The Notes: Week of September 20 - September 24, 2021

Happy beautiful Sunday, District 13 Neighbors!  This gorgeous day marks the beginning of another Committee Week in Appleton City government.  It's a bit of a light schedule as the following committees/commissions will not hold meetings this week:

Municipal Services Committee
Fox Cities Transit Commission
Utilities Committee
City Plan Commission
Safety & Licensing Committee
Human Resources and Information Technology Committee

But don't let that fool you!  There are a few pretty interesting and important items on the agendas of some of the committees which will meet this week.  Here's a preview:

• On Monday, 09/20/2021, at 3:30pm, the city's Redistricting Committee meets for the first time since our last redistricting process ten years ago.  Redistricting is performed by counties and municipalities subsequent to every US census.  This last census was delayed by COVID19 so the city's redistricting committee will have a compressed timeline by which to draw new aldermanic district lines in the city (which will be effective for the election of aldermen in April 2022).  Here's a map of the growth and population changes the city of Appleton has experienced since the last census:
  
  
  
  

  As you can see in the darkest green, District 13 has shown the largest amount of growth in the city in the last decade.  As a result, the physical territory of District 13 will no doubt change significantly in this redistricting process.  Dividing the city equally amongst all 15 aldermanic districts will be a bit tricky with all of this northeast-side growth.  Each district is to consist of approximately 5,000 people.  So... the District 13 boundaries will need to be redrawn so that we "lose" about 1,500 people.  
  

  

  I will be very interested in how this process moves forward.  But the timeline is such that this committee is expected to present a new Ward and Aldermanic District plan to the full council for approval on 10/20/2021.  When I know more, I can share it with you here on this blog.  Let me know if you have any questions in the meantime!
  
  
• The Finance Committee meets at 5:30pm on Monday, 09/20/2021.  They will be asked to approve the final plat of the Apple Fields subdivision (mentioned here), review the last CEA Review Committee meeting minutes, and award a couple of contracts.  One contract of interest is to Ehlers/RA Smith for the Transportation Utility (TU) study that we are all looking forward to reviewing.  The ball is now rolling on determining whether a TU is feasible for the city and if so, how it can be legally and appropriately administered.  More to come when this contractor brings the study back to the council!
  
  
• The Parks and Recreation Committee will also meet on Monday, 09/20/2021 (at 6:30pm).  They have one action item to consider: awarding a contract to KL Engineering in the amount of $134,912.58 for work on the WE Energies Trail:
  
  
  
  
  
• To round out the Monday (09/20/2021) meetings, the Board of Zoning Appeals will meet at 7pm. They will take up the appeal of a corner-lot owner near Highview Park who would like a variance to erect a 4-foot high fence three feet from their front yard property line.  The city code limits fence height to three feet in front yards with a 20-foot setback.  Since a variance requires a hardship related to the dimensional limitations of a lot and the owner's application for variance states his hardship as needing to erect the fence for his dogs to get exercise... I have a hard time seeing how the Board will allow this variance.  But as always, one can never be certain.  I'm going to tune in for more as (I know I mentioned this!) I find this sort of thing quite interesting!
  
  
• The Joint Review Board will meet on Wednesday, 09/22/2021, at 10am.  They will be discussing the board's approval of a couple TID plan and boundary amendments that have already been approved by the City of Appleton Common Council.  These were discussed here and here. 
  
  
• Rounding out this week's meetings is the Wednesday, 09/22/2021 4:30pm meeting of the Community and Economic Development Committee. They have one item to consider regarding a lot in District 13.  The lot between Wisconsin Swim Academy and ESOP Partners on Evergreen Drive across from Badger Sports Park is being sold between two private parties.  But since it's a lot in one of the city's business parks, the City of Appleton has repurchase rights (first right of refusal) on this lot.  The buyer and seller are asking city approval to proceed with the sale without the city wanting to buy that lot back.  The Community and Economic Development department is recommending the approval and I see no reason why the city would want to get in the way of this particular real estate transaction.  I expect that this approval will take mere minutes and this committee meeting will conclude quickly.   

I am always interested in receiving your feedback and helping District 13 neighbors with issues having to do with local government.  Please feel free to contact me in this regard any time.  I look forward to hearing from you!