Appleton Common Council Update for the Week of March 1

The Appleton Common Council has our regularly scheduled full council meeting on Wednesday and the agenda is relatively brief, but includes a pair of items we discussed in last week's update:

"No Mow May"

Last week the Municipal Services Committee voted 5-0 to recommend approval of a request to extend 2020's "No Mow May" ordinance waiver into 2021. The request is intended to allow voluntary participation in efforts to improve conditions for pollenators in our community during what is otherwise a difficult time of year for them to feed and find habitat. Participation is optional but, as noted in a peer-reviewed study on the results, 435 property owners registered to participate in 2020 (registration was optional).

The committee did make an amendment to the request: In 2020 participants were granted a seven-day "grace period" to get their lawns back into compliance with city ordinances following the end of May. This year the committee voted unanimously to remove that period, so everyone's lawns will be required to be brought back into compliance by June 1. 

I'm hopeful that shortening the grace period will help ease the concerns of some who have voiced objections to this program. As I noted last week, I think allowing this was harmless for both the city and our residents, in addition to the potential benefit created for pollenators and the environment as a whole. I don't intend to participate in No Mow May (I receive enough uninvited feedback about my lawn as it is), but I do intend to support this proposal.

North side annexation

Last week the City Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the annexation of about 16.6 acres north of the intersection of French Road and Broadway Drive, which is expected to become a new addition to the subdivision in the same general area approved in 2020. This week council will have the opportunity to make a final decision on that annexation, and I expect it to be approved.

The next step in the process of developing this space will be getting approval for a zoning change from Temporary Agricultural to R1B, which is single family residential. That item is scheduled to come before the Plan Commission on March 9.

Finally, here are updates on two items discussed last week that will not appear on this week's council agenda:

• The Finance Committee voted unanimously to hold a resolution calling for the city to engage in a brand study until June. With the hold, the hope is to take this item up again when we have a better idea of the city's financial situation (this item was not included in the 2021 budget, so proceeding with it would require finding money in the budget elsewhere) and an estimate of the implementation costs.
• Last week the Library Board received an informational update on the process of selecting an architect for the proposed renovation or reconstruction of the Appleton Public Library. That item is still expected to appear before the Finance Committee on March 8.

The ongoing pandemic makes it increasingly difficult for us to safely allow large groups to participate in our governmental meetings, making it all the more valuable to have the tools for residents to contact alderpersons online and view our meetings remotely. If you have thoughts on these or any other action items on our agendas this week I would encourage you to use those links to remain engaged and active in the safest way possible.

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.