The second indoor farmers’ market is almost here, and note the new date and time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Palm Sunday. See you there!
Stay on top of all market news on their Facebook page.
Author Archives: Erik Brooks
Spring Market Set For Palm Sunday
Filed under Schools, South Milwaukee, South Milwaukee Farmers' Market
Capital Plan: Putting Dollars Behind Our Priorities For A Promising Future
Our biennial capital plan is much more than numbers on a sheet of paper. It’s a chance to show real commitment to investing in priorities for future growth.
The borrowing approved by the South Milwaukee City Council Tuesday night is no different.
The council voted unanimously to borrow more than $7.9 million for a variety of projects ranging from road repairs and equipment purchases to energy efficiency and downtown revitalization. Among the items where money has been earmarked the next two years:
- More than $2.5 million for road and other engineering projects, including $450,000 to be put toward the nearly $1 million cost to completely rebuild — roadway and utilities — the stretch of Chicago Avenue from north of the Oak Creek bridge to Pine Street. Work is expected to take place this summer.
- Almost $2.5 million for various water, wastewater and stormwater utility projects, as we continue to upgrade our aging underground infrastructure;
- Up to $340,000 for the purchase of LED lighting for municipal buildings, and for a pilot program in partnership with We Energies to use LEDs in select streetlights across the city — a significant investment in energy efficiency that has the potential to yield big savings over time;
- $250,000 for Milwaukee Avenue streetscaping, allowing us to hit the ground running with a significant investment in our city center once our downtown plan in delivered in coming months;
- $150,000 for the next round of fiber optic connectivity;
- $75,000 for urban forestry — money that we’ll use to invest in tree replanting efforts and the start of our long-range tree planting program; and
- $70,000 for rebranding work, as we look to partner with an outside agency to develop a new visual identity for South Milwaukee — and then look to bring that identity to life through opportunities like websites, new street signage and more.
It’s worth noting that each of the projects contemplated in the borrowing will still need council approval, but passage of this plan is significant because it funds them. Without borrowing the money now, it would be another two years before we could even think about undertaking some of this important work. And we don’t have time to wait.
Of course, we’re doing this responsibly.
At the same time we’re borrowing these funds, we’re retiring another approximately $6 million in debt. And we’re getting this money cheaply — our strong Aa2 bond rating, the result of years of sound financial management and responsible budgeting, allows us access to very low interest rates (just over 2% on a 10-year note in this case).
As always, we will spend this money wisely, and make key investments in better days ahead. That starts now.
Filed under City Council, South Milwaukee
Saying Farewell To A Community Servant: City Attorney To Retire
South Milwaukee is blessed to have many people who have dedicated their lives to serving their community. No one fits that description more than Joseph Murphy.
That’s why it was sad, albeit not surprising, to hear that Joe is retiring after serving more than 34 years as South Milwaukee city attorney. The Common Council accepted his retirement letter, effective May 31, on Tuesday.
Joe leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, hard work, dedication and wisdom — and a commitment to doing what’s right. He was a trusted adviser for me, and I will miss his counsel and guidance on issues big and small.
The Murphy family legacy is even greater. Joe’s mother was among the founders of Human Concerns, and I can’t think of a better example of the family’s desire to make South Milwaukee a better place for all people.
Now, we begin the search for Joe’s successor. We will start by exploring hiring a firm to perform these services, and I’ll keep you posted as we move forward.
You will recall that the city attorney position is no longer elected. The council made that job, and those of the city clerk and treasurer, appointed, effective in 2017, although we accelerated that date last year, when Joe informed us he was moving out of South Milwaukee. Then came word of his pending retirement over the weekend.
I wish Joe nothing but the best, and I can’t think of a better message than this: Thank you.
Filed under City Council, South Milwaukee
Snow Removal Reminder
While Tuesday’s snow wasn’t as much as expected, property owners still have a responsibility to clear snow from public walkways.
