Notes from the May 31 Fifth
Tuesday Forum
|
Concern/Issue |
Referred
to |
Follow up |
|
A citizen asked if the
Police Blotter could be published in full everyday. |
Police Chief David
Erickson |
We print up the list of complaints
for the previous day every morning. I
do not think it can be transferred to the web site however because it is part
of our Computer Aided Dispatch program which is completely separate. Because it could be one to two (single
spaced) sheets it would be prohibitive to have someone type it up
everyday. It is available at the
complaint desk for inspection. One
side note; all reference to complaints involving Juveniles, Medical issues,
Sexual Assaults, and Emergency Committals are redacted from the report. |
|
A citizen brought forward
a concern that there is not enough police patrols and would like to see less
time spent on reports and more time on patrol. |
Police Chief David
Erickson |
We are driven by
paperwork. There is no way we can get
away from it. To make it worse there
is a greater demand for complete and accurate reports than ever before. Working within the legal system, reports
are a necessary evil. |
|
Concern/Issue |
Referred to |
Follow up |
|
A citizen brought forward
a concern that the city bus does not always stop at the corner of Sawyer and
Porter as scheduled. |
Transportation Director
Mark Huddleston |
The bus will stop at any
corner or designated mid-block stop if a passenger is waiting at the stop and
signals the driver to stop. If a passenger is on the bus they need to ring
for the stop about a half a block before the stop. If a citizen has a problem
with the bus service they should call our office at 232-5340 as soon as
possible, and a citizen complaint form will be initiated with a maximum
response time of 48 hours regarding the problem. |
|
There was some discussion
on whether the city can/should provide a bus route to the county
beach/swimming facility and the north industrial park (possibly part of the
Neenah route). |
Transportation Director
Mark Huddleston |
In June 2004, the Transit
Board discussed the idea of deviating the Neenah Route to the County Park.
The deviation to the County Park would add approximately five (5) minutes to
the route. The Neenah route needs to make on-time connections in both Neenah
and Oshkosh, and the route is extended as far as possible. We have already
eliminated some stops on the route in an effort to improve its on-time
performance. It would be unsafe to add mileage to a route that is already
stretched to the limit. I don’t believe sporadic service to the County Park
would be successful. I have found that successful bus service needs to be
easily understood, reliable and well promoted to a target market. If the
Common Council feels service to the County Park is justified, then funding
for that purpose needs to be provided. However, based on estimated ridership
figures the cost appears to be prohibitive, and I don’t believe the operation
of a seasonal route to the County Park is a fiscally responsible way to spend
the transit system’s limited resources. |
|
A citizen asked if the
city bus times could be extended later, especially on weekends. |
Transportation Director
Mark Huddleston |
The Transit Board will consider
the extension of hours at the July 20, 2005 meeting as part of a review of
the 5 year Transit Development Plan. The staff recommends retaining the
existing service hours due to the current financial situation. The estimated
cost for operating the system until 10:00 p.m. is $700,000 per year. A recent
passenger survey showed that 98 passengers favored night service, but only
five passengers were willing to pay a higher fare for extended service. This
level of support doesn’t seem to justify the additional expense involved to
provide night service. There have been some discussions with UWO regarding
funding for night service but nothing has been finalized at this time. It is
the Transit Board’s policy to provide core service to the higher density areas
of the city, and not to expand service beyond our financial capabilities. |
|
Concern/Issue |
Referred to |
Follow up |
|
A citizen asked if a line
item could be added on the city tax bill specifically for street repairs (nothing
else). The example presented to us
was $.25 per $1,000 of assessed value.
