The Notes: Week of September 26 - September 30, 2022

Hey, Neighbors!  Thanks for joining me again this week.  It's Committee Week this coming week so, as per usual, I'll address the highlights of each meeting agenda in date and time order below.  Also as always, if you see anything of concern to you or if you want to provide me feedback on anything mentioned below (or really anything city government-related, please reach out to me. 

Monday, 09/26/2022

Municipal Services Committee - 4:30pm

• There will be a public design hearing regarding 2024 paving projects for Rankin Street (from Alton Street to College Avenue) and for Summit Street (from Packard Street to Elsie Street).
• The variance request for a homeowner requesting to pave some of his front yard to accommodate the five vehicles of the adults currently living in the home is back on this committee's agenda.  The committee last recommended that this variance not be granted; but the homeowner appeared at the full council meeting last week and the item was referred back to committee for further discussion.

Finance Committee - 5:30pm

• There are a couple of requests to approve some contracts for small city projects and for the city to accept some state aid and grants.  But the biggest thing on their agenda is...
• A request to reject/deny ALL bids for the Appleton Public Library project is on the agenda.  As I mentioned on my alderman Facebook page (please follow it!), the project was overbid in all respects and the project is now on hold until early next year when it will go back out to bid in the spring.  Let me know your thoughts/questions/concerns on this!

Parks and Recreation Committee - 6:30pm: This meeting has been cancelled.

Tuesday, 09/27/2022

Fox Cities Transit Commission - 3pm 

• The committee will look to approve August payments, approve a contract for scheduling and planning software, and review the financial and ridership reports for August 2022.

Utilities Committee - 4:30pm: This meeting has been cancelled.

Wednesday, 09/28/2022

City Plan Commission - 3:30pm

• The commission will look to approve one action item -- a new certified survey map for the F Street Phase III development of Southpoint Commerce Park.  
  
• They will also mention and commemorate the Centennial Month of Appleton City Planning.
  

Community and Economic Development Committee - 4:30pm

• The only action item for this committee is a request to approve a resolution to authorize the submittal of a grant application for the redevelopment of 115 E Washington Street on behalf of a private developer.  
  

Safety and Licensing Committee - 5:30pm

• The committee will be asked to review and potentially approve a resolution to "support election officials." The text of the resolution can be found below.  While I fully support local election officials -- I am one of them as a part-time poll worker for the city and I am in full support of the diligent and high-quality work of the city clerk, Kami Lynch, and her staff! -- I do not believe that these types of resolutions are useful or helpful in our city.  This is a non-action resolution which will unnecessarily take up this committee's and the full council's time.  I will go on record as a "no" vote on this resolution for this reason (non-necessity) but again, that does not mean that I do not support my fellow election workers and the city clerk and her staff. 
  
  
  Resolution #11-R-22 Resolution in Support of Election Officials

Submitted by: Fenton – District 6, Meltzer – District 2, Schultz – District 9

Summary: A resolution in support of the City Clerk and staff and citizen election inspectors to administer free and fair elections.

WHEREAS, the survival of our democracy depends on free and fair elections, where all eligible voters have the opportunity to make their voices heard; and

WHEREAS, we believe our community has been well-served by the current system of nonpartisan election administration governed by a bi-partisan commission, managed by our City Clerk, and administered by our friends and neighbors who serve as election inspectors who also publicly canvass the election results and report the results to the City Clerk; and

WHEREAS, these same election officials played a critical role in making the 2020 election safe, secure, and accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, over the past year, some in our society have attempted to bully, threaten, and undermine election administrators, making it harder for election officials to do their jobs, which reduces faith in the electoral process and hurts the health of our democracy; and

WHEREAS, looking forward to the 2022 election and beyond, we reaffirm our conviction that nonpartisan election officials like our City Clerk and local election inspectors are best equipped to preside over free and fair elections, and should do so without the fear of threats and intimidation; and

WHEREAS, this Common Council strongly opposes any future attempts to seize power over elections from municipal clerks to grant it to any partisan entity; and

WHEREAS, as long as our non-partisan election administrators continue to administer our elections with accessibility, fairness, equality, safety, and security in mind, we are fully committed to standing behind them in the face of unfounded attacks.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council of the City of Appleton expresses full confidence in our City Clerk, citizen election inspectors, and Wisconsin’s system of bipartisan election administration.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we support our friends and neighbors who serve as election inspectors and local election officials, including our City Clerk and city staff.

# # #

• The committee will also look to approve the acceptance of a FEMA grant for a radio project for the Appleton Fire Department, a state grant for the fire department's EMS services, and a few new/amended liquor/temporary liquor/secondhand dealer licenses in the city.
• The committee will also receive a police report that five establishments in the city have been found in violation of liquor laws for sales to minors: Copper Leaf Hotel, Sushi Lover, Mill Creek, The Bar, and Chadwicks. 

Human Resources and Information Technology - 6:30pm: This meeting has been cancelled.

And there you have it once again -- a quick snapshot of what to expect this week in City of Appleton government.  I would be so happy to hear from you regarding any of the above items or any other concern you might have about your city.  Please contact me!

Have a wonderful last week of September 2022.  (How is that possible?!?!?)  I look forward to serving as your alderman long into the future but especially into October's city budget month.  "See" you again next week!