As your Alderperson, I respect that this is a non-partisan position and take everyone's concerns and opinions into consideration. You need someone that will continue to make common sense decisions on issues that matter to Wauwatosa. I'm the candidate with experience as a consensus builder, proven by my effective service on the Wauwatosa Common Council. I have advocated for innovative ideas when it comes to solving the various issues that our city government faced through these past years of unprecedented social and economic times. It would be an honor to continue to represent you and the 8th District of Wauwatosa.
|
MY WORK AS YOUR ALDERPERSON
Council Committees and Leadership:
|
Council Liaison to Special Committees served on:
|
Initiated and advocated for infrastructure improvements that have enhanced our parks and open spaces, bolstered bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, established safe routes to school, and other enhancements that contribute to the appeal of living in our community.
Hartung Park
As an engaged neighbor on the Hartung Park Community Association board, I was actively involved with the visioning, planning and construction for the renovation of this old Hartung Quarry into a park. I also created a donor recognition and fundraising campaign, and assisted with grant applications to help fund the creation of the park with its many unique features and playground. In the role as Alderperson, I was able to ensure maintenance and emergency services agreements between Wauwatosa and the City of Milwaukee. This park continues to connect neighbors to nature and each other.
Menomonee River Parkway Renewal Project
I worked diligently for 10 years to build support and funding partnerships to bring this project to fruition. Redesign includes green infrastructure, traffic calming speed table crosswalks, and a multi-use paved trail to relocate recreational users safely off the roadway. This extension of Oak Leaf Trail connects the 8th District to the rest of the City’s amenities like the Tosa Pool, The Landing Beer Garden, the Village, and Hart Park.
Capitol Drive Bike/Pedestrian Underpass at Grantosa Dr.
During the planning of the Capitol Drive road and bridge reconstruction, I collaborated with WiDOT, the Cities of Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, and Milwaukee County Parks to incorporate a separated crossing and enhance the aesthetic aspect of the bridge reconstruction. This initiative has established a safe connection for residents north of Capitol Dr. to access the Oak Leaf Trail, Hartung Park, and other parts of the city. It has also provided a safe route to school for children riding bikes north to Madison Elementary School or visiting friends' houses.
Webster Park Playground Renovation
Supported and involved with the renovation of the playground and worked with City staff to incorporated lighting of the parking lot which was a request of the neighborhood.
Hart Park Improvements
Contributed to the planning and supported the various improvements over the years including addition of skate park, playground renovations, restroom building, shade tree planting, entrance signage, and renovation of the Muellner Building.
Rotary Stage Improvements
Advocated for development and programming agreements to keep a successful concert series. Also planting of the Council Grove for shade.
Mayfair Collection Infrastructure for Economic Development
Promoted planned development through adaptive reuse of warehouse buildings and collaborated with the developer to create mix use infill redevelopment with CNU elements including a plaza green space with community stage.
The Landing Beer Garden at Tosa Pool
Opposed fellow city leaders resistant to a beer garden in Wauwatosa then successfully garnered consensus for approval, enabling the Tosa Pool to open the Landing Beer Garden. The generated profits now contribute to ongoing maintenance, ensuring the sustainability of the newly renovated pool for future generations.
Oak Leaf Trail Separated Bike/Ped Crossing at Mayfair Rd. (HWY 100)
This intersection is very congested and the at grade Oak Leaf Trail crossing can be very challenging and dangerous. It was identified during the Parkway Renewal Project that the bridge was coming up for replacements so I advocated that the bridge be raised high enough to construct a separated path under the bridge to create a safer alternative connection. This project has been recently approved, funded and will be constructed within the next couple of years.
Locust Street Pick-up and Drop-off Lot
This was an innovative solution to the traffic congestion on Center Street during pick-up and drop-off times. Noticing a parcel for sale that connected the schools to Locust Street to the North, I advocated for the city purchase of the parcel and for the development of the pick-up and drop-off lot with connection to Whitman Middle School and the pedestrian overpass bridge to West High School and Eisenhower Elementary School, This now provides an alternative to Center Street for parents coming from the northwest neighborhoods.
