Monday, April 20, 2020

Village of Whitefish Bay Official Weekly Newsletter
Message from the
Village President, Julie Siegel

This Friday, April 24, 2020 at 7:00 pm, please join the Civic Foundation and "Step Out For Those Who Step Up.” We are encouraging the entire village to come out to their front porches and yards and honor all of the essential workers in our community, and across the globe, who are on the front lines of this pandemic.  More information below!

Please also note that last week Governor Evers extended the Safer at Home order through May 26, 2020. I encourage you to read the FAQ page linked in the story below. While Village Hall remains closed to the public until further notice, the Police Department, the Department of Public Works, and Village Hall staff will continue to provide services and remain accessible via telephone (414-962-9960) during regular office hours. To subscribe to our newsletter,  click here.
Why Is The Village Hall Phone Ringing?
Where can I find the results of the April 7, 2020 election? Results can be found by clicking here. Voter turnout in Whitefish Bay for the April 7, 2020 Election was 67%. Approximately, 61% (~6,100) of registered voters cast absentee ballots and 6% (~600) cast in-person ballots.

Is Recycle Day in the Bay happening this year? No, Recycle Day in the Bay scheduled for May 2, 2020 has officially been cancelled. We will see you on May 1, 2021!
Have a question?
The Village Hall phone
number is 414-962-6690.
Village Meeting Agendas:
This Week's Meetings:

  • Thursday, April 20, 6:00 pm, Virtual GoToMeeting

  • Thursday, April 23, 5:30 pm, Virtual GoToMeeting
Last Week's Meetings:

  • Tuesday, April 14, 6:15 pm, Virtual GoToMeeting

  • Wednesday, April 15, 6:00 pm, Virtual GoToMeeting.
Safer at Home Order Extended:
On April 16, 2020 Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Palm issued Emergency Order #28, which extends Safer at Home and makes some changes to the initial order.

The changes from Emergency Order #28 will go into effect on April 24. As a result, the Safer at Home order will remain in effect until 8:00 am on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 or until a superseding order is issued. The Full Order can be found by clicking here here. An helpful informational FAQ page about the order can be found here.
Step Out For Those Who Step Up!
This Friday, April 24, 2020 at 7:00 pm, please join the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation and "Step out for those who step up.” We are encouraging the entire village to come out to their front porches and yards and honor all of the essential workers in our community, and across the globe, who are on the front lines of this pandemic.

Make a sign, clap, cheer or maybe even make a toast to the Doctors, Nurses, Grocery Clerks, Restaurant Workers, Delivery Personnel, Police, Firefighters, Public Works, Teachers and countless others who have put their community first. In honor of all of these heroes and on behalf of the Whitefish Bay community, the Civic Foundation is pleased to announce a donation of $5,000 to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin to help those in need during these challenging times.

Additionally, this donation was matched by Tri City National Bank. After you have enjoyed a great takeout meal from The Bay, Fox Bay Cinema Grill, Jack Pandl's, City Market Cafe or a home cooked meal, please join us. - Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation
Weekly North Shore Health Department Update:
COVID-19: April 17, 2020 UPDATE:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WI DHS) and the North Shore Health Department (NSHD), along with other local health departments are responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus, COVID-19. For the most current information, visit the CDC’s website or our website.

We are currently monitoring 30 active cases in the North Shore, and we are also providing active monitoring for high-risk contacts of confirmed cases. We have triaged and processed over 786 suspect cases and/or contacts, and performed several large contact investigations, which involves notifying the contacts of their potential risk and educating them on self-quarantine guidelines. We are also managing several active cases in Milwaukee to assist the Milwaukee Health Department.

Governor Evers extends Wisconsin's Safer at Home order through Tuesday, May 26: Modifications have been made to the original Safer at Home order that will go into effect on April 24. Order Here, Press Release Here, FAQ Here.

The new order allows:
  • Libraries and businesses, including craft stores, to do curbside pick-up and deliveries
  • Golf courses to reopen
  • External lawn care and construction to continue if it is done by one person

“Getting back to normal won’t be like a light switch—we have to think of it like turning down a dial. And we all have to keep doing our part to so our families, our neighbors, and our communities stay safe.” – Governor Evers

This is a rapidly evolving situation and we encourage you to frequently monitor the DHS website for updates, as well as the NSHD website. Additional information on COVID-19 can be found on the CDC website.
Updates from the Police Department:
A Note About Coyotes:

Whitefish Bay and neighboring communities have an abundance of natural wildlife because of the close proximity to parks and natural resources. Estabrook Park, the Milwaukee River, and Lake Michigan have long attracted wildlife such as coyotes.

