The Common Council met 04/16/2025. They separated three action items out for individual votes—the alcohol license change of agent application for Tandem Wine and Beer, the request from the Trout Museum of Art to turn two on-street parking stalls on College Avenue into a loading zone, and the request to approve the annexation of approximately 96 acres of land from Grand Chute into the City of Appleton.
The alcohol license change of agent application had been recommended for denial by the Safety and Licensing Committee but the Common Council ended up voting to approve it. The Council approved the creation of the loading zone on College Avenue subject to a 6-month trial period. They also approved the annexation request.
I’ve prepared a transcript of the discussion for download:
TANDEM WINE AND BEER ALCOHOL LICENSE CHANGE OF AGENT REQUEST – This item had been recommended for denial by the Safety and Licensing Committee due to issues with the way the application had been filled out. The applicant, Karter Thompson, had not given a clear reason for the request to change the agent merely stating, “I am present at Tandem during operating hours.” Additionally, she had signed the application both as the new agent taking over the license and as the business owner assigning the license, but it was not clear that she held a position that would legally allow her to sign as the business-owner.
Additionally, there had been concerns raised about legal issues pertaining to Tandem’s owner, George Koenig, who, a search of the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website, indicates was recently convicted of driving with a prohibited alcohol content level (3rd offense) and also had a charge of possession of cocaine read into the record. It was also noted at the committee meeting that he had been incarcerated.
Between the committee meeting and the Common Council meeting, the application was updated. Ms. Thompson provided a fuller explanation of why she was applying to become the new agent for the license, writing, “I am present at Tandem during operating hours. I handle financial operations, ordering/receive product, I am the General Manager and wife of owner/business partner George Koenig.”
Additionally, Mr. Koenig signed the business attestation portion of the application authorizing the change of agent.
During the Council meeting, Alderperson Chris Croatt (District 14) who was the Chair of the Safety and Licensing Committee, said that with the changes to the application he was now comfortable voting to approve the application.
He also stated that the concerns regarding Mr. Koenig’s legal issues were not relevant to the change of agent transfer request. He though that they were more applicable to the renewal of the business’ alcohol license. City Attorney Christopher Behrens also told the Council that Mr. Koenig’s legal issues were something that could be considered when it came time to renew Tandem’s alcohol license, and that he and is staff were comfortable with the changes that had been made to the alcohol license change of agent application.
The Council ended up voting 13-0 to approve the change of agent request with Alderpersons Martyn Smith (District 4) and Alex Schultz (District 9) abstaining.
TROUT MUSEUM OF ART COLLEGE AVENUE LOADING ZONE REQUEST – The Trout Museum of Art was requesting that two one-street parking stalls on College Avenue be turned into loading zones. This request was opposed by a neighboring business owner who was concerned the loss of parking would negatively impact her business. It was noted during the Municipal Services Committee meeting that while the Trout is under construction, there are only two parking stalls on that side of the street, but after construction is completed there will be 8, which will mean that even if 2 are turned into a loading zone, 6 will still remain. The Municipal Services Committee ended up recommending approval of the loading zone for a 6-month trial period to begin upon completion of construction.
The Council did not engage in any debate about this issue, but Alderperson Denise Fenton (District 6) asked for it to be separated out so that she could thank the people who were involved in the discussion and proposed solution, particularly Alderperson Vered Meltzer (District 2) who proposed the idea of conducing a 6-month trial and Traffic Engineer Eric Lom who had provided concrete data on parking availability in the area which indicated there was always a parking space open within a block of the area.
The Council voted 14-0 to approve the creation of a loading zone subject to a 6-month trial period with Alderperson Schultz abstaining.
DORN ANNEXATION REQUEST – The area of land being annexed from Grand Chute into Appleton consists of 95.949 acres located at 4700 North Richmond Street. It is anticipated that it will be developed into single family housing. During the City Plan Commission meeting, Mayor Woodford commented that, given that Appleton was pushing up against its boundaries, it was a great thing to be able to bring an additional 95 acres into the city.
During the Common Council meeting, Alderperson Patrick Hayden (District 7) who is the alderperson of the district in which the annexation stated, “I don’t have any objections to this. I just wanted to convey some concerns from constituents about the speeding that already happens on Apple Creek Road. There are additional concerns that I’ve heard of when this hooks up to 47. I know it’s a state highway, and there’s a lot of additional hoops for us to jump through, as we’ve kind of seen as we’ve discussed other hookups on that road, but if the Police Department could keep an eye on that, it would be greatly appreciated.”
The Council approved the annexation by a vote of 15-0.
View full meeting details and video here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1281671&GUID=2A8852E4-AD50-43EC-9362-BFC8D72E4D92
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