- Eleanor Roosevelt
For information on upcoming Board, Committee and Commission meetings as well as other government-related meetings and events, please follow the link above to the Village Government Calendar.
Remember to Attend Shorewood's National Night Out on August 13 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Village Center!

August 17 Village Board Agenda

The Village Board will meet on Monday, August 17, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Court Room.  These are the agenda items that the Board will take action on during the meeting:
  1. Consider Presentation of Accounts August 17, 2015
  2. Consider Appointment of Alexandra Dimitroff to the Library Board and Rachel Ellerman to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee for Three Year Terms
  3. Consider Disallowance of Claim for Timothy Lohre
  4. Presentation on the North Shore Health Department 
  5. Consider Professional Services Agreement with SEH regarding Milwaukee Rate Order Point Assistance
  6. Consider Request to Amend Premises Description of North Shore Post #331
  7. Consider Temporary Extension Request Class "B" Premises, Camp Bar, Inc., 4044 N Oakland Ave, September 13, 2015
  8. Consider Temporary Cabaret License, Camp Bar, Inc., 4044 N Oakland Ave, September 12, 2015 through September 14, 2015
  9. Consider Temporary Cabaret License, Plein Air Shorewood, 4500 Block of N Oakland Avenue, Hubbard Park, Atwater Park, and Shorewood High School, September 17, 2015 through September 19, 2015
  10. Consider Street Festival Permit, Plein Air Shorewood, 4500 Block of N Oakland Avenue, September 17, 2015
  11. Consider Street Festival Permit, Plein Air Shorewood, Atwater Park, September 18, 2015
  12. Consider Street Festival Permit, Plein Air Shorewood, Shorewood High School, September 19, 2015
  13. Consider Temporary Extension Request Class "B" Premises, Three Lions Pub, 4515 N Oakland Ave, September 17, 2015 
  14. Consider Temporary Class "B"/"Class B" License, Business Improvement District of Shorewood for Plein Air, September 19, 2015
  15. Consider update of Village Neighborhood Loan Program
  16. Consider properties to explore for Police Department Building (closed session).
  17. Advice from Attorney on Code Compliance Program Implementation (closed session).

Shorewood Examines Alternatives in Light of New Ban on Local Time of Sale Requirements

The Village is extremely committed to the objectives of the time of sale code compliance program that has been in place since 1980. The July 14 changes in the State budget now prohibits Shorewood and other municipalities from requiring property owners to take actions related to building code compliance and other property maintenance standards as a condition of selling or transferring property.
 
The purpose of this type of program is applauded by homeowners, recognizing its benefits to:
  • Protect and uphold property values within the Village
  • Maintain the health, safety and welfare of the community
  • Preserve the curb appeal and aesthetic standards of the Village
  • Ensure the integrity and code compliance status of the housing stock
One of the reasons noted by the Wisconsin Realtors Association who introduced this change was that home inspectors provide the same service through an interested buyer: this assumption is incorrect. The functions of a building inspector are different from a home inspector. 

Building inspectors are primarily concerned with:
  • Life-safety issues, such as smoke/carbon monoxide alarms, correct installation of gas appliances, presence of mold, open wall cavities allowing smoke/fire travel, and grounding or bonding
  • Home conditions that violate building codes, especially when work is completed without a permit.  Common examples include: broken sash cords, broken windows,  missing guardrails, reverse polarity of replaced receptacles, water heaters, and kitchen remodels
Violations found through a building inspector require correction.
 
Home inspectors:
  • Evaluate the condition of many systems within a house for home buyers as part of the diligence in purchasing a property
  • Poor conditions written by the home inspector does not require correction and is restricted from code reference
Poor conditions found through a home inspector are an only recommendation, which is the primary reason, realtors requested the change in the law for the required actions from the code compliance program.
 
The current code compliance program negated by the State Legislative process provided a tool for municipalities to identify code violations and long-term maintenance issues in a home and required that they be addressed for the benefit of the occupants and the neighborhood as a whole. It is imperative that a similar program continue.

As a result of a change in law, the Village is looking at alternative solutions for continuing to ensure ongoing property maintenance and long-term integrity of housing. One of those options includes voluntary inspections upon request by homeowners.  The Village will also be working with other municipalities, to come up with optional programs, and work collaboratively with our State lawmakers, to try to balance the needs of the Realtors and the safety and integrity of neighborhoods. 

