Public education

A troubling report from the Educational Testing Service regarding how Americans feel about public education, and the perceived need for reform in order to remain competitive. Note the disparity between how teachers and the general public view the education system. It's also interesting to note that college and university professors seem highly critical of the current system, which comes as no shock to me since I work on at a university. There is also an article about the survey on the Chronicle of Higher Education's website that I encourage you to read.

Agreeing that we need some form of education reform is easy, however, deciding what reform is not.

-Bryan

WDC and "the ban"

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a well respected and nonpartisan, political watchdog group, has recently come out against the proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and all civil unions on the grounds that:

• Wisconsin’s Constitution should not be used as an instrument of discrimination.
• The process of amending the Constitution should not be used as an end-run around the normal lawmaking process.
• The Constitution should not be used by any candidate for public office, political party or interest group to gain an electoral advantage.

You can read more about it here. There is also a very unique argument made by "Rachel in Wisconsin" against the ban on Daily Kos.

I have blogged on this topic before: here, here, here and here. I am happy to see the WDC take a solid stand against the proposal. To learn more about why you should vote NO in NOvember, visit the Fair Wisconsin website.

-Bryan

Beyond Five Rivers

Now that we know the Five Rivers project will not be moving forward, the city's RDA met yesterday to discuss what to do with the riverfront property area between Jackson St. and Wisconsin St. (also known as TIF District #21). They agreed to meet again on July 19th to discuss a request for proposals (RFP).

Some have already weighed in with their ideas. Miles Maguire suggests a mixed-use development. An Oshkosh Northwestern article focuses on the lack of hotel space in Oshkosh and what some area business and tourism leaders have to say. And let's not forget about the "Living, Learning and Serving Community" project that was proposed by Chancellor Wells and others.

What do you recommend? Is there a redevelopment project you'd like to see accomplished along the river?

It's important enough for me to say again that I'm not happy to see a development project fall through. However, I agree with today's Oshkosh Northwestern analysis of the failed project.

-Bryan

UPDATED: RDA/Council meeting tomorrow (re: Five Rivers)

UPDATE: Five Rivers did not meet the provisions of the term sheet. Here's the story in the Oshkosh Northwestern. Below is an email City Manager Richard Wollangk sent today at 3:31 p.m. to the Common Council:

M E M O R A N D U M

Date: June 20, 2006
To: Mayor & City Council
From: Richard A.
Wollangk, City Manager
Subject: FIVE RIVERS

City staff has completed due diligence work on the commitment letter submitted by Five Rivers LLC on May 31st. We cannot find it meets the provisions of Section III, Subsections F and G of the Term Sheet document where the developer was to submit financing commitments in a form and substance satisfactory to the City/RDA. This determination is based upon what was learned in a meeting that Jackson Kinney and I had with CD Smith Construction on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 based upon the lack of cooperation from the Five Rivers group in assisting the city in completing its due diligence work on the submittal.

At the City Council Meeting on June 13th, Jackson pointed out that while the letter appeared to meet the submittal requirement, we needed to meet with the parties to ensure a common understanding of the commitment. As was pointed out in a memo to the RDA and Council this past Friday, the city made a concerted effort, beginning on June 1st, to seek Five Rivers cooperation in setting up an overall meeting of the Five Rivers group, including CD Smith Construction. The overall meeting that had been scheduled for June 13th was cancelled by Five Rivers.

Also at the June 13th meeting, Jackson indicated that there were various items that we needed to address in order to arrive at a satisfactory determination on the submittal. One of the items was to ensure that the commitment would provide the financial backing to cover all costs associated with completing the project up to, and including, opening the doors for occupancy. In our discussion with CD Smith, it was clear there were a number of project costs CD Smith did not intend to cover. These project costs included, among others: marina facilities; furniture, fixtures and equipment; restaurant, kitchen buildout allowance; telephone system; parking area north of Marion Road; and architectural and engineering fees.

While the commitment letter did not include a specific stipulation on take out financing on their loan, CD Smith indicated they expected to see a combination of lender and/or equity commitments from the developer within the context of the Developer’s Agreement. CD Smith officials indicated at today’s meeting that they had not previously been provided with a copy of the term sheet document by Five Rivers. The city appreciated CD Smith agreeing to meet and discuss their role in the project. As was pointed out at the June 13th Council Meeting, the city was very pleased to see CD Smith’s participation in the proposed project. While the commitment letter does not meet the intended substance of the financial commitments sought in the Term Sheet document, it did represent a significant offer by CD Smith.

I would note that the meeting that city staff had with CD Smith on June 20th was a meeting requested by the city. Again, we appreciated CD Smith’s willingness to meet and discuss their proposed role in the project.

Prior to today, a meeting had been scheduled with the RDA for Wednesday, June 21, 2006, at 4:00 p.m., where city staff will review the status of the project and ask for recommendations for proceeding with redevelopment efforts in the Marion Road/Pearl Avenue Redevelopment Area. That meeting will occur in room 404 of City Hall.

RAW/jdc

Cc: Community Development Director Jackson Kinney

I thank city staff and our consultants for performing their due diligence in a timely, professional and effective manner. While I'm relieved to know that the city will no longer be working with Mr. Doig, it's unfortunate that we won't have a development started this fall that could have served as a catalyst for future opportunities and development. The reason I did not support the term sheet extension in March was due to the fact that I believed Mr. Doig was unable to bring the project to fruition. We now know that's true.

I hope the city will use this as a learning experience - examine what we did well, where we can improve and how we can proceed forward. We have demonstrated our ability and willingness to work with a developer, and contrary to Mr. Doig, our city is development friendly. We now need a developer who is willing to understand the city's need to represent and protect the interests of the citizens of Oshkosh. It's time for the city to re-group and begin planning for the future.

**********

(My original post)

According to the Oshkosh Northwestern website, the city's Redevelopment Authority and possibly the Common Council will hold a meeting regarding the Five Rivers project at 4:00 p.m. in room 404, City Hall. It's worth noting that I did not receive a phone call, letter or email from city staff regarding the meeting prior to learning about it from the media.

I have also learned that Councilors Esslinger and McHugh will have a resolution placed on agenda for Tuesday's meeting. You can read more about it here, here and here (registration required).

Finally, it seems as though Mayor Castle and I are on the same page regarding the overall project and the developer's [flat out wrong] comments regarding the city. Mr. Doig is good at creating ideas but, unfortunately, that's where it ends. Perhaps someone should send him a copy of the OAEDC and Chamco reports the council recently received during workshop sessions to see just how much business growth and development we've had in Oshkosh!

-Bryan

Updates

1. The notes from the May 30th Fifth Tuesday Forum are available online. A few hard copies also will be made available on the ledge by the main entrance of City Hall (by the lion).

2. I had posted some information awhile back regarding the city's Monthly Report and whether or not it could be posted online. I discovered today that the reports are now available on the city's website (click on "Monthly Report" on the left-hand column).

3. I am happy to report that Mayor Castle has agreed with my request to move "Whatever Else is Pertinent or for the Good of the City," which will be an update on Five Rivers, to before "Citizen Statements" so that citizens will have an opportunity to speak on the issue and comment on the update. The Council meeting is Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 215 Church Ave.

4. Wednesday is a Winnebago County Board demonstration on the proposed voting machines at 5:00 p.m. and regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the County Courthouse, 420 Jackson St. It seems as though the Board will be voting on this issue at Wednesday's meeting. You can read more about it on County Board Supervisor Jef Hall's blog and on Tony Palmeri's website. I will be attending the demonstration since this will, if approved, impact the city.

-Bryan