The Winnebago County ADRC committee approved continuing its annual specialized transportation assistance grant funding and heard updates on accessibility services, dementia programs, resource navigation, tornado-response data and advocacy. Members also discussed outreach ideas and reported service and staffing updates.

Discussion Points

•About 40 people attended a driver's safety presentation in person and virtually.
•A committee member asked for monthly protective-services figures to help support a budget case for a supervisor position.
•A committee member raised concerns about past ramp restrictions or aesthetic requirements in Oshkosh; Potter said she was not aware of a specific local prohibition and offered to connect and research further.
•A six-week Powerful Tools workshop in Oshkosh had eight participants.
•A staff member said a continuing stopgap funding measure was scheduled to expire Dec. 11 and encouraged support for continued Older Americans Act funding.
•A staff member said they would look into the tax-credit issue.
•Carl said he had not yet spoken with corporation counsel and did not anticipate accepting money from Winnebago County or an entity on which he could make a decision.
•Carl said the website was available in 34 states and expected all 50 states to be included by the end of the week.
•Carl said the website was free, had no sign-up requirement or ads, and included accessibility options such as larger text and screen-reader support.
•Carl summarized six policy priorities attributed to the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities: home- and community-based services, home-health aide insurance, school regulations, benefit limits, affordable housing and transportation for nondrivers.
•Continuum-of-care panels were held at local venues, with another scheduled at the senior center and one at Aspire.
•Information and assistance accounted for 352 15-minute increments, followed by long-term care functional screens and medical assistance application support.
•Members discussed sharing the site on ADRC channels or linking it from official sites.
•Nicole Hesmovich, the aging and adult services supervisor, and Alfredo Vera Perez, a staff member, had given notice.
•Potter described accessibility modifications, accessible vehicles, equipment sales, rentals and service.
•Potter recommended a one-to-12 ramp slope where feasible and said ramps as steep as one-to-five had been encountered.
•Potter said Access was advocating statewide adoption of stricter building-code ramp standards.
•Staff expected to seek expert help and report more about overlap and outcomes at the December meeting.
•The ADRC served 640 unduplicated people in October; the previous month was reported at about 690.
•The ADRC was comparing its internal service records with an address list supplied through GIS after the tornado.
•The agency reported 57 enrollments: 44 to Family Care and 13 to IRIS.
•The chair said the homestead tax credit was $24,680 and had not increased in close to 25 years, and described applicants missing eligibility by small amounts.
•The fifth annual A Day with Lewy conference in Green Lake drew 165 people.
•The funding supports transportation for older adults and people with disabilities.
•The grant is an annual application; the bulk of the funding is split equally between GO Transit and Valley Transit.
•The presenter clarified that A Day with Lewy began in Dodge County, not Oshkosh.
•The presenter said about 33% to 50% of cases with Alzheimer's co-pathology also involve Lewy body dementia and that diagnosis averages 18 months and three doctors; these figures were presented by the speaker.
•The presenter said advocacy training and Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network webinars would be shared with members.
•The source data was marked not for public release, according to the staff member.
•The staff member said the list included location and impact details and that identifying information was removed from the committee presentation.
•The website checks linked sites and contact information once a month, according to Carl.

Decisions

•The committee approved continuing grant funding and using the grants as before.

Directions

•A staff member said advocacy materials and webinar information would be circulated.
•A staff member said the group could discuss whether the website could be added to official sites.
•A staff member said they would look into the homestead tax credit concern.
•Potter offered to follow up with the committee member about the local ramping concerns.
•Staff said it would engage other experts to help with the comparison and aim to provide an update at the December meeting.
•Staff said it would seek the protective-services figures and share them with the committee member.

Nov

Personnel and Finance Committee

The Winnebago County Personnel & Finance Committee met to review financial reports, hear updates on investments and the Spirit Fund, and approve grant applications and several budget and pay-schedule adjustments. Members approved applications for HUD and PATH homeless services grants, a FEMA public-assistance request for tornado damage, a Parkview transportation rate increase, and small budget and pay-schedule changes.

