News & Events

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

The demand for entry level housing is increasing, the supply of homes that the average homeowner can afford remains stagnant, and the price of a single-family home in Whitewater has increased by 17% in the past three years. That was one of the key findings of a City of Whitewater report reviewed by a joint meeting of the City’s Common Council, Community Development Authority (CDA) and Plan Commission on Wednesday, February 9th.

The report includes a list of 14 recommendations and 11 “Opportunities” that position Whitewater to better understand “the existing housing crisis” and recommended “best practices to help reverse the trend, increase housing units and provide opportunities for all residents to live in the community.”

The “Action Plan” recommended by Madison based planning firm Vandewalle and Associates documents a need for additional housing options in Whitewater and points out that currently, “The city is not on track to meet those needs, but steps can be taken to address the matter and the city’s housing challenges.”

Whitewater is definitely not alone in facing a shortage of workers and regular family households that can support a healthy inventory of local businesses. A National Association of Home Builders report issued just the day before the Whitewater report review session points out that housing availability has dropped to the “lowest level in a decade.”

The State of Wisconsin, working with a non-profit development trade organization and other interest groups, has passed several pieces of legislation in recent years that allow Wisconsin communities to incentivize “Affordable Workplace Housing.” This form of “Affordable Housing” incentives to communities is distinctly different from traditional “affordable housing” programs like public housing and rental assistance programs. It focuses on getting new people into the process of home ownership.

Whitewater’s housing situation is both similar to other communities but also unique due the community’s size and the presence of a relatively large university campus. City Manager Cameron Clapper, however, was quick to point out that this effort is not aimed at the student housing market.

Whitewater’s rate of “Owner Occupancy” (the percentage of homes owned by individuals or families that actually live in that home) is currently at only 30% and has declined from 35% as recently as 2010. In comparison the Vandewalle report points out that “… both Jefferson and Walworth County, and the state as-a-whole, have over 50% owner-occupied housing units.” The disparity is largely due to the presence of a university but that is just one of Whitewater’s housing challenges according to the report.

Whitewater is projected to need “between 200-340 new housing units to meet projected population demand by 2030” according to the report. Smaller lot sizes and more adjoined single family housing like the “twin homes” in the Prairie Village development on the city’s north side are cited as two of many potential strategies to meet that need. The plan’s 14 recommendations include documenting “…goals for the future that clearly define the number of housing units needed through an adopted policy by the City Council.”

The City of Whitewater has been proactive recently in addressing housing availability. The city took advantage of a change in state regulations that allowed for the dedication of some residual Tax Incremental District (TID) funds from a recently closed development area to be designated for “Affordable Housing.”

Neighboring communities, and others across the state, have been more aggressive according to Vandewalle’s Brian Unger and Ben Rohr. They cited our nearby neighboring community of Fort Atkinson that has purchased land and is working with developers to encourage home options that will be affordable to a wider range of households.

The 14 page Vandewalle report also includes another nine pages of appendices containing historical data and community comparisons. Several of the various officials and citizen participants in the review described the data being provided as “extremely helpful” to give citizens a better understanding of the situation and options that the city has. The final version is expected to be published soon with plans to make it available on the city’s website.

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services’ Aging and Disability Resource Center.

The Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services’ (WCDHHS) Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) has released its 2022 “Welcome to Medicare” workshop schedule. These popular educational sessions are designed for individuals who will become eligible for Medicare in coming months. Individuals turning 65 years of age or those over 65 and planning to retire should attend one of the available workshops. 

Attendees will receive information about Medicare and Medicaid options. “It is vitally important that individuals eligible to receive Medicare are aware of the different parts of Medicare, including Part A and Part B, as well as the prescription drug coverage,” says Elder Benefit Specialist Julie Juranek. “Being knowledgeable about premiums and penalties for not having creditable prescription drug coverage will help people make sound choices when exploring available plans.”

The “Welcome to Medicare” workshops will be offered at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Health and Human Services building (1910 County Road NN, Elkhorn) on the following dates:

• February 17, 2022
• April 21, 2022
• June 16, 2022
• August 18, 2022
• October 20, 2022
• December 1, 2022

RSVPs are highly recommended by calling (262) 741-3366.

About the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your personal situation.

On February 13, The Whitewater Lion Club will be celebrating their 46^th Annual Fish-A-Ree on Whitewater Lake and Rice Lake. The event kicks off with a Freewill Drive-Thru Pancake Breakfast from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM   The Lions will be serving their famous light and fluffy pancakes, home-cooked scrambled eggs, and yummy sausages.  Milk and juice are available also.  The Best of Fish in six species competition is from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM with winners to be announced at 3:00 PM.  The winner of the 50/50 raffle and the bonus winner will also be drawn at 3:00 PM.

Also starting on the 13^th is their second annual Online Auction.  Check out the wide variety of items. There is something there that will be attractive to everyone.  Check them out at BiddingOwl.com.  Bidding starts Feb.13 thru Feb. 20^th. 

The following information was provided by the City of Whitewater.

