OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Appleton Common Council Meeting - March 5, 2025: College Avenue Lane Reconfiguration Approved, Alcohol Licenses Granted

Common Council — Wednesday, March 5, 2025
BodyAppleton, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council
DateWednesday, March 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 41:33

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good evening.

0:03

I now call to order the Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 meeting of the Apple and Common Council.

0:08

Tonight's invocation will be delivered by Alder Fenton.

0:11

Please rise.

0:15

Good evening.

0:16

I usually ask to give an invocation during Women's History Month.

0:19

And although the theme for this year, moving forward together, women educating and inspiring generations.

0:25

Seems like it was created during a very different time.

0:28

I'll stick with women's history.

0:31

My usual impulse is to focus on a notable pioneer in women's history, one of the leaders in the suffrage movement, or someone who is a historic first in a visible field.

0:40

However, I keep being drawn back to Bishop Marion Edgar Buddy of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and her sermon at the National Cathedral on January 21st of this year.

0:51

Her position as an episcopal bishop is relevant women's history for me.

0:55

I was a freshman at Rice University when Helen Havens was ordained as the first episcopal uh minister in Houston.

1:04

She, with her husband Professor Husband and their family, lived at a house adjoining our residential college when as our college family.

1:15

Like many others, I ordered Buddy's book, How We Learn to Be Brave Decisive Moments in Life and Faith, more as a gesture of support than with any intention of actually reading it.

1:26

I picked it up last week after I decided to talk about her tonight.

1:30

She writes about seven decisive moments in life when we have to push past our fears and act with strength.

1:37

I expected references to scripture and religious scholars.

1:41

I was surprised to also read quotes from Brene Brown, Madeline Albright, Avowed Atheist Tanahisi Coates, and multiple references to J.R.R.

1:50

Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

1:53

Chapter four, accepting what you did not choose, really resonated with me.

1:59

I mostly want to skip past the accepting the things you cannot change line in the Serenity Prayer and start changing things.

2:07

Buddy writes in The Fellowship of the Ring that after Gandalf tells Frodo Baggins that the ring came to him for a reason, Frodo despairs.

2:16

I wish the ring had never come to me.

2:19

I wish that this had never happened.

2:21

Gandalf replies, so do all who live in such times.

2:25

But while we cannot choose the times we live in, we can choose how to respond to the time we are given.

2:32

Frodo finally says, I will take the ring, but I do not know the way.

2:36

Gandalf later assures him, there are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.

2:44

Buddy concludes the chapter by saying that this kind of acceptance is not passive or fatalistic, but rather a courageous choice at a decisive moment.

3:01

Saying, I will do now what I must.

3:05

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3:07

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

3:12

And to the Republic for which it stands.

3:15

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty, justice for all.

3:25

Roll call of Walders.

3:28

All are represented with the exception of Alderperson Croat, who is excused, and Alder Person Heffernan who is absent.

3:34

Roll call of officers and department heads.

3:37

All are represented.

3:38

All right.

3:38

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

3:41

We have a motion and a second to approve.

3:43

Is there any discussion of the minutes?

3:48

Hearing none, please cast your votes.

4:03

All right, that motion passes 13 to zero.

4:06

The minutes have been approved.

4:09

All right, moving on to business presented by the mayor.

4:12

I just want to make you aware of uh MS Awareness Month, which is happening in March.

4:18

I'm not sure about another challenge with our friends in De Pier.

4:23

Uh we presented presented the proclamation to a representative from uh the local organization uh earlier this week.

4:30

We'll see if De Pierre wants to wants to get back in the game.

4:34

Uh we we may have to adjust for population or something because Appleton has won each of the two years we've been fundraising uh with them.

4:42

So we'll see, but in any case it's MS Awareness Month and uh encourage folks to uh read the text of the proclamation, which is included in your materials.

4:51

Uh with that, we'll move on to 25-0188 board reappointments.

4:56

Looking for a motion.

4:58

Point of order, Chair.

5:03

Thank you, Chair.

5:03

May I ask, please, that we separate both sets of uh reappointments, please.

5:09

That is absolutely fine.

5:13

So uh let's let's take up the first.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety███████████████████████████████████35%
Procedural████████████████████████████28%
Public Safety██████████10%
Cannabis Regulation█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Active Transportation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Appleton Common Council Meeting - March 5, 2025

The Appleton Common Council met on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jake Woodford and adjourned at 7:42 PM. Key actions included the approval of the College Avenue Lane Reconfiguration following an 18-month pilot, and the granting of alcohol licenses for two establishments.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Common Council meeting minutes from February 19, 2025 (13-0).
  • Board reappointments: Board of Health approved 12-1; Library Board approved 13-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Christopher Nelis (owner of Old Bavarian Brewhouse, 523/525 W College Ave) spoke in opposition to the College Avenue Lane Reconfiguration. He argued that the pilot data was insufficient (33 bicycles counted over 48 hours in a year, equating to 2.75 bikes per hour during peak), and that his business had seen a 20-30% decrease in revenue. He requested a three-month postponement for more accurate assessment and business input. He also referenced quotes from other business owners who reported losses or potential closures.

