Monday, April 13, 2020

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

We thank all voters and poll workers for their patience and cooperation last week as we all worked together to ensure a safe and fair election under unprecedented circumstances. The actions of all were nothing short of heroic, and the service of our poll workers and determination of our voters is a testament to the strength of our community and our democracy. To subscribe to our newsletter,  click here.
Why Is The Village Hall Phone Ringing?
When will we know the results of the April 7, 2020 election? Results will be tallied after 4:00 pm on April 13, 2020. Local results will be posted on the Village Election Page and Facebook page.

How successful was absentee voting in Whitefish Bay? Very! Roughly 60% of registered voters in Whitefish Bay cast an absentee ballot, more than any other village or city in Wisconsin! A big THANK YOU to all our residents for spreading the word about the importance of absentee voting this year. More details can be found in this Journal Sentinel article.

Can I place unbagged leaves and other loose yard waste in the street? No! Loose leaf collection only takes place in the fall. Yard waste must be placed in sturdy paper bags or in containers that can be emptied. Note: Branches may be placed in the parkway for chipping.

What is the status of overnight parking enforcement? The suspension of overnight parking enforcement has been extended until the end of April. Contact the Police Department for more information at 414-962-3830.
Village Meeting Agendas:
Last Week's Meetings:

  • Thursday, April 9, 5:30 pm, Virtual GoToMeeting

For other meeting agendas and minutes please visit the  Agenda Center page on the Village Website
This Week's Meetings:

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

  • Wednesday, April 15, 6:00 pm, Virtual GoToMeeting.
Note from the Whitefish Bay Police Department:
The weather is starting to turn, and normally it's the time of the year for frequent visits to the playground, baseball diamond, or hosting a neighborhood block party. Unfortunately, we are facing an unprecedented situation throughout the country as a result of COVID-19. Now more than ever, following the Safer At Home Order and social distancing guidelines will help save lives!

According to the North Shore Health Department, community transmission of COVID-19 is occurring in the North Shore. Everyone should assume they could be at risk of exposure to COVID-19 when out in public settings. The North Shore Health Department highly recommends, under the guidance of the WI Department of Health Services and the CDC, that North Shore residents stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to leave for essential functions, such as grocery shopping, pharmacy visits or medical appointments.

When conducting essential tasks, take the proper precautions to reduce your risk and prevent further spread:
  • Keep 6 feet of physical distance between yourself and others.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. Hand sanitizers of at least 60% alcohol should be used in situations where soap and water are not available.
  • Wear a cloth face covering to keep infectious particles from entering the air when you speak, cough or sneeze. See more about cloth face masks below.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces before you touch, such as shopping carts and basket handles.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

You may engage in outdoor activities that meet social distancing requirements, including traveling to public parks. We ask that you move through the parks for walking, running and biking – don’t stay and play! No team or contact sports are permitted and playgrounds are closed. Note: State Parks, Public Beaches, and Whitefish Bay School District grounds are closed for any use. Thank you - Whitefish Bay Police Department.
Weekly North Shore Health Department Update:
COVID-19: April 10, 2020 UPDATE:

T he 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 25 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 600 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.

Community transmission of COVID-19 is occurring in the communities of the North Shore: Everyone should assume they could be at risk of exposure to COVID-19 when out in public settings. The NSHD highly recommends that North Shore residents stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to leave for essential functions, such as grocery shopping, pharmacy visits or medical appointments.

There are still ways you can support members of your community during this time: Some suggestions include delivering meals to elderly neighbors, donating items to local pantries, and supporting non-profits.

WI DHS launched the Wisconsin Emergency Assistance Volunteer Registry (WEAVR): If you are a health care or behavioral health professional that is looking to help fill critical support roles in the fight against COVID-19, click here. There are clinical and nonclinical volunteer positions open. Upon registering, public health officials will review your information and offer you a placement site and position to fill. The number of COVID- 19 cases is expected to increase in Wisconsin over the next couple weeks, leading to a surge of patients seeking medical care. Hospitals and clinics will need extra support to effectively respond to the influx of patients.

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Updates from the Department of Public Works:
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.
Yard Waste Collection:

Village wide yard waste collection has started. Yard waste must be placed between the curb and sidewalk in sturdy paper bags or in containers that can be emptied. Unbagged leaves and other yard waste MAY NOT be placed in the street. Yard waste bags or containers must weigh less 50 pounds.  Grass clippings are prohibited.

Due to reduced staff in the Department of Public Works at the current time, there is no scheduled collection day for yard waste. However, crews will collect once per week throughout the Village.
Brush Chipper:

Brush chipper collection has started.
Brush should be placed in the parkway between the curb and the sidewalk. It should not obstruct the sidewalk or be placed in the street. Thicker sections of brush should face the street.

Due to reduced staff in the Department of Public Works at the current time, there is no scheduled collection day/week for the brush chipper. However, crews will collect once every two or three weeks throughout the Village.

No-Charge Brush Pickup: A pile of brush with a size less than 5 feet by 7 feet by 20 feet will be collected at no cost.

Brush Special Pickup: A pile of brush that exceeds the parameters of a No-Charge Brush Pickup, with maximum combined size of 5 feet by 7 feet by 40 feet. Contact Village Hall (414- for details.
Updates from Village Hall:
Complete the Census:

Nice Job Whitefish Bay! As of April 7, Whitefish Bay's response rate to the Census was 72.1%, which is WAY ahead of the state repose rate of 53.4% and national response rate of 46.2%. The Village encourages you to fill out your questionnaire as soon as possible.

