The Municipal Services Committee is meeting 04/08/2024 at 4:30PM.
They will be voting on Resolution 11-R-23 regarding allowing overnight parking on city streets for people who purchase a monthly parking permit.
This resolution was first introduced back in October of 2023, but was held several times to allow staff time to investigate issues related to its implementation. Staff eventually recommended against approving it, citing a number of logistical issues such as the impact on street sweeping and snow plowing operations. An item of particular concern was how allowing overnight parking would impact Appleton’s ability to qualify for a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit from the DNR. But this resolution was again held to allow staff time to investigate if it would be possible to maintain the city’s compliance with DNR stormwater regulations while also allowing overnight on-street parking. Staff has now determined that it would be possible to do that if the city moved to an alternate street sweeping schedule that rotated through certain neighborhoods every 8 weeks instead of the current 6-week schedule. Alternatively, the Department of Public Works could maintain its current street sweeping schedule, but that would require an additional full-time operator at the cost of approximately $90,000 a year as well as an additional street sweeper vehicle which would cost approximately $385,000.
They will also be voting on a request for a street occupancy permit related to the Trout Museum construction project as well as a request to remove the 2 hour parking limit on Maple Street between Jefferson and Jackson.
They will also be receiving several information items.
Of particular interest may be the Bird Rides Update. The most recent Bird scooter season ended in November of 2023 and the agreement between Appleton and Bird Rides expired in December of 2023. In December, Bird Global filed for bankruptcy protection and is working to restructure. Per the memo to the committee, “Bird has not submitted timely payment of fees due to the City and has not fulfilled obligations related to monthly reporting from the 2023 season.” Beyond that, the program generated many complaints. As a result, staff is recommending that “all negotiations with Bird be suspended until bankruptcy/restructuring is resolved and an acceptable plan to manage the devices is presented to City staff.”
Finally, the committee will be discussing a Wisconsin Policy Forum article entitled “Eyes on the Road – Assessing the quality of Wisconsin’s Local Roads.”
View full meeting details here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1189636&GUID=09F89F08-0149-42BE-BF7B-4465544974D1
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