Appleton Common Council District 6 Update for the Week of February 9, 2025

From The Snow Man
Glendale & Racine

Greetings District 6 Neighbors,

I’m either taking credit or blame for the snowfall over the weekend – in an email to the Director of Public Works last week, I asked for some real snow instead of the dustings that require us to deploy the snowplows anyway. My husband and I took a walk Saturday during some of the heavier snowfall, and it was really fun to see families enjoying the ice rink and the sledding hill at Erb Park.

Before I get to last week’s Common Council meeting and this week’s committee agendas, I received a couple of e-mails asking about the emergency resolution for replacing the sodium hypochlorite tanks at the water treatment plant. I had a conversation with Utilities Director Stempa prior to the special Finance Committee meeting, and he clarified a couple of things for me.

• While the warrantied life of the tanks themselves is fifteen years, the relining process has a warranty of only two years, and per the memo: “Relining the inside does not effectively add structural strength but is intended to only reestablish the interior corrosion barrier. The leaks that have been experienced since the last relining event directly coincide with the tanks being loaded or filled as part of routine chemical deliveries. It is suspected that the tanks flex when subjected to lateral force during fill/drain cycles which forms microcracks in the protective barrier that bleed through the underlying structural layer.” The tanks were re-lined in 2022 and 2023.
• I expressed my concerns about the tanks being all the same age and getting into the same situation if we replaced them and asked about the possibility of obtaining an extra tank. Unfortunately, the placement of the tanks makes it difficult to switch one out (these 11,000-gallon tanks are 14 feet high and there is wiring, etc., in the building above them).
• The cost of the tanks is estimated to be $50,000 each – because they were able to make repairs, there is time to get competitive bids, so we will have a final number when that process is complete. Fortunately, there are carryover funds from 2024 projects sufficient to cover the cost. Remember that utilities do not operate on property tax revenue – they cover their operating costs and capital projects through user charges.

At the Common Council meeting, Alder Hartzheim again attempted to amend the acceptance of the $274,000 non-state grant for the library to include “After final invoices are paid any excess of funds would be available for future capital projects to reduce the financial burden for local taxpayers.” I’m not sure how this would work, given that the grant was specifically for the library, and I don’t know how the funds could be transferred to other projects. Similarly, the funds raised by the capital campaign by the Friends of Appleton Public Library are specifically earmarked for the library project, and anything over their $12 million goal would be used at the discretion of that group. The amendment failed 3-11 and the grant was accepted by a vote of 12-2 with Alders Hartzheim and Doran voting nay.

Alder Doran referred the budget amendment to record the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant ($134,180) back to the Finance Committee. This grant was originally intended for the library project, but there were some technical issues that prevented its use on that project. Facilities Management proposes using the grant funding for an electric vehicle charging station and purchasing one or more electric vehicles by the Central Equipment agency. After the council meeting, I heard from the Department of Public Works that the project engineer was able to piggyback the design for the Electric Vehicle charging station for the Yellow ramp into the electrical component of the existing project. We will be voting on a contract amendment of $8,500 in the 2025 Repair and Maintenance Program for the parking ramps for this work at the Municipal Services Committee meeting this evening. I have heard now that Alder Doran will not be present for the Finance Committee meeting (he is not a member of that committee, so I am not sure what will happen with this item.

On this week’s committee agendas:

Municipal Services Committee – Monday, February 10, 4:30 p.m.

In addition to the amendment to the parking structure repair and maintenance program contract mentioned above, we will be voting on several ordinance changes to reflect parking and signal changes related to various construction projects – these have been noted in the design hearings for the projects.

We will also be voting on a small contract amendment ($3,300) to the real estate services contract with Right of Way Professionals for the acquisition of right of way for the Olde Oneida St. bridge. The latest Wisconsin Department of Transportation guidance does not allow combining two parcels with the same owner into one appraisal, resulting in the need for an additional appraisal and appraisal review.

The committee will also take up the ordinance change required for Prevea’s purchase of two on-street parking stalls on the south side of Washington St. for the use of their patients in their Fox Commons location. (approved by the Common Council 10/2/2024).

