franz, Fire Chief, explained two quint fire engine/ladder trucks needed to be replaced, however due to the cost of the trucks only one was included in the 2015 CIP. He stated in order to receive a multi unit discount and to avoid a price increase two trucks were purchased; however the second truck would be paid for in 2016 and be included in the 2016 CIP. Council Member Pech asked how much money the City would save by purchasing both trucks together. Mark Rohloff, City Manager, stated the City would save $248,000.00 by purchasing the two trucks together. Resolution 15-283 Approve Amendment to Resolution 15-136 Heart Monitor Maintenance Agreement 2015-2017 for Fire Department to Physio-Control Inc. ($44,290.92) Mayor Cummings asked for an explanation of the resolution. Mr. Rohlff explained the City was the recipient of a Fire Act grant which greatly reduced the cost of the Heart Monitor Maintenance Agreement. 2 PCC–J9,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UNE Resolution 15-284 Approve Change Order No. 1 for Public Works Contract No. 14-11 with Wood Sewer and Excavating, Inc. for Sanitary Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation Program (+$39,825.02) Resolution 15-285 Approve Agreement with AECOM for Environmental and Engineering Services Related to the Former Kienast and Paulus Quarries ($116,600.00) Resolution 15-286 Approve Agreement with Brown and Caldwell for Storm Water Management Plan for Gallups / Merritts Creek Watershed ($128,221.00) nd Resolution 15-287 Approve 2 Amendment to Intergovernmental Agreement with East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission for Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment Grant Funds for Regional Aviation/Aerospace Business Cluster Mayor Cummings asked for an explanation of resolutions 15-587, 15-288 and 15-289 as they were all related. Allen Davis, Director of Community Development, explained in order to receive a grant from the Department of Defense to help fund the aviation cluster study, local sources had to provide a ten percent match of the funds. He stated Austin Straubel International Airport and Wittman Regional Airport would share the cost of the ten percent matching funds. He stated instead of cash the City would use Mr. Davis’ time to offset the City’s portion of the matching funds. Council Member Clark commended City staff for finding alternate and creative sources to pay for things and being responsible with tax payer dollars. Resolution 15-288 Approve Intergovernmental Agreement with Austin Straubel International Airport to Undertake a Regional Aviation / Aerospace Business Cluster Development; Accept Contribution Resolution 15-289 Approve Intergovernmental Agreement with Wittman Regional Airport to Undertake a Regional Aviation / Aerospace Business Cluster Development; Accept Conribution Resolution 15-290 Approve Appointments for the Following Boards and Commissions: Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Bid Board, Board of Appeals, Committee on Aging, Equal Opportunity in Housing Commission, Extraterritorial Zoning Committee, Grand Opera House Advisory Board, Housing Authority, Landmarks Commission, Library Board, Long Range Finance Committee, Museum Board, Parking Utility Commission, Plan Commission, Police and Fire Commission, Storm Water Utility Board, Sustainability Advisory Board, Traffic Review Advisory Board, Transit Advisory Board, Parks Advisory Board Council Member Pech stated he greatly appreciated the involvement of the volunteers serving on the City’s boards and commissions. 3 PCC–J9,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UNE Resolution 15-291 Approve Waiver for Wellspring Farms to Allow Horses in the City on August 22, 2015 Resolution 15-292 Disallowance of Claim by Sue Jones Resolution 15-293 Approval of Special Class “B” License, Combination “Class B” License and Operator Licenses MOTION: ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA (Panske; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Pech, Panske, Mayor Cummings ATO&R CTION AKEN ON RDINANCES ESOLUTIONS Ordinance 15-294 Approval of Changes in the Ceape and Otter East Parking Lots MOTION: ADOPT (Clark; second, Panske) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Pech, Panske, Mayor Cummings Ordinance 15-295 Create Bicycle Lanes (Lane Reduction / ”Road Diet”) on Murdock Avenue from Wisconsin Street to Sheridan Street MOTION: ADOPT (Pech; second, Panske) MOTION: DIVIDE INTO TWO PARTS: PART A BEING ROAD DIET; AND PART B BEING BIKE LANES (Herman) WITHDRAWN MOTION: LAYOVER UNTIL JULY 28, 2015 COUNCIL MEETING AND REFER BACK TO TRAFFIC REVIEW ADVISORY BOARD AND THE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (Herman; second, Clark) LOST: Ayes (3) Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman Noes (4) Stepanek, Pech, Panske, Mayor