June 8, 2020 - League of Wisconsin Municipalities - COVID-19 Update #39
COVID-19 Coronavirus Update
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League COVID-19 Virtual Roundtable Conference Calls
This call is for City/Village Officials,
including mgrs./adm. & Staff Only


Tuesday, June 9 - 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Or Dial 312 626 6799

Meeting ID: 943 2945 2289
Password: 990365

If you aren't able to connect or have a question after participating, please contact Jerry Deschane at email .

NEWSLETTER SCHEDULE - Going forward the League's Special Edition Covid-19 Newsletter will be sent as needed rather than weekly. We will resume our regular E-Newsletter, sent mid-month with grants, trainings and other opportunities and our E-Muni, the deep dive into the League's magazine with direct links to resources sent the 4th week of the month. http://bit.ly/LWMsubscribe

We will schedule additional calls as needed. Notice and call-in information will be provided on the League's website and in these Special Edition newsletters, which will also be sent as needed.
Next League Local Government 101 Webinar is June 29 - Register today!

The League’s 1-day workshop provides a basic framework for governing to both new city and village officials and those who want to brush up on their knowledge of local governance. 
You’ll learn about city and village powers including municipal home rule, hear about how to recognize and avoid conflicts of interest, go home with a quick tutorial on municipal budgeting as well as how to run a meeting and finish with an overview on managing public works projects. In addition, you’ll have that age-old question answered: “what is a walking quorum anyway?”

The June 5 and June 26 one-day workshops will be provided as webinars - with more dates possible. Participants who opt for the online webinar version have the option to take the course all in one day or mix and match the four different modules during any of our offered webinar dates over a 12 month period following their registration. In addition to the online training, participants will have the option of receiving a hard copy workbook or a USB version.  The cost of the program is $70 per person. Details and Registration
Municipal Projected Pandemic Costs Mostly in Lost Revenue

On June 3 Jerry Deschane, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities executive director was interviewed by WisconsinEye senior producer Steve Walters on the costs to local government caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch it here... Click here to comment, like or share the interview on the League's Facebook page.
If you haven't yet > TAKE ACTION to support Federal Funding

The National League of Cities is calling on the Senate and White House to embrace a coronavirus relief bill introduced in the House that allocates $375 billion for the nation’s smaller cities, towns, counties and villages.

WHETHER YOU ARE A CITY OR VILLAGE AND NO MATTER YOUR SIZE, TAKE ACTION THROUGH THE NLC TO SUPPORT FEDERAL FUNDING

Click here to TAKE ACTION TODAY! Contact your congressional delegation, tweet, tell your story and DOWNLOAD A RESOLUTION !
ICYMI - State Routes to Recovery: Local Government Aid Grants $190 million available to help cover Local Government COVID Expenses
The program is called "Routes to Recovery: Local Government Aid Grants" and will help municipalities and counties cover unanticipated costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more in the League's Capitol Buzz.
ICYMI - FAQs from Federal Treasury Department about use of CARES Act dollars.   Note the following information, which was taken from the FAQs here ( PDF)
 
The Guidance says that funding can be used to meet payroll expenses for public safety, public health, health care, human services, and similar employees whose services are substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency. How does a government determine whether payroll expenses for a given employee satisfy the “substantially dedicated” condition? The Fund is designed to provide ready funding to address unforeseen financial needs and risks created by the COVID-19 public health emergency. For this reason, and as a matter of administrative convenience in light of the emergency nature of this program, a State, territorial, local, or Tribal government may presume that payroll costs for public health and public safety employees are payments for services substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency, unless the chief executive (or equivalent) of the relevant government determines that specific circumstances indicate otherwise.
We appreciate your patience!
The League’s attorneys are fielding an unusually large number of inquiries while, at the same time, needing to dedicate a substantial amount of our time to meetings and participating in training sessions for local officials. Consequently, you may experience a delay in response to legal inquiries. We appreciate your patience and will respond to your inquiry as soon as we can. Claire Silverman and Maria Davis
Planning for the Future
More signs for you to download and customize.
Thanks to Mary Zimmerman, Communications Manager, C ity of River Falls who made these resources available to all of us.
Download this PDF for use at your Village Hall! Thanks to Michelle Tucker, Support Services Mgr., Germantown for making this available to everyone!

What are your plans for public spaces? Add them to the League's Covid19 Public Space Response Strategies Google Doc

City/Village Hall, Streets, Parks, Parking Lots, Community/Senior Center, Library, etc. You can see what other communities are doing and add your own plans to the Google Doc here . (Modeled on the WPRA pool document.)

Click here for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Resources for Public Facilities.
DHSWI Interim Guidance on Large Gatherings
Interim guidance has been posted to the  DHS COVID-19 Avoid Illness page  regarding large gatherings under "Can I hold or should I go to a large gathering?" This includes any event in which large gatherings of people are in sustained, close contact, including, but not limited to, fairs, festivals, parades, and conferences. 
At this time, DHS does not advise large gatherings, and there is no projected time frame available as to when this advisory would change. 5/19/20

NEW - CDC guidance for dog park users includes bringing as few items into the park as possible; not sharing common items like water bowls; limiting pet to pet interactions; and sanitizing hands after using any common items/touchpoints in the park.  Read it here...
RESOLUTION RELATED TO COVID‐19 PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN THE CITY OF BELOIT
Read the Resolution Beloit's FAQs and additional information including translated into Spanish here .