Coyotes have adapted well to urban environments across the state and nation, because they are abundant in shelter and food sources. Most coyotes prey upon small mammals like rabbits and mice; however, in urban environments they also prey upon plentiful and easy food sources like geese, squirrels, eggs, fawns, garbage, and sometimes small, domesticated pets.

Certain times of year, like now, a few precautions need to be taken to ensure safety of all pets. Do not leave small dogs unattended, do not use a leash with a retractable long cable, and never let cats out to roam. If residents follow the simple steps and recommendations outlined in this document, they can significantly reduce the risk that you or your pets will have a negative encounter with a coyote.
Safer At Home Birthday Celebrations with the The Police Department:

The Whitefish Bay Police Department would like to help kids celebrate birthdays during this time of social distancing. If you are a resident of Whitefish Bay and have a child (ages 4 – 10) celebrating a birthday until the end of the Governor’s Stay at Home Order (May 26, 2020). An officer or officers, depending on our call volume, will stop by with the lights and siren to make a memorable birthday. Pictures can be taken with the child at one end of the squad and an officer at the other end. Please contact Lieutenant Patrick Whitaker to make arrangements ( p.whitaker@wfbvillage.org or 414-962-3830).
Welcome to Whitefish Bay:

Whitefish Bay's newest Police Officer Jordan Murphy was sworn in last week at Village Hall. Be sure to say hello when you see him around the Village!
Updates from the Department of Public Works:
Yard Waste and Brush Collection: 

With more residents at home as part of the Safer at Homer order and the weather starting to turn, the Village is getting a number of calls about yard waste collection and brush chipping service.

The Village is continuing to collect bagged curbside yard waste and sticks for brush chipping, however at a slower pace than usual. Currently the Whitefish Bay Public Works Department is under Emergency Operations and is prioritizing the delivery of essential services due to reduced in-person staff. Your patience and cooperation is greatly appreciated!
Summer Seasonal Job Opening:

The Village is looking to fill a seasonal laborer position within the Department of Public Works.The position may be responsible for waste/brush/refuse/recycling collection, flower bed planting/weeding/watering, shrub bed hedging/weeding & mulching, and other general tasks.

The position begins in May and ends in late August. Forty hours per week is expected but not guaranteed. Pay is $9.50 to $10.00 per hour depending on experience. Working hours are 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Job Application forms can be found on the  Village of Whitefish Bay web site. Submit application forms electronically to  Public Works Superintendent Pat McCarthy.
Updates from Village Hall:
Arbor Day is April 24, 2020

Trees are the longest living organisms on the planet and one of the Earth’s greatest natural resources. They keep our air supply clean, reduce noise pollution, improve water quality, help prevent erosion, provide food and building materials, create shade, and help make our landscapes look beautiful. As a designated Tree City USA community, the Village of Whitefish Bay is pleased to share the following facts and figures:
  • Well-maintained trees and shrubs can increase property value by up to 14%. 
  • Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30% 
  • A mature tree removes almost 70 times more pollution than a newly planted tree. 
  • A healthy tree can have a value of up to $10,000. 
  • The shade and wind buffering provided by trees reduces annual heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars. 
  • Each average-sized tree provides an estimated $7 savings in annual environmental benefits, including energy conservation and reduced pollution. 
  • A single tree produces approximately 260 pounds of oxygen per year. That means two mature trees can supply enough oxygen annually to support a family of four! 
  • One tree can absorb as much carbon in a year as a car produces while driving 26,000 miles. 
  • Over the course its life, a single tree can absorb one ton of carbon dioxide.
Municipal Treasurers Appreciation Week:

Governor Evers declared April 19 to April 25 as Municipal Treasurers Appreciation Week. Municipal treasurers are the official custodians responsible for proper management and investment of public funds and administer the procedures and financial records that allow governing bodies to carry out public functions efficiently and confidently. Shout out to Jen Amerell and Xenia Ramos from the Whitefish Bay Finance Department!
Quarterly Utility Bill Change Reminder:

The April 1, 2020 quarterly utility bill has been delayed one month. It will be sent out on May 1, 2020 and will be due May 20, 2020. This reflects usage between December 1, 2019 and March 1, 2020. The July 1, 2020 quarterly utility bill is not affected. More information on utility billing.
Events from the Whitefish Bay Public Library:
Virtual Edible Book Festival
(Submissions Due by Tuesday, April 21) :

What is an Edible Book? An edible book is an item that looks like a book, puns on a title, refers to a character, or just has something to do with books. The only rule is that entries must be made entirely from edible ingredients.

