City of Mequon Weekly Bulletin - March 9, 2018
Upcoming Meetings
Planning Commission: March 12 – 4:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Architectural Board: March 12 – 6:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Public Welfare Committee: March 13 – 5:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Finance-Personnel Committee: March 13 – 6:15 P.M. (Agenda)
Public Works Committee: March 13 – 6:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Sewer Utility District Commission: March 13 – 7:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Common Council: March 13 – 7:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Mequon/Thiensville Town Center Gateway Committee: March 14 – 7:30 A.M. (Agenda)
Board of Police and Fire Commissioners: March 15 – 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Park and Open Space Board: March 21 – 6:30 P.M.
East Trunk Sewer Noise Ordinance Variance Request Scheduled for March 13
The potential contractors for the East Trunk Sewer Project have requested consideration of expanding the allowable work hours outside of the 7:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. Monday through Friday restriction established by the City’s noise ordinance to accommodate two shifts for the specialized tunneling portion of the project. This temporary variance request applies only to tunneling operations and does not apply to general construction activities. The City’s noise ordinance does not restrict public works to the time limitations; however, in practice, all planned public works construction has been restricted to hours defined in the noise ordinance. The advantages of extending operating hours for the tunneling portion of the project is that it will reduce the number of days the contractors are on the job and in turn reduces labor cost to help keep bid prices low. The temporary variance request is on the Sewer Utility District Commission’s March 13 agenda for consideration. Approximately 160 homes and businesses were notified of this temporary noise variance due to the planned public works project. Additionally, the bid opening date is being moved back one week to allow for this variance request. With the temporary variance, the East Trunk Sewer Project is expected to remain on schedule.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Reached with Lokre Companies for Public Parking Lot
Lokre Companies and staff have negotiated terms of a MOU for reconstruction of the public parking lot at City Hall in 2018. The MOU, scheduled for Council action next Tuesday, acknowledges Lokre’s contribution of a minimum of 42 parking spaces and the need to further negotiate terms as part of a Development Agreement and shared parking and access agreement. The timing of this partnership is critical in our consideration of completing the project with Green Solution funds of approximately $220K this year. The total private funding sources may increase throughout the design process, but the City will likely be faced with phasing in certain aesthetic improvements. The design process scheduled for April – June will give the Common Council the opportunity to weigh in on desired improvements and the associated costs. The staff materials also address the status of certain recommendations made by staff or the Council throughout the parking and traffic analysis. In addition, staff analyzed the feasibility of relocating the American Legion structure and operations. Structural, financial and land constraints for such are outlined in the materials as well.
Two Long-Term Employees Retiree from the City’s Ranks
The Public Works Department saw two long-term employees join the Nation’s ranks of retirees this Friday. Chief Mechanic Dale Engel hung up his hat after nearly 42 years of service and Equipment Operator Grant Pipkorn clocked out for the last time after almost 31 years of service. Both employees made lasting impacts on the organization and the City thanks, each of them for their years of dedicated public service.
Mequon Police Department Implements New Emergency Telephone Notification System
The “Hyper-Reach” system sends thousands of messages to geographically targeted households in seconds, and can simultaneously deliver them to an even broader audience via social media, as well as sending broadcast messages to most current mobile telephones (made since 2011) in an affected area by providing access to FEMA’s Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system. The new emergency alert system will provide rapid notification of hazardous and urgent situations using a mix of telephone calls, text and email messages, and even TTY/TDD service for the hearing impaired. Landline phones are automatically enrolled, but mobile phones and email addresses are only included when people enroll. Residents and people who work in Mequon are encouraged to enroll now either by calling 262-292-5060, going to the website https://hyper-reach.com/wicityofmequonsignup.html, or by downloading the free Hyper-Reach Anywhere app on their smartphone.
Police Association Elects New Board Members
On February 27, the Mequon Police Association held its annual meeting, and one new member was elected to the union board. The current board members and their positions: President Charles O’Connell, Vice President Mark Kastens, Treasurer Robert Glejf, Secretary Benjamin Heinen, and Member-at-Large Jason Moertl. The current collective bargaining agreement ends on December 31, 2018.
Wisconsin-Lake Michigan National Marine Sanctuary Nomination Rescinded
This week, the City obtained a copy of a letter dated February 27, 2018 from Governor Scott Walker to Benjamin Friedman, Acting Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, rescinding the State of Wisconsin’s previous nomination for a proposed National Marine Sanctuary that was previously submitted in late 2014. This request follows the Mequon Common Council’s adoption of a resolution opposing the designation of a National Marine Sanctuary between Mequon and Two Rivers at its last meeting on February 13. A copy of the Governor’s letter is attached.
Be Ready to Spring Forward
Don’t forget to change your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday as Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 11, 2018.
