Council approves parking change and UW Oshkosh fun run permit; roll call splits on Roast and Toast liquor license

The Oshkosh Common Council on Feb. 24 approved an ordinance changing a parking restriction on Irving Avenue and granted a special-event permit for a UW Oshkosh fun run, while the council recorded a split vote on a Class B fermented malt beverage license for a proposed business at 305 N. Sawyer St.

Ordinance 26-12 amended municipal code section 27-8-11 to change parking in front of the former Newman Center on Irving Avenue from 30-minute parking to four-hour parking. The ordinance was moved, seconded and approved by roll call votes recorded in the transcript as a 6-0 approval.

Resolution 26-96 authorized UW Oshkosh student recreation to use city streets and sidewalks for a UWO fun run on April 18, 2026. The resolution was moved, seconded and recorded as approved by roll call in the meeting transcript.

Resolution 26-97 sought approval of a Class B fermented malt beverage license for Roast and Toast LLC at 305 N. Sawyer St., Suite 100. The applicant spoke in support. Council debate focused on (1) a local ordinance that limits having two liquor licenses on the same tax parcel unless the council makes specific findings; (2) whether the proposed layout meets state “connected premises” rules (secondary exits and primary entrance designations); (3) public-safety and traffic considerations; and (4) potential effects on addiction-recovery communities and the placement of gaming machines.

Deputy Mayor Stevenson and several council members stressed that when the body acts contrary to a local ordinance it is best practice to make explicit findings explaining why the exception is granted. Council members questioned whether approving one applicant would require consistent approvals for future applicants with similar business plans.

Council member Beeler described outreach he had done with addiction-recovery providers and people in recovery and reported a consensus that the proposed license “doesn’t move the needle” for their concerns, while acknowledging personal disapproval of gambling machines. Flom and other members cited consistency with a previously approved business plan at another site and said they planned to vote in favor.

The roll call on Resolution 26-97 as recorded in the transcript produced three aye votes and three no votes (the transcript shows the sequence culminating in a recorded “3 3”). The meeting transcript does not include an explicit recorded announcement of the final disposition following that roll call.

The council concluded its listed action items and proceeded to other business and announcements.

Votes recorded in the transcript
- Consent agenda: recorded as approved, roll call reflected aye votes (transcript shows a 6-0 result).
- Ordinance 26-12 (Irving Avenue parking change): recorded as approved, roll call recorded 6-0.
- Resolution 26-96 (UW Oshkosh fun run, 04/18/2026): recorded as approved by roll call (6-0 recorded in transcript).
- Resolution 26-97 (Class B license for Roast and Toast LLC, 305 N. Sawyer St.): roll call recorded three ayes and three no votes (transcript records the split as “3 3”); the transcript does not contain a clear final announcement of the motion’s disposition.

Next steps
The council moved into discussion of non-action items and later voted to convene a closed session (see separate article). Meeting minutes and the formal minutes roll should be consulted to confirm final procedural dispositions and any written findings the council may have included in the official record.