OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Appleton Common Council Meeting - November 1, 2023

Common Council — Wednesday, November 1, 2023
BodyAppleton, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council
DateWednesday, November 1, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:32:45

Transcript — Verbatim
0:12

Good evening.

0:13

I now call to order the Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 meeting of the Appleton Common Council.

0:19

Tonight's invocation will be delivered by Alder Jones.

0:25

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.

0:35

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:45

One indivisible with liberty for all.

0:56

Roll call of Alders.

0:59

All are represented, with the exception of Alder Person Schultz, who will try to join us virtually.

1:04

Okay.

1:05

Roll call of officers and department heads.

1:07

All are represented.

1:09

Thank you.

1:10

Need a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

1:15

We have a motion and a second to approve.

1:17

Is there any discussion of the minutes?

1:23

Hearing none, please cast your votes.

1:42

Alder Wolf looks like we don't have a vote recorded here.

1:47

Okay, Alder Wolf votes aye.

1:52

Motion passes 14 to 0.

1:54

The minutes have been approved.

1:56

All right, for business presented by the mayor, I'll just make note of a number of proclamations as we get started in the month of November.

2:05

And uh point you to those in your materials.

2:07

Family Literacy Day in partnership with the daughters of the American Revolution, Small Business Saturday, uh occurring uh Saturday after Thanksgiving.

2:16

We recognized Appleton High School DECA week and had DECA students visit us here in council chambers.

2:22

Uh we're also recognizing runaway and homeless youth prevention month in the city of Appleton, and it is also Native American Heritage Month in the City of Appleton.

2:31

Uh so those are the proclamations uh for this first meeting in November.

2:35

Move on now to item 23-1322 public art committee appointment.

2:40

We have a motion.

2:42

Is there a second?

2:44

We have a motion and a second to approve any discussion.

2:50

Hearing none, please cast your votes.

3:04

And with Alex not being present.

3:08

All right.

3:11

Alder Schultz, how do you vote?

3:14

You can hear us.

3:21

We don't have a vote.

3:25

All right, motion passes 14 to zero.

3:27

Thank you for approving this new appointment.

3:29

Uh, we welcome Jane to the public art committee and thank her for being willing to serve the community as a volunteer in this capacity.

3:37

Look forward to welcoming her to the work.

3:43

All right.

3:44

Uh we come now to time of public participation.

3:47

Uh, at each meeting, uh, the common council sets aside 30 minutes for members of the public to speak on items that appear on the agenda.

3:54

We ask that folks keep their comments uh concise and to the point, limit them to five minutes uh per person, and uh we'll we'll take these up in the order in which folks signed up.

4:04

Uh the first to sign up is James Krieger.

4:08

James, welcome.

4:11

Please state your name and address for the record.

4:13

Good evening.

4:14

My name is James Krieger.

4:16

My address is 523 West 6th Street in Appleton, and I'm here concerning the uh request for a driveway extension at 519 West 6th Street.

4:28

He's my uh I understand that it was denied or recommended for denial.

4:34

And I talked with the neighbor, homeowner, and he went over this his plans and what he wanted to do, and we discussed it, and it I thought told him I thought it was a good idea.

4:46

So I was just curious as to why it was recommended for denial.

4:53

So the way public participation works is you you can address the council, uh, but effectively right now it's a one-way conversation.

5:01

So I trust that members of the the council are are hearing your question and and particularly members uh on the committee uh and we'll we'll discuss uh your your question when they take the item up when they discuss it as a committee, okay.

5:15

Is there anything else that you wanted to say about this during public participation?

5:20

No, I was just curious as to why it wasn't approved.

5:23

Okay.

5:24

So it was a good idea, I thought.

5:27

Okay.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget Equity Analysis███████████████████19%
Personnel Matters█████████████████17%
Procedural███████████████15%
Parking Management██████████████14%
Municipal Services███████████11%
Fiscal Sustainability███████████11%
Public Participation█████5%
Homelessness████4%
Public Transportation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Appleton Common Council Meeting - November 1, 2023

The Appleton Common Council met on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, adjourning at 8:33 PM. The meeting covered proclamations, public participation, and several contested items including a driveway extension denial, free parking for Small Business Saturday, an operator license, a development agreement, and a lengthy debate on alderperson salaries. Key votes were taken on each pulled item.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Previous Minutes (23-1319): Approved 14-0.
  • Proclamations (23-1321): Family Literacy Day, Small Business Saturday, Appleton High School DECA Week, Runaway & Homeless Youth Prevention Month, and Native American Heritage Month were proclaimed.
  • Public Art Committee Appointment (23-1322): Approved 14-0.
  • Balance of the Agenda (Committee Reports): Approved 13-0, including:
    • Street Occupancy Permit for Holiday Tree Walk (23-1262)
    • Building move from 225 N. Badger Ave to 1839 W. Winnebago St (23-1264)
    • Cigarette/Tobacco Retail License for JSH Corporation d/b/a The Dispo (23-1155)
    • Special Use Permit #11-23 for Antojitos restaurant expansion (23-1227)
    • 2024 CDBG Program Funding (23-1233) – approximately $576,900
    • Valley Transit Teamsters 2024-2026 Contract (23-1245)
    • SRF Consulting Professional Services Contract (23-1254)
    • Authorization of Purchase Order to Smart Spaces for Audio Visual Equipment (23-1255)
  • Ordinance #155-23 (23-1320): Approved 13-0.
  • Suspension of Council Rules to Cancel Jan 3 & July 3, 2024 Meetings (23-1241): Approved 13-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • James Krueger (523 W Sixth St) expressed curiosity about why the driveway extension appeal at 519 W Sixth St was recommended for denial, stating he thought it was a good idea after discussing with the neighbor.
  • Jennifer Stephany (Executive Director, Appleton Downtown Inc.) spoke in favor of free ramp and meter parking for Small Business Saturday, calling it a special request to remove barriers for shoppers.
  • Jeff Geiger (business owner, 320 N Union St) supported the free parking request, emphasizing the importance of supporting downtown small businesses and the vibrancy of the event.

