Author Archives: Erik Brooks

From the South Milwaukee Water Utility …

The South Milwaukee Water Utility has filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to increase water rates. A Public Hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Public Service Commission Hearing Room, on the first floor of the Hill Farms State Office Building, 4288 Madison Yards Way, Madison, WI 53705.

Comments can be submitted for the hearing via the web, orally, written, or mailed (see attached notice above).

• Water rates will be increasing in the near future.  The average residential user’s rate will increase approximately $12.00 per month (or $48 per trimester-billing cycle). This reflects a 38% increase.
• The rate increase is due primarily to our required investment in a large infrastructure project, as well as increases in operating expenses (gas, electric, supplies, and personnel costs, etc.).
• The large infrastructure project was the replacement of the clearwells that are located at the plant. The project is being constructed now and previously approved by the South Milwaukee Common Council. The Department of Natural Resources required this project as our previous clearwells were underground but current regulations require them to be above ground.
• The rates will increase in two steps: The first step will be implemented as early as April 1, and the second step as early as August 1. The rates and implementation schedule are reviewed and determined by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), which is a state regulatory agency.
• The last water rate increase of 3% was in 2013. PSC regulations dictate when the rates can be increased. Unfortunately, the regulations do not allow for incremental increases to avoid drastic increases.
• With the increase, our water rates continue to remain competitive with other similar water utilities.
• Lastly, please note this increase is in addition to a previously approved increase in the sewer rates, which has been reflected on most bills.  This increase was primarily used to fund the construction of a new lift station on North Chicago Avenue.

You can see more details on the water project here.

South Milwaukee steps up again! This time, it’s with peanut butter and other items for Human Concerns, in a drive led by the South Milwaukee Fire Department. From the department …

Thank you to everyone that donated and for the awesome support of our community partners. This unbelievable effort will help put food on the tables of those that are less fortunate, once again, confirming that there are plenty of caring, sharing, giving people in this world.

Update: Police Chief William Jessup will not be able to join me after all on March 19 due to a conflict, but Capt. Jill Kallay will in his place. See you then!

It’s time for another Coffee with the Mayor! And this time I’m bringing the police chief.

Join me and South Milwaukee Police Chief William Jessup from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Avenue Coffeehouse, 911 Milwaukee Ave. for an open discussion on what’s happening in South Milwaukee. There is no set agenda, and pretty much anything is fair game. So bring your questions, comments or concerns for either the chief or me, or both, and grab a drink while you’re there.

Thanks to Sara and Aaron for hosting, and for Chief Jessup in joining me!

I love this effort by James Davies and Forward: South Shore. Mark your calendars now for these bicycle rides around the area.

More details on Forward: South Shore on its Facebook page. Its simple purpose is to “advocate for our parks and connected, sustainable communities.” Take a bike ride to support that mission!

The awful news came via an email to supporters on Wednesday morning: The UNISON Interfaith Neighborhood Outreach Program’s South Shore Regional office, based at South Milwaukee’s Trinity Lutheran Church — and nine other Outreach Program offices — was closing.

The news was confirmed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

This is a huge blow to hundreds of area senior citizens who rely on this agency for everything from rides to appointments to grocery delivery to yard work. My family has been a part of that work: My son mowed a senior’s lawn last summer through Interfaith, and my dad gave rides.

The program description on the UNISON website says it all …

UNISON’s Interfaith Neighborhood Outreach program engages volunteers to provide valuable one-on-one services for free to thousands of older adults (age 60+) living in Milwaukee County. This ensures our older adult neighbors remain safe, independent and connected in their community.

Without assistance, many older adults would suffer from complications of being isolated without sufficient access to food, medical care and friendship, which could result in premature placement in a long-term care community.  …

The Interfaith Neighborhood Outreach staff and our volunteers are a connection to the community for older adults. They provide information about local resources as well as these vital services:

• Rides to medical appointments
• Rides the grocery store and assistance shopping
• Minor home repairs
• Seasonal outdoor chores
• Friendly in-home visits

Now, that’s gone, at least until Milwaukee County finds another provider of those services.

Indeed, this stems from the county’s decision to revoke nearly $2 million in funding for UNISON following the arrest of the organization’s former director for allegedly misusing funds — she has never been charged — and concerns over UNISON’s internal financial procedures, according to this Journal Sentinel story. UNISON leaders disputed the claims, and an audit showed no evidence of embezzlement.

As local Neighborhood Outreach Program leaders said in an email to supporters today …

The lack of funding had been a major concern during the past few months and we were hopeful we could find a way to continue the program. It did not happen. This does not mean the end of the program; we are hoping that the layoffs and closures will be only temporary. 

We believe funding can be restored if we can find a 501(c)3 organization to absorb our program. There are discussions in progress to move the Interfaith NOP program to a different organization. …

The good news is that the Milwaukee County Department on Aging, County Board Supervisors, donors, supporters, mayors, city health departments, community social workers and churches all support the NOP program. That means the chances are very good for a newer and stronger program to rise.

Let’s hope that comes soon.

In the meantime, I thank everyone who has helped deliver Neighborhood Outreach Program services, from the employees who did God’s work every day to the volunteers who stepped up in so many ways.

And I pray for the seniors who will now have to find help in other ways — or, as I fear, go without that help entirely.

On a cold snowy day, here is some heart-warming news: The Milwaukee County Traveling Beer Garden is returning to Grant Park this summer!

