Alderman Witkowski - 13th District

City Hall, Room 205, 200 E. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 | (414) 286-8537
E-mail twitko@milwaukee.gov

13th District Newsletters

  What's New

But the Streetcar COULD Serve Most of Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Streetcar project’s 2.1 mile proposed initial route (or hub) would connect the Intermodal Station (AMTRAK and buses) and its 1.4 million annual users, the Third Ward (the fastest-growing neighborhood in Milwaukee), East Town (with the largest concentration of jobs in the state), and the lower east side (the highest-density residential neighborhood in Wisconsin).

Specifically, the initial route was identified to serve the greatest numbers of riders along a route that also provides significant opportunities for economic development. It was designed to complement existing bus routes, especially the major bus corridor along Wisconsin Ave.

What is not mentioned much is the plan or vision for potential future areas of streetcar service in the city. Looking at the map, you can see that there are possible extensions and routes that could connect the main hub to several key areas of Milwaukee on the south, west, north and east sides. Read the rest of the article.

Mark Your Calendars
All city offices (not including the Milwaukee Police Department or the Milwaukee Fire Department, including emergency medical services) will be closed on the following 2013 dates because of mandatory furlough days:  May 24, July 5, and August 30.

Installed Your CO Detectors Yet?
Please remember that under Wisconsin’s Carbon Monoxide Detector Law, ALL one- and two-family buildings (including owner-occupied buildings) are required to have CO detectors. Three-family and larger buildings in Wisconsin that have attached garages or “fuel burning devices” – gas heat, oil heat, gas dryers, gas stoves etc. – also have a similar law now in effect. CO detectors must be within 75 feet of all fuel burning device and within 15 feet of each bedroom. One is required in the basement if there is a “fuel burning device” in operation, and they are also required in common hallways spaced no more than 75 feet apart. Battery and plug in units are acceptable and should be mounted on a ceiling or wall. The Department of Neighborhood Services will be completing annual inspections of Carbon Monoxide Alarms during safety inspections.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Department of Neighborhood Services located at 841 N. Broadway, Rm 104, Milwaukee, WI, 53202 or call (414) 286-3441.

Smoke Alarm Upgrades Required This Summer
Starting this summer, property owners in Milwaukee will be required to install smoke alarms that are powered by 10-year or greater, non-removable batteries, in a measure aimed at saving lives. Under the ordinance approved by the Common Council, the old smoke detector models that use nine-volt batteries will be phased out due to concerns that, too often, the batteries are not replaced or are removed for use in other devices. This is in the wake of numerous tragedies in recent years where Milwaukee residents unnecessarily lost their lives because there was not a functioning smoke detector in the house.

Starting June 1, property owners will be required to meet the new requirements when they replace smoke alarms on their property, or by October 1, 2017 at the very latest. Any smoke alarm located within 20 feet or the primary cooking appliance within the unit is required to be equipped with a silencing switch. Smoke alarms that plug-in or are hardwired are exempted from the upgrade requirement.

Additionally, every battery-operated smoke alarm must now be tested by the property owner not less than once every calendar year. The owner must provide a copy of test results to city officials upon request, and test results should include the date on which testing was performed and the name, telephone number and property relationship of the person who performed the test.

For those who may encounter financial difficulties equipping their homes with the proper smoke alarm, the city offers hardship assistance. Residents can call the Smoke Detector Hotline at 286-8980 to see if they might be eligible for a free smoke alarm to comply with the new requirements.

Sewer School: An Intro to Our Pipes
NOTE: In light of the sewer information (and disinformation) circulating in the wake of last July’s record-setting rain storms that caused widespread flooding and basement backup problems, Alderman Witkowski is providing this article as an educational resource for residents and property owners. Bill Graffin, Public Information Manager, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District

In one way, water is like electricity. It takes the path of least resistance. Underground, that journey often involves cracks in sewer pipes that open the door to enormous amounts of water leaking into the sanitary sewer system where it doesn’t belong.

Excess water in sewers is the main reason why we still have sewer overflows and basement backups. We’re talking about massive volumes of water that are not supposed to be in the pipes at all. So, where does it come from? Read the rest of the article.

Have You Experienced a Basement Backup?
If you experienced a basement backup as a result of the exceptionally heavy rain in the area, we want to hear about it. Your input is valuable in determining where backups occurred and how to possibly prevent future problems of this nature. Call 286-CITY (2489) to report your problem 24/7.

Milwaukee is First to Offer Innovative Solar Power Revolving Loans
The Common Council’s Community and Economic Development committee unanimously approved an ordinance that allows the City of Milwaukee to create the state’s first property assessed solar power revolving loan program to make solar power a more attractive option for homeowners. The ordinance was approved by the Common Council on March 2.

Alderman Witkowski, a co-sponsor of the ordinance, says promoting solar power is beneficial for environmental reasons as well as job creation. “Homeowners are looking for green solutions, and the City of Milwaukee can only stand to benefit by exploring alternatives like the solar power loan program.”

“This loan program will reduce the up-front costs impediment, and for as little as a few hundred dollars, a homeowner could create energy efficiency in their home and begin saving money immediately,” Alderman Witkowski said.

Homeowners who take advantage of the loan program would have 15 years to repay the installation costs; money they can easily earn in energy savings, Alderman Witkowski said. Residents who would like to learn more about the property assessed solar loan program can click the following links to read its key points, read the manual, or read the text of the ordinance. For more information about how the City of Milwaukee supports solar energy, click on www.MilwaukeeShines.com.

Urban Coyotes
Learn more about coexisting safely and humanely with these fascinating, adaptable creatures at www.wihumane.org/wildlife/coyotes.aspx. 

Southeast Side Area Plan
The Southeast Side Area Plan was adopted by the Common Council on October 29, 2008. Read the plan.
More info. can also be found on DCD's website at www.mkedcd.org/planning/plans/Southeast/index.html.

The Gateway to Milwaukee
The Gateway to Milwaukee is a community of businesses, commercial property owners and resources supporting the area around the airport and those who live, work, relax and play there. “Aerotropolis Milwaukee” is the brand name for the efforts of Gateway to Milwaukee. Gateway was created as a result of the Airport Area Economic Task Force, which Alderman Witkowski created. The Task Force was composed of representatives from seven suburbs, the state, the county, nonprofits and private business. Aerotropolis Milwaukee is becoming a vibrant and diverse transportation and commercial hub connecting the Milwaukee region with the rest of the world as a globally recognized economic engine. Alderman Witkowski currently serves on the Gateway Board and continues to be involved in its evolution. Click here for more details. Learn more about Milwaukee's Aerotropolis and Gateway To Milwaukee here.

Visit Milwaukee
VISIT Milwaukee is an award-winning convention & visitors bureau and an accredited Destination Marketing Organization as designated by the Destination Marketing Association International. Their mission is to market Milwaukee as a premier destination for conventions, trade shows, and leisure travel. By developing internal organizational excellence and external strategic partners, they strive to create a positive economic impact in the Greater Milwaukee area, and to help each Milwaukee guest experience our warm brand of hospitality. Click here to learn more.

Milwaukee 7
Milwaukee 7 was formed to create a regional, cooperative economic development platform for the seven counties of southeastern Wisconsin: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Waukesha and Washington. Its mission is to attract, retain and grow diverse businesses and talent. Click here for more details.