Common Council Approves Development Agreement for 128 Unit Apartment Complex


The Whitewater Common Council on May 21 approved a development agreement for a multi-family housing development at Moraine View Parkway and Jakes Way. The agreement, proposed by Slate Development, Inc., includes 128 units spread across eight two-story buildings.

“This development is a critical investment in our community’s future,” said City Manager John Weidl. “By addressing our
pressing housing needs head-on, we are not only improving the quality of life for our current residents but also making
Whitewater an attractive place for new families and professionals. This project exemplifies our dedication to sustainable
growth and economic prosperity.” The development is receiving financial support from TID #11 [Tax Increment District], utilizing a pay-as-you-go structure to ensure positive cash flow from day one. This approach minimizes financial risk for the city and taxpayers by requiring the developer to meet specific financial benchmarks before receiving payments. Additionally, safeguards such as a minimum assessed value (MAV) guarantee and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) ensure that taxpayers are
protected. If the development falls short of the projected value, the developer will make up the difference, maintaining
the financial stability of the project.

Economic Development Director Taylor Zeinert emphasized the importance of this project: “The need for workforce
housing in Whitewater cannot be overstated. Our business community, recent graduates, and current students all
underscore this necessity.” Common Council President Patrick Singer highlighted the next steps: “With the development
agreement now approved by the Common Council, the project will return to the Plan and Architectural Review
Commission (PARC) for a Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review.” This development will be discussed at the July PARC
Meeting held on July 8th. Singer further stated, “An increase in the quantity and opportunities for housing is an
identified community need that the City of Whitewater is strongly committed to achieving. With single-family housing
units already in the pipeline, this development will give more residents in our community the opportunity to find
affordable housing.”

The conditional use consideration requires a class 2 notice, requiring two postings a week apart. For the July 8th meeting, public notices will be posted on June 20th and 27th, with the agenda posted in the newspaper on July 4th. Council President Singer concluded, “The Plan and Architectural Review Commission will review site plans and a conditional use permit at its July meeting. These two items will complete the approval of this development. I encourage all residents interested in the outcome to attend the upcoming meeting.”

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the city manager’s office.

UWW Baseball Super Regional Recap: Warhawks Advance to NCAA DIII World Series

Warhawk bench celebrating after Adam Cootway hits a homerun (Photo Credits Angela Kelm)
Dogpile
Trophy
Team with coaches

Game 1 box score
Game 2 box score

By Broderick P. Frye
Asst. Sports Information Director

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team is heading to the World Series for the first time since 2016 after overcoming Friday’s loss to UW-La Crosse. The Warhawks battled back with a 8-0 first game before a 8-2 victory in the second game punched the Warhawks’ ticket to Eastlake, Ohio.

In the first game, the Warhawks opened up the scoring right in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead. 

With Cade Berendt (Germantown, Wis./Germantown) doing his work on the mound, the Warhawks held the Eagles off the base path for much of the game. The Eagles did not have a runner past second the entire game.

A huge fourth inning added four more runs to the lead. Adam Cootway (DePere, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran) started off the scoring with a solo home run.

The Warhawks scored three more runs between the sixth & seventh, with the defense keeping the Eagles from scoring. The Warhawks forced game three with an 8-0 shutout win.

Berendt picked up the win, pitching one of his career best games in the battle. He pitched all 9 innings, recording a career-high 13 strikeouts as well as his first career complete game shutout. 

The Warhawks carried the momentum forward into the second game of the day, scheduled to begin only 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first game, after tying the series up 1-1. 

UWW struck first once again, with Eli Frank (Bayport, Wis./Bay Port) blasting a two-run homer in the bottom of the third to go up 2-0. The next inning, the Warhawks added two more to their lead, going up 4-0.

The Eagles scored their first run of the day on a sacrifice fly in the top of 5th, but the Warhawks answered back with a RBI single from Aaron Holland (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) in the bottom of the frame.

The Warhawk lead was closed to just three runs in the top of the sixth as UW-La Crosse added another run to make it 5-2.

But in the bottom of the eighth, Matt Scolan (Downers Grove, Ill./South) all but sealed the game with a three-run homer to put the Warhawks up 8-2. 

The freshman pitcher Jack Hagen (San Clemente, Cal./San Clemente) only needed three outs and the Warhawks sealed their spot in the 2024 NCAA DIII World Series.

Hagen picked up his ninth win of the season, pitching the whole game. He allowed only eight hits, with no runs earned on the game.

Offensively, the Warhawks had home runs from Frank, Scolan, and Cootway between the two games. Frank and Scolan each had three RBIs in the second game. Holland had two RBIs in the first game.