Comprehensive 73 page plan with signage. Shared with permission.
Disclaimer - Please note, this document is a sample and has not been reviewed for legal sufficiency. Michigan law may differ and we encourage members to consult with their municipal attorney regarding questions of law. 

Implementation of the City of River Falls “Crushing COVID-19: A guide to recovery” will follow guidance and direction from the State of Wisconsin and public health officials throughout its response and recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s Badger Bounce Back plan serves as a framework for this guide.  Review the plan... (Updated link)
Reminder - Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association Monitoring Pool Closures
WPRA has created an  online document  to monitor pool closures across the state, as of Monday, May 11th, 65 agencies have provided data. Pool closures are based on many factors including government restrictions, financial projections, public perception and above all the health and safety of Wisconsin communities. On a poll of 42 agencies conducted May 1st, half had not yet decided whether or not they will be opening at all this Summer, approximately 25% intend to make that decision this month (in May). 
Legal FAQs on local authority and information on Emergency Orders and municipal plans for reopening are avail able on the League's website here .
SUPPORTING BUSINESSES/COMMUNITY
Customizable Signs! Want to provide signs for your local businesses that they can customize?

Thanks to Leslie Flynn, Communications Coordinator, Oak Creek for creating these and providing them for everyone's use.
In addition, Wauwatosa has provided a loan program, elements of which include:
  • Working capital loans up to $10,000 to businesses located in the City with an active storefront or office that also meet certain criteria. See more details within the Financial Affairs packet.
  • A five to seven loan year term at an interest rate of 2% per year with payments deferred for the first six months
  • Applicants submit a loan application and supporting documentation. See more details within the Financial Affairs packet.
  • Loan funds will be available for six months from the dates businesses are allowed to reopen in accordance with applicable law, unless program funds are fully disbursed sooner. Learn more here.
In the News
15 people linked to Portage County COVID-19 outbreak visited several Stevens Point businesses
The health department said Thursday night that at least eight of the cases were linked to a college graduation party held May 30 in Stevens Point. Read the article... Click here to share, comment or like this article on the League's Facebook page.
Being Black in America
"Two Bald Guys" aka Eric Giordano and Dave Anderson of the Wisconsin I nstitute of Public Policy and Service (WIPPS) talk with t wo Wisconsin based national figures - Reggie Jackson, co-owner and lead trainer of Nurturing Diversity Partners in Milwaukee and a prominent leader in the black community; and Jarrett Adams, who launched his own law firm in 2017. Adams was wrongly convicted of sexual assault and served 10 years in prison before being vindicated with the help of the Wisconsin Innocence Project.

Both men share their compelling stories of being black in America and provide perspectives on the current national situation and the impact of racial disparities and its consequences.

Click here to comment, share or like this program from the WIPPS Facebook page to your own.
31 Cities in Wisconsin Saw Protests
From Manitowoc to Marinette, Sun Prairie to Superior, demands of justice for George Floyd, police reform.
As of June 3, local media outlets reported protests and vigils in dozens of Wisconsin communities i ncluding  Appleton ,  Beloit ,  Brookfield ,  Burlington ,  Dodgeville ,  Eau Claire ,  Fond du Lac ,  Green Bay ,  Janesville ,  Kenosha ,  La Crosse ,  Madison ,  Manitowoc ,  Marinette ,  Menomonie ,  Milwaukee ,  Oshkosh ,  Prairie du Sac ,  Racine ,  Rhinelander ,  Sheboygan ,  Stevens Point ,  Sun Prairie ,  Superior ,  Tomah ,  Viroqua ,  Waukesha ,  Wausau ,  Wauwatosa ,  West Bend  and  Wisconsin Rapids . Read the article... Click here to like, comment or share the article on the League's Facebook page.

Uniting for Change
Stronger, together. I’ve said that countless times, choosing to always put the focus on unity and cooperation, not division and discord, as we seek to move past our differences and work together to solve problems.

I’ve said it as mayor, as a legislative candidate, and in countless conversations with friends, colleagues, family and my kids. 

I’ve urged it as we worked to unite South Milwaukeeans around an agenda for our promising future. I’ve urged it as we continue to address the pandemic, doing the best we can amid a generational challenge. 

Today I hope and pray for that same unity as we confront the societal realities revealed and illuminated by the death of George Floyd, and the protests that have followed. 

Stronger, together. Now, more than ever. Read South Milwaukee Mayor Brooks blog... Click here to like, comment or share the Mayor's post from the League's Facebook page.

Read Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway's blog posts.

Read member's of the Milwaukee Common Council joint statement : Dialogue and listening critical to moving forward

Read this statement posted by City of Racine Council President Alderman John Tate II on Facebook on June 4 here - shared to the League page.
The June 2020 League's The Municipality magazine is focused on New Officials and includes articles on leadership, dealing with the "The Outlier" on your governing body, additional costs associated with the pandemic, important legal distinctions that make governing different from running a business and much more.

