Council approves that Resolution #14-R-26 be amended to change the first offense forfeiture to $250, the second offense forfeiture to $400, and add a third offense forfeiture of $800, striking the "up to" language fro, 3–1

that Resolution #14-R-26 be amended to change the first offense forfeiture to $250, the second offense forfeiture to $400, and add a third offense forfeiture of $800, striking the "up to" language fro

3 yes, 1 no

Denise Fenton (yes), Christopher Croatt (yes), Patrick Hayden (yes), Josh Lambrecht (no)

that the meeting be adjourned at 3:53 p.m.

7 yes, 0 no

Sabrina Robins (yes), Adrienne Palm (yes), Jake Woodford (yes), Richard Carpenter (yes), Pete Neuberger (yes), Josh Lambrecht (yes), William Dougherty (yes)

that the Report Action Item be recommended for approval

3 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain

Patrick Hayden (no), Brad Firkus (yes), Josh Lambrecht (yes), Adrian Stancil-Martin (yes), Patti Heffernan (abstain)

that the amendments to the CDBG Policy be recommended for approval

4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain

Josh Lambrecht (yes), Martyn Smith (yes), Vaya Jones (abstain), Vered Meltzer (yes), Adrian Stancil-Martin (yes)

Approval of CDC minutes from 10-14-26 (26-1332)

4 yes, 0 no

Amendment setting January 1, 2027 effective date for Chapter 4 text amendments (26-1333)

4 yes, 0 no

Recommend approval of Chapter 4 Buildings text amendments (26-1333)

4 yes, 0 no

Recommend approval of Preliminary 2027PY CDBG Core and City Department Program Funding (26-1334)

4 yes, 0 no

Recommend approval of CDBG Policy amendments (26-1335)

4 yes, 0 no

Adjournment

4 yes, 0 no

Approval of minutes from previous meeting

4 yes, 0 no

Approval of minutes from previous meeting (26-1357)

4 yes, 0 no

Alderperson salary increase to $7,091 (26-1112)

3 yes, 1 no

Adjournment

4 yes, 0 no

Approval of minutes from October 14, 2026 meeting (26-1326)

7 yes, 0 no

Hold action on Chapter 17 Subdivisions rewrite (26-1328)

7 yes, 0 no

Street Naming and Renaming Standards Policy (26-1329)

7 yes, 0 no

Building Addressing Policy update (26-1330)

7 yes, 0 no

Adjournment

7 yes, 0 no

Approval of minutes from October 14, 2026 meeting

4 yes, 0 no

Hold operator's license application of Brandon B. Renier (26-1245)

4 yes, 0 no

Recommend denial of operator's license application of Jessica Wells (26-1302)

0 yes, 4 no

Amend Resolution #14-R-26 noise penalties to $250/$400/$800

3 yes, 1 no

Recommend approval of Resolution #14-R-26 as amended

3 yes, 1 no

Approve balance of agenda: Northland Mobil liquor license and Evergreen taxi license

4 yes, 0 no

Adjournment

4 yes, 0 no

Adjournment

4 yes, 0 no

Alex Schultz (yes), Patrick Hayden (yes), Vered Meltzer (yes), Christopher Croatt (yes)

Approval of October 13, 2026 Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes (26-1363)

4 yes, 0 no

Vered Meltzer (yes), Patrick Hayden (yes), Alex Schultz (yes), Christopher Croatt (yes)

that the October 13, 2026 Utilities Committee Meeting Minutes be approved

4 yes, 0 no

Christopher Croatt (yes), Alex Schultz (yes), Patrick Hayden (yes), Vered Meltzer (yes)

Approval of minutes from previous meeting

4 yes, 0 no

Approval of minutes from previous meeting

0 yes, 0 no

Approval of Payments (August and September 2026)

0 yes, 0 no

Adjournment

0 yes, 0 no

that the CEA Review Committee Meeting be adjourned at 4:14 p.m.

3 yes, 0 no

Denise Fenton (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (yes), Laura Jungwirth (yes)

that the meeting be adjourned at 6:28 p.m.

3 yes, 0 no, 2 abstain

Katie Van Zeeland (yes), Adrian Stancil-Martin (abstain), Josh Lambrecht (yes), Alex Schultz (yes), William Dougherty (abstain)

that the item be recommended for approval

4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain

Christopher Croatt (yes), Sheri Hartzheim (yes), Brad Firkus (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (abstain), Denise Fenton (yes)

that the Municipal Services Committee Meeting be adjourned at 5:28 p.m.

