Appleton Common Council Meeting - October 4, 2023

The Appleton Common Council met on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. Mayor Jake Woodford presided with 16 aldermen present. The meeting included proclamations, fire department awards, a commendation, the presentation of the 2024 Executive Budget, public comments on the Lawe Street truck route, two public hearings, and votes on several items including rezoning, a final plat, police cameras, and a housing policy contract. The council also entered closed session to discuss the temporary location and lease for the Appleton Public Library.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Janet Scheibe (1407 E Glendale Ave) expressed concern about the proposed Lawe Street truck route changes, fearing it could affect Appvion's operations and potentially lead to the company leaving Appleton.
• Kyle Jensen (Supply Chain VP, Appvion) argued against redesignation, noting that of 9,000 daily vehicles on Lawe Street, only 279 (3.1%) are large trucks affected, and Appvion accounts for 0.3% of total traffic. He stated that the redesignation would not solve the volume issue and could set a precedent for cherry-picking truck routes.
• Graeme Hodson (COO, Appvion) confirmed the company is not leaving; it has 350 employees, $30M annual wages, and $10M local spend. He estimated that relocating truck access would cost more than the $75,000 calculated by others. He offered to restrict Appvion truck traffic between 10 PM and 5 AM to reduce nighttime noise.
• Kim Dixon (610 E Eldorado St) spoke as a neighborhood resident, describing the street as a barrier for children and citing a personal safety incident. She argued that eliminating truck traffic would improve the corridor for families and housing development.
• Andrew Dane (516 E Pacific St) supported the truck route change, noting that alternative routes (Wisconsin, Ballard, Northland, etc.) are wider and already commercial/industrial. He suggested a pilot during planned 2025-26 construction.

Discussion Items

• 2024 Executive Budget & Service Plan Presentation (Item 23-1148): Mayor Woodford presented highlights. Key points included: maintaining the table of organization; accelerating infrastructure maintenance; leveraging the stormwater utility; updating fee schedules; prioritizing employee compensation with a 3% merit increase for non-represented employees; introducing a health insurance premium share (5% of total premium cost, averaging $44/paycheck for family HSA, $16 for single); relocating the Connecting Care Clinic; moving 94% of storm/forestry expenses into the stormwater utility to free $1.6M in general funds; doubling emerald ash borer remediation with $375,000; and fully implementing a debt management strategy resulting in a 0.7% increase in the debt service levy and a 2.6% overall property tax increase. Net new construction was $170M (over 2%), the best rate in recent memory. Inflation was noted at 3.7%. Upcoming dates: Budget Public Listening Session Oct 17 (virtual), Budget Saturday Oct 28, Public Hearing Nov 1, Budget Adoption Nov 8.
• Housing Development Policy Contract (Item 23-1122): Alder Fenton urged approval, stating the consultant (Green Bicycle Co.) is qualified and the $32,000 contract will help a stakeholder task force address the housing crisis. Alder Hartzheim criticized the timing, feeling the council was pressured after the task force announcement, but acknowledged questions were answered in committee. Mayor Woodford confirmed the task force would proceed even if the contract failed.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: September 20, 2023 minutes approved 15-0 (Mayor Woodford abstained).
• Proclamations: Declared Indigenous Peoples Day, Mental Health Day, Coming Out Day, White Cane Awareness Day, Fire Prevention Week, and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
• Fire Department Awards: Citizen Award of Merit presented to Adam Vervoort; Good Samaritan Awards to Amy Rappert (present) and four absent recipients.
• Commendation: Corey Asimus recognized for breaking two world records running marathons with a 100-pound rucksack, raising funds for veteran cancer pre-screening.
• CDBG Advisory Committee Appointment: Approved 14-0 (Alder Thyssen and Mayor Woodford abstained).
• Lawe Street Truck Route Resolution (Item 23-1128): Referred back to the Municipal Services Committee due next meeting on October 9, 2023. No vote taken.
• Rezoning #6-23 (303 E. Fremont St, from PD/C-2 to R-1B): Approved 15-0 (Mayor Woodford abstained).
• Clearwater Creek Fourth Addition Final Plat: Approved 11-4 (Alder Meltzer, Del Toro, Hayden, Schultz voted nay; Mayor Woodford abstained).
• Police Sole Source Request - Flock Safety ALPR Cameras: Approved 15-0 (Mayor Woodford abstained).
• Housing Development Policy Contract (Green Bicycle Co., $32,000): Approved 15-0 (Mayor Woodford abstained).
• Balance of the Agenda: Approved 15-0.
• Ordinances #90-23 to #152-23: Approved 15-0.
• Closed Session (Item 23-1167): Motion passed 14-0 (Alder Wolff excused, Mayor Woodford abstained). Council convened closed session at 8:06 PM to discuss temporary location and lease for the Appleton Public Library. Reconvened at 9:41 PM with no action taken.
• Adjournment: Motion passed at 9:44 PM.