Mequon Weekly Bulletin - January 14, 2022

U P C O M I N G  M E E T I N G S
Economic Development Board: January 18 – 8:00 A.M. (Agenda)
Ad Hoc Port Washington Road Design Committee: January 18 – 1:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Library Board of Trustees: January 19 – 6:00 P.M.
Festivals Committee: January 19 – 6:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Park & Open Space Board: January 19 – 6:30 P.M.
Planning Commission: January 24 – 6:00 P.M.

Recap of January 11 Common Council Meeting
The Mequon Common Council held its regular monthly meeting on the evening of Tuesday, January 11 at City Hall. During the business portion of the meeting, the Common Council acted to:

• Approve a paid-time-off policy for Fire Department Battalion Chiefs.
• Rezone the property at the Southwest Corner of Freistadt and Villa Grove Roads to develop a seven-lot residential subdivision (The Green at Mequon).
• Amend a Collective Bargaining Agreement to establish Full-Time Paramedic/Firefighter Positions. 
• Accept a $20,000 donation from the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Foundation and authorize the purchase and installation of an ADA accessible fishing pier at Rotary Park.
• Award a consulting agreement for revising the Sanitary Sewer Utility’s Hydraulic Model and preparing cost estimates for improvements to the East Trunk System.

A summary of all action taken by the Common Council on January 11 is available in a condensed version of the meeting minutes available here. Interested parties may also view a broadcast of the January 11 meeting on the City website. The Common Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, February 8.      

2022 COVID-19 Safety Considerations Issued
Due to the high burden of COVID-19 cases in Ozaukee County and with the trajectory increasing, the Washington- Ozaukee Public Health Department created the attached safety considerations last week based on CDC and DHS guidance.  The document also addresses the new quarantine and isolation timeframe recommendation.  COVID -19 Testing at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds has resumed by appointment only.  Appointments can be made here.

Port Zedler Motel to be Razed Next Week
Following unexpected delays with WE-Energies, the City’s demolition contractor reports that they will be heading to the property on Monday, January 17 to begin work. Barring any weather or staffing delays, the contractor expects that demolition should be completed in a week.

Noise Barriers Slated for I-43
As of Fall 2021, all five proposed noise barriers along I-43 had the required "yes" votes to be constructed. A simple majority of votes casted was needed and easily achieved for all five noise barriers.  Each of the following noise barriers will be built along corresponding sections of I-43:

• Union Pacific Railroad to Nicolet High School on the west side of I-43
• Good Hope Road to Brown Deer Road on the east side of I-43 
• Brown Deer Road to County Line Road on the east side of I-43
• Winesap Court to Baldwin Court on the west side of I-43
• Liebau Road to Highland Road on the west side of I-43

 Police Department to Hold 2022 Citizens Police Academy
The Mequon Police Department is pleased to announce that they will again be hosting a Citizens Police Academy class this year. The 2022 Academy will begin on Thursday, February 17 and will then meet on the next five consecutive Thursdays. Classes will be held in the evenings from 6:00 P.M. - 9:30 P.M., with a few exceptions. There will also be a firearms training opportunity which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 12.  This course provides participants with a hands-on experience of different situations that a Mequon Police Officer may handle at any given time.  The class size is limited to 20 participants.  Please complete and return the application by February 7.

Helpful Ways to Stay Involved and Informed
There are numerous ways to stay involved and informed in one’s City government.  If residents are unable to attend a Committee or Council Meeting and want to know what was discussed; agendas, minutes, and videos can be assessed at this link on the City website.  To see when future meetings or events are taking place, view the City’s calendar here.  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 and 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. 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, or faxed to (262) 242-9819. 

Vaccine Clinics to Take Place Next Week: January 17 - 21
Midland Health will return to City Hall January 17 through January 21 from 2:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. for another vaccine clinic for all eligible age groups, age 5 and up.  COVID-19, Influenza, and Booster shots will all be available.  Ages 12 and up are now eligible to receive the Pfizer Booster if it has been 5 months since they received their second shot.  Appointments can be made here. Walk-ins and non-Mequon residents are welcome to participate.

Christmas Tree Pick-up Available for Two More Weeks
The City of Mequon will continue collecting Christmas trees through January 28, weather permitting.  In the event it snows and one’s Christmas tree is still at the end of the driveway, please clean it out as the City will not unbury trees. The Highway Department requests all trees to be placed on the RIGHT SIDE of the driveway, facing one’s house.  Also please note, the City will not pick-up wreaths, garland, or any other decorations. To report a Christmas tree for pick-up, please e-mail cdeuster@ci.mequon.wi.us.