This example generated approximately $1 million extra in street repair
revenue (based on number of properties in the city). |
City Manager Richard
Wollangk, Finance Director Edward Nokes, and Public Works Director David
Patek |
E. Nokes – We would not
put a separate line on the tax bill. That is controlled by the State and we
have one line per taxing authority. We could include it in the City portion
of the taxes by adding it into the budget in one form or another. The $.25
increase would be about a 2.36% increase in the City rate if everything else
remained the same. R. Wollangk – Please see
responses from Mr. Nokes and Mr. Patek. D. Patek – I would say
that the Engineering Division does not have the existing staff to complete an
additional $1 million worth of street reconstruction projects. This
value of street construction would need an additional value of $1,273,000 of
utility upgrades for a total increase of $2,273,000 based on the ratio of
street to utilities in the bid for the local streets this year. This
would be about a 50% increase in workload based on the $5 million local
street program that is under construction this year. Finally, based
on the bids from this year, $1 million should pave about 0.93 miles of
streets. |
|
A citizen expressed
concern with some of the terraces on Sawyer Street, specifically east of Sawyer
Street on Van Buren Avenue, that need to be fixed. |
Public Works Director
David Patek |
This section of Van Buren
Avenue does not have curb & gutter. As the residents park on the
side of the street, they create potholes. As we hand patch the street, the
Street Division crew fills in these potholes. The property in question
is located on the South side of Van Buren Avenue. It looks like the
terrace has been filled with gravel over time and the property owner ends up
parking vehicles in this area next to the sidewalk. This is similar to
many locations in the City where residents try to keep their vehicles out of
the traveled way as much as possible. This street is one of the whole
neighborhood East of Sawyer Street that will be evaluated for a coldmix
asphalt overlay in 2006. If Van Buren Avenue is selected as a project,
the Street Division will complete terrace restoration at that time. |
|
Concern/Issue |
Referred to |
Follow up |
|
We discussed State
Representative Spencer Black's (D-Madison) HOPE legislation that would exempt
the first $60,000 of property taxes paid to school districts. Another citizen informed us that in order
for school districts not to lose revenue, HOPE would require changes in the
tax structure on corporations. |
No referrals made. |
State Representative Gregg
Underheim (R-Oshkosh) has agreed to conduct a council workshop after the
council meeting on June 14 to discuss State Legislature updates, including
the state budget. Update: Mr.
Underheim canceled due to the Legislature being in session. |
|
A citizen suggested that
corporate tax breaks should not be offered as incentives to relocate or
create business in the city. |
No referrals made. |
State Representative Gregg
Underheim (R-Oshkosh) has agreed to conduct a council workshop after the
council meeting on June 14 to discuss State Legislature updates, including
the state budget. Update: Mr. Underheim
canceled due to the Legislature being in session. |
|
Concern/Issue |
Referred to |
Follow up |
|
A citizen suggested that
city staff and council members look at what and how Neenah and Appleton revitalized
their downtown and how they attracted (and retained) more businesses. |
Community Development
Director Jackson Kinney and Oshkosh Commercial Development Corporation
Executive Director Rob Kleman |
J. Kinney – We always keep an eye on
what other communities in the Valley are doing in their downtowns, and in
other parts of the State and country. We never mind robbing and
stealing good ideas from other communities. Over the years we have
gotten copies of their plans and we've looked at various projects other
communities have done and we've utilized ideas wherever possible. Of
course every community is unique in its physical setting and in the dynamics
of local groups, businesses, developers, and the political climate for
addressing various activities. We need to keep in mind that what works
in one community may not work in another, but it is always important to learn
from what others are doing. That is why we try to attend various
meetings, conferences, etc., and get information from various communities on
an ongoing basis. |
|
Concern/Issue |
Referred to |
Follow up |
|
We discussed if a
surcharge should exist, how it would be implemented, who would be charged, and
should a surcharge exist on all public facilities, e.g., Grand Opera House
and Lakeshore Golf Course. |
Parks Director Tom
Stephany (to also follow up with PMI) |
The Grand Opera House
already assesses a surcharge on all ticket sales. There will be a council workshop after the council meeting on
July 12 to discuss an amphitheatre surcharge. |
|
A citizen asked how the
city decided upon receiving 10% or $30,000 of gross revenues from PMI (the
management group). |
Parks Director Tom
Stephany (to also follow up with PMI) |
A committee was formed in
June 2004 to study and discuss management alternatives for the “new Riverside
Park amphitheater.” One alternative
was to contract with an individual or organization for Programming Services,
and to have Buildings and Grounds, plus Food and Beverage operations managed
by the Parks Department. The Parks
Director was asked to create budgets for the two above functions. With the amphitheater
being a new venture, and no budgetary history, there was a challenge in the development
of a buildings and grounds budget. A
budget was created primarily on some known costs, plus guesstimates. For example, it was known that one
seasonal employee could maintain buildings and grounds, at a cost of
$5,490.00. It was also known that
$1,000 would be needed to fertilize the turf. The unknowns included utility costs, equipment rentals, etc.
(typically, three years of costs assist in the calculation of averages and a
more accurate budget.) A third item
in the budget included $3,000 for a Reserve Fund for future maintenance of
the stage (the $3,000 was identified before the approval of the construction
of the restrooms and concession stands.)
The initial buildings and grounds budget came to $20,000. When it was decided to solicit for a
management company to manage both programming, plus food and beverage
operations, the Request for Proposals stated that a payment of $30,000, or
10% of gross sales “shall be paid to the City.” The $30,000 had to do with adding an extra $10,000 to the initial
$20,000, as contingency, to cover other unknowns. With regard to the 10%, that number was agreed-on by
staff. Typically, venues like the
amphitheater will require management companies or contractors to pay
somewhere between 5% and 15% of gross sales.