Bublr Bikes
Advocated for extension of the Bublr Bike share stations from Milwaukee into Wauwatosa, including requirement that they provide adaptive bikes at Hart Park for an accessible option to promote inclusivity.
Ruby Ave. Storm Sewer Project
Advocated for sewer project to incorporate larger storage pipes and more inlets to accommodate the stormwater of today’s storms and finally stop the neighborhood flooding and protect the residents’ homes.
Mayfair Rd. (HWY 100) Community Sensitive Design Elements
Advocated for the addition of signage, crosswalks and tree plantings to enhance safety and aesthetics during the Mayfair Road resurfacing project from Burleigh to Hampton.
Advocated ARPA Funds Allocation to City-wide Legacy Projects:
Two worthy projects were; the renovation of the Muellner Building at Hart Park which houses the curling club and senior center, and the previously identified need for creation of a new city park on 116th St. on old city dump property. With the historic funding opportunity from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, I proposed 4 million of the city's allocation to these two projects. The Common Council concurred that this portion of the historic funding should be dedicated to legacy park projects, echoing the spirit of the New Deal funding in the 1930s that led to the creation of the parks and parkways that define Wauwatosa's unique character.
Village Streetscape Project
A Comprehensive streetscape renovation, transforming a project initially focused on utility and crosswalk improvements. Advocated persistently until the Common Council recognized the value of a full renovation. Served on the project Steering Committee for the renovation redesign. The outcome has elevated it to the premier destination in the region, acknowledged with a Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) award for outstanding placemaking.
Championed and actively engaged in comprehensive plan updates to shape future policies, programs, and infrastructure enhancements.
Active Tosa Plan
Updated Park and Open Space Plans are required for a city to receive grant funding. With ours last updated in the mid-1990s, I advocated for the creation of an updated plan partnering with the School District to identify opportunities to partner recreational facilities and parks and open spaces city-wide. Programming and infrastructure improvement projects identified were able to be leveraged with grant funding.
Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Plan
After advocating for the first bike lanes in Wauwatosa, it was clear we needed a Bike & Ped Plan to identify and prioritized bicycle and pedestrian safety infrastructure. This plan resulted in the creation of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee and a local version of a complete streets policy called "Tosa Streets Ordinance"
School Safety Study
Advocated for school area study for safer crosswalks and pick-up and drop-off accommodations, which lead to improvements around Madison Elementary School and Whitman Middle School / West High School with many improvements made during the reconstruction of Center Street reconstruction project.
Other plans participated in:
- East Tosa North Ave Plan
- Village of Wauwatosa Plan
- Mayfair Corridor Plan
- City of Wauwatosa Strategic Plan
- Wauwatosa Comprehensive Plan
Fostering Environmental Awareness, Achieving Habitat Protection, and Historic Preservation
Saving the County Grounds
Sanctuary Woods
Proposed key edits to the Life Sciences District Plan that would require and ensure the preservation of the Sanctuary Woods and County Grounds Park in perpetuity. Worked with MKE County staff to draft and record a preservation document with conservation restriction on the land to ensure preservation in perpetuity.
Advocated for Butterfly Habitat on the Eschweiler property to safe the Monarch Trail
Advocated for the designation of the Monarch Habitat and Trail remain undisturbed during the redevelopment of the Eschweiler Buildings site.
Historic Eschweiler Buildings Preserved
Advocated for the preservation and renovation of the main building and the adaptive reuse of the two smaller building of which key architecture and foundations were creatively turned in to site features by the developers.
US Green Building Council SITES-certified Development at Innovation Campus
Advocated for the requirement of SITES-certification on the most recent construction at Innovation Campus to ensure environmentally aware design for the portion of the county grounds that was previously designated for redevelopment. SITES-certified projects rating system provides a comprehensive framework for designing, developing and managing sustainable and resilient landscapes and other outdoor spaces that help reduce water demand, filter and reduce stormwater runoff, enhance biodiversity, provide pollinator and wildlife habitat, reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, improve human health, increase outdoor recreation opportunities and much more.
