Category Archives: South Milwaukee

From the city …

Effective January 1, 2024, the City of South Milwaukee has a new recycling provider. Call John’s Disposal Service at (262) 473-4700 with questions or service requests.

Pickup starts as early as 7 am. The schedule will remain the same with the new provider.

• View the recycling map here: https://bit.ly/SMRecyclingMap
• View the holiday schedule here: https://bit.ly/SM2324JohnsRecycling

Updated on January 8, 2024

The spring 2024 election ballot is taking shape, as voters head to the polls on April 2 to elect members of the South Milwaukee Common Council and School Board (among other races).

Here is a look at the local races.

South Milwaukee Common Council

All eight alderpersons are up for re-election, and all but longtime Alderman Ray Navarro are running for new three-year terms. Here is a breakdown by district of who will appear on the ballot:

• First District: Brett Briesemeister, Craig Maass (both incumbents)
• Second District: Tim Backes (incumbent), Scott Baitinger, Michal Olechowski, Erin Seel
• Third District: Joe Bukowski, Lisa Pieper (both incumbents)
• Fourth District: David Bartoshevich (incumbent), Ryan Breaker, Peggy Clark (incumbent)

South Milwaukee School Board

Two board seats are up in 2024, and incumbent Jon Shelenske has told the South Milwaukee School District he will not be running for a new three-year term. Here is who will be on the ballot, as voters vote for up to two individuals:

• Angie DeFord (incumbent)
• Brian Genduso
• Matthew Scales
• Andy Simmons

Thanks to Sandi and Jessica Hess, executive assistant with the school district, for the information.

The South Milwaukee Common Council approved the city’s 2024 operating budget on November 21, and it is reflected in tax bills that have hit mailboxes in the last couple of weeks.

Check out the full document, with context, here.

I asked City Administrator Patrick Brever for a few additional details, and here is his response …

• For the 3.34% increase in the levy, approximately 90% ($381,483) can be attributed to debt service. These are the City’s payments for borrowings for the capital improvement and project budgets.
• The increase in public safety can largely be attributed to the paramedic fund being moved over to the general fund. On page 1 of the budget pages, you’ll see that the paramedic fund now shows $0 for 2024. Paramedics are now reflected in the public safety budget.
• The conservation and development budget includes funding for an update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan as well as a rewrite of the zoning chapter of the municipal code. Per WI statute, we are required to update the comprehensive plan every 10 years. The City’s zoning code has not been updated since the early 1990s.

I also asked about revenues …

• The City received an additional $746,000 through the supplemental shared revenue approved with the Act 12 local government funding.
• With moving paramedic expenses to the general fund, ambulance charges have moved over as well. This resulted in $600,000 moving to the general fund.
• Based on recent interest collected on investments, we are forecasting a 73% increase in 2024 to $225,000.

From the South Milwaukee Police Department Facebook page …

Today, Rocket, a one-year old Dutch Shepherd, the K9 was sworn in as our latest officer. All of Rocket’s needs, costs and training are covered by private donations.

We’d like to thank all our donors for their generosity. These people include, but certainly are not limited to the South Milwaukee Walmart, Oak Creek Veterinary Care, South Milwaukee Lions Club, AM Vet Ladies Auxiliary Post #4, South Milwaukee American Legion Auxiliary Unit 27, Wisconsin Vest-A-Dog, South Milwaukee McDonald’s (Jeff Steren- management), Skyline Catering & Express Deli, the Bucyrus Museum, the Bucyrus Foundation, Tony G’s Grant Park Garage, Eaton Corporation, Damascus Shrine Masons, Affordable Heating & Cooling, Brew City Towing, Mike Edwards, Divine Mercy Catholic Schools, the elementary schools of the South Milwaukee Schools, Marty and Betty Storm, Stephen and Lois Schreiter, Diane Ulrich and Martha Vera.

Please join us welcoming Rocket to our community!

