Monthly Archives: October 2009

by | October 31, 2009 · 11:02 am

Busy Council Meeting Deals with Labor Agreements, Road Projects, Sewer Rates

It’s a full plate for the South Milwaukee Common Council at its November 3 meeting. Among the agenda items:

  • Discussion and possible motions on new labor agreements for our firefighters (South Milwaukee Firefighters Protective Association Local 1633) and police officers (South Milwaukee Professional Police Association Local 201).
  • Discussion and a possible motion regarding plans to be submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for 15th Avenue improvements from College Avenue south to Rawson. We had a Public Works and Property Committee meeting about this issue on Wednesday, and I’m really happy with what our engineering department came up with here. You can learn more about the project in this earlier post. The proposal we’re going to debate is expected to include, among other safety improvements, the addition of medians and left-turn restrictions at Beech, Walnut and Cherry. A median at Maple near Rawson Elementary is no longer under consideration.
  • Discussion and a possible motion on the submission of an application to the state for funding to improve 11th Avenue south of Milwaukee Avenue . I feel this is an important project for our downtown, as it would allow for some much-needed work on the stretch of road that houses the South Milwaukee Downtown Market. The market was a huge success in 2009, and we’re planning to make it bigger and better in 2010. Making 11th Avenue a first-class roadway, as opposed to the current potholed mess it currently is, will help achieve that goal.
  • Discussion and a possible motion on an increase in sewer user rates. This was the subject of a lengthy Wastewater Commission meeting I attended Thursday, and commissioners voted to recommend an increase in sewer rates. The council must approve this. This is a very complicated issue, but I go in to Tuesday’s meeting expecting to support the increase for several reasons. First, it’s what the wastewater facility needs to pay its bills while also beginning to grow the cash balance in its budget. That balance does not currently exist. The recommended increase is also manageable for residents. For the average user, it will equate to an estimated $5.50 increase per tri-annual sewer bill, or $16.50 annually. And I’m told that our sewer bills will remain among the lowest in the area, even with the increase. It’s also the first increase since 2007, and the one previous to that came in 2004. A decline in the volume of sewage treated is also driving this. In short, it seems like a fair request on the part of our Wastewater Commission.

The Common Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Click here for the full agenda.

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by | October 30, 2009 · 4:02 pm

Some Stories You May be Interested in …

Headlines of interest from the past week  include this interesting and thought-provoking article from Milwaukee Magazine on Bucyrus International.

King Coal: Most of the world’s strip-mining is done with Milwaukee-made machines. Few metro-area economies are more dependent on coal.

Also, check out this story from The Daily Reporter on the location of stations for the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee (KRM) commuter rail extension — a project that I strongly support as a way to grow our city and lift our downtown. I’ll explain my thoughts more in an upcoming posting.

And  check out these two stories from the Journal Sentinel:

And this one from The Business Journal about the South Milwaukee Blockbuster at Grant Park Plaza closing. That’s disappointing news.

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by | October 29, 2009 · 10:41 pm

Reminder: Trick-or-Treating is Saturday

Here’s a treat: South Milwaukee’s official trick-or-treat times this year are 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, Halloween Day.

Please note the change in time. The City Council originally scheduled the time for October 25, but revoted earlier this month on the new time. I supported the change.

I have held throughout that trick-or-treating should be held on Halloween, if at all possible. Since Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, it’s possible. And judging by this list of area trick-or-treat times, we’re far from alone in holding our trick-or-treating on October 31.

Have a save and happy Halloween!

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by | October 28, 2009 · 11:08 pm

Football Cannon: A Booming Success?

Fresh off its first WIAA playoff game since 1998, the South Milwaukee football team plays Lake Geneva Badger in a second-round game at 1 p.m. Saturday in South Milwaukee.

That means the cannon will be back.

I received a few complaints this fall about the cannon’s noise level … including from my 4-year-old. He is scared to death of it because, even though we live eight blocks from the field, it sounds like it’s next door when it’s shot off.

What do you think of the cannon? Leave your comments below.

Here is the full list of WIAA football playoff pairings. And to read more about South Milwaukee’s 28-21 victory over Bradley Tech Tuesday, click here. Go Rockets!

