Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04. Council Minutes November 10, 2015PCC ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL CO,W ITY OF SHKOSH ISCONSIN N10,2015 OVEMBER REGULAR MEETING held Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. in 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; Pamela Ubrig, City Clerk; Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney, James Rabe, Director of Public Works, and Trena Larson, Finance Director Council Member Pech read the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Joslyn Harvey and Isaac Kidwiler from Valley Christian Elementary School. P ROCLAMATION A proclamation was presented by Mayor Cummings proclaiming November 19, 2015 as Student Entrepreneur Day in the City of Oshkosh. PH UBLIC EARINGS Ordinance 15-472 Approve Zone Change of Properties at Parkway Avenue and Boyd Street from C-1 Neighborhood Business to R-2 Two Family Residence (Plan Commission Recommends Approval) FIRST READING; LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES 2016 City Budget Gary Gray, 815 W. Linwood Avenue, urged the council to approve and implement best practices for citizens’ active participation in the total budget process. Jason White, CEO of the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation (GOEDC), gave an update of what was happening at GOEDC and reported that GOEDC was one third publicly funded and two thirds privately funded. th Direction to staff on amendments to proposed budget prior to November 24Council Meeting 1 PCC–N10,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL OVEMBER Council Member Herman asked for clarification regarding information received by the Council. Mr. Rohloff stated the City needed to be compliant in expenditure restraint calculation in order to receive one million dollars in expenditure restraint revenue from the State. He asked the Finance Director to explain further. Ms. Larson explained the State had issued the final calculations for expenditure restraint and the proposed 2016 budget was over the allowed expenditure restraint amount by $628,085; which meant the City would lose the one million dollars in expenditure restraint revenue from the State. She proposed removing the Inspections Division from the general fund as the Inspections Division could support and sustain itself. She stated by giving the Inspections Division its own fund, the general fund budget would decrease by $791,300 which would add $163,215 to the general fund for other consideration. Mr. Rohloff stated it was important for the budget to remain as close to the expenditure restraint calculation amount as possible as the final budget amount would dictate the expenditure restraint calculation for the next year. Council Member Panske questioned why the Neighborhood Coordinator position was listed in the preliminary budget at $21,700, however in the proposed budget the position was listed at $24,000. Ms. Larson stated the reason for the increase in the Neighborhood Coordinator position was due to operational costs that needed consideration in order to support the position in addition to wages. Council Member Panske asked if the numbers could change again before the November th 24 meeting. Ms. Larson stated the budget numbers on the worksheet she prepared for Council were final numbers. Mr. Rohloff explained the goal of the enhancements found on the worksheet provided to Council was to break even or create a surplus. Council Member Stepanek proposed that a position be created in the City for a Diversity and Inclusion Director. He stated the job of the Diversity and Inclusion Director would be to find gaps in City services to minorities and to work with minorities to start up businesses in Oshkosh. Council Member Clark asked how the position would be funded. 2 PCC–N10,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL OVEMBER Council Member Stepanek stated in his research he found that the City of Appleton had a Diversity and Inclusion Director whose salary was paid by the general fund. He stated he spoke with representatives from Winnebago County and the Oshkosh Area School district and found that Winnebago County was interested in a Diversity and Inclusion Director and would address the position in their next budget process; the school district did not feel they had the fiscal ability to contribute but were willing to partner with their human resources staff. He stated if the Council decided to give direction to City staff regarding adding a Diversity and Inclusion Director position, he would like to reach out to the business community in Oshkosh to see if there was partnership interest. Council Member Panske stated she felt the Diversity and Inclusion Director position should be a topic for the 2017 budget. Council Member Pech asked what the total cost of the Diversity and Inclusion Direction position would be. Council Member Stepanek stated he was not sure what the exact cost of a Diversity and Inclusion Director position would be, however he felt it would be in the range of $50,000 to $55,000. He proposed the possibility of opening the position as part time, progressing to full time if warranted. Council Member Pech asked what the benefit package cost of the position would be. Mr. Rohloff stated the benefit package cost of the position would be forty to fifty percent of the salary. Council Member Pech stated he felt it was too late in the 2016 budget process to consider a Diversity and Inclusion Director position. He suggested Council direct City staff to research the Diversity and Inclusion Director position. Council Member Clark stated he felt the possibility of creating a Diversity and Inclusion Director position should be discussed after the 2016 budget was approved. He stated he felt there should be public input on the subject. Mayor Cummings stated he agreed the Council should give direction to the City Manager to have City staff research the Diversity and Inclusion Director position but it was too late in the budget process to consider the position for 2016. Council Member Allison-Aasby asked what department the Diversity and Inclusion Director position fell under in the City of Appleton. Council Member Stepanek stated when the Diversity and Inclusion Director position for the City of Appleton was created in 1997 it fell under the police department; in 2011 it was moved to the mayor’s office, and currently the position was in community development division. He stated he felt for the City of Oshkosh, the position should be in the city manager’s office. 