Print Staff Memo

TO:

Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council

FROM:

Justin Gierach, Engineering Division Manager/City Engineer

DATE:

January 14, 2025

SUBJECT:

Res 25-21 Approve Installation of New Sidewalk:

Bay Shore Drive, South Side, from Broad Street to Mill Street
Bay Street, Both Sides, from Bay Shore Drive to Lake Winnebago

BACKGROUND

State of Wisconsin Statutes §66.0907 (1) states that "Streets shall provide a right-of-way for vehicular traffic and, where the council requires, a sidewalk on either or both sides of the street. The sidewalk shall be for the use of persons on foot …" State of Wisconsin Statutes §66.0907 (3) (a) states "The council may by ordinance or resolution determine where sidewalks shall be constructed …"

The Department of Public Works, in collaboration with the Transportation Department, presented an item to the Transportation Advisory Board on December 10, 2024. The agenda sought a recommendation on the installation of sidewalks along Bay Shore Drive and Bay Street. Following a discussion, the Transportation Advisory Board endorsed the proposal on a 6-0 vote to include the sidewalk installations as part of the Project.

The Bay Shore Drive and Bay Street Reconstruction Project is proposed to install sidewalk and any necessary handicap ramps on the south side of Bay Shore Drive, from Mill Street to Broad Street, and on both sides of Bay Street, from Bay Shore Drive to Lake Winnebago. These sections will complete the sidewalk installation in these blocks, improving pedestrian access.

ANALYSIS

The City of Oshkosh 2024-2025 Strategic Plan, Improve and Maintain our Infrastructure Strategic Goal, Objective A, Strategy / Tactic 5 instructs staff to "Incorporate "Complete Streets" principles when and where it is feasible". "Complete Streets" are defined as "streets that are designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all users." The construction of sidewalks is a core principle in order to make streets accessible and support mobility for all users. The installation of the sidewalk on Bay Shore Drive and Bay Street directly supports this Strategic Plan directive.

On April 12, 2022, the Common Council unanimously passed Resolution 22-155, Support the Incorporation of Environmental Justice Concepts into City of Oshkosh Plans and Processes. As a part of that resolution, the Common Council resolved that "the City of Oshkosh will give consideration to environmental justice principles during policymaking". As we look deeper into the aspects of the environmental justice lens that the Common Council has directed staff to put on projects, it becomes clear the installation of sidewalk along Bay Shore Drive and Bay Street are a critical part of being inclusive to all. These sections of sidewalks will improve pedestrian connectivity to Lake Winnebago, as well as for the businesses in the area. Looking through the environmental justice lens at this Project shows that this Project meets the core tenets that staff have been instructed to look at for projects and policies.

FISCAL IMPACT

Funding is included in the 2025 Capital Improvement Program in Account #03210410-6806-04504 (Contract Contract-Sidewalk-25-04 Bay Shore Dr/Bay St). Adjacent property owners are charged for 100% of the sidewalk construction expense abutting their property and the City pays for handicap ramp installations at intersections.

RECOMMENDATION

I recommend approval of the resolution.

Attachments

RES 25-21