Discussion Items

  • College Avenue Lane Reconfiguration (25-0173): After the pilot, the council debated making the lane changes permanent. Director Youngworth noted that no parking spaces were lost and that parking revenue on College Avenue increased by 9%. Alderperson Wolf reported a Facebook survey with 140 of 147 respondents in favor of keeping the configuration. Other alderpersons cited improved safety, reduced noise, and a 60% positive business response from an ADI survey. Concerns were raised about electric bikes in the bike lanes and traffic backups on side streets. The motion to approve passed 13-0.
  • Alcohol License for Pizzeria Pub & Bar (25-0110): Located at 1200 N Sharon St. Alderperson Doran opposed due to past violations (serving alcohol to a minor, lack of licensed operator) and a related amusement device appeal. Others argued for giving the applicant the benefit of the doubt given the established demerit point system. Approved 11-2 (Van Zeeland and Doran nay).
  • Alcohol License for Bunnies on the Ave (25-0109): Located at 425 W College Ave. Similarly, Doran expressed concerns about a 2024 violation for lack of licensed operator at a different establishment. Approved 11-2 (Hartzheim and Doran nay).
  • Pierce Pavilion Renovation Project (25-0157): Contract awarded to RJM Construction, LLC for $391,300 with a 15% contingency, total not to exceed $449,995, plus a budget carryover. The project includes lead paint remediation. Approved 12-0 (with abstentions by Alderperson Schultz and Mayor Woodford).

Key Outcomes

  • College Avenue Lane Reconfiguration was made permanent (13-0).
  • Two alcohol licenses were granted: Pizzeria Pub & Bar (11-2) and Bunnies on the Ave (11-2).
  • Pierce Pavilion Renovation contract awarded (12-0).
  • Various other contracts and resolutions were approved as part of the consent agenda, including DPW fee schedule, bridge design contract, wastewater treatment plant upgrades, and more.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I now call to order the Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 meeting of the Apple and Common Council. Tonight's invocation will be delivered by Alder Fenton. Please rise. Good evening. I usually ask to give an invocation during Women's History Month. And although the theme for this year, moving forward together, women educating and inspiring generations. Seems like it was created during a very different time. I'll stick with women's history. My usual impulse is to focus on a notable pioneer in women's history, one of the leaders in the suffrage movement, or someone who is a historic first in a visible field. However, I keep being drawn back to Bishop Marion Edgar Buddy of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and her sermon at the National Cathedral on January 21st of this year. Her position as an episcopal bishop is relevant women's history for me. I was a freshman at Rice University when Helen Havens was ordained as the first episcopal uh minister in Houston. She, with her husband Professor Husband and their family, lived at a house adjoining our residential college when as our college family. Like many others, I ordered Buddy's book, How We Learn to Be Brave Decisive Moments in Life and Faith, more as a gesture of support than with any intention of actually reading it. I picked it up last week after I decided to talk about her tonight. She writes about seven decisive moments in life when we have to push past our fears and act with strength. I expected references to scripture and religious scholars. I was surprised to also read quotes from Brene Brown, Madeline Albright, Avowed Atheist Tanahisi Coates, and multiple references to J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Chapter four, accepting what you did not choose, really resonated with me. I mostly want to skip past the accepting the things you cannot change line in the Serenity Prayer and start changing things. Buddy writes in The Fellowship of the Ring that after Gandalf tells Frodo Baggins that the ring came to him for a reason, Frodo despairs. I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish that this had never happened. Gandalf replies, so do all who live in such times. But while we cannot choose the times we live in, we can choose how to respond to the time we are given. Frodo finally says, I will take the ring, but I do not know the way. Gandalf later assures him, there are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Buddy concludes the chapter by saying that this kind of acceptance is not passive or fatalistic, but rather a courageous choice at a decisive moment. Saying, I will do now what I must. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty, justice for all. Roll call of Walders. All are represented with the exception of Alderperson Croat, who is excused, and Alder Person Heffernan who is absent. Roll call of officers and department heads. All are represented. All right. 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. All right, that motion passes 13 to zero. The minutes have been approved. All right, moving on to business presented by the mayor. I just want to make you aware of uh MS Awareness Month, which is happening in March. I'm not sure about another challenge with our friends in De Pier. Uh we presented presented the proclamation to a representative from uh the local organization uh earlier this week.

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