Sanctuary Woods
Proposed key edits to the Life Sciences District Plan that would require and ensure the preservation of the Sanctuary Woods and County Grounds Park in perpetuity. Worked with MKE County staff to draft and record a preservation document with conservation restriction on the land to ensure preservation in perpetuity.
Advocated for Butterfly Habitat on the Eschweiler property to safe the Monarch Trail
Advocated for the designation of the Monarch Habitat and Trail remain undisturbed during the redevelopment of the Eschweiler Buildings site.
Historic Eschweiler Buildings Preserved
Advocated for the preservation and renovation of the main building and the adaptive reuse of the two smaller building of which key architecture and foundations were creatively turned in to site features by the developers.
US Green Building Council SITES-certified Development at Innovation Campus
Advocated for the requirement of SITES-certification on the most recent construction at Innovation Campus to ensure environmentally aware design for the portion of the county grounds that was previously designated for redevelopment. SITES-certified projects rating system provides a comprehensive framework for designing, developing and managing sustainable and resilient landscapes and other outdoor spaces that help reduce water demand, filter and reduce stormwater runoff, enhance biodiversity, provide pollinator and wildlife habitat, reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, improve human health, increase outdoor recreation opportunities and much more.
Promoted the establishment of new citizen commissions and oversight to provide an official platform for community-relevant issues.
Equity and Inclusion Commission
Advocated for the establishment of the Equity & Inclusion Commission as a long overdue official citizen committee in Wauwatosa. Frustrated by City leadership's two-year delay in including the issue on official Council meeting agendas, I took the initiative to organize the first meeting between City officials and Tosa Together representatives by personally reserving the meeting room at City Hall. Dialog from this meeting finally brought the item to Council committee agendas and the Equity and Inclusion Commission was formed the following year. Followed by the Citywide Equity and Inclusion Statement. which I fully support.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Committee
Initiated the establishment to promote the implementation of the new Tosa Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. I also served on the committee as the first Aldermanic liaison.
Ad Hoc Community Land Trust Formation Committee
Supported the creation of to explore establishing in cooperation with Milwaukee County, for more regional approach.
Board of Public Works Aldermanic Liaison
Initiated the adding of a member of the Common Council so there would be aldermanic oversite to make sure items did slip by the council’s attention.
Supporting Our Police and Fire Departments: Advocating for Technology, Equipment, and Staffing to Ensure Community Safety.
Maintain EMS and Police Services in the 8th District
Advocate for equitable staffing and equipment distribution to prevent disproportionate response times and patrol coverage in our area at the north end of the city compared to the rest of the city.
Advocated for the Purchase and Implementation of Police Body Cameras
Fostering transparency is crucial in rebuilding trust among all.
Support the Acquisition of Technology, Equipment, and Vehicles
These resources are essential to provide our first responders with the tools necessary to safeguard citizens (and themselves) during routine accidents, medical emergencies, or in the unfortunate event of active shooter incidents and other violent situations prevalent in today's society.
Initiated or Advocated for Various Ordinances, Resolutions, Proclamations , and Policies
Chicken Keeping Ordinance and Bee Keeping Ordinance
Addressing popular trend request from the community, I helped draft and pass these ordinances to encourage and recognize the importance of pollinators and urban agriculture.
Complete Streets Ordinance "Tosa Streets"
Ensures all development projects and city street improvement projects take into consideration the addition of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and connections.
Neighborhood Preservation via Building Height Restrictions in Adjacent C-2 Zoning Areas
Keeping resident taxes lower by promoting economic development is important, but not to the detriment of adjacent neighborhoods, I supported the passing of an ordinance change to help resolve this issue that we heard most from residents.
Small Cell Street Fund
Created policy that funding collected from small cell towers installations on city street light poles that can be used for future investments in complete streets elements.
Proclamations
Drafted proclamations for milestone anniversary dates for Wauwatosa: 65th Anniversary of West Side Annex, 175th Anniversary of the First Town Meeting of Wauwatosa, 120th Anniversary of the Creation of the City of Wauwatosa.