WFB Newsletter for the week of 11-20-23

Monday, November 20, 2023

Village of Whitefish Bay Official Weekly Newsletter

Message from the Village President, Kevin Buckley

The Public Hearing on the 2024 budget will be held tonight, 6pm at Village Hall. To view the budget as it stands, please click here.

From the budget's summary, a few items of note:

The draft budget includes a 3.51% tax levy increase.
$75,000 is included for ad-hoc road safety projects.
$139,954 is included for a new Community Development Director full-time position.
The Stormwater Utility's rate will increase $30/ERU to make the fund self-sufficient.
State shared revenue increased $361,800.
Capital requests include a new fence along the library parking lot, e-bikes for the police, and funding for a school road signage project.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting on Monday to comment on the draft budget.

I hope to see you all for the annual Holiday Stroll parade, which kicks off at 6pm Friday, on Silver Spring.

I wish all villagers a safe and happy Thanksgiving; we are blessed with much to be thankful for! -kb

Why Is The Village Hall Phone Ringing?

What is the Thanksgiving refuse and recycling collection schedule?

Refuse/Recycling normally picked up on Thursday, November 23, 2023, will be picked up on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

Refuse/Recycling normally picked up on Friday, November 24, 2023, will be picked up on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.

When will property tax information be available?

Tax bills will be sent out to homes in mid-December. Detailed information about property taxes, how to find and pay your tax bill online, and payment options will be in an upcoming Village newsletter.

Have a question? Send us an email or give us a call at (414) 962-6690.

WEEKLY MEETING BRIEF

Last Week's Meetings:

Board of Appeals

Tuesday, November 14, 6:15 p.m., Village Hall Board Room and via Zoom

Historic Preservation Commission

Wednesday, November 15, 7:00 p.m., 1st Floor Conference Room

Architectural Review Commission

Thursday, November 16, 5:30 p.m., Village Hall Board Room and via Zoom
Case 1: Approved
Case 2: Approved
Case 3: Approved
Case 4: Approved
Case 5: ARC withdrew suggestions to alter design guidelines

This Week's Meetings:

Village Board

Monday, November 20, 6:00 p.m., Village Hall Board Room and via Zoom

Community Development Authority

Tuesday, November 21, 6:00 p.m., Village Hall Board Room and via Zoom

Update from Village Hall:

Upcoming Community Development Authority (CDA) Meeting – Tuesday, November 21 – 6 p.m.

Sheldon Oppermann, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel from New Land Enterprises will provide an update on New Land’s design and recruitment efforts for the former Fox Bay Cinema space. There is no action being requested at this time.

Update from the Finance Director:

2024 Village Budget - Public Hearing

Monday, November 20th at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at Village Hall

Approval Process: The culmination of the budget process is the adoption of the budget by the Board of Trustees. Tax bills are generated in December using the levy amounts approved in the budget.

In addition to serving as a financial outline for the upcoming year, Whitefish Bay's budget serves as a policy and project outline, a communication tool, and an operations plan. Whitefish Bay Annually receives GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award placing Whitefish Bay among the top five percent of its peers for excellence in municipal budgeting.

Budget Document: Click here to view the 2024 Draft Budget.

Update from the Department of Public Works:

Fall Leaf Collection:

Village Requests Residents NOT Use Leaf Collection / Yard Waste Bags: The Whitefish Bay Public Works Department crews have been collecting leaves and yard waste placed in the roadway curb area by Village residents. The Village requests that residents do not put leaves and yard waste in leaf collection bags.

Residents can place leaves and small yard waste debris directly in the roadway near the curb. Please place leaves away from storm inlets as leaf decay can clog storm sewers and add unwanted material to Lake Michigan. Branches can still be left in the parkway area for brush chipper collection at this time.

Yard waste collected by Public Works is temporarily stored at a DNR-approved joint use municipal site in Glendale until it is hauled away, recycled, and turned into organic compost.

Thank you for your cooperation and helping our Public Works Department maintain efficiency during the leaf collection season!

