Some routine items and some not-so-routine items in this week's packet of materials for the Council members delivered yesterday, Feb. 13th.
On Monday, Feb. 16th, the Water Commission meets at its regularly scheduled time of 4:30 at City Hall. The agenda can be found here at the City's web site. I was a bit disappointed that the three attachments noted in the agenda weren't in evidence in the packet. Specifically:
- the status of Fox Valley Energy, which just recently paid up a major portion of its delinquent water bill
- the status of the "Lead Issue". Someone in my part of town had mentioned it when I was out campaigning last weekend and I followed up on it. The Post-Crescent has a Jan. 27th story on the situation here. WBAY-TV has a Jan. 26th story here.
There isn't anything in the agenda for the Wednesday Common Council meeting pertaining to these issues, so I think I'll speak up and ask about them during the Public Forum.
I mentioned the Mayor's Council Update memo in my post yesterday. A very important item in that memo is the revelation that he'll be out of town at the Mayo Clinic on Wednesday for testing. Council President Stevenson will wield the gavel at Wednesday night's Council meeting. I wish the Mayor all the best during his visit to the Mayo.
The Mayor also mentioned that there are 13 applicants for the position of Community Development Director, soon to be vacated by Bob Buckingham. Mr. Buckingham will assume the leadership of Future Neenah since the former director, Karen Harkness, has accepted the position of Community Development Director in Appleton (PDF file, page 2).
This paragraph in the Mayor's memo is part and parcel of real, down-to-earth city government:
[Parks & Recreation Director] Eileen [McCoy] reported to me that we have major heaving of the trail at Shattuck Park creating serious toe stubs. We will wait for the frost to come out of the ground before deciding on a course of action.
The Council meeting itself begins at its usual time of 7:00pm on Wednesday, Feb. 18th. The consideration of mostly routine items will be presided over by Council President, Todd Stevenson.
As is usual, the Council will sanction or override the recommendations of the various standing and special committees: Public Services & Safety, Finance and Personnel, and Sustainable Neenah. The Council will vote on the Public Services Committee recommendations
- to release all three easements on the Glatfelter site
- to approve purchase of a refurbished copier for the City Garage
- to approve the Beverage Operator's license for Kevin Chaignot
I presume that Mr. Chaignot will appear at the Council meeting as he did for the Public Services meeting last Tuesday, Feb. 10th. I will speak during the Public Forum segment of the meeting in support of Mr. Chaignot's application.
The Council will also vote on the Finance and Personnel recommendations
- to approve acquisition by the Parks and Recreation Dept. of a parcel of land currently owned by the Water Commission
- to affirm the ability of the Director of Finance, Mike Easker, to invest funds in banking institutions not currently designated as public depositories
There isn't anything for the Council to act on regarding the meeting of the Sustainable Neenah committee. Chairman Ahles will simply present a report.
The meeting should be rather short. The only controversial item will be the approval or denial of the Beverage Operator's license for Mr. Chaignot. The Mayor stated his opposition in his memo to the Council and at the Public Services meeting. I will be very interested to hear what Council President Stevenson has to say.