Hello neighbors! The first committee week of December is upon us, as is the snow and cold.
The weather put our public works department in the spotlight this weekend, having to adapt to changing conditions throughout Saturday night and Sunday. I fielded a few questions about DPW out plowing and salting in what was not a significant snowfall. But as I explained to a few others, there are no easy calls when it comes to weather and the department relies on forecasts and historical data to make decisions about when to plow and salt. In this case, though the snowfall wasn't that significant, I think we're all grateful they did plow and salt the roads as we woke up this morning to significant wind and cold. Had they not done those things Sunday, we may have had some nasty road conditions today.
Municipal Services
Monday 4:30 p.m. - Speaking of public works, that leads into our first meeting of the week and possibly the busiest. The first item on the agenda has nothing to do with snow and ice though. Instead, we'll be taking up a request from staff to approve an ordinance change for food trucks.
This item was approved by the committee a month ago, then referred back to committee at the Nov. 17th council meeting. The item would increase the number of food truck permits in the city from four to eight, allowing staff to grant permits to two food truck owners on a waiting list. The measure will also do away with a requirement that food trucks park at least 50-ft. away from brick-and-mortar restaurants downtown.
This item was approved by the committee a month ago, then referred back to committee at the Nov. 17th council meeting. The item would increase the number of food truck permits in the city from four to eight, allowing staff to grant permits to two food truck owners on a waiting list. The measure will also do away with a requirement that food trucks park at least 50-ft. away from brick-and-mortar restaurants downtown.
We don't have this requirement in other parts of the city outside the central business district. While we do want to be sensitive to the established food venues downtown, I think history of having these food trucks in Appleton has shown there is room for all to compete without an additional regulation for just downtown. Appleton Downtown Inc., which represents many downtown businesses, spoke in favor of the original proposal from the staff.
Also on the Municipal Services agenda, is a request to approve design for for a number of downtown street and streetscape projects. These designs will be the first of future designs for downtown street projects and will make downtown more pedestrian and bike friendly, and generally, more welcoming to people spending time downtown.
The list of streets we'll look to approve are Lawrence, Morrison, Oneida and Durkee.
The committee will also be asked to approve changes to the recycling and leaf collection programs, along with fee changes for 2022. This is part of a series of services changes the council approved earlier this fall.
Fox Cities Transit Commission
Tuesday 3 p.m. - The transit commission will look to approve a number of contracts and policy changes.
Utilities Committee
Tuesday 5 p.m. - This committee will be asked to approve changes to the city's code related to lead water service line replacements and contracts for stormwater consulting services.
City Plan Commission
Wednesday 3:30 p.m. - The Plan Commission will once again tackle a permit request for a paint/craft studio business at 550 N. Morrison St. The business is seeking a license to sell on premise alcohol and a separate license to sell alcohol for off-premise consumption.
Safety/Licensing Committee
Wednesday 5:30 p.m. - Along with a number of other license requests, this committee will also discuss the item from the Plan Commission agenda. The reason this was initially referred back to this committee seems to be to address the two different license applications I mentioned above. I think there will be some debate over whether both are appropriate for this type of business.
HR/IT Committee
Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - This will be the first committee meeting for the city's new IT Director. Corey Popp joins the staff from Bergstrom Automotive Group. On the HR side of the meeting, the committee will be asked to approve policy changes related to a 1.25% increase to the salary schedule for employees, along with a 2.5% salary increase for all city employees in-lieu of pay-for-performance raises for 2022. That does not include council members or union staff at APD/AFD/Valley Transit. Union staff are covered under a separate collective bargaining agreement. Earlier this fall the council approved a 8.5% salary increase to take effect in 2023 for the Common Council. That is the earliest that raise can be instituted, so current council members face an election before it takes effect. I was one of three council members to vote against the council salary increase.
Get In Touch
I am always available to answer questions at district15@appleton.org or (920) 419-1360. As always, agendas can be found on the agenda and meetings page of the city website. Meetings can be viewed live on the website or watched at a later date. Meetings are also open for anyone to attend in person and all meetings take place in the Common Council chambers on the 6th floor of City Hall, unless otherwise noted.
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