Discussion Points

•Clerk-of-courts requested $105 daily stipend; included in budget.
•HUD CoC SSO grant would fund staff/case management but not rent assistance.
•Local match to be provided by existing staff time and partner services.
•Medicaid pays $20; private taxis typically charge $50–$75.
•PATH grant targets persons with mental-health/substance-use diagnoses.
•Portfolio size and recent securities purchases.
•Projects might include Fox Campus, salt shed, fiber infrastructure; Category C administrative costs were included.
•Proposed increase from $20 to $40 to reflect market and costs.
•Reserve officers to receive 4.5% increase to match deputies' agreement.
•Spirit Fund reported unspent/projected amounts required follow-up.
•Staff provided preliminary eligible-cost estimates and percentage breakdowns for FEMA/state reimbursement.

Decisions

•Committee approved application and acceptance if awarded.
•Committee approved both adjustments.
•Committee approved rate increase.
•Committee authorized filing for FEMA PA.

Directions

•HR to update pay schedule and clarify formatting.
•If awarded, staff to accept and implement per grant terms; staff to return updates as needed.
•Staff to finalize costs during FEMA scoping and report back.
•Staff to follow up on Spirit Fund packet figures and how the near-$2 billion unspent amount was derived.
•Staff to implement the new rate and review rates annually.

Nov

Aging & Disability Resource Center Commission

Winnebago County ADRC committee met to hold a public hearing and approve the annual specialized transportation assistance (85-21) grant, heard a presentation from Cassandra Potter of Access about home and vehicle accessibility, reviewed dementia and aging-program updates including a Lewy Body conference and local workshops, discussed tornado-response data from county GIS, and noted upcoming advocacy work and staff departures.

Discussion Points

•Access described services, ramp and stair-lift installation practices, and safety standards.
•Committee members raised sharing and metrics questions.
•Exit interviews being conducted; staff will provide requested statistics.
•GIS spreadsheet provided by county contained identifying information and was redacted for committee review.
•Lewy Body conference attendance and partnerships.
•Matching ADRC internal data to GIS lists is time-consuming and will require external help.
•Memory cafe and caregiver workshop availability and scheduling.
•Site auto-checks links monthly, currently covers 34 states.
•Staff described 85-21 grant purpose and split of funds between GO Transit and Valley Transit.
•Supervisor and staff resignations announced.

Decisions

•Committee approved continued funding use for 85-21 grant.

Directions

•Access to research local permitting in Oshkosh and provide follow-up contact materials.
•Engage experts to merge datasets and prepare a report for December meeting.
•Staff to circulate materials and the PDF handout and to report additional tornado-response client-match findings at the December meeting.
•Staff to consider adding link to ADRC pages and consult corporation counsel if necessary.
•Staff to submit annual 85-21 application and continue fund distribution.
•Staff to supply protective-services numbers and report on coverage plans.

Nov

Board of Health

Winnebago County Board of Health convened, heard a presentation on a regional emergency-preparedness guide, received updates on a FEMA public assistance application related to the July tornado, reviewed the department income statement, and heard operational updates (environmental health, WIC, immunizations, fall-prevention) before voting to move the December meeting to Dec. 10.

Discussion Points

•Application will include only FEMA-eligible costs and is not comprehensive of total county disaster expense
•Approach for people without mobile phones (letters)
•Complaint intake updates and interagency referrals
•County measles page and an embedded DHS dashboard will provide county-level data and historical trends
•Estimated eligible costs roughly $220,000; $250,000 used as contingency
•Expanded car-seat clinic schedule for 2027
•Guide purpose and grant constraints; need to identify joint activities without combining funds
•Lead abatement invoices increased contractual services for the month
•Lead program caseload and LSHIP/HUD activities
•Month-to-month variances driven by extra pay periods and invoice timing
•Operating revenue ~41% with 75% of year elapsed; labor expenses ~78%
•Staffing transition and internal promotion
•State-level leadership and cross-jurisdictional representation in development
•Statewide measles cases concentrated in under-vaccinated communities
•Text-message outreach and follow-up numbers
•Timing and grant-year variability affecting deliverables
•VFC covers uninsured/underinsured children; others should use pharmacy or pediatrician services

Directions

•Application to be routed through BNF and county board
•Board members to read the guide and bring questions back at a future meeting
•Continue metrics reporting and partner coordination
•Department to produce translated flyers and social media templates and share with regional partners; prepare historical trend analysis on vaccination rates upon request
•Proceed with transition and post job descriptions for any open roles
•Provide trend analyses and program-level reconciliations at future meetings

Nov

Industrial Development Board 11.04.2026

Discussion of tornado recovery priorities, neighborhood reinvestment, water-treatment and PFAS concerns, distribution of $200,000 in municipal allocations, a motion to table an item, and scheduling for a December meeting and contract continuation with ADC.

