What you may not know: Week of August 14

The Appleton Common Council will meet on Wednesday at 7 pm (or following the conclusion of one or more committee meetings scheduled to occur before our main meeting). Here are some updates on items we discussed in last week's update that will proceed to council this week:

• The Municipal Services Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of a new Special Event Parking Fee Rate to help address challenges with large volumes of vehicles trying to exit at the same time following events at the Performing Arts Center.
• The Municipal Services Committee also voted to deny a resolution from Alderperson Meltzer calling for the city to waive street occupancy permits for businesses looking to install bike racks. I'm still hopeful something can be done in this area.
• The Finance Committee received favorable reports on the city's planned 2017 borrowing, which includes a total of $19 million between current general fund projects, refinancing of existing general fund debt and capital projects for the stormwater utility. The committee voted unanimously to recommend that the city proceed with the borrowing process.

Additionally, these items discussed last week will not be acted on by council this week for the reasons stated below:

• The Finance Committee opted to hold the 2018 Special Assessment Policy until next week to address some confusion about process related to a resolution changing the way residential properties within commercial zoned areas are assessed. 
• The Joint Review Board voted to approve the creation of two new TIF districts, and their action does not require council approval.

Finally, this week's council agenda again includes three consolidated action items related to the discontinuance of Locust Street south of College Avenue. These items, which are part of the city's tentative agreement with Canadian National Railroad regarding the acquisition of unused railroad trestles over the Fox River, have been delayed while the city waits for the railroad to take necessary steps on their end to approve the agreement. Council was ready to proceed with these items a month ago now but has continued to hold them while waiting for Canadian National to respond.

You can see all of this week's meeting agendas and the full schedule at the city's Legistar page.

Keeping you informed on issues that may impact you around the city is one of my primary goals as an alderman. Good governance happens in the open, and I remain committed to raising awareness on the issues coming before us.