Monday, June 14, 2021

Village of Whitefish Bay Official Weekly Newsletter
Message from the Village President, Kevin Buckley

After a dozen years of serving Whitefish Bay with the Village Board and Civic Foundation, I am humbled to be appointed Village President by my fellow Trustees to serve out Julie Siegel’s term.

My wife Colleen and I have lived on Kent Avenue for 23 years, which is the perennial starting line for the 4th of July Parade. We have two sons in 7th and 9th grade who proudly attend our Whitefish Bay schools. If you have any questions or words of wisdom, don’t hesitate to drop me an email at [email protected].

Finally this week, your Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation is in need of volunteers for July 4th, please see the story below for information about how you can help!  To subscribe to our newsletter, click here.
Why Is The Village Hall Phone Ringing?
Whitefish Bay Vaccination Rate Update: Per the North Shore Health Department, 10,136 residents of Whitefish Bay have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (as of 6/7/21), which is 72.5% percent of the total Village population. Click here more info.

Where can I find a list of the summer events in Whitefish Bay? Please click here to view the 2021 summer event guide.

When is the next brush chipper collection? Brush will be collected by Village crews this week. Brush should be placed in the parkway between the curb and the sidewalk.

Have a question? Send us an email or give us a call at (414) 962-6690.
Village Meeting Agendas:
Last Week's Meetings:

  • Monday, June 7, 5:30 p.m., Virtual GoToMeeting

  • Monday, June 7, 6:00 p.m., Village Hall Board Room

  • Tuesday, June 8, 6:15 p.m., Virtual GoToMeeting
This Week's Meetings:

  • Thursday, June 17, 5:30 p.m., Virtual GoToMeeting

For other meeting agendas and minutes, please visit the Agenda Center page.

Please note that the Village uses GoToMeeting for virtual meetings. Contact Village Hall with questions.
Welcome President Buckley:
Last Monday, the Village Board unanimously appointed Kevin Buckley as Whitefish Bay Village President for the term ending in 2023. President Buckley has been a resident since 1998. He was first elected to the Village Board in 2009 and again in 2019. He also spent nine years working with the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation, including serving as Civic Foundation president. President Buckley graduated from Marquette University in 1991 with majors in Accounting and Finance.
Village Trustee Vacancy:
Vacancy: The Village Board has announced its intent to appoint a Trustee to fill the vacancy created by the recent appointment of Kevin Buckley to the office of Village President. The appointed Trustee will serve the remainder of President Buckley's vacated Trustee term which expires April 18, 2022. Any interested Village resident, who is a minimum of 18 years old, a legal citizen of the United States, and is an eligible voter is welcome to submit an application to be considered for the appointment.

Requirements: Must be of legal voting age (18), live within the Village of Whitefish Bay, be able to attend regular board meetings held the first and third Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m., and attend various assigned committee meetings through the year.

Term of Office: 9-month term (July 12, 2021 – April 18, 2022)

How to Apply/Show Interest: All interested qualified residents are invited to fill out an application AND ALSO email a cover letter noting life and career experience and resume (optional) to [email protected].

Process for Appointments: The Village Board will review applications, interview applicants, and potentially appoint a new Trustee on July 12, 2021. The appointment process will be held in Open Session. Applicants must plan to attend the Village Board meeting on Monday, July 12, at 6:00 p.m. In-person attendance is preferred, but a virtual option can be made available with prior notice. All applicants should be prepared to make a 5-minute presentation to the Board introducing themselves and why they would like to be appointed to fill the vacancy and be prepared to answer questions from Board members.

Deadline: Applications, cover letters, and resumes (optional) are due by July 1, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. The Village will not accept late applications.