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by | October 27, 2009 · 9:56 pm

H1N1 Flu Clinic Planned for November 4

The city’s first H1N1 flu clinic — for those in targeted populations only — is coming up. The walk-in clinic is planned for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, at City Hall.

There is limited vaccine availability, and vaccines will only be given on a first-come, first-served basis to the following people: 

  • Health care and emergency medical services personnel who have direct contact with patients or infectious material;
  • Pregnant women;
  • Household contacts and caregivers for children less than 6 months old;
  • All children age 6 months to 4 years; and 
  • Children and adolescents ages 5-18 years who have a chronic medical condition associated with higher risk of complications from influenza.

For information on future clinics please call 211, or log on to www.wisconsinfluclinic.info for a Flu Clinic Locator tool. And you can learn more about the South Milwaukee Health Department and all the valuable services it provides — your tax dollars at work — here.

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by | October 27, 2009 · 9:36 pm

4th District Focus at Public Works Meeting

Potential Nicholson widening. Fifteenth avenue improvements. Possible upgrades to the “stub streets” east and west of 15th. Various sewer projects.

There’s a number of 4th District projects on the agenda for the Public Works and Property Committee meeting at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, at City Hall. We’ll also discuss potential improvements to 11th Avenue south of Milwaukee Avenue in advance of the 2010 South Milwaukee Downtown Market.

Click here to see an agenda on the city website.

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by | October 26, 2009 · 6:31 pm

An Update on the 2010 Budget

Yes, there is some pain in the 2010 South Milwaukee city budget. But, thanks to the efforts of our administration, staff, department heads and the Finance Committee, things are looking as good as can be expected for next year.

That’s great news for taxpayers.

We had a Finance Committee meeting to discuss the proposed executive budget last week. Among the highlights:

  • The overall increase from the 2009 budget to the 2010 executive budget is $291,295, including debt service.
  • The executive budget meets the state-imposed levy limit (3 percent) with an increase of approximately 2.95 percent.
  • A recommended $250,000 fund transfer from the city’s “non-lapsing fund” will make up more than half of the estimated $400,000-plus budget shortfall we’ve been projecting.
  • The rest will primarily come as the city does not fill three open positions — a street department laborer, a public health nurse and an engineering department employee.
  • Interest income may actually come in lower than projected, even from a month ago. We are now projecting $100,000 in interest income in 2010, as opposed to $150,000 earlier in the budget process.
  • Also driving the initial shortfall were a $106,000 reduction in state shared revenue, a $60,000 increase in the “tipping fee” charged for waste disposal and $50,000 in increased expense for snow and ice removal.

City Administrator Tami Mayzik pointed out — and I agree — that while you should be hesitant to rely on a fund transfer to fill a budget hole, it is warranted in this case. The thought is investment interest rates will not stay this low forever, and once they increase, the lost revenue from those investments will rebound. Let’s hope that is in 2010 and not 2011.

You can check out the proposed 2010 budget out on the city website here. And you still have a chance to have your voice heard on the budget at these upcoming meetings:

  • The City Council will hold a budget public hearing at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 30.
  • The Council will consider adopting the budget at its meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1.

Again, thanks to everyone for their hard work in putting together this difficult budget … and for explaining some of the intricacies to this first-term alderman.

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by | October 26, 2009 · 8:33 am

$100 Bill Fraud in South Milwaukee

Got the following alert from South Milwaukee Police Officer Mike Hill this morning.

The South Milwaukee Police Department recently took a report of a person attempting to pass a bleached out $5.00 bill turned into a $100.00 bill.  The attempt was foiled when the business owner noticed the portrait on the bill did not match.  The suspect left and took the bill with him.  The suspect was a black male about 6′ tall, slender build, thirties, clean shaved, wearing a brown hat, tan sweater and white khakis or pants.  The suspect got into a light colored vehicle, likely a newer Toyota Camry with out of state plates. 

I encourage business owners to go over currency identification with their employees to help prevent becoming a victim.  If someone attempts to pass a fake or counterfeit bill to you or your business contact the South Milwaukee Police Department as soon as possible.  Get a detailed description of the suspect(s) and their vehicles, including a license plate.  DO NOT take any enforcement action on your own.

A big thanks  to Officer Hill and Alderman Jim Shelenske for starting this crime update email service recently. I’ll post some of these as I receive them.

