Port Washington Road Open

North Port Washington Road (Dr. Martin Luther King Drive to Olive)

The project that began on June 18^th was completed and the road was opened to two-way traffic on Thursday, November 1st. North Port Washington Road between North Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and West Capitol Drive has been narrowed from 50 feet to 46 feet matching the roadway from West Capitol Drive to West Olive Street. Curbs and gutters were removed and replaced throughout the project corridor. Sidewalks in poor condition were replaced and driveway approaches were reconstructed. New inlet structures were installed and connected to the storm sewers.

The narrowing of the roadway has allowed for more trees and green space. In addition, one striped 5-foot bicycle lane in each direction was installed though out the project limits.

There will still be drums in the parking lanes due to the contractor replacing sod and working on pavement that was damaged. This will also include the closure of Fiebrantz Avenue at North Port Washington Road to replace cracked pavement.

Cecilia Gilbert

Support for Business Program Liaison

Department of Public Works

Oct. 15, 2012 Minutes

Agenda- GH +WBT Block Club Oct. 15, 2012

Samuel------Opening and review of agenda         5 min

Betty-----Better neighborhood Conference          5 min     A total of eight people will attend the conference to learn information and share next month.  The information is 1. Presentation on 80-10 Nuisance Ordinance; City Attorney Desiato and Officer Resnick  2. Presentation on Drugs; Officer Terrell 3.Presentation on Sex Offender Registry; Monica Lukach from the Department of Corrections 4.Burglary Presentation; Officer Mellenthien   5.City of Milwaukee Website.  Thanks to Betty, Andrea, Linda, Bishop Smith, Deacon Gilmore, Kenneth, Ms. McAfee, and Marion G. for attending.  We look forward to your sharing in November.

MPD and Bree---Concerns for police              10-15 min   There has been an increase  in aggravated assaults, shooting on 9^th and Atkinson, 2 robberies, 5 break-ins, 7 vehicle thefts.  This is for total area of block clubs.  Reported this night to police was the fact that traffic on Port has been terrible, street lights Keefe to Atkinson were off since that prior Saturday and a request for police to put in light orders as they are driving around also as intercessors.  There was a concern brought up about young people who leave tavern adding to problem.  The owner was encouraged to get no loitering and no trespassing signs from police and to contact the police and let them know she was an owner who is trying to prevent issues and has tried mediation.  She will work with the MPD to help reduce problems.   

Ian Brown----Urban Forestry TS Manager            15 min    Pictures were shown to demonstrate the areas East and West of the Port Washington Avenue bridge that need mowing. These are the merging lanes and the green spaces.  The concern is that vision is blocked, it poses a safety hazard, and those unattended green spaces attract trash and become dumps for others which affect the property values.  The group is concerned that this should be mowed more often during the summer and not relegated to a one-time mowing policy as there are dangers posed.

Rick --------------------------HGNI             10 min   Rick would like for everyone to submit to him the addresses of abandoned and vacant homes in the area.  He would also like to locate all vacant lots.  Economic and business development committee members are sought to help with this committee.  He would like the neighborhood to develop a plan of ownership that will incorporate ownership of these homes, renters, owners, amongst other things.  A committee is needed to look at property purchasing, green spaces, urban gardening and Green Bay Avenue. 

Churchill---Update on last month’s concerns    10 min    This is a two part presentation.  There will be some upgrades on the playground in the spring.  Follow up on the sewers and streets.  Sewers were vacuumed out on 6^th street and the alleys of 7^th and 8^th were filled.  Traffic engineers came out and took a look at the issues.  Several things were decided.  Several votes on parking issues are needed.  The East side of 7^th street will become a no parking zone.  A full report on all issues will be given during next month’s agenda.                                        

Samuel-----------------------Road work Update         5 min   Handicap access is needed for certain addresses.  Please make sure to let Samuel know so that information can be passed to Casey.  Date of ending is projected as Nov. 4^th.  There were several concerns with the construction.  Goolsby Funeral home has had several times that the clean-up has been requested in addition to what she has done.  Although she has replaced filters several times, people have been complaining of getting sick.  She cleans carpet at least twice a week.  Dust clouds have been seen and there is a concern that despite constant requests the area was not frequently watered or swept to keep dust down.  Many homes and buildings have been infiltrated with dust.  One supermarket owner has been constantly reporting how the customers are refusing to buy products because the dust has settled in the building and fallen on many items.  There are also things the store needs cleaning.   The company has informed the group that the items will be placed on a punchlist at the end.  All were asked to turn in any claims and complaints asap.

