Kris for Osh

05/10/2026

Friends!

It’s been a minute since we’ve dug into some council agenda items…there are a couple on next Tuesday’s that I’d like to point out (and maybe not the ones you think! ;).

Agenda is here if you’d like to click for more info:
https://public.destinyhosted.com/agenda_publish.cfm?id=67456&mt=ALL&get_month=5&get_year=2026&dsp=ag&seq=195

First: Item #8 in consent agenda (we’ll see if any councilor removes this for further discussion…I would hope so, as it is important …and here’s specific link:
https://public.destinyhosted.com/agenda_publish.cfm?id=67456&mt=ALL&get_month=5&get_year=2026&dsp=agm&seq=3192&rev=0&ag=195&ln=6235&nseq=3161&nrev=0&pseq=3164&prev=0 #)

This is a resolution asking the state of WI for more $ to repair roads at the city and county level. Decreasing shared revenue means that more of this burden falls to cities than ever before…and as we all know, taxes are already high and there are LOTS of items that need attention. SO…this is a great ask, and I am grateful that city staff is bringing this item to council’s attention. AND…hopeful that your local representatives in Madison will take notice of this and help to trumpet this message at their day jobs on your behalf.

Essentially, this is the city of Osh asking a governing body above us who collects some of your money (in this case, primarily in the form of sales tax) for some of that money back for a specific infrastructure project in Oshkosh. For good reason.

Now I can already hear the naysayers on this one:
‘Well if the state gives us more money for roads, what happens when we need road repairs in the future??? Then We’re on the hook for even more $!!!’ And ‘Can’t we use that theoretical money to fix the school budget deficit instead?’ OR ‘Well they’ll probably fix roads in the wrong location instead of the ones that get used more often’. Etc...

Second: Item #47, a resolution to direct staff to stop work on pedestrian bridge over I-41.
Here’s that link: https://public.destinyhosted.com/agenda_publish.cfm?id=67456&mt=ALL&get_month=5&get_year=2026&dsp=agm&seq=3180&rev=0&ag=195&ln=6222&nseq=&nrev=&pseq=3188&prev=0 #

This project was approved in late 2025. This item seeks to stop work on this project.
To recap, this bridge was identified as a priority ages ago, and the city asked the Federal Gov. for a grant and received it. Decreasing shared revenue means that safety projects like this are harder for cities to fund than ever before…and as we all know, taxes are already high and there are LOTS of items that need attention. SO…this was an amazing grant to receive, and I am grateful that council already took action to move this forward.
(I’ve seen a lot of folks saying they never saw any data on this…there is lots…it’s here:)https://public.destinyhosted.com/oshkodocs/2025/CC/20251104_155/2585_SS4A_Grant_Memo.pdf

Essentially, this is the city of Osh asking a governing body above us who collects some of your money (in this case, primarily in the form of income tax) for some of that money back for a specific infrastructure project in Oshkosh. For good reason.

Now I can already hear the naysayers on this one:
‘Well if the feds give us more money for a bridge, what happens when that bridge needs repairs in the future??? Then We’re on the hook for even more $!!!’ And ‘Can’t we use that theoretical money to fix the school budget deficit instead?’ OR ‘Well they’ll probably put the bridge in the wrong location instead of the ones that get used more often’. Etc…

I personally cannot wait to see how councilors vote on these two items, as they are, for almost all intents and purposes, the same.

One of the things I appreciate most about local government (when it works correctly) is that policy and precedent matter…a lot! Councils should never single out specific items for personal reasons or otherwise when there are practices in place to address them or similar items that they may treat differently when they SHOULD be treated the same. Management by exemption OR exception (as may be the case for some folks on this one) leads to inconsistent action and practices in the future…which always makes things slower and worse. Governance, and leadership, especially at the local level, is supposed to be representative of all. That is never easy or perfect, but consistent action, policy and communication help. These 2 subjects provide a good test of just that. Let’s see how it goes ;)

04/17/2026

another great economic development tool being proposed in another state...