Discussion Points

•Chair asked staff to circulate scheduling survey and referred contract continuation with ADC to future meeting
•Chair requested formal approval in December after municipalities submit receipts
•Explore neighborhood reinvestment and whether revolving-loan funds can be tied to recovery
•Method of distribution: administrative population basis; statement-of-intent sent before final amounts
•Need to assess housing damage and possible demolition; about a hundred properties estimated
•Need to clean up Fox River and local waterways to aid resiliency
•PFAS and changing DNR rules could affect treatment plant rebuilding
•Staff capacity is stretched by unpermitted work and will affect recovery timeline
•Staff comfort with sending the statement-of-intent letter next week
•Three municipalities have not yet claimed 2026 funds
•Whether aviation data would be shown on dashboard (staff said no)

Decisions

•Motion to table passed by voice vote

Directions

•Julie to send scheduling survey
•Return with more detailed recovery plan in future meeting
•Staff to circulate scheduling survey (Julie) and provide past approval packets
•Staff to compile past approvals and materials for review
•Staff to follow up with municipalities for invoices
•Staff to prepare aviation report and provide accumulative dashboard totals
•Staff to provide technical guidance and follow-up information on water-treatment implications
•Staff to send past approvals and packet materials

Nov

Aviation Committee

At the November Winnebago County Aviation Committee meeting members mourned the death of long-time chair Marybeth Gabbard, received a hangar construction and tenant-selection update, approved an underground electric easement with Wisconsin Public Service, reviewed operations and safety incidents, and agreed to post a county board vacancy.

Discussion Points

•Announcement of the death of chair Marybeth Gabbard and public remembrances.
•Contractor delays; paving scheduled; tenant selection process.
•Description of easement covers mostly existing underground utilities; small portion for new facilities.
•Plan to post county board vacancy in the newspaper twice; county rules require filling the seat within 30 days.
•Transition to winter ops; installed drain at M-hangar to reduce flooding; two hit-and-run incidents damaging fence recorded.

Decisions

•Easement approved by motion and voice vote.

Directions

•Clerk to post vacancy; county board to accept applications.
•Security to repair fence sections; staff to pursue insurance claims.
•Staff to contact selected tenants and pursue occupancy certificate.

Nov

Solid Waste Management Board

Winnebago County solid waste staff presented a proposal to explore reactivating a University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh biodigester; the board voted to decline funding a roughly $7,900 desktop review. The meeting also covered a single bid for next-year hauling and a personnel hire.

Discussion Points

•Facility history, capacity (8,000–10,000 tons/year), 370 kW engine, digestate handling, feedstock quality concerns.
•Only one bid received; Best Enterprises proposed ~41% higher base rate; estimated 2027 hauling cost ~$1.8M vs budgeted $2.19M.
•Staff announced departure of Edith Furman and hire of Darlene Swenson to fill the solid waste specialist role.
•Staff described facility history, capacity and potential revenue streams; board raised concerns about maintenance, staffing and market for digestate.

Decisions

•Board declined to fund the desktop review
•No desktop review authorized at this meeting
•Position filled and new hire started training Oct. 19
•Work awarded to Best Enterprises (staff report)

Directions

•Proceed with contract award and monitor; consider regional procurement with Brown County.
•Staff recommended a desktop review and potential site visit by consultant if board chose to pursue.
•Staff to keep monitoring but not to commission the desktop review at this time.

Nov

Parks Commission

Winnebago County Parks Commission heard a presentation from Sunnyview BMX organizers about their 2023 season and facilities, discussed a trial $5 special-event parking fee that generated about $30,588 and proposed using a portion for field improvements, approved a $7,819 budget amendment for seed and fertilizer, and received an update on the boat-launch/parking construction after a crane tipped and damaged a precast bathroom.

