News

City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes public hearing for consideration of an amendment to the Conditional Use Permit to allow for an impound lot behind the auto sales/rental located at 515 E. Milwaukee St.
This is an in-person as well as virtual meeting.
Please join the meeting in person or from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/913832901
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: 1 (786) 535-3211
Access Code: 913-832-901

Whitewater Unified School Board – Monday @ 6:45 p.m.

PUBLIC NOTICE: The health and safety of District employees, School Board, and the community is a top priority. As such, some Board members will participate virtually. Members of the public may not attend in-person but virtual access will be provided and the meeting will be live streamed. You may watch the meeting online using Zoom.
———————————————-
If technical difficulties occur during the Zoom meeting resulting in one or more Board members not being able to participate, the meeting may end.
———————————————-
Due to the difficulty of enabling public comment while meetings are being held virtually, the Whitewater Unified School District School Board welcomes comment in writing up until 30 minutes prior to the scheduled meeting time. Please submit comments to the School Board Secretary, jtueting@wwusd.org, or the School Board President, caseyjudd@wwusd.org. If participants wish to speak, use the raise your hand feature on Zoom, unmute yourself, and state your name. In accordance to Board Policy 187, personal criticism and/or derogatory remarks directed at School Board members or employees of the district will not be tolerated. Should there be a number of citizens planning to speak, the President will announce the total time for citizen comments and divide the time between speakers equally with no more than three minutes allotted to each participant.

(Closed sesssion) 7:00 p.m. (Open session)
6:45 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83675176304?pwd=RWlBMUx1Z3BHQ1N3Ymc0clN3SDJsQT09
– Password: 249987
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 836 7517 6304
– Passcode: 249987
———————————————-
Closed Session
———————————————-
7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right hand corner) includes WUSD Pandemic Response Plan: Recommendation to continue measures implemented on May 24-Face Coverings Optional, etc and Public, In-Person Attendance at Upcoming School Board Meetings
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86528392814?pwd=MmF0SG1TUTRzYVVuL09peTZKR2hEUT09
– Passcode: 677024
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 865 2839 2814
– Passcode: 677024

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Community Room, 312 W. Whitewater Street, 1st floor
Agenda includes Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Street Projects Included In The 2022 Capital
Improvement Project Budget And Updated 5 Year Plan.

CITY OF WHITEWATER TAX INCREMENTAL FINANCE (“TIF”) JOINT REVIEW BOARD– Wednesday @ 4:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Consideration and possible action on Resolution Approving the Creation of Tax
Incremental Financing District Numbers 10-14, City of Whitewater.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building – Cravath Lakefront Room – 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190
This will be an in person AND a virtual meeting.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87248432970?pwd=Z1hqS0JVSU9HUFFtclQ3QmlYbHZNUT09
Passcode: 169380
Or One tap mobile :
US: +13017158592,,87248432970#,,,,169380# or +13126266799,,87248432970#,,,,169380#
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799 or 877 853 5257 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 872 4843 2970
Passcode: 169380

Whitewater Fire Department, Inc Business Meeting – Wednesday @ 6:00 p.m.
WFD, Inc. Training Room – Whitewater Municipal Building Lower Level
312 W. Whitewater Street
Agenda: Review of proposed 2022 budget proposal to the COW based on the Staffing
Proposal.