All households within the village should have received materials in the mail to complete their 2020 US Census Questionnaire.

Not only does your response critically matter to the allocation of billions of dollars of federal funding and political representation, it will also limit the need for potential door-to-door follow-up to your home. During a time of increased public health concerns, your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Village Operational Changes:


If you have a question please call 414-962-6690 between 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
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.
Online Book Discussion: The Only Woman In The Room by Marie Benedict. Join us for our first online book discussion. About the book - Based on the incredible true story Hedy Lamarr, the glamour icon and scientist whose groundbreaking invention revolutionized modern communication. Read at your leisure, then questions will be posted in our Goodreads book discussion

There are unlimited copies available via the library's hoopla access. Go to www.hoopladigital.com and either sign in if you previously registered or register a new account. You'll need your library card number and pin.
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!
Digital Resources at the Library: Do you find yourself with a bunch of free time on your hands? Although the library is closed, we still offer a bunch of digital resources that can keep you entertained and perhaps teach you a new skill (or language). Click here to learn more!
Update from the Recreation Department:
COVID-19 Operations Update:

Taking into account the mandated Safer At Home order through April 24, 2020 the Recreation Department has suspended all spring season programs with the exception of the Community Fitness Center, Lap Swim, Master Swim, Adult Rec Swim, Low Impact Aerobics and Strength and Stretch. These specific programs will be credited during the closure, however, we hope to continue them through the month of May if the order is lifted.
  • Participants that were registered for spring programs affected will be issued automated household credits. If you would like to request a refund you will have to email Susan Wachtl in our main office. Please be patient as we are processing large volumes of credits and refunds.
  • Summer Recreation Guides have been mailed and registration starts Monday, April 13, 2020. We will be accepting registrations as usual with the exception of Camp Richards and Camp Cumberland Field Trips. Field Trips have been placed on an Inactive Status/On Hold until we have more information on whether these venues will be open and IF we will be able take groups of campers on off-site trips.
  • If summer programming is affected by COVID-19 and we need to cancel, we will offer credits and/or refunds to participants.
  • Connects Before and After School Program registration for the 2020-2021 school year begins on April 15th. Preferably email your registration to Megan.Kuehn@wfbschools.com.
  • The Community Garden is closed through the end of the Safe at Home order (April 24, 2020). Reopening will be reevaluated when more information is available and it is deemed safe to do so.
The WFB Recreation Department is closed, however, staff are working remotely. Please email any of our staff with questions or concerns. We will get back to you. In addition, we are posting isolation activities like community games, fitness videos and contests (respecting all social distancing guidelines of course) on our Facebook site. These virtual opportunities help us stay together during social distancing. We are in this together and will get through. Hope has not been cancelled!
Community Spotlight:
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.
Buy Local: Are you wondering what you can do to help the Merchants of Whitefish Bay? One way to help is to buy Gift Cards for yourself, a family member, or friends to be used at a later date. Many of the Merchants are offering excellent promotions with gift card purchases.


Thank you for supporting the Merchants of Whitefish Bay! We will be back in full force before you know it!
Let's #BrightenTheBay with the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation

The Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation wants to see your community spirit during this challenging time! Share your best Sidewalk Chalk Art with #BrightenTheBay, #ChalkTheWalk, or #SidewalkSpirit on Facebook.
Weekly North Shore Health Department Update:
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Governor Tony Evers directed the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to close several Wisconsin State Parks: Due to unprecedented crowds, litter, vandalism and out of an abundance of caution to protect public health and safety and help flatten the curve, 40 Wisconsin State Parks, Forests and Recreational Areas will close at the end of the day Thurs., April 9, and will remain closed until further notice. For the full list of parks that are now closed, see the DNR press release here .

Religious organizations and places of worship have inquired about opportunities to continue offering faith-based services and gatherings while still complying with the governor’s “safer at
home” order: Governor Evers released additional information addressing religious gatherings on April 9, which states that churches and religious gatherings are deemed essential, but they must follow the 10 person ban, meaning that any gathering must include fewer than 10 people at a time if it occurs in a room or confined space. Thus, churches and religious entities wishing to conduct services while still complying with the governor’s order may, for example, conduct services via:
  • Parking lots with congregants staying in cars, avoiding person-to-person contact;
  • Streaming online; and
  • Having small gatherings (fewer than 10 people in each room) with multiple services.
Additional guidelines for faith-based organizations can be found on the WI DHS website: here.
It is especially important during this time to stay connected with your place of worship and continue to nurture your faith and spirituality within your home: Suggestions to do so include taking time to meditate or pray individually or as a family; and view or listen to religious services through television, radio, online video recordings, live streams, or podcasts. Reach out to your religious or spiritual leaders to learn about other ways you can practice from your home. This is a trying time for our head, heart, and soul. Spiritual practices provide hope and a source of strength and social connectedness. We are asking everyone to stay at home because we know that it is the one thing we can all do together to keep our loved ones safe.
People across the state are making the incredible sacrifice to stay at home when it is often very difficult to do so. We know this isn’t easy, and we appreciate everyone’s sacrifice today to save lives tomorrow.

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.
Other Community Links:
Village of Whitefish Bay | Phone: 414-962-6690 | Fax: 414-962-5651