Appleton Common Council Meeting - August 7, 2024
Appleton Common Council Meeting - August 7, 2024
The Common Council met on August 7, 2024 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included approvals of routine items, two bond resolutions, a public works director appointment, referral of a license non-renewal issue back to committee, and a ordinance to rescind the No Mow May policy.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of July 17, 2024 (14-0)
- Approved proclamations: Creative Economy Week and Breastfeeding Awareness Month
- Confirmed Laura Jungwirth as Public Works Director (14-0)
- Approved the balance of the agenda, which included numerous committee reports and action items such as:
- Municipal Services: 513 W College Avenue permanent street occupancy permit, I-41 water main elease, Lawe Street Bridge state agreement, Summit Street reconstruction parking changes (two segments)
- Safety and Licensing: alcohol licenses for Cambria Hotel Appleton, Shadows Food and Spirits, pet store renewal (Lucky Fish & Aquarium), tobacco/vaping license for Flanagan's Stop & Shop
- Finance: Riverside Cemetery veteran grave reimbursement, rejection of Mead Pool plastering bid, Change Order #2 for Lightning Drive extension ($72,830), Police Station Gun Range Door project ($44,838 plus contingency), rejection of WWTP clarifier bid ($2,617,900), Change Order #1 for WWTP clarifier underdrain ($8,837), emergency Green Ramp repairs resolution, sole source contract for Green Ramp Phase1 ($47,230)
- Utilities: Apple Hill Farms Pond 4 outlet pipe repair ($28,000)
- Human Resources & IT: RingCentral SaaS for $209,000
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kim Williams (1123 N Mason St, Appleton) spoke regarding item 24-0834 (Corner Pub license non-renewal), stating that the business would be ready for inspection on Tuesday.
Discussion Items
- Corner Pub Alcohol License Non-Renewal (24-0833): After legislative history showing multiple committee actions, Alderperson Croatt moved to refer the item back to the Safety and Licensing Committee to expedite processing. The motion carried 13-1, with Alderperson Doran voting no.
- Bond Issues:
- General Obligation Promissory Notes ($13,500,000 series 2024): Brad Vigat from Baird reported that the final interest rate was 3.29% (compared to 3.84% projected at July 22 finance meeting), saving over $531000 in total interest.
- Sewerage System Revenue Bonds ($12,630,000 series 2024): Final rate of 3.87% (vs. 4.44% projected), saving over $1.1 million. Both bond resolutions were approved 14-0.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the following with unanimous votes (14-0):
- Public Works Director appointment (Laura Jungwirth)
- General Obligation Promissory Notes resolution ($13,500,000)
- Sewerage System Revenue Bonds resolution ($12,630,000)
- The balance of the agenda (all remaining committee reports)
- Referred Corner Pub license non-renewal back to Safety and Licensing Committee (13-1)
- Approved Ordinance #99-24 (Rescinding No Mow May) by a vote of 12-2, with Alerpersons Meltzer and Wolff voting no.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:16 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Hi, Elder Meltzer, just checking the mic. Can you hear us? I can hear you. Can you hear me? Yep, loud and clear. Thank you. Thank you. Please rise and join me in a moment of silent reflection. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. With liberty and justice for all. That motion passes 14 to 0. The minutes have been approved. For business presented by the mayor, uh we recognize Creative Economy Week. And it is breastfeeding awareness month in the city of Appleton. Uh full text of those proclamations is included in your materials. All right, next. Something exciting to bring to you. A recommendation for our next director of public works. So I'll just share with you what's in your materials. Public Works Director position was vacated by resignation on June 7th, 2024. I'm pleased to recommend an exceptional candidate for the role, one who brings 17 years of professional experience within the public sector. Highly qualified professional engineer with significant experience in the construction industry and public communication. The candidate holds a bachelor's science degree in environmental engineering from the University of Wisconsin Plattville. She has previous previously served as a civil engineer for neighboring municipalities and most recently as the director of public works for the city of Manasha. Her extensive experience encompasses leadership in key projects, including storm sewer and storm lateral systems, sustainability initiatives, pedestrian safety enhancements, parking area reconstruction, development of detention basins, as well as other various infrastructure improvement efforts. It is my honor to recommend for your consideration Laura Youngworth to serve as the city of Appleton's next public works director. And her resume is included in your materials. So with that, I need a motion. Any discussion. Hearing none, please cast your votes. That motion passes 14 to zero. Congratulations, Director Youngworth, and she is here. This is Laura. So we look forward to welcoming you to the City of Appleton to join our team. So Laura's uh start date will be September 18th. Uh so it happens to be the day of a council meeting. So uh Laura will have a first day, and and that'll include spending time with all of you. So uh we look forward, uh look forward to welcoming her to the city of Appleton and and getting to work. I I meant that with love, by the way. Uh so uh thank you for approving uh that recommendation and uh again congratulations. All right, with that we'll move on to public participation. Uh we have one member of the public signed up to speak, uh, and that is Kim Williams. Uh Kim, uh public participation is limited to a maximum of five minutes uh per person. Uh council sets aside a total of 30 minutes per council meeting uh for public comment. Uh so at this time I'd invite you up. Uh please state your name and address for the record. Kim Williams, 1123 North Mason Appleton. Okay, thank you. Just want to say that we will be ready for inspection on Tuesday. All right.
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