• 

• 

• 

BIRD Scooters have arrived in Whitewater. You may see some electric scooters as you travel around town. These scooters are here for people to use to get around the community. We hope safety continues to stay top priority with this new transportation option!
1. Download the BIRD app to find a scooter or to use one.
2. Enter a payment method if your first time using the app.
3. Follow the prompts in the app to scan the code on the BIRD scooter, take a photo of the scooter and to activate it.
4. Ride to your destination in town following the rules of the road- Be sure to ride your scooter in the streets, ride in bike lanes when available, ride on the right side of the road, obey rules including stop signs, crosswalks, stop lights, etc. and only drive at 15 mph max.
5. When you reach your destination, park your scooter (not in the street or the sidewalk but along the sidewalk and grass or the red brick area between the sidewalk and road and at bike racks when possible), scan the scooter code in the app, take a picture of the parked scooter and pay for your ride. If you move the scooter when you don’t scan and pay for it, the scooter will alarm and be disabled. If you do not scan it after your ride, you will be charged from BIRD.
Those who use the scooter are responsible for the scooter.
Riders must be 18 years to ride and are strongly encouraged to wear a helmet.
If you see an issue with a scooter- you can touch the hazard button in the BIRD app to contact the company directly).
Bird Scooters are in the City of Whitewater on a year trial at no cost to the city and we are excited to give residents and visitors an additional mode of transportation if they choose to use it. We encourage safety for all citizens on foot, scooter, bike, car, etc. Please continue safe practices in all you do!
If a resident has questions or concerns about the e-scooters the company can be reached directly at 1-866-205-2442 or hello@bird.co. More information about the company can be found on their website www.bird.co and on their blog www.bird.co/blog.

• Scooters are unlocked using an app, with a cost of $1 to unlock and 39 cents per minute.
• Just because you see a scooter sitting somewhere doesn’t mean it’s been abandoned. They have no docking stations, and may be left most anywhere in the community other than on private property, and as long as they are left in the upright position and not blocking a sidewalk, driveway, etc. A Bird rep picks many of them up overnight, charges them as needed, and repositions them for the next day’s use.
• UW-W is not currently permitting the scooters on campus.

*************************************************************************************************************************

Previous Banner posts:

Update: Michael Cavato of Bird told the Banner that the cost for using the scooters will be $1 to unlock and 39 cents per minute. He stated, “Given the geographic size and layout of Whitewater, this means that scooters can be an extremely affordable, quick, environmentally friendly, and fun way to navigate the area.  In addition, we frequently put out various promotions that we hope our riders keep an eye out for in the app to receive discounts.” Also note that shown below is reduced pricing for riders with certain qualifications.

The City of Whitewater is partnering with shared electric scooter company, Bird Rides to bring e-scooters to the city on a one-year pilot program contract. The scooters are available beginning July 6th through a mobile phone application and riders pay to use the scooter per minute, at no cost to the city.

“We are happy to welcome Bird to the City of Whitewater. We look forward to having the scooters available for all residents and visitors to get around town and think it will be a nice addition to the community,” said Cameron Clapper, Whitewater City Manager.

The company plans on offering scooters to help reduce carbon emissions, as well as traffic congestion on
roadways. The scooters also offer residents without automobiles another transportation option.
The electric scooters can be used on roads and in bike lanes with a maximum speed of 15 mph. Scooters must
be parked out of the way of pedestrians and never blocking driveways. Riders are required to be 18 years or
older to access the scooters. They are also encouraged to wear a helmet on every ride and required to obey all
standard rules of the road.

To use the scooters, a renter will download the Bird app to their phone and create an account they will use for
each ride. Using the map in the Bird app, riders will find the closest Bird. It can be reserved up to 30 minutes in
advance. To start the ride, the renter will scan the Bird’s QR code with the app, hit the throttle on the right to go
and pull the brakes to slow. After the ride, renters will use the kickstand to keep the Bird upright and park it
away from public pathways in an approved parking spot found in the app. The rider will submit a picture of the
scooter to ensure the ride is complete and the scooter is parked.

Riders will be able to use the Community Mode allowing anyone with a Bird account to report or provide feedback on vehicle-related issues such as poorly parked or damaged vehicles in their area. Riders will be asked to provide the Bird ID number and the specific issue they are experiencing, then a Bird team member will be assigned to correct the issue. Community Mode can be accessed by tapping the yield sign on the bottom left of the Bird map.

Bird advises riders to check the app for the most up-to-date vehicle charge information, service area locations, and pricing.

For more details on how to use a Bird scooter, visit https://www.bird.co/blog/how-to-bird- beginners-guide-shared-scooter-riding/.