From Chapter 12 of the municipal code …
12.20 REMOVAL OF SNOW AND ICE ON SIDEWALKS. It shall be the duty of every property owner of each and every parcel of real estate abutting on or bordering upon any street, avenue or highway or other public place to remove or cause to be removed all snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of or adjacent to such premises to the full-paved width of such sidewalks within 24 hours after such snow or ice shall have fallen or accumulated thereon. Determination of the ending of such twenty-four hour period shall be made by the Police Department. Rep. & Recr. 01/02/85, 1284, Rep. & Recr. 2/2/16, 2121 12.21
USE OF SAND OR SALT ON SIDEWALKS. In case the snow and ice on the sidewalk shall be frozen so hard that it cannot be removed without damage to the sidewalk, the owner of every parcel of real estate shall, within the time specified in the preceding section, ensure the safe traversing of the sidewalk abutting or adjacent to such premises by applying an abrasive material such as sand or salt and as soon thereafter as the weather shall permit, thoroughly clean such sidewalk. Rep. & Recr. 2/2/16, 2121
And if you don’t do this?
12.26 CITY MAY REMOVE SNOW. Whenever any property owner shall fail or neglect to remove snow and/or ice from any public sidewalk or roof as provided in this chapter, the Street Superintendent may without notice to the property owner, have the ice and/or snow removed. The fee for the City removing the snow and ice shall be set by the Common Council and included in the City’s Administrative Fee Schedule. The Street Superintendent shall keep an accurate account of the occurrences of the City clearing the snow and ice in all cases where property owners of abutting lots fail to do so and report the same to the City Clerk who shall prepare at least annually invoices for the affected property owners. If the property owner fails to pay the invoice, the amount therein charged to each lot or parcel of land shall be entered in the tax roll as a special charge against said lot or parcel of land and the same shall be collected in all respects like other taxes upon real estate. The imposition and collection of any fine or penalty prescribed for violation of Section 12.20 and 12.26 inclusive of the South Milwaukee code shall not bar the right of the City to collect the cost of the removal and cleaning of snow and ice from the sidewalk as herein provided. Repl. & Recr. 2/2/16, 2121
Report violators to the South Milwaukee Police Department, non-emergency line, at 414-768-8060.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Man Pronounced Dead At Scene Of Car Crash
From the South Milwaukee Fire Department …
At approx. 1:50 this afternoon (Tuesday), SMFD rec’d notification from SMPD Dispatch of a car that struck a building in the 3600 blk. of South Chicago Avenue at the Lakeshore Medical Clinic. SMPD officers arrived on scene first, broke out a window to gain access and pulled the unresponsive male driver from the vehicle. As evidenced from the (picture), the vehicle did not strike the building and, in fact, missed several objects including a for sale sign, a fire hydrant, and a row of bushes before coming to rest near the clinic on the side of the small hill. SMFD arrived on scene, moved the patient into the clinic and began advanced life support resuscitation efforts. Unfortunately, the patient was pulseless and non-breathing nearly the entire time, only gaining a pulse for brief periods before the Doctor at Medical Control ceased resuscitation efforts. The driver was pronounced deceased on the scene. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office was contacted and the patient was transported to their location.
Please keep this man’s family in your prayers.
Filed under South Milwaukee
Chimney Fire Damages South Milwaukee Home
From the South Milwaukee Fire Department …
At approximately 8:48 this evening (Feb. 26), SMFD received a telephone call from the occupants of a two-family residence at 827 Blake Avenue reporting what they believed to be a chimney fire. Upon arrival of SMFD units, fire was seen coming from the chimney and out of the attic through the roof. All occupants were out of the building and accounted for. While one crew accessed the 2nd floor and attic, another raised a ladder to the roof. Because of the extension of the fire, the level of response was upgraded to the Working Still level. Due to simultaneous calls occurring at this time, the 128th ANG Fire Department and the St. Francis Fire Department were unable to respond to this request. The Cudahy and Oak Creek Fire Departments, however, did respond to the scene and the Incident Commander determined this to be sufficient. Interior crews extinguished the fire from the inside by removing an area of drywall around the chimney chase above the 2nd floor fireplace while the crew on the roof extinguished that area and removed most of the charred material from above. Examination of the attic revealed charring to the roof structural members and plywood roof decking. No injuries were reported. Upon examination, a large accumulation of bird nesting materials was discovered inside the false chimney box directly in contact with the steel chimney flue. It appears as though the fire started in the nesting materials and extended to the wood structural members.
