Category: Uncategorized

The City of Oconto would like to address and respond to recent articles that were printed in the Oconto County Reporter regarding the denial of an open records request made by Kent Tempus, editor of the Reporter. The request asked that the City disclose the names, cities of residence and the current positions of those interviewed for the Police Chief position. The City was advised to deny that request. The Oconto County Reporter responded by publishing an article which states that Oconto officials violated the public’s trust, and that “Wisconsin law is very clear: The names of finalists for public office must be released.” The City disagrees.

An opinion written by the State of Wisconsin Attorney General on Wis. Stat. § 19.36 states the following:

“That definition (of “final candidate”) itself is in turn limited; it does not apply to all local public offices. For example, it would not apply to an officer appointed to serve an indefinite term who was also removable for cause, or an officer appointed by a body other than the governing body or the executive or administrative head of the local government. The statute does not apply, for example, to the office of chief of police because chiefs are appointed by the police and fire commission and hold their offices during good behavior, subject to suspension or removal by the board for cause. Sec. 62.13(3), Stats (emphasis added)”

81 Atty. Gen. 37 (1993).

The City believes that, based on the above-referenced opinion, it was likely correct to deny the open records request.

The Oconto County Reporter filed a lawsuit against the City seeking the attorneys’ fees it incurred as a result of the request. The City, upon the advice of counsel, has agreed to a negotiated settlement to avoid further costs to its taxpayers as a result of the litigation. This settlement will be paid for by the City’s insurance carrier as part of the City’s insurance policy.

Check out the links below for some very interesting videos about Oconto from the 1990’s!

Thank you to the Oconto Area Chamber of Commerce for allowing us to share these videos.

Oconto History on the Bay 1991: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtELMMAr4zw

Oconto History on the Bay 1995: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVZmjbEKLPc

1984 Copperfest Parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41-R2olb3AE

1985 Copperfest Parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSl1IdQ0Tlg

1986 Copperfest Parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXlLGW1VuTo

1987 Copperfest Parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDpFhajY5cA

1988 Copperfest Parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlV8Cfpy4MU

1989 Copperfest Parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7J5jKPGG14

1990 Copperfest Parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNASLDmgOH0

1991 Copperfest Parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu3pILyYbfc

1992 Copperfest Parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=155QYBMAluc

1993 Copperfest Parade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4hAUdfl0eQ

The City of Oconto and the City’s Building Inspection Department would like to help out the citizens by bringing out some of the most common questions that are asked.

A citizen of the City of Oconto that is located in a residential district doing construction and or disposing of waste material and is in need of using a Refuse Container (Dumpster) needs to apply for a dumpster permit. The permit application can be picked up and filled out at City Hall. The fee for such permit is $10.00 and is good for one month with the size being limited to 20 yards.

• Sec. 8-3-13. – Refuse Containers in Residential Districts. (b)Permit. A fee of ten dollars ($10.00) per month shall be paid for this permit. The Building Inspector may issue a permit to a person as required in Subsection (a) for the following purposes subject to the following conditions: (2)Special Events. The Building Inspector may issue a permit for the purpose of holding refuse generated as the result of any special event. As used in this Subsection the term “special event” shall include, but not be limited to, carnivals, auctions, weddings and other family gatherings. The permit issued under this Subsection shall be valid for a period of time not exceeding five (5) days. Said refuse container permitted under this Subsection shall be located where the special event is then occurring. The Building Inspector shall establish the allowable size and number of the refuse containers depending on the number of persons anticipated to attend the said event and shall also designate the area where the said containers may be located. Any person owning an interest in the property where the special event is to occur and any person sponsoring said special event may apply for the permit described in this Subsection. There shall be a five dollar ($5.00) charge per dumpster for this permit. (c)Penalty. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall, upon conviction, be subject to a penalty as provided in Section 1-1-7 of this Code, together with the cost of prosecution. Each day a violation continues or occurs shall constitute a separate offense. This Section shall not preclude the City from maintain any appropriate action to prevent or remove a violation of this Section.   City of Oconto Inspection Department

