The Notes: Week of June 7 - June 11, 2021

Hi, neighbors!  Welcome to another "Committee Week" in Appleton city government.  Just when you would expect things might be slowing down for the summer.... and when you see that the Finance Committee, the Parks and Recreation Committee, the Fox Cities Transit Committee, and the Appleton Redevelopment Authority have all cancelled their meetings for the week for lack of agenda items.... then the rest of the committees' agendas fill right up with interesting items of note for Appleton. 

We start off the week with the Municipal Services Committee (Monday, June 7, 2021, 4:30pm).  On their agenda:

• There will be a public design hearing for 2023 paving projects for Alvin Street, Alice Street, Dewey Street, and Walden Avenue.  It's important to note that much of these reconstruction projects are required due to the age of existing water mains, storm sewers, and sanitary sewers -- many of which were constructed in the 1930s and 1940s.  All of the residents along these routes were also sent surveys regarding their opinions and concerns about the project.  Very few surveys were returned and those that were expressed the need for these projects in their neighborhood.  That speaks to Appleton being concerned about the city's residents and, in turn, residents being understanding and appreciative of the upgrade work.  We shall see if any neighbors appear for the public hearing and express opinions to the contrary!
• There will be a review of the Bird Scooter Program thus far.  May 2021 brought us 36 total complaints about the this pilot program: 10 for improper scooter parking, 19 for sidewalk riding on College Avenue (where prohibited), and a couple complaints for improper street riding, unsafe/unsightly opinions of scooters, and "other." 
• Appleton's Department of Public Works will present a plan for some operational changes that, overall, seem well thought out and will not be excessively expensive... all while helping to reduce phosphorus in our city's waterways:

1. To eliminate the excess phosphorus that leaches into our waterways from fall leaves being raked into the streets, DPW recommends that the city move to a vacuum system for fall leaf pick-up.  This means that the city will need to retrofit some garbage trucks with vacuum units and purchase some trailer vacuum units.  It will also mean retraining city residents to rake leaves only to the terrace and not onto our city streets.  This process is recommended for the years of 2022-2026 and won't immediately impact you, neighbors.  I will be sure to share any changes to the current leaf collection plans as we move forward with this!  The total cost spread over the 5 years is $1.875M but will bring our city into alignment with the DNR safety requirements regarding greater waterway safety (mitigating excess phosphorus in the storm sewers).
2. The proposed change in leaf collection (vacuums) will lead to a change in brush collection as well.  The proposal from DPW will actually lead to more regular collection of brush waste -- once-a-month collection from April to November, opposite recycling collection.  This change will increase the physical workload on collection crew staff but that extra work would be spread out with the once-a-month collection versus the current only-four-weeks of collection in spring.
3. Proposed changes will also affect bulky item pick-up in Appleton.  Bulky item collection will move from a free, year-round service to a scheduled, fee-for-service ($10/item) available April through November.  Research shows that Appleton is the only community in the area offering free bulky item collection.   This practice, while a bit of an added expense to city residents, will bring us into line with neighboring communities and will also mitigate some of the expenses and staffing changes needed with the above proposed changes.   
4. DPW is also proposing to bring some sidewalk snow removal back in house as our contract for these services expires in May 2022.  Some of the city-maintained 18 miles of sidewalk and 175 crosswalks/medians/stairwells will continue to be contracted; but the city plans to purchase some equipment and use some employees who are usually laid off during the winter months to take on a large portion of the remainder of this job.  

The Utilities Committee keeps the ball rolling with their Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 5:00pm meeting with these agenda items of note:

• The addition of a municipal code requirement for "triple-valving" of new and redeveloped commercial properties in the city will be discussed.  This practice will provide continuous water supply to those commercial properties during a water main break or other water service disruption. 
• There is also a request for the approval of the electronic Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (eCMAR) for the city's wastewater utility.  Our city's eCMAR (report to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)) shows that Wastewater Staff earned for our city a grade point average of 4.0 -- a "A"!  Bravo to all of the staff and committee members who put the work in to earn this stellar grade for the city!!

The Board of Health meets bright and early on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 (7:00am!) to discuss a noise variance request from Prince of Peace Church for their movie nights throughout the summer.  The city's first COVID-19 update without now-retired Health Officer Kurt Eggebrecht will also be presented.  