Cummings MOTION: RECONSIDER LAYOVER (Pech; second, Herman) CARRIED: Ayes (6) Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Pech, Mayor Cummings Noes (1) Panske MOTION: LAYOVER INDEFINITELY AND REFER BACK TO TRAFFIC REVIEW ADVISORY BOARD, BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND CITY STAFF TO DO A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR ALL OF MURDOCK AVENUE (Pech; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (6) Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Pech, Mayor Cummings Noes (1) Panske 4 PCC–J9,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UNE Adam Bellcorelli, 1624 Western Street, supported the resolution as he felt the road diet would reduce traffic speed and lane weaving. He stated he felt the proposed bike lanes would encourage citizens to ride their bikes to work, school, and on short errands. Ben Rennert, 1113 E. Irving Avenue, stated as an owner of a bicycle shop, a board member of the Oshkosh Cycling Club, and the current Vice Chair of the Oshkosh Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, he was committed to bettering the City of Oshkosh’s cycling community. He stated he felt that cycling infrastructure was lacking in Oshkosh and communities with strong cycling infrastructure had healthy and progressive citizens. Gary Gray, 815 W. Linwood Avenue, asked if the speed limit on Murdock would be reduced under the proposed road diet. He also asked if traffic would divert to the side streets if lanes were reduced on Murdock Avenue. Jim Collins, Director of Transportation, stated the speed limit on Murdock Avenue would not be reduced under the proposed road diet. He stated it was a misconception that traffic diverted to side streets upon completion of a road diet. He stated it was unlikely that Murdock Avenue traffic would divert to side streets under the proposed road diet due to the speed limit on Murdock Avenue being higher than the speed limits on the side streets. Bob Cornell, 548 W. Smith Avenue, supported a road diet on Murdock Avenue, however he felt the ordinance was not written with transparency as to the road diet; he felt the ordinance appeared to be written more to create bike lanes and the road diet was secondary. Mr. Collins explained the reason for the wording in the ordinance was due to there already being a City ordinance on bike lanes in the Municipal Code. He stated the City did not currently have ordinances for road reconfigurations or street painting. He stated the road diet/reconfiguration was basically a restriping of the road. Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney, confirmed the terminology “Lane Reduction / ”Road Diet”” was included in the title of the ordinance and the lane reductions were noted at the bottom of the ordinance to bring the road reconfiguration to people’s attention. She stated since lane reconfigurations did not require an ordinance action from the Council, City staff opted to use the bike lane ordinance and include the “Lane Reduction/”Road Diet”” terminology. Mr. Collins stated in an effort to be as transparent as possible, City staff held a public meeting and work shop on the road reconfiguration of Murdock Avenue. Paul Lonning spoke on behalf of Expert Towing, 910 W. Murdock Avenue, and stated he was concerned that reducing lanes on Murdock Avenue would make it difficult for large trucks to navigate turns from Algoma Boulevard onto Murdock Avenue; and also to make turns into businesses located on Murdock Avenue. He suggested the City research implementing traffic signals to reduce accidents and recommended that bike lanes be added to Linwood Avenue instead of Murdock Avenue due to the street being anchored by two fire stations which made it a thoroughfare for ambulances. 5 PCC–J9,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UNE Mr. Collins stated the road reconfiguration on Murdock Avenue would begin at Sheridan Street, therefore there would not be an issue for large trucks turning onto Murdock Avenue from Algoma Boulevard. He stated the proposed left turn lane would be fourteen feet wide giving large trucks two additional feet to navigate turns into businesses along Murdock Avenue. Mr. Lonning stated he had responded to many crashes where drivers were turning left onto Elmwood Ave from Murdock Avenue. He stated as a driver of a large truck, he felt removing a lane of traffic and adding a fourteen foot middle turn lane would hinder his ability to make a left turn from Murdock Avenue into Expert Towing. Jeff Wicinsky, 502 W. Murdock Avenue, stated he was opposed to the reconfiguration of Murdock Avenue due to the high amount of traffic. He stated due to the volume of traffic and the speed rate of the traffic he did not feel adding bike lanes to Murdock Avenue was a good idea. Chad Pugh represented CAP Properties, LLC