Appleton Common Council Meeting - December 17, 2025

The Appleton Common Council met at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in Council Chambers, with Mayor Jake Woodford presiding. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. and adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Fourteen alderpersons were present, including Alderperson Heffernan virtually; Alderpersons Smith and Jones were excused, and all department heads were represented. No public hearings, special resolutions, ordinances, or items held were on the agenda. The Council approved the prior meeting minutes, received Mayor's business, heard no public comment, referred two license appeals back to committee, approved the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, and approved the balance of the agenda en bloc.

Consent Calendar and En Bloc Approvals

• Approved the Common Council minutes of December 3, 2025 (13-0; Mayor Woodford abstained).
• Approved appointment of Election Inspectors for the 2026-2027 election cycle (12-0; Alderperson Hartzheim and Mayor Woodford abstained, 2 excused).
• Approved Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board reappointment (13-0; Mayor abstained).
• Approved the balance of the agenda as recommended by committees (13-0; Mayor abstained), including:
  • Municipal Services: 2026 DPW Fee Schedule; Long-Term Temporary Occupancy Permit 25-206-T for the Apple Ridge construction dumpster on Baldeagle Drive and Harrier Lane through January 9, 2026; State Municipal Financial Agreements 1130-65-71 (I-41 Mainline Meade to Ballard), 1130-65-72 (I-41 Mainline Ballard to French), 1130-65-74 (STH 441 Mainline CTH OO to I-41), and 1130-65-78 (I-41/STH 441 Interchange); 2026 contract with SCS Engineers for operation, maintenance, and monitoring at the closed City of Appleton Landfill in an amount not to exceed $79,950, with authorization for annual contract extensions through 2035; and revisions to the Residential Refuse Cart Exchange/Addition Policy.
  • Safety and Licensing: approval of the denial recommendation for the operator license of Tosheba Jackson; 2026 secondhand jewelry, secondhand article, and pawnbroker license renewals contingent upon approval from all departments; Class B Beer License application for PNK LLC d/b/a Juicy Shrimp Shack, Paul Vang, Agent, contingent upon approval from the Inspections department; cigarette, tobacco, and electronic vaping device license application for NAC LLC d/b/a OB's Brau Haus, Christopher Nelis, Agent; and proposed revisions to the Special Events Policy.
  • City Plan Commission: Comet Ridge Final Plat approval, subject to conditions in the staff memo; release of drainage easement for Lot 15 of Lumbini Estates (Tax Id #31-9-4161-41), subject to recording a correction instrument with the Calumet County Register of Deeds.
  • Finance: 2025 budget amendments including Police asset forfeiture funds of $32,975 for new SWAT equipment, Police K9 and bike helmet donations of $36,720 with related expense increases, and Hazardous Materials state aid of $17,542 for equipment; Charter Ordinance Section 3-131 changes regarding Board of Review meeting timing; U-26 Water Main Reconstruction award to Kruczek Construction in the amount of $357,000 with a contingency of $35,000 for a total not to exceed $392,000; DNR Lead Service Line Replacement Community Outreach Grant acceptance for private-side outreach in the amount of $65,000 with a 2026 Water Utility budget amendment; BB-25 Parking Structure Roof Replacement Change Order #1 in the amount of $59,330, bringing the not-to-exceed contract total to $236,190 with a new contingency of $2,500; Unit G-26 Pond Dredging award to Advance Construction Inc. in the amount of $119,802.75 with a contingency of $11,980.27 for a total not to exceed $131,783.02; AWWTP MCC Replacement Project Phase 1 award to Van Ert Electric Co., Inc. in the amount of $1,605,450 with a 10% contingency for a project total not to exceed $1,765,995; write-off of $62,590.10 in accounts receivable and $16,005.50 in personal property taxes outstanding over one year; and Change Order #2 to Fabick Power Systems totaling $93,148.50 with associated budget amendment.
  • Utilities: 2026A Stormwater Management Plan review contract to Brown and Caldwell in an amount not to exceed $40,000; 2026B contract to raSmith in an amount not to exceed $40,000; acceptance of the DNR Lead Service Line Replacement Community Outreach Grant in the amount of $65,000; and Renewable Natural Gas Purchase and Site Lease Agreement between Terreva Outagamie RNG and the Appleton Department of Utilities.
  • Human Resources and IT: approval of the Appleton Police Department reorganization.
  • Fox Cities Transit Commission: 2026 intergovernmental agreements with Outagamie, Winnebago, and Calumet Counties for specialized transportation, contingent on each county's approval; Northern Winnebago Dial-A-Ride agreements with the City of Neenah and the Village of Fox Crossing, contingent on each approval; and the 2025-2026 Federal Section 5310 sub-recipient contract.

Public Comments and Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak during Public Participation.

Mayor's Business, Announcements and Recognition

• Parade Committee Chairman Corey Otis presented the Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade Awards for the 54th parade held November 25, 2025. Bobber's Bar received Best Commercial Entry; The Salvation Army Fox Cities received Best Non-Commercial Entry; and Eric's Winter and Landscape Service received the Bernie Perlman Memorial Trophy. Otis also noted the upcoming 75th Appleton Flag Day Parade and the nation's 250th birthday in 2026.
• Mayor Woodford announced that Finance Director Oman will move into the Enterprise Account Manager position within the finance department. A search for a new Finance Director will begin after the start of the new year, with Director Oman continuing until a new director is appointed or until March 2026, whichever comes first.
• The Mayor read a citation honoring retiring Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Director Dean Gazza for 20 years of service, approximately $200 million in capital improvement projects, and approximately $50 million in operating budgets. Several alderpersons stood and offered tributes praising his leadership, mentorship, and the department's accomplishments.

Discussion Items

• 25-1091 Mechanical Amusement Device License for Mad Elephant, Chisa Jitmaiwong, Agent, located at 1222 S. Oneida St. - appeal of application denial: Alderperson Croatt moved, seconded by Alderperson Hartzheim, to refer the item back to the Safety and Licensing Committee. The voice vote carried with no opposition. Croatt said the committee wanted an opportunity to discuss the Attorney Berwin memo with the applicant or the applicant's attorney, who were not present at the committee meeting.
• 25-1456 Mechanical Amusement Device License for Houdini's Escape Gastropub, Katelyn James, Agent, located at 1216 S. Oneida St. - appeal of application denial: referred back to the Safety and Licensing Committee without objection, for essentially the same reason.
• 25-1498 Appleton Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2026-2030: Alderperson Schultz separated the item for discussion. Director Gazza said the plan reflects community input and includes more parks in underserved areas, more pickleball courts, dog-friendly areas, trails, and green space. He also noted that an updated plan is necessary for the city to apply for state grants. The Council approved the plan 13-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of December 3, 2025 (13-0; Mayor abstained).
• Approved Election Inspector appointments for 2026-2027 (12-0; 2 abstentions, 2 excused).
• Approved CDBG Advisory Board reappointment (13-0; Mayor abstained).
• Referred Mad Elephant and Houdini's Escape mechanical amusement device license appeals back to the Safety and Licensing Committee.
• Approved Appleton Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2026-2030 (13-0; Mayor abstained).
• Approved the balance of the agenda en bloc (13-0; Mayor abstained), approving all committee recommendations listed above.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.