Discussion Points

•Clarified that staff labor is not charged to the amendment and that finance recommended a rounded amount.
•Club operates as a 501(c)(3), runs on volunteers and coordinates maintenance with Parks staff.
•Commissioners raised ADA concerns and asked about vendor contract exemptions.
•Contractors and insurers are treating recovery and replacement as their responsibility.
•Crane tip occurred in October while setting a precast restroom; no injuries.
•Environmental containment and cleanup were performed; the county rejected the bathroom due to structural concerns and hairline cracks.
•Proposed amendment to move $7,819 from parking-fee account to 2026 expense accounts for seed and fertilizer.
•Staff proposed allocating funds for fertilization and overseeding of soccer and rugby fields.
•Staff reported $30,588 collected via $5 event parking fee across three events.
•Sunnyview BMX presented participation, fundraising, facility upgrades and youth programs.

Decisions

•Budget amendment of $7,819 approved by commission voice vote.

Directions

•Contractor to order replacement restroom and pour new foundation; staff to monitor cleanup and schedule impacts and report back to the commission.
•Create an ad hoc committee including clubs to guide spending if fee continues.
•Staff to consult the county code and Mary Anne about ADA/exemption possibilities and to solicit parking plans from vendors.
•Staff to forward the amended item to the Personal Finance Committee and schedule seeding work; staff to report back on outcomes.
•Staff to share contact info and coordinate follow-up about signage and scheduling.

Nov

Land Conservation Committee

Winnebago County Land and Water Conservation Department meeting: staff and partners reported on conservation programs, a soil-health presentation, funding and cost-share approvals including a $4,000 well-abandonment grant and a $1,580 Spirit Fund buffer payment, and completed the Sanders Bay restoration project.

Discussion Points

•AMP grant has about 10–11 landowners signed up for practices; sign‑up window expires in August.
•Approved well‑abandonment and Spirit Fund buffer payments.
•Contractor Radke's credited for construction and the project had media coverage.
•County counsel found no statutory duty for the department to do a full wetland assessment; staff can advise on watershed practices and DNR dredging permits.
•County programs include one‑, three‑ and six‑year contracts for cover crops and no‑till; outreach via field days and targeted communications.
•R.A. Smith administered MS4 permit work this year; contract renewal planned for 2027.
•Resident group requested county assessment of a ~60‑acre wetland blocked by zebra mussel shells and cited Chapter 92.
•Reviewed project list including manure‑pit abandonments and enforcement options.
•Sanders Bay restoration reported finished; reimbursements and grant accounting being finalized.
•Six soil‑health principles outlined: minimize disturbance, maximize living roots and cover, increase diversity, integrate livestock and farmer.
•Trade‑offs include equipment wear, slower spring warming and potential compaction; county lacks precise local tillage data.

Decisions

•Well abandonment and Spirit Fund buffer payments approved by voice vote.

Directions

•Committee members encouraged to refer landowners and provide input by Dec. 1 on related board elections.
•Continue outreach (flyers, social media, field days) and provide program materials to local conservation clubs.
•Department to process reimbursements and track six funding sources; continue monitoring site performance over next several years.
•Encourage local property owners to consider forming channel associations or pooled funding for cleanup.
•Offer program design and incentives to help farmers trial cover crops/no‑till without undue financial risk.
•Staff to continue advising residents on watershed actions and DNR permitting for dredging.
•Staff to coordinate with highway department to extend MS4 contract and to continue AMP outreach.
•Staff to process reimbursements/payments and continue outreach; send letters to owners of idle manure pits and offer design support where liability exists.

Nov

Judiciary & Public Safety Committee - AMENDED

Winnebago County Judiciary & Public Safety committee heard department reports from the sheriff and district attorney, approved participation in a FEMA public assistance grant for tornado recovery, received a presentation on the STAR jail recovery/reentry program, and heard multiple public commenters urging the sheriff to end the county's 287(g) agreement with ICE.

Discussion Points

•After-action reviews for multiple events noted increased call volumes and potential benefits of private security at fairgrounds.
•Committee members requested clear fiscal-note language showing income vs expense and discussed contingency percentage.
•Committee requested statistical detail (standard deviations, sample sizes) and clearer budget/funding breakdowns.
•Discussion included potential employer partnerships for participant apprenticeships.
•Program presented enrollment and outcome numbers, including DAS-10-risk scores and recidivism comparisons.
•Sheriff reported ICE-related notifications and detainers and clarified that a detainer does not always result in ICE custody.
•Staff described staffing vacancies in dispatch and recruiting strategies including internships.
•Staff estimated $225,000 in county-eligible costs and proposed authorizing up to $250,000 to avoid delay.
•Staff explained FEMA covers ~75% of eligible costs and Wisconsin Emergency Management adds ~12.5%, for ~87.5% total reimbursement.

