Brad Firkus
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 34
- Total speaking time
- 1:12:15
- Avg per meeting
- 2:08
- Segments
- 1227
Want every word Firkus has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Firkus said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Citywide 2027 budget approval
The combined budgets cover essentially all city spending for the coming year, which drives the property tax bill for every Appleton homeowner.
Increased Penalties for Unnecessary Noise
Affected drivers could pay roughly $483 to $1,176 per citation once court fees are added.
Excessive vehicular noise data collection
Unknown until staff return with cost options in 90 days.
Resolution #16-R-26: Limits on ALPR cameras
Any expert analysis would likely be paid from ARPA funds on a not-to-exceed hourly basis, with substantial costs going through the finance committee.
Private School Voucher Funding Transparency
No direct cost — it's about disclosure of the existing school levy on tax bills.
Alcohol license violation convictions — five establishments
Potential license suspensions could affect the businesses involved.
Lead Water Service Line Replacement
$78,500 max, mostly covered by a state grant rather than local taxes.
Veterans Park Renaming
Mostly signage and administrative costs, if any; no major dollar figure given.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Building R Renovation
Contract total not to exceed $198,490, funded by shifting $100,000 within the wastewater utility — no new money from taxpayers.
COPS Technology and Equipment Grant
Roughly $450,000 in federal grant funding for police equipment, with no local match indicated.
2027 Health Department budget and federal grant cuts
Unknown — budget materials weren't available.
2027 CDBG funding and community needs
Federal CDBG allocation amount for 2027 hasn't been set yet.
Chapter 17 Subdivisions Code Rewrite
Testimony noted stormwater engineering costs have jumped from roughly $500 to $3,000 per lot since 2017, and approvals that took 4-6 months now take a year or more.
Roosevelt Street 2028 Reconstruction Design
Part of the city's 2028 paving program; narrowing the street is a cost-saving measure.
Alderperson salary adjustments
A freeze would save budget dollars; any raise would take effect for future terms, not current alders.
2027 Library Budget
Library operating funding stays flat in the 2027 budget, with no added dollars for staff development.
Zoning Code Overhaul Including ADUs and JADUs
Expected to grow the property tax base through infill development without expanding city footprint.
Reid Golf Course September finances
The course is about $60,000 ahead of last year in gross revenue, easing pressure on city support.
Hyperscale AI data center moratorium
Unknown for now — the moratorium is just headed to committee for study.
Denial of Operator's License for Christopher T. Routh
Decisions during term (672)
Recorded while Firkus was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of minutes from October 14, 2026 meeting (26-1326)
Hold action on Chapter 17 Subdivisions rewrite (26-1328)
Street Naming and Renaming Standards Policy (26-1329)
Building Addressing Policy update (26-1330)
Adjournment
Approval of minutes from previous meeting (26-1357)
Alderperson salary increase to $7,091 (26-1112)
Adjournment
Approval of CDC minutes from 10-14-26 (26-1332)
Amendment setting January 1, 2027 effective date for Chapter 4 text amendments (26-1333)
Recommend approval of Chapter 4 Buildings text amendments (26-1333)
Recommend approval of Preliminary 2027PY CDBG Core and City Department Program Funding (26-1334)
Recommend approval of CDBG Policy amendments (26-1335)
Adjournment
Approval of minutes from previous meeting
Approval of minutes from October 14, 2026 meeting
Hold operator's license application of Brandon B. Renier (26-1245)
Recommend denial of operator's license application of Jessica Wells (26-1302)
Amend Resolution #14-R-26 noise penalties to $250/$400/$800
Recommend approval of Resolution #14-R-26 as amended
Voting record (332)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
that the Report Action Item be recommended for approval
that the Minutes be recommended for approval
that the meeting be adjourned
Alderperson salary increase to $7,091 (26-1112)
Voted yes to avoid a tie and keep the meeting moving, but opposes the raise at council.
Ordinance changes for A-22 Glendale Av reconstruction
that the minutes be approved
that the item be recommended for approval
Approval of October 12, 2026 meeting minutes (26-1375)
COPS Technology and Equipment Grant (26-1294)
Budget amendment — $100,000 wastewater transfer (26-1380)
Award Building R renovation contract to RJM Construction LLC (26-1376)
Change Order — Pierce Velocity PUC Pumper Delivery in 2027 (26-1377)
that the item be recommended for approval
that the item be recommended for approval
that the request to adopt ordinance changes related to the A-22 Glendale Av reconstruction project be recommended for approval
that the Municipal Services Committee Meeting be adjourned at 5:28 p.m.
that the request to approve parking changes related to the B-26 Bellaire Ct reconstruction project be recommended for approval
Change Order — Pierce Velocity PUC Pumper Delivery in 2029 (26-1378)
that the item be recommended for approval
Change Order — Pierce Velocity 100' Rear-Mounted Platform (26-1379)
that the October 12, 2026 Municipal Services Committee Meeting Minutes be approved
Adjournment
that the item be recommended for approval
that the item be recommended for approval
that the meeting be adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Approval of October 12, 2026 meeting minutes
Parking changes for B-26 Bellaire Ct reconstruction
Resolution #16-R-26 Limiting the Use of ALPR Cameras
Believes the city should stay engaged with the technology rather than ban it