Discussion Items

  • Driveway Extension Appeal (23-1263): Request from Anthony Utschig for a driveway extension at 519 W Sixth St. Staff recommended denial due to precedent-setting, impervious surface concerns, and aesthetic impact. Alder Siebers argued the property is unusual (no grass, concrete front) and that the ordinance should not block solutions. After debate, the motion to approve failed 4-11, denying the permit.
  • Free Meter Parking for Small Business Saturday (23-1176): Request from Appleton Downtown Inc. for free ramp and meter parking on November 25, 2023. The Municipal Services Committee amended the request to free meter parking only (8:00 AM to 6:00 PM) due to concerns about ramp fees. Estimated financial impact: $2,300–$3,800. Alder Hartzheim called for a policy review. The council approved 15-0.
  • Operator License for Katie Baxley (23-1187): The Safety and Licensing Committee initially recommended denial but later reconsidered after the applicant appeared and provided documentation. The council approved the license 15-0.
  • Fourth Addition to Clearwater Creek Development Agreement (23-1271): Major provisions: no waiver of city administrative fees, developer bears cost of temporary asphalt, and city retains ability to store soil stockpiles through 2030. Alder Meltzer noted the agreement is a positive step. Approved 14-1 (Alder Hayden nay).
  • Alderperson Salaries (23-1246): This item generated extensive debate and multiple amendments. The committee had recommended keeping the salary at $6,750 with a parking pass. Proposed amendments included:
    1. Alder Doran: Replace parking pass with $12/month stipend (to $6,894).
    2. Alder Firkus: Amend stipend to $20/month (to $6,990). Adopted 12-2.
    3. Alder Meltzer: Additional $500 increase (to $7,490). Adopted 8-6.
    4. Alder Doran: Remove the $20/month stipend (to $7,250). Adopted 8-5. Final vote on the main motion as amended (salary $7,250, no parking pass, effective 2025) required a 3/4 majority and failed 7-6. Therefore, the alderperson salary remains unchanged at $6,750 with a parking pass.

Key Outcomes

  • Denied: Driveway extension appeal at 519 W Sixth St (vote 4-11).
  • Approved: Free meter parking for Small Business Saturday (vote 15-0).
  • Approved: Operator license for Katie Baxley (vote 15-0).
  • Approved: Fourth Addition to Clearwater Creek Development Agreement (vote 14-1).
  • Failed: Alderperson salary increase to $7,250 (vote 7-6, not meeting 3/4 majority); salary remains $6,750 with parking pass.
  • Adjourned: 8:33 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I now call to order the Wednesday, November 1st, 2023 meeting of the Appleton Common Council. Tonight's invocation will be delivered by Alder Jones. 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. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. One indivisible with liberty for all. Roll call of Alders. All are represented, with the exception of Alder Person Schultz, who will try to join us virtually. Okay. Roll call of officers and department heads. All are represented. Thank you. Need a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. We have a motion and a second to approve. Is there any discussion of the minutes? Hearing none, please cast your votes. Alder Wolf looks like we don't have a vote recorded here. Okay, Alder Wolf votes aye. Motion passes 14 to 0. The minutes have been approved. All right, for business presented by the mayor, I'll just make note of a number of proclamations as we get started in the month of November. And uh point you to those in your materials. Family Literacy Day in partnership with the daughters of the American Revolution, Small Business Saturday, uh occurring uh Saturday after Thanksgiving. We recognized Appleton High School DECA week and had DECA students visit us here in council chambers. Uh we're also recognizing runaway and homeless youth prevention month in the city of Appleton, and it is also Native American Heritage Month in the City of Appleton. Uh so those are the proclamations uh for this first meeting in November. Move on now to item 23-1322 public art committee appointment. We have a motion. Is there a second? We have a motion and a second to approve any discussion. Hearing none, please cast your votes. And with Alex not being present. All right. Alder Schultz, how do you vote? You can hear us. We don't have a vote. All right, motion passes 14 to zero. Thank you for approving this new appointment. Uh, we welcome Jane to the public art committee and thank her for being willing to serve the community as a volunteer in this capacity. Look forward to welcoming her to the work. All right. Uh we come now to time of public participation. Uh, at each meeting, uh, the common council sets aside 30 minutes for members of the public to speak on items that appear on the agenda. We ask that folks keep their comments uh concise and to the point, limit them to five minutes uh per person, and uh we'll we'll take these up in the order in which folks signed up. Uh the first to sign up is James Krieger. James, welcome. Please state your name and address for the record. Good evening. My name is James Krieger. My address is 523 West 6th Street in Appleton, and I'm here concerning the uh request for a driveway extension at 519 West 6th Street.

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