TIM Bell-Kelly Williams Realty        10 minutes   Was introduced to the group because of the goal of buying homes in the area.  He will participate in an upcoming workshop as well as present to the group information about home buying versus renting, insurance, and work with the group. 

Closing Remarks-----Pastor Calhoun and Samuel            5 minutes     Discussed speaking with the group on leadership and development.  He will present to the group next month.  He will also work with the group on organizational development.

Thanks to the distribution team:  Officer Osiewalski, Betty, Carolyn, Rick, Churchill, Samuel, Andrea

Thank you for coming! 

Next meeting Monday, November 19^th at 6:00 PM at Grace Fellowship Church

Employment Opportunity

OCTOBER 18 @ 10:00AM *Please check in by 9:30, doors lock at 10:00 am
WRTP/BIG STEP is looking for experienced individuals for several manufacturing positions.
Qualifications Include:
1. Pass 8th grade level adult education test
2. High School Diploma/GED/HSED
...

3. Valid Driver’s License
4. Updated resume
5. Social Security Card
6. Must provide proof of all the above at time of orientation
Interested candidates must register to attend.
To register please call:
Phone: (414) 342-9787
Address: 3841 W. Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53208

Road Construction Update for Sept. 29,2012

Both of the east Capitol Dr. ramps will reopen on Monday morning. The contractor is planning to finish prepping the gravel north of Capitol Dr. Monday and then place roadway concrete south of Capitol Dr. on Tuesday and Wednesday. If they can get their equipment and crews ready they will also try to work on driveways and sidewalk north of Capitol Drive. We are getting closer to completing the project and everyone should see some more progress in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks,

The new identity ofTeng & Associates, Inc.

Casey Wierzchowski, P.E.

Senior Project Engineer

expUS Services Inc.

minutes from Sept 17, 2012

Grover Heights/Williamsburg Triangle Block Club Meeting-Agenda- Sept. 17, 2012

1.  Opening-  Samuel

2.  Alderwoman Coggs and Traffic Engineer Kevin Antczak----  *concerns about traffic and safety concerns re: traffic   

*slide show to indicate some of the concerns 
*lines are faded: white and yellow
 *speed limits are too fast for school and residential zones---(review for 15 or 20 miles per hour)
*request no parking signs from Capitol to Messmer street as parked cars pose danger hazards for residents, trucks and buses can't make turns, cars clipped, and traffic light keeps getting knocked down.
*school parking on Messmer inhibits proper snow removal
 *school parking blocking entrances and exits and makes it difficult for package and emergency vehicles on Messmer street
*school parking in loading zones and blocking alley also to curb on 7^th street and Messmer
*four way stop/or red light requested at Fiebrantz and Port Washington waiting to turn left and right can last for a long time as witnessed not only by residents but by Musa, a city employee...Musa witnessed this during construction which was the non-busy time.  Non-construction wait times are even longer.
*four way stop/red light requested at Port Washington and Capitol since the road has now been abbreviated to eliminate ramp for busses which would lead to traffic problems
*merging ramp off freeway to capitol, especially due to changes  (*needs to stay constantly mowed as pedestrians cross.  Needs a sign for pedestrian crossing as well as merging traffic) 
*  need for higher stop sign at Fiebrantz and 7th cars don't really stop and nearly hit residents..
*move bus stop to 7^th and Capitol East of school  
* several other issues to be brought up during discussion—
---6^th and Abert desires a yield sign rationale: serves as a bus stop with morning and afternoon pick up and drop off, people running stop signs, swerving
---signal on 7^th and Capitol (turn arrow does not always light up)
---tickets are not constantly issued to Messmer parkers..
---adding penalty sign:  request for parking enforcement to make more concerted efforts
----7^th and Vienna flashing yellow
--suggest Messmer to use all of their lots and make some sort of agreement with MPS for use during special events
----Three additional sites for mowing which pose hazards:  merging ramps East of 7^th and Capitol: from and to Port Washington heading West on Capitol, ramps from Port Washington heading East on Capitol and onto Port Washingon