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by | October 25, 2009 · 1:19 am

4th District Town Hall Meeting Planned

Your voice counts, and keeping you informed is important to Dave Bartoshevich and me.

That is why we’re holding our first town hall meeting  at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, at City Hall. We’ll kick off the meeting with a brief presentation bringing attendees up to speed on what’s happening in the 4th District … and what’s to come. We’ll then take questions and address whatever is on your mind about life in South Milwaukee.

You may have seen us in the district promoting the town hall meeting with this newsletter.

Our goal is to hold these meetings — and produce a district newsletter — twice annually. Improving the way we communicate with our residents is an important issue for me, and I think this blog, the town hall meeting and the newsletter deliver on that promise.

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by | October 24, 2009 · 3:03 am

More on the 15th Avenue Project

Got some more details today on what’s planned for 15th Avenue next year … and I like it. The most recent proposal — recently submitted to Wisconsin Department of Transportation — includes the following:

  • Removal and replacement of travel lane concrete pavement from College to Rawson;
  • Removal and replacement of selected parking lanes, curb and gutter; and
  • Medians at Maple, Cherry and Beech streets.

Pavement would be widened from south of Cherry to north of Beech to accomodate those two medians and allow for a right-turn-only lane into the South Milwaukee Middle School entrance driveway. The Beech median would run through the entire intersection … eliminating left turns from 15th Avenue on to Beech.

And there would be no widening to accomodate the Maple median, meaning there will be some street parking lost in the 1400 and 1500 blocks of 15th Avenue. The tradeoff is a safer crossing for Rawson Elementary students, something my 4K student son will appreciate.

Want to learn more about the plans? Stop by the Public Works and Property Committee meeting at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, at City Hall. And, as always, feel free to comment here or contact me at erikbrooks32@yahoo.com.

And click here to read my earlier post on this topic.

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by | October 22, 2009 · 7:36 pm

Keeping Watch of Your Neighborhood

I am  big believer in Neighorhood Watch programs. So when I got a few calls this summer about vandalism and other crime concerns near 14th and Park and also on Parkway Drive, I suggested neighbors look into forming a Watch program.

I don’t think either request went anywhere, but I’ll put another plug in for these groups.

Why? Simply, they work. For starters, they create an increased awareness around safety and serve to educate residents about the active role they can play in keeping them, their homes and their streets safe.

They also serve a less tangible, but even more important, role. Watch programs create strong neighborhoods, bringing neighbors together and creating a sense of solidarity around a common goal. And we need that now, more than ever.

The South Milwaukee Police Department has an officer — Mike Hill — dedicated to this effort. Email him here. Also, click here to access a PDF with more information on the Neighborhood Watch program.

And please let me know of any crime concerns in your neighborhood. South Milwaukee is known as a clean, affordable and, most importantly, safe community, and let’s keep it that way.

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by | October 21, 2009 · 3:13 am

Working Toward a Wider Nicholson Avenue

I take my life into my own hands twice a day while dodging rush-hour traffic on Nicholson/Pennsylvania Avenue on the way to work. In 2012, my commute, and the commute of thousands of others, might get a bit easier.

Work is progressing toward a project that will widen the road from two to four lanes from College Avenue south to Rawson.

Utility relocation is scheduled to begin in 2011, and roadway construction will start in early 2012, according to a request for proposals that was sent out this summer seeking design firms.

Fifteen proposals were submitted, and the RFP was recently awarded to Foth Infrastructure & Environment LLC, which will handle survey work, preparation of alternatives for layout and stormwater management, public information meetings and final project design.

This will be a long process, one that involves South Milwaukee, Oak Creek and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation working together to come up with the best solution for what I believe is a dangerous roadway. I promise to keep you updated on what’s happening with this project as it moves forward.

Of course, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Do you think widening is necessary? If not, what, if anything, should be done? Post your comments below.

Also, check out this post to learn more about the postal facility project planned for College and Pennsylvania/Nicholson. The status of this project — specifically if the USPS decides to pay for some road improvements — will impact the widening effort. But in the end, no matter what happens with the postal facility, the widening is planned to go on. 

(Thanks to City Engineer Kyle Vandercar for providing these updates.)

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by | October 20, 2009 · 3:03 am

What’s up with That Postal Facility, Anyway?