Filed under South Milwaukee
March 19: Breakfast With The Easter Bunny & Easter Egg Hunt
Help support two great location organizations: the South Milwaukee Lions and Friends of the Mill Pond and Oak Creek Watercourse!
Filed under Events, South Milwaukee
Man Injured In South Milwaukee House Fire
A man suffered minor injuries from a house fire Thursday night in South Milwaukee.
The fire at 1622 Minnesota Ave. was reported shortly after 9:30 p.m.
Firefighters responded quickly and found a man outside who had escaped through a window. He suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation and lacerations, and was taken to the hospital. He is expected to be OK.
There is significant damage to the interior of the house.
Thanks to all of our firefighters for their work tonight.
Filed under Fire, South Milwaukee
More Headlines
Check out these South Shore headlines …
- Two County Golf Courses Opening Friday (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- “Strong Like Bull” Mover Uses Personals To Pursue Customers (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- He keeps his truck in South Milwaukee.
- Taking A Stroll Down Memory Lane — Street Sign And All (Journal Sentinel)
- Oak Creek Chick-fil-A Announces March Opening (NOW)
- Oak Creek Water Utility: Rates Will Not Increase Due To Improvement Project (NOW)
- OSHA: Oak Creek Industrial Laundry Facility Cited In Worker’s Death (Fox 6)
- Official Count Changes Oak Creek School Board Results (NOW)
- Ed Rapp Talks About Leaving His Post At Caterpillar To Focus His Energy On Fighting ALS (Peoria Journal-Star)
Filed under South Milwaukee
February Golf!?
Why not?
With temperatures in the 50s expected, Grant Park is open for walkers only starting on Friday. Think spring!
Learn more here.
Filed under Parks, South Milwaukee
Investing In High-Speed Connectivity
I am always happy to get behind technology that brings communities closer together — and helps make doing our jobs easier. The most recent example: South Milwaukee’s investment in fiber optic cable.
The city council voted unanimously on Tuesday to spend more than $90,000 to install underground fiber cable connecting the City Administration building with Oak Creek, and through that connection other communities who have already made this investment.
Future installations will connect South Milwaukee City Hall with our fire department, street department, library, water and wastewater facilities and, hopefully, our local schools, as we do our part to create a web of fiber connectivity across the county that will help us all work better together in sharing information and potentially services.
The added bandwidth will also make our jobs easier today.
Fiber is able to transmit data much faster over greater distances than traditional copper lines, and it enables faster download and connection speeds for things like video conferencing and data backup.
For our police department, the fiber connection will better support the upgraded countywide radio system coming online later this year, and our records management system, which is hosted through the West Allis Police Department.
In other words, it’s money well spent.
Filed under City Services, South Milwaukee
Rocket Sports Update
From the South Milwaukee School District …
Good luck to all the student-athletes in action!
FROM THE JOURNAL SENTINEL
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Caitlin Schwanke, South Milwaukee. The 5-foot-9 senior who plays in the post and on the perimeter has helped the Rockets win four of their last five games to climb into third place in the Woodland East.
Last Friday she finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 70-63 victory over Greenfield. In two of the team’s previous three victories, Schwanke ranked second on the team in scoring while tying for the team lead in rebounds and assists.
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/preps/focus-on-girls-basketball-b99670087z1-368902141.html
GIRLS BASKETBALL – The Rockets host DSHA for the freshman at 4:15pm on Friday and Ronald Reagan HS at 5:45pm for the JV and 7:30pm for the Varsity. Good luck Rockets!
Coach Jim Grassl’s Rocket Varsity Girls’ Basketball Team will open up WIAA Playoffs next Tuesday at 7:00pm at Greendale High School. All tickets are $4. Hopefully we can get a good crowd out at Greendale to help cheer them on to victory!
