Appleton Common Council Meeting: July 15, 2026 – Truancy, ALPR, and TID #14 Votes
Appleton Common Council Meeting: July 15, 2026
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.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the June 17, 2026 meeting minutes (12-0).
- Approved routine committee recommendations including: pavement marking contract ($43,026.73 to Crowley Construction Corp.), long-term temporary occupancy permit for Il Bar LLC, various license renewals (Cigarette/Tobacco/Vaping, Pet Store, Taxicab), temporary alcohol license amendments for Mile of Music (Riverside Bar & Grill, Fox River House, Emmett's Bar and Grill, Jim's Place), new alcohol licenses (Bocce Bacci, Cold Shot), Foxport Extraterritorial Final Plat, Canyon Ridge Preliminary Plat, Stone Ridge Estates West Final Plat, U.S. Venture private special event, Mile of Music alcohol sales extension, police department exterior caulking contract ($212,790), rejection of a storm sewer bid, acceptance of a DNR Safe Drinking Water Loan (50% principal forgiveness for lead service line replacement, $404,250), related budget amendment and resolution, Fox Cities Transit wireless equipment and data plan award, professional services agreement for flood mitigation land acquisition ($221,500), and an ordinance creating Section 20-45 for private lead service line replacement financing and special charges.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Truancy Ordinance (Item 26-0758): Stephanie Marta (AASD Attendance Coordinator), Michelle Pauli, Jason Kolpack (AASD Board member), Kay Eggert (AASD Board President), Edward Ruffalo (AASD Board member), Ronna Swift, and Mitch Anderson spoke. The school district representatives and board members expressed support for extending the truancy ordinance for one more year, citing it as a last-resort tool that has contributed to improved attendance. Michelle Pauli opposed, citing research that punitive measures disproportionately harm minority students and are ineffective. Mitch Anderson questioned whether the ordinance was a “scare tactic.”
- ALPR Resolution (Item 26-0825) and Flock Termination (Item 26-0848): Over 20 residents spoke, including representatives from the ACLU of Wisconsin (Amanda Merkwae) and many Appleton and Fox Valley residents. The overwhelming majority urged the council to send the resolution back to committee for stronger protections, or to impose a moratorium on ALPR technology, citing recent misuse incidents nationwide (e.g., LAPD termination, officer arrests in Wisconsin and Georgia). Several called for a citizen-drafted ordinance with more robust safeguards (end-to-end encryption, local data storage, warrant requirements). A small number of speakers, including Katrina deVille, supported the concept while calling for more community-based oversight.
- TID #14 / North Meadows Development (Items 26-0867, 26-0737, 26-0891, 26-0943): Deb Blank, Walter Blank, John VanDerKolk, and Mike Krupsky spoke in opposition. They argued that TID #14 would raise property taxes for all Appleton taxpayers, that Thrivent (a large financial corporation with $212 billion in assets) does not need public subsidies, and that the TID would burden schools by not capturing incremental value for 20 years. They cited an analysis from the MacIver Institute indicating TIDs increase mill rates.
- Special Event Denial (Item 26-0850): Rahb Kettleson spoke in favor of his disc golf pop-up event, disputing the police record that led to denial; he described an incident where officers drew guns on him during a park measurement.
Discussion Items
- Truancy Ordinance (26-0758): Alderperson Croatt moved to approve the amendment by substitution (one-year extension). Supporters (Alderpersons Croatt, Smith, Firkus, Hartzheim, Lambrecht) argued that the ordinance is a rarely used last resort, that it provides a needed accountability tool for compulsory education, and that educators and school board members support it. Opponents (Alderpersons Heffernan, Meltzer, Wolff, and others) argued that attendance improvements are due to the district's support systems, not the threat of citations, and cited concerns about disproportionate impact on minority students, high potential costs to families, and the lack of evidence that citations drive improvement. After debate, the motion failed 6-6 (one abstention).
- ALPR Oversight Resolution (26-0825): Alderperson Meltzer moved to refer Resolution #9-R-26 back to the Safety and Licensing Committee for further work on amendments. The motion was accepted without objection, sending the item to the July 22 committee meeting.
- Flock Termination Final Recommendation (26-0848): The council approved the recommendation to cease payments to Flock and have the cameras removed. Alderperson Croatt noted the termination letter sent June 30; covers were placed on cameras. Some covers may have blown off and will be rechecked.
- TID #14 Development Package (Items 26-0867, 26-0737, 26-0891, 26-0943): Director Homan provided an overview of the four related items: the development agreement, the TID creation resolution, the fire station land option ($1 purchase price), and the cost reimbursement amendment. Supporters (Alderpersons Fenton, Smith, Schultz, Lambrecht) emphasized that the TID will fund essential public infrastructure (e.g., Evergreen Drive extension) and ensure a mix of housing types (including smaller lots for affordability). They noted risk mitigation via a letter of credit, clawback provisions if developer returns exceed 15%, and that the TID increment will only reimburse public infrastructure. Opponents (Alderpersons Hartzheim, Wolff, Croatt) argued that the TID shifts tax burden to all other taxpayers, enriches a wealthy corporation, and will burden schools for 20 years. The development agreement passed 9-3, as did the TID #14 consolidated action items (9-3), the cost reimbursement second amendment (9-3), and the fire station option (9-3).
- Veterans Memorial Concept Plan (26-0827): Parks and Recreation Director Flick described the concept plan developed with a veterans committee, to be installed at the Scheig Center using underutilized green space. The council approved it 12-0.
- Special Event Denial (26-0850): The council upheld the committee's denial recommendation (12-0), based on police department concerns about the applicant's past interactions.
Key Outcomes
- Truancy Ordinance Extension (26-0758): FAILED (6-6 vote). The ordinance will not be extended; it will sunset as previously scheduled.
- ALPR Oversight Resolution (26-0825): REFERRED BACK TO COMMITTEE (no objection). The Safety and Licensing Committee will meet July 22, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss amendments.
- Flock Termination (26-0848): APPROVED (12-0). Payments to Flock ceased; camera removal requested by July 31, 2026; covers will be maintained.
- TID #14 Development Agreements and Related Items (26-0867, 26-0737, 26-0891, 26-0943): ALL APPROVED (9-3 on each). The city will proceed with creating TID #14, entering a development agreement with North Meadows Investment Ltd. (Thrivent), executing an option to purchase land for a fire station at $1, and amending the cost reimbursement agreement to add $395,500 to escrow (total ceiling $630,668.75).
- Veterans Memorial Concept Plan (26-0827): APPROVED (12-0). The concept plan will move toward fundraising and detailed design.
- Special Event Denial (26-0850): UPHELD (12-0). The disc golf pop-up event at Erb Park was denied.
- Balance of Agenda Items: APPROVED (12-0). All other routine committee reports and action items were adopted.
- Closed Session: The council convened closed session at 10:17 p.m. to discuss potential real estate acquisition related to public utilities (Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(e)). No action was taken; the meeting was adjourned at 10:41 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
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.
openpublica.com