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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesPCC ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL CO,W ITY OF SHKOSH ISCONSIN A11,2015 UGUST REGULAR MEETING held Tuesday, August 11, 2015, at 6:00 p.min the Council . Chambers, City Hall. Mayor Cummings presided. PRESENT: Council Members Tom Pech, Jr., Caroline Panske, Benjamin Stepanek, Kyle Clark, Deb Allison-Aasby, Steven Herman, and Mayor Cummings ALSO PRESENT: Mark Rohloff, City Manager; Angela Joeckel, Deputy City Clerk; Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney and Steve Gohde, Interim Director of Public Works Council Member Tom Pech read the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council Member Tom Pech. CSC ITIZEN TATEMENTS TO OUNCIL Joseph Ferlo, 1230 Devonshire Drive, President and CEO of the Oshkosh Opera House Foundation and Director of the Grand Opera House, invited the public to attend the Season th Preview Party at the Grand Opera House on August 29. He also announced the performances of the upcoming 2015-2016 season for the Grand Opera House. PH UBLIC EARINGS Ordinance 15-366 Approve Zone Change / Bristol Square Subdivision from R-1 Single Family Residence to R-3 Multiple Dwelling District with Planned Development Overlay; 4100 Block Jackson Street (Plan Commission Recommends Approval) FIRST READING; LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES Resolution 15-367 Approval of Final Resolution for Special Assessments / Cold-Mix Asphalt Paving (Foster Street and Alleys) MOTION: ADOPT (Pech; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Laurel Luedtke, 231 Foster Street, stated that she had recently purchased her home and asked for an explanation of the resolution. 1 PCC–A11,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UGUST Mr. Gohde explained the proposed project was a cold mix overlay maintenance project for the street designed to extend the life of the street. Council Member Herman asked about the state of the water and sewer laterals underneath the proposed streets. Mr. Gohde stated the condition of the water and sewer laterals would be reviewed prior to the cold mix overlay being applied. He stated if there were problems or items that needed repair the property owners would be notified. Mr. Rohloff stated the City had a Special Assessment Policy that allowed for payment plans that property owners could choose from to aid them in paying for special assessments. Council Member Panske asked if it was a problem that the property owner listed in the resolution for 231 Foster Street was different due to the sale of the property. Ms. Joeckel stated the payment plan sheets were sent to the current property owner. Council Member Herman asked what alleys were being paved. Mr. Gohde stated the alleys referred to in the resolution were located south of New York Avenue between Cherry Street and Wisconsin Street; and the north/south streets of Wisconsin Street and Wright Street and the east/west streets of Prospect Avenue and Scott Avenue. Council Member Herman questioned if there were utilities located under the alleys. Mr. Gohde stated the City’s alleys typically had storm sewer laterals underneath, however there were a few alleys that could also have other utilities running beneath them. Council Member Herman asked if the property owners along the alleys were responsible for the special assessments. Mr. Gohde stated the alleys were considered a public utility and that the utility laterals were the responsibility of the property owner; however the main line utilities were the City’s responsibility. He stated he did not believe there were any utilities located under the alleys included in the proposed resolution. CA ONSENT GENDA Approval of Bills presented by the Finance Director. Receipt and Filing of Museum Board Minutes from June 4, 2015. Receipt and Filing of Common Council Minutes from July 28, 2015. 2 PCC–A11,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UGUST Receipt of Claim filed with the City’s Insurance Company: A) State Farm on behalf of Denise Busko for alleged damages to her vehicle from a fire truck Resolution 15-368 Approve Change Order No. 2 for Public Works Contract No. 14-03 with Relyco, Inc. for the National Guard Armory Area Storm Water Detention Basin (+$9,856.00) Resolution 15-369 Approve Conditional Use Permit for Construction of Parking Stalls in Excess of Zoning Code Limitations at 505 South Washburn Street (Plan Commission Recommends Approval) Resolution 15-370 Approve Planned Development to Allow Development of a Retail and Training Center Building for Goodwill Industries; Westowne Avenue (Plan Commission Recommends Approval) Resolution 15-371 Authorize Purchase of ImageCast Evolution (ICE) Voting Equipment in Cooperation with Winnebago County from Dominion Voting Systems ($133,297.00) Resolution 15-372 Approval of Amendment to Special Event - Oshkosh Outlet Shoppes to utilize their Outlet Shoppes Parking Lot for their Back to School Concert / August 24, 2015 Resolution 15-373 Approve Appointment to Landmarks Commission Resolution 15-374 Approve Special Class “B” Licenses, Agent Change for Combination “Class A” License & Operator Licenses MOTION: ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA (Clark; second, Herman) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings ATO&R CTION AKEN ON RDINANCES ESOLUTIONS Ordinance 15-375 Designate Signalized Pedestrian Crossing on Oregon Street for the River Walk MOTION: ADOPT (Clark; second, Panske) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Council Member Herman asked for an explanation of the ordinance. 3 PCC–A11,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UGUST Allen Davis, Director of Community Development, stated the river walk would be crossing at grade on Main Street and Jackson Street due to the fact that underpasses beneath the Oregon Street Bridge could not be completed at this time. He stated on the south side of the Oregon Street Bridge, people likely would not cross at Sixth Avenue where the traffic signals were. He stated people were more likely to cross Oregon street near the bridge where the river walk was so City staff felt that was the most appropriate location for the crossing beacon. He stated the crossing would be the link between the riverwalk on the east side of Oregon Street and the future extension of the riverwalk on the west side of Oregon Street. He explained half of the cost of the crossing beacon would be paid through a grant. Resolution 15-376 Approve Resolution Directing Advertisement and Sale of Approximately $13,115,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of Storm Water Utility Revenue Bonds, Series 2015C, of the City of Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Wisconsin MOTION: ADOPT (Pech; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Todd Taves from Ehlers & Associates stated the City received six bids for the bonds with the winning bid going to Bank of America Merrill Lynch with a true interest cost of 3.12%. He stated the City originally authorized the sale of $15,560,000.00 in bonds, however due to projects that were planned but not undertaken by the City, the large bond premium, and the size of the bond issue the amount was reduced to $13,115,000.00. He explained as part of the transaction the Stormwater Utilities 2005C Bonds were refinanced for a savings of $272,000.00. He stated due to resurgence in the market, the proposed bond issue would be insured and carry the A1 underlying rating of the stormwater utility as well as a Standard and Poor’s AA rating associated with the insurance company. Council Member Herman questioned if the insured bond issues would continue in the future. Mr. Taves stated he did not forsee insured bond issues as a matter of course, however he felt the City could see insured bond issues in selected instances going forward. Resolution 15-377 Approve Awarding Bid to Michel’s Foundation / Jeld-Wen Riverwalk East of Oregon ($1,164,770.75) MOTION: ADOPT (Clark; second, Panske) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Mr. Davis explained that the riverwalk would extend from the Oregon Street Bridge along the south side of the river to the Dockside Tavern. He stated the plans included the crossing beacon voted on previously in the meeting which could be moved if the Oregon Street Bridge was ever replaced and an underpass was constructed. 4 PCC–A11,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UGUST Resolution 15-378 Approve Change Order No. 2 to Contract No. 13-18 with Lunda Construction for Construction of BoatWorks Riverwalk and Restroom (+$120,490.00) MOTION: ADOPT (Allison-Aasby; second, Pech) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Mr. Davis provided pictures of the completed BoatWorks Riverwalk, restroom, and canoe/kayak launch site along with the plans for a future parking lot to be constructed later in the fall. Council Member Herman asked if the BoatWorks section of the riverwalk was open. Mr. Davis stated people were starting to use the BoatWorks section of the riverwalk and that a grand opening ceremony would be held after the parking lot was completed. Council Member Herman questioned how the project was being funded. Mr. Davis the BoatWorks projects was funded through multiple grants by the DNR that required a local match. He stated the local match portion came from TID #20 funds and TID #7 funds. Council Member Herman asked if the BoatWorks Property would be marketed for development. Mr. Davis stated the City invested dollars to remove the blighted buildings from the site and that GOEDC was actively marketing the property for development. He stated since the site was contaminated the site would be sold at a discount and the City would be most likely help with the remediation of the property. CD,DCMFAI OUNCIL ISCUSSION IRECTION TO ITY ANAGER AND UTURE GENDA TEMS th A 2016 Budget Workshop would be held on August 26 at 5:00 p.m. Council Member Clark reminded the public that Murdock Avenue had undergone a road diet with new lane configurations implemented in order to prevent accidents at the intersections of Vinland Road, Elmwood Avenue, and Wisconsin Street. Mr. Rohloff stated the barrels were removed from Murdock Avenue and the line painting was mostly completed. He stated the traffic light at the intersection of Murdock Avenue and Wisconsin Street would remain green for traffic on Murdock Avenue until a vehicle on Wisconsin Street activated it to change. He clarified that bike lanes had not been approved for Murdock Avenue. 5 PCC–A11,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UGUST Council Member Herman stated the concern of the Traffic Review Advisory Board (TRAB) regarding the road diet was the bike lanes; the TRAB opposed the inclusion of bike lanes. Mayor Cummings asked for an explanation of the exemption of digital cable equipment. Mr. Rohloff explained the City received a report from the Department of Revenue stating that digital cable equipment was being considered as computerized equipment and was tax exempt. Ms. Lorenson stated that computerized equipment used by cable companies was tax exempt under State Statutes and that the City Assessor’s Office could no longer tax them. She stated the statute did not exempt all property; such as coaxial cables and fiber optic cables. Council Member Herman asked if there would be a fiscal impact if the City could no longer tax the cable companies for digital cable equipment. Mr. Rohloff stated with the exemption for taxing cable companies for digital cable equipment the City would lose $4,000,000.00 of value, resulting in the property tax pie shifting more towards residential properties than for manufacturing or commercial properties. He stated the issue would be discussed at the upcoming meeting with the League of Municipalities. Council Member Herman asked for an update of the Pioneer Property at the next Council Meeting. CSC ITIZEN TATEMENTS TO OUNCIL Gary Gray, 815 Linwood Avenue, asked if the City researched appealing manufacturing assessments from the Department of Revenue. Mr. Rohloff stated the City had the ability to appeal manufacturing assessments and the topic would be discussed at the upcoming League of Municipalities Meeting. CMA&S OUNCIL EMBER NNOUNCEMENTS TATEMENTS Council Member Pech reported he and other Council Members attended eight out of the eleven neighborhood block parties associated with the National Night Out. He stated it was great to see neighborhood associations celebrating their neighborhoods and that the Council Members received positive feedback. Council Member Herman felt the National Night Out was a great event. Council Member Clark stated it was nice to see families involved in their community. Mayor Cummings stated he attended the Touch a Truck event put on by the Oshkosh Parks Department and various service organizations. He stated it was a phenomenal family event. 6 PCC–A11,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL UGUST Mr. Rohloff stated since the Council Meeting was nearing the end, Council Members could attend the last Live at Leach function which ran from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. th The Mayor’s Breakfast would be held on August 15from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. MOTION: ADJOURN (Allison-Aasby; second, Clark) CARRIED: VOICE VOTE The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m. ANGELA J. JOECKEL DEPUTY CITY CLERK 7