and Expert Towing, 910 W. Murdock Avenue, stated he felt the business owners along the proposed road reconfiguration area should have been asked for their input in the traffic study. He stated he was opposed to the proposed road diet and bike lanes on Murdock Avenue. Council Member Panske stated the road reconfiguration project did not involve ripping up concrete; it only involved repainting lane determinations which could be changed back in the future if the road diet failed to work. She encouraged the business owners along Murdock Avenue to communicate any issues with the Council if the ordinance was approved. She stated she received numerous emails from Oshkosh North High School students who supported the ordinance, especially the added bike lanes. Council Member Herman stated he supported reconfiguring the lanes on Murdock Avenue in order to reduce traffic accidents. He stated he did not see Murdock Avenue listed in the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and asked if the plan changed. Mr. Collins stated the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee voted to altar the bike routes to include Murdock Avenue. Council Member Herman asked why the bike route change was not brought before Council. Darryn Burich, Planning Services Manager, stated per the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan the amendment process began with amendments or changes to the plan being brought before the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee Advisory Committee for review and recommendation to Council on whether to approve or deny the amendment. He stated the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee was at that point in the process, however the amendment could not be brought before Council until a decision was made on Ordinance 15-295. Council Member Clark stated he would like to see a comprehensive plan for the entire length of Murdock Avenue. He stated he did not like that the lane sizes changed in various places throughout the course of the street. 6 PCC–J9,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UNE Council Member Herman made a motion to separate the road diet and bike lanes as two separate items. Ms. Lorenson stated there was no provision in the ordinance for road diets. Council Member Herman withdrew the motion to separate the road diet and bike lanes as two th separate items. He made a motion to layover the ordinance until the July 28 meeting and to refer the proposed ordinance back to the Traffic Review Advisory Board and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Council Member Clark supported laying over the ordinance and for the Traffic Review Advisory Board, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and City staff to communicate with business owners and residents to come up with a comprehensive plan for Murdock Avenue. Adam Bellcorelli, 1624 Western Street, was a member of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and stated both committees had reviewed the road diet plan extensively and gave their recommendations. He stated he did not feel it was necessary for the two committees to meet again to discuss the road diet plan. Paul Lonning from Expert Towing, 910 W. Murdock Avenue, stated he attended the most recent Traffic Review Advisory Board meeting where the proposed road diet plan was narrowly approved. He stated he felt that more input was needed from the businesses on Murdock Avenue before a decision was made to go forward with the road diet project. Mr. Collins stated the Council could opt to vote on the ordinance for the bike lanes and give direction to City staff to continue with the road reconfiguration. Ms. Lorenson confirmed an option for the Council would be to give direction to City staff to implement the road reconfiguration. Mr. Rohloff stated the Council had to first address the motion to layover the ordinance. He reiterated the Council had the option to direct City staff to go ahead with the road reconfiguration without adding bike lanes. Council Member Allison-Aasby stated she was concerned about adding bike lanes to Murdock Avenue due to the volume of traffic. She stated she supported laying the ordinance over for further research. Council Member Clark stated he did not support adding bike lanes to Murdock Avenue. He felt that bike lanes would serve a better purpose on the side streets. Council Member Herman stated he had concerns with adding bike lanes to Murdock Avenue. He stated he felt there could be better communication with businesses and residents when changes were made to their streets. 