4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain

Sheri Hartzheim (yes), William Dougherty (abstain), Brad Firkus (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (yes), Nate Wolff (yes)

COPS Technology and Equipment Grant (26-1294)

5 yes, 0 no

Katie Van Zeeland (yes), Denise Fenton (yes), Sheri Hartzheim (yes), Christopher Croatt (yes), Brad Firkus (yes)

Change Order — Pierce Velocity PUC Pumper Delivery in 2027 (26-1377)

5 yes, 0 no

Katie Van Zeeland (yes), Christopher Croatt (yes), Sheri Hartzheim (yes), Brad Firkus (yes), Denise Fenton (yes)

Approval of June 8, 2026 meeting minutes (26-1344)

3 yes, 0 no

Laura Jungwirth (yes), Denise Fenton (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (yes)

Change Order #1 for 2029 Pierce Velocity PUC Pumper (26-1346)

3 yes, 0 no

Denise Fenton (yes), Laura Jungwirth (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (yes)

Budget amendment — $100,000 wastewater transfer (26-1380)

5 yes, 0 no

Sheri Hartzheim (yes), Brad Firkus (yes), Denise Fenton (yes), Christopher Croatt (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (yes)

Change Order #1 for 2027 Pierce Velocity PUC Pumper (26-1345)

3 yes, 0 no

Katie Van Zeeland (yes), Laura Jungwirth (yes), Denise Fenton (yes)

Change Order — Pierce Velocity 100' Rear-Mounted Platform (26-1379)

5 yes, 0 no

Denise Fenton (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (yes), Sheri Hartzheim (yes), Christopher Croatt (yes), Brad Firkus (yes)

Adjournment

5 yes, 0 no

Denise Fenton (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (yes), Sheri Hartzheim (yes), Christopher Croatt (yes), Brad Firkus (yes)

Change Order #1 for 2029 Pierce Velocity 100-foot Rear-Mounted Platform (26-1347)

3 yes, 0 no

Laura Jungwirth (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (yes), Denise Fenton (yes)

Approval of October 12, 2026 meeting minutes (26-1375)

5 yes, 0 no

Denise Fenton (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (yes), Christopher Croatt (yes), Sheri Hartzheim (yes), Brad Firkus (yes)

Approval of October 12, 2026 meeting minutes

4 yes, 0 no

Nate Wolff (yes), Sheri Hartzheim (yes), Brad Firkus (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (yes)

Ordinance changes for A-22 Glendale Av reconstruction

4 yes, 0 no

Nate Wolff (yes), Sheri Hartzheim (yes), Brad Firkus (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (yes)

Adjournment

3 yes, 0 no

Laura Jungwirth (yes), Denise Fenton (yes), Katie Van Zeeland (yes)

2027 Executive Budget review

The committee discussed the 2027 Executive Budget and Service Plan; members submitted questions over the weekend and staff answered them, with updated budget book pages distributed. No votes were taken.

What it means: The 2027 budget numbers themselves haven't changed — only prior-year summary figures were corrected.

Reid Golf Course September finances

Reid Golf Course's 2027 budget shows a deficit for the first time, driven by a planned HVAC project at the clubhouse. Alderperson Hartzheim flagged growing negative cash flows in 2028-2030 and asked finance to double-check the projections before budget adoption.

What it means: First-ever projected golf course deficit in 2027, with cash flow projections worsening to $2.2 million by 2030 unless corrected.

Police Department robotic platform acquisition

Appleton PD is getting a new Boston Dynamics robot through a roughly $425,000 federal grant, replacing a decade-old model. It's a safety tool sent into dangerous scenes ahead of officers — it can see, communicate two-way, and open doors, but it is not weaponized, and the manufacturer prohibits weaponization.

What it means: Covered by a federal grant — no hit to local taxpayers, though the six-year subscription is bundled into the $425,000.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Building R Renovation

The renovation of a 1930s building at the wastewater plant came in over budget, so the committee recommended shifting $100,000 from an under-budget roofing project and awarding a $172,600 contract to RJM Construction. The building will consolidate equipment storage.

What it means: Contract total not to exceed $198,490, funded by shifting $100,000 within the wastewater utility — no new money from taxpayers.

