Monday, November 16, 2020

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

Please review the reminder from Public Works about loose leaf collection below.  Public Works will pick-up leaves until the first significant snowfall or through the first week in December.  To subscribe to our newsletter, click here.
Why Is The Village Hall Phone Ringing?
What is the Thanksgiving refuse and recycling collection schedule?
  • Refuse/Recycling normally picked up on Thursday, November 26, 2020, will be picked up on Tuesday, November 24, 2020.
  • Refuse/Recycling normally picked up on Friday, November 27, 2020, will be picked up on Wednesday, November 25, 2020.

When is the Public Hearing for the 2020 Village Budget? The Village will hold a public hearing for the 2021 Whitefish Bay Village Budget on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. via GoToMeeting. Click here to view the 2021 Draft Budget.

Have a question? Send us an email or give us a call at (414) 962-6690.
Village Meeting Agendas:
Last Week's Meetings:

  • Tuesday, November 10, 4:00 p.m., Village Hall

  • Tuesday, November 10 6:15 p.m. Virtual GoToMeeting

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

  • Monday, November 16, 6:00 p.m., Virtual GoToMeeting

  • Tuesday, November 17, 6:00 p.m., Virtual GoToMeeting

  • Wednesday, November 18, 6:00 p.m., Virtual GoToMeeting

  • Thursday, November 19, 5:30 p.m., Virtual GoToMeeting
Coyote Information from the Police Department:
Over the past several days the number of coyote reportings to the Whitefish Bay Police Department have increased. We take our guidance on how to coexist with coyotes from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

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, and garbage.

The best way to get coyotes to move along is to use hazing techniques. These include yelling and waving your arms and using noisemakers (whistle, air horns, soda can filled with pennies). Generally, coyotes are harmless and will not be aggressive. Please do not gather around the coyote. Either leave them be or use a hazing technique to move them along.

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 linked document, they can significantly reduce the risk that you or your pets will have a negative encounter with a coyote.
1 Year Review - DPW Solar Panel Installation:
In 2019, the Village Board approved a project to install a 199.9 kW solar panel system on the roof of the Department of Public Works (DPW). Over the past year, the new solar installation has almost completely offset the DPW facility's electricity costs. Typical electricity costs for this building averaged around $30,701 annually.

Since monitoring began in mid-November 2019, the system has produced 254.68 MWh of electricity and saved 394,357.09 lb of CO2 Emissions (which is the equivalent of 2,979.72 trees being planted).

The project was funded through a combination of Village funds and a Focus on Energy RECIP grant in the amount of $82,809. The project has an estimated 25-year lifespan and an estimated capital payback time of 7 years. Over the 25 year lifespan of the project, the Village will save over $620,000.

You can click here to view the public monitoring system. This system watches overall production and weighs it against the estimated projection for accuracy.
Updates from North Shore Fire/Rescue:
Are You Prepared to be on the Roads This Winter? Winter will be here before we know it! In below-zero temperatures, our body can be slow to react, giving us little to no time to think through what we need to do to survive until help arrives. Preparing a simple cold-weather driving safety kit will ensure we’re safe if we find ourselves in the unfortunate circumstance of being stranded on the side of the road.

Your kit should include some essentials, like: A sturdy ice scraper and snow brush, small shovel for digging out if you find yourself stuck in deep snow drifts, large warm blanket, emergency flares or reflectors, small can or bag of rock salt, sand, or kitty litter to help gain traction, first aid kit, bottle of extra windshield washer fluid, a set of extra winter clothing (gloves, hat, sweatshirt, socks and sweatpants), hand warmers, flashlight, jumper cables, a few bags of non-perishable snacks, and a battery pack for charging a cell phone.

Our bodies rely on staying warm and dry for clear thinking. Therefore, if you find yourself outside trying to change a tire or repair your vehicle, it is best to change out of any wet clothing and into fresh and dry clothes to warm yourself more quickly. Likewise, keeping several pairs of hand and/or toe warmers in your kit will help to get your body back to temperature more quickly. Finally, while it can’t be stored in the car constantly, it is always best to travel with at least a bottle or two of water. Keeping hydrated also helps maintain body temperature - Captain Dan Tyk, EMS Manager, North Shore Fire/Rescue

For more safety tips, or to learn more about the programs and services offered by North Shore Fire/Rescue, visit www.nsfire.org.
Updates from Village Hall:
Gov. Evers Executive Order #94: On November 10, Governor Tony Evers addressed the State of Wisconsin regarding the surge of COVID-19 cases. Executive Order #94 was released and asked all individuals, whether symptomatic or not, to do the following:
  • Avoid gatherings of any size between individuals who are not members of the same living unit or household, to the extent possible.
  • Maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet between individuals who are not members of the same living unit or household, to the extent possible.
  • Wash hands often.
  • Cover coughs.
  • Frequently clean high touch surfaces and objects.
  • Wear a face covering in compliance with Gov. Evers' Emergency Order #1, issued September 22, 2020.
  • Take available opportunities to provide material and emotional support to fellow Wisconsinites for whom staying home poses financial and psychological hardships.
It took seven months for Wisconsin to reach its first 100,000 COVID-19 cases, but only five weeks to reach the second 100,000 cases. To stop the spread of COVID-19, stay home as much as possible, practice social distancing, and wear a mask!
From the Merchants of Whitefish Bay:

Letters to Santa!💌🎅🏻New to Silver Spring Drive this year is Santa's Mailbox! Make your list, check it twice, then pop it into Santa's Mailbox. The Merchants of Whitefish Bay have a direct connection to the North Pole so we know Santa will get each letter!