Then things heat up a bit with Wednesday, June 9, 2021 evening meetings.  First is the City Plan Commission at 3:30pm.  Here are the highlights of that agenda:

• Pathways Church (Commercial Horizons, Inc.) is requesting an amendment to the city's comprehensive plan and a rezoning of some property they own on North Alvin Street from Public-Institutional/Agricultural land use and zoning to General Commercial land use and zoning.
• There will be a public hearing and discussion on the addition to the city zoning ordinances/municipal code to add a section for Accessory Dwelling Units (Attached and Detached) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units.  In January 2021, members of the Common Council presented a request to add Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to city municipal code as an opportunity for home owners in the city.  Follow this link if you're unfamiliar with ADUs and want to learn a bit more.  Since that time, city staff have been working to draft the municipal code text to this effect and it will be shared with the City Plan Commission at this meeting.  This is a basic matrix comparing ADUs and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs).  I believe that ADUs and JADUs can be of use in the city.  My only concern (which I will express at the committee meeting) is that ADUs and JADUs don't become the Airbnbs of Appleton, that they are used as true living spaces rather than short-term rental units for extra income for primary dwelling unit owners.  If you have any concerns or questions on this, please let me know and I'll take them to the committee on Wednesday.  
• The YMCA is requesting to dedicate some of the land on the south side of their parking ramp (which will be demolished and a new one constructed) as an expansion of the street right-of-way in order for the city to widen and straighten Lawrence Street there.

At 4:30pm on Wednesday, the following items will be taken up by the Community and Economic Development Committee:

• The city's 2020 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for the Community Development Block Grant will be presented and discussed.  Public comment is welcome.
• This committee will also discuss some changes in the 2021 Block Grant Funding plan due to a slight increase in funding available to Appleton over the originally budgeted amount.

Moving right along to the 5:30pm Wednesday meeting of the Safety and Licensing Committee:

• First, we'll discuss a change to the city's policy on liquor licenses for gas station/convenience stores.  This item was brought up in the last meeting of this committee at which only three of the five members were present for discussion.  It's back on the table after being held over.  The city has always had a policy that disallowed gas stations from procuring licenses to sell "hard liquor" and thus, have only been only allowed licensing to sell beer/wine/cider.  But after review, the city attorney's office could not find any formal ordinances affirming that heretofore "informal" policy.  Therefore, this committee and the common council have the opportunity to either remove that prohibition from the city's licensing policy OR formally affirm that convenience stores should be disallowed from selling "hard liquor" by asking city staff to draft an ordinance in this regard.  I think that the informal policy has served us well thus far.  The city clerk, Kami Lynch,  has mentioned that no gas stations have asked for licenses to sell more than just beer/wine/cider and Chief Thomas of APD has expressed that he feels it safer for the community to maintain the status quo.  I expect that this item will go to city staff for the drafting of an ordinance.  
• Requests are on the agenda for temporary liquor licenses for some Mile of Music venues, the Kiwanis Club's antique car show and swap meet in July, and a few non-temporary license renewals.

And last but certainly not least, wrapping up this "Committee Week" at 6:30pm on Wednesday is the Human Resources and Information Technology Committee.  There's nothing earth-shattering on the agenda, but the following will be discussed:

• Some proposed changes to the organizational chart for the Department of Public Works will be presented.  Of important note is that any salary dollar changes that come with the request will be absorbed in the 2021 existing department budget. 
• The appointment of an Interim Health Officer (subsequent to the retirement of Mr Eggebrecht) will be announced.

And after that meeting.... WHEW!... common council members will begin preparing for next week's full council meeting and, of course, answering our neighbors questions about city government.  

Many of us (myself included) will also be marching in the 70th Appleton Flag Day Parade on June 12, 2021.  Check out the route and lineup for this event and stop by to witness the spectacle or hear the remarkable 2d Marine Division Band!  Since 1950, Appleton has had a Flag Day Parade, making it the nation's oldest Flag Day Parade.  We missed so much last year... so let's make this year's parade one to really remember!!    

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please be sure to connect with me via email or Facebook or call/text to 920 570-2873.