Mequon Weekly Bulletin - June 17, 2022

U P C O M I N G  M E E T I N G S
Park & Open Space Board: June 22 – 6:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Planning Commission: June 27 – 6:00 P.M.
Economic Development Board: June 28 – 8:00 A.M.

Recap of June 14 Common Council Meeting 
The Mequon Common Council held its regular monthly meeting on the evening of Tuesday, June 14 at City Hall. During the business portion of the meeting, the Common Council acted to:

1. Authorize City Staff to file the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) for Calendar Year 2021.
2. Amend various provisions of the Mequon Municipal Code in connection with the establishment of the Southern Ozaukee Fire & EMS Department.
3. Authorize an agreement with GovHR USA, LLC to complete a classification and compensation study.
4. Amend the City’s Financial Policies regarding vehicle leasing.
5. Authorize receipt of dugout improvements at Rotary and River Barn Parks from the Thiensville-Mequon Youth Baseball Association.
6. Award a contract for design of the Tamerlane Drive Lift Station O Force Main Improvements.

A summary of all action taken by the Common Council is available via condensed meeting minutes, or the video broadcast.  The Common Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, July 12.   

District 8 Aldermanic Vacancy To Be Filled By Special Election
At the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, June 14, the District 8 aldermanic vacancy was considered. After resident input and extended discussion, the Council voted to hold a special election to fill the seat. The date of the election will be decided at the Council’s July 12 meeting. The candidate chosen by special election will serve the remainder of District 8 aldermanic term, through April 2024. 

City Earns Government Finance Officers Association Award
The City of Mequon has received the Governmental Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2022 budget. The award represents a significant achievement by the City. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the entity must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.  These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as:

• A policy document
• A financial plan
• An operations guide
• A communications device

The budget document must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award. See the attached letter from GFOA for further details.

Goats are Returning to Rotary Park
Goats are coming back to Pukaite Woods at Rotary Park, and they will be arriving the week of June 27 and staying for 2 - 3 weeks. The M-T Sunrise Rotary Club, Ozaukee Washington Land Trust and the City of Mequon are partnering for a third year to push back invasive buckthorn and promote native plant growth for the future health of the Rotary Park woodland. This year, a baby goat named Swampy will be a part of the herd. Volunteers are needed between 7:00 A.M. - 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. each day. Please email if interested.

National Pollinator Week Starts Sunday
The City of Mequon has issued a proclamation recognizing June 19-25 as National Pollinator Week. Celebrate it by planting pollinator-friendly plants in your yards. See the list here for recommended plants. The Mequon-Thiensville Sunrise Rotary Club has partnered with the City of Mequon and Mequon Nature Preserve to educate the community on the importance of pollinators. Sign the pledge to show that you are willing to do even a little part in helping our insect friends. Click here to learn more about this national project.

How Much Water is Enough Water?
As summer begins, a lot of homeowners are wondering, “how much water is enough water” for their lawn? This is an interesting debate because on the one hand, most everyone wants a lush green lawn, yet there is a definite cost to watering. Here are a few general suggestions for irrigation in the summertime:

• Most variants of lawn (grass) require 1 to 1-1/2 inches of water per week for healthy growth. This should be broken up into 4 evenly spaced days of the week, watering 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch per day.
• Try not to water the lawn too much, as this will promote shallow root growth, and subsequently grass that does not weather drought.
• If a sprinkler system is used at home, make sure it is properly set-up and maintained. Irrigate hydro zones based upon plants' water needs. Install a weather-based SMART irrigation controller that is properly programmed and maintained.
• Install and maintain a rain sensor, either wireless or wired, on the irrigation controller if it does not have one built-in. This will limit irrigation cycles if Mother Nature provides rain.
• Regularly inspect sprinkler heads to make sure they are not damaged or malfunctioning. Adjust sprinkler heads so they don’t spray water on paved surfaces such as the sidewalk or driveway.

Following these simple rules can have a dramatic impact on one’s water bill, yet still provide a healthy, beautiful yard that can be enjoyed throughout the summer!

Family Fun Before the Fourth to Take Place on June 25
Grab your family and friends and celebrate Family Fun Before the Fourth on Saturday, June 25.  Festivities begin with a fun-filled parade at 10:30 AM starting at the Frank L. Weyenberg Library and ending at Thiensville Village Park. As the parade winds down the excitement remains! Enjoy free ice cream, dance demonstrations, a waterski show, live music, delicious food, and much more.  At dusk, grab a seat by the river and watch a spectacular firework show.  Click here to learn more about the event.

New Postage Rates to Take Effect in July
The US Postal Service has proposed a second 2022 postage rate increase to be implemented on Sunday, July 10.  As a result, first class mail prices will rise about 6.5%.  Following is a table reflecting the applicable rate changes: