OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Appleton Common Council Meeting - May 21, 2025

Common Council — Wednesday, May 21, 2025
BodyAppleton, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council
DateWednesday, May 21, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:39:37

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Good evening.

0:03

I now call to order the Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 meeting of the Appleton Common Council.

0:10

Do we have an invocation this evening?

0:13

Okay.

0:14

Alder Stanzel Martin will deliver the invocation.

0:16

Please rise.

0:19

Thank you, Chair.

0:21

Thank you for the opportunity to give my first invocation of the council.

0:25

You know, I had a conversation recently with someone here.

0:28

Uh and I asked what the key was to give a solid invocation, and he told me to follow the five B's.

0:34

He told me uh debrief, baby, be brief.

0:37

And so I I think I found a poem using that advice that I'd like to share with you all.

0:44

Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole.

0:48

I think whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul.

0:52

In the fellow clutch of circumstance, I have not winced and cried aloud under the budgetings of chance.

0:58

My head is bloody but unbowed.

1:01

Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the horror of the shade, and yet the menace of the years finds and shall find me unafraid.

1:11

It matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll.

1:15

I am the master of my fate.

1:16

I am the captain of my soul.

1:18

Thank you.

1:19

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:22

I pledge allegiance to the flags of America and to the Republic.

1:29

One nation under God, independently liberty and justice for all.

1:47

All are represented with the exception of Alder Person Jones, who is excused, and Alder Person Schultz is joining us virtually.

1:54

Thank you.

1:55

Roll call of officers and department heads.

1:57

All are represented.

1:59

Right.

2:04

We have a motion and a second to approve.

2:06

Is there any discussion of the minutes?

2:13

All right, seeing none, please cast your votes.

2:27

All right, that motion passes 14 to zero.

2:31

The minutes have been approved.

2:33

Under business presented by the mayor, uh a couple of proclamations to make note of.

2:37

Drinking water week in the city of Appleton.

2:40

And we also recognized Among American Day.

2:46

And I'll just say again, Appleton was voted as having the best tasting drinking water in the state of Wisconsin not too long ago.

2:55

So congrats to our utilities team again.

2:58

All right.

2:59

On to public participation.

3:02

At each meeting of the Common Council, the Common Council reserves 30 minutes for members of the public to speak on items that appear on the agenda.

3:09

We ask that you limit your comments to five minutes per person or less.

3:14

And I'll help you keep time.

3:38

Though I I do want to make note that the first the first sign up noted a climate position.

3:45

And what's before the council, there's there's no position before the council this evening.

4:10

Welcome, John.

4:12

Hello, everybody.

4:13

Um, thank you for the opportunity to come and speak in front of the common council.

4:16

Uh my name is uh John Adams, and um uh my role uh I guess with the city is uh is in an advisory role to the common council of on the ASAP or sustainability and climate resiliency panel.

4:30

So I've been a part of that for about a year or so, and have just um it's it's a volunteer group uh bringing in kind of skills and background, but it's uh giving us a chance to kind of look at opportunities for the city, uh look taking the long-term view in terms of trying to see things that make sense in terms of operations and things that we do, uh, and ways that we can find opportunities to both uh address um you know um carbon uh challenges and uh potentially uh uh climate change, uh, but also ways in which we can also save the money and and make a better, uh more resilient community.

5:12

Uh so um you know my my background on the committee or on the panel that is is just as a uh scientist engineer, but uh I work in areas of um natural science and environmental chemistry, and uh anyways uh we have some really great opportunities uh and I'd love to be able to talk uh uh anyone's leisure would like to learn a little bit more about some of the things that we're working in, but we've got a group of uh about um eight or nine of us that are all volunteers that come in with different skills and different um perspectives, but in the end of the day, you know, we're here at the service of the council in terms of informing and giving recommendations and you know, so be you know find out more information about this or that.

5:54

So again, it's uh honor and privilege to be able to help out in this little capacity, but uh uh I do really feel that we have some great things that are possible.

6:03

Um in the one um I guess the continuing resolution or the continuum funding.

6:08

Um, I I think that um there's only so much volunteers can do, and uh really trying to keep this on a very professional level.

6:16

I think you know, having you know inputs uh can really help uh in terms of keeping things on track and getting the best results of what we do.

6:25

So again, I I think that um we have a you know uh a need to kind of be able to amplify what we can do, but there's only so much we can do with city employees that have so much of their job they can devote to you know this particular uh panel, and uh then we're all volunteers and again uh just trying our best and contributing the best we can.

6:44

So, anyways, something like this I think could help.

6:46

So thank you very much.

