Author Archives: Erik Brooks

We owe it to our residents to invest in ways to do business more efficiently and effectively — and become easier to do business with.

That is why we are proud to unveil SM Works, a new communication platform that serves as a gateway to information about South Milwaukee, quickly connecting residents and others with city services and the people who provide them.

• You can access SM Works via an app available for download now on the Apple Store and Google Play.
• You can also access it online here (linked from the left column of the front page of the City of South Milwaukee website).

I especially encourage you to download the app, if you own a smartphone.

So, what does SM Works do?

The biggest early win for residents is the tool’s complaint reporting capabilities. The platform (especially through the app) allows residents to more easily share issues and concerns with the city, and to view, comment on, and vote to fix problems submitted by their neighbors.

The reporting feature allows users to submit a complaint with a few clicks, from snapping a photo of the problem (a pothole, for instance), confirming the GPS location on their phone, and adding a comment before hitting “submit.” They can then track the progress of their complaint, as city workers address it.

Citizens can also create their own “watch areas” to receive notifications about issues reported around town, enabling them to follow the progress of all service requests,  not just the ones they report.

The app also provides a one-click access to other city information and other resources. For example, it provides contact information, access to the municipal code and “frequently asked questions,” and a link to the city’s events and Facebook pages.

The app also allows to push information to those who sign up, something that could be especially useful in times of emergency, and in communicating issues like road construction updates and promoting events.

This is also a win inside City Hall.

SM Works provides staff and elected officials a more streamlined and efficient workflow in handling and tracking complaints and other issues raised by residents. Gone are the days of Post-it Notes, voicemails, emails and spreadsheets to track and respond to complaints — an often hodge-podge process that can delay response time and occasionally see complaints fall through the cracks. They will be replaced by an automated system that allows departments to instantaneously connect on issues to ensure the right people are responding to issues at the right time, and there is appropriate follow-up and resolution.

In other words, this should improve our customer service.

The system also gives us real-time data to track issue trends, helping us make more informed decisions in addressing problems big and small across the city.

SM Works is part of the SeeClickFix platform, which is used by more than 300 communities across the country to “build stronger communities through transparency, collaboration, and efficiency,” according to its website. “We provide simple yet powerful request and work management technology for local governments.”

I’m proud to say South Milwaukee is now one of them.

Congratulations to Brad McKendry, winner of the 2018 South Milwaukee Beautification Committee Garden Tour “Best of Tour” Award!

Members of the committee and South Milwaukee Historical Society recognized Brad at a ceremony Monday night in his beautiful garden at 612 Walnut Ave.

We also congratulated our Honorable Mention award winners — the Frederick garden at 1000 Emerson and the Griffith garden at 301 Lakeview Road — and all of the Tour participants for displaying some terrific gardens this year.

The proclamation I presented said it best …

2018 SOUTH MILWAUKEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY GARDEN TOUR

BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE “BEST OF TOUR” AWARD

WHEREAS, the South Milwaukee Historical Society held its 10^th annual Garden Tour & Art Fair on June 23, 2018, with five local homeowners showcasing their gardens;

WHEREAS, the event also featured an artisan fair, food, demonstrations and music at the South Milwaukee Historical Society; and

WHEREAS, the Garden Tour is a great way to celebrate South Milwaukee’s best outdoor spaces and support the South Milwaukee Historical Society; and

WHEREAS, each participant in the tour had truly outstanding gardens worthy of recognition;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Erik Brooks, on behalf of the South Milwaukee Beautification Committee, do hereby award the Grand Prize award to Brad McKendry, 612 Walnut Street, whose English-style garden includes a gazebo, chalet, and koi ponds, and can be enjoyed while strolling along a flagstone path. The garden was initially designed by his late wife, Peggy, and is maintained as a tribute to her.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Erik Brooks, the Beautification Committee and the entire South Milwaukee Common Council do hereby extend our congratulations to Brad McKendry on his beautiful garden display, thank all of the homeowners who were part of this year’s tour, and offer our sincere appreciation to all of the volunteers who made the 2018 event a success.

In addition to the proclamation, Brad received items from the Historical Society and more than $400 in collections for the Dementia Society of America, in honor of his late wife. What a special and beautiful tribute.

The South Milwaukee School District is getting $131,505 from the state for safety upgrades at its schools.

The funding — to be used in a variety of ways across the district — was announced on Monday, as part of the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s continued rollout of the School Safety Grant program. Attorney General Brad Schimel and the Department of Justice announced 52 grants in all, totaling more than $3.5 million.

South Milwaukee Police Chief William Jessup was part of the press conference, reflecting the strong support the police department has provided in both assessing the needs of each school and applying for the funds. This was a very effective partnership, and I’m glad we could help in securing this important grant.

From the school district …

Dr. Rita Olson, School Board President Carol Dufek and Police Chief Bill Jessup were on hand for the official signing of the award by the Department of Justice to the School District of South Milwaukee of $131,505 which will be used for school safety upgrades throughout the School District. The grant was developed in conjunction with the South Milwaukee Police Department and will strengthen our school safety and security.

In general the grant provides for the following:

• Shatter resistant film on glass panels
• Door key security upgrades
• Electronic door controls
• Limiting public access to our students throughout the school day
• External door replacement
• Increased signage
• Doors on all classrooms at Blakewood Elementary

The funding received from the State will address some upgrades, however there is more to be done as best practices in school safety and security evolves. The District is moving forward with the hire of a Security and Safety Program Manager and more investment is expected. The safety of our students is and will always be a top priority of the District.

From the state’s press release …

Grant dollars are divided into two categories: the Primary School Safety Grant and Advanced School Safety Grant. DOJ’s Primary School Safety Grants focus on baseline improvements to schools, including door locks and hardening school entryways. The Advanced School Safety Grants are awarded to schools that have met minimum security thresholds. In addition to making upgrades to school buildings, one of the School Safety Grant prerequisites is providing all full-time teachers, aides, counselors, and administrators with a minimum of three hours combined training in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Trauma Informed Care/Trauma Sensitive Schools (TIC/TSS) before the end of the 2018-2019 school year; or demonstrate that staff has already received such training. …

Over the past three months, since 2017 Wisconsin Act 143 was signed into law, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has consulted with numerous stakeholders in the fields of education, security, law enforcement, and mental health. These specialists, listed at the end of this press release, worked with DOJ’s own security experts to develop how the School Safety Grant Initiative will create sustainable improvements in Wisconsin schools. 

“Our $100 million School Safety Plan is helping schools across Wisconsin become more secure,” said Governor Walker. “It is important we all continue to work together to make sure every teacher, parent, and student feels safe in our schools.”

Grant applicants are required to partner with law enforcement agencies to ensure that proposed expenditures, visitor protocols, and school safety plans will be effective and provide students with the safest learning environment possible.

From the South Milwaukee Engineering Department …

Water Main Break Road Closure: 10th Avenue – Marquette to Michigan Avenues

Service crews are out today fixing yesterday’s watermain break. Due to the extensive damage to the street and amount of repair needed, this area will be closed until further notice. (We will update when the intersection is back open for traffic.)

Please be sure to follow the detour signs posted.

Note: The photo in this post is from Sunday, July 8.

An update from the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission …

The SEWRPC staff have made good progress on the Plan report including drafting Chapter 1 (Introduction), Chapter 2 (Previous Studies, Projects, and Programs), and Chapter 3 (Characterization of the Watershed). 

For Chapter 2 we have summarized targeted and general recommendations relevant to the Oak Creek watershed from the regional water quality plan update (SEWRPC Planning Report No. 50).  Chapter 2 also summarizes other Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, SEWRPC, and municipal studies, projects, and programs related to the Oak Creek watershed. 

Chapter 3 includes an overview of the land use, population, climate, geology, natural resources, and water resources in the watershed. Chapter 3 will provide a good baseline of historical changes and will lay the foundation for assessing the current conditions in the watershed (Chapter 4). 

Public stakeholders will have a chance to review all chapters as they are completed, starting later this year. I will keep you posted on those opportunities, and other chances for your voices to be heard as we shape the future of this watershed.

More details on the planning effort here.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

On Tuesday July 3, 2018, during the early morning hours, two suspects stole fishing and boating equipment from several boats at the South Milwaukee Yacht Club located at 101 Marshall Avenue. The below photo depicts the suspects who are described as two white males.  One suspect was wearing long pants and a baseball style cap.  The other man was wearing shorts, work boots and a baseball style hat.    

The SMPD is asking for help in identifying the people responsible for this incident and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the South Milwaukee Police Department at 414-768-8060.

