Mequon Weekly Bulletin - Sept. 16
U P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S
Planning Commission: September 19 – 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Economic Development Board: September 20 – 8:00 A.M. (Agenda)
Southern Ozaukee Fire & EMS Board Meeting: September 21 – 5:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Library Board of Trustees: September 21 – 6:00 P.M.
Joint M-T Bike & Pedestrian Way Commission: September 22 – 9:00 A.M. (Agenda)
Park & Open Space Board: September 28 – 6:30 P.M.
Recap of September 13 Common Council Meeting
Preceding the Common Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 13, the Committee of the Whole received a project status update and passed a resolution to authorize a contract amendment to the design of proposed pedestrian and traffic safety improvements along Mequon Road from Buntrock Avenue to Cedarburg Road to R.H. Batterman & Co, Inc. in an amount not-to-exceed of $61,540. The Committee also discussed the City’s cost to participate in the installation of a sidewalk on Mequon Road from Wauwatosa Road to Swan Road and provided direction to participate with the project.
The Mequon Common Council then met afterwards and during the business portion of the meeting, acted to:
- Approve an amendment to a funding agreement with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District in the amount of $726,343 for sewer lateral work to reduce infiltration and inflow from private property sources.
- Award a contract to MJ Construction, Inc. in the amount of $755,060 to install building sewer lateral clean-outs in the Riverdale Park Lift Station “F” Area.
- Amend the Municipal Code to rezone the property located at 10766 Torrey Drive from R-3 (Single-Family Residential) to R-3 with a Planned Unit Development to allow for an 11-lot cluster residential subdivision.
- Create Section 10-26 of the Municipal Code to allow pool covers in lieu of fences around swimming pools.
- Approve amendments to the Annual Fee Schedule for ambulance and emergency medical transport fees effective October 1.
- Authorize the purchase of road signs in the amount of $35,000 along streets included in the City’s Annual Road Program from 2015-2018.
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, October 11.
City Working to Consolidate Communications with County
The City of Mequon, like all dispatch centers across the country, is experiencing a staffing shortage. The City has worked to increase pay and enhance technology, but staffing still continues to be a challenge. The City has had to call for emergency assistance from Ozaukee County on its overnight hours due to the lack of dispatch staffing. All other municipalities in Ozaukee County, except for Cedarburg, have already consolidated their dispatch centers with the County. Cedarburg has consolidated its overnight hours with Ozaukee County, but still maintains first and second shift.
Over the last few years, the Ozaukee County Communications Center has expanded significantly. The center has increased its workstations, upgraded technology, and become accredited with Emergency Medical Dispatch operations. As it stands today, Ozaukee County is already the first answering point for all cellular phone calls dialing 911.
The consolidation of communications services beginning in 2023 will provide a single answering point for the public to call during an emergency. This will streamline call times and reduce the transferring of emergency 911 calls. Consolidation of services will also eliminate the competition between the City and the County for qualified applicants. In addition, consolidation will reduce technology costs related to the 911 Public Safety Answering Point System currently in place in the City, as the equipment for Next Generation 911 and upcoming Text to 911 starts to be required by the State of Wisconsin. The consolidation is anticipated to take place by the first of next year.
The Public Safety Building will still maintain lobby service seven days a week during daytime hours. The lobby will always remain open, even during overnight hours, and a phone directly connected with a dispatcher will be in place to provide assistance when no one is in the office to personally answer the lobby window. The City is also working to create a safe room in the event someone is in need of a secure area to protect themselves from harm during an emergency. As indicated, a full consolidation of Mequon’s emergency dispatching services with Ozaukee County is anticipated to occur by January 1, 2023. For additional information, please contact Mequon Police Chief Pryor at (262) 242-3500.
I-43 North-South Construction Update
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) provided the City with an update of the I-43 North-South Reconstruction project this week. Donges Bay Road, between County W (Port Washington Road) and just east of La Cresta Drive is scheduled to reopen in late September. Katherine Drive, north of Port Washington Road, will close for approximately two months, shortly following the reopening of Donges Bay Road. Port Washington Road, between Port Washington Lane and County Line Road is scheduled to reopen in early 2023. The County Line Road entrance ramp to I-43 South and the I-43 North exit ramp to Port Washington Road are to remain closed through mid-2023. On the North Segment of the project, Highland Road, between County W (Port Washington Road) and Lake Shore Drive is scheduled to reopen in early October. Thereafter, Highland Road Interchange ramps are scheduled to open to traffic late in November. See the full update here.
Taste of Mequon a Huge Success
Taste of Mequon continues to grow year after year. Last Saturday’s festival had 27 food & beverage vendors, 13 artists/craftsmen, and 14 Children’s Area participants. The three bands, FallBack, the WhiskeyBelles, and Orange Whips, were enjoyed by all. Thank you to the Festivals Committee and City staff for all the hard work to make the event a success. Also, thanks again to this year’s event sponsors: Kohler Credit Union, Sommer’s Automotive, Concordia University, Froedert & Medical College of Wisconsin, Shaffer Development LLC, Mequon Thiensville Community Foundation, Port Washington State Bank, Olsen’s Piggly Wiggly, Richmond Investment Services, and Sendik’s Food Market. See you at Taste of Mequon 2023!
City-wide Trick-or-Treat Time Set for 2022
City-wide Trick-or-Treat will be held from 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 30. This is in accordance with a resolution passed by the Common Council in 2009 establishing a customary time for Trick-or-Treating.
Meet Officer Bottoni and K9 Officer Djuke on September 29
The Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department will be hosting a free adult program at the Range Line Community Center on Thursday, September 29, from 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. where residents can meet Officer Bottoni and Officer Djuke of the Mequon Police K-9 Unit. Officer Djuke is trained and certified in tracking, narcotics detection, handler protection, apprehension, and building/area searches. Come and see as they show and explain some of their duties. Register here by September 22 to attend.
County-wide Appliance & Recycling Event at Firemen’s Park
All Ozaukee County Residents are welcome to participate in the Community (Appliance & Electronics) Recycling Event at Firemen's Park located at W65N796 Washington Avenue in Cedarburg on Saturday, September 24, from 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Refrigerant Depot LLC will be collecting items. Please visit the website for more information and acceptable items.