Decisions

•Committee approved participation in the FEMA Public Assistance grant and authorized up to $250,000.

Directions

•Consider outreach to employers for apprenticeship pathways.
•Continue recruiting and internship pipelines; coordinate with Oshkosh Police Department and event organizers on security plans.
•Finance staff to prepare full fiscal note showing income-versus-expense and to proceed with FEMA scoping meeting.
•Staff to provide DAS-10 distribution, test counts, and breakdown of grant vs. county funding.

Oct

Utilities Committee on 2026-10-27 4:30 PM

The Appleton City Utilities Committee met Oct. 27 to review the utilities department's preliminary 2027 budget, discuss capital and stormwater projects, and review water-main break reports; staff flagged rising chemical costs and several large capital projects that may affect future rates.

Discussion Points

•Administrative/maintenance building needs substantial upgrades to meet ADA and workflow requirements.
•Chemical costs forecast ~12% increase affecting water and wastewater operations.
•Detailed rate proposals to be discussed at council budget session ('budget Saturday').
•Estimates follow AWWA standards; staff noted possible terminology issues ("split") that affect reported volumes.
•Matthias Water Tower scheduled for work next year.
•Motion to approve minutes was made and approved by voice vote (4-0).
•No public hearings or action items on the agenda.
•Oneida Tower currently maintained for cellular equipment; long-term role to be decided.
•Reed Court incident listed with a long duration and an estimated 8,000,000-gallon loss.
•Replacement of galvanized water laterals is underway and funding strategy under discussion.
•Report showed generally good year-to-date water-main performance.
•Riverview Gardens design RFP being prepared; construction budgeted for later years (2028).
•Safety and access upgrades budgeted ~$424,000 for next year (confined space, fall protection, barriers).
•Stormwater projects include ash-tree replanting after tornado damage and Veterans Memorial Park pond expansion planned for 2027.

Decisions

•Meeting adjourned.
•Minutes approved 4-0

Directions

•Committee members encouraged to direct follow-up questions to specified staff points of contact.
•Deputy Director Loper to verify the Reed Court estimate and follow up by email.
•Issue RFP for Riverview Gardens design and pursue grants/PSC guidance for lateral replacement funding.
•Staff to provide detailed budget and rate materials at the full council budget review.
•Staff to return to council with more details on timing, costs and lease implications.

Oct

Fox Cities Transit Commission on 2026-10-27 2:50 PM

The Valley Transit meeting covered approval of minutes and payments, a detailed 2027 budget presentation highlighting vehicle capital needs and rising fuel costs, a proposed $50,000 paratransit rider app, ridership trends showing a September uptick, quarter KPIs (on-time, complaints, safety) and scheduling of future meetings.

Discussion Points

•$50,000 budgeted for paratransit rider app; will connect to Ecolane; expected technology readiness in 2027.
•August fixed-route trips 35,036 (approx. -15% vs prior year); September saw ~10,000 increase; demand-response up ~10%.
•Budget prepared with minimal increases other than wages; capital vehicle and transmission replacements planned; many items expected to be grant-funded.
•Complaints totaled 18 across the quarter (10 in September); operations attributes many issues to detours and driver shortages.
•Demand-response on-time performance exceeded 90% target; fixed-route dipped in September due to construction.
•Staff noted fuel and other line items to watch; payments cover two months of invoices.

Decisions

•App included as a budgeted item; no procurement action taken at this meeting.
•Budget discussed as information item; no adoption recorded.
•Combined payments approved by voice vote.
•KPI report received; no formal remedial action beyond coaching and monitoring recorded.
•Ridership report received as information.

Directions

•Operations to meet with drivers and continue coaching; staff to monitor KPI trends.
•Staff to monitor fuel prices and bring issues back to the board if needed.
•Staff to monitor state/federal revenues and fuel prices and return to board if necessary.
•Staff to plan rollout and integration with partner services; Calumet County excluded from initial adoption.