Also, check out coverage from Fox 6.

I love to see the Bucyrus Foundation grant funds continue to be leveraged in support of economic development. Those types of investments were a foundational piece of the agreement.

The latest example: A new business retention and expansion program, announced recently.

From the city press release …

The South Milwaukee Common Council is proud to announce the launch of a Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program, an initiative aimed at fostering economic resilience and growth within the community.

South Milwaukee is committed to supporting our local businesses, driving job creation, and fortifying the economic foundations of the City. The program’s goal is to recognize the City’s businesses, connect them with resources, generate data to influence policy making, and work to ensure that South Milwaukee businesses stay and grow in South Milwaukee.

The S.M.ALL Business Program will officially kick-off in January 2024. The program includes celebrating milestone anniversaries for South Milwaukee businesses, the awarding of business retention grants, annual business awards, a monthly business newsletter, regular business surveys, and more.

More from the Business Journal and BizTimes.

From the Business Journal …

South Milwaukee’s ongoing partnership with the Bucyrus Foundation now includes a $5,000 pilot program to help existing businesses stick around and expand.

That is among five new grant programs for downtown-area businesses the city launched this year using funds committed by The Bucyrus Foundation. The foundation is led by Tim Sullivan, former CEO of Bucyrus-Erie/Bucyrus International, which had its headquarters in South Milwaukee. It committed $10 million over 10 years to education and economic development efforts in South Milwaukee.

That money is supporting new façade improvement, mural, business attraction and interior renovation grants. The latest addition is the $5,000 Business Retention and Expansion program that next year will award grants of $500 to three businesses along with other support, such as a consultation with DBHW Wealth Partners, which in 2021 completed a 12,000-square-foot expansion by renovating two South Milwaukee buildings.

“We’re looking at what we can do to retain (businesses) and what we can do to help them grow,” said Patrick Brever, city administrator and economic development director. “We’re trying to diversify efforts as much as we can, especially with these Bucyrus funds.”

The retention and expansion program could grow in the future after this first round of funding, Brever said. The city in the first quarter of 2024 will distribute a survey to local businesses, and those that respond will participate in a raffle to receive the grants or other support.

From the city website …

In November 2023, the South Milwaukee Water Utility was awarded funding in 2024 for Lead Service Line replacements. The funding amount of $2,258,500.00, a mix of low-interest loans and grant funding, will be utilized to replace properties that had been identified as having a lead service line during a recent inventory done by the South Milwaukee Water Utility.

Currently, there are 1,708 known lead service lines within South Milwaukee.

The South Milwaukee Water Utility has been working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for private Lead Service Replacement funding, and based on census tract data from the United States Census Bureau, 6 of our 7 census tract segments are eligible for different grant amounts (between 75% and 25%). The City of South Milwaukee will also be using federal grant funds to cover an additional 25% (limited to $2,000) to those property owners in census tracts that only qualify for 25% from the DNR’s funding report.

The remaining balance on the private side lead service line replacement will be placed on a 10-year special assessment at an interest rate of 0.25% and paid annually on the property real estate tax bill.  

In 2024, the lead service line replacements will be prioritized to the road repair projects scheduled on Park Ave., between N. Chicago Ave. and Lake Dr.; and 13^th Avenue between Drexel Blvd and Rawson Ave. These projects are scheduled to begin in Spring 2024.

In early December 2023, the South Milwaukee Water Utility will be going out for public bid, and any property owners in line for replacement must be notified at least 45 days in advance of a scheduled lead service replacement.   

For additional questions regarding the upcoming Lead Service Replacement program, please contact the South Milwaukee Water Utility at 414-768-8070 or WaterUtilityDept@smwi.org.

Additional information:

• For 2025, the South Milwaukee Water Utility has requested over $7,000,000 for replacement funding for lead service line replacements.
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – Lead Service Line Information
• 2024 Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Intended Use Program
  • Section XIII, pages 18-27 details how the census tracts are scored for funding. 

