Below is a list of topics and, if applicable, questions/concerns/issues raised within each topic. Responses are solicited from appropriate city staff and printed below. For more information about the forum or the items discussed, contact Oshkosh Common Councilor Bryan L. Bain at bbain@ci.oshkosh.wi.us or 651-9329.
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Concern/Issue/Question |
Referred to |
Follow up (as received) |
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How was it determined to place the solar powered stop sign at Prospect and Wisconsin? How does it work? What is the cost? |
The solar powered stop sign was placed at Prospect Avenue and Wisconsin Street in late 2004, due to a higher than normal accident rate. There were 8 right angle accidents in the first 9 months of 2004, which is significantly above the average for this type of intersection. The majority of those accidents involved vehicles running the stop sign in the westerly direction. I am happy to report that there have not been any accidents in the 12 months since the installation of the flashing stop sign. The flashing stop sign uses solar panels to power LED lights, which require very little power. The panels are able to store power, so the sign will work during night time hours. It will also generate power on cloudy days. The cost of the flashing stop sign was approximately $1,100, however there are no monthly utility charges and the LED lights have a projected live of over 10 years compared to two years for a regular bulb. |
TOPIC:
PIONEER RESORT AND MARINA
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Concern/Issue/Question |
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Follow up (as received) |
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What impact could Decade Properties putting the Pioneer Inn up for sale have on the South Shore Redevelopment Area and riverwalk work that was recently approved? |
Decade listing the property on a web site does not necessarily mean they will not themselves follow through on the project they had proposed - a condo-hotel resort. At this point we are working with Decade and the State in an effort to resolve the issues that had stopped Decade from proceeding with their project. Whether Decade moves forward on the condo-hotel project themselves or sells the property to another party, the issues with the State still need to be resolved. Hopefully we are getting close to a resolution of this matter. The public trail system improvements that are proposed to be undertaken in the Pioneer area are, I believe, a significant factor in this effort. While the public access improvements can play an important role in that regard, the agreement we are working on will enable the community to extend its comprehensive trail system to the Pioneer area and Lake Winnebago, and that will be a major plus for that recreational facility. In addition, the development of a high quality public trail system should also enhance the development of the Pioneer property for the use that has been proposed. The public trail system improvements that are to be undertaken in the Pioneer area include three primary segments. One segment relates to development of a riverwalk/trail within the Pioneer island area. Another segment relates to development of a trail on the east side of Pioneer Drive (east of the railroad tracks) from the river south to E. 14th Avenue, while the third segment relates to a segment that would be constructed south of E. 14th Avenue, where it would run along the lake and continue onto the east-west breakwater that extends into Lake Winnebago. A small public parking area would be developed on the south side of E. 14th Avenue, creating a trail head location for people using the trail system. If Decade proceeds with their project in 2006 the condo-hotel resort would be completed in Spring, 2007. Decade has asked that the City complete its trail system improvements in the Pioneer island area on a time frame that would coincide with the completion of their project. If they do proceed with their project in 2006, that means that the trail system improvements for the Pioneer island area would need to realistically be completed in the Fall of 2006, since there would not be reasonable time in early Spring 2007 to undertake those improvements. As we are hopefully moving toward a resolution of the issues between Decade and the State, it would be our intention to continue to work with Decade if they wish to undertake the proposed condo-hotel project themselves. If a sale occurs, then we would work with the new owner. Obviously, we are interested in seeing a development move forward as soon as possible. The sooner a project is implemented the greater benefits the community can realize from the improvement and the spin-off impacts it can have. If Decade does not move forward themselves, and a prospective sale means a project will not be undertaken as quickly, that will mean that it will take longer to realize the benefits from a project in that area. The Pioneer property is in a premier location in the downtown along both the river and Lake Winnebago. It's too valuable a property and location to sit in a vacant condition for an extended time frame - especially if the issues with the State can be resolved. It also needs to be recognized that while the Pioneer property is an important part of the South Shore Redevelopment Area, there are other properties in the district that offer opportunities for redevelopment, and the City/RDA will continue to pursue those opportunities. |
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Concern/Issue/Question |
Referred to |
Follow up (as received) |
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How is snow plowing determined? How is snow removal from the terraces determined (the larger piles of snow)? |
Each snow storm is handled on an individual basis. The Street Division needs to look at weather forecasts & make their determination. Crews are available to respond to calls from the Police Dept for all three shifts during the week (Mon to Fri). On the weekend, a supervisor is always available to call in crews for an emergency. A small amount of snow might only need treatment with salt (typically less than 3") versus a larger snow storm that requires plowing activities. The time of the year will also be a factor in determining the snow removal action taken. For example, salt is not effective in extremely cold weather and spreading operations are restricted. Snow storms in early November or early April would not have the same forces scheduled for plowing if the weather forecasts predicted warm temperatures which will allow melting. Snow hauling activities are scheduled for the downtown & major roadways with limited terraces for snow storage. Hauling activities are also evaluated for each storm. One 3" storm does not require the activation of the hauling activities but several closely consecutive 3" storms would require snow hauling operations. The Street Division continually reviews the need to haul snow after checking travel lane restrictions versus weather forecasts. Similar to plowing, it does not make sense to schedule hauling activities if the temperatures are warm enough to melt the snow banks. |
TOPIC: QUALITY CONTROL IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
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Concern/Issue/Question |
Referred to |
Follow up (as received) |
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What quality control mechanisms are in place for work completed by public works employees? Is there a standard process in place? |
I am not sure what is meant by a "quality control mechanism". It is the responsibility of the Department of Public Works supervisors to monitor daily work activities. If there is a problem with an activity, the supervisor can direct the employees regarding the best method to complete a task or a better method for the next time. |
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Concern/Issue/Question |
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Follow up (as received) |
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Can the city put out to bid the garbage and recycling service while maintaining the current equipment and staff? How could the city privatize the service, if the council chose to pursue that option? |
The only way that the city could privatize garbage pickup would be to completely remove itself from the equation. That is everyone would have to contact and arrange for their own pickup with a private hauler. Because we have been providing the service state law does not let us contract it out unless we bargain the impact of that decision with our union. |
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Citizen David
Harrison provided a handout
on automating garbage and recycling services. |
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Concern/Issue/Question |
Referred to |
Follow up (as received) |
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What mechanisms are in place to evaluate the services provided by the city? Do different departments have standards/assesments they use? Examples are ambulance service, permits, etc. |
As far as comparing our services with other communities our departments are continuously looking at those things where there is data to compare to. The Fire and Police Departments have state and national information that they look at along with our Police Department being nationally accredited which brings in a national team to evaluate the department. The Fire Department has a number of national standards that they use to compare to. Our inspection area participates in a number of training and educational programs provided by the state to keep up to date on code issues and to compare with. Likewise many other departments and divisions are constantly comparing their policies and practices to state and national standards for their fields. |
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Will the city be
pursuing a productivity and/or independent audit of services and staffing? |
I have discussed
with all department heads that after the first of the year we will be
starting a self evaluation of all of our activities and comparing them with
other communities similar to us for staffing levels and also policies and
procedures. I believe that we can successfully accomplish this
internally since we have not budgeted funds for this purpose. |
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Concern/Issue/Question |
Referred to |
Follow up (as received) |
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What is the patrol of school zones/areas before and after school times (there was some discussion and concern with the amount of smoking on or near school property)? |
We have no formal after school smoking patrol. Lately we have been drawing extra personnel out of patrol to maintain order at the Bus transfer area because of problems with the High School Kids at that location. This usually ties us up from 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM. I am copying Capt. Puestohl because School Liaison Officers fall under his supervision. I would assume that we are talking about the High Schools and Maybe Middle Schools. There is an ordinance regulating smoking on school property, 17-18 (E), however it would not prevent someone from smoking on the sidewalk adjacent to that property. That limits enforcement to people under 18. |
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Has the city given any thought to two-officer squads rather than only one officer per squad, especially in higher crime areas and/or during higher crime times? (The premise of this question was cost-effectiveness of sending multiple cars to a scene when a two-officer squad could save on fuel, wear-and-tear and fewer vehicles.) |
We use two officer squads now. We went away from it
as a normal patrol strategy twenty years ago because it is too costly and
less flexible. The biggest expense we have is personnel. Having
two officers in the same place doing the same thing, where one could do, is a
waste of personnel. We really do not have "High Crime"
areas. We do have areas that from time to time can be classified as
"High Activity" and the shifts do take advantage of doubling up
cars to address it. We also use double cars for special details, such
as party patrol or bar checks. But the majority of the time we have
single cars and dispatch one, two, three, or however many are necessary for
the initial response. Once that is completed Officers can be released
to go back to their normal patrol. When I first came on the police department we had multiple
two to five double cars in the city on the second and third shifts. I
remember sitting in that car with nothing to do for half the shift. I
remember having to hang around at a call that only needed one officer because
we were both in the same car. We were also able to have double squads
back in the 70's because our officer to population ratio was higher back
then. At 1.5 officers to 1000 population (what we have now) using
double squads would make us understaffed to answer all the complaints.
As it is now it is routine for minor complaints to be held for up to an hour
because everyone is tied up. With double squads holding calls would
happen continuously and there would be times when calls would not be
responded to at all because everyone is busy. I think the bottom line when discussing one vs two man squads is flexibility. One man squads gives you quicker response and the ability to release officers at a scene once they are no longer needed. Two person squads gives you immediate backup and a stronger response but most of the time you only need one officer to handle the investigation. Because of one man squads the City has been able to keep our staffing levels down without compromising response to citizen calls for service. And when needed, we do put two man squads out for special patrol. The cost of an officer doing nothing while his partner investigates a minor complaint is way greater than the extra cars and gas. |
ADDITIONAL
TOPICS:
CITY BUDGET discussion on how the process needs to begin earlier; council members are elected as stewards of the citizens capital tax dollars and need to be involving in providing direction of the city; cutting costs vs. growing revenue.
GOVERNMENT discussion regarding how long it takes to get things accomplished in government, not just within the city but all levels of government; concern regarding the need for new ideas and initiatives.
LEACH AMPHITHEATRE discussion on the ticket surcharge and projects such purchasing chairs and building a storage/maintenance building.
BLUE HARBOR RESORT discussion on what impact the resort and convention center has on the city of Sheboygan.
Upon completion,
copies of this document will be available online at www.bryanbain.com and Oshkosh City Hall,
215 Church Ave. No tax dollars have
been used to produce, re-produce or maintain this document.