2027 Special Revenue Funds and conservancy funding

The special revenue funds budget shows no withdrawals planned for 2027. Staff also noted the conservancy remains a passive park with no near-term development planned; a trailhead could come with the Power Line Trail around 2029-2030.

What it means: No special revenue fund expenditures requested for 2027.

Parking utility modernization

Parking kiosks are being upgraded, downtown ramp usage is up thanks to a new large downtown employer, and elevator repairs are planned for the red and green ramps. The Walker parking study should reach the council by year's end.

What it means: Downtown workers, residents and visitors using city ramps.

2027 DPW budget highlights

The public works budget is mostly status quo, but a $7-per-ton tipping fee increase from Outagamie County would push refuse cart fees up about five cents per 30 gallons. Salt supplies need restocking after the brutal 2025-26 winter, and a potential $310,000 state transportation aid audit penalty would be absorbed through project carryovers and contingency funds.

What it means: Refuse cart fees would rise about five cents per 30 gallons; the audit penalty could total over $300,000.

Fire Apparatus Purchase Change Orders

Long post-pandemic lead times for fire trucks mean specs go stale before delivery, forcing change orders. The city is paying today's prices to fix items — like a required deck gun — that were dropped years ago, though an engine credit should offset much of the 2027 truck's cost.

What it means: About $69,600 added across three trucks, with an engine credit expected to offset a substantial part of the 2027 pumper's $33,461 change order.

DNR Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grant Resolution

The June tornado cost the city 250 trees and weeks of crew time, pushing seven street paving projects and crack-filling work into next year. Staff plan to carry those projects into 2027 and are seeking FEMA reimbursement for cleanup costs.

What it means: Residents in storm-damaged neighborhoods who will see cleanup completed and deferred streets repaved next year.

Safe Streets for All corridor safety studies

Appleton has no way to add speed-reducing features to streets that aren't due for reconstruction. A consultant study is being scoped to design a retrofit program, with a contract expected before the first December meeting and $150,000 per year proposed in the capital budget starting in 2027.

What it means: The 2027 budget proposes $150,000 a year for the program; grants like CDBG could reduce borrowing needs.

Citywide 2027 budget approval

The committee received informational reports on the 2027 Reid Golf Course budget, the 2027 Parks and Recreation budget, and 2027 Special Revenue Funds — a first look at next year's parks spending.

What it means: These budgets shape what residents pay and get for golf, parks and recreation programs in 2027.

Veterans Park Renaming

The committee picked 'Memorial Bridge Park' from a list of nine finalist names, reverting to the park's original name tied to Memorial Drive and the bridge. It's a recommendation only — the Common Council votes next, and residents can still weigh in with their alderperson.

What it means: Residents who wanted the park's historical name restored, particularly neighbors on Memorial Drive.

Stormwater projects and rate analysis

The Veterans Memorial Park pond expansion is funded for 2027 using carried-over and new funds, the Oneida Street Bridge replacement is queued, and staff say a stormwater rate analysis is needed within the next year — big flood-control projects will likely push rates up.

What it means: Pond expansion funded from carryover and 2027 budget; a rate analysis is coming that could raise stormwater fees.

Water Main Breaks, April-June 2026

Quarterly reports show a good year so far for main breaks, but Alderperson Croatt flagged a September break on Reed Drive with a reported eight-million-gallon loss and asked staff to verify the estimate.

What it means: Residents benefit from a well-performing distribution system and staff follow-through on data accuracy.

2027 Health Department budget and federal grant cuts

Water and wastewater chemical costs are up about 12% and the city is investing in aging treatment plants, safety upgrades (~$424,000), and water tower work. Rates are still being forecast ahead of budget Saturday.

What it means: Chemical costs up ~12%, plus ~$424,000 in safety upgrades — expect rate pressure on utility bills.

Lead Water Service Line Replacement

All lead laterals have been replaced; crews are now working through galvanized ones, seeking PSC approval to use water utility funds and DNR grants to keep resident costs as low as possible.

What it means: Homes still on galvanized laterals get safer, modern water service.

Transit finances and ridership

Fixed-route ridership is down 10-15% while demand-response service is up 10-13%. Complaints hit 18 in the third quarter — the highest since January 2025 — mostly blamed on construction detours, missed pickups, and late buses.

What it means: Demand-response riders, especially seniors and people with disabilities, are getting more service.