Summary

Common Council meeting summary

AppletonJun 18, 20263 min read

At a glance

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Council approved the amended design for Driscoll Street reconstruction, approved multiple street-occupancy permits, contracts, and budget transfers (including $350,000 to a library solar project), accepted a $425,000 COPS technology grant application, and held action on a mowing-reduction resolution while referring a truancy ordinance review back to committee.

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What this means

The council approved the final plan for rebuilding Driscoll Street with amendments, so the current street width and parking arrangement will be preserved per the approved design. Several permits and contracts were approved that allow street lighting, banners, storefront displays, building encroachments, and infrastructure work; the city also moved money to expand the library solar project and authorized purchases for a temporary transit center. A $425,000 police technology grant application was approved, which will fund police equipment if the grant is awarded. Two policy items were delayed for more study: a mowing-reduction resolution was held for input from the sustainability advisory panel, and a truancy ordinance review was sent back to the Safety and Licensing Committee for further consideration.

Key decisions

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Approved design for 2028 paving reconstruction of Driscoll Street as amended (preserving current street width and parking per Municipal Services Committee substitution).
Referred Resolution #7-R-26 (truancy ordinance review) back to the Safety and Licensing Committee.
Held Resolution #2-R-26 (vegetation analysis and mowing reduction strategy) pending Advisory Panel on Sustainability & Climate Resilience recommendation to Parks and Recreation Committee.
Approved Request to Apply/Accept $425,000 COPS Technology and Equipment grant funds.
Approved multiple Permanent and Long-Term Temporary Street Occupancy Permits (including alley lighting, tree-planter uplighting, pet waste station, banners, and retail displays).
Approved budget transfer of $350,000 to increase the Library solar project budget from $350,000 to $700,000.
Approved purchase of one office trailer and one restroom trailer for temporary Transit Center operations for $141,720.
Approved award of Z-26 Sewer & Water Main Reconstruction to Kruczek Construction ($546,000 with $20,000 contingency).
Accepted the 2025 electronic Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (eCMAR) with a score of 4.0 and continued support for utility treatment and planning.
Approved the new Fox Cities Exhibition Center management agreement with Appleton Hotel Holdings, LLC.

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Meeting information

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Common Council

Jun 18, 2026, 12:00 AMCouncil Chamberscompleted

Due to technical difficulties there is no audio until approximately 22 minutes into the recording, and there is no video from 21:22 until 56:22.