The thought was that the 10% would be a “nice” middle number, and a
good one to use. |
|
Several citizens asked if
the city could remind the community that the amphitheatre is located within
Riverside Park and is open to the public when scheduled events are not being
held in the venue. |
Parks Director Tom
Stephany (to also follow up with PMI) |
To-date, there has been no
discussion with regard to a sign along Ceape advertising Riverside Park. It is something that, perhaps, should be
looked at, especially as the park continues to be developed. People can be made aware of the property,
as a park, through department publications, the media, City Council comments,
etc. The gates are always left open,
except for productions. Permanent
signs will be posted in the near future to inform people of park times, and
when the gates will be closed for productions. |
|
A citizen suggested the
city partner with UW Oshkosh and area high school bands to offer free or
reduced rate concerts. |
Parks Director Tom
Stephany (to also follow up with PMI) |
I have asked Parks
Director Tom Stephany to forward these suggestions to PMI. |
|
It was suggested that free
movies be held at the amphitheatre as well as moving the farmer's market to
Riverside Park. |
Parks Director Tom
Stephany (to also follow up with PMI) |
I have asked Parks
Director Tom Stephany to forward these suggestions to PMI. |
|
Another citizen requested
the Milwaukee Symphony to play at the amphitheatre. |
Parks Director Tom
Stephany (to also follow up with PMI) |
I have asked Parks
Director Tom Stephany to forward these suggestions to PMI. |
|
Concern/Issue |
Referred to |
Follow up |
|
It was suggested that the
city name a park "Veterans Park". |
Parks Director Tom
Stephany |
The idea of naming a park
“Veterans Park” has come-up in the past.
That name was one of the names recommended for, what is now named, “Opera
House Square Park.” The parks system
already has three parks honoring veterans: Red Arrow Park, Hikers Monument,
and Rainbow Park. A fourth park named
in honor of veterans can always be considered in the future. |
|
There was a concern that Opera
House Square does not have a flagpole. |
Parks Director Tom
Stephany |
Deputy Mayor Frank Tower
informed us that a flagpole should be installed sometime in the near future. J.
Kinney – LDR prepared the design plan for the Opera House Square area (the square
itself and adjoining Market Street), and they have recommended a location
that is the best fit for 3 flagpoles - the NW corner of High Avenue and
Market Street near the Grand Opera House. LDR does not believe that a
flagpole should be introduced directly into the green space environment of
the square itself since a flagpole is a significant design element and the
basic design integrity of the square rests with the symmetry of three key
vertical elements: the Sun Dial/Fountain; the Clock on the NW corner of Main
and High; and the Civil War monument. The plan for Market Street and
the integration of the flagpoles within that area is an integral part of the
design for the Opera House Square area. In fact some dollars have been
donated and are sitting in the Foundation to assist with the costs of the
flagpole installation when funds can be garnered in the City's Capital
Improvement Program for the needed streetscape improvements along Market
Street. T.
Stephany – Please see Mr. Kinney’s response. |
|
A citizen brought forward
a concern that Roe Park has a flagpole but no flag. |
Parks Director Tom
Stephany |
There is a flagpole at Roe
Park, but flags are only flown during special days, i.e., Memorial Day, Flag
Day, 4th of July. There is
no light at the base of the Roe Park flagpole. Per the U.S. Flag Code, flags are not supposed to be flown at
night unless lighted. There is no
known requirement that all parks shall have flagpoles and flags flying. There are several parks within the Oshkosh
Parks System that do not have flagpoles or flags. |
|
Concern/Issue |
Referred to |
Follow up |
|
It was suggested that the
city needs a larger convention center and more hotel rooms in the city to
accommodate larger conferences and conventions. |
No referrals made. |
The city is still working
through the legal system to receive the back taxes owed by Heyde Hospitality. |
|
We discussed how the Park
Plaza and Convention Center are now under new management. |
No referrals made. |
The city is still working through
the legal system to receive the back taxes owed by Heyde Hospitality. |
|
Concern/Issue |
Referred to |
Follow up |
|
A citizen questioned
whether or not city department heads get membership into organizations and professional
magazines/journals paid for out of the city budget. |
City Manager Richard
Wollangk |
Yes, a number of the
department heads do belong to their professional organizations and the City
pays the dues. The feeling has always
been that we want our staff to continually be up to date in their fields and
belonging to their professional organizations is an excellent way to
accomplish this goal. |
|
A citizen asked who is
responsible for notifying city staff and council of repairs needed in city
facilities. It was also asked if an
inventory was conducted on the status of all city facilities. |
City Manager Richard
Wollangk |
Individual departments are
responsible to maintain the facilities under their control in consultation
with our maintenance staff and bring any needed repairs or renovations to my
attention at budget time or in an emergency immediately. Our facilities person works with the
departments on keeping an inventory of all of our facilities for insurance
purposes. |
|
Concern/Issue |
Referred to |
Follow up |
|
A citizen asked where the Department
of Community Development was on creating the new citizens academy, how it
will be publicized, and the process to take part in it. |
Community Development
Director Jackson Kinney |
We
are working on it as we speak. In fact we had a meeting on this
yesterday (June 07). We will be having a meeting of all City
Departments shortly, and we expect to get information out to the public very
soon in order to solicit applications from interested citizens. |
|
Concern/Issue |
Referred to |
Follow up |
|
A citizen expressed
concern with the "emptiness" of Aviation Plaza and encouraged the
city to look into the possibility of filling the "box" stores
before building new ones. |
Community Development
Director Jackson Kinney and Oshkosh Commercial Development Corporation
Executive Director Rob Kleman |
J. Kinney – It doesn't make sense to
put all our eggs in one basket and attempt to deal with one particular
property while ignoring other opportunities elsewhere in the community.