Police Department Facility Update

The Village Board will meet on Monday, August 17 to discuss the best solution to the Shorewood Police Department's need for a new facility. Since 2006, Village and Police officials have been researching alternatives to the current headquarters. Constructed in 1927, the building is too small, lacks functionality and no longer adequately serves the needs of a modern law enforcement agency.

 

Village staff and officials inform residents on the progress of the Police Department facility discussion through weekly updates to the website and other communication avenues.   

 

For more information or questions on this project, contact Police Chief Peter Nimmer at 414.847.2610 or Village Manager Chris Swartz at 414.847.2701. 

Raise a Glass and Toast Lake Michigan This Friday for Lake Michigan Day!

Grab a beverage at Camp Bar, Three Lions Pub, Harry's Bar and Grill or Hubbard Park Lodge starting this Friday until September 13 and receive a Shorewood Water Coaster with fun water facts and solutions and a list of Shorewood events on local waterways.
 
Show Us Your Shorewood! Post your water protecting and conserving ideas with a picture of you and your coaster or any beautiful Shorewood image on the Shorewood Waters Facebook page. "Like" the page and you'll get entered in a random weekly contest to win a $50 gift certificate to one of the above establishments and a Shorewood Waters package.

The Shorewood Water Coasters are part of the Shorewood Waters Project of the Village of Shorewood. Visit www.villageofshorewood.org/shorewoodwatersproject for more details or call 414.588.0617. 

Oakland Avenue Construction Starting 

August 18

The Village of Shorewood Department of Public Works will be performing street repairs on Oakland Avenue from Kensington Boulevard to Olive Street. Work will include removing existing patch material from the joints and cracks in the pavement, cutting out loose and damaged material, and refilling joints with new material.
 
Repairs will begin on August 18 and continue through August 28. These repairs will require parking restrictions on both sides of Oakland Avenue within the work zone between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Thru traffic will be maintained but shifted over to allow safety for the motorist and workers. "No Parking" signs will be posted as work progresses down the street. Parking restrictions will be removed as soon as the work has been completed.
 
This work is weather dependent and will not take place during wet weather. Work will resume on the next available dry day.  Please make alternate parking arrangements for customers and employees.
 
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Department of Public Works @ 414.847.2650.  Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Surfrider Foundation - Milwaukee Kicks Off 30 Days to Celebrate
As summer kicks into full gear, local surfers have organized a series of events aimed at heightening awareness and protection of our region's greatest resource: Lake Michigan. Surfrider Foundation - Milwaukee (milwaukee.surfrider.org), a coalition of surf-centric environmentalists, will be concluding the 30 Days to Celebrate events by culminating with Surf @Water on Saturday, August 22 at Atwater Beach in Shorewood. 

This day-long event will begin at sunrise with a paddle session into Lake Michigan and end with a surf film festival on the beach at sunset. The event will also feature a beach blessing, a stand up paddleboard competition, and a skateboard slide jam on the bluff. 
 
For more information, feel free to contact any of the following people or utilize any of the resources provided here:

Eric Gietzen - Chairman - 414.828.1559 
Kenneth Cole - Vice Chairman - 323.646.0573 
 

Fine Forgiveness at Shorewood Library

Overdue fines happen. Maybe life got in the way or you just plain forgot to renew your library items - however you got overdue fines from Shorewood Library, we want to make them disappear so you can use the library free and clear again! 

For five days only, from August 31 through September 4, come into Shorewood Library and we will forgive your overdue fines owed on Shorewood items. 

Want to learn more about what you can get out of the library? Every day that week beginning at 4:00 p.m., staff and volunteers will be available to showcase a different library resource or service. The complete rules and schedule of events can be found on our website

Summer Reading Wraps Up August 15

Summer Reading programs for tots, kids and teens ends Saturday, August 15. Kids should complete their goal and turn in their logs to receive an awesome prize pack of coupons. 

 

Everyone who completed the program is also entered in a drawing for some big, special prizes too!

 

As the end of Summer Reading approaches, summer programs wind down too. Check out our full August calendar for the details on the last few programs of the summer.

 

 

Progress Toward Bike Share in Shorewood

Last year the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) gave preliminary approval to Shorewood for grant funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant Program for installation of nine bike share stations. The stations would be an extension of the growing Milwaukee bike share system. The grant is in the amount of $398,607 and funds 80% of the project.
 