SRO (single-room occupancy) IS allowed in WI, but requires special permitting and can be prohibitively expensive to build and difficult to get approved.

Removing those barriers opens up the most affordable type of housing to markets and the more housing available at all levels (especially the lower end) the better for
all...

https://ij.org/press-release/rhode-island-files-first-in-nation-single-room-occupancy-model-legislation-room-act-to-combat-housing-crisis/

interesting stuff, and hoping our local leaders and state-level are paying attention

(Representative Nate Gustafson Wisconsin State Representative Lori Palmeri State Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim Rachael Cabral-Guevara Joe Stephenson - Oshkosh Common Council Member )

04/13/2026

https://public.destinyhosted.com/agenda_publish.cfm?id=67456&mt=ALL&get_month=4&get_year=2026&dsp=ag&seq=206

04/11/2026

important and well-reasoned insight here on a decision that will have immediate impact on your daily life (and thanks to Oshkosh City Council Member DJ Nichols for sharing and to the Oshkosh Northwestern for publishing).

imo, a lot of conflated arguments on this subject of late...I fully understand the concern, but it's a conversation that warrants as much objectivity as possible, and I find lots below:

(article is short, and behind a paywall for some probably, but important enough to read, so copy and pasted in it's entirety here):

from Dj:

It has become easy to frame tools like Flock cameras as something new or uniquely concerning, but they are neither. They are part of a long-standing and necessary approach to public safety: we equip law enforcement with tools, we define how those tools may be used and we hold people accountable when those rules are not followed.

That framework is not new. It has guided every advancement in policing, from radios to squad computers to body-worn cameras. Each raised questions. Each required guardrails. None was abandoned simply because it was new or imperfect. Flock cameras fit squarely within that same model.

In Oshkosh, these cameras assist in identifying vehicles connected to criminal activity. They do not replace police work. They make it more effective by helping investigators move faster, corroborate information and solve cases that might otherwise stall. And because crime does not observe municipal boundaries, it should not be surprising that neighboring communities across the Fox Valley rely on the same technology.

The more relevant question is not whether the tool exists. It is whether there are meaningful guardrails around it. In Oshkosh, there are.

The Oshkosh Police Department is the only municipal law enforcement agency in Wisconsin dually accredited through both the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group, requiring compliance with hundreds of externally reviewed standards governing use of force, evidence handling, supervision and data systems. At the same time, systems like Flock maintain audit logs and user tracking, meaning usage is not only governed by policy, it is documented and reviewable. That is what accountability looks like in practice.

It is also fair to acknowledge what is driving some of the hesitation. There is real unease right now about federal overreach, particularly in the context of immigration enforcement, and how data or tools could be used beyond their intended purpose. That concern is not unreasonable, and it should not be dismissed. But, it should be applied accurately.

This is a locally controlled system, governed by local policy, and used by a department subject to independent accreditation and audit. There is no mechanism by which this becomes a proxy for federal enforcement without a conscious, visible change in local policy, which would itself be subject to public scrutiny.

When those distinctions are blurred, the result is not greater protection. It is less clarity, fewer guardrails, and less effective public safety.

It is also worth noting how this decision arrived where it is today. Four council members voted to table the issue so it could be decided by a newly elected council rather than during a period of transition. That choice has practical consequences. Several members are now being asked to cast one of their first significant votes without full access to weeks of community input or direct engagement with the police department.

Decisions like this should be grounded in facts, not slogans or national political narratives that do not reflect how this system operates locally. Public safety is not well served by reducing complex issues to shorthand or by importing concerns that, while real, are not implicated here.

Serving in elected office requires judgment. It requires the ability to separate signal from noise and to act accordingly. This is one of those moments.

Oshkosh has the tools, the policies and the oversight in place. The question is whether we are willing to use them.

Guest view: Flock cameras are a proven policing tool and Oshkosh has guardrails like accreditation, audits and logged access to keep them accountable.