The Warhawks will advance to the NCAA DIII World Series held in Eastlake, Ohio from May 31 to June 7. The tournament will be two double-elimination pods of four-teams. The winners of each pod will play a best of three series for the Championship. For more information visit https://www.ncaa.com/sports/baseball/d3

This Week’s City & School Board Meetings

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83973747733
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 839 7374 7733
International numbers available: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kN3n60TXX

City of Whitewater Special Common Council Meeting – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion regarding Council Goals and Priorities, Discussion and Possible Action regarding the Strategic Plan, Discussion and Possible Action regarding Changes to the Good Governance Manual, and Discussion regarding Non-Financial Strategies for Enhancing Recruitment and Retention.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86078303578?pwd=0Ju4UUwE_xOcfmZDNeudgd-gcwaZDg.x1Wx2m779eQfZ0MU
Telephone: 1 (312) 626-6799
Webinar ID: 860 7830 3578
Passcode: 117530

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m. – CLOSED SESSION

Adjourn into closed session, pursuant to §19.85(1)(c), Wis. Stats., considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility, specifically, to discuss and consider individual 2024-2025 salary contract adjustments; to discuss a specific employee’s resignation and review the School Board evaluation. Pursuant to the provisions of §19.85(1)(e), Wis. Stats., deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session; specifically, to discuss and consider a facility planning architect and future capital maintenance planning. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(f), considering financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where par. (b) applies which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or investigations, specifically, to discuss Board member’s allegations that district employees failed to adhere to District policies. Pursuant to the provisions of §19.85(1)(d), Wis. Stats., to consider strategy for crime detection or prevention; specifically, to discuss E-rate firewall protection.

Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
5:00 p.m.
———————————————–
5:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83722491972?pwd=c2h0VFlMUXNxQXR4V0ZiL2xwYUFVdz09
– Passcode: 736965
———————————————–
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 837 2249 1972
– Passcode: 736965
———————————————–
Closed Session
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7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online — OPEN SESSION
Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes RECOGNITION 2024 FIRST Championship Worlds Qualifier – Team #6574 Ferradermis, RECOGNITION – 2024 WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival, RECOGNITION – 2024 Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech & Dramatic Arts Association State Festival, RECOGNITION – 2024 Best Communities for Music Education, WAFC contract, Summer School teacher pay.
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87906854174?pwd=a1hTMG9DNUc1MlVZZ2NULzhNb0JEZz09
– Passcode: 781760
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 879 0685 4174
– Passcode: 781760

City of Whitewater Lakes Advisory Committee – Wednesday @ 4:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action regarding presentation from Southeastern Wisconsin
Regional Planning Commission, Discussion and possible action regarding bids for mechanical dredging of Cravath & Trippe
Lake Cattail.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89704180987?pwd=OEVaZHQzUklhaHNUckdvRUVMRldlUT09
Meeting ID: 897 0418 0987
Passcode: 097434
Dial 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 897 0418 0987
Passcode: 097434

      Whitewater School Board -2024 Whitewater Unified School District Retirement Celebration – Thursday @ 4:00 p.m.
      Whitewater School Board members will be attending the 2024 Whitewater Unified School District Retirement Celebration at Willow Brook Golf Course on Thursday, May 30, 2024 beginning at 4:00 pm. A quorum of the School Board may be present; however, the Board will not be conducting any business during the event.

      Guided Journaling Workshop at the Library

      Community members are invited to a free guided journaling workshop led by local writer Katy Daixon Wimer. Enjoy reflective journaling prompts and inspiring, lively conversation. Feel free to bring your own journal or a small journal will be provided.  

      The event will be held at the Irvin L Young Memorial Library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater on Wednesday, May 29 at 6:00 p.m.

      This program is for adults. Teens are welcome with a participating adult. Registration is requested. Visit whitewaterlibrary.org and click on “Events – Registration Forms” to register in advance. You may also email sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-458-2782 to register, or with any questions. 

      ADRC of Walworth County Offers Healthy Living with Diabetes

      More than 100 million adults in the U.S. are now living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While that statistic is startling, there is good news. People with diabetes or pre-diabetes can improve their health by joining a Healthy Living with Diabetes workshop sponsored by the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Walworth County. The program has been researched and proven to improve the health of adults with diabetes or pre-diabetes.  

      In just six weekly sessions, Healthy Living with Diabetes gives participants strategies for managing diabetes including techniques to deal with symptoms and information about healthy eating, appropriate use of medication, exercise, and working effectively with health care providers. Participants learn to make realistic, achievable action plans, share their experiences, and help each other solve problems.

      Healthy Living with Diabetes will be held in the Kettle Moraine Trail Room on Tuesdays, June 4 to July 9, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Walworth County Health and Human Services, 1910 County Road NN Elkhorn. The workshop has a suggested contribution of $10. 

      Registration for this program is required; contact Chetney Blaszczyk RDN, CD at (262) 741-3309.

      Local Resident Recognized on University of Dubuque Dean’s List

      The University of Dubuque congratulates the following students on being appointed to the Spring Semester 2024 Academic Dean’s List.