Shorewood is partnering with the City of West Allis and City of Wauwatosa who were also approved for TAP grants for bike share stations. The communities will work together to streamline the grant process and project costs.  A Request for Qualifications was recently published and due August 7th for design services for bike share facilities. The services would provide a measured assessment of station size, design and location, focusing on requirements that must be met under the WisDOT TAP Grant Program.
 
The Village is pleased to add another form of transportation to the community and is working with WisDOT to identify a schedule that will place stations in Shorewood within the next two years.
Have you checked out Shorewood's Farmers Market yet?

Shorewood Farmers Market is open every Sunday through November 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Over 20 vendors are selling produce and artisanal food products weekly, rain or shine.  

 

You can get weekly recipes using market products and sample one from a professional meal planner, nutritionist or chef at 11:30 a.m. at the Market booth. 

 

For more information, "like" the Shorewood Farmers Market Facebook page.

Radon Test Kits Available at North Shore Health Department Offices

Radon is a radioactive gas and the second leading cause of lung cancer according to the Surgeon General. You can't see it, smell it, or taste it but your home could be affected. 

 

A short term test kit measures the radon levels in the air and remains in your home for 2 days. It is a simple and easy test to use and is available for just $2 at the North Shore Health Department.  

 

Visit our two offices--in Shorewood or Brown Deer-- and get your kit today!

Sustainable Shorewood Tip of the Week        

To help celebrate Lake Michigan Day, here are some helpful water conservation tips that you can implement at home:

Changing Habits
  • Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
  • Only run the washing machine or dishwasher when the load is full.
  • Shorten your showers by one or two minutes.
  • Sweep sidewalks and driveways instead of spraying them off with a hose.
Outdoor Conservation
  • An established lawn only needs one inch of water per week. Use a rain gauge to further help measure the amount of water.
  • Water only in the morning or evening.
  • Raise your lawnmower height to a 3-4" cut.
  • Leave grass clippings on the lawn, spreading out clumps; the clippings will disappear after giving up their moisture and nitrogen.
  • Retain soil moisture by adding compost or bark mulch around trees and shrubs
  • Use a rain barrel. Capturing water from gutters and downspouts in a well-designed rain barrel conserves the municipal supply while providing the best water for lawn and garden.
  • Use automatic shutoff attachments on hoses.
  - City of Madison Utility Department

Health Department Highlights        

Did You Know?
Gastrointestinal communicable diseases can be caused by bacteria in certain foods and water or by viruses spread from person to person via bodily fluids. Many of these diseases are required to be reported to the local or state health department.  Some of those disease include: cryptosporidium, giardiasis, campylobacteriosis, and salmonella infection.  Once reported, the health department follows up with the individual and completes a detailed questionnaire to try and narrow down where the infection may have come from. This can help to identify a possible outbreak, identify other individuals at risk, and prevent further exposure to other individuals. 
 
Health Tip
Summer is a great time for cook-outs and picnics.  However, it is important to know that raw unwashed produce, hot dogs, luncheon and deli meat, or any product with unpasteurized milk may not be safe for everyone.  These items can be contaminated with listeria, a bacteria which can cause listeriosis.  This serious disease primarily affects older adults, adults with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns. For more information on listeriosis and how to prepare food properly visit http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/
 
*******************************************************
Upcoming Immunization Clinics (appointment required):
  • August 18, 2015: 7:30-9 a.m. - Shorewood Office
  • August 19, 2015: 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Brown Deer Office
Upcoming Adult Health Clinics (appointment required):
  • August 19, 2015: 8-10 a.m. - Brown Deer Office
To make an appointment contact the North Shore Health Department atl 414.371.2980 or visit our website.
Upcoming Community Events

National Night Out
Thursday, August 13 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Village Center

Launch of Shorewood Waters Coasters Project
Starting Thursday, August 14
Camp Bar, Harry's Bar & Grill, Hubbard Park Lodge or Three Lions Pub
 
Surfrider Foundation - Surf @Water
Saturday, August 22, 2015 (All day event)
Atwater Beach

Welcome New Neighbors Reception
Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 9-11 a.m. 
Shorewood Public Library Education Room

Atwater Centennial Celebration
Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 5-9 p.m.
Atwater Elementary School

Plein Air Shorewood
Thursday, September 17 through Saturday, September 19, 2015
4500 Block of N Oakland Avenue, Hubbard Park, Atwater Park, and Shorewood High School
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