 3.  Road Construction update-Samuel   (also look at groverheights.blogspot.com for weekly updates from Casey)—question why work was not being done… Samuel explained that WE Energies was completing some work on values first. 

    *Timeline –still on schedule   *Sod—will be replaced and cared for      *Reminder about trees and speaking up       *Notes to share from recent meeting       *Things to look out for         *Any lingering smells      *Other pertinent data  *some residents talked about cracking cement and making sure roots of trees were cut before concrete lain.  *another concern was brought up about the frequency with which filters had to be changed and air quality due to construction

4.   Dirt Dumping--Betty

      *Dumping was a violation:   all parties Meade and Froze contacted and warned that they may have to pay for subsequent damages
      * All people who suffered damage to homes and vehicles should issue a complaint with Tanya at 286-3976 about the dumping and what they witnessed.  If dirt entered homes and garages and exceptional amounts of cleaning had to be done, please report also.  Some people reported creatures accompanying dirt, if you saw, please report also.  get your report number

5.  Neighborhood Concerns-Churchill

    He will take notes of concerns so that we can filter to appropriate departments and Ms. Cecilia Gilbert.   *Sewers around the 3700 N. 6^th street check for drainage and clean up.  Street sweeping deposits leaves and bottles in sewers.   *re: sewers, is relining scheduled for 8^th street and 6^th street, also request for relooking at sewers in alleys of the 4000 on 8^th street
*Alley and street repairs:  alley behind 4101 N. 7^th needs patching and has been on constant request, alley 4000 7-8 behind Messmer needs patching but is also warped, 6^th street in the 4000 block is warped and needs repairs.
*request for education about youth groups:  what is suspicious or considered “gang” signs.  Some residents complained that youth are coming from 4^th street and have a lot of gun shooting on either Port or 5^th and 4^th. 

*Is 3565 N. MLK drive a rehab center?  Some residents are concerned that that is oversaturation as there is one on 7^th and Capitol, there is a correctional facility on Keefe, another correctional facility on Port Washington and Olive, and there is a potential daycare opening up 3567 N. MLK.  There is also a rehab in the same facility as Chase bank.

*4111-4125 N. Port Washington there is a concern about this facility and the services it offers and protections for the residents as well as overcrowding of these types of places in one neighborhood.  How does the neighborhood address these?
* They are also concerned about  someone opening up a grocery store in the 3700 block of either King Drive or 7^th in a building that was under the perception that it was to be razed?
*Debris on city lot 3761 N. 6^th street…when will city remove it?

6.  Reports to turn in to and from MPD- Bree  (you may turned in anonymously)

     *Hot Spot Forms can be filled out to report activities.****request for beat cop patrol in triangle
      *Answers from MPD about previously posed questions re: speed box which has been requested for three months
      *Answers from MPD about previously requested monitoring of streets which has been requested for three months
      *additional requests for monitoring as there has been an uptake in crime in both areas as construction continue-dead ends and hidden corners are attracting people
      *Additional report from businesses on Port Washington that since establishment of Parole office more thefts have been occurring.

7.   Vacant Partial on 8th --Betty  (outlined on map)

      *we need a small adhoc committe for this
      *permit issued but we would need to submit to local and county for aid in keeping cleared more than once a year
       *we also need petition signatures sent to senators
       *other areas of mowing on Green Bay are supposed to be attended to due to more traffic concerns  (retyped in above under traffic concerns and outlined on map)`

8.    Issues for next meeting --All concerned, Rick, pass out contact guides, medical facility

9.    Next meeting Monday, 6 PM October 15th...to be verified.  please put your email on the list and phone number

10.  Certificates- Betty, Samuel, Rick.....if you did not get your lifer certificates or certificate for helping with the block party please see these individuals

11.  Thanks to the distribution team:  Betty, Churchill, Samuel, Rick, Andrea and partner, Diane, Carolyn, Reggie, and Officer Osiewalski for passing out notices.