Oct

County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, October 27, 2026 Annual Budget Session

Winnebago County Board held the 2027 budget public hearing and debated more than a dozen budget amendments, including staffing additions for Human Services and communications, scholarship increases, an independent-counsel funding request, changes to a private on-site wastewater (POUT) user fee, and reductions to some housing/rental-assistance proposals.

Discussion Points

•Arguments about cost recovery and shifting costs to levy versus keeping user fee recovery.
•Corp counsel and staff clarified mandated services and funding sources.
•Cost and effectiveness of outside counsel vs hiring deputies within corporation counsel.
•Finance explained accounting of scholarship fund and levy transfers.
•Legal authority and statutory constraints on creating board-directed counsel (AG opinions and prior county examples).
•Opponents argued lack of revenue and urged reallocation or further analysis.
•Reading of county code referencing $5 vs. historical board actions increasing the fee.
•S7 and Human Services staff cited high turnover and rising referrals (e.g., '109 referrals' and '72 follow-ups').
•Whether adding scholarships requires committee/legislative process to change eligibility (homeschooled/online students).

Decisions

•Amended increase of scholarships approved; eligibility expansion to be handled through committee process.
•Amendment 002 failed; no new supervisor position approved.
•Amendment failed; no independent-counsel allocation added.
•Board adopted the amended numbers continuing the fee at $12 pending detailed cost study.

Directions

•Board to consider alternatives rather than establishing independent counsel position.
•Corp counsel to outline workload and options for internal capacity increases.
•Finance to adjust accounting lines; UW Extension to review eligibility as policy work outside the budget forum.
•Finance to align budget revenue/expense lines to final fee figure.
•Human Services to provide cost breakdowns including indirect turnover costs.
•Planning & Zoning to run a time study and report back.
•Staff to produce a mandated vs. discretionary positions table and reallocation scenarios.

Oct

County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, October 27, 2026 Annual Budget Session

Winnebago County Board held a lengthy public budget hearing focused on a series of budget amendments, including restoring parking-lot maintenance using fund balance, a disputed proposal to add a supervisor for Adult Protective Services (failed), increases to the county scholarship program, a contentious change to private on-site wastewater (POUT) fees, a rejected proposal for independent outside counsel, debate over a proposed communications director position, and discussion of rent-assistance/grant-funded housing programs.

Discussion Points

•Consideration and rejection of a proposed $125,000 cut to rent-assistance funding (largely grant-supported)
•Contentious debate and partial rollback/adjustment of the POUT fee and related budget numbers
•Debate over, and retention of, a proposed communications director position
•Increasing scholarships (added two more; debate about homeschool eligibility)
•Proposal and defeat of adding an APS supervisor citing turnover and mandate complexity
•Rejected motion to authorize independent outside counsel for the board
•Restoration of parking-lot maintenance by drawing $41,788 from unassigned general fund balance

Decisions

•Amendment 10 (rent-assistance reduction) failed
•Amendment 1 adopted; parking-lot maintenance restored
•Amendment 2 (APS supervisor) failed
•Amendment 3 (scholarships increase) adopted
•Amendment 4 (outside counsel) failed
•Amendment 5 (POUT fee retained at $12 with budget adjustments) adopted
•Amendment 6 (remove fee schedule from budget) adopted
•Amendment 8 (eliminate communications officer) failed — appropriation retained
•Final adoption of 2027 budget as amended

Directions

•Finance to publish final amended budget numbers and update public documentation
•Human Services to provide line-item breakdown of mandated vs. discretionary services and grant dependencies
•Planning & Zoning/Finance to conduct time study on POUT workload and report fee-recommendations

Oct

Parks and Recreation Committee on 2026-10-26 6:00 PM

At its Oct. 26 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Committee voted 3-0 to recommend the renaming of Veterans Park to Memorial Bridge Park and discussed the Reed Golf Course 2027 budget (projected deficit tied to an HVAC project), special revenue funds, and upcoming resolutions on migratory bird light reduction.

