Appleton Common Council Meeting - August 21, 2024
Appleton Common Council Meeting - August 21, 2024
The Appleton Common Council met on August 21, 2024, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of routine items, a contentious alcohol license renewal, acceptance of major transit grants, a held resolution on wheel tax voting requirements, and reallocation of ARPA funds. Mayor Woodford also presented a Women's Equality Day Proclamation.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes of August 7, 2024, approved 10-0.
- Mayor's Appointments: Confirmed appointment to the Police & Fire Commission and MPO Policy Board, both approved 10-0.
- Routine Committee Reports: All items from Municipal Services, Safety and Licensing (except Corner Pub), City Plan Commission, Parks and Recreation, Finance (except those separated), Fox Cities Transit Commission, and Board of Health were approved en bloc by a 10-0 vote on the balance of the agenda.
Discussion Items
- Corner Pub Alcohol License Renewal (24-0834): After a lengthy legislative history involving multiple committee referrals, the Council voted to renew the Class "B" beer and liquor license for Corner Pub (1123 N. Mason St.) on a 9-1 vote. Alderperson Hartzheim voted no, expressing concern about fairness to other applicants who had been passed over during the license's non-use period. Alderperson Croatt, who moved approval, noted the licensee had passed inspections and was ready to open.
- Fox Commons Awnings Permit (24-1036): The Council approved a permanent street occupancy and sign permit for five awnings on College Avenue, but added an amendment requiring completion of site restoration of the former blue ramp site in accordance with the existing site use agreement. The amendment and the permit as amended both passed 10-0.
- Wheel Tax Supermajority Resolution (24-0972): A motion to hold Resolution #8-R-24, which would require a supermajority vote for wheel tax or related fee increases, until the next Council meeting passed 8-2. Alderperson Wolff, who moved the hold, argued that all members should be present for such a discussion. Alderperson Hartzheim favored voting on it that night, suggesting reconsideration if needed.
- ARPA Funds for HR Strategic Planning (24-1063): The Council approved 9-1 (Hartzheim dissenting) to de-obligate a portion of two existing ARPA allocations and re-obligate funds to a Human Resources Strategic Planning Project. Alderperson Hartzheim questioned the cost and the timing, feeling it should have been part of the comprehensive plan update. Others supported it as a logical complement.
- Transit Grants: Accepted $12 million in federal 5339(b) funds for the Whitman Facility Remodel Phase 2 and $25 million in RAISE grant funds for the Downtown Appleton Regional Transit Multimodal Hub, both approved 10-0.
- Street Vacation (24-1092): The consolidated action items for the vacation of a 50' x 70' portion of N. Sampson Street south of E. Winnebago Street were approved 10-0.
Key Outcomes
- Corner Pub License: Approved renewal (9-1).
- Fox Commons Awnings: Approved with amendment (10-0).
- Wheel Tax Resolution: Held to September 4, 2024 meeting (8-2).
- ARPA HR Project: Approved (9-1).
- Transit Grants: Both approved (10-0).
- Street Vacation: Approved (10-0).
- Budget Amendment for Transit Center (24-1069): Not acted upon due to insufficient council members present (required 2/3 vote); deferred to September 4 meeting.
- Balance of Agenda: Approved 10-0.
Other Business
- Women's Equality Day Proclamation: Presented by the Mayor; a formal presentation is scheduled for August 26, 2024.
- Referral: Variance request for driveway extension at 3039 N. Ballard Rd (24-1051) was referred back to the Municipal Services Committee to connect with the property owner.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I now call to order the Wednesday, August 22nd, 2024 meeting of the Appleton Common Council. Tonight's invocation will be delivered by Alder Fenton. Thank you. As the proclamation that we be that will be presented on Monday notes, August 25th, 6th is observed as Women's Equality Day in commemoration of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave some women the right to vote. The proclamation encourages us to join in the commemoration of this historic day and to honor all women who have fought for and won the right to vote in national elections. Tonight, I invoke the spirit of those women to help us continue the struggle because women have not achieved full equality more than a century after winning the right to vote. We are still paid 16% less than men. Almost 25% of women will suffer violence at the hands of a domestic partner, and our trans sisters are murdered for the crime of existing. We've lost the right to bodily autonomy and the freedom to make our own medical decisions. Women athletes are either sexualized or have their gender questioned by Barstool endocrinologists. A woman running for office is judged not for her policy proposals, but for her laugh or her hairstyle. I invoke the spirit of Sojourner Truth of Susan B. Anthony, of the women of the six nations of the Hodishanoe tribe, sorry, Confederacy, of Ida B. Wells, of Dolores Huerta, of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, of Marcia P. Johnson, of Velle Phillips, of my personal hero, Governor Ann Richards of Texas, and of every woman who has fought for the rights of all women to give us strength to continue the fight until we have true equality. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag. One nation God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. It's all good. You're fine. Roll call of Alders. All are represented with the exception of Alder Person Smith. Alder Person Van Zieland, Alder Person Jones, who are excused. And we are also missing Alder Person Doran and Alderperson Heffernan. And Alder Person Schultz is joining us virtually. All right, thank you. Roll call of officers and department heads. And all are represented. All right. Just 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. Schultz votes aye. All right, that motion passes 10 to 0. Minutes have been approved. All right. On to business presented by the mayor. I have a confirmation for your consideration. This is for the police and fire commission. Item 24-1093. We have a motion and a second to approve. Any discussion. Schultz votes aye. All right, that motion passes 10 to 0. Thank you for approving this appointment. Look forward to welcoming Dan Weiskey to serve as our newest commissioner on the police and fire commission. Next 24-1128 Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board. Okay.
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