Agenda

CALL TO ORDER
INVOCATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL OF ALDERPERSONS
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Common Council Meeting Minutes of June 3, 2026
BUSINESS PRESENTED BY THE MAYOR
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
PUBLIC HEARINGS
SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS
ESTABLISH ORDER OF THE DAY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
MINUTES OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
Request to Approve Design for 2028 Paving Reconstruction of Driscoll Street from Prospect Avenue to Railroad Tracks/terminus
Request to approve Permanent Street Occupancy Permit for ADI Edison Lights in 200W block of Johnston Street Alley, subject to final technical review and conditions of approval by Department of Public Works
Request to approve Long Term Temporary Street Occupancy Permit for ADI Tree Planter Uplighting in College Avenue amenity strip from Badger Avenue to Drew Street through 10/31/2026, subject to final technical review and conditions of approval by Department of Public Works
Request to approve Permanent Street Occupancy Permit and Memorandum of Understanding for ADI Pet Waste Station in 200E block of College Avenue amenity strip
Request to approve Permanent Street Occupancy Permit and Memorandum of Understanding for Appleton Northside Business Association (ANBA) Light Pole Banners and Seasonal Decorations in Richmond Street (Northland Avenue to College Avenue and in Wisconsin Avenue (Badger Avenue to Ballard Road)
Request to approve Permanent Street Occupancy Permit to The Mission Church, Inc. for a building encroachment of approximately 0.9 feet within Appleton Street right-of-way for a building located at 314 N. Appleton Street, subject to final technical review and conditions of approval by Department of Public Works
Request to approve Long Term Temporary Street Occupancy Permit to Beatnik Betty’s Resale Butik at 214 E College Avenue amenity strip for display mannequins through March 31, 2027
MINUTES OF THE SAFETY AND LICENSING COMMITTEE
2026-2027 Late Cigarette, Tobacco, and Electronic Vaping Device License renewal applications (Batch 2)
Class "B" Beer and Reserve "Class B" Liquor License Change of Agent for Appleton Parlour Collective, New Agent, Katherine Freund, located at 501 N Richmond St, effective July 1, 2026.
"Class C" Wine License application for The Newell Company Inc. d/b/a Lumberjack Johnny's, David Oshefsky, Agent, located at 2701 N Oneida St, contingent upon approval from the Community Development and Finance departments, effective July 1, 2026.
"Class C" Wine License application for ODH Appleton Inc. d/b/a Springhill Suites by Marriott Appleton, Troy Graverson, Agent, located at 3940 N Gateway Dr, effective July 1, 2026.
Class "B" Beer and "Class B" Liquor License application for 4 Schmidts and Giggles Bar and Grill LLC, Christina Schmidt, Agent, located at 2709 E Newberry St, contingent upon approval from the Health and Inspections departments.
Class "B" Beer and "Class B" Liquor License Temporary Premises Amendment application for Wooden Nickel Restaurant & Lounge Inc. d/b/a Wooden Nickel Sports Bar & Grill, Anthony A. Mueller, Agent, located at 217 E. College Ave, from 1:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., daily from July 30, 2026 to August 2, 2026 for Mile of Music event, contingent upon approval from the Health and Police departments.
Operator License for Ryan Toppins
Resolution #7-R-26 Review Options for Truancy Ordinance
2026-2027 Late Late Alcohol License renewal applications, contingent on approval from all departments by 12:00 p.m. on June 30, 2026
Request to Apply-Accept $425,000 COPS Technology and Equipment Grant Funds.
Class "B" Beer and "Class C" Wine License Premises Amendment application for Tamil LLC d/b/a Madras Cafe, Sivakumar Rajarathinam, Agent, located at 819 & 821 W Wisconsin Ave, contingent on approval from the Community Development, Finance, Health, & Fire Departments.
MINUTES OF THE CITY PLAN COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Resolution #2-R-26 Supporting Vegetation Analysis & Advancing a Data-Informed Mowing Reduction Strategy
MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Board of Review Member Pay Rate
Request to approve a budget transfer of $350,000 from the remaining Library Inflation Reduction Act elective pay proceeds to the Library solar project, increasing the total project budget from $350,000 to $700,000.
Request to approve the purchase of one office trailer and one restroom trailer from Elk Creek Trailers for the temporary Transit Center operations site in the total amount of $141,720.
Request to approve the request to sole source a contract to Chet Wesenberg Architect, LLC, for professional services needed to complete design, bidding, and construction administration for the 2026 City Hall 6th Floor Office Renovation Project in the amount of $137,570, with a 5 percent contingency of $6,878.50, for a total project authorization not to exceed $144,448.50.
Request to award Sole Source Contract to Dixon as part of the Matthias Tower Coating Project in the amount of $93,962.50 plus a 5.0% contingency of $4,700 for a total cost of $98,662.50.
Request to award Sole Source purchase of a Vulcan EWP 400/600 Wash Press to Vulcan Industries in the amount of $68,518.
Request to award Sole Source Contract to Full Service Organics Management LLC, as part of the AWWTP Anaerobic Digester Inspection, Maintenance, and Improvements Project in the amount of $157,360 plus a 20% contingency of $31,472 for a total cost of $188,832.
Request to apply for a Safe Drinking Water Loan and to approve a Resolution declaring official intent to reimburse expenditures for loan disbursement payments.
Request to approve change order #1 to Western Specialty Contractors contract 17-26 Unit S-26 Parking Ramp Repairs and Maintenance with an increase of $181,000 for a new contract total of $1,387,718.50 resulting in a decrease in contingency from $181,000 to $0.
Request to approve change order #1 to Kruczek Construction contract 3-26 Unit U-26 Sewer and Water Construction with an increase of $13,510.50 for a new contract total of $370,510.50 resulting in a decrease in contingency from $35,000 to $21,489.50.
Request to award project Z-26 Sewer & Water Main Reconstruction to Kruczek Construction in the amount of $546,000 with a contingency of $20,000 for a total amount not to exceed $566,000.
Request to approve new Fox Cities Exhibition Center (FCEC) Management Agreement, between the City of Appleton and Appleton Hotel Holdings, LLC.
MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE UTILITIES COMMITTEE
Request Approval of the Electronic Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (eCMAR) for 2025 and Request the following Resolution be presented to the Common Council for approval: Whereas, the City of Appleton manages, operates, and maintains a sewer collection system and wastewater treatment plant; and Whereas, treatment efforts produce a liquid effluent and a biosolids that are returned to the environment; and Whereas, the State of Wisconsin evaluates wastewater utilities throughout the State of Wisconsin through an electronic Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (eCMAR); and Whereas, Appleton received the score of 4.0 GPA; and Whereas, the State of Wisconsin requests the Common Council pass a resolution accepting the eCMAR report; Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council that the City of Appleton: Article1. Continue supporting the treatment and maintenance programs at the utility Article 2. Continue planning efforts that will address and promote long term performance results at the facility.
Approve Contract Amendment #1 as part of the Lindbergh Standpipe Recoating Project to Dixon Engineering resulting in a decrease to the contract amount from $51,465 to $7,343.
MINUTES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE FOX CITIES TRANSIT COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
CONSOLIDATED ACTION ITEMS
ITEMS HELD
ORDINANCES
LICENSE APPLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS REFERRED TO COMMITTEES OF JURISDICTION
RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED BY ALDERPERSONS REFERRED TO COMMITTEES OF JURISDICTION
OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS
ADJOURN
Amy Molitor, City Clerk
Request to Approve Design for 2028 Paving Reconstruction of Driscoll Street from Prospect Avenue to Railroad Tracks/terminus
Request to Approve Design for 2028 Paving Reconstruction of Driscoll Street from Prospect Avenue to Railroad Tracks/terminus
Balance of the action items on the agenda.
Resolution #2-R-26 Supporting Vegetation Analysis & Advancing a Data-Informed Mowing Reduction Strategy
Resolution #9-R-26 Establishing Public Oversight and Accountability Standards for Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) and Mass Surveillance Technologies

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