• Thank You
• Please feel free to contact the Inspection Department at any time for additional questions.
• (Ord. No. 1018, § 1, 6-11-02; Ord. No. 1039, § 2, 12-14-04; Ord. No. 1040, § 1, 1-11-05
• (3)Permits. A permit is required for any refuse container in any area as defined in Subsection (a) above. Permits shall be issued on a monthly basis. Any refuse container seen from any public thoroughfare that has been granted a monthly permit, for more than six (6) times in any one (1) year, shall have the container in an enclosure as approved by the Building Inspector.
• (1)Construction Refuse. The Building Inspector may issue a permit for the purpose of holding refuse generated as the result of construction then occurring on said property. The permit shall be valid for one (1) month from the date of issuance but the Building Inspector may extend the permit for additional periods of time depending upon the progress of construction occurring on the property. Any refuse container permitted to be placed on the property under this Subsection shall be located on the property where the construction is then occurring and shall not have the capability of holding more than twenty (20) cubic yards. Any such refuse container shall not be placed in the front yard setback as defined in this Code. Any person owning an interest in the said property or the owner or hauler of the refuse container may apply for the permit described herein.
• (a)Refuse Containers in Residential Districts. No person shall place or cause to be placed, or remove or cause to be removed on or from any single-family or multifamily dwellings located in any Residential 1 (R-1) and Residential 2 (R-2) zoned district a refuse container or a series of containers unless a permit is obtained from the Building Inspector.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Premier of Oconto County’s Discover Wisconsin Episode Sneak peek of the Discover Wisconsin broadcast featuring Oconto County

Residents from across Wisconsin and beyond will soon discover Oconto County! The episode “Oconto County – a place for you” follows hosts Mariah Haberman and Eric Paulsen from Discover Wisconsin around the county for endless opportunities of adventure!

The episode will show off Oconto County’s hundreds of miles in snowmobile and ATV/UTV trails, the Bay of Green Bay, artist Joan White, Sweet Memories Candy Shoppe, the Nicolet National Forest and the history of Oconto County!

Several festivals – such as Copperfest, Oconto Fly-In and the Lakes Country Arts and Crafts show are also featured.

The episode concludes with scenes from a guided fishing excursion with Don Loch on the Bay of Green Bay for some world class walleye fishing.

The public is invited to a “Discover Wisconsin” premier party on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 5:00pm at the Red Maple Country Club in Suring. Please RSVP by Friday, March 18, 2016 by phone 920-834-6969 or email ocedc@ocontocounty.org.

The episode will air in Northeast Wisconsin on March 26th at 10:00am on FSN Wisconsin or WFRV Channel 5 March 26th at 6:30pm. Discover Wisconsin TV airs in eight states across the Midwest.  Check out their broadcast guide online at www.discoverwisconsin.com to find out when you can catch the show in your neck of the woods.

The 20-minute episode will also be available online after March 26th at:

www.discoverwisconsin.com  or www.ocontocounty.org

The City of Oconto and the City’s Building Inspection Department would like to help out the citizens by bringing out some of the most common questions that are asked.

One of the first question that is asked after turning in a permit application is how long before the permit can be obtained? It’s all dependent on the type and size of the project. The project may look small in nature but could involve a lot of variables. A project may need to be reviewed by the inspectors and or designees which could take multiple days to get accomplished depending on the details involved.

Per Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 320.09(11); Time-Span for Approval or Denial. Action to approve or deny a uniform building permit application shall be completed within 10 business days of receipt of all forms, fees, plans and documents required to process the application, and completion of other local prerequisite permitting requirements.

Inspection of such work that has been performed, as stated by the permit application, will also need to be done prior to the permit being closed out. The Inspection Department asks that the work be completely done prior to calling for an inspection. The inspection process per Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 320.10(2)-3; and inspector has 48 hours from the initial call or notification that an inspection needs to be done.

Please feel free to contact the Inspection Department at any time for additional questions.

Thank You

City of Oconto Inspection Department

The Oconto Utility Commission is now offering paperless billing.  Instead of receiving your quarterly utility bill in the mail, you can receive it via email.  To sign up, simply complete the form below and drop it off at City Hall or email it to Julie at utilities@cityofoconto.com.

Paperless billing forms