7 PCC–J9,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UNE Council Member Pech recommended that Council reconsider the motion to layover and refer the ordinance back to the Traffic Review Advisory Board and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee with direction to address a coherent usage and comprehensive plan for Murdock Avenue. Council Member Panske asked if the time frame would remain the same as the previous motion to layover the ordinance. Council Member Pech stated the time frame to bring the ordinance back to the Council would be indefinite. Council Member Stepanek asked if direction to City staff could be made for Council to receive a road reconfiguration plan without the bike lanes. Council Member Pech stated Council Member Stepanek’s request would be addressed in the comprehensive plan of Murdock Avenue as directed in the motion to reconsider the layover. Mr. Rohloff interjected that Council must first vote on the motion to reconsider the motion to layover the ordinance. Council Member Pech made a motion to layover and refer the ordinance back to the Traffic Review Advisory Board, the Bicycle and Pedestrian and City staff to come up with a comprehensive plan that addressed traffic flow and safety concerns on Murdock Avenue. Mayor Cummings asked if the comprehensive plan would include all of Murdock Avenue. Council Member Pech stated the comprehensive plan would include the entire length of Murdock Avenue. Ordinance 15-296 Approve Request to Attach to the City from the Town of Black Wolf / Purtell Voluntary Attachment / Southeast Corner of West Ripple Avenue and Oregon Street MOTION: ADOPT (Clark; second, Pech) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Pech, Panske, Mayor Cummings Ordinance 15-297 Approve Request to Attach to the City from the Town of Algoma / th Cypress Homes Voluntary Attachment / South 3400 Block of West 20 Avenue MOTION: ADOPT (Clark; second, Pech) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Pech, Panske, Mayor Cummings 8 PCC–J9,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UNE Resolution 15-298 Approve Annual City Licenses (Renewals) MOTION: ADOPT (Clark; second, Pech) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Pech, Panske, Mayor Cummings Resolution 15-299 Approve Professional Service Agreement with Walker Parking Consultants to Undertake a Downtown Parking Study ($49,877.00) MOTION: ADOPT (Clark; second, Allison-Aasby) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Pech, Panske, Mayor Cummings Mayor Cummings asked who all the participants were involved in the study. Mr. Rohloff stated along with the City, the Business Improvement District was also participating in the downtown parking study. Council Member Herman stated he supported the downtown parking study as he felt with all of the improvements to the downtown area parking was becoming a major issue. Council Member Pech asked if the parking study would include the south side of the Fox River. Darryn Burich, Planning Services Manager, stated the business districts on the south side of the Fox River were included in the broader Central City Study. Resolution 15-300 Approve Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Policy MOTION: ADOPT (Pech; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Pech, Panske, Mayor Cummings Gary Gray, 815 W. Linwood Avenue, stated various viewpoints on the CIP Policy. Council Member Pech stated the Long Range Finance Committee was asked to develop a scoring system that would allow the City to identify and prioritize projects. He stated the CIP Policy was a moving document and changes could be made to the policy through the Long Range Finance Committee. Council Member Panske asked under what circumstances the City Manager could reserve the right to assess an extra five points per project. Mr. Rohloff stated he would be judicious with regard to assessing extra points and that extra points would have to be assessed for something that was totally lacking in the criteria that was already laid out. 9 PCC–J9,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UNE Council Member Panske asked if the extra assessed points would come back to Council for approval. Mr. Rohloff stated the extra assessed points would not go before Council for approval, however it was his intention to include any extra assessed points in the CIP so Council was aware of what his thought process was. Council Member Herman complimented the Long Range Finance Committee and City staff for their efforts in completing the CIP Policy. He stated he felt the CIP Policy should be given to all the boards and commissions who complete Capital Improvement Project Budgets. Council Member Clark felt the CIP Policy would be a great tool to aid the Council and boards and commissions in completing their CIP budgets. Resolution 15-301 Approve Council Member / Mayor Salary Increase MOTION: ADOPT (Clark; second, Pech) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Pech, Panske, Mayor Cummings Bob Cornell, 548 W. Smith Avenue, stated he supported the resolution as it contained a