How do I participate? The Edible Book Festival is open to anyone: the young, the old, and everyone in between. Make your edible book and get us photos of your creation by Tuesday, April 21. Email photos (along with the names of those participated) to s.lenski@wfblibrary.org, or message your photos to us on our Facebook page. Read all details about this program on our website.
Live Virtual Storytime: Missing Storytime? We are too! Visit the Whitefish Bay Library Facebook page each Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 am with Miss Katie or Miss Valerie for a live storytime.

Did you miss last week's Live Virtual Storytime? We've got you covered!
Update from the Garden Club:
This spring we all are looking for activities to do at home in your own house or yard. Pollinators are struggling with sharply declining numbers and they are vital to our food production.

Here are some ways you can create activities at home and help attract and support native pollinators. You can provide food and nesting habitats by planting flowering plants in your landscape or in containers on your patio, and DON’T USE PESTICIDES. Try to use a variety of plants that bloom from early spring to late fall. You can start from seed a variety of herbs, native pollinator plants, and annuals beneficial to bees, butterflies, and birds.

Here are some herbs you can plant in pots: spearmint (but only in a pot because mint is invasive), oregano, sweet marjoram, basil, borage, lavender, and catnip/catmint. Some native flowering plants you can include in your garden are: violets, prairie smoke, pasque flowers, purple prairie clover, pale purple coneflower, wild bergamot, butterfly milkweed, woodland and prairie sunflower, prairie blazing star, and great blue lobelia. You can find natives at: Johnson’s Nursery Inc. , Mileager’s Gardens, and Prairie Nursery . You can find seeds at: Prairie Seed Source and Pheasants Forever

These sites can also help you choose plants that bloom at different times of the season. So please join the Whitefish Bay Garden Club in supporting pollinator insects and birds!
Visit our WFB Garden Club website for more tips. Written by Jill Griffee Ross
Community Spotlight:
School District Registration Open for New WFB Resident Families:

Have you recently moved into the Village of Whitefish Bay? The School District is currently taking enrollment for K4-12th grades for new Whitefish Bay residents. Reminder for age guidelines:
  • Junior Kindergarten: 
  • 4 years old on or before September 1, 2020
  • Senior Kindergarten: 
  • 5 years old on or before September 1, 2020

Moving out of the Village of Whitefish Bay? Please contact your school to let them know of any moving plans. Contact the schools for more information
North Shore Health Department Highlights 4/14/20:
National Dog Bite Prevention Week:

There are an estimated 77 million dogs living in U.S. households and these furry pets provide many people with companionship and happiness. Dogs are especially great companions during this time of physical distancing and taking time to get outside and exercise with your dog is beneficial for both you and them.

Despite this, it is important to remember that any dog can bite. About 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Many of these dog bites are preventable if the dogs and their owners are properly trained and prepared. Here are some simple strategies for dog owners to consider to prevent dog bites:
  1. Train your dog with simple commands like “sit,” “stay” and “come,” and promote socialization with other dogs and humans.
  2. Always use a short leash when walking your dog in busy public areas so they can be restrained if needed.
  3. Do not let your dog approach other dogs that are not familiar.
  4. Avoid situations that may be stressful or harmful. If your dog does not enjoy socializing with other dogs, skip the dog park! Instead head to quieter outdoor areas where your dog can feel safe and calm.
To prevent yourself from being at risk of a dog bite: always ask permission to pet unfamiliar dogs; do not approach dogs that are preoccupied with eating, sleeping or playing; and if a dog is growling or appears frightened, give the dog it’s space.

The cost of treating emergency dog bites can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the severity, and when a dog bite occurs dog owners are required to take their dogs for rabies checks and have the dog quarantined for a period of time. This can be avoided if dog owners and people that interact with dogs are aware of the risk and always take the necessary steps to stay safe and prevent dog bites.
Rocket Cat Productions and the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation present: “Voice of the Bay” and “Music in the Bay” (Safer at Home Edition):

Although Bay Day will not take place on May 2, 2020 as originally scheduled, the Voice of the Bay (VOTB) singing competition will continue to accept video submissions until May 1, 2020.

Video submissions are due no later than Friday, May 1, 2020. Details on submission guidelines can be found at  www.wfbcivicfoundation.org. For general questions regarding the Voice of the Bay competition or Music in the Bay, contact Suzanne Singh at  VoiceoftheBay@wfbcivicfoundation.org.
Other Community Links:
Village of Whitefish Bay | Phone: 414-962-6690 | Fax: 414-962-5651