Mequon Weekly Bulletin - October 16, 2020

UPCOMING MEETINGS
Future of Our Fire Department Committee: October 20 - 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Library Board of Trustees: October 21 - 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Park & Open Space Board: October 21 - 6:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Festivals Committee: October 22 - 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Planning Commission: October 26 - 6:00 P.M.
Economic Development Board: October 27 - 8:00 A.M.
Municipal Water Utility Commission: October 27- 7:00 P.M.
Sewer Utility District Commission: October 27 - 7:00 P.M.

COVID-19 Update for the Week Ending Friday, October 16
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 had 166,186 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,574  associated deaths. Of the cases in Wisconsin, 1,780 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 22 related deaths have been in Ozaukee County, based on information from the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department (WOPHD).

• WOPHD and other regional health departments are working in conjunction with the Wisconsin National Guard and other community partners to provide more testing availability on a weekly basis.  Information on WOPHD's testing options can be found at washozwi.gov.

• A judge has temporarily blocked Emergency Order 3 from the Evers administration limiting public gatherings and capacity in bars and restaurants to 25% during the COVID-19 pandemic through November 6.

• The U.S. Elections Assistance Commission released guidance for assisting sick, exposed, symptomatic, and quarantined voters.

In-Person Absentee Ballot Voting Begins Tuesday, October 20
Starting Tuesday, October 20, City of Mequon residents can cast an in-person absentee ballot at City Hall.   During in-person absentee voting, a ballot will be issued to the voter who then puts the voted ballot in an envelope and seals it.   The ballot will be kept secure and counted on election day at the polls.  There is still time to request an absentee ballot to be mailed as well.   Just visit www.myvote.wi.us or the Clerk's Department for more information jmeyer@ci.mequon.wi.us 262-236-2911.  In-person absentee voting will take place Monday through Friday, October 20 - October 29, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. and Friday, October 30, from 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.  Polling sites will open 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3.  To check your polling location, please go to www.myvote.wi.us.

Town Center Cedarburg Road Land Acquisition
In 2020, the Common Council contracted to purchase two of the four homes located on the east side of Cedarburg Road and along the Milwaukee River.   These efforts meet a long-standing Town Center objective to create a riverfront park.  Town Center TID funds as well as Park and Open Space funds were utilized to purchase these privately held riverfront parcels.  As part of the City's due diligence, environmental assessments of each parcel were completed with no identified areas of concern.   The City closed on the acquisition of the sites in early October and the homes are now vacant.   The City is preparing a RFP for demolition of the structures, which staff expects to occur yet this year.

City's Emergency Loan Fund Status
The City's Emergency Loan Fund programs still gains interest from local businesses and organizations throughout the City.   The City is reviewing a loan application and is expecting to execute an additional loan for $15,000.   The programs have issued a total of 20 loans to date.   The fund balance of this program is approximately $140,000.  Please continue to spread the word to businesses and community partners.   Additional information about the program is available by clicking here.

We're All In Small Business Grant - Phase 2
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is opening a second phase of We're All In Small Business Grants to help provide financial assistance to Wisconsin small businesses affected by COVID-19.  The application to apply will be available at revenue.wi.gov on October 19 at 8:00 A.M.  Applications will be accepted from 8:00 A.M., Monday, October 19, to 11:59 P.M. Monday, November 2.  If a business cannot apply online, assistance may be requested by calling the Wisconsin Department of Revenue at 608-266-2772.  For more information about the grant, please click here or see the attached. 

Concordia University Cancels Drive-Thru  Drug Take Back Day, October 24
Concordia University has canceled the Drive-Thru Drug Take Back Day scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 24, from 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. at the Concordia University campus located at 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive.  Other sites in Ozaukee County collecting medications on October 24 include:

Village of Thiensville Police Department
Port Washington State Bank
Event:  8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office
Ozaukee County Highway Department
Event:  10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Community-Wide Trick-or-Treat Scheduled for Saturday October 31
The City's community-wide trick-or-treat is scheduled for Saturday, October 31 from 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.  The Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department is following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding Halloween.  To view the CDC's guidance please click here.  Remember to turn on an outside light to welcome trick-or-treaters.  This event does not preclude any other neighborhood, association, or other local holiday events taking place at a different time or on another day.  Please see attached flyer for additional 2020 Halloween Guidance.

"Reverse Parade" for Veterans Day, November 11
Due to the COVID-19 health pandemic, Veterans Day on November 11 will be affected, and veterans will be unable to celebrate as they usually do.  For that reason, the Mequon-Thiensville Howard J. Schroeder American Legion Post 457 is sponsoring a "reverse parade."  Local businesses, institutions, and homeowners are invited to decorate the outside of their property to honor our veterans.  To participate in the "reverse parade," please email reverseparade@gmail.com to register your address by November 4.  Please include the name of your business, institution, or family name with your address and, if applicable, the name of your subdivision.  Veterans who wish to receive the list of addresses for the tour, please use the same email.  If Veterans prefer, a list will be printed and available at the American Legion Post 457's mailbox, which is immediately north of the American Legion building, located at 6050 W. Mequon Road in the Mequon Town Center. 

Ozaukee County Issues Board Meeting Minutes
Please click here to view the Ozaukee County Board of Supervisors' October 7 meeting minutes.