More details on the event, set for 4 to 7 p.m. on December 6 at the Bucyrus Club, here.

I first met Ben when I was mayor, and I’m excited to see his vision and years of work paying off with the release of this book — one that will memorialize an important (and often untold) part of South Milwaukee’s history story. Congratulations, Ben!

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article …

After nearly 30 years of research, three authors ― including a local tile-maker ― are releasing a new book that tells the story of one Belgian immigrant and his connection to a South Milwaukee-based tile company working to stay in business through the middle of the 20th century.

The book, titled “Carl Bergmans and the Continental Faience & Tile Co.,” will make its debut during a special event from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Bucyrus Club, 1919 12^th Ave., South Milwaukee. It will sell for $60.

Ben Tyjeski, an art teacher at Garland Elementary in Milwaukee, has been working on this book along with Phoenix, Arizona-based tile collectors Kelly Dudley and Kathy Roberts for many years.

Continental Faience and Tile Company operated in South Milwaukee from 1925 to 1943, according to Tyjeski. Tiles made there can be found throughout Wisconsin and in buildings in Minnesota, Ohio and Florida, he said.

The 272-page hardcover book covers the company’s history along with the life of Belgian immigrant Carl Bergmans, who Tyjeski said kept the business going through the difficult years when many tile companies were closing.

It contains 1,200 color photos and 75 black-and-white pictures documenting many tile designs, the factory itself and more. The narrative portion contains comments from Bergmans’ own letters ― including some to famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

After the company revamped the factory to produce pottery during its last few years in operation, the business closed in 1943 due to a worker shortage caused by World War II, Tyjeski said. The building at 909 Menomonee Ave. was torn down in 2008.

For those who can’t attend the launch event, the book will be available for purchase at the Bucyrus Museum, at Historic Milwaukee, Inc. in downtown Milwaukee, and at the Urban Milwaukee store. 

Also, the South Milwaukee Historical Society also put together a display in one of the cases at the Bucyrus Club to go with the book launch. Check it out!

From the South Milwaukee Police Department website …

WINTER PARKING REGULATIONS

1. During the period from December 1st to March 31st, no person shall park a vehicle on any street in the city of South Milwaukee between the hours of 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM. 
2. However, vehicles may be parked during such hours if a permit is obtained from the Police Department after the filing of an application and the payment of $30.00 per month permit fee, $20.00 if obtained after the 15th of the month, or $100.00 for a 4-month permit.   Hours: Monday – Friday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM.  Excluding Holidays and Holidays observed (November 24 – 25; December 23 – 26; December 30- January 2)
3.  Any vehicle parked according to (1) or (2) above shall only be permitted to park on the EVEN numbered side of the street on those nights when the calendar date before midnight is even (N and W sides of the street are even) and on the ODD side of the street on those nights when the calendar date before midnight is odd (S and E sides of the street are odd), *Where parking is normally permitted only on one side of the street this section (3) shall not apply. 
4. SNOW EMERGENCY DECLARED 
   The Mayor, if after consulting with the Street Department, finds that due to snow, sleet, or freezing rain, the street must be plowed or salted, may declare a SNOW EMERGENCY, which will prohibit parking on any of the Arterial Streets as named in Section 28.12 of the Municipal Code.  Whenever such an emergency is declared, which will be announced on at least (3) radio stations (WTMJ, WISN,WOKY), it shall be unlawful to park any vehicle between the hours of 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM inclusive, or any of the Arterial Streets as mentioned above. 

A full day is planned at City Hall and then Bucyrus Commons. Learn more on Facebook.

I love this! Please support these local merchants, who continue to come together in new and unique ways to promote their businesses and our community.

From the OnMilwaukee.com story …

Spear-headed by Natalie Gajewski, owner of Omen Subculture Clothing & Accessories, the event will feature over 15 independently owned businesses offering globally themed holiday shopping, discounts and immersive holiday experiences.