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel …

This year, look for the beer trucks at 13 stops May 8 through Sept. 2. The Roll Out the Barrel Tour stays at each park for three weeks. The Pass Me a Pint Tour stays for two weeks. The Roll Out the Barrel tour stops will be:

• Juneau Park, 900 N. Prospect Ave., May 8 through May 27
• Doctors Park, 1870 E. Fox Lane, Fox Point, May 29 through June 16
• Grant Park, 100 E. Hawthorne Ave., South Milwaukee, June 19 through July 7 
• Lake Park, 3333 E. Kenwood Blvd., July 10 through 28
• Greenfield Park, 2028 S. 124th St., West Allis, July 31 through Aug. 25 

The Traveling Beer Gardens are open 5 to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. Last call is always 9 p.m. Beers will cost $14.50 for a liter with the glass and $9.50 for a refill. Pints will cost $6.50 with the glass or $5.50 for a refill. 

The Iron Grate BBQ food truck will be open every day on the Roll Out the Barrel tour stops. 

The Beer Garden 5K run series returns with runs beginning at 6 p.m. Dates and parks include Juneau Park on May 23; Froemming Park on June 6; Grant Park on June 27; Lake Park on July 11; Bender Park on Aug. 1; and Greenfield Park on Aug. 22. The cost is $30 a race or $150 for the full series. See silvercirclesportsevents.com.

Learn more about the major investment coming to Milwaukee Avenue at an information meeting set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at City Hall.

Details here and here. From the city Facebook page …

The city is in the final phase of preparing streetscaping improvement plans for Milwaukee Avenue. We are planning to present the final plan layout, address questions and to solicit public comments on our final details for Milwaukee Avenue at our public informational meeting. If you’d like to learn more about our plans, we encourage you to attend.

I’m excited to see our Main Street transform later this year, as we continue the even more important work of filling empty storefronts. Together, this will bring new life to our city center, and we’re well on our way.

Love this effort by the Lakeview PTO and Student Council …

The news remains positive and the momentum remains strong in the redevelopment of the former Bucyrus campus.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel covered the the issue extensively in a story posted to its website Friday afternoon, and I expect it will appear in Sunday’s print edition. Check it out here. From it …

A Reich Brothers affiliate in August paid $13.3 million for eight buildings between Rawson Avenue, Milwaukee Avenue, 10th Avenue and the railroad tracks, according to state real estate records.

Reich Brothers in January took full control of the site after Caterpillar finished moving out its equipment.

“Everything is tenant-ready,” said Michael Reich, of Reich Brothers.

“And we’re open for business,” said Reich, co-director of business development and acquisitions.

The White Plains, New York-based firm has cleaned up the buildings now that Caterpillar has left the house. That’s brought an increase in visits from prospective tenants, Reich said.

“They look and show very well,” he said.

A few news and notes about the campus …

• Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue officially certified the new tax incremental financing district created for the campus redevelopment and other downtown properties. It is now ready to support to redevelopment costs and drive growth the downtown district. This is significant news, and the culmination of more than a year of work by many people inside City Hall.
• Forbes published a story last week about an additional investor in the property, HFZ Capital Group. See it here. I was happy to see them double down on a commitment to mixed use for the property. Said Adam Feldman of HFZ: “ur collective goal is to rehabilitate and re-purpose these properties. These are places where a big company shut down and the community lost a big piece of the tax base. We want to bring in new companies and revitalize those areas.”
• The firm representing Reich Brothers had an open house for brokers on Thursday, and it was really well attended. I joined more than two dozen brokers who toured the space, and feedback was very positive.

The postseason journeys for the South Milwaukee basketball teams start tonight, when the Woodland East champion Rocket girls, seeded third in their sectional, host New Berlin West in a regional semifinal game at the Sullivan Gym. Game time is 7 p.m.

No. 2 seed Pewaukee likely looms for the winner on Saturday, and top-seeded New Berlin Eisenhower could be a sectional semifinal foe.

But, first, tonight. Check out the brackets here.

The seventh-seeded boys open postseason play at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, as they host No. 10 New Berlin West in regionals. The winner plays No. 2 Pewaukee. Check out the boys’ bracket here.

Go Rockets!

First, dinner to support the American Legion Post, followed by a Game Night to support the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.

Sounds like a date night to me!

Voters in the second and fourth districts will be casting their ballots in new locations starting with the April 2 general election.

District 2 voters (southeast side of town) will now vote at the Divine Mercy Gathering Room, 800 Marquette Ave., and District 4 voters (northwest side of town) will now vote at the Grobschmidt Senior Center, 2424 15th Ave. They previously voted at Lakeview Elementary and Rawson Elementary.

The decision means voters will no longer be in schools on Election Day in South Milwaukee. From the press release …

In a combined effort with the School District of South Milwaukee, it was recommended to relocate any polling locations away from the schools in order to maintain security and the safety of students. …

During the next few elections, signage will be used to help guide voters on how to navigate their new polling locations. The City will also provide signage at the old polling locations to remind voters of the polling place relocation.

Voting locations for Districts 1 (Divine Mercy School, in the cafeteria, separated from students) and 3 (City Hall) will remain the same.

More details on our elections can be found on our Elections home page.

I want to thank our city clerk, our entire elections team and the school district for their work on this. It was a long time coming, and it’s all about safety and security. Our local schools have really stepped up their security measures in recent years, and those efforts should be in place every day kids are in school.

Separating voters from students on Election Day is the right call.

Check out these South Milwaukee headlines ..

• Boy Clears Snow and Ice Around Fire Hydrant (TMJ4)
• Local Fire Departments Move Forward with Peanut Butter Drive, Hold Kickoff Event (CBS 58)
• Owner Claims Cat Found Taped Inside Box by Garbage Can at Seven Bridges in South Milwaukee (NOW)
• “I Can’t Stand Clothes,” South Milwaukee Man Says While Getting Second Citation for Sunbathing Naked (NOW)
• South Milwaukee Police Searching for Red Bull Thieves (CBS 58)
• South Milwaukee Woman Assaulted Her Boyfriend After Night of Drinking, Police Say (NOW)