Appleton Common Council Meeting August 16, 2023: Bond Issuance, Park Contract, and Resolutions
Appleton Common Council Meeting – August 16, 2023
The Common Council met on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, with all alderpersons present except Alder Croat (excused). The meeting included approval of minutes, confirmation of board of review alternate appointments, a special resolution for the sale of general obligation promissory notes, and several items separated for discussion. Two resolutions were introduced: one supporting mental health awareness and one directing the allocation of new state shared revenue aid. All votes were recorded as 14-0 unless otherwise noted.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from August 2, 2023: passed 14-0.
- Confirmation of Board of Review alternate appointments (item 23-0988): passed 13-0 with one abstention (Alder Meltzer).
- Special resolution authorizing sale of $20,200,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2023 (item 23-0987): passed 14-0.
- Balance of the agenda (items not separated): passed 14-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public signed up to speak. No public hearings were held.
Discussion Items
- Terrace Occupancy Permit at 1007 North Badger Avenue (item 23-0949): Request from Colleen Vanden Hoel to retain an existing fence, lilacs, landscaping stone, and pavers in the street terrace along West Commercial Street. Director Block explained that staff had concerns about the vision triangle and intersection sight distance, but after working with the property owner (trimming bushes, lowering fence) and reviewing crash history, the permit was recommended for approval. The motion passed 13-1, with Alder Hayden voting against.
- Alcohol License Suspension for BT and Dave LLC, DBA Speakeasy Ultra Lounge (item 23-0982): A stipulated agreement for suspension was presented. Attorney Barons clarified that the business owner chose to begin the suspension period before council approval, accepting the risk. The motion to approve the stipulation passed 14-0.
- Sale of $20,200,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes (item 23-0959): Alder Fenton thanked Baird and city staff for achieving an interest rate 29 basis points below the estimate, reflecting the city's strong bond rating. The motion passed 14-0.
- Longard Park Development Project Contract (item 23-0960): Award to Vinton Construction Company for $911,177.70 with a 15% contingency of $137,000, not to exceed $1,048,177.70. Director Gaza explained that phase one (playground, basketball, pickleball, access, earthwork, utilities) uses the $2 million budgeted, with future phases (pavilion, trails, splash pad, monument, wilderness area) pending donations. The 15% contingency was increased due to earthwork, utilities, and a newly identified storm drain. Alder Hartzheim noted District 13's excitement. The motion passed 14-0.
Resolutions Submitted by Alderpersons
- Resolution supporting mental health awareness and services (submitted by Alder Wolf): Referred to the Board of Health.
- Resolution on Appleton's allocation of new state shared revenue aid (submitted by Alders Croates, Seabers, Hartzheim, Doran, and Alfheim): Directs the mayor to allocate the entire additional $2 million in 2024 state aid to infrastructure and public safety projects, and to provide a supplemental budget document. Referred to the Finance Committee.
Key Outcomes
- All 14-0 votes on minutes, bond resolution, alcohol suspension, bond sale, longard park contract, and balance of agenda.
- Terrace permit approved 13-1 (Alder Hayden opposed).
- Board of review alternate appointments confirmed 13-0-1 (Alder Meltzer abstained).
- Two resolutions referred to committees for further action.
- No other business; meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Thank you for your patience. I will call to order the meeting of the common council for Wednesday, August 16th. Let's rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the plague of the United States and to the Republic for which is I did realize I missed doing the invocation here because it is not on my sheet. Did we have someone who wanted to do the invocation this evening? Bye. What um are you district 10? All right. My apologies. That's okay. We gather together to listen and share, learn and educate, and to be granted wisdom and grace as we move Appleton forward in the best interest of our community. Thank you, Alder Jones. The roll call of Alder Persons. We'll note that all are present with the exception of Alder Person Croat, who is excused. And the roll call of officers and department heads, please. And all are represented. Thank you. Do we have a motion for approval of the minutes for our last council meeting, August 2? We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All right, hearing none. All those in favor, go ahead and vote. Let's see. Thank you. Is yours? Thank you. All right. That motion passes 14 to 0. Um business presented by the mayor. Obviously, I am not the mayor this evening, um, but we do have um item two three-zero nine eight eight. Confirmation of the board of review alternate appointments. Um, and I guess we go ahead and have a oh go ahead. Thank you. Um, we do have a motion and a second to approve. And then any discussion. Nobody's in the queue. Okay. And we have no discussion. Yep. And then you can tell them to start voting. Okay. All right. That motion passes 13 with zero against and one abstention. We'll note your abstention. All their melts are. Congratulations. And let's see. We have no um public or we don't have anyone signed up for public participation this evening. Is there anyone who did wish to speak on an item on the agenda this evening?
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