“We want people to see how much South Milwaukee has to offer,” says Gajewski. “We have so many great independently owned businesses here and we’re excited to promote them through food, wine tastings, discounts and a whole lot of holiday cheer.” 

Participating Shops

Acetime Disc Golf
916 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 419-2237
acetime-disc-golf.business.site
Type of business: Disc Golf supplies
Theme:  U.S.A.
Guests can expect: Classic Christmas carols, sports games on television, a festive Christmas tree, apple pie candy and sales on select merchandise. 

Avenue Coffeehouse
911 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 304-8060
avenuecoffeehouse.square.site
Type of business: Cafe, coffee shop
Theme: Mexico
Guests can expect: Traditional live contemporary music with a Latin twist, housemade tortillas for purchase and discounts on Mexican Mochas.                                   

Bakehouse23
1309 Milwaukee Ave.,  (414) 304-5151
bakehouse23mke.com
Type of business: Bakery
Theme: Vietnam
Guests can expect: Free samples with Passport stamp, plus a free cookie voucher with every purchase of a $25 gift card for the bakery. The bakery will also be offering banh mi sandwiches and bubble tea for purchase. 

Barre Collective 
1633 Rawson Ave., (262) 853-3319
barrecollectivemke.com
Type of business: Workout studio, barre classes
Theme: France
Guests can expect: Barre demonstrations throughout the day, French tarts, plus a pop-up featuring a vendor selling Fair Trade accessories, jewelry and bags.                               

C3 Designs
 2110 10th Ave., (414) 764-3892
c3designs.rocks
Type of business: Custom-designed jewelry shop
Theme: Around the World
Guests can expect: Access to the shop’s annual gem event featuring hand-chosen gemstones gathered from around the world and sold for half retails value.

The Chi Shed 
916 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 234-6022
thechished.net
Type of business: Makers boutique
Theme: The North Pole
Guests can expect: Sugar cookies, gingerbread men, hot cocoa and hot cider along with 20%-30% off select items

ChowChow Treats and Accessories
 907 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 677-2735
chowchowtreats.com
Type of business: Pet items
Theme: Africa
Guests can expect: Traditional African dress and African food, plus $5 back for every $25 spent. The shop will also offer buy one get one half-off on select items.

Dupree’s Vintage
 915 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 304-8242
dupreesvintage.com
Type of business: Vintage clothing and housewares
Theme: U.K.
Guests can expect: Mulled cider (both spiked and NA), regional snacks, photo ops with Santa and Billy Idol (mannequin), along with British punk, ska and Christmas music. Featured items will include Winter Solstice yule logs, smudge sticks, 50% off Christmas inventory and other select discounts.

Hollyville Boutique
916 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 220-0055
hollyville.com
Type of Business: Retro-inspired clothing shop
Theme: Poland
Guests can expect: Traditional Polish dress, music and dancing, paczkis and a “Pick a Poppy, Get a Discount” promotion.

Immortal Toys & Collectibles
 907b Milwaukee Ave., (414) 301-4340
facebook.com/Immortaltoysandcollectables
Type of business: Collectible shop
Theme: Puerto Rico
Guests can expect: Tastings of traditional foods, Puerto Rican music and the chance to spina prize wheel for discounts, gift certificate and t-shirts.

Mari’s Flowers, Wine and Gifts
905 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 431-2030
marisflowers.com
Type of business: Flowers, live plants, gifts
Theme: Southern Italy (Sicily)
Guests can expect: Biscotti, Prosecco, buy one get one half-off wines, plus discounts on candles, soaps, lotions and jewelry.

Omen Subculture Clothing & Accessories
Omen Alternative Music and Media
1310 Milwaukee Ave.,  (414) 666-2804
omensouthmke.com
Type of business: Alternative/goth clothing, music
Theme: Italy
Guests can expect: Italian cookies, Italian roasted coffee and Italian Christmas music, plus a visit from La Befana, the Italian Christmas witch (photo ops available). Guests will also earn “Befana Bucks” ($10 for every $50 spent); get 60%-80% off all clearance items; and purchase $25 and $50 mystery bags for keeping or gifting.

