Appleton Common Council District 6 Update for the Week of February 12, 2024
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| Photo from "Know Your Memes" |
I don’t know how many of you watched the Super Bowl last night, either for the game, the halftime show, or the commercials, but I’m glad I did since it turned out to be a really exciting game for a change.
At the Common Council meeting last Wednesday, we approved the hiring of Deputy Director Chris Stempa as Utilities Director following the retirement of Director Chris Shaw in January. Director Stempa comes to us with an impressive résume, including his thirteen years as Deputy Director. I am confident that he will continue the excellent management of the water utility.
Only one item was separated for individual discussion and voting from the regular agenda – the resolution submitted by Alders Van Zeeland, Meltzer and me that calls for applying a $134,180 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to a qualifying initiative within the library project. While we had understood that this grant had a January 31 deadline for acceptance, we found out at the Finance Committee meeting on February 5 that the deadline had been extended until March 31. We also received a memo from Director Gazza informing us that construction projects within the library remodeling project would not be eligible for the grant because the bidding had not been done under federal guidelines for worker pay, etc. After several emails back and forth, Director Gazza advised that engineering work for energy efficiency initiatives such as geothermal heating and cooling would be an eligible use for the grant funds. Alder Hartzheim proposed an amendment that would require the grant to be spent for an existing library initiative “without expanding the already approved scope of the project” and that savings be applied to other city projects. I stated at the meeting my belief that this amendment was unnecessary, as we had allocated $1.2 million for geothermal in the initial bid worksheet and that the bid we had received was for almost $1.7 million, which would have to be covered by the contingency budget. By accepting the grant, we can lessen the need for the continency budget and still be within the overall project scope. The amendment failed 13-2 with Alders Hartzheim and Doran voting in support, and the resolution passed 13-2 with Alders Hartzheim and Doran opposed.
The entire process has me thinking again that Appleton should take a look at our requirements for contractors bidding on city projects. It is likely that there will be other opportunities to apply for federal grants to assist with city projects, and I think it is in our best interest to put the city in the best position to compete for those funds. I plan to reach out to city staff to investigate the changes that would be required.
The other item that was discussed was the resolution from Alder Doran calling for a study of the parking ramps – held at the last Common Council meeting due to Alder Doran’s absence. The original resolution had called for the study to include an analysis of the possible sale or lease of the ramps, but that language was removed by amendment in committee. Alder Doran moved to have the original version restored, but that motion failed 8-5. The resolution failed 11-2. I have discussed my feelings about this resolution a couple of times. I’m confident that the Department of Public Works is keeping close tabs on the condition of the ramps – we have a couple of projects budgeted for this and future years. I do believe that we need to focus on marketing of the ramps as I noted in the last update and feel that the funds budgeted for that purpose are better spent there than on additional studies.
This week brings a somewhat abbreviated meeting schedule, with the Utilities Committee, the City Plan Commission and the Community and Economic Development Committee canceling meetings for the week. There is plenty to consider for the committees that ARE meeting.
Municipal Services Committee – Monday, February 12, 4:30 p.m.
The committee will be voting on the resolutions on assessments for concrete paving (Amethyst Dr. from Bluetopaz Dr. to Aquamarine Dr. and Clearfield Ct.) and sanitary sewers (Perkins St. from Prospect Ave. to north of Charles St. and N. Morrison St. from Wisconsin Ave. to E. Pershing St.). Affected homeowners will receive notices for the special assessments once the assessment rate is determined.
The committee will also take up the resolution calling for the closure of the Whitman Avenue yard waste site once again, after having held it last November and in January. After meeting with officials of the Town of Grand Chute, which pays the City of Appleton for the use of the yard waste sites by Grand Chute residents, staff is recommending that the Whitman Avenue site remain open.
They will also be voting on the 2024 contract for Material Testing and Contaminated Soils (Westwood Infrastructure - $100,000). The contract includes:
· Material testing for concrete, asphalt, and soils,
· Contaminated material response, analysis, and permitting,
· Emergency response to illicit discharges,
· Styrene testing for cast in place pipe (CIPP),
· Performing environmental investigations,
· Performing geotechnical investigations
Finally, the committee will get an update on the Complete Streets study.
Finance Committee – Monday, February 12, 5:30 p.m.
The committee will be voting on the assessments for concrete construction and sanitary laterals, storm laterals and storm main construction as discussed in the Municipal Services Committee notes above. The total amount of assessments for concrete construction are $235,638 and for the laterals and storm mains are $229,702.
We are also being asked to approve a number of construction contracts for 2024 budget projects:
- Unit DE-24 Miscellaneous Sidewalk & Concrete Street Excavation Repairs (Al Dix Concrete, $901,850)
- Unit X-24 Water Reconstruction (Kruczek Construction, Inc., $1,599,000 with contingency)
- Unit Y-24 Lead & Galvanized Water Service Line Replacement (VanRite Plumbing, $524,896.87)
- Unit U-24 Lead & Galvanized Water Service Line Replacement (MRJ, Inc. dba Joski Sewer, $611,302)
- Unit A-24 Concrete Paving (Vinton Construction Company, $3,897,407.27 with contingency)
- Unit Z-24 Water Reconstruction (Advance Construction, Inc., $990,663 with contingency) Includes a $178,932 carryover from 2023 water infrastructure funds not spent.