SWIM & DIVE – Coach Kasia Brzezicka’s Rockets finished up a very successful season by taking 6th out of 11 teams at Carthage College at WIAA Sectionals. A number of swimmers had great times competing against some of the best swimmers in the area. Dennis Lazaj took 5th in the 100 butterfly, the 200 medley relay of 1) Colin Sodemann JR 2) Ryan Hagen JR 3) Denis Lazaj SR 4) Nicholas Calkins SR took 5th, and Adam Brzezicki took 4th and Spencer Czarnecki took 5th in the 500 free.
WRESTLING – Coach Joel Shilling’s Rockets hosted the WIAA Regionals last Saturday at the Teff Gymansium and took second place out of the 8 teams competing which was a really good showing. Junior Ted Swanson qualified for Sectionals with his Regional Championship at 145 lbs! Also qualifying for WIAA Sectionals on Saturday at Racine Case were Eli Heller (2nd – 106 lbs), Isaiah Jasso (4th – 113 lbs), Ben Wesela (2nd – 120 lbs). Conrad Shilling (2nd – 126 lbs), Jacob Johnson (3rd – 160 lbs), Dakota Scott (3rd – 170 lbs), Adam Jones (2nd – 182 lbs), Jordan Phillips (4th – 195 lbs), & Raul Benavides (2nd – 285 lbs).
Good luck on Saturday at Racine Case. Wrestling starts at 10:00am and the cost is $8 for the whole day, $6 if you get there for the 2nd round and $5 if you are there just for the finals.
BOYS BASKETBALL – Coach John Riggins’ Rockets travel to Pius XI HS on Friday and then host Whitnall next WEDNESDAY to close out their regular season. Regional brackets will be determined on Sunday morning.
POMS – Coach Lara Sokolowski’s Rockettes finished their competition season narrowly missing out on advancing to State but had a really solid performance at WACPC Regionals a few weeks ago.
CHEER – Coach Michele Sodemann’s Rockets took 2nd at last week’s competition at Kettle Moraine Lutheran HS and compete this Saturday at Wilmot HS for WACPC Regionals and look to try and advance to State Competition in Madison the following weekend! Good luck Rockets!
Filed under Schools, South Milwaukee, Sports
Wind Damages Grant Park Picnic Pavilion Roof
Significant wind damage was reported today to the roof of the historic picnic structure at Grant Park picnic area 5A.
Many of the shingles were blown away. No one was hurt.
I’ll keep you posted on a repair plan, although I’m told summer activities at the facility shouldn’t be impacted. That’s some good news in all of this.
There are also multiple power outages on the north end of South Milwaukee, according to the We Energies outage map at 3:15 p.m.
Thanks to Michael Wrench and Jacob Klingforth from the Parks Department for the info and photos.
Filed under Grant Park, South Milwaukee
Reminder: Meet The Mayor Dates Coming Up
Update: The headline was incorrect on a previous related post. The next event is Feb. 27.
Just a reminder, I’m holding my latest Meet the Mayor session at one of my favorite local restaurants (home to the world’s best garlic break, IMHO).
Join me from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, at Barbiere’s Italian Inn, 1021 Milwaukee Ave. Bring your questions, comments or concerns, or just stop by, say hi and enjoy some terrific Italian food. Thanks to Matt and the gang for hosting me!
Also, mark your calendars for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, when I’m holding a Meet the Mayor session at The Tap Room, the former Johnny Mo’s, 1301 Milwaukee Ave.
You’ll love what the new owners have done with place.
Open and honest communication, and accessibility, are really important to me. These Meet the Mayor events are one small way I try and bring that commitment to life.
Filed under South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee Primary: Abele, Bradley Win Locally
Local results are in from Tuesday’s spring primary election.
In the primary for Milwaukee County executive, incumbent Chris Abele tallied 45% of the vote in South Milwaukee, with challenger Sen. Chris Larson coming in second with 40%. (The actual margin was 1,078 to 960.)
Both will advance to the general election on Tuesday, April 5.
In the primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court, Rebecca Bradley garnered 49% of votes cast Tuesday in South Milwaukee (1,168), with JoAnne Kloppenburg earning 37% (877).
Turnout was impressive, topping 20% in South Milwaukee.
Check out the full results here.
Thanks to everyone who voted today, and to our clerk’s staff and election night workers for their efforts!
Filed under South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee Blog 