04/10/2026

I probably subscribe to WAY too many economic development-type newsletters than I should... but sheesh this seems really smart...

https://www.arlnow.com/2026/02/13/church-based-affordable-housing-bill-passes-both-va-chambers-approaching-finish-line/

03/30/2026

A couple of months ago there was a hit and run accident in my neighborhood involving a 10 or 11-year old child and an as**at in a giant white pickup truck.

I only know a little bit about this as the OPD had asked if my building nearby had any footage of this truck so they could try to figure out where it had come from or gone to…(our business has parking lot cameras for security etc… the truck had some distinctive features, and it had gone by, but our footage contained nothing valuable).

I am told that typically in cases like this, the drivers are hard to locate. In this case, because of flock cameras here and collaboration with neighboring cities, this driver was brought to justice in a day or so.

Seemed like a good time to share a real-world example of this technology in use.

02/11/2026

if you ever need a reminder of why our local elections are and should remain nonpartisan (which is one word FYI ).... this is the post for you.

Here is the definition of partisanship, (one of the 2 major political parties in the US), encouraging their supporters not to vote for a candidate based on her personal campaign contributions...after they spent all day yesterday endorsing candidates...again, in a nonpartisan election.

this is literally why we cannot have nice things... folks spend way too much time calling the kettle a specific color than focusing on any real issues...

02/04/2026

kudos to the candidates participating in the LWV forum this evening…it’s great to hear these folks’ thoughts in their own voices…

Tune in now…

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

01/09/2026

Friends! I presume that you are still reading council agendas same as me (even though I am not there to hear your concerns personally anymore)... here's the hot off the presses link for you to take a look: https://shorturl.at/tuNVI

AND... it's been a hot minute since I have had something to say about a pending agenda item...but you knew that wouldn't last long... there’s a good one here that I hope receives plenty of attention. I have emailed all councilors with some thought on it, and hopeful once you read, you might do the same (it's always good to be engaged right???)

Item 46A is direction to staff on liquor license application policy.
If you follow along, you will recall that shortly after I was elected, I pushed back against some changes not unlike what is being suggested here, and council chose then to not go that direction...so I am hopeful the same decision will be made now.

In a nutshell, some of the proposed changes make the already very restrictive process to get any liquor license a little bit tougher. I always struggle with this as the state of WI has (a lot) of rules on this already (those of you familiar with ch. 125 will know how long and confusing and messy it can be), and cities often make this worse by adding even MORE provisions to existing state law.

Some of this agenda item appears to be aimed at curbing class A holders' (grocery and convenience stores) ability to add a class B 'beer' license in order to have 'amusement' (gambling) machines which they can no longer have (lots of you will recall the most recent news on this). It appears that the suggested ordinance change is an appropriate one (if council agrees) which would essentially state that 1 building cannot have 2 types of licenses. THIS is a clean and appropriate way to curb gas station slot machines if council chooses to do so...and I think that would be a good move.

Where I struggle is asking new applicants for other license types about their 'economic impact' of a proposed business and requiring floorplans in order to be considered for a license. AND there is a strong suggestion that applicants should show up in person to be considered for a license now as well.

Couple things:
To get a liquor license, the state requires:
Criminal background check and police questionnaire
fire inspection
health inspection

All cities (Oshkosh included of course) have zoning rules about where bars and restaurants (and other businesses too) can be located as well as items concerning their shape and size and proximity to other places and signs etc etc etc.

It's not easy to get a liquor license now. And it's not that easy to meet all zoning requirements either.

There is absolutely no reason in the universe to conflate those 2 different types of requirements by adding anything remotely like zoning (size/floorplan/economic impact) to the already difficult process of liquor licensing (police/fire/health).

All of those requirements already need to be met.

Codifying the latter into the former will only make it appear that Osh is a more difficult place to open an awesome business than up the road in places that do not have as many hoops. And again...the hoops on liquor from the state are plenty, and the hoops from the city on planning plenty too...no reason to make folks jump through the same set twice.