      Full-time students in good academic standing (registered for and having earned 12 or more letter grade credits for the term) who earn a term grade point average of 3.5 or above and who do not have any grades of Incomplete for the term are named to the Dean’s List. Once grades have been submitted for any Incompletes, the Office of Academic Affairs will review eligibility again for possible placement on the Dean’s List for the given term. 

      Dean’s List is awarded for the fall and spring semesters only and may be awarded retroactively.

      About the University of Dubuque

      The University of Dubuque (UD) is a private, coed university founded in 1852 that offers undergraduate, graduate, and theological seminary degrees as well as other educational opportunities with the intention of educating and forming the whole person. Here, the value of an education is measured in helping our students find their calling in life through academics, community, character, vocation, and stewardship. Our approach to learning is based on professional programs with a liberal arts core, and we prepare students to find their purpose and make meaningful contributions to the world. https://www.dbq.edu/

      Whitewater, WI

       Halee Peters

      Why Did the Electronics Recycling Event Shut Down Early?

      A number of residents expressed frustration that the electronics recycling event on Saturday, May 18 was scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but when they arrived as early as barely after noon the personnel and their truck had disappeared without explanation. The Banner reached out to Brad Marquardt, director of public works, who indicated, “The explanation we received from the recycling company was their truck was full and they were unable to accept any more items.  Next year’s event will be May 17 from 9:00 am to noon.  The posting will also include language that the event may end early if the truck is full, so people are encouraged to come early.”

      This is obviously a popular and appreciated event, as in at least one previous year the same thing happened, with capacity being reached before the announced closing time.

      By Lynn Binnie
      Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
      whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

      Seniors in the Park Presents The Taste of Things

      “The Taste of Things”

      Tuesday, May 28, 1 pm

      (Romance/Period Drama/Culinary Arts)

      Rated PG-13. 2 hours, 15 minutes (2023).

      The story of an esteemed cook and the fine gourmet chef she has been working for over the last 20 years. Food is a gift of love here, and romance courses through this delightful film.

      AARP Movies for Grownups nominations for Best Actress (Juliette Binoche) and Best Foreign Film.

      Language: French; shown with English subtitles.

      Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

      Track and Field Athletes Qualify for State

      The Whippets had a great day competing at the WIAA Sectional Track and Field Meet hosted by Big Foot High School on Thursday night, May 23, and came home with several state qualifiers. 

      Quincy Boudreau, Traysen Thomason, Ethan Dugan, Nate Holden, Jack Hefty

      Traysen Thomason earned his first trip to state in an individual event by finishing third in the 100m Dash with a new personal best of 10.93. Ethan Dugan once again punched his ticket to state by winning the 400m Dash with a time of 48.84. Jack Hefty battled through his illness all week and claimed another sectional championship in his signature event, the 1600m Run. He stopped the clock at 4:22.65. Also earning a trip on the boys’ side was the 4x400m relay consisting of Quincy Boudreau, Nate Holden, Jack Hefty, and Ethan Dugan. This relay was able to secure 3rd place behind Ethan’s 48.2 relay split and finish in 3:26.27.

      Other competitors for the boys included Ty Bucholtz who narrowly missed out on the 110H final by .02 seconds but was under 17 for a second time this season in 16.96. Nate Holden finished 9th in the 400m in 52.75. The 4x200m relay finished in 5th place with a time of 1:31.65. The relay members consisted of Traysen Thomason, Nate Black, Akamion McHenry, and Quincy Boudreau. This relay ran the 8th fastest time in school history in that event. In the field events, Quincy competed in the long jump but did not make the finals. Jaylyn Ewing competed in the high jump and was able to clear 5′ 10″, but was unable to go higher. 

      On the girls’ side, the 4x200m relay of A’lani Ross, Sydney Schilt, Calli Grosinske, and Athena Soto finished in 4th place to earn a trip to state as well! Their time was 1:48.22. The same relay then stepped onto the track for the 4×100 25 minutes later and had a very competitive race. In a tight finish, they took 5th place overall with a time of 50.99. Sydney Schilt also competed in the sectional meet in the 200m dash. Running her best open 200 of her life, she finished in 5th place overall, one place away from state. However, her time moved her up to #6 all-time in WHS history for that event.

      4x200m relay of Athena Soto, Calli Grosinske, Sydney Schilt, and A’lani Ross

      The WIAA State Meet will take place on Friday May 31st and Saturday June 2nd. Good luck to all our Whippets competing at the State Meet!

      FULL RESULTS: https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/563413/results

      WHIPPET TOP TEN LIST: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mi54eY7WKX5fgnuEiD-kCmlgCOKIkDsUsJsWVgsGsCk/edit?usp=sharing

      STATE MEET INFORMATION: https://www.wiaawi.org/Sports/Spring/Boys-Track-Field/Tournament#51061277-state

      Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
      Whitewater High School Track and Field Coach
      ccarstens@wwusd.org
      Photos Courtesy of Multiple Sources