News & Events

Updated on 12/16/23 at 11:55 p.m. to provide photo credit.

Photos of the Whitewater High School Winter Gala on December 6, courtesy of Tom Ganser

Updated 12/18/23 at 2 p.m. to add agendas for the Ethics Committee and the Community Development Authority.

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 5:30 p.m. (Closed session)
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner): consider a third party donation into an endowment fund to benefit the District; and the Whitewater Aquatic & Fitness Center negotiations; the WUSD Budget; and discuss disciplinary data of a specific employee.
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
5:30 p.m.
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5:30 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88316939949?pwd=MWdkSUhIaklmVTZFSTk3UmhCTFhYZz09
– Passcode: 606431
———————————————–
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 883 1693 9949
– Passcode: 606431
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Closed Session
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7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online (OPEN SESSION)
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes WUSD Strategic Planning & Scorecard Review, Whitewater High School, Superintendent Update – Mid-year review of the WUSD Strategic Plan (Action Item) & District Data Snapshot, and Review of 2022-23 Financial Audit.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88316939949?pwd=MWdkSUhIaklmVTZFSTk3UmhCTFhYZz09
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86111756385?pwd=ZUhLbFNla0hSWVBkeDVkRWNUSGxSdz09
– Passcode: 211383
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 861 1175 6385
– Passcode: 211383

Irvin L. Young Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes closed session regarding the Library Director search, followed by open session for possible action on that matter.
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.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89929656951?pwd=dmd4QkppL2FDMXA5WURjcy8rZ0dHdz09
1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 899 2965 6951
Passcode: 50657151

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Loss of MSP payments and MOU with UW Whitewater for reimbursement of dispatch
services, update on mill rates, First reading of Ordinance 2080 an ordinance amending 19.51.180 Truck, Trailer, Mobile Home and Equipment Parking Restrictions, First reading of Ordinance 2082 an ordinance amending Title 20 Property Maintenance, Discussion and possible action regarding possible retention of outside legal counsel for
the ethics committee, Discussion and possible action regarding employee bonuses, and Discussion and possible action regarding Letter to Elected Officials Requesting Resources to Address Impacts of Immigration. Closed session, followed by open session, regarding Discussion of which attorney from the law firm of VonBriesen to retain to advise the city
council on personnel matters.
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://us06web.zoom.us/j/88588059829?pwd=TMJLmvo-goL1KGC-l-pDIQUOG1ZlBA.-M7-Z7lf69r0H-_L
Or Telephone: 1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Webinar ID: 885 8805 9829
Passcode: 153993

City of Whitewater Park & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Renaming East Gate Park and Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Facility Rental and Reservation Policy Update.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str,
*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.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87160509592?pwd=WitaSWJGRVNMcnp2aGNSQVE3b29tUT09
Meeting ID: 871 6050 9592
Passcode: 817643
Dial by your location
1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 871 6050 9592
Passcode: 817643

City of Whitewater Ethics Committee – Thursday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes discussion and possible retention of outside legal counsel, and discussion and possible action regarding setting rules for the Ethics Committee.
Cravath Lakefront room, 2nd floor
312 West Whitewater St, Whitewater
*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.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84238214436?pwd=Eh6dpn6KNMKlQ_vQ5sGU8mLfhZ1D2g.nK7Ky_yL71tpK
yNB
Telephone: 1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Webinar ID: 842 3821 4436
Passcode: 543599

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action regarding appointment of CDA Executive Director, Update regarding Commercial Rehabilitation Grant/Loan Program, and Discussion regarding potential purchase of property located at 108 W. Main Street. Closed session, followed by open session: Consideration and possible action regarding Down Payment Assistance Loan Application No. 001 pursuant to the terms of the Affordable Housing Policy, Consideration and possible action regarding Offer to Purchase 216 E. Main St. (Tax Parcel No. /TRA 00003) and Offer to Purchase 108 W. Main St. (Tax Parcel No. /WUP 00257A) owned Jelaine Goel and Jane Henry, Discussion and possible action regarding TIF Development Agreement between the City of Whitewater and JM Meadowview LLC regarding Mound Meadows project, Discussion and possible action regarding TIF Development Agreement between the City of Whitewater and US Shelter Homes LLC regarding Mound Meadows project.
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/81688776062?pwd=8brBJqtYj2elJOxs3Q-Jw2EqHVndig.LcA-ETFutrXKTCdz
Passcode: 892463
Or Telephone: 1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Webinar ID: 816 8877 6062
Passcode: 892463

Our thanks to Paul Jhona for these beautiful photos of the season.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!

The Human Development and Relationships Institute is hosting our 3^rd annual Raising Wisconsin’s Children conference on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Raising Wisconsin’s Children is a virtual, day-long event for dads, moms, grandparents, teachers, and other people caring for kids. This free, online conference provides supportive, practical parenting and child development information. This year’s session topics include choosing high-quality shows and apps for young children, creating gender affirming homes, nurturing positive body image in kids, developing healthy youth athletes, understanding social media’s impacts on teens, and practicing mindfulness as parents!

You can attend as many conference sessions as you want. All sessions will have closed captions. Participate in a Q&A session with speakers after each presentation. Register to attend and view conference recordings through February. Learn more and register here: https://go.wisc.edu/rwc2024 When you register, you will receive an email with a link that gives you access to all webinars using Zoom. Check your junk mail if you don’t receive this email.