The Department has had specific discussions with OCDC about this particular
property, and those discussions will continue. OCDC has made contacts
regarding the property, and we will see if we can develop some proactive
approach for dealing with that property. In recent years communities
have begun to adopt special ordinances to deal with big box retail locations,
which ordinances sometimes include provisions relating to relocation and
re-occupancy efforts on vacated centers. In Oshkosh, if you look at the
41 Corridor and the 21 Corridor, and you look at the big boxes that we've had
for a number of years, a question can be raised as to whether such an
ordinance makes sense at this point. We can always consider that.
Our efforts at this point are aimed at doing what we can to interest
retailers such as Kohl's, Lowes, and Home Depot in coming into the Oshkosh
market. |
|
Concern/Issue |
Referred to |
Follow up |
|
A citizen expressed concern
that last year the Police Department would not ticket and tow vehicles
blocking driveways of homes (this citizen said she and her family could not
get in or out of their driveway). |
Police Chief David
Erickson |
I don’t know why we
wouldn’t ticket a car illegally parked, such as in front of or too close to a
driveway. Sawdust Days should have
nothing to do with it. We ticket such
cars all the time. All the homeowner
needs do is call and complain.
However, having said that, we do not tow vehicles parked across a
driveway. That is up to the homeowner
to do. We ticket and they do the
towing. |
|
Parking on the no parking
side of Merritt Avenue was also brought forward as a concern. |
Police Chief David
Erickson |
If the vehicle is illegally
parked in either a normally posted “No Parking” location or a location
temporarily posted “No Parking” for the special event we will ticket. You may remember all the bad press we
received a couple years ago because of cars ticketed in the area on the Old
Mercy Hospital on Hazel St. These
cars were in parked in an area that was posted by us for “No Parking” because
of all the pedestrian traffic we have in the area and to make visibility
better for drivers. We normally do
not tow vehicles in cases such as this and reserve towing in the interest of
public safety only. A good example of
this is the area of the car bridge in the park. Because it is so narrow in that area when cars parked it up
emergency vehicles couldn’t get through.
We ended up towing several cars.
Eventually we had the Parks Department permanently post it as a tow
away zone. The problem we have in the
park for special events is that sometimes people will park and just take the
ticket as a fee. They don’t
care. That is why we asked the
Council to add to the parking ordinances a time frame for issuing a second
and subsequent tickets for the same violation. I guess the bottom line is that we are very aggressive in
enforcing the parking ordinances in the area of special events when
possible. There may be times when we
are too busy to write tickets, but most of the time we do. |
|
A citizen asked if it was
possible for the city to provide shuttles from larger parking lots within the
city to Sawdust Days. Some suggested lots
were the Leach Amphitheatre, EAA, UW Oshkosh, and Oshkosh public and private
schools. |
City Manager Richard
Wollangk and Parks Director Tom Stephany |
T. Stephany – First,
Sawdust Days is managed and operated by a non-profit organization. According
to Transportation Director, Mark Huddleston, a shuttle has been tried in the
past, and from what is understood, there was very little ridership. With the popularity of Sawdust Days, a
shuttle could provide a service. That
service should be coordinated, though, through the Sawdust Days
Committee. If there was a strong
demonstrated need (more requests), this service might be more highly
considered. R. Wollangk – Please see
Mr. Stephany’s response. |