Discussion Points

•Alder Hartzheim raised specific cash-flow concerns beginning in 2028.
•Alder Schultz introduced the upcoming resolution and requested committee review.
•Conservancy development not in the five-year plan; trail development tied to a transportation alternatives grant targeted for 2029–2030.
•Director Flick identified the HVAC project as the primary driver of the 2027 projected deficit.
•No 2027 special-revenue projects planned; Ellancourt Peace Park received prior donations and a trails grant.
•Public comment favored reverting to original name (Gwen Sargent).
•Some alders raised concerns about possible confusion with similarly named memorial parks (Alder Hartzheim).
•Special revenue funds originate from park fees, donations and historical gifts.
•Staff said the estimate is conservative and could improve with stronger seasons.
•Staff summarized outreach and the six-person panel that reduced ~68 suggestions to nine finalists (Director Flick).
•The committee will provide technical recommendations and allow public input through the sustainability panel.

Decisions

•Committee recommended renaming Veterans Park to Memorial Bridge Park (3-0).

Directions

•Committee to analyze resolution and prepare recommendations for council.
•Finance to provide cash-flow clarification; staff to report back at budget review.
•Forward recommendation to full council for final action.
•Staff to monitor grants and potential funding options and report back as opportunities arise.

Oct

Finance Committee on 2026-10-26 5:30 PM

The Finance Committee of Appleton City met Oct. 26, 2026; members approved minutes, a $225,000 (approx.) robot purchase funded by a grant, a $100,000 intra-fund budget transfer for wastewater renovations, a construction contract award, several change orders, and heard finance/audit and 2027 budget updates.

Discussion Points

•Alternates were bid but not accepted; contingency requested due to building age (1930s).
•Audit items (including CDBG) submitted; preliminary financials expected soon.
•Baker Tilly staffing interviews complete and documentation uploaded.
•Budget underestimated when set last year; bids came in higher than expected.
•Change orders had been vetted by CEA review committee earlier in the day.
•CLA presentation to committee anticipated late November/early December.
•Members raised cost breakdown, lifecycle, privacy, range, and damage/repair coverage.
•Presenter outlined grant bundling (equipment, training, subscription) and multi-year service discount.
•Refer-back allowed committee-level review and demonstration after limited prior discussion.

Decisions

•Budget amendment and contract award approved 5–0.
•Consent motion to approve balance of agenda items passed 5–0.
•Motion to approve item 26-1294 passed 5–0.
•No committee action required; informational update.

Directions

•Approve balance of action items via consent motion.
•Proceed with intra‑fund transfer and award contract to RJM Construction; staff to manage contingency usage and report back.
•Staff to circulate responses to members' budget questions and publish updated budget pages to public SharePoint.
•Staff to finalize accessory selections and contract language consistent with grant and vendor terms; report back if substantive changes occur.

Oct

Municipal Services Committee on 2026-10-26 4:30 PM

Municipal Services Committee considered parking and ordinance cleanups, received an extended tornado-recovery briefing covering tree loss and cleanup, reviewed a traffic-calming retrofit study scope, and discussed DPW budget items including a proposed cart fee increase and tipping-fee impacts.

Discussion Points

•Audit-ding estimate (~$310,000) and mitigation by carryover/contingency
•City lacks a retrofit program separate from reconstruction projects
•Competing priorities across street, sewer, stormwater and sanitation operations
•Consultant scope will include prioritization, funding and staffing analysis
•No public hearing; action was approval of signage
•Outagamie County tipping-fee increase communicated as $7/ton
•Potential FEMA reimbursement and multi-year assessment process
•Proposed cart-fee increase and fee-schedule timing
•Scale of tree loss (about 250 trees) and immediate cleanup actions
•Signs deployed to reflect reconstruction design parameters
•Signs were deployed in 2022; ordinance not updated due to clerical error
•Target to present contract to committee by early December
•Three items passed by voice vote; no public hearings recorded for these items.

Decisions

•Approved
•Items approved as recorded.
•No fee adopted at committee level; items to be considered with full budget adoption
•No final program decision; informational and scoping direction only
•No formal policy decision; informational update only
•Ordinance corrections approved

Directions

•Clerical ordinance updates to be made
•Consider carryover of delayed capital projects into next year
•Implement signage per exhibit
•Staff to continue compiling costs and documentation for FEMA applications
•Staff to finalize consultant scope and bring a contract for committee approval
•Staff to implement signage and file ordinance updates as approved.
•Staff to include fee schedule updates with budget adoption and provide carryover analysis for Saturday's budget meeting

Oct

CEA Review Committee on 2026-10-26 4:00 PM

The CEA Review Committee on 2026-10-26 approved three change orders for Pierce Velocity fire apparatus covering 2027 and 2029 deliveries, including seat upgrades, SCBA brackets and reinstatement of a deck gun; the fire chief warned of multi-year lead times and potential vendor credit uncertainties.