Parkway Floral
1001 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 762-0246
parkwayfloralinc.com
Type of business: Flowers, plants and pottery
Theme: Holland
Guests can expect: Techno music, wine tasting and samples of food items including frikadellen, bitterballen, fries and mayo and windmill cookies. There will also be specials on classic blooms, paintings of windmills and Dutch scenes, in-house forced bulbs in handmade pottery and a Red Light District mannequin floral lingerie show-down.

Pink Bunny Games
1204 Minnesota Ave., (414) 304-5305
pinkbunnygames.com
Type of business: Table games
Theme: Germany 
Guests can expect: Sales on select items

Rosenquist Fine Art 
1805 10th Ave.
rosenquistfineart.com
Type of business: Art gallery, gifts
Theme: Sweden
Guests can expect: Cookies (ginger, almond, chocolate and raspberry), candy, sparkling pear drink, mulled fruit juice, wine and huvudroll (Swedish meatballs). The gallery will offer discounted pricing on mugs, canvas art bags and more. There will even be free temporary tattoos and stickers for the kids.

Make your plans now as a South Milwaukee holiday tradition is born, with two holiday events planned for Saturday, December 2 — Old Fashioned Christmas at City Hall and Christmas at the Commons at Bucyrus Commons downtown. More details in the flyer below …

We’ll be announcing our afternoon music lineup next week.

And we are still looking for participants for the Lighted Standstill Parade! It’s a different take on the traditional favorite, where instead of you watching units move past you from the side of the street, the units park (in this case, along 11th Avenue, between Milwaukee and Madison) and you walk around them.

Check out examples from Whalan, Minnesota (story | video) and Vermillion, South Dakota.

Want to take part in the Standstill Parade? There is still time to sign up here. Businesses, organizations, teams, and others are welcome; just make sure you light it up!

Buy tickets here. From the South Milwaukee PAC website …

Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. The tale begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Led by Wadsworth – the butler, Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard race to find the killer as the body count stacks up. Clue is the comedy whodunit that will leave both cult-fans and newcomers in stitches as they try to figure out…WHO did it, WHERE, and with WHAT!

For more information about SMHS Theatre Co., visit here.

• Recommended audience: all ages
• General Admission Tickets: Advanced $11 ($9 students), four or more $9 each; Day of sales $12 ($10 students)
• Approx. run time is 90 minutes, no intermission.

I am so glad to see this initiative move forward. We earmarked more than $200,000 in funds in our 2016 capital borrowing for this, but the project languished.

I’m excited to see Mayor Shelenske lead the charge in making this a reality. He has been a leader in pushing for this important change for many years.

From the press release …

South Milwaukee is committing to a more cost effective and energyefficient future by partnering with We Energies to replace 1,075 streetlights with LED bulbs. At their meeting on November 7, 2023, the South Milwaukee Common Council unanimously approved the project.

The conversion project, set to begin in 2024, is an important investment in the City’s infrastructure and sustainability objectives. LED technology is renowned for its efficiency, longevity, and eco-friendliness. By switching to LED streetlights, South Milwaukee will significantly reduce its carbon footprint. The new bulbs are expected to consume between 50% and 70% less energy compared to traditional streetlights, translating into substantial energy savings for the City

Within a seven-year period, the City is forecasted to save $260,000 in streetlighting costs. This number jumps to $1,800,000 within 20 years.

Mayor Shelenske, a long supporter of the project, expressed enthusiasm, saying, “The streetlight conversion project is a practical, cost-effective, and forward-thinking investment for South Milwaukee. In addition to other benefits, it boosts our attractiveness to environmentally conscious businesses looking for a new home.”