Mequon Weekly Bulletin - April 2, 2021

UPCOMING MEETINGS
Festivals Committee: April 8 - 6:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Board of Canvass: April 9 - 9:00 A.M.
Architectural Board: April 12 - 6:30 P.M.
Public Safety Committee: April 13 - 5:00 P.M.
Public Welfare Committee: April 13 - 5:45 P.M.
Public Works Committee: April 13 - 6:30 P.M.
Finance-Personnel Committee: April 13 - 6:45 P.M.
Common Council: April 13 - 7:30 P.M.

COVID-19 Update for the Week Ending Friday, April 2
The City of Mequon, in coordination with the Washington/Ozaukee Public Health Department (WOPHD) and other state and federal agencies, continues to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

• As of this afternoon, the State has reported that 2,978,088 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered and 1,121,306 Wisconsin residents have completed the vaccination series.

• Beginning Monday, April 5, all residents 16 years of age and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 Vaccination. State-wide vaccination clinic locations can be found on the Department of Health Services (DHS) website. Additionally, DHS is operating a vaccine hotline at 1-844-684-1064 to learn about vaccines, assist with finding a vaccinator, and provide other vaccine-related information.

Please help to continue limiting the spread of COVID-19 in the community by, maintaining a safe social distance, avoiding large gatherings, following proper hygiene practices and staying home when sick.

Face Coverings Encouraged in Wake of State Mask Mandate Ruling
On Wednesday, March 31, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a ruling to invalidate Governor Tony Evers’ Executive Order requiring that masks be worn in public. The ruling follows several extensions of an original mask mandate issued by the Governor that took effect in July of last year. In the wake of this development, it is now up to each business, organization and institution within the City of Mequon to determine whether masks will continue to be required, into the foreseeable future. While the City does not currently have a local ordinance requiring face coverings, all residents, employees and other individuals within the community are encouraged to continue wearing masks when in public, in accordance with recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Washington/Ozaukee Health Department. Masks will continue to be required for all individuals working in, utilizing or visiting City facilities until further notice. Presently, the City is operating under a Public Health Emergency that was originally declared in March 2020 to protect the health and well-being of the community, and that has subsequently been extended until September 15, 2021. Given the current pace of vaccinations, and the overall decline in the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19, it is possible that this Emergency Order could be rescinded earlier than September 15 by action of the Mequon Common Council. Until such time, it is likely that the requirement to wear a face covering in all City buildings and facilities will remain in effect. 

Spring Elections Set for Tuesday, April 6
Voting takes place in the City of Mequon next Tuesday, April 6 from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.  All residents should report to their normal polling sites to vote.  If you have questions about your polling site, or any other election-related questions please contact the Clerk’s Department 262-236-2912 or cfochs@ci.mequon.wi.us.

Midland Health Completes Three-Day COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic
This past week, Midland Health completed a three-day COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Mequon City Hall. A total of 354 vaccines were administered during the first two days of the clinic and approximately 200 doses were scheduled to be administered on Friday, April 2. Currently Midland Health’s scheduler is closed due to limited vaccine supplies. Prior to closing the online scheduler, 239 individuals have already signed up for next week’s clinic. The scheduler will likely re-open next week to schedule appointments between April 7 - April 9. Individuals who received their first shot between March 31 - April 2 may schedule a second vaccination appointment through Midland Health’s online scheduler after April 9.To view Midland Health’s online scheduler, please click here. For inquiries about the clinics or questions about the vaccine, please contact Midland Health at 262-754-3130. For other questions, please contact Lina Prosser at the City of Mequon by telephone at 262-236-2941 or by email at lprosser@ci.mequon.wi.us.

City Seeks Residents to Serve on Boards, Commissions & Committees
In addition to the elected positions of Mayor and Alderman on Mequon’s eight-member Common Council, the City is also served by nearly fifteen separate boards, commissions and committees comprised of residents appointed by the Mayor & Common Council. These include a number of bodies devoted to community development and planning (Architectural Board, Board of Appeals, Economic Development Board, Landmarks Commission, Planning Commission) as well as to the upkeep and preservation of the City’s natural resources (Tree Board, River Advisory Committee). Additionally, a number of groups also address matters related to Mequon’s quality of life (Bike & Pedestrian Way Commission, Festivals Committee, Library Board, Park & Open Space Board) while others focus on very specified functions in support of the organization and/or community (Board of Police & Fire Commissioners, Board of Review, Ethics Board). Typically, most appointed terms run for a period of three years, with the Mayor and Council approving a large majority of appointments or re-appointments each April during the City’s annual Organizational Meeting. Presently, there are several boards with immediate needs for help, including the Architectural Board, Board of Review, Festivals Committee and Tree Board. Residents interested in serving on a board, commission or committee can learn more about each body by clicking here, and obtain an application by clicking here. Completed applications can be mailed to City Hall, Attn: City Administrator’s Office, 11333 N. Cedarburg Road (53092), e-mailed to lprosser@ci.mequon.wi.us or faxed to (262) 242-9819.      

City Seeking New Executive Assistant for Communications
With the pending retirement of long-time Executive Assistant Lina Prosser, the City of Mequon is currently seeking a new Executive Assistant-Communications in the City Administrator’s Office. In addition to providing administrative support to both the Mayor and City Administrator, this key position organizes all external communication efforts on behalf of the organization and coordinates various community events, such as the Taste of Mequon. An associate degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience in administrative support and/or communications is required, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. The starting salary range for the position is $47,424 - $55,737 +/- DOQ, and the City offers an excellent benefits package that includes health, dental & life insurance, paid time off/holidays, and participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter, resume and completed job application by 4:00 p.m. on April 19, 2021. For further details, please visit: https://www.ci.mequon.wi.us/jobs.

United Methodist Church to Host Vaccine Clinics Starting April 7
Welltopia Pharmacy in Thiensville will offer a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Mequon United Methodist Church, located at 11011 N. Oriole Lane on Wednesday, April 7.  The Pfizer vaccine will be administered. A clinic will be held every Wednesday at Mequon United Methodist Church as long as there is a need for vaccinations. To schedule an appointment, please click here. A new link will be posted every Friday to schedule an appointment for the following week. 

Police Department to Participate in Drive-Up Drug Take Back Day
The Police Department is working in conjunction with Concordia University for the April 2021 Drug Take Back Initiative. On Saturday, April 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mequon Officers and Pharmacy Students from Concordia will be available to take unused/old/expired medication. This will be a drive-up event located near the Pharmacy Building on Concordia University’s Mequon Campus, located at 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive. The Prescription Drug Take-Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal of prescription medications.  No businesses will be allowed to participate, as all waste pharmaceuticals must be generated by a household. Please see the attached flyer for additional details.

Jonathan Clark House Board Seeks Part-Time Executive Director
Dr. Nina Look, current volunteer Executive Director and Preservation Manager Frederick Derr recently announced that they will step down from executive-level administration of the Jonathan Clark House and serve as volunteer museum Curators. Nina and Fred have provided volunteer museum leadership since the Friends of Jonathan Clark House Museum started in 2012. The Jonathan Clark House Board of Directors is currently conducting a search for a part-time Executive Director to perform an average of 20 hours a week as a paid consultant.  For more information, see the attached position description and a brief organization overview.