6:48

And and uh Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Sustainability Initiatives█████████████████████████████████████████████70%
Procedural█████████14%
Finance and Budget██████9%
Community Engagement██3%
Parks and Recreation██3%
Pending Litigation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Appleton Common Council Meeting - May 21, 2025

The Appleton Common Council met at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 (2025-05-21), with Mayor Jake Woodford presiding. Fifteen alderpersons were present, Alderperson Vaya Jones was excused, and Alderperson Alex Schultz participated virtually. The Council approved the May 7, 2025 minutes, heard public testimony on a disputed carryover appropriation, approved that carryover by an 11-3 notwithstanding vote, approved a park alcohol rule change, approved the balance of committee action items and three ordinances, and then entered closed session about July 2024 flooding before adjourning at 9:34 p.m.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the May 7, 2025 Common Council minutes (14-0; Mayor abstained).
  • Approved the balance of agenda items in one block (14-0). This included:
    • Municipal Services: Contract Amendment #1 with Alta Planning + Design for the Thrivent Complete Streets Plan, increasing the contract by $20,220 to a total not to exceed $45,100; parking ordinance changes for Drew St (1500N) and Circle St (400E) and the 700 block of W Eighth Street; the Sandy Slope Elementary School Route Plan; conversion of the 100 block of N Oneida St to two-way traffic; and a permanent occupancy permit for ventilated air discharge in Johnston Street Alley for the Chase Bank Building, 200 W College Ave.
    • Safety and Licensing: Denial of taxicab/limousine driver licenses for Cara Nord and Sara Johnson; approval of Fox Valley Cab renewal, contingent on inspections; approval of Class B beer/liquor licenses for Brewsky's and Ukiyo; approval of change-of-agent licenses for Kwik Trip #639 and Pizzeria Pub & Bar; approval of Ye Old Goat secondhand/flea market renewal; approval of 2025-2026 cigarette, tobacco, and vaping device renewals and new licenses for Smokes and Vape and The Flower Pot; and approval of Municipal Code Section 9-387 revision regarding salvage dealers.
    • City Plan Commission: Approval of Rezoning #2-25 for the Dorn Annexation, approximately 95.940 acres at 4700 N Richmond St, from AG Agricultural to R-1B Single-family District; and approval of the Dewitt Development Partners, LLC Annexation, approximately 72.2948 acres in the 6000 block of N French Road, subject to stipulation.
    • Finance: Approval of 2024 budget amendments recording grant and fund adjustments, including $7,950,747 in Friends of Appleton Library donations for the facilities capital project; award of CC-25 Bridge Deck Sealing to Norcon Corporation for $144,482.94 plus a $5,157.06 contingency, not to exceed $150,000; and Change Order No. 3 for H-23 Lightning Drive Extension, increasing the contract from $1,695,191.12 to $1,810,813.48 with no change to the $20,104.82 contingency.
    • Community Development: Approval of an amendment to the Phase II Development Agreement between the City and Merge, LLC for a mixed-use development at the southeast corner of W Washington St and N Appleton St in TIF District No. 11.
    • Human Resources & IT: Approval of Department of Public Works Parking reorganization; Finance Department reorganization; a Side Letter Agreement with Teamsters Local Union #662; and a Backup Internet Circuit.

Public Comments & Testimony

All public comment focused on Item 25-0300, the $107,625 carryover request for a sustainability consultant.

  • John Adams (18 Green Bay Ct), a volunteer on the Appleton Sustainability Advisory Panel, supported using professional consultants to expand the work of volunteer staff and the sustainability panel.
  • Janice Quinlan (322 South Ct), representing the League of Women Voters of Appleton Fox Cities, strongly supported the carryover and the proposed sustainability and resiliency master plan, citing resilience, cost savings, and grant competitiveness.
  • Deb Blank (2623 E Sundance Dr) opposed using borrowed/carryover funds for a consultant, argued it sets a bad fiscal precedent, and said the request should be considered through the normal budget process.
  • Mike Thomas (1 Hillock Ct), President of Appleton Concerned Taxpayers, opposed moving savings from one project to another, said the Finance Committee's denial should stand, and urged the Council to prioritize shovel-ready projects and bring the idea forward in the budget.
  • Walter Blank (2623 E Sundance Dr), a member of Appleton Concerned Taxpayers, opposed the reallocation as a fiscal bait and switch, questioned the lack of scope and metrics, and said the idea should receive departmental scrutiny during the budget process.
  • Eli Jenn (N9615 Mary Dr, Village of Harrison) criticized the city's approach to climate change, saying it looks like the city does not care and urging the Council to consult emergency management staff.
  • Nancy Jones (1125 N Briarcliff Dr) supported the carryover, called the work an excellent use of taxpayer dollars, and said an outside consultant would help prioritize next steps and maintain momentum.
  • Ron Jones (1125 N Briarcliff Dr), a member of the Appleton Sustainability Advisory Panel, supported the request and said the master plan is essential to prioritize cost-effective and impactful environmental projects.

