Jun 2008
Village Fuel Conservation Initiative
June 25, 2008 | 04:06 PM Posted by the Village
Manager
In light of rising fuel costs, the Village of
Greendale has revaluated the way it carries out its
daily functions and is taking proactive measures to
reduce fuel consumption in Village departments.
Members of a process improvement team met today to evaluate simple adjustments to operations in response to escalating gas prices. Fuel costs for the City were $134,437 in 2007 and are expected to leap to $240,000 in 2008. The process improvement team’s recommendations will be implemented over the next 30 days.
“With fuel costs escalating at an alarming rate over the last 12 months; the Village’s most responsible step is to look for ways to cut back,” said Todd Michaels, Village Manager. Village President, John Hermes stated that, “he was pleased to see the process improvement initiative he encouraged used for this purpose”. This is a great example of how employee teams can bring best process and solutions to the forefront.
Residents will begin seeing more Village staff performing their duties with their vehicle’s engines turned off whenever possible. They will also notice larger Department of Public Works crews, working from a single vehicle, in an effort to save fuel.
All Village departments will be encouraged to conserve fuel through an aggressive awareness campaign.
We all are faced with the reality of making major adjustments in our personal and professional lives to accommodate for the rising costs of fuel, food and other basic necessities we are experiencing; the Village is not different.
Persons wanting additional information may contact: Todd K. Michaels, Village Manager at (414) 423-2100.
Members of a process improvement team met today to evaluate simple adjustments to operations in response to escalating gas prices. Fuel costs for the City were $134,437 in 2007 and are expected to leap to $240,000 in 2008. The process improvement team’s recommendations will be implemented over the next 30 days.
“With fuel costs escalating at an alarming rate over the last 12 months; the Village’s most responsible step is to look for ways to cut back,” said Todd Michaels, Village Manager. Village President, John Hermes stated that, “he was pleased to see the process improvement initiative he encouraged used for this purpose”. This is a great example of how employee teams can bring best process and solutions to the forefront.
Residents will begin seeing more Village staff performing their duties with their vehicle’s engines turned off whenever possible. They will also notice larger Department of Public Works crews, working from a single vehicle, in an effort to save fuel.
All Village departments will be encouraged to conserve fuel through an aggressive awareness campaign.
We all are faced with the reality of making major adjustments in our personal and professional lives to accommodate for the rising costs of fuel, food and other basic necessities we are experiencing; the Village is not different.
Persons wanting additional information may contact: Todd K. Michaels, Village Manager at (414) 423-2100.
Preliminary Fire Department Consolidation Discussions
June 20, 2008 | 04:08 PM Posted by the Greendale
Fire Department
Village of Greendale and City of Greenfield
- Joint Press Release -
The City of Greenfield and the Village of Greendale have begun preliminary discussions on consolidating or merging their respective fire departments. These discussions have focused on the interest of moving forward with discussions. No formal discussions between elected officials have taken place.
Village President Hermes said, “These preliminary discussions were initiated by the staff of both departments. It’s just too early to realize whether there is substantial merit for such a consolidation. I have clearly stated to all parties that should there be a concerted move towards fire consolidation, this effort must meet two very important tests. One, that it factually demonstrates an improved fire service to Greendale residents, and two, that it demonstrates a very real reduction in overall fire service costs to our taxpayers. Lacking these two basic principles, it would make no sense for Greendale to enter into such an agreement.”
Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke said “the fire departments are currently working together on many emergency scenes so formally bringing the organizations together would unify training and standardize operations, thus increasing service levels and most importantly safety for citizens and firefighters.”
Greendale Fire Chief Jonathan Cohn stated “many consolidation models have controlled costs, reduced duplication, created efficiencies, improved safety, and increased service levels.”
Greendale Village Manager Todd Michaels stated “these are the initial steps in a multi-step process. An evaluation of current costs and services compared to anticipated consolidated costs and levels of services will be done.” If the results of the initial evaluation are positive, then a decision to take subsequent steps will be evaluated.”
Greenfield Fire Chief Russ Spahn believes the organizations must prepare for the future. Chief Spahn’s 30-year fire service career has seen dramatic changes and further changes can be expected at an even greater accelerated pace. Spahn believes we must prepare our organizations for the future. He said “change is a daunting task but the outcome of not trying is far worse.”
While Greenfield has two fire stations and Greendale has one, a consolidated department would operate out of the three existing locations. However, under a consolidated department and for the purpose of fire and medical emergency responses, the community boundaries would be eliminated and residents would get the closest, most appropriate unit responding to their emergency.