Read it online here...
POLICY ISSUES
Frequently Asked Questions f rom the League's past COVID-19 Newsletters c an be accessed here .
If you don't find what you need or if you have resources to contribute,
please email Jerry Deschane.
Opportunity
Now might be the time to access Additional Resources through UniverCity

"The state of local government is up in the air with all the uncertainty of COVID-19. Wouldn't it be nice to have a partner helping you think through how your locality will bounce back? It could mean a revised economic development plan, or an improved mechanism for communicating with citizens or localities, or rethinking how county services will be offered, or how to think differently about tourism in this uncertain time. 
 
UniverCity Year is a flexible three-year partnership where local governments pitch ideas to UW-Madison, and they match you with courses and resources on campus that help you think through your approach to those issues. It could be COVID-19 response, or affordable housing, or water quality/nutrient management, or parks/recreation. We are willing to be flexible to adapt to this new reality, so your projects don't have to be fully formed. If you'd like to talk more about your options or questions, reach out to Gavin Luter, [email protected] , Managing Director of the Program. 

To see deliverables for projects in places like Monona, Brodhead, Durand, Monroe, and Stockholm, see  https://univercity.wisc.edu/ucy/
 
The application is HERE ."
Reminder - Wondering what municipalities across the United States are doing?

Mayor's Innovation Project Live City Response Feed

"Our live city response feed provides you with a curated list from around the country, making it quick and easy to access the most relevant ideas for city leaders. Submit your own innovative policies here ." To see the city responses so far: 
 
Communications
WE CAN GO THE DISTANCE TOGETHER: 10 WAYS YOU CAN DO YOUR PART
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Communication Collaborative for COVID-19 Response has developed 10 essential steps to limit the spread of COVID-19. They reflect the overall need for maintaining a physical distance from each other, washing you hands and staying home: Read the article...
Webinars and Training
Next League Local Government 101 Webinar is June 5 - Register today!

We're adapting and have converted four of the one-day workshops into webinars - with more dates possible. Participants who opt for the online webinar version have the option to take the course all in one day or mix and match the four different modules during any of our offered webinar dates over a 12 month period following their registration. In addition to the online training, participants will have the option of receiving a hard copy workbook or a USB version. The cost of the program is $70 per person. Details and Registration
When Revenues Fall Short – Weathering the COVID-19 Recession
UW Madison Extension’s Local Government Center
June 9, 2020, from 10:00 am to 11:30

Wisconsin municipal governments are already feeling the COVID 19 recession’s impact, and it is likely to get worse before it gets better. Further, Retail and Main Street have taken an economic hit in our current environment. Non-essential businesses have lost sales and workers, and community leaders and economic development professionals are concerned about the future of local business districts. Room taxes and other revenues are significantly off across all sectors. This webinar will provide data and practical information on the potential revenue loss impacts on municipalities and how to anticipate and mitigate those impacts.

We bring together experts from Ehlers, KerberRose, the Wisconsin Policy Forum, and UW Madison Extension’s Community and Economic Development program, each of whom will provide data, practical advice, and potential solutions for local governments to consider as they deal with revenue shortfalls for 2020 and beyond.

Agenda details here .

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTER’S “ISSUES, CHALLENGES, AND STRATEGIES” WEBSITE PROMOTING THIS WEBINAR, including Registration information:
Upcoming League Conferences and Workshops
Our priority is your safety and well-being. Decisions on whether to hold, cancel or postpone League events will be made with that priority as our number-one concern. 

League's Local Gov 101 Workshops - All spring and summer Local Gov 101 programs are being provided as webinars. Details here .

League's Municipal Attorneys Institute has been Rescheduled to September 2-4 at Stone Harbor in Sturgeon Bay! Registration will open in June.

Decisions about the other upcoming programs will also be made with health and safety in mind. We will provide notice in our newsletters and on our website regarding those and future workshops. Details on cancellation policies and more... 
League Handbooks

The following Handbooks are now available as a PDF at a reduced price for email delivery.

  • Handbook for Wisconsin Municipal Officials - PDF Available!
  • Handbook for Wisconsin Police and Fire Commissioners - Completely updated in Jan. 2019.  PDF Available!
  • Municipal Licensing and Regulation of Alcohol Beverages - Completely updated in Sept. 2019. PDF Available!

Physical PRINT copies of ALL Handbooks are also still available but on a delayed weekly shipping basis.    You can order Handbooks online here .
General Resources
Wisconsin DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
COVID-19 is a virus that has not previously infected humans and information about its rate of spread and its effects is still largely unknown, which makes it incredibly important to be highly cautious in dealing with the current situation. 

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services will continue to provide the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19. You are encouraged to monitor the site for updated guidance as the situation continues to evolve.

Want to share relevant and credible information to your Social Media?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Facebook & on Twitter (Scroll down to see more recent posts.)

The Wisconsin Dept of Health Services (DHS) on Facebook & on Twitter.

And the League's social media: