The Notes: Week of May 10 - May 14, 2021

Welcome to the second week of May with committee meetings galore in City of Appleton government!

Monday, May 10, 2021, the CEA (Central Equipment Agency) Review Committee, the Municipal Services Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Parks and Recreation Committee meet.  Here are the highlights of what will be discussed:

• The CEA Review Committee will discuss some fire department fleet adjustments.
• The Municipal Service Committee will discuss some informational items that will be taken up by the Human Resources and Information Technology Committee will take up later (see below).
• The Finance Committee will discuss a contract for the installation of a solar array on the roof of the Municipal Services building which is projected to save over $1M over the next 30 years with a payback of 12.4 years or less.  
• The Parks and Recreation Committee will meet for the first time since with new members and will elect a vice-chair and a resolution for the development of the David and Rita Nelson River Crossing Bridge & Trail (f/k/a the Edison Trestle Trail).

On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, the Utilities Committee will take up exciting (but vital!) issues of sanitary and storm sewer cleaning and lead service line replacements in the city.

Wednesday, May 12, is a big meeting day with the following highlights from these committees:

• The Board of Health will discuss a noise variance request for Mile of Music this coming August.  I don't know about you but I am excited to hear about plans for this festival this year!  Appleton needs this event on our road to recovery from a more-than-difficult 2020.  The board will also recognize and honor the long-time service of Health Officer Kurt Eggebrecht at this meeting.
• US Venture will be the topic of discussion at the City Plan Commission meeting.  US Venture, which owns many adjacent properties in Appleton's District 4, all zoned differently and located south of Lawrence Street, west of Durkee Street, north of Water Street and east of Morrison Street, is requesting that all of those properties be rezoned to CBD Central Business District.  The City of Appleton is also requesting that South Oak Street and East Kimball Streets that run through that area be vacated (closed/removed) and that Lawrence Street be widened between Morrison and Durkee Streets.  The informal public hearing will be held in this regard during the City Plan Commission meeting at 3:30pm on Wednesday.  Check out the links in the meeting agenda for maps and more information in this regard. 
• In an informational item at the end of the City Plan Commission meeting, the spring meeting (virtual) of Appleton's Neighborhood Program will be discussed.
• This week, the Safety and Licensing Committee will see far less activity than we have in the last few meetings.  There are liquor license and pet store license renewals and not much more. 
• The Human Resources and Information Technology Committee will hold its first meeting with new council members.  As mentioned above, this committee (on which I serve this year) will take up a discussion of a shift change policy modification for Public Works Department (DPW) personnel (excluding Utilities Department workers).  The modification involves paying these employees a flat fee for a shift change rather than a shift-differential hourly pay increase.  This committee will also review a recommendation by Director Vendehey that will eliminate one Parking Ramp Attendant position (which is currently unfilled) in the DPW.  A much more convenient outsourced calling service makes this organizational change possible and no employee will lose his/her job.  

For thorough recaps of items of interest from last week's Common Council meeting, please check out All Things Appleton (on Facebook or here).  I am always available to talk through any concerns you have or if you want a recap of anything from my perspective.  And you can always find "just the facts" -- Common Council agendas, meeting minutes, and video of meetings here.

I'm still in search of a location and perhaps a food truck connection so that I can host a Meet & Greet with District 13 neighbors soon.  Please let me know if you have any ideas or connections.  Thanks!