12.  Thanks to Grace Fellowhsip for hosting the meetings until the end of the year.

        email: groverheights@gmail.com, williamsburgtriangle@gmail.com

Alderwoman Announcement:  Housing resource Fair  Sept 22, 2012,  Town Hall Meeting Oct 3, 2012,  County Exec Budget Meeting Oct 9th, Community Brainstorm Sept. 22-Public Choice or Charter Schools

 

Tabled Items:  Health Care, Program for Youth,  check with MPS for status of Green Bay, Food Bank, court ordered youth-how to deal work with.

Minutes from August 2012 Meeting

Please note next meeting Sept 17th , 6PM at Grace Fellowship on 3879 n. Port Washington.  Be on Time.   We will have the Alderwoman, Traffic Engineer, Cecilia Gilbert, and of course address other neighborhood concerns. 

Minutes for August 15, 2012
* Small group of representatives continue to meet with Casey, Field Supervisor from Lalonde re: the Port Washington Ave. Construction.  Updates are sent weekly.
*Construction will flip sides on Sunday.
*Multiple speeders and we have not seen officers in the area watching traffic on streets where speeding has occurred although it has been talked about for several meetings.  It occurs on streets and in alleys.  People have even almost been hit and have also been told that they can speek like they want as they don't see speed limit signs.
*  There are concerns of animals and verments and grass being cut on ramps on a  more frequent basis.  Groups wants to follow up with whose responsibility.  GH also wants to find city or county entity that will finance a small contractor to monitor vacant partial and continuously trim through summer (once monthly) as houses are close to I43 and field and wildlife is causing considerable damage to homes.  DOT has admitted it is  a unique spot. It has sent a permit but group has to have local and county municipality sponsorship of funding as stated by DOT.
*GH concerns about a new medical facility and how it was approved and placed in area without notification to residents living there.
*The group discussed as much as possible finding out what happened to information rendered to company during those meetings and tracking of complaints made to construction company.  It was suggested to follow up with the state rep for the project to see what happened with those complaints.  The group wants to ensure that any complaints are logged with state and follow upon. 
*There is a concern that the 911 system is not working.  It is blocking cell phone calls and putting people on hold. In addition, the fire department and police departments are unsure how to navigate to homes during construction.  Officer O.  issues fire dept paramedic number as 286-8999.
*Officer O will send in second request to boss about having an officer sit on busy streets and patrol school areas more.  She also attempted to address WBT and GH concerns that they are waiting 3-4 hours for  a response from an officer when a call is made. 
*A tavern license application was discussed for S. Port Washington.  Many of the WBT group who were familiar with spot said no right away.  We rediscussed the process of sitting in and being a complaintant against if it is ot desired. 
*Group will also contact current State Rep. re: complaints about Port Washington construction and if they have been logged as queries.
*Co. Supervisor made himself available to group to act as an intermediary for projects that involved County participation.  In addition, he answered questions about DBE/MBE work.

Port Washington Ave. Construction update 9/8/12

All,

This last week the contractor finished the majority of the storm sewer adjustments and the utility companies are finishing their operations within the project.  The upcoming week we should continue with setting string lines, placing additional gravel and begin trimming the base in preparation for concrete placement.  Depending on weather and progress on the grading operations we may begin installing curb and gutter between Capitol Dr. and the north project limits by the end of the week.  We will continue to try and provide access to the businesses and homes within the project limits as we trim and place gravel.  However, there may be some intermittent disruptions as the contractor works through the project.  Currently we are still on target for late September/early  to late October to reopen the roadway.

Thank You,


Casey Wierzchowski, P.E.
Senior Project Engineer
expUS Services Inc.