The Common Council met on July 15, 2026, to consider a lengthy agenda including a proposed truancy ordinance extension, a resolution on oversight for automated license plate readers (ALPRs), and multiple items related to the creation of Tax Increment District (TID) #14 for a large mixed-use development by Thrivent/North Meadows. After extensive public comment and debate, the council failed to extend the truancy ordinance, referred the ALPR resolution back to committee, and approved the TID #14 project package 9-3.
Good evening. I now call to order the Wednesday, July 15th, 2026 meeting of the Appleton Common Council. Please rise for the invocation which will be delivered by Alder Hartzheim. Thank you, Chair. In August of 1776, just weeks after the American Declaration of Independence was signed, Samuel Adams, perhaps remembered today as much for beer as for his statesman's statesmanship, reflected on the significance of the declaration and the new nation it had brought into being. He said, quote, other nations have received their laws from conquerors. Some are indebted for a constitution to the suffering of their ancestors through revolving centuries. The people of this country alone have formally and deliberately chosen a government for themselves, and with open and uninfluenced consent, bound themselves into a social compact. End quote. His words remind us that in America, honor and authority are not inherited by birth or wealth, but entrusted by the people. As Adam spoke to the privilege of self-government. John F. Kennedy reminded us 170 years later, quote, we cannot assume that the struggle is ended. It is never ending. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. It was the price yesterday, it is the price today, and it will ever be the price. End quote. Freedom and good government are not to be taken for granted. They are our responsibility. Four decades later, Ronald Reagan expressed a truth that remains relevant. Quote, the things that unite us, America's past, of which we are so proud, our hopes and aspirations for the future of the world in this much-loved country. These things far outweigh what little divides us. We pledge ourselves to each other and to the cause of human freedom, the cause that has given light to this land and hope to the world. End quote. Tonight, let us give thanks to God or whoever might be your higher power for the blessings of liberty, for those who have sacrificed to preserve it, and for the opportunity to serve our neighbors in local government. We ask for the courage to do what is right rather than what's easy. May we remain grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and always be faithful stewards of the responsibilities those freedoms require. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance. All are represented with the exceptions of Alder Persons Hayden, Jones, and Stancil Narton, who are excused. And roll call of officers and department heads. All are represented with the exception of Library Director Rortford, Health Officer Siepers, HR Director Ratchman, and General Manager McDonald. They are all excused. All right, thank you. 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 12 to zero. The minutes have been approved. All right, on a business presented by the mayor, a number of proclamations to bring to your attention. We are recognizing Parks and Recreation Month, National Disability Awareness Month. We celebrated Houdini Day. And a children's week is coming up. That'll be next week. A number of different programs around the community, including the children's parade. So it'll be a great week of activities and uh look forward to seeing folks out and about at those. I have no further business to present to you this evening. And uh as we we come to public participation uh seeing uh some some new faces and and in the room tonight. Uh thank you all for being here.