The Notes: Week of May 17 - May 21, 2021

Neighbors, May is half-over... or only half-begun, depending on your place on the optimism/pessimism scale.  Thanks for stopping in for the latest update on happenings in City of Appleton government.

Last week's committee meetings went off without any major hitches and many items of interest passed through committee to be reviewed and voted on in full council this week.

Before the full council meets this week, though, there are a couple other meetings of interest:

• The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the appeal of a property owner on Hycrest Court (near Alicia Park) who would like to erect a fence in his front yard.  The problem he faces is that his property abuts two streets so he really has no place to call a "back yard" for personal enjoyment.  Tune in on Monday, May 17, 2021, at 7pm if you're interested in a glimpse of what the Zoning Board has to do to best weigh these tricky situations!
• The Library Board will meet on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 4:30pm.  Of top priority will be an update on the library building project.  Here is a report that is included with the agenda for that meeting.  And if you are interested in being directly involved with this project, please submit an application to be a citizen member of the advisory committee for the library project!
• There's a special meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee scheduled for Wednesday, May 19, 2021 (just before the full council meeting).  The agenda includes approving the renewal of a lease of some city lands to a farmer for continued farming until it is ready for further development. 

We kick off May's second full council meeting at 7pm on Wednesday with the announcement of the Appleton Police Department Officer of the Year followed by a Certificate of Recognition for Health Officer Kurt Eggebrecht who is retiring after a long tenure of service to our city.  The mayor will then be updating us with some proclamations, one of which regards updated mask guidance for the city.  Thereafter, council will take up all of the items that went through committee last week.  The council will also vote on the approval of an updated ordinance to get more of our council membership back in chambers in person to better function as a governing body.      

NEIGHBOR CONGRATULATIONS: Last week, after the retirement of Assistant Chief Larry Potter, a District 13 neighbor, Polly Olson, was promoted to Assistant Chief of the Appleton Police Department!  According to Chief Thomas, this is the highest rank that any woman has ever held in the history of the APD.  CONGRATULATIONS, Polly!  We know you will serve this community well!

We are still in a holding pattern regarding any talk of changes/updates to Lundgaard Park (God bless the family of Driver Engineer Mitchell Lundgaard on the anniversary of his death in the line of duty to our city) and Vosters Park.  I will absolutely let my District 13 neighbors know when these parks come up for discussion in city government.  

Please be in touch with any other questions or concerns you have regarding our district or the city.  I'm happy to listen!