Agenda - View Meetings (All)

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
10.22.24

WORKSHOP: The Common Council will be meeting at 5:00 p.m. for a workshop on undergrounding utilities (Room 404)

Utility Undergrounding Presentation

CALL TO ORDER 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present:

Kris Larson; Joe Stephenson; Karl Buelow, Deputy Mayor; Paul Esslinger; DJ Nichols; Jacob Floam

Absent:

Matt Mugerauer, Mayor

Staff:

Mark Rohloff, City Manager, Lynn Lorenson, City Attorney, Diane Bartlett, City Clerk, James Rabe, Public Works Director

INVOCATION - VOTING FIRST: Council Member Floam

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Lakeside Elementary School

PROCLAMATION ISSUED - Extra Mile Day

PRESENTATION

GO-EDC Annual Update

Update on City Hall Facilities Study

CITIZEN STATEMENTS TO COUNCIL

Amber Juslen – 1213 Witzel Ave.
Ms. Juslen spoke about the homeless in Oshkosh. Some issues she brought forward were being fined, high rent, and individuals having to choose between paying fines, rent, or food. Ms. Juslen recommends more housing be available for the homeless and that the community step up. Ms. Juslen stated that the homeless do not need to be criminalized.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

Report of Bills

Receipt & Filing of Minutes - Common Council Meetings

Receipt & Filing of Claim Filed with the City's Insurance Company

Res 24-549

Approve General Development Plan Amendment for an Industrial/Storage Use at 1911 West Snell Road (Plan Commission Recommends Approval)

Res 24-550

Approve Specific Implementation Plan Amendment for an Industrial/Storage Use at 1911 West Snell Road (Plan Commission Recommends Approval)

Res 24-551

Authorize Submitting Application to Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) for Community Development Investment (CDI) Grant Program for The Corridor Development, LLC; Accept Funds

Res 24-552

Approve General Development Plan for a Multi-Family Development at 0 Bowen Street, Commonly Known as Vacant Property Located Near the Southwest Corner of East Murdock Avenue and Bowen Street (Parcel 1504830300) (Plan Commission Recommends Approval)

Res 24-553

Approve Resolution to Declare End to Emergency Issued on May 25, 2023 in Response to Blockage of the City’s Water Filtration Plant Intake Pipe

Res 24-554

Approve Initial Resolution for Special Assessments for Sidewalk (New and Rehabilitation), Driveway Aprons, Sanitary Sewer Main and Laterals (New and Relay), Water Main and Laterals (New and Relay), and Storm Sewer Mains and Laterals (New and Relay) Relating to Contract No. 25-07

West 15th Avenue (Ohio Street to Oregon Street)
Ohio Street (75’ North of West 15th Avenue and 75’ South of West 15th Avenue)
Michigan Street (75’ North of West 15th Avenue and 75’ South of West 15th Avenue)
Iowa Street (90’ North of West 15th Avenue and 90’ South of West 15th Avenue)
Minnesota Street (90’ North of West 15th Avenue and 90’ South of West 15th Avenue)

Res 24-555

Approve CIP Budget Amendment and Approve Cooperative Purchases of Step Van from LDV Custom Specialty Vehicles for Water Distribution ($255,692.00)

Res 24-556

Approve Special Event - Oshkosh Area United Way to Utilize Waukau Ave. for the Race for the Light Walk-Run Hosted at the EAA Youth Education Center, December 7, 2024

Res 24-557

Approve Special Event - JJetpack Creative to utilize the Leach Amphitheater for the Valley Vinyl Music Festival, May 10, 2025

Res 24-558

Approve Class "B" Beer & "Class C" Wine License - Pin High Capital LLC

Res24-559

Approve Special Class “B” Licenses

MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ABOVE

Motion To Approve Jacob Floam

Second Paul Esslinger

AYE:

Kris Larson, Joe Stephenson, Deputy Mayor Karl Buelow, Paul Esslinger, DJ Nichols, Jacob Floam

6 - 0 Passed

NEW ORDINANCES (NOTE: no formal action taken at this meeting on the items below)

Ord 24-560

Approve Zone Change from Heavy Industrial District (HI) to Heavy Industrial District with a Planned Development Overlay (HI-PD) at 2875 Atlas Avenue (Plan Commission Recommends Approval)