February 7, 2022 – Dredging began Wednesday, February 2 on Cravath and Trippe Lakes as part of the Lakes Drawdown Project. After many weeks of preparation with a controlled burn, skinning snow and vegetation from the top and laying wood matting, Stout Construction was able to begin removing dredged material from both lakes last week.

The controlled burn helped to stop vegetation in the planned dredged areas. The skinning of snow and vegetation cleared the ground for direct access to cold temperatures. The areas to be dredged need 18 inches of frozen ground to allow for excavating equipment to drive on and remove materials.

Due to the warmer temperatures we have experienced, not all areas to be dredged had enough frost to begin the process. Wood matting was placed in many locations that did not freeze to allow for the equipment to drive over without sinking.

Because of warmer temperatures, crews are forced to alter their planned dredging times. When temperatures rise along with the sun warming the ground, crews must stop the process to keep equipment from sinking. In the past week, crews have been dredging when temperatures drop and skies are cloudy, including working through the evening and early morning hours. This process will continue in the upcoming weeks.

Crews were able to dredge over 20 hours on Trippe Lake and 10 hours on Cravath Lake this past weekend due to colder temperatures. When the sun began to warm the ground and temperatures rose, crews had to stop. They will resume evening dredging on Wednesday, February 9.

To learn more about the Lakes Drawdown Project and receive weekly updates, visit https://www.whitewaterwi.gov/520/Lakes-Drawdown-Updates or contact Parks and Recreation Director, Eric Boettcher at (262) 473-0122 or
EBoettcher@whitewater-wi.gov.

Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Library Building Project
Community Room
431 W. Center Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82903521022?pwd=ZFZWQ2Myd1dLQm1Ua3ljR1p3bi9OUT09
Meeting ID: 829 0352 1022
Passcode: V0DtPVdV
Dial 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 829 0352 1022
Passcode: 73647248

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Lakes dredging update; Resolution Providing for the sale of $5,195,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2022A; Request for approval of Development Agreement with Bower’s House LLC (Greg Aprahamian) for redevelopment of building known as the White Elephant building, SE
corner of Main and Second Streets
This will be an IN PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us in person, or via computer, smart phone, or
telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83574761734?pwd=Mys4WGdYTzZwcXNVeHRNaTZ5eGY4UT09
Passcode: 394331
Or Telephone:
Dial: 1 929 205 6099
Webinar ID: 835 7476 1734
Passcode: 394331

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Jefferson County. Future announcements this season regarding Jefferson County snowmobile trails will appear in the Sports section of the Banner.

All Jefferson County Snowmobile Trails will open at 8:00 am on Thursday, January 27, 2022.

This includes all County Trails – both north and south.

Some trails may be closed due to open water.
Plowed fields may be rough.
Please ride safely.

Please stay on the marked trails and obey all signage.

Please call the Snowmobile Alliance 24-hour Hotline at 920-699-SNOW (7669) daily for current information. Snowmobile trails in adjoining counties may be closed. Trail users should check with each county to determine trail status.

Editor’s note: The following information was received from the Young Auditorium.

Originally scheduled for the week of Monday, January 31st – Saturday,
February 5th, Young Auditorium regrets to inform you that the upcoming residency by
Missoula Children’s Theatre has been cancelled.

While alternate dates for another MCT residency have been discussed, Young Auditorium cannot
guarantee a rescheduled event in 2022. We are currently in the process of issuing full refunds for all
those who pre-purchased tickets for the final performance. Please be patient as checks for the total
purchase amount may take up to 10-weeks to arrive.

Young Auditorium apologizes for the inconvenience and looks forward to a time when we can safely
welcome Missoula Children’s Theatre back for another amazing residency…complete with a full
complement of local children to round out the cast.

Editor’s Note: This information was provided by the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce that they are celebrating their 80th Anniversary in 2022. The Chamber was incorporated in March of 1942 and is an organization dedicated to helping Whitewater Area businesses and the community thrive.

After two years of postponed, canceled, and abbreviated events and activities they are hopeful to make 2022 a year of celebration and community.

They are kicking off the year with Conversations & Cocoa on Monday, January 31st. The Chamber is inviting its partners, local business owners & staff, and residents to stop into the Discover Whitewater offices in downtown Whitewater between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm that day to take a mid-winter break and chat about our community. Visitors to the office on January 31st can also participate in the Chamber’s “Love Local” February campaign by filling out a love letter heart for their favorite local business/organization. The Chamber will deliver these “love letters” on Valentine’s Day.

In April the Whitewater Chamber will be hosting their Annual Awards & Celebration Dinner and will be commemorating 80 years of serving businesses and the community. Details about this event will be released in February along with invitations and registration materials. Current, former, and prospective Chamber members are encouraged to attend and help celebrate this milestone anniversary. The Chamber would also like to invite the community to share any photos, documents, or mementos they might have regarding the Chamber’s activities over the past eight decades for a timeline project. Items can be dropped off in the Discover Whitewater offices at 150 W Main Street in downtown Whitewater or emailed to info@whitewaterchamber.com.

Many great things are planned for 2022! For more information about Chamber events or anything Chamber-related please be sure to visit their website at https://www.whitewaterchamber.com/, follow them on Facebook, or contact Kellie Carper, Exec. Director at (262) 473-4005.