3 PCC–N10,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL OVEMBER Council Member Allison-Aasby asked how many other Wisconsin communities had the Diversity and Inclusion Director position besides Appleton. Council Member Stepanek stated there were two communities in the State of Wisconsin that had the Diversity and Inclusion Director position; Madison and Appleton. Council Member Herman stated he felt it was too late in the 2016 budget process to consider a Diversity and Inclusion Director position. Mr. Rohloff explained the color coded handouts that accompanied the proposed 2016 budget and asked Council for direction. He reiterated it was important to remain in compliance with expenditure restraint. Council Member Clark stated he supported adding the police officer position to the 2016 budget. Mayor Cummings stated he supported adding the police officer position to the 2016 budget and asked if the police officer position was added, when it would be filled. Mr. Rohloff stated if the police officer position was added to the 2016 budget, the position would most likely be filled immediately. Council Member Allison-Aasby stated she needed more time to review the worksheets before she could give direction to the City Manager. th Mr. Rohloff stated the Council had until November 24 to make changes to the proposed 2016 budget. He stated the worksheets provided to the Council were made with assumptions taken from Council statements during the budget process to make the budget th hearing on November 24 easier. Ms. Larson added that as the Council communicated their changes to the proposed budget, they would be added to the worksheet which would be updated and sent to council members each Friday for the next two weeks. Council Member Clark stated he was uncomfortable adding items to the budget that were not funded by a specific revenue source. Mr. Rohloff stated from an operational stand point, he would not allow the advertisement of a position without a funding source in place. Council Member Allison-Aasby asked for an explanation on the adjustment of salaries. Mr. Rohloff stated the adjustment of salaries were assumptions based on health insurance expenses and the updated Carlson Dettmann Classification and Compensation Study. 4 PCC–N10,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL OVEMBER Council Member Herman proposed removing $25,000 from the bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and adding it to the contingency fund in the CIP budget. He also proposed capping the cost of the storage facility at the wastewater treatment plant at $200,000. He proposed that $6,100 for treadmills for the fire department be removed from the operating budget. Council Member Clark stated he supported removing $6,100 for treadmills for the fire department from the operating budget. Council Member Allison-Aasby stated she understood the relevancy of the treadmills and suggested the fire department search for donations from service organizations or outside sources. Council Member Panske stated she supported cutting $6,100 for treadmills for the fire department from the operating budget. She also commented that cutting $25,000 from the bicycle and pedestrian budget would have a drastic effect on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Mayor Cummings stated he felt the benefit of having healthy fire fighters outweighed the cost of the treadmills. Council Member Herman stated he felt the fire department should research other ways to fund the purchase of the treadmills. He stated although he was proposing to cut the bicycle and pedestrian budget by $25,000, the money was being moved to the contingency fund which could still be used by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Council Member Clark clarified his earlier remarks stating if there was enough flexibility in the adjusted salaries fund he would support leaving the $6,100 for treadmills for the fire department in the operating budget. Mr. Rohloff stated, assuming the police officer position was added, the tax rate would be $9.78 and the levy was at 2.86%. CSC ITIZEN TATEMENTS TO OUNCIL Lorenz Rangeloff, 2020 Oregon Street, was concerned that his tenants were not allowed to park in his parking lot located at the intersection of Ninth Avenue and Oregon Street. He also was concerned about heavy duty trucks using Oregon Street and destroying the concrete. Council Member Herman asked if the tenants had assigned parking. Mr. Rangeloff stated he owned all of the properties on the south side of Oregon Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenues, including the parking lot. He stated he had received correction notices from the City which stated no parking was allowed in the empty lot. 5 PCC–N10,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL OVEMBER Council Member Herman stated that City staff would research Mr. Rangeloff’s concerns. Mr. Rohloff suggested that Mr. Rangeloff contact Allen Davis, Director of Community Development. CA ONSENT GENDA Approval of Bills presented by the Finance Director. Council Member Panske asked what the item “Psychologie Clinique, S.C.” in the amount of $900.00 was regarding. Ms. Larson stated Psychologie Clinique, S.C. was a company the City used to complete psychological examinations for newly hired police officers. Receipt and Filing of Common Council Minutes from October 27, 2015. Approval of Cash Report from September 2015. Receipt of Claim filed with the City’s Insurance Company: A) Justin Allen for alleged damages to his cell phone from the Police Department B) Melissa Bahr for alleged damages to her vehicle as a result of a search from the Police Department Resolution 15-473 Approve Change Order No. 2 for Public Works Contract No. 15-21 with Jos. Schmitt and Sons Construction Co., Inc. for the Public Works Field Operations Facility – Phase III (+$42,007.29) Resolution 15-474 Disallowance of Claim by Wendy Guild Resolution 15-475 Approve Special Class “B” Licenses, Operator Licenses and Taxi-Cab Driver License MOTION: ADOPT CONSENT AGENDA (Clark; second, Herman) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings ATOR CTION AKEN ON RDINANCES AND ESOLUTIONS Ordinance 15-476 Approve Parking Regulation Changes on Dickinson Avenue, Court Street and in the Alley Adjacent to the Oshkosh Convention Center MOTION: ADOPT (Pech; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (7)Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings 6 PCC–N10,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL OVEMBER Ordinance 15-477 Designate Yield Right of Way Intersection at Fairfax Street and Rebecca Run MOTION: ADOPT (Pech; second, Panske) CARRIED: Ayes (7)Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Ordinance 15-478 Designate Bicycle Lanes on Taft Avenue between North Koeller Road and North Sawyer Street MOTION: ADOPT (Panske; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (7)Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Council Member Clark stated the addition of the bike lanes on Taft Avenue would provide a connection point to the existing bicycle infrastructure on Sawyer Street and also added Oshkosh West High School to that bike route. He stated it was important for citizens to have another mode of transportation. th Ordinance 15-479 Approve Landmark Designation 50 West 6 Avenue (Plan Commission Recommends Approval) MOTION: ADOPT (Pech; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (7)Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Mayor Cummings stated the property indicated in the resolution was the former Granary Restaurant. Council Member Pech stated the idea behind the landmark designation was to preserve a piece of Oshkosh history rather than have the building torn down. Mayor Cummings stated the Landmarks Commission had met with the developer to aid in the improvement of the building. Ordinance 15-480 Approve Request to Annex to City from Town of Oshkosh; Storm Water Utility Annexation #3; 3400 Block North Main Street (Plan Commission Recommends Approval) FIRST READING; LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES Ordinance 15-481 Amend Direct Sellers / Solicitors License Fee FIRST READING; LAID OVER UNDER THE RULES 7 PCC–N10,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL OVEMBER Gary Gray, 815 W. Linwood Avenue, stated he felt the City should review and update all license fees. Mr. Rohloff stated the City had a policy regarding the review of license fees, however the Direct Sellers/Solicitors License Fee had been overlooked due to recent changes in the Finance Director position. Mr. Gray suggested the City publish a list of City licenses and fees. Resolution 15-482 Approve Authorizing the Submission of an Application to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for a Transportation Economic Assistance (TEA) Grant MOTION: ADOPT (Peck; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (7)Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Gary Gray, 815 W. Linwood Avenue, questioned how the City would guarantee the level of employment for the use of the railroad spur, and asked what was included in the overall project. Allen Davis, Director of Community Development, explained the TEA grant program was offered by the Department of Transportation to encourage business retention and expansion of jobs. He stated the primary beneficiary of the grant would be Oshkosh Corporation who was pledging the retention of 400 jobs in its defense division for the next seven years. He stated the project included adding three rail spurs and required the relocation of the existing catwalk and rail spur used primarily by Oshkosh Corporation on South Washburn Street near a residential area on Allerton Drive, to a new location in the Southwest Industrial Park. He explained an additional spur would be constructed alongside Oshkosh Corporation’s loading spur that other businesses could utilize to load and off-load products. He stated the additional spur would provide businesses in the Oshkosh area with an opportunity to utilize rail services even if their businesses were not located on the rail spur. Council Member Pech commented that the proposed resolution was a great example of how a public/private partnership can facilitate economic growth. Council Member Clark added the project would also eliminate a nuisance to the residential neighborhood located near the current rail spur on South Washburn Street. Mayor Cummings asked when the project would be completed. Mr. Davis replied bids for the project would be awarded in early 2016 with construction completed by spring or early summer in 2016. 8 PCC–N10,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL OVEMBER Resolution 15-483 Approve Phase II of 2015 Great Neighborhoods Capital Improvement Programs Funding $20,000.00 MOTION: ADOPT (Panske; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (7) Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Mr. Davis explained based on inspections, field reviews, and contact with the neighbors, City staff had identified hazardous debris in five locations along the Fox River in the Marina District Neighborhood. He stated the purpose of the resolution was to have the hazardous debris removed. Resolution 15-484 Approve 2016 Business Improvement District Operating Plan and Budget (BID Board Approved) MOTION: ADOPT (Allison-Aasby; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (7)Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Mr. Rohloff stated he appreciated the cooperation from the BID in resolving the concerns raised by the 2015 budget. Resolution 15-485 Approve Employee Health Insurance Agreement with Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) / Group Health Trust (GHT) and Dental and Vision Insurance Agreements with Delta Dental of Wisconsin for Regular Non-Represented Employees MOTION: ADOPT (Pech; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (7)Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Council Member Pech applauded the efforts of City staff to research and discover ways to save money and still provide a competitive health insurance package. John Fitzpatrick, Director of Administrative Services, stated the City received a favorable bid from the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA), one of the partners involved in the Three Waves Health Clinic endeavor, which resulted in savings of $127,500,000. Resolution 15-486 Designate Health Insurance Fund Reserve MOTION: ADOPT (Pech; second, Clark) CARRIED: Ayes (7)Pech, Panske, Stepanek, Clark, Allison-Aasby, Herman, Mayor Cummings Council Member Herman asked for explanation of the resolution. 9 PCC–N10,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL OVEMBER Mr. Fitzpatrick stated the City was transitioning from a self funded health insurance plan to a fully insured health insurance plan and explained after the year 2015 ended, the City would still incur claims from the previous plan that would need to be paid. He stated there was already a reserve fund in place from the previous health insurance plan and estimated after all the claims for 2015 were paid the balance in the fund would be between two hundred thousand dollars and one million dollars. He stated the resolution was to designate a new health insurance fund reserve using the remaining balance; as the reserve fund would aid City staff when strategizing for future health insurance plans or the looming Cadillac Tax. Council Member Herman asked if the remaining funds in the existing health insurance reserve fund could be spent on other things besides health insurance claims. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated it was his understanding the remaining funds in the existing health insurance reserve fund could be spent on other health related items including health insurance claims. Council Member Herman stated he felt the reserve fund was needed in case the City ever decided to go back to a self insured health insurance plan. Council Member Clark stated he felt a designated reserve fund was a good idea so Council and City staff would not be tempted to use the money elsewhere. CD,DCMFAI OUNCIL ISCUSSION IRECTION TO ITY ANAGER AND UTURE GENDA TEMS th A meeting with Council and State Legislators would be held on Monday, December 7 at 4:30 p.m. at the Oshkosh Public Library. Council Member Stepanek asked for an update on the Fair Housing Code Ordinance with the addition of transgender protection. Mr. Rohloff stated the City Attorney’s Office was in the process of updating the Fair Housing Ordinance, however the entire ordinance was being updated rather than just a section being added for transgender protection. He explained the ordinance would be presented to Council for approval as one comprehensive package instead of one section at a time. Council Member Stepanek asked if the Fair Housing Code Ordinance would be completed by the end of the year. Ms. Lorenson stated the Assistant City Attorney was in the process of drafting the ordinance however she did not know where he was in the process. Mr. Rohloff stated he would update the Council regarding the Fair Housing Code Ordinance at each successive Council Meeting through the end of year. 10 PCC–N10,2015 ROCEEDINGS OF THE OMMON OUNCIL OVEMBER CSC ITIZEN TATEMENTS TO OUNCIL There were no citizen statements to Council. CMAS ITY ANAGER NNOUNCEMENT AND TATEMENTS nd Mr. Rohloff asked the Council if they preferred to hold the December 22 Council Meeting at noon or at 6:00 p.m. nd The consensus of the Council was to hold the December 22 Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Rohloff reported there were five finalists for the Police Chief Position and there would th be a public meet and greet with all the finalist on Monday, November 16 at 5:00 p.m. at the Convention Center. Mayor Cummings announced the City received a $3,000 grant for the Lake Fly Project at the recent League of Municipalities Conference. Council Member Pech stated the Lake Fly grant was one of three grants of that type issued in the State. Council Member Herman read a thank you statement from a citizen who was affected by a water main break due to a recent structure fire. He stated he was contacted by a citizen for information on the history of her father, Willard Mattson, who was a City Council Member in 1969. He asked the public to contact the City Manager’s Office with any information regarding Mr. Mattson. Mayor Cummings reminded the public of various Veterans Day services on Wednesday, thth November 11 and the Holiday Parade on Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 p.m. He th stated on Friday, November 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. he would be ringing the Salvation Army bell at Festival Foods and former Mayor Burk Tower would be ringing the Salvation Army bell at Pick and Save on the south side. MOTION: ADJOURN (Clark; second, Allison-Aasby) CARRIED: VOICE VOTE The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. PAMELA R. UBRIG CITY CLERK 11