We’re being asked to approve a sole source contract for decorative streetlight poles for the College Avenue bridge. (Visual Impact Lighting - $88,592 plus shipping). The existing poles have experience significant rusting, causing a reduction in structural integrity and staining of the concrete bridge walls. The warranty on the original poles has expired, so working with that manufacturer has not been effective. DPW Traffic has worked with the chosen manufacturer to make sure that the replacement poles will not have the same issues. Funding is available in the 2025 maintenance budget for this project.

We’ll be voting on the contract for 2025 Bridge Underwater Dive Inspections (Ayres Associates, Inc. - $28,000). The State of Wisconsin requires the city to inspect, record and report on the condition of its bridge piers and abutments every five years. Ayres was the low bidder and has performed over 3,000 of these inspections.

Finally, we’ll take up the revised DPW Fee schedule which includes an increase from $3.00 to $5.00 for a lost parking ramp access card and the increase in garbage cart fees (5 cents per week for 35-40 gallon cart, 10 cents per week for the 60-65 gallon cart and 15 cents per week for the 90-95 gallon cart) as voted upon in the 2025 budget. Note that if you are not filling your cart each week, DPW will replace it with a smaller cart. My household did this a year or so ago and it’s easier to maneuver down the driveway AND saves a few dollars per quarter.

Finance Committee – Monday, February 10, 5:30 p.m.

In addition to the grant discussed above, we will vote on all the big construction contracts budgeted for 2025:

• Unit DE-25 Miscellaneous Sidewalk & Concrete Street Excavation Repairs  (Al Dix - $1,008,850)
• Unit W-25 Sewer & Water Reconstruction-Bell, Brewster, Alexander, Melrose (Kruczek Construction Inc. - $2,382,222.22 with contingency)
• Unit U-25 Sewer & Water Reconstruction-Lawe, Durkee, Bellaire (Kruczek Construction Inc. - 2,595,555.55 with contingency)
• Unit X-25 Water Reconstruction-Calumet St (Calnin & Goss, LLC - $1,173,754.30 with contingency)
• Unit A-25 Concrete Paving  (Vinton Construction Company - $4,252,819.61 with contingency)

The committee will take up a relocation order for the city to acquire a piece of abandoned property just upriver from the Appleton Yacht Club which has become blighted and unsafe.

We’ll also take up the recommendation to award a contract for consulting to perform a comprehensive review of the Fox Cities Exhibition Center facility and current operations and to assist the city with writing a new management agreement for the facility ( Conventions, Sports & Leisure International - $79,500).

APD has requested a dedicated bank account to handle cryptocurrency seizure returns. Because my knowledge of cryptocurrency is extremely limited, I’m quoting directly from the APD memo:

 “Over the last year, the Appleton Police Department has had an influx of crime involving fraud using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. During the fraud investigations we have had success in tracking and seizing the cryptocurrencies. In 2024, Detective Mike Medina completed the first successful cryptocurrency seizure in Outagamie County. When we seize and hold the cryptocurrencies in evidence, we need to hold the crypto coins in their crypto version (if seized as Bitcoin, it is stored as evidence as Bitcoin, etc).

We are now at the stage where cases are being prosecuted and seized cryptocurrencies can be released back to the victims. In most cases the victims are unaware of what cryptocurrency is, do not have a crypto wallet, and have no means to receive their stolen assets in the form of crypto.

Our request is to open a Coinbase account. Coinbase is a cryptocurrency exchange based out of the United States. Coinbase also has a Law Enforcement specific account. Having this account on Coinbase’s exchange will allow us to transfer cryptocurrency to USD (U.S Dollars). The USD would then be transferred to the requested account for dispersal to the victim. Any transfer fees would be removed from the seized funds with a signed letter from the victim acknowledging the fees.

Unless there is a seizure being returned to a victim, the requested account would hold a zero balance.

Finally, there is a budget amendment to record a $100,000 cost reimbursement with Thrivent to allow the city to retain consulting services to advise the city on the development of the Thrivent campus.

Parks and Recreation Committee – Monday, February 10, 6:15 p.m.

The committee will discuss revisions to the Park Pavilions and Special Areas Rental and Fee Policy. These changes are proposed:

• Change days allowed for special events to reserve park pavilions for the following year from 30 days to 45 days after their event. This coincides with the special event policy.
• Remove fee collection for Fire Department to inspect tents. The Fire Department is now collecting the fee and managing the inspection schedule.
• Increase tent permit fee from $15.00 to $25.00 to assist with increased expenses for completing utility locates.