- 2024 Peabody Park Trail Project (MCC, Inc., $126,661,70 with contingency)
- 2024 Water Plant HVAC Upgrades Project (Rohde Brothers, Inc., $887,700 with contingency)
- Appleton Waste Water Treatment Plant Sludge Piping and Digester Heat Exchanger Replacement Base Bid with Alternate Bid (Rohde Brothers, Inc., $1,853,800 with contingency) The alternate bid includes all labor, materials, and equipment necessary to complete the upgrades.
The committee will also vote on accepting a $13,500 grant from the Fox Cities Visitors and Convention Bureau and to use $15,000 from the Park and Open Space Fund to install a kayak launch at Telulah Park. The city will purchase the racks and kayaks and install a concrete pad for the racks. The service would be run by a third-party provider.
Unfortunately, we are also being asked to reject bids on HVAC upgrades to Fire Station #1 and #6 because all the bids came in close to $200,000 over the amount budget. The committee is being asked to reject the bids so that staff can determine what parts of the project can be deferred and rebid with the updated scope.
There are three requests for partial refunds of personal property tax due to errors in reporting. Staff is recommending refund or cancellation on all the bills.
Parks and Recreation Committee – Monday, February 12, 6:15 p.m.
The committee will vote on contracts for the design and construction management services for the Lutz Park shoreline redevelopment and trail (AECOM, $93,500 with contingency) and for playground equipment at Green Meadows Park (Lee Recreation, $85,000).
They will also be voting on changes to the fee schedules for aquatic and recreation programs.
For aquatics, there is a proposal for a new “tot swim” program that would reduce the daily admission by 50% for children six and under and older siblings up to eight years old. Youth swim passes have a proposed increase of $5.00 to $60.00 for residents, $45 discounted and $85 for non-residents. Other rates would remain the same. Discounted rates would end the first Thursday in May.
The fee waiver program will have the maximum value increased to $100 and impose some changes on the pool pass policy, including ending the family pool punch card for participants.
Finally, there are some changes proposed to the Pool Rental, Reservation and General Use Policy, including the requirement for an additional lifeguard if attendance at an event is over 236 people, the addition of a party package option for twilight swim at 50% of the open swim rate and clarification of policies for rentals and private parties.
Information items include the annual reports for Ground, Recreation and Reid Golf Course.
Advisory Panel on Sustainability and Climate Resilience – Tuesday, February 13, 3:30 p.m.
This is the first time that I recall an agenda being posted for this group. It was formed by the mayor in order to continue with the work of the Taskforce on Sustainability, Climate Mitigation and Adaptation. The group meets at the Facilities and Grounds Operations Center, so the meetings are not recorded. I plan to attend this week’s meeting. The agenda includes sustainability priorities/2024 workplan and “other panel initiatives/assistance”.
Board of Health – Wednesday, February 14, 7:00 a.m.
The board will be considering the recommendation for an Electronic Health Record (HER) system in a move from the current paper charting system. The recommendation is for a system from Champ Software, with an annual subscription fee of $12,371 plus a one-time setup and training charge of $5,500.
They will also be voting on accepting a Wisconsin BOTS (Bureau of Transportation Safety) grant of $4,000 to enhance child passenger safety. The grant funds would be used to purchase child safety seats for families in need. The grant requires that those families be provided expert guidance from a certified staff member.
Information items include another presentation in the Mental Health Information Series – Beth Clay, the Executive Director of N.E.W. Mental Health Connections, the Q4 2023 Quarterly Report, Respiratory Virus Reporting and Wastewater Surveillance, a Dangerous Animal Declaration, approved noise variances and the January and February Health Department newsletters.
Appleton Redevelopment Authority – Wednesday, February 14, 9:00 a.m.
The Authority will vote on a new appointment and two reappointments to the Exhibition Center Advisory Committee and go into closed session to discuss a property in the Central Business District. Information items include the status of a vacancy on the ARA and a presentation on the powers and duties of the ARA and the planning and land acquisition process.
Human Resources and Information Technology Committee – Wednesday, February 14, 4:30 p.m.
The only action item before the committee is the police department’s request to create a Lead Forensic Evidence Specialist position. This is a civilian position, and my understanding is that the position would be filled by one of the three current employees in the evidence unit. The cost would be $2000 per year, which the department believes would be covered by reduced overtime expenses.
Information items include the HR Director’s report and the Recruitment Status Report.
Safety and Licensing Committee – Wednesday, February 14, 5:30 p.m.
The first committee action is a public hearing where McGuiness Irish Pub will be allowed to address the demerit violation (Open After Hours on January 26). This violation results in fifty demerit points – the bar does not have any other demerit points and is not at risk of a license suspension.
In addition to the normal license applications and renewals, the committee will vote on proposed changes to the city’s special event policy.
The committee will also review as an information item the request by APD to create the lead Forensic Evidence Specialist position in addition to the directors’ reports.
I know that’s a lot to digest. You can always watch meeting videos and read committee and council meeting agendas here:
https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Have a great week and enjoy the sunshine!
Denise
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