Update: South Milwaukee City Engineer Kyle Vandercar says Oak Creek has sent a letter to the USPS with a November 1 deadline requesting that they verify they are still planning to fund improvements on Pennsylvania/Nicholson from Hickory to College. As stated below, this all plays into plans to improve the entire stretch of Pennsylvania/Nicholson from College to Rawson. I’ll post more on that effort soon. Thanks for the update, Kyle.

That’s the question I posed to Oak Creek City City Administrator Patrick DeGrave today. The answer? Not much.

“No new information,” he wrote in an email. “We continue to work to get the USPS to commit financially to the design and construction of Pennsylvania. The County is doing the same for College.”

As you’ll recall, the plans, originally announced in 2008, called for construction of an 870,000 square-foot mail processing and distribution facility southwest of Pennsylvania and College avenues, bordering South Milwaukee’s 4th District. Included in the plans were upgrades to Pennsylvania/Nicholson and College, to be funded by the postal service. (You’ll recall that a roundabout at Hickory was among those discussions.)

Since then, the postal project has been put on hold, although there were some rumblings this spring that it was back on again. Where does it stand now? I’ll let you know as soon as I know more.

A big thanks to Mr. DeGrave for the update.

Click here for a Journal Sentinel story on the project from last December and another story from South Milwaukee NOW on project delays in February. And here is a good Q&A on the project from the Oak Creek website.

As the NOW story states, widening on Pennsylvania/Nicholson is still in the works in the next couple of years, regardless of the postal project. And if you’ve taken the circuitous College Avenue lately, you know work there is proceeding to prepare for the installation of the runway tunnel.

Check back here for an update on the Pennsylvania/Nicholson widening project in coming days.

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by | October 17, 2009 · 9:00 pm

New Look for Rawson Elementary Playground

UPDATE: I heard from Rawson Principal Colin Jacobs today, and he said the playground is expected to be completed in mid- to late November. It will take approximately two weeks for the equipment to be installed and another week for the rubber matting to be put down. “Pray for good weather,” he told me in an email. Consider it done. Thanks for the update, Mr. Jacobs.

There’s some good news for 4th District kids.

Work is underway on replacing the outdoor playground at Rawson Elementary, and the new equipment will be first-class. The old equipment has already been removed from the site.  

The project got a boost this summer when the City Council allocated Community Development Block Grant money for the effort. Some “leftover” CDBG funds from Oak Creek also helped with the project.

It’s a worthy project, one that will benefit the entire community. And I know my son, a Rawson 4K student, is even more excited than I am about it.

Thanks to everyone, including school leaders and the dedicated volunteers who have raised funds for the playground, for making this happen.

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by | October 17, 2009 · 7:53 pm

Solid Plans for 15th Avenue Improvements

Some long overdue road work is coming to 15th Avenue … thanks to federal stimulus dollars.

The project includes full replacement of the travel lanes from College to Rawson avenues, and that’s great. It needs it. It also includes localized replacement of curb, gutter and parking lane concrete.

But the best part of this project is the safety improvements that are planned around South Milwaukee Middle and High School.

At this point, two narrow median strips are planned for intersections at Beech and Cherry streets near the two schools, and a third is being considered at Maple Street near Rawson Elementary.

The medians would allow for more prominent and permanent street safety signage and possible school zone flashing lights. They also would emphasize school zone and pedestrian crossings, slowing traffic. 

I am asking that they also include some sort of decorative landscaping to make the new street a first-class corridor for our city.

The pavement would also be widened on the east side of 15th from Cherry to Beech to accomodate the medians and allow for a designated turn lane to the middle school drop-off area.

Work is scheduled for next summer, and actual construction costs will be entirely funded with stimulus money. (The city is picking up an estimated $125,000 in design and engineering costs.)

The city and Collins Engineering held a public information meeting on the project last week. Only several neighbors attended, despite persistent concerns about traffic around the schools during drop-off and pick-up.

I’ll keep you updated on the status of the project and what the final plans call for. In the meantime, feel free to add a comment here to let me know your suggestions for the project and 15th Avenue traffic concerns.

And a big thanks to the city engineer’s office and Collins Engineering for their work on this so far, including meetings with school officials and neighbors to give them a chance to provide their input on the project.

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