Mequon Weekly Bulletin - January 8, 2021

UPCOMING MEETINGS
Planning Commission Policy Subcommittee:  January 11 - 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Emergency Management Committee: January 12 - 3:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Public Welfare Committee: January 12 - 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Public Works Committee: January 12 - 6:45 P.M. (Agenda)
Finance - Personnel Committee: January 12 - 7:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Common Council: January 12  - 7:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Mequon-Thiensville Bike and Pedestrian Way Commission: January 14 - 8:00 A.M. (Agenda)
Festivals Committee: January 14 - 6:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Future of Our Fire Department Committee: January 19 - 6:00 P.M.
Library Board of Trustees: January 20 - 6:00 P.M.
Park & Open Space Board: January 20 - 6:30 P.M.

COVID-19 Update for the Week Ending Friday, January 8
The City of Mequon, in coordination with the Washington/Ozaukee Public Health Department and other state and federal agencies, continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19.

• As of this afternoon, the State has recorded 502,012 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 5,119  associated deaths. In Ozaukee County, 6,453 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 58 related deaths have been recorded, based on information from the Washington/Ozaukee Public Health Department (WOPHD).

• The State has begun receiving shipments of COVID-19 vaccine over the past few weeks. The State is following an official COVID-19 vaccination plan and will update its vaccination webpage as the plan progresses.

• Locally, the WOPHD is distributing COVID-19 vaccinations as outlined in the State's plan. According to WOPHD's Vaccine Updates Webpage, the Department is currently issuing vaccinations to group 1A, which is comprised of health care providers. Please view the WOPHD's website for future vaccine distribution updates and distribution information.

Please help the City in continuing to limit the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask, maintaining a safe social distance, avoiding large gatherings, following proper hygiene practices and staying home when sick.

Incumbents Slated for Reelection
The deadline has passed for those wishing to run for Alderman in Districts 6, 7, and 8.  The three incumbents in those districts have chosen to run for their seats.  Since no challengers stepped forward, the Aldermen that will appear on the April 6, 2020 ballot will be:

Alderman District 6  Brian S. Parrish
Alderman District 7  Kathleen Schneider
Alderman District 8  Andrew Nerbun

Town Center Gateway Promenade Final Touches
Over the past few weeks, the gateway promenade, located at the Milwaukee River and corner of Mequon and Cedarburg Roads, received its signage and lighting features. The signature circular sign design indicates the joint communities of the City of Mequon and the Village of Thiensville, which is an original objective of the Town Center district that spans both communities. The signage also completes an integral component of the structural design. Additional finishing touches will be completed in spring 2021, including a sidewalk extension leading north along Cedarburg Road, landscaping and an interior donor wall on the river side of the structure.

Nails in the Roadway
Over the past several months, many jurisdictions in Ozaukee County have received reports of nails being dumped in the roadway. Between the City of Mequon, City of Grafton, and the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office there were approximately 80 incidents reported.

During a joint investigation between the agencies, a subject of interest was identified as being responsible for intentionally dumping nails in the roadways.  This subject was recently arrested for these incidents by the Mequon Police Department. 138 counts of Damage to Property charges for this subject were sent to the Ozaukee County District Attorney's Office for review.

35-Year Fire Department Veteran Retires
Deputy Fire Chief David Depies retired on December 31, 2020, after 35 years with the Mequon Fire Department.  Chief Depies has been a Deputy Chief for the last 16 years, he was an EMT for 33 years, a member of the dive team and its leader for 10 years.  The Chief logged more "on call" hours than any other member since the start of the first responder program and scheduled ambulance time since 2012.  He will be missed. The City of Mequon thanks Deputy Chief Depies for his years of dedicated service to the Community.

Public Works Department Sees Two Retirements and a Promotion
With the beginning of the new year, two long-term employees within the Public Works Department have punched the clock for the last time and joined the nation's ranks of retirees. Sewer Maintenance Foreman Mark Gierach, who served a vital role in ensuring the City's sanitary sewer system remains at peak performance, has retired after almost 30 years of service. Additionally, Buildings Maintenance Worker Scott Schowalter, who has been a key member of the Buildings Division and Public Works Department, has hung up his hat after nearly 24 years of service. The efforts of both Mark and Scott helped the organization complete several large-scale projects and successfully respond to emergencies throughout the City. On behalf of the entire community, the City of Mequon thanks both gentlemen for helping make Mequon a better place for all.

With the retirement of Sewer Maintenance Foreman Mark Gierach, a promotional vacancy became available for staff in the Public Works Department. After a robust internal promotional process with a number of qualified applicants, the City has selected Jeremy Weinrich as its next Sewer Maintenance Foreman. Jeremy has 20 years of experience with the City's Public Works Department and is well equipped to pick up the torch and help lead the Sanitary Sewer Division.

Ozaukee County Talks About Race
Bridge the Divide, Ozaukee County and UW-Madison Extension Ozaukee County announce a partnership with local libraries with the goal of turning the page on long-standing issues on race and social justice in area communities. Coinciding with the celebration of Dr. Marin Luther King Day and Black History Month, Ozaukee County Talks About Race will kick off with a Community Conversation Event on January 11 at 6:00 p.m. held via Zoom. Book discussions will be held at the following local libraries: Cedarburg Public Library, WJ Niederkorn Library (Port Washington), USS Liberty Memorial Public Library (Grafton), Oscar Grady Public Library (Saukville) and Frank L. Weyenberg Library (Mequon). To register for the kickoff event on January 11 and/or the book discussions, please click here.