Question?: Contact Paul Boening, Village Manager, at 414-962-6690 or at [email protected].
Updates From Village Hall:
Board of Appeals Opening: The Village of Whitefish Bay is accepting applications from citizens who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Board of Appeals. The Board of Appeals meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:15 p.m. Click here to fill out an application. Please email Village Manager Paul Boening with questions. The Board of Appeals possesses the following statutory powers:
  • To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by an official in the enforcement of state and local zoning laws.  
  • To hear and decide variances from the terms of the zoning ordinance where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance will result in practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and the public interest will not be harmed.
  • To hear and decide special exceptions to certain provisions of the zoning ordinance.
Whitefish Bay Farmers Market: The Whitefish Bay Farmers Market is in full swing. The Farmers’ Market, a ‘Simply Unbeetable’ event, will be held in the Aurora Parking Lot, 325 E. Silver Spring Drive. The market runs Saturdays, June 12 to October 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Join us each week to celebrate all things delicious. Click here for more details!
Whitefish Bay Art Festival: Save the date! The Merchants of Whitefish Bay, are happy to announce that the Whitefish Bay Art Festival is back for 2021, Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The WFB Art Festival will take place in the downtown area of Silver Spring Drive. The show will again feature the work of 100 juried artists from across the country.
Village Hall Bioswale: The bioswale installation at the Village Hall Parking Lot has been completed! The bioswale filters storm water running off both the existing parking lot and the adjacent street to improve the stormwater quality entering the storm sewer. Educational signage will be installed later this year. The project was funded by a grant from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Green Solutions program!
District Health Nurse Job Opening: The Whitefish Bay School District is hiring a District Health Nurse. The primary role of the District Health Nurse is to serve as the primary health consultant by assisting students, families and staff in achieving optimal levels of wellness through individual health teaching, health counseling and health promotions. Salary range is $45,000.00 to $50,000.00. Deadline to apply is June 25 at 5:00 p.m. Applications can be found on GovernmentJobs.com
Updates from Public Works:
Traffic and Pedestrian Safety in Whitefish Bay - A Success Story: At a recent meeting for the Institute of Transportation Engineers, John R. Campbell of TADI (Traffic Analysis & Design, Inc.) recognized the Village of Whitefish Bay as a “success story,” in terms of increasing traffic and pedestrian safety. Thanks to various improvements made to streets, signage, traffic signals, and pedestrian crosswalks over the past five to six years, the number of crashes in Whitefish Bay has decreased by 39%.

In his presentation, Campbell explains the thinking behind certain improvements, including the pedestrian crossings on Lake Drive and the new traffic signals that were installed along Silver Spring Drive. These updates, along with new signage, have worked together to help promote what he calls a “yielding culture” in the Village. Watch Campbell’s full presentation here.
Cahill Park Tennis Courts: The Cahill Park tennis courts resurfacing project has been completed and the courts are now open. The resurfacing project will grant another 8 to 10 years of usable life to the courts. The tennis courts had previously been resurfaced 14 years ago. The courts are open to the public when not in use by the School District, Recreation Department, or Whitefish Bay Tennis Club.
July Fourth Volunteers Needed:
Volunteers Needed: The July Fourth Kids Games at Klode Park can’t happen without your help! Please sign up with a friend or family member for a 1.5 hour shift to run a game. More details are included in the link. This is an easy and fun way to give back to your community.

Each game will need two volunteers per shift. Kids ages 10+ can volunteer with an adult and be counted as the second volunteer. Younger children are welcome to join you but would not be counted as a volunteer and should not be "signed up".

Thank you for your support! Click here to sign up!
Updates from the Whitefish Bay Library:
Whitefish Bay Public Library Summer Hours:
  • Mondays to Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Fridays to Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Sundays, Closed from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend

Other changes to library services:
  • Masks required only for those not fully vaccinated.
  • Curbside service will no longer be offered.
  • Non-pickup fee of items on hold, $1 per item will be reinstated.
  • Inside book drops will be available.
  • Study rooms are available. The smaller room has a 1-person maximum limit and the larger room has a 2-person maximum limit.