Discussion Items

Item 25-0300: Budget Carryover for Sustainability Consultant

  • The remaining item was $107,625 of the 2024-2025 Facilities Capital Projects carryover, to be used for a sustainability and resiliency master plan consultant. Earlier carryover portions had been approved on April 2, 2025; $20,006 for City Hall wayfinding was approved May 7, 2025; and the $107,625 consultant amount had been held until May 21, 2025.
  • Alderperson Firkus offered an amendment, seconded by Alderperson Wolff, to change the justification to allow funds to be used for projects with emission reduction, climate mitigation, and/or sustainability value, and/or consultants to assist with such efforts. Supporters said it would allow immediate projects rather than waiting for a master plan; opponents, including the Parks and Facilities Director and several alderpersons, said the city needs an overall roadmap and that piecemeal projects are not the same as a master plan. The amendment failed 4-10.
  • On the main motion, the Council held a notwithstanding vote, meaning a yes vote approved the carryover and a no vote denied it. Supporters cited the May 19 sustainability master plan scope, the city's adopted goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% over 10 years, the value of outside expertise, public support, and potential savings. Opponents cited process concerns, lack of early information, use of carryover funds outside the budget process, prior consultant quality issues, and the Finance Committee's earlier denial recommendation.
  • Mayor Woodford acknowledged that staff should have provided more complete information earlier, stated there was no conspiracy in bringing the item forward, and outlined next steps: staff will draft a request for proposals with Council, panel, and community engagement; proposals will be scored; and a recommendation will return to the Council.

Item 25-0491: Park Alcohol Rule Change

  • The Council approved a change to park rules prohibiting alcohol within 20 feet of any pavilion or playground, as amended by the Parks and Recreation Committee to exclude pavilion rentals and special events. Discussion clarified that the change eliminates individual alcohol permits while allowing alcohol at registered events and pavilion rentals. The motion passed 14-0.

Closed Session

  • By a 13-0 roll call, the Council moved into closed session at 8:51 p.m. under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel regarding matters associated with July 2024 flooding. The Council reconvened in open session at 9:32 p.m.; no action was taken in closed session.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved the May 7, 2025 Common Council minutes 14-0.
  • Approved the $107,625 sustainability consultant carryover by an 11-3 notwithstanding vote; the amendment to redirect the funds to immediate projects failed 4-10.
  • Approved the park alcohol rule change 14-0.
  • Approved the balance of the agenda 14-0, including all listed Municipal Services, Safety and Licensing, City Plan Commission, Finance, Community Development, and Human Resources/IT items.
  • Approved Ordinances #48-25, #49-25 (Dewitt Annexation), and #50-25 by 14-0.
  • Met in closed session from 8:51 p.m. to 9:32 p.m., took no action, and adjourned at 9:34 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I now call to order the Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 meeting of the Appleton Common Council. Do we have an invocation this evening? Okay. Alder Stanzel Martin will deliver the invocation. Please rise. Thank you, Chair. Thank you for the opportunity to give my first invocation of the council. You know, I had a conversation recently with someone here. Uh and I asked what the key was to give a solid invocation, and he told me to follow the five B's. He told me uh debrief, baby, be brief. And so I I think I found a poem using that advice that I'd like to share with you all. Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole. I think whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul. In the fellow clutch of circumstance, I have not winced and cried aloud under the budgetings of chance. My head is bloody but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the horror of the shade, and yet the menace of the years finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul. Thank you. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flags of America and to the Republic. One nation under God, independently liberty and justice for all. All are represented with the exception of Alder Person Jones, who is excused, and Alder Person Schultz is joining us virtually. Thank you. Roll call of officers and department heads. All are represented. Right. We have a motion and a second to approve. Is there any discussion of the minutes? All right, seeing none, please cast your votes. All right, that motion passes 14 to zero. The minutes have been approved. Under business presented by the mayor, uh a couple of proclamations to make note of. Drinking water week in the city of Appleton. And we also recognized Among American Day. And I'll just say again, Appleton was voted as having the best tasting drinking water in the state of Wisconsin not too long ago. So congrats to our utilities team again. All right. On to public participation. At each meeting of the Common Council, the Common Council reserves 30 minutes for members of the public to speak on items that appear on the agenda. We ask that you limit your comments to five minutes per person or less. And I'll help you keep time. Though I I do want to make note that the first the first sign up noted a climate position. And what's before the council, there's there's no position before the council this evening. Welcome, John. Hello, everybody. Um, thank you for the opportunity to come and speak in front of the common council. Uh my name is uh John Adams, and um uh my role uh I guess with the city is uh is in an advisory role to the common council of on the ASAP or sustainability and climate resiliency panel.

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