They will also vote on a memorandum of understanding with Wisconsin Entertainment Group, LLC to manage the Appleton Independence Day Celebration.

They will review the  2024 Grounds Division Annual Report ,Recreation Division 2024 Annual Report  and the Reid Golf Course 2024 Annual Report as information items. I continue to be amazed by the number of programs that the Recreation Division in particular offers to our community.

The Comprehensive Plan Update project continues, with a meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Group on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 1A (Health Department), 1st Floor. There is an opportunity for public participation at this meeting.

Utilities Committee – Tuesday, February 11, 4:30 p.m.

The single action item is the 2025 contract for Ash Tree Removal (Foley’s Tree Service - $425,000). This contract covers 900 trees – 680 in the street right of way and 220 in city parks.

The water main break reports for October, November and December 2024 are presented as information items. Total water main breaks for 2024 were 66 compared to 86 for 2023.

Board of Health – Wednesday, February 12, 7:00 a.m.

The Board will take up proposed changes to the city noise ordinances ”to enhance clarity, enforceability, and efficiency.”

From the memo provided:

1. Improved Noise Variance Process
• The revised ordinance provides clearer guidelines for requesting, granting, an appealing noise variances.
• The Health Officer is given authority to grant certain event-based variances without requiring full Board of Health approval, streamlining the process for community events.
2. Removal of Light Motor Vehicle Noise Regulations
• The previous ordinance language contained provisions regulating light motor vehicle noise, which have now been removed to comply with existing Wisconsin state laws.
3. Clarification of Muffler Violations
• The ordinance now explicitly adopts Wisconsin Statutes §347.39 (2023-24), ensuring that violations related to mufflers are clearly defined and enforceable
• The changes prevent conflicts with state law while ensuring that excessive or unnecessary vehicle noise remains subject to penalties.
4. Enhanced Enforcement Provisions
• The enforcement section has been revised to reflect current enforcement practices by the Health Department and the Appleton Police Department.

They will also discuss changes to the fines for noise violations:

 § 12-80 (Loud and Unnecessary Noise) $263.50 for a first offense, and

$389.50 for a second offense.

§ 12-81 (Squealing tires and throwing gravel) $200.50

§ 12-87 (Radio or other sound amplification prohibited) $200.50

Unfortunately, the Board will also hold a hearing for an appeal of another dangerous animal designation, and may go into closed session to discuss the appeal.

Appleton Redevelopment Authority – Wednesday, February 12, 9:00 a.m.

The ARA will vote on the reappointments of two members of the ARA Exhibition Center Advisory Committee:

 Re-Appointment & ARA Approval of Community Member:

Maria Van Laanen, Performing Arts Center

Re-Appointment & ARA Approval of Hotelier:

Ryan Batley, Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel & Conference Center

As an information item, they will get an update on the bonds for the Fox Cities Exhibition Center from Baird.

Community Development Committee – Wednesday, February 12, 4:30 p.m.

The committee will hold a public hearing and vote on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocations for 2025. The recommendations for external funding are:

 

The committee will also vote on a request to extend the completion date and minimum assessed value date for the project in the Chase Bank building at 200 W. College Avenue to January 1, 2026.

They are being asked to approve deed restrictions for Plat #4 in Southpoint Commerce Park, which are mostly similar to those in Plats 1-3.

The cost reimbursement agreement with Thrivent that is on the Finance Committee agenda also appears on the Community Development Committee agenda, along with the first contract under that agreement, with Ehlers for TID creation services and other fiscal analysis ($14,000).

Safety and Licensing Committee – Wednesday, February 12, 5:30 p.m.

In addition to the normal license applications and renewals, we have the never-ending saga of Delaire’s application for an alcohol license at 823 W. College Avenue. I have written extensively about this application. I plan to ask for the video of the conversation with the contractor who stated that the owner planned to install gambling machines to be played at the meeting and I will vote to deny this application.

We will also consider Alder Sieber’s resolution in support of the Appleton Fire Department’s application to the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health Services to increase the Department’s medical service level to Paramedic Non-Transport.

Clearly, even with the Plan Commission meeting being cancelled this week, we are back to a very busy schedule. As always, you can read meeting minutes and agendas and watch live or recorded meeting videos here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Have a great week!