Discussion Points

•Alderman Zeland asked whether credits are applied to billed 2023 price or today's prices; Hansen replied credits are based on billed 2023 and change costs are at current dollars.
•Chief Hansen described extended lead times (4–5 years) and argued change orders are now common to keep apparatus operational for long service lives.
•Chief Hansen noted seat upgrades (removable covers) and reinstating officer SCBA bracket for faster response.
•Chief Hansen said seat upgrades will allow decontamination and quicker access to SCBA.
•Chief Hansen stated an NFPA-required deck gun had been omitted from the original spec and adding it accounted for a large portion of the change-order cost.
•Chief Hansen: the 2029 unit was built in late 2023 and approved in 2024; requested changes mirror earlier order.
•Committee asked no substantive follow-ups; item moved to a vote.
•Hansen: because 2029 was expected to include the x10 power unit, they are not currently expecting a credit to cover change costs but timelines could change.

Decisions

•Committee approved change order number 1 for the 2027 Pierce Velocity PUC pumper.
•Committee approved the 2029 change order.
•Committee approved the seat-upgrade change order.

Directions

•Fire Department to notify committee if vendor credit becomes available.
•Fire Department to order upgraded seats and install SCBA brackets.
•Fire Department to request finalized credit figures from engine vendor (Cummins/Cummings) and Pierce Manufacturing and report back.

Oct

Human Services Board

Winnebago County Human Services Board held its October meeting to review child-welfare programs, homelessness grant applications, budget priorities and staffing needs; members approved minutes and voted to apply for HUD and SAMHSA supportive-services-only grants pending award.

Discussion Points

•Child-welfare programs are mandated by statutes, standards and court orders.
•Electronic monitoring is used to supervise youth in the community.
•Family mobile team deployed to de-escalate family crises.
•HUD SSO covers services (case management) not rent; SAMHSA grant similarly funds services.
•Initial assessments have a 60-day window; courts issue temporary custody orders when removal is necessary.
•New laws ease relative licensing and help recruit kinship providers.
•Packet contained typos on match amounts and levy wording; staff clarified use of existing staff-time as match where appropriate.
•Primary goal is reunification; alternatives include guardianship or termination of parental rights.
•Request for 10 position changes (5 new, 5 renamed) including 1.5 therapist FTEs and a 0.5 co-responder shared with Oshkosh PD.
•Respite homes are certified and are not permanent placements.
•ShelterCare is an 8-bed licensed non-secure short-term facility.
•Staff to use existing staff-time as match where possible and to return with metrics to judge position success.
•Weekday responses generally staffed by teams; weekends sometimes single workers with call-back support.
•Youth justice uses state assessments to determine supervision level.

Decisions

•Motion to apply and accept grants if awarded approved by voice vote.

Directions

•Staff to correct packet figures and report back if awards are made.

Oct

Facilities & Property Management Committee

The Facilities and Property Management Committee approved three electric underground easements for airport-related electrical upgrades, set its next meeting for Nov. 24, and adjourned.

Discussion Points

•Committee members expressed support and moved to approve the easement.
•No public comments were present in person or online.
•One committee member asked whether any segment was 3‑phase; staff said they believed it was a mixture and were not 100% sure.
•Staff noted the easement covers multiple underground routes and affects leased airport parcels.
•Staff noted the easement provides corridor space for Wisconsin Public Service to install electrical lines and that multiple routes are covered by the easement.
•Staff said Sonix is under new ownership and the new owner group seeks to add 3‑phase power to an existing building.
•Staff said the KidVenture/Discovery Park project is moving from Pioneer Airport to the main grounds to improve accessibility for families.
•The director reported nothing when asked.

Decisions

•Committee approved the easement.
•Committee voted to approve the easement.
•Minutes approved; next meeting set for Nov. 24 at 4 p.m.; meeting adjourned.

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