City of Mequon Weekly Bulletin - February 9, 2018
Upcoming Meetings
Architectural Board: February 12 – 6:30 p.m. (Agenda)
Planning Commission: February 12 – 7:00 p.m. (Agenda)
Public Welfare Committee: February 13 – 5:00 p.m. (Agenda)
Finance-Personnel Committee: February 13 – 5:45 p.m. (Agenda)
Public Works Committee: February 13 – 6:00 p.m. (Agenda)
Water Utility District Commission: February 13 – 6:45 p.m. (Agenda)
Sewer Utility District Commission: February 13 – 6:45 p.m. (Agenda)
Common Council: February 13 – 7:30 p.m. (Agenda)
Economic Development Board: February 20 – 7:30 a.m.
Park and Open Space Board: February 21 – 6:30 p.m.
Reconstruction of Parking Lot near City Hall Takes Next Steps
Planning staff is advancing efforts related to the design and reconstruction of the Civic Campus parking lot located near City Hall. These efforts include a discussion during Committee of the Whole at the Common Council’s February 13 meeting for direction on an RFP, scope of services for design options and ultimately construction drawings for bidding. Staff is mindful that one substantial funding source, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Green Solutions, can be leveraged for this project, but only if construction is completed by year-end.
Professional Certified Appraisals Completed for East Trunk Sewer Easements
Professional certified appraisals were completed for the East Trunk Sewer (ETS) easements to determine the appropriate level of compensation for impacted property owners. The appraisals came in higher than anticipated and as a result, the original amount of compensation authorized in November of 2017 by the Sewer Utility District Commission will need to be adjusted. A resolution amending the original compensation amount based off of the appraisals will be on the Commission’s agenda for consideration next week Tuesday. The proposed amendment ensures the City’s compensation level to property owners remains consistent with the requirements established by the State of Wisconsin in Chapter 32.05. If approved, the amendment will allow the ETS project to remain on schedule. In addition, City staff continue outreach and coordination efforts with property owners impacted by easements and other aspects of the ETS project.
City Attorney becomes Candidate for Judgeship
As was reported in the News Graphic this week, City Attorney Brian Sajdak is running for the City of Waukesha Municipal Judge position to fill the seat as the long-time judge there retires. Waukesha’s municipal court operates part-time (a few hours a week) and it is anticipated that winning the election would have little impact on his responsibilities to the City. One likely change would be a positive one for the City. Due to conflicting court dates, the City Attorney and Attorney Smith, who also works at the same municipal law firm, would swap prosecuting duties: the City Attorney would handle Mid-Moraine duties (including Mequon) while Attorney Smith would take over Franklin duties. There will be a primary election on February 20 and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election in April.
City Upgrades 3 Ambulance Power Assisted Patient Stretcher Electrical Systems
The Fire Department’s three ambulances each have a power-assisted patient stretcher. The electric-over-hydraulic power stretchers are important to prevent back injuries from lifting patients. The original NiCad battery systems needed to be upgraded. The NiCad batteries are no longer in production, so the electrical systems were converted to lithium-ion batteries. The cost for all three patient stretchers upgrade totaled $3,900.
Mequon Police Department Deploys Naloxone
Mequon Police Officers are now equipped with another tool to help with the opioid epidemic. All officers have been issued a dose of prescription medicine called Naloxone (also known as Narcan) to prevent overdose deaths. With the increase in heroin overdoses and the fact that the Wisconsin Crime Lab is finding drug dealers adding Fentanyl to their product to increase its effects, officers are potentially at risk to unwanted exposure. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is much more powerful than heroin and comes in a powder form. Due to the extreme potency of Fentanyl, even a small exposure can potentially be fatal.
Police officers serve as first responders in drug overdose situations and through contact with these people are sometimes themselves at risk. An accidental needle stick can cause a police officer to ingest heroin and Fentanyl. If that powder becomes airborne, someone who breathes it in or gets it on their skin without washing it off promptly also can overdose. Per a new safety policy, Mequon officers must now perform drug testing in the presence of a second officer who stands back at a distance, in case of airborne exposure.
2018 Annual Budget Book Now Available on the City’s Website
Following adoption of the 2018 annual budget by the Common Council in the last quarter of 2017, Finance Department employees worked to compile the finalized 2018 budget book. The completed book can now be found on the City’s website by clicking here. The 2018 budget book has been submitted to the Government Finance Officers Association for consideration of receiving the organization’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
