The Notes: Week of July 26 - July 30, 2021

Howdy Neighbors!  Thanks for checking in again.

Since last week was Full Council Week, I bet you can guess what this week is.  Yes!  It's Committee Week this week. 

Most of the agendas for committee meetings are relatively light but there are some more interesting items this week.  Here are some highlights of the meetings by date and time:

Municipal Services Committee - Monday, 07/26/2021 - 4:30pm

• Two items which were referred back to committee from full council will be discussed:  

1. First, the committee will discuss a potential prohibition of pole buildings as accessory structures within the city.  An update to the municipal code to disallow these types of structures and metal shipping containers was brought forth by the Department of Public Works (DPW) staff a few weeks ago.  While I believe that most council members feel (as I do) that metal shipping containers should be disallowed since they will detract from the character of neighborhoods, there are some of us who believe that there are some iterations of pole sheds which would not do so.  As such, I expect that the committee will hash out ways to better define what should and should not be allowed as far as pole buildings are concerned.  I will be attending the meeting to make sure to understand what's being put forth and to hopefully help in the crafting of the verbiage used.   
   
   
2. Next, the committee will discuss the prohibition of some electrical work by homeowners.  Specifically, they will work out whether home owners should be able to perform solar photovoltaic installations in their own homes.  I am not certain what the DPW staff will present in this regard and whether this initiative is safe or advised by staff.  If it is acceptably safe, I expect that this prohibition will be eliminated from the verbiage of this municipal code revision.  

• AT&T is asking permission to install fiber services cabinets in the public right-of-way of three street locations -- Kernan Avenue, Kamps Avenue, and Commercial Street.  There are already AT&T cabinets in those terraces (from previous exemptions granted by the city), so I expect that these additional cabinets will be approved as well.
  
  
• There will also be the discussion of the installation of some traffic control (stop signs) throughout the city, including in the Emerald Valley subdivision.  I trust the traffic engineers on this issue but would welcome Emerald Valley neighbors opinions on stop signs on Turquoise Lane at Providence Avenue and on Sunstone Place at Providence Avenue. 

Finance Committee - Monday, 07/26/2021 - 5:30pm

• The primary discussion at this meeting will be regarding a Transportation Utility Study.  I mentioned this last week.  I really believe that this study will be an excellent investment for the city and will be at this meeting to encourage the committee to approve the addition of the mayor's proposed verbiage to the resolution and the allocation of the funds from other line items ($50,000 from enhanced crosswalks and $25,000 from Parks & Recreation) to fund this study to see whether we can replace the wheel tax with a more equitable and sustainable alternative.  
  
  
• There is also a request for the committee (and the city) to accept a private-party grant for a $500,000 pickleball complex at Telulah Park.
  
  
• Mid-Year Reports from the Finance Department, Legal Services, Risk Management, and Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Management will also be presented.

Parks and Recreation Committee - Monday, 07/26/2021 - 6:30pm

• There will be a discussion of the Pickleball Complex (mentioned above) and the June 2021 Reid Golf Course update.  
  
  
• I hope that there will also be a discussion of the Appleton pools closings due to incorrectly certified (Red Cross) life guards.  We, as a city, need to get to the bottom of this issue and solve any problems immediately!

Fox Cities Transit Commission - Tuesday, 07/27/2021 - 3:00pm

• The commission will discuss the usual -- the financial report, ridership and revenue, and approval of June 2021 payments.

Utilities Committee - Tuesday, 07/27/2021 - 5:00pm

• This committee will review the mid-year performance reviews of the DPW, the monthly wastewater and water utility plant synopses from April/May/June 2021, and make a couple amendments to some stormwater management contracts. 

City Plan Commission - Wednesday, 07/28/2021 - 3:30pm

• The property at the corner of Ridge Haven Lane and Ballard Lane that was just annexed into the city is now up for rezoning from Agricultural to Residential Single Family.

Safety and Licensing Committee - Wednesday, 07/28/2021 - 5:30pm

• There are a only a couple license applications on the agenda for this meeting.  While they are, of course, of importance, I will be absent at this meeting to attend the community input meeting for the Lundgaard Park meeting!

Human Resources & Information Technology Committee - Wednesday, 07/28/2021 - 6:30pm

• This is another committee meeting that I will be unfortunately be missing due to the Lundgaard Park meeting... but there are only a couple of items on the agenda.  IT staff would like to overhire (meaning hire and keep the existing employee on for cross-training purposes) for the position of Help Desk Analyst.  This is of minimal expense -- but of great value -- to the city.  The committee will also go over the mid-year report for the IT Department.

As mentioned above, please don't forget that the public input meeting for the Lundgaard Park project is scheduled for Wednesday, 07/28/2021, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the fire station that abuts the park property!  I will be there to meet with you and to help forward the planning ideas from District 13 neighbors.  If you cannot be there and want to contribute your ideas for the park, please contact me!  

Also, don't forget the National Night Out event in Vosters Park on August 3rd. Mark your calendar and I will see you there! 

As always, I'm excited to hear your feedback on any of these issues or anything else of interest in the city.  Please reach out at any time and I'll be happy to chat with you.  (Phone/Text 920-570-2873 or email).