SCHEDULE
9:00 a.m.
Boosting the Benefits of Screen Time: Choosing High-Quality Shows and Apps for Young Children
Those Media Moms, Roxy Etta, PhD & Liz Horgan, PhD
10:15 a.m.
Creating Gender Affirming Homes for ALL Children
Abra Vigna, PhD
11:30 a.m.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Nurturing Positive Body Image in Kids
Mateja Savoie-Roskos, MPH, PhD
12:45 p.m.
Healthy Sports: Strategies to Encourage Participation and Avoid Specialization for Youth Athletes
Evan Nelson, DPT, PhD
2:00 p.m.
What We Know About Social Media Use and Adolescent Mental Health
Chelsea Olson, PhD
3:15 p.m.
Meditating Parents: How to Train Your Mind to be More Present, Resilient, and Appreciative
Chad McGehee, MA, MEd

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by UW-Madison Division of Extension – Walworth County.

Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators: UW-Whitewater OESH Students Embark on a Transformative Collaboration with Johnson Health Tech

UW-Whitewater Occupational Safety students enrolled in Safety 481 (Analysis and Design for Safety in Industrial Operations) had an exciting opportunity to work on a real-world safety project during this fall semester. UW-Whitewater alum and current Environment, Health, and Safety Director for Johnson Health Tech, Eric Olson, reached out to safety professor Dr. Todd Loushine with a safety issue that students could research and present recommendations to management. Johnson Health Tech, headquartered in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, is a global leader in the manufacturing and sale of high-quality exercise equipment. The project focuses on the delivery and installation of heavy and awkward exercise equipment into the customers’ homes without causing a significant strain on the delivery workers or incidental damage to the site. Eric was excited to provide this project to the students at his alma mater.  “It is important for me to give back to UW-Whitewater because I want to help influence the knowledge and skills that the students receive to ensure they are better prepared for their professional opportunities coming out of college.”

Johnson Health Tech provided the students with samples of their exercise equipment for testing, which made full use of the Safety Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Community Engagement Center. This lab includes all the necessary equipment for the safety students to perform tests in a safe and controlled environment.

Dr. Loushine is very grateful for all of the support on this project and is eager to see the impact his students have post-graduation. He said, “Having this lab,  the support of Johnson Health Tech,  Eric (Olson), and everybody else who contributes to  our program, our students are prepared to make an immediate impact after graduation.”

This project with Johnson Health Tech allowed these students to explore their careers before working for a company full-time. Senior Chase LaFernier said, “This project serves as an opportunity to get real-world experience. Get our hands in the lab and on a project. Working towards something that could actually help is exciting and something we haven’t gotten to experience yet.”

Senior Chris Gomez added that working on this project helped teach him about his future career in safety. “In this project, we’ve had a lot of dead ends and roadblocks. So we’ve had to make an attempt, start over, make an attempt, start over, maybe a dozen times. But that’s the real world. Everything is not going to be so linear and straightforward. It takes patience and perseverance to find success.”

Further discussing UW-Whitewater’s safety program, Tommy Hoy, a Senior Safety major, is delighted with the ample student support opportunities provided by the Occupational Environmental Safety and Health Department. These resources are instrumental in paving the way for his success. “The career fair is awesome. They set up an excellent opportunity for you to talk to people hiring right out of college.  After speaking with a rep at the career fair,  a company reached out to me asking if I would like an internship. Once I completed the internship, I had an interview with them, and now I will be working for them full-time post-graduation!” 

After a long semester of working towards a solution for Johnson Health Tech, the class has built a prototype. This device effectively allows the exercise equipment to be moved safely, providing reduced strain on the movers and allowing them to be hands-free to have better lift and moving control.  The class presented their entire study and demonstrated the prototype to the Johnson Health Tech Corporate on December 13th. 

Dr. Loushine is proud of how the project has turned out and looks forward to continuing this work next semester. He said, “This has been an extremely valuable learning experience for the students, and I think we have a great idea. The next step is to fabricate it and take it into the field for testing.  I’m teaching this class next semester, and I want those students to be working with people out in the field, testing this equipment, documenting findings, and making adjustments and instructions/training for movers. There is plenty of room to grow this project to make things more effective and safer for Johnson Health Tech.”

Congratulations to Dr. Todd Loushine and his safety students on all of the work they have done so far! We are excited to see where this project goes next!

Learn more about the UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics Occupational Safety department here! 

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the UW-Whitewater College of Business and Economics.

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

On December 13, Governor Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, announced that over $414 million has been allocated through the Clean Water Fund Program to 84 municipalities to improve their wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. Evers stated, “The funding will help municipalities across the state construct needed water infrastructure, including projects that reduce phosphorus discharges and address aging equipment, with a focus on small and disadvantaged communities.”

The City of Whitewater was approved for the $4,361,500 allocation that it had requested from the fund, to be used for replacing the existing Vanderlip Wastewater Pumping Station located west of Carriage Drive and removing the Fraternity Pumping Station located at Fraternity Lane and Florence Street. Pumping stations may also be called lift stations. According to Public Works Director Brad Marquardt, “The project will also include sanitary sewer replacement, spot curb and gutter replacement, updated ADA compliant curb ramps, and new asphalt pavement on Carriage Drive from Tratt Street west, Tratt Street from Carriage Drive to Starin Road, Fraternity Lane from Florence Street north and Florence Street from Fraternity Lane (to the south) to Fraternity Lane (to the north).  Work is expected to begin in January 2024 and be completed in December 2024.”

The city is eligible for $2,100,000 of the principal to be forgiven, so the loan will actually be $2,261,500 with interest at 55% of the market rate. The principal forgiveness will help to offset the need for future higher wastewater rate hikes.

Marquardt concluded, “The Wastewater Utility is committed to efficiently operate and maintain all aspects of the Wastewater Utility to ensure all water returned back into the environment meets or exceeds State and Federal regulations.  The Vanderlip Project achieves this commitment by removing a pumping station and its associated daily and long term maintenance costs, and replacing deteriorating wastewater piping that has begun to show signs of leaking.”

The link for signing up is here.