From organizer Brian Morrison …

Get your knowledge ready for Heritage week at the end of July and join Suburban Soles: Guided Nature Walks on Sunday (7/8/18) for The History of South Milwaukee, “Historic Escape” with local historian Nels Munson as we hike the Forked Astor Trail and learn about the Mill Pond and Oak Creek’s role in the development of South Milwaukee, this history of the train trestle and Grand Park Club House, and all the historic houses down Hawthorne ave. Meet at 6th and Milwaukee at 10 a.m.

From the Mayor’s Picnic to bouncy houses to enhanced fireworks to, this year, outdoor wrestling, I’m proud of how we’ve grown our July 4th celebration in South Milwaukee. I’m especially proud of this point: We have been able to do all of this without a single extra dollar of taxpayer money.

Sponsors have made this happen, and please join me in thanking our partners …

• South Shore Family Chiropractic
• Caterpillar
• Max A. Sass & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services
• South Milwaukee Ace Hardware
• Mara’s Sewing House
• Nicholson Realty
• MEARS Auctions
• TASC Services
• Pink Bunny Games
• South Milwaukee McDonald’s
• Milwaukee County Parks
• Beer Capitol Distributing
• Sprecher Brewing Co.

See you Wednesday!

From the South Milwaukee Police Department …

The City of South Milwaukee Police Department will have extra officers in Grant Park during the July 4th celebration. The officers will adopt a zero tolerance policy for persons discharging any type or size firework while in the park. There will be no warnings. If you discharge fireworks in the park, you will be cited, and the fireworks will be confiscated. The fine/forfeiture for fireworks violation in the park is $313.00. The fine for fireworks violations outside of the park is $187.00.

The purpose of the enforcement is not to write more tickets, but to discourage the hazardous situations that are created when untrained citizens bring fireworks that launch flaming and exploding projectiles into the park. These fireworks are then ignited and launched from sections of lawn packed with citizens almost shoulder to shoulder. The persons lighting the fireworks have no idea where they will fly or when they will explode. The sizes of the fireworks coming into the park are getting bigger and more dangerous every year. In recent years blankets of uninvolved persons have been burned by flaming debris and a rocket landed and exploded in an unoccupied baby stroller. There are almost no fireworks that are lawful to discharge in a county park or anywhere else in the City of South Milwaukee.

The South Milwaukee Police Department encourages citizens to come to the park, enjoy the fireworks display provided by the City, and use their own fireworks at another time, when it is safe and lawful to do so. The Department would also like to encourage people to drink responsibly, and not to drink and drive.

From kids activities to the Mayor’s Picnic to music to outdoor wrestling to fireworks, there is something for everyone at our annual July 4th celebration.

What are you most looking forward to? Post your comments.

A couple recent Facebook posts from the South Milwaukee Fire Department …

At approximately 10:45 this evening (Saturday, June 30), SMFD’s rescue boats were requested by the Cudahy Fire Department to assist in extricating an adult patient from the Lake Michigan shoreline. The patient was initially brought aboard our inflatable raft and then transferred to the rescue boat. The patient was transported by boat to the SM Yacht Club, where he was placed in Med-10 and then transported to an area hospital for treatment.

And this …

Several weeks ago, SMFD was called to Grant Park Beach for the report of a person in distress in Lake Michigan. The weather conditions that day were very similar to what we expect for this weekend. Fortunately, the teenage girl that had experienced an asthma attack while floating on an air mattress out in the water and was struggling to get ashore was seen by a jet skier and safely brought in. SMFD treated the patient and transported her to a local hospital. At the same time, another patient was encountered experiencing heat exhaustion and she was treated and transported, as well. SMFD would like to remind everyone to respect the waters of Lake Michigan, be safe during all water and beach activities and take precautions against heat-related issues. Especially, STAY HYDRATED!!

Thanks to all of our firefighters who keep us safe!

I’m excited to announce a partnership with Bus Art Project MKE, which is bringing its innovative program to the bus stop at 10th and Milwaukee Avenues.

From the Bus Stop Art MKE website …

MCTS and Bus Art Project MKE are teaming up to highlight talented artists. Bus shelters in Milwaukee County are serving as canvases for artists to showcase their creativity. Bus Art Project MKE collaborated with After Gallery to recruit artists to create the designs. Together they raised enough money to print the art on vinyl clings and install them on the shelters.