“Having an additional option for transportation will be very helpful for many residents,” said Clapper. “This will
also be a nice option for those who are visiting the city and want a new way of getting around and enjoying
what our city has to offer.”

Bird offers the following programs that are available for all who qualify:

● Community Pricing- Bird’s Community Pricing Program offers a 50% discount to low-income riders, Pell grant recipients, select local nonprofit and community organizations, veterans, and senior citizens. It’s designed to be the most inclusive micro mobility discount program available anywhere. To sign up for the Community Pricing Program, download the Bird app, create an account, and email your proof of eligibility to access@bird.co. Visit https://www.bird.co/blog/need-know-bird-expanded-community- pricing-program/ for more details.
● Free Rides for Healthcare Workers and Emergency Personnel- Bird is proud to offer free rides to healthcare workers and emergency personnel. To sign up, simply email a copy of your medical identification card along with your name and phone number to together@bird.co. Eligible riders will receive two free 30-minute rides per day for as long as it takes to help our communities to recover from this global health crisis. Visit https://www.bird.co/blog/bird-providing-free-mobility-healthcare-workers- crisis/ for details.
https://www.bird.co/es/contact-us/.

For questions or concerns about the e-scooters, the company can be reached directly at 1-866-205-2442, by email hello@bird.co and social media platforms listed on their contact page https://www.bird.co/es/contact-us/. More information about the company can be found on their website www.bird.co and on their blog www.bird.co/blog. 

Source: City of Whitewater press release

Here is this week’s #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society!

Pictured here is Whitewater’s Main Street in the mid-twentieth century, looking towards the Hamilton House and the White Library building. Notice that the street is lined with rather stately-looking elm trees. However, Dutch Elm Disease began spreading rapidly across the country from New England in the 1930s and ’40s, reaching Whitewater in 1957. Despite the aggressive pruning and spraying efforts employed, the disease quickly decimated Whitewater’s elm tree population.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!

(3737P, Whitewater Historical Society)

The Whitewater Historical Society collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Whitewater and the surrounding area. Be sure to join us next week for more from the Society’s collections. Please “like” us on Facebook, and check out our website at whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org!​ 

Editor’s note: The following notice was provided by the City of Whitewater.

August 6, 2021

The City of Whitewater intends to apply for a permit from the Wisconsin DNR to treat up to 100 acres of water in Cravath Lake and Trippe Lake with aquatic herbicides to control cattail, willow, reed canary grass, and typical agricultural weeds. The proposed treatment would occur between August 23, 2021 and September 3, 2021. The City of Whitewater will conduct a public informational meeting on the proposed treatment if five or more individuals, organizations, special units of government, or local units of government request one. The meeting would give interested parties a chance to learn more about the proposed treatment from the permit applicant. The City of Whitewater is not required to, but may change the proposed treatment based on information provided by citizens attending the meeting. Any request for a public meeting on the proposed treatment must be made within five (5) days after this notice is published. The request must specify the topics to be discussed at the meeting, including the problems and alternatives, and must be sent in writing to Eric Boettcher at eboettcher@whitewater-wi.gov and to the Wisconsin DNR, to Heidi.bunk@wisconsin.gov.

This public notice is required by Chapter NR107, Wisconsin Administrative Code.

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The use of Tax Incremental Financing (TIF), a common economic development tool, appears to be moving forward as the Whitewater Common Council formally designated the boundaries and project plans for five new Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs) at its August 3 meeting.

TIF financing allows a municipality to create economic development districts (TIDs) in which the amount of tax revenue generated within a designated part of the city is temporarily frozen for the units of government that are listed on tax bills sent out by the city. Those units of government include the city, the county or counties, the school district and area technical colleges that collect taxes for property in a given TID.

Any new tax revenue generated within a TID during its life can be used to pay for infrastructure improvements, developer incentives and the costs of administration.

Earlier this year the City closed all of its previous TIDs and distributed any excess TID funds proportionately to all participating units of government. The additional revenue generated by new construction within those previous TIDs will now be available for general purposes by the city, the Whitewater Unified School District (WWUSD), Jefferson or Walworth County depending on where development occurs, and one of the two Technical College Districts that serve Jefferson or Walworth County.

Final approval of the proposed new TIDs rests with a Joint Review Board consisting of representatives from all involved units of government. The board is scheduled to meet on August 11 to consider this action.

“Establishing boundaries and project plans for these new districts is one of the last steps in a process that really began nearly two and half years ago,” said Whitewater City Manager Cameron Clapper. “We are already seeing activity in several of the proposed new TIDs,” he added.

Examples cited were a Kwik Trip store near the roundabout on the city’s east side as well as another proposed retail establishment in that area and another Kwik Trip at the intersection of STH 89 and STH 59. There are also indications of a potential new development in the downtown Whitewater area as well as a proposed new development on the city’s northwest side.

Information on the boundaries and specifics of the project plans are available at https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/532/2021-Tax-Increment-District-Development.

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Thomas Nielsen.

The image on the homepage, “Owatonna Tractor Parade” by Crown Star Images is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The Rock County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications from young adults age 14-20 for the
Rock County Sheriff’s Office Police Explorer Post.

Law Enforcement Exploring is the preeminent career orientation and experience program for
young people contemplating a career in law enforcement or a related field in the criminal justice
system. The program provides young adults, who are at least age 14 and have completed eighth
grade, but not yet age 21, with a personal awareness of the criminal justice system through
training, practical experiences, competition, assisting with special events, and other activities.

Obtain an application on the Rock County Sheriff’s Office
website: https://www.co.rock.wi.us/police-explorer-program
Please return completed applications to Deputy Anacker at
zachary.anacker@co.rock.wi.us by August 27, 2021.

To learn more about Law Enforcement Exploring, visit
https://www.exploring.org/law-enforcement/.
We encourage young adults interested in a law enforcement
career to seize this outstanding opportunity to experience
firsthand what it’s like to be a law enforcement officer.

By Tom Ganser

Whitewater is well represented in the upcoming Janesville Performing Arts Center Kids production of “James and the Giant Peach, Jr.,” at the JPAC Center Aug. 5-7 at 7 p.m. and Aug. 8 at 2 p.m.

Taking to the stage are Whitewater Unified School District actors Anderson Waelchli, Marco Wence, and Ella Willman.  Jim McCulloch directs the play and Lori Heidenreich adds her talents as musical director and choreographer.  2021 WHS graduate Carter Waelchli serves as production assistant.

Based on Roald Dahl’s enduring and popular novel, the play focuses on a boy who befriends a colony of eccentric giant bugs who live inside a gigantic peach, and their travels around the world,

Based on one of Roald Dahl’s most poignantly quirky stories, “James and the Giant Peach JR.is a new take on this “masterpeach” of a tale.  Featuring a wickedly tuneful score and a witty and charming book, this adventurous musical about courage and self-discovery is destined to be a classic.

When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that grows a tremendous peach, rolls into the ocean and launches a journey of enormous proportions. James befriends a collection of singing insects that ride the giant piece of fruit across the ocean, facing hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements along the way.

The delightful play explores themes of found family, standing up to cruel people, and the frightening but exciting period of childhood.  It is filled with surreal visuals and is unflinching in its depictions of childhood peril, but brings its long-suffering child protagonist a hard-earned happy ending.

For more information about the play or to order tickets, visit JanesvillePAC.org or call (608) 758-0297.  Reservations are required. JPAC is located in the former Janesville High School/Marshall Junior High School Building at 408 S. Main Street in Janesville.

Cruise on Over for Great Deals
Garage Sale at 640 Stonefield Lane, Whitewater
Friday, August 6, 3 pm-7 pm
Saturday, August 7, 8 am-12 pm
Featured Items:
Household Goods
Clothing/Coats
Small Furniture
Waterski Equipment
Garden Supplies and Tools
Kitchen Items
Games and Toys
And MORE!

Questions: Contact Kim at 608-201-2151