Find it from November 25 to December 23 at 316 E. Silver Spring Drive.
From Kiwanis North Shore MKE:

Santa has joined with Kiwanis Club of North Shore Milwaukee to prevent this spread of COVID-19. Your family can schedule a time to Zoom with Santa thanks to the Kiwanis Club of North Shore Milwaukee. More info: https://kiwanisnorthshoremke.com/
Curbside Leaf Collection Information: Collection is weekly, but there is no specific collection schedule. The DPW will run yard waste crews to pick-up leaves until the first significant snowfall or through the first week in December. 

Collection is dependent on crew availability and the volume of leaves that need to be collected. Leaves should be placed in the in the street, near the curb but away from storm inlets. Frequently asked questions about the curbside collection program can be found here.

Brush chipper collection: Brush will be collected by Village crews this week (November 16, 2020). Brush should be placed in the parkway between the curb and the sidewalk.
Updates from the Whitefish Bay Public Library:
Make and Take Crafts For Adults - November 19: Folded Book Heart: Pick-up location is near the adult reference desk. Kits are available on a first come, first served basis while the library is open. Make a heart out of an old hardcover book. This craft is perfect for any book lover.
Dinovember: A Roaring Good Time: Every Friday, stop by the Library's Facebook page or Instagram account
to see what kind of fun (or mischief) the dinosaurs are having in the library when the librarians aren't around.
  • Wednesday, November 18: Dinosaur Art with Miss Katie (premiering on Facebook at 4 p.m.)
  • Wednesday, November 25: Take and Make: 3-D Cardboard Dinosaurs (from 10:00 a.m. to Noon and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Virtual Storytime Returns: Due to COVID-19, all of our storytimes are virtual storytimes! We invite you to join one of our youth services librarians for books, rhymes, songs, and more. Our events will premiere on our Facebook page, and they will also be saved on our Facebook page for a brief amount of time.

Program dates are through December 18:
  • Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.: Toddler Time
  • Fridays at 10:00 a.m.: All Ages
Get Study Help with Tutor.Com: Whitefish Bay Public Library has partnered with Tutor.com to provide you with FREE online tutoring to support your academic success this school year. The experts at Tutor.com can help you work through a tough homework problem, improve your writing skills, study for a test, review a difficult concept, and so much more! To access Tutor.com, visit our website! Tutors are available every day from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. To use this resource, you must be a resident of Whitefish Bay with a valid library card.
From the North Shore Health Department:
NSHD Highlights 11/10/20: National Diabetes Month

Over 517,000 Wisconsin residents suffer from diabetes and many others may have the disease and not be aware. It is estimated that one out of every three children born after 2000 in the United States will be directly affected by diabetes, and by 2050, one in three American adults will have diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, which is a hormone that the body needs to get glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, everyone can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy lives. More on type 1 diabetes: https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/type-1

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes—and it means that your body doesn’t use insulin properly. While some people can control their blood sugar levels with healthy eating and exercise, others may need medication or insulin to help manage it. More on type 2 diabetes: https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/type-2

In Wisconsin, one in three adults has prediabetes, which is the precursor to type 2 diabetes. In prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. To understand your risk level, take the type 2 diabetes online risk test: https://www.diabetes.org/risk-test. If you have prediabetes, remember that it doesn’t mean you’ll develop type 2, particularly if you follow a treatment plan and make changes to your lifestyle through food choices and physical activity.

Steps to prevent type 2 diabetes:
Information about diabetes from the American Diabetes Association: https://www.diabetes.org/.

For the most recent updates on COVID-19 in the North Shore, visit our website. We also encourage you to frequently monitor the DHS website and CDC website.
Community Spotlight:
Update from the Whitefish Bay Public Education Foundation:

Explore the Bay with the WFB Public Education Foundation Passport at https://www.educatethebay.info/events/. Download the Passport to record the fun activities you complete each month from November to April leading up to Run the Bay in May. November activities include Supporting the Merchants of WFB, visiting the gardens of the WFB Garden Club, and Supporting WFB Public Schools by participating in the WFB Public Education Foundation's Annual Appeal.
COVID-19 Testing Locations:

Testing at Milwaukee County COVID-19 testing sites is free for anyone, regardless of symptoms. No appointment is needed. There are many testing location options throughout Milwaukee County. More information on locations and shuttles is available here.

As a reminder, Federally Qualified Health Centers and private health providers continue to provide tests for symptomatic individuals. Call 2-1-1 or visit TestUpMKE to find the nearest testing location.
Update from Bay Bridge:

Bay Bridge Talk Sessions provide an opportunity for our community to learn about the work Bay Bridge is doing within the Village of Whitefish Bay, our School District, and our Community.

We intend to provide insight into the work Bay Bridge is doing to create a more equitable, just community for everyone in Whitefish Bay, residents, students, and visitors alike. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen, ask questions, and if time allows, engage in discussion. We hope you will join us over Zoom on Monday, November 23, at 7:00 p.m. To attend, please register at baybridgewisconsin.org/events-projects.
Other Community Links:
Village of Whitefish Bay | Phone: (414) 962-6690 | Fax: (414) 962-5651