I’m excited to help get downtown South Milwaukee added to the list.

Thanks to County Executive Chris Abele for his personal donation to get this program off the ground, and for the Milwaukee County Transit System for getting behind it. Here is a press release of one being unveiled earlier this month.

A JPEG version of the “call for artists” is with this post. Here is a PDF version of the “call.” The South Milwaukee Beautification Committee and a representative from Bus Art Project MKE will judge the winners.

Spread the word, and submit your art!

________________________________________

I’m excited for this unique and innovative partnership, one that will make South Milwaukee safer. Look for media coverage on this in the days ahead …

Cheata Bikes Partners with South Milwaukee Police Department to Get a Motor Bicycle on the Street

SOUTH MILWAUKEE – South Milwaukee police officers will have a new patrol vehicle this summer thanks to an innovative partnership with Cheata Bikes.

Cheata, based in South Milwaukee, has designed a customized motor bicycle to be used by the department from July through October – in time for use during the busy South Milwaukee summer events season.

“We are excited about this collaboration, and will definitely put the bike to good use,” South Milwaukee Police Chief William Jessup said. “We recently re-introduced our bicycle patrol program, and this will take that to another level, helping us get out into the community more, improve patrols, and better support local events. This will make our job easier.”

Said Ravi Bhagat, the owner of Cheata Bikes: “My enthusiasm for this collaboration stems from the fact that the South Milwaukee Police Department will have an additional tool to engage members of the community in a positive way. We are proud and excited that the South Milwaukee Police Department will be the first in the nation to roll out this program.”

Like all Cheata Bikes, the bike will be equipped a high-quality 49cc, 4-cycle engine, and is street legal. It will be customized with a siren and emergency lights for the department.

The bike will first be used at the city’s July 4th festivities at Grant Park, and you will also likely see it at the South Milwaukee Downtown Market, the South Milwaukee Heritage Days Parade, South Milwaukee Lionsfest and other events, Jessup said. You will also likely see it on patrol in and around Grant Park and the Oak Creek Parkway, in downtown South Milwaukee and other local neighborhoods, as time allows.

“We can’t wait to get this bike out on the streets of South Milwaukee,” Jessup said. “We thank Cheata Bikes for their continued support.”

ABOUT CHEATA BIKES
Cheata currently hand builds three models (Varuna, Goliath and Apollo). All street legal in many places, they are known for their retro-sheik design and new technology, hitting speeds up to 30 mph and getting 150 miles to the gallon in unleaded gas. Since the launch of Cheata Bikes in 2016, the company has been regularly shipping their bikes all over the U.S. and to other countries like Germany and Saudi Arabia. The company is continuing to experience measured growth by adding dealers regionally and nationally. The company currently has dealers in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota. “Growing slowly and methodically allows us to maintain a high standard of quality and consistency,” said Director of Sales Ryan Rosenthal. “College students like them for their style, economy and easy bike rack parking. Baby Boomers love them because they are fun, unique and stylish, and others enjoy them as a fun and efficient way to commute, enjoy the outdoors and meet up with friends.”

Check out these South Milwaukee headlines …

• Milwaukee Sausage Co. Finds a Spot in Local Culture (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Cheata Bikes Hopes to Make Milwaukee Famous for Another 2-Wheeled Motorized Bike (TMJ4)
• Remitz-Kolakowski Receives Arts Center’s Lifetime Achievement Award (Kenosha News)
• Mother and Daughter Bitten, One in the Face, by Dog Released by a Landlord in South Milwaukee (NOW)
• South Milwaukee is Hiking its Sewer and Water Rates by 35 Percent (NOW)
• South Milwaukee Looking to Spend $6 Million to Revitalize Portions of Downtown, Former Bucyrus Property (NOW)

Also, the South Milwaukee Police Department has published its weekly crime summary on Facebook. Be sure to like the page for updates.

South Milwaukee, a place for foodies? Why not?

We’ve added rolled ice cream, with our latest food destination — AM Ice Cream at 1232 Milwaukee Avenue. What a unique and delicious take on this classic treat. And the place looks great too.

Congratulations, Lue and Lee Yang for being our latest downtown and small business success story. I’ll be back!

Check out video of the making of my Rice Krispie ice cream, too.