Summer Reading Program: Our Summer Reading Program has begun! Sign up online through Beanstack and experience this great programs for all ages, full of opportunities for fun and learning. You can register online or you can also use the Beanstack app. Download the Beanstack app and search for Whitefish Bay Public Library. The program runs through August 20.

Teen Book Club, Tuesday, June 29, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Open to those Entering Grades 7 to 12. Join us in School House Park to discuss the book Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger. We'll have great conversation, snacks, and more. You can also help us pick our next book club title! Click here to register.
Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library need your help: The Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library raises money for the Library with twice-yearly book sales, the Library Book Room, and eBay sales. They have funded new furniture and equipment, reading programs, the self check-out stations, and a whole lot more! But for all of that to continue, they need more volunteers. They are looking for help with:
  • Sorting and shelving book donations
  • Wrapping and shipping eBay purchases
  • Researching donated books for possible eBay sales (finding those unexpected treasures!)
  • Stocking and monitoring the Library Book Room (next to the front desk)
  • Working the Book Sales
The volunteer team usually works Tuesday and Thursday mornings in the Library basement for two-hour sessions. Email us at [email protected]. Include your name, email address and phone number. If you can’t volunteer, please spread the word that they are looking for help, especially if you know of any students looking for summer volunteer opportunities. Volunteering at a community Library looks great on a resume!
Community Spotlight:
Update from the School District:

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2021! Once a Blue Duke Always a Blue Duke!

Register Now for the 2021-22 School Year! Whitefish Bay School District is returning to in-person instruction 5 days a week for the 2021-22 school year. We look forward to returning to a traditional school year calendar. New and returning families visit the District website or call for more information.

Moving? Please contact your school to let them know of any moving plans.

Upcoming School Board Meetings: Meeting dates, agendas, minutes and more information can be found online.
Update From Bay Bridge: We invite you to stop by our message garden this week as it will soon come to a close. Leave your positive messaging on a rock to add kindness and color to our community. More info at BayBridgeWisconsin.org.
Join the Whitefish Bay Lions Club: Do you enjoy volunteering? Are you looking for opportunities to serve your community? Then I have the perfect organization for you – Lions club. Open to anyone 18 years and older, Lions club works to improve communities all over the world through volunteer projects, fundraising, and educational programs. Each club has a unique focus, but our motto remains the same: “We serve.”

My name is Dan, and I am trying to start a Lions club in Whitefish Bay. If you want to learn more about this exciting opportunity, please join me at Village Hall, 5300 N Marlborough Drive, in Whitefish Bay, on Thursday, June 17, any time between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
To learn more about Lions Clubs International, visit www.lionsclubs.org. If you have any questions, you can email me at [email protected].
North North Health Department Highlights - Summer Heat Awareness: Residents are reminded to stay cool, hydrated, and informed when temperatures soar The Department of Health Services reminds Wisconsinites that during summer, residents could experience extreme heat days. For a safe summer, watch for the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and take steps to prevent getting sick. In 2020, summer heat temperatures contributed to:
  • 689 people went to the emergency department
  • 67 people were hospitalized
  • Seven people died in Wisconsin due to heat-related causes.
  • Emergency department visits were highest among younger populations aged 15-34
  • Hospitalizations were most frequent among those aged 65 and older.

Follow these tips to stay cool on hot days:
  • Stay in air conditioning. 
  • Check on loved ones. 
  • Avoid the hottest part of the day. 
  • Beware of hot cars. 
  • Stay hydrated. 
  • Stay informed. 
  • Remember that anyone can get sick from the heat. 

Possible symptoms of heat illness:
  • Overheated
  • Weak
  • Dizzy
  • Nauseated
  • Muscle cramps
  • Move to air conditioning, drink water, get under a fan, and put on cool washcloths. If your symptoms worsen or don’t improve, go to the emergency room.

For more information, visit the heat safety page on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website and watch our heat safety video.
Other Community Links:
Village of Whitefish Bay | Phone: (414) 962-6690 | Fax: (414) 962-5651