Layover Until November 12th

Motion To Approve Paul Esslinger

Second Joe Stephenson

AYE:

Kris Larson, Joe Stephenson, Deputy Mayor Karl Buelow, Paul Esslinger, DJ Nichols, Jacob Floam

6 - 0 Passed

NEW RESOLUTIONS

Res 24-561

Amend Capital Improvements Program to Include Lake Shore Drive Reimagination in 2027

Councilor Nichols asked Public Works Director Rabe to explain the reimagination plan and how this organization is committed to include landscaping in the CIP plan of 2027 to implement the project/design.
Councilor Floam asked if neighborhood associations and other groups would be invited to attend meetings and workshops for public involvement.
James Rabe stated that yes, the public will be invited to give their input and a reminder that these are separate construction plans (building/landscaping).
Museum Director Cannizzo spoke and informed councilors of the appropriateness of Indigenous artists' work on the exterior of the building and the ethics behind the focus and input of public art such as acquisition, maintenance, and care. It is the museums advice not to include commissioned artwork on the exterior of the building because of competing priorities for care. Such as repair and restoration where a conservator would be needed to do the repairs. The outside of a building may be the wrong canvas to incorporate a commissioned artist for the Information Education Component of the reimagination portions of the clear wells.

Motion To Approve Paul Esslinger

Second Kris Larson

AYE:

Kris Larson, Joe Stephenson, Deputy Mayor Karl Buelow, Paul Esslinger, DJ Nichols, Jacob Floam

6 - 0 Passed

Res 24-562

Approve Professional Services Agreement with Saiki Design, Inc. for Landscape Architecture Services for Lake Shore Drive Reimagination Related to the Water Filtration Plant Clearwells Replacement Project ($172,170)

Councilor Nichols asked if it would be required for the Indigenous community / artists to be included in the education component of the reimagination portion of the site.
Public Works Director Rabe and City Manager Rohloff confirmed that yes, the Indigenous community will be involved and invited to “sit at the table” for their input on design when the meetings are scheduled.

Motion To Approve Jacob Floam

Second Paul Esslinger

AYE:

Kris Larson, Joe Stephenson, Deputy Mayor Karl Buelow, Paul Esslinger, DJ Nichols, Jacob Floam

6 - 0 Passed

Res 24-563

Approve 2024 Great Neighborhoods Capital Improvement Programs Funding in the Amount of $72,500.00

Motion To Approve Paul Esslinger

Second Joe Stephenson

AYE:

Kris Larson, Joe Stephenson, Deputy Mayor Karl Buelow, Paul Esslinger, DJ Nichols, Jacob Floam

6 - 0 Passed

COUNCIL DISCUSSION, DIRECTION TO CITY MANAGER & FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Councilor Esslinger brought up the topic of getting an analysis of bulk pick-up day.
Councilor Esslinger wanted to touch base on the issue of the homeless situation.
City Manager Rohloff stated that homelessness will be part of the Police Department's budget. The Council will learn more then.

Discussion and Direction to City Manager

Oshkosh Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan

Transportation Director Collins summarized the current EV and future need for EV charging, and the plan that will be shared with the council.

West 7th Avenue Reconstruction Discussion

Public Works Director Rabe gave a brief background on the systems in the city, the size of the box culvert that was installed, and how the level of the lake is controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers.
City Engineer Justin Geirach noted that the department reviews the design and methodology when designing and installing a box culvert.
- Clear stone and dams have been installed to reduce the flow of mainline trenches.
- Bentonite damns have been installed to help with lake-level flows.
Public Works Director Rabe noted there is a lot of groundwater in the area – the department is currently looking for a hydrologist to determine the sources of the water etc. and finding a hydrologist has been a challenge.
Councilor Nichols encouraged residents and staff to continue to talk and discuss this issue and what can be done to help.
Councilor Floam noted that if residents see something, say something. Please keep in contact, and please keep the conversations going.
Public Works Director Rabes explained the Army Corps of Engineers controls the level of Lake Winnebago. When there is a lot of rain, they continue to watch the water levels and use dams to control them.
City Engineer Justin Geirach stated that they take into account lake elevations when designing and working on such projects.