Appleton Common Council Meeting - April 15, 2026
Appleton Common Council Meeting - April 15, 2026
The Common Council met on April 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, with Mayor Jake Woodford presiding. 15 alderpersons were present (one excused). The meeting approved a special use permit for a year-round shelter, a final plat, and a barricade system, while deferring a resolution on ranked-choice voting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Steve Wuerger (813 W Bent Oak Lane), President of Providence Promise Board, spoke in favor of Special Use Permit #1-26 for a year-round shelter at 314 N Appleton Street. He noted meetings with neighbors and committed to ongoing communication.
- Vince Salvia (4021 E Benvalley Drive) shared a personal story of helping homeless individuals and strongly supported the shelter, emphasizing the need for coordinated services.
- Marissa Downs (2520 E Apple Hill Blvd), owner of Rise Apartments, expressed support but requested that the plan of operation be expanded to include a “good neighbor agreement” with provisions for outdoor behavior, security response, and shared boundaries to proactively reduce issues.
- Katie Olson (1720 W Reeve Street) spoke in support, noting the location’s proximity to services and the organization’s commitment to dignity.
Discussion Items
- Special Use Permit #1-26 – Year-Round Shelter (26-0418): Director Homan clarified that a good neighbor agreement would be difficult to enforce as a condition unless tied to substantial evidence. Alderperson Hartzheim expressed satisfaction with the current plan of operation. The council approved the permit (14-0).
- Glenmore Park Final Plat (26-0419): Approved without discussion (14-0).
- Resolution #3-R-26 – Ranked-Choice Voting (26-0433): Alderperson Wolff moved to hold the item to the next regular Common Council meeting, noting the next meeting is an organizational meeting. The motion passed (14-0), deferring action.
- Meridian Rapid Defense Group Barrier System (26-0445): A detailed discussion ensued. Alderperson Hartzheim requested a cost breakdown, which was distributed. Mayor Woodford explained the funding source: interest earned on approximately $14 million in ARPA funds, not taxpayer dollars. Sergeant Bees noted certifications (DHS, ASTM, MASH) and liability protections. Alderperson Heffernan asked about liability and future maintenance costs. The mayor indicated a task force will develop implementation policies and that interoperability with other municipalities will be pursued. One nay vote (Alderperson Wolff) was cast due to concerns about future fee increases. The council approved the purchase (13-1). Delivery expected in ~30 days; use anticipated for the 2026 event season.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Special Use Permit for shelter at 314 N Appleton Street (14-0).
- Approved: Glenmore Park Final Plat (14-0).
- Held: Ranked-choice voting resolution to next regular meeting (14-0).
- Approved: Purchase of Meridian barrier system for approximately $1 million, funded from ARPA interest earnings (13-1, Alderperson Wolff dissenting).
- Approved: Balance of agenda items en bloc (14-0), including ADI College Avenue Banners, temporary occupancy permit for ADI farm market dumpsters, Van Ert Electric emergency contract ($57,000), wastewater tunnel painting contract ($189,985), wastewater tunnel roofing contract ($137,665), FCEC MOU with Driftwood Hospitality, Unit W-26 change order #2 ($40,000), and board/committee reappointments.
- Not convened: Closed session on Fox Cities Exhibition Center MOU was not held.
- Other: Proclamations for Autism Acceptance Month were made. Alderperson Meltzer noted the statewide flood emergency and urged support for affected neighbors.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I now call to order the Wednesday, April 15th, 2026 meeting of the Appleton Common Council. Please rise for the invocation, which will be delivered by Alder Smith. I'd like to use this invocation to honor and remember my dear colleague Danielle Joyner. She died suddenly and unexpectedly from cardiac arrest while leading a group of students on a spring break trip to visit art museums in New York City. Nothing gave her more joy, true joy than the chance to introduce anyone, students especially to the wonders of the past. In the winter term, she and I co-taught a class. We had plans to co-teach another class in the fall. She was also the co-founder with me of the Appleton Lyceum speaker series at the Appleton Library. She even gave the first talk, which was about the elements of Gothic architecture in Appleton's churches. And you'd be surprised how many details and connections she teased out of photos of the old churches we walk by every day. Her name was Dan Jell Danielle Joyner, and she was a joiner. It's her last name, but I mean it literally is a person who brought people together. Next week I'll be sworn in for my second term as alder person. So now I've had two years to reflect on being an alder person. And what stands out to me is the joining that is inherent in the work. We live in this vibrant city. We bring with us connections to many smaller communities within the city. Those smaller communities are sometimes satisfied doing their own thing, minding their own business, but one part of our work is to make these communities known to each other. In memorial to Danielle, I'd like to redouble my effort at being a joiner of communities. Two Appleton residents suffered a grievous injury last week. Margie and Alan Hopfinsberger were in Thursday's terrible rollover car crash on Wisconsin and Meade. I'd have read about that. Both were hospitalized, they're now in critical condition. Margie, especially is in uh rough condition. There's another shocking accident this time at an intersection. Our family has driven through thousands of times. Margie has served as a welcoming presence on Sunday mornings for everyone entering St. Mary Catholic Church. And tonight they have uh a service, the Eucharistic Adoration is directed in memory of her. I learned this week that one of her siblings is a nun, another a priest. So Margie came by her love for church gatherings naturally. She's as dedicated to St. Mary's as she could possibly be, short of making it her actual vocation. I pray that Margie will recover and we will be greeted again by her. If we reflect on our communities, all of our communities, no doubt each of us could call to mind others like Margie, who give selflessly of their time and at least figuratively welcome people at the doors. Margie too holds a lesson for Alderpersons. When we close our eyes and think about why we vote this way or that, why we support this policy or that one, it's to support or make easier the work of all these community sustainers who make our city what it is. Thank you. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance of the United States of America and to the Republic, which it stands under indivisible with liberty and trust. Council Martin, who has excused. All right, and roll call of officers and department heads. All are represented. Okay. Is there any discussion of the minutes? Hearing none, please cast your votes. All right, that motion passes 14 to zero. The minutes have been approved. On to business presented by the mayor, uh, an additional proclamation uh for your uh information.
openpublica.com