Transparency
Open Data Initiatives
Implement open data policies, making relevant information accessible to the public in a format that is easy to understand and organized in a reader-friendly format. Current examples are the ClearGov financial reporting instituted by village staff that tracks expenditures and is very accessible to assess budget performance
Public Participation
Encourage citizen involvement through public hearings, community forums, and citizen advisory committees to gather input on decisions. Regular town halls involving village staff as well as board committee chairs to seek input and obtain feedback on policies and services.
Accessible Information
Ensure that important documents, budgets, and meeting minutes are readily available on the municipality’s website for easy public access. Encourage resident inquiries.
Clear Communication
Communicate decisions, policies, and activities clearly to the public through various channels, such as newsletters, social media, and press releases.
Commerce District
To establish a strong and vibrant commerce district, focusing on Silver Spring and Santa Monica commercial corridors
Infrastructure
Ensure good transportation, parking facilities, and well-maintained public spaces.
Business Support
Provide resources including financial incentives to attract and support local businesses working closely with the BID and Civic Foundation as well as directly with building owners.
Diverse Retail
Encourage a mix of retail, dining, and entertainment options to attract a diverse audience.
Community Engagement
Foster a sense of community through events, festivals, and collaboration with local organizations promoting the activities already being developed and implemented by community organizations.
Safety Measures
Invest in security measures to create a safe environment for both businesses and customers assuring that bicycling and pedestrian movement is encouraged with infrastructure, signage, and corridor design are supportive of diverse transportation methodologies
Zoning and Planning
Establish clear zoning regulations and a strategic urban plan to optimize space usage and architectural aesthetics.
Sustainability
Promote environmentally friendly practices to appeal to modern consumers and contribute to a greener community.
Marketing and Branding
Develop a cohesive brand identity for the commerce district to attract visitors and businesses.
Accessibility
Ensure the district is easily accessible for all, including pedestrians, cyclists, and those with disabilities.
Fiscal Responsibility
Budget Transparency
Enhance transparency in budget allocation and spending to build trust with the public. The village has made significant steps toward this goal and continued efforts in this area will, hopefully, get more citizen engagement and input on priorities.
Long-Term Planning
Develop a comprehensive, long-term financial plan that aligns with the municipality’s goals and addresses future needs.
Revenue Diversification
Explore multiple revenue streams, reducing dependency on a single source to ensure financial stability. Evaluation of fees currently being charged in relation to other municipalities in the area.
Cost Controls
Implement effective cost management strategies, regularly reviewing expenses to identify and eliminate inefficiencies.
Reserve Funds
Establish and maintain reserve funds to cushion against unforeseen financial challenges and emergencies.
Debt and Debt Service
Assure that borrowing is addressing the important resident concerns and determining that capital purchases are being efficiently utilized.
Environment
Whitefish Bay is blessed to be on the shores of one of the largest bodies of freshwater in the United States–Lake Michigan. As residents, we have access to quality water and to the lake for recreational and general leisure purposes. As stewards of our environment and to preserve this precious resource for future generations to enjoy, it is incumbent on Whitefish Bay residents to develop strategies and policies to address environmental issues. This planning should include land use management, stormwater management, waste reduction and disposal, and other conservation and sustainability initiatives tailored to our community.
Municipal environmental planning includes activities such as
- Developing partnerships with organizations like MMSD, WFB Garden Club, Civic Foundation BID, and other community organizations to obtain grant funding to decrease the costs to taxpayers of current and future improvements. Possible projects could be increased stormwater management, continuation of improvements to the bluff at Klode Park, increasing solar energy generation on the municipal and commercial buildings where possible
- Reviewing environmental impacts and potential for solid waste reduction and associated costs of refuse collection and landfill fees
- Another opportunity currently underway is improved safety for pedestrians and bicycling in the village. Although these improvements could require modifications in automobile driving infrastructure, the significant positive impact on safety and quality of life would be accomplished without major expense
My goal is to engage citizens through input in town halls and the implementation of educational materials to get buy-in and measure improvement through agreed-upon goals. Facilitating changes in vehicular and pedestrian/bicycling mobility could have a major positive impact on safety and quality of life for Whitefish Bay residents.