Whitefish Bay School District:

Incoming 2024-25 4-Year Old Kindergarten (4K) Visit Information

Whitefish Bay resident families of students who turn four on or before September 1, 2024 are invited to a 4K Overview at Cumberland or Richards Elementary School on Friday, December 8, 2023 at either 8:40 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

This event will be hosted by the Elementary School Principals and include a welcome from 4K Teachers, a short story with Library Media Specialists and a question and answer session. Please use this link for more information and to RSVP for this event. You may also contact Cumberland (414-963-3943) or Richards (414-963-3951) with any questions.

Incoming 2024-25 4-Year Old Kindergarten (4K) Enrollment Information

4K Online Enrollment for the 2024-25 school year will open on Monday, December 11, 2023. Visit our website for more information about the enrollment process.

Historically, there has been more interest in the morning session than there are seats available in classes. Therefore, elementary schools use a lottery system to determine those who will be enrolled in the morning session.

In order to be included in the lottery drawing for the morning session, families must complete an online Enrollment Application and indicate your preference for the morning session. This process includes uploading required Immunization and Residency Verification documents to the application and presenting your student’s birth certificate to your school’s main office in person before noon on January 5, 2024.

Save the Date:

November 22-27: Thanksgiving Break

Whitefish Bay Public Library:

Thanksgiving Closing

The library will be closed on Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24, for the Thanksgiving holiday. The library will reopen on Saturday, November 25, at 9:30 a.m.

Food for Fines

November 1 – November 30

Now through November 30, you can participate in our Food for Fines program. Donate to a good cause and clear off some of your library fines. The library will waive $1 for every non-perishable or canned good brought to the library, up to $5. This applies to only fines for Whitefish Bay overdue materials, and not for fines from other libraries or replacement costs for lost or damaged items. Items are being collected for the Hunger Task Force.

Toddler Time with Miss Valerie

12mo-24mo with an adult caregiver (Siblings are welcome.)

Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m.

Please Register: November 21, November 28, December 5, December 12

Storytime Room

Please Register

Toddler Time is back! Join Miss Valerie for stories, songs, lap bounces, and more, followed by a playtime for our little ones.

All Ages Storytime

Mondays, 10:00-10:30 a.m.

November 20, November 27, December 4, December 11

Wednesdays, 10:00-10:30 a.m.

November 22, November 29, December 6, December 13

Thursdays, 10:00-10:30 a.m.

November 30, December 7, December 14

Join us for a fun, educational storytime perfect for all ages. We'll share stories, songs, flannels and more!

Storytime will be held in the Tower of the children's area. (Please note the location change.) Please register for any updates. Registration open now!

Disney Bingo!

Monday, November 27, 3 p.m.

All ages. Registration open now!

Please Register- https://www.wfblibrary.org/our_events/?eid=1596

Spend your day off celebrating all things Disney with Disney Bingo! We'll have prizes galore and lots more fun.

Family Crafting: Peg People

Tuesday, December 5, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

All ages with an adult caregiver

Please Register- https://www.wfblibrary.org/our_events/?eid=1601

Drop in and create a family of peg people with your family! We’ll supply everything you need. Stay for 15 minutes or stay for the entire session.

North Shore Health Department:

Click here to view the November 15 , 2023 Weekly Summary from the North Shore Health Department

Merchants of Whitefish Bay:

Enjoy holiday promotions, shopping specials and festive treats from our local merchants throughout Black Friday (11/24)—and stay into the evening for a parade, tree lighting ceremony, music and entertainment! The parade will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will travel along Silver Spring Drive, from Kent Avenue to Lake Drive. John Edlebeck will be the grand marshal for the parade (in celebration of his 30 years of service).

Kiwanis Club of North Shore Milwaukee:

December 7, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Join us for an evening of community and learning at the home of Mark Boergers and Casey Renn. Enjoy complimentary drinks and locally crafted artisan bites. Address will be given upon registration. Tim Baack, MS, LPC, President & CEO of Pathfinders will join us to discuss the state of youth mental health. There will be a focus on the disparities affecting LGBTQ+ youth and youth of color.

A suggested donation of $50 will support the Bay Bridge WFBHS student scholarship fund. You can donate through the Bay Bridge website or bring a check to the event.