The next step in the process will be conducting a side-by-side, “apples-to-apples” comparison of costs and services of the individual departments as compared to a consolidated department. This analysis is expected to be completed later this year at which time it will be presented to local elected officials and residents.
- Joint Press Release -
The City of Greenfield and the Village of Greendale have begun preliminary discussions on consolidating or merging their respective fire departments. These discussions have focused on the interest of moving forward with discussions. No formal discussions between elected officials have taken place.
Village President Hermes said, “These preliminary discussions were initiated by the staff of both departments. It’s just too early to realize whether there is substantial merit for such a consolidation. I have clearly stated to all parties that should there be a concerted move towards fire consolidation, this effort must meet two very important tests. One, that it factually demonstrates an improved fire service to Greendale residents, and two, that it demonstrates a very real reduction in overall fire service costs to our taxpayers. Lacking these two basic principles, it would make no sense for Greendale to enter into such an agreement.”
Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke said “the fire departments are currently working together on many emergency scenes so formally bringing the organizations together would unify training and standardize operations, thus increasing service levels and most importantly safety for citizens and firefighters.”
Greendale Fire Chief Jonathan Cohn stated “many consolidation models have controlled costs, reduced duplication, created efficiencies, improved safety, and increased service levels.”
Greendale Village Manager Todd Michaels stated “these are the initial steps in a multi-step process. An evaluation of current costs and services compared to anticipated consolidated costs and levels of services will be done.” If the results of the initial evaluation are positive, then a decision to take subsequent steps will be evaluated.”
Greenfield Fire Chief Russ Spahn believes the organizations must prepare for the future. Chief Spahn’s 30-year fire service career has seen dramatic changes and further changes can be expected at an even greater accelerated pace. Spahn believes we must prepare our organizations for the future. He said “change is a daunting task but the outcome of not trying is far worse.”
While Greenfield has two fire stations and Greendale has one, a consolidated department would operate out of the three existing locations. However, under a consolidated department and for the purpose of fire and medical emergency responses, the community boundaries would be eliminated and residents would get the closest, most appropriate unit responding to their emergency.
The next step in the process will be conducting a side-by-side, “apples-to-apples” comparison of costs and services of the individual departments as compared to a consolidated department. This analysis is expected to be completed later this year at which time it will be presented to local elected officials and residents.
June 7, 2008: Flooding
June 07, 2008 | 10:47 AM Posted by the Village
Manager
On Saturday, June 7th severe thunderstorms passed
through Milwaukee County and Southeastern Wisconsin.
Heavyrainfalls in Greendale resulted in upwards of
5-inches of rain falling very quickly, with periods
of torrential rain approaching 2” of rain per hour.
The torrential rains in Greendale, and throughout
Milwaukee County, resulted in numerous flooded
streets and basements.
In response to this storm the Village’s Police, Fire, Public Works and Utility Departments were assigned throughout the Village in an effort to mitigate damage to persons and property. Village staff continues to monitor the performance of our storm water and sanitary sewage drainage systems to ensure that they continue to operate at full capacity.
The Village is working with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Emergency Management Division to perform a damage assessment. Information for homeowners about the damage assessment is forthcoming.
If you have experienced any water accumulation in your home, it is important to use proper cleaning methods to ensure that your home and personal belongings are as clean and safe as possible. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website has a great deal of information on flooding and flood cleanup. FEMA’s web site is www.fema.gov. Links to information on flooding and flood cleanup can also be found on the Village’s website www.greendale.org.
To report an incident of property damage call Village Hall at (414) 423-2100 or the Greendale Police Department’s non- emergency number (414) 423-2121. In the case of an emergency always dial 911.
In response to this storm the Village’s Police, Fire, Public Works and Utility Departments were assigned throughout the Village in an effort to mitigate damage to persons and property. Village staff continues to monitor the performance of our storm water and sanitary sewage drainage systems to ensure that they continue to operate at full capacity.
The Village is working with the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Emergency Management Division to perform a damage assessment. Information for homeowners about the damage assessment is forthcoming.
If you have experienced any water accumulation in your home, it is important to use proper cleaning methods to ensure that your home and personal belongings are as clean and safe as possible. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website has a great deal of information on flooding and flood cleanup. FEMA’s web site is www.fema.gov. Links to information on flooding and flood cleanup can also be found on the Village’s website www.greendale.org.
To report an incident of property damage call Village Hall at (414) 423-2100 or the Greendale Police Department’s non- emergency number (414) 423-2121. In the case of an emergency always dial 911.