provision to review council member/mayor salaries after each Mayoral cycle. John Fitzpatrick, Assistant City Manager/Director of Administrative Services, stated former Mayor, Burk Tower, suggested a Compensation Committee be formed to review council member and mayor pay. He stated the last salary adjustment made to council member and mayor pay in the City of Oshkosh took place in 2009 and explained that pay increases approved by current elected officials could not be effective until a new term began. He stated City staff had conducted research into the salaries of council members and alderpersons from several Wisconsin communities and based on the analysis and data collected, the Compensation Committee agreed to recommend an increase in the annual council member and mayoral salaries and to adjust the mayoral salary to $1500.00 above council member salary. Council Member Herman stated he was a member of the Compensation Committee and upon comparing the salaries of council members and alderpersons from other Wisconsin communities it was determined that the salaries of Oshkosh Common Council Members and the Oshkosh Mayor were well below the average salaries collected in the data. Council Member Pech stated as a council member it was awkward to vote for a pay increase, however he believed the citizens of Oshkosh were getting their money’s worth from the Council. 10 PCC–J9,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UNE Council Member Clark stated it was important to remember that the proposed pay increase would be deferred until 2016. He stated even with the proposed salary increase, council member and mayor compensation for the City of Oshkosh was still below the average salary of council members and alderpersons in comparable communities. Council Member Panske stated she would like the gap between the salary of the council members and the mayor reduced. She stated that it was difficult to vote for a salary increase without feeling selfish and promised that her salary would be used to try new local restaurants and to support businesses in Oshkosh. CD,DCMFAI OUNCIL ISCUSSION IRECTION TO ITY ANAGER AND UTURE GENDA TEMS Council was given the 2016 Budget Preparation Schedule and after discussion decided to th schedule department head presentations during the work day on October 20 and October st 21. A workshop with the Sustainability Advisory Board on current projects would be held on July th 14 at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Cummings felt the Council should have a policy regarding member attendance for boards and commissions and asked Council Members for their thoughts. Council Member Clark felt a member should be removed from a board or commission after three unexcused absences without a twenty four hour notice. Mr. Rohloff suggested the Council establish a policy of standards and expectations rather than a hard and fast rule regarding member attendance for boards and commissions. Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney, stated she would prepare a memorandum for the Council regarding items to consider for establishing a member attendance policy for boards and commissions. Council Member Allison-Aasby withdrew her intention to have a discussion on developing a policy to take position on legislative issues. Mr. Rohloff stated State Representative Schraa and State Senator Gudex shared with him that they enjoyed meeting with the Council to discuss various issues and felt that joint meetings should be held on a continuous basis. Council Member Panske stated she enjoyed the discussion with local State Legislators and loved having the Oshkosh Public Museum Library as the venue. Council Member Herman felt the Council should meet with local State Legislators on a quarterly basis. Council Member Clark stated he felt the meeting with local State Legislators was beneficial. 11 PCC–J9,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UNE CSC ITIZEN TATEMENTS TO OUNCIL There were no citizen statements to Council. CMA&S OUNCIL EMBER NNOUNCEMENTS TATEMENTS Council Member Panske reminded the public that the Fox Cities Bike Challenge began on stth May 1 and would continue through September 30. Council Member Herman stated that council members were invited to attend an Oshkosh Giants baseball game with their families and that he would get them a list of possible dates to choose from. MA&S ANAGER NNOUNCEMENT TATEMENTS Mr. Rohloff provided Council with the 2014 fourth quarter financial reports and the first quarter financial reports for 2015. He stated an agreement for engineering services was made with Strand Associates, Inc. for the Sawyer Creek post-construction modeling and mapping services. MOTION: ADJOURN (Clark; second, Panske) CARRIED: VOICE VOTE The meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m. PAMELA R. UBRIG CITY CLERK 12