Mequon Weekly Bulletin - February 26, 2021

UPCOMING MEETINGS
Milwaukee River Advisory Committee: March 3 - 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Mequon-Thiensville Bike & Pedestrian Way Commission: March 4 - 9:00 A.M. (Agenda)
Planning Commission Policy Subcommittee: March 8 - 6:00 P.M.
Architectural Board: March 8 - 6:30 P.M.
Public Safety Committee: March 9 - 5:30 P.M.
Public Welfare Committee: March 9 - 6:00 P.M.
Public Works Committee:  March 9 - 6:30 P.M.
Finance-Personnel Committee: March 9 - 7:00 P.M.
Water Utility Commission: March 9 - 7:30 P.M.
Common Council: March 9 - 7:30 P.M.
Festivals Committee: March 11 - 6:30 P.M.

COVID-19 Update for the Week Ending Friday, February 26
The City of Mequon, in coordination with the Washington/Ozaukee Public Health Department (WOPHD) and other state and federal agencies, continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19.

• As of this afternoon, the State has reported that 1,340,694 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered and 443,026 Wisconsin residents have completed the vaccination series.

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced the newest groups of people eligible for vaccine beginning March 1 will include teachers, child care workers, individuals enrolled in Medicaid long-term care programs, individuals at congregative living, and some additional essential workers are now priorities. The ability to receive a vaccine once eligible depends on supply.

• Wisconsin administered about 90% of available COVID-19 vaccine doses, putting the State at fifth in the nation.

• DHS is launching a new service on March 1 that will help connect residents with available vaccine. The Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry will provide a central place to let residents know where, when, and how to schedule an appointment.

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.

Police Chief to Patriciate in Virtual Conversation
Law enforcement leaders in Ozaukee County will be responding to citizen’s questions concerning racism and biases on March 3 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. during a virtual conversation titled “Ozaukee Law Enforcement Address Citizen Questions on Racism and Biases”.  This is a live event where law enforcement leaders and community partners will answer questions submitted by participants.  Questions can be submitted during registration and during the event.  Questions that are off topic will be addressed following the virtual conversation. The conversation will be hosted and moderated by UW-Madison Extension Ozaukee County and is open to all who live, work, and learn in Ozaukee County. Registration is required for this event.  To register for the event, please click here.

Community partners joining the conversation will be the Ozaukee County Administrator, Ozaukee County Human Services Department, Ozaukee County Public Health Department, Advocates of Ozaukee, Bridge the Divide, Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center, Northern Ozaukee United Way, and Sirona Recovery.

WisDOT to Complete Series of Road Projects
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will be completing a series of projects on and along STH 57 (Cedarburg Road) in the Village of Brown Deer and the City of Mequon.  To the south, the project includes installing a roundabout at Teutonia Avenue, construction of an at grade intersection at Brown Deer Road and reconstruction of Brown Deer Road.  Within the City of Mequon, the project consists of a road resurfacing project from County Line Road to just south of the Mequon Road intersection, as well as intersection improvements at Donges Bay Road.  The Sewer Utility also coordinated to have capacity upgrade work included in the intersection project to minimize the number of times the intersection is under construction.

Road resurfacing consists of milling off the top 4 inches of asphalt and repaving with 4 inches of new asphalt.  For the majority of the project, the road width will remain the same.  The turn lanes at the Donges Bay Road intersection will be extended and the traffic signal will be replaced and include flashing yellow arrows for northbound/southbound traffic and a green left turn arrow for northbound traffic.  New and additional signage will be installed throughout the corridor.  The project is scheduled to be bid in August 2021 and constructed through 2022.  As the project moves closer to construction, WisDOT will establish a website to provide up to date information to residents and business owners.  When the website is provided, the City will post the link to the website and provide a subsequent project update.

“Walk-In-The-Woods” at Rotary Park Well Attended
On Saturday, February 20, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mequon’s Sunrise Rotary Club and the City of Mequon partnered to host an inaugural winter luminary walk at Rotary Park (Pukaite Woods).  The walk was held at the northern end of the park and wound its way through Pukaite Woods for approximately one mile.  The hike was illuminated by over 200 candlelit ice luminaries, that were made by the Mequon Parks Division and the members and families from Boy Scout Troop 865. 

The night walk offered a new perspective of the woods in winter.  The ice luminaries and luminary bags were placed every 40 to 50 feet providing a guided path through the dark, while the firepits along the route offered a place to warm up.  At the conclusion of the walk Rotarians offered hot coco, warm apple cider, and coffee.  Prepackaged smores donated by Stein’s Gardens and the Mequon Nature Preserve were offered to attendees as a special treat.   

The event did require registration ahead of time to help control the numbers due to the recommendations of the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department and the Center for Disease Control.  An estimated number of 325-350 people attended the inaugural event, with the hope for next year to host a similar, slightly expanded event.

A special thank you goes out to the volunteers from the Rotary Club, Boy Scout Troop 865, Homestead High School students, and the City’s Department of Public Works staff for making the event a resounding success!