Village Code of Ordinances Available On-line
June 03, 2008 | 10:54 AM Posted by the Village
Manager
Residents Can
Search Ordinances at the Comfort of Computer
The Village of Greendale has completed the re-codification of its Code of Ordinances through the General Code Corporation (General Code) and it is now available on-line.
The Village Code of Ordinances can now be viewed through General Code’s “E-Code On-line Library,” which allows users to search documents by specific words or subjects. The “E-Code On-line Library” includes a table of contents, allows document viewing and has search functions.
General Code’s “On-line Library,” with Greendale’s Code of Ordinances, can be accessed through the Village website at www.greendale.org/treasurer.htm.
“The re-codification and the availability of the Code on-line, enables Greendale residents to view their local legislation in the comfort of their homes and print information at their convenience,” Village Clerk- Treasurer Kathy Kasza said.
The re-codification process began in the Fall of 2006 at a cost of approximately $20,000. There will be periodic supplements to the Code with another recommended re-codification performed in the next 10-15 years.
The Village of Greendale has completed the re-codification of its Code of Ordinances through the General Code Corporation (General Code) and it is now available on-line.
The Village Code of Ordinances can now be viewed through General Code’s “E-Code On-line Library,” which allows users to search documents by specific words or subjects. The “E-Code On-line Library” includes a table of contents, allows document viewing and has search functions.
General Code’s “On-line Library,” with Greendale’s Code of Ordinances, can be accessed through the Village website at www.greendale.org/treasurer.htm.
“The re-codification and the availability of the Code on-line, enables Greendale residents to view their local legislation in the comfort of their homes and print information at their convenience,” Village Clerk- Treasurer Kathy Kasza said.
The re-codification process began in the Fall of 2006 at a cost of approximately $20,000. There will be periodic supplements to the Code with another recommended re-codification performed in the next 10-15 years.
Click Here for the Greendale Village
Code of Ordinances
2008 Property Assessments
June 03, 2008 | 10:51 AM Posted by the Village
Manager
Many
assessments may not change from 2007 to 2008
The Village Assessor continues to work on the revaluation of property in 2008, and an on-going assessment
maintenance program to try and maintain assessments at their Equalized Value or “Fair Market Value”. Over the past year, the Village Assessor has been performing inspections and reviewing assessed values.
Please note that many assessments may not change from 2007 to 2008, and only property owners whose property changes in assessed value will receive a “Change of Assessment” notice by mail.
The 2008 Board of Tax Review met for the first time on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 6:45 PM in the Village Hall Board Room and adjourned because of the unavailability of the completed assessment roll.
Property owners concerned about their assessment can schedule appointments with the Assessor during the Open Book Session. The Village Assessor will be available by scheduled appointment for open book review sessions on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Thursday, June 5, 2008 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Tuesday, June 10, 2008 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Safety Center (Police Department) at 5611 West Grange Avenue, Greendale, WI 53129. Property owners that wait until the end of the Open Book Session to schedule a meeting with the assessor may not get an opportunity to speak with the Assessor.
Property owners can appeal their assessment to the Board of Review at any time before the Board of Review closes for the year. Property owners who disagree with their current assessments and wish to appeal their assessment should file an objection form immediately. Objection forms are available from the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office. These fowith the Clerk-Treasurer BEFORE your objection can be heard by the Board of Review.
The Village Assessor continues to work on the revaluation of property in 2008, and an on-going assessment
maintenance program to try and maintain assessments at their Equalized Value or “Fair Market Value”. Over the past year, the Village Assessor has been performing inspections and reviewing assessed values.
Please note that many assessments may not change from 2007 to 2008, and only property owners whose property changes in assessed value will receive a “Change of Assessment” notice by mail.
The 2008 Board of Tax Review met for the first time on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 6:45 PM in the Village Hall Board Room and adjourned because of the unavailability of the completed assessment roll.
Property owners concerned about their assessment can schedule appointments with the Assessor during the Open Book Session. The Village Assessor will be available by scheduled appointment for open book review sessions on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Thursday, June 5, 2008 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Tuesday, June 10, 2008 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Safety Center (Police Department) at 5611 West Grange Avenue, Greendale, WI 53129. Property owners that wait until the end of the Open Book Session to schedule a meeting with the assessor may not get an opportunity to speak with the Assessor.
Property owners can appeal their assessment to the Board of Review at any time before the Board of Review closes for the year. Property owners who disagree with their current assessments and wish to appeal their assessment should file an objection form immediately. Objection forms are available from the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office. These fowith the Clerk-Treasurer BEFORE your objection can be heard by the Board of Review.