AND (you know I love this subject)...bars and restaurants become treasured places in cities. I know you have a favorite, and that it is filled with important memories for likely generations. I trust current council plenty...but rules established today go on well into the future.

You tell me if the 'economic impact' of your favorite restaurant should determine its importance to you or your city. Third space and communal gathering areas are worth far more to people than their P&L. And I have no trust in future councils to determine which place will be most important to you or me (and it should never have to do with their generated revenue).

It's been a minute since a long post here! still fun ;)

12/27/2025

Friends!!! It's almost local election season. I am always really grateful when folks volunteer to serve their community by running for local office. It's important stuff, not easy to do, and really is impactful as the decisions made, particularly by Oshkosh council and OASD board, have immediate effects locally.

I'm sure as the races progress, we'll have lots to chat about. Wanted to take a second in the early stages to address one of my most favorite subjects which is:
Partisanship in Nonpartisan races.

Perhaps you have been asked to sign the nomination papers of folks running to serve you. If you did, and you read the page, the literal third and fourth words on the page are 'Nonpartisan Office'.

These offices are nonpartisan for good reason. Perhaps you have heard me explain before that it makes no difference to your trash pickup or road repairs whether or not the folks making those things happen to be republican or democrat. The decisions made at the local level in council and school board almost never have implications that in any way shape or form are influenced by someone's liberal or conservative voting record. Involving partisan politics where they really have no place only serves to slow down every process and make items needlessly divisive.

To that point, I bet you have heard or read someone lately say, 'WE REALLY NEED SOME MORE CONSERVATIVE VOICES ON SCHOOL BOARD!!!'. Or 'CITY COUNCIL IS TOO LIBERAL'. (or obviously and often vice versa on both of those).

It's important to remember when you read or hear or say things like that that:
1.These are nonpartisan positions...for good reason (as above).
2. The makeup of council & school board are literally chosen by you. Voters chose the makeup of these groups. Deriding the nature of the group serves as little purpose as choosing a side in the first place. Blame yourself or your neighbor. No elected group is too 'left' or too 'right'. They are whatever the voters chose. Period.

All of that said...there IS blame to cast here.

It's not easy as a candidate to say 'no' to the support of a major (or minor) political party who volunteers to help you win an election. I will never disparage a candidate for taking that kind of support (though I DO believe it is not necessary to win...ask me how I know ;) ). If you'd like me to help you aim your blame here, look no further than the Democratic Party and Republican Party of Winnebago Co.

Those folks absolutely should know the value in keeping partisan politics out of local elections (this is what they do for a living right?). But...these days...the more folks riled up about literally anything at all (even if, as up above, there is no bearing at all to the subject at hand) means the more folks being riled up...so partisan parties offer support where it really does not belong.

(I mean h*ck...don't you think that the Winnebago Co. Democratic Party AND the Winnebago Co. Republican party BOTH agree that there are potholes on High Ave.???...OR... better put, when you begin to see candidates endorsed by these parties, check to see which issues they are also addressing that truly impact your city locally. I have yet to see any item brought forth by either party that is pertinent to your day-to-day life in Oshkosh...but I WOULD love it if they WERE engaged in that manner instead of this arbitrary get-out-the-vote type stuff we typically see).

All of THAT said...most readers here know that this issue frustrates me very much, AND that I do not like to complain without offering at least some sort of solution...SO...as a reminder...I formed the 'Oshkosh Nonpartisan Commitment PAC'. This PAC supports any candidate for local office who will not take support (financial or otherwise) from any partisan party or special interest group. If you are running for local office and would like to discuss further, shoot me a DM.

Again, please don't take any of this as disparaging any candidates running for local office. I get that it's tough, and will always be grateful that anyone at all volunteers to do so.

Perhaps someday we can all collectively ask the partisan folks to keep their focus out of local races...as their involvement really does not benefit our city in any way.