The Brookfield Scene

When driving down the city streets, start looking for sidewalks and pathways alongside the roads. If you travel Bluemound Road, you’ll notice them.

To me, there are not enough pedestrians to warrant sidewalks. I question the allocation of resources. But, I learned many things when researching this topic with a city engineer.

Residents in Brookfield value these concrete and asphalted paths. A recent city survey indicates pedestrian paths are one of the most requested services citizens want. Sidewalks are appropriate and designed to keep pedestrians (cyclists and mom’s with strollers) safe.

Sidewalks or pathways (within the public way and off road) are paved in concrete or asphalt. Concrete sidewalks are near urban arterial roads. Asphalt pathways are near rural arterials. Off road paths (forming the greenway corridors) are usually asphalt.

Sidewalks are required when roads are built with state and/or federal funds. The common council approves sidewalks within the public way along roads built without state and/or federal funds. Off road paths are approved by Park and Recreation.

The city currently keeps the sidewalks free of ice and snow. There is an ordinance, though, that adjacent property owners are responsible for keeping the sidewalks clear.

Now we all know about sidewalks. They are highly desired by city residents. When state and federal funding is involved, they are mandatory. Adjacent property owners may need to clear ice and snow from the sidewalks if and when the city enforces its existing ordinance.

I failed to ask whether sidewalks are required on both sides of a road. Perhaps you’d like to call the City Engineering Department. Please let us know.


More on Frame of Reference

My Frame of Reference article last week caught someone’s attention. My intent was to subtly encourage city officials to consider how their decisions do (or will) impact area residents.

Now, on to one reader’s comments:

“My frame of reference is a little wider than yours. However, I also travel Calhoun Road frequently. I find I’m either being pushed to go way over the speed limit by the car behind me or I just move along at a speed that seems right for the wide freeway-type pavement.

I question how much safer Calhoun road will be when the next section is widened with faster traffic closer to those homes. The city seems determined to bring more and more traffic to our community.

The few walkers I see certainly don’t warrant the need for sidewalks on both sides of the street. Those “City in the Countryside” banners in front of city hall must be ‘tongue in cheek.’”

It’s nearly fall. The signs are there: less daylight, falling nighttime temperatures, Labor Day weekend plans, back to school sales, and aisles and aisles of school supplies.

School buses will be on the streets and highways. Parents will begin driving their children to and from school. The sounds of children on the playground will enliven the neighborhood. The sound of the school bell will signal dread (or relief) for nearby residents.

Near schools the queue of cars waiting to enter the school parking lot will extend into the street. “No Parking” signs will be ignored, as will the speed limits. The sheer amount of traffic and the speeding vehicles will become a source of irritation. Not to mention the sidewalk that has minimal foot traffic.

Once upon a time children road buses, took bikes or walked to school. Nevertheless, it’s now 2006.

We have all heard of the term “frame of reference.” It means that we are influenced by our environment and experiences.

I have lived in the Elmbrook Area for a long time.

Now that I live in Brookfield, my geographic frame of reference has changed. My current frame of reference is mostly limited to the area between Calhoun and Barker Roads and between North Avenue and Bluemound Roads. Most purchases and services fall within those boundaries. Brookfield Square’s Boston Store is one notable exception.

When I lived in Elm Grove, my geographic frame of reference was different. During those years I rarely ventured beyond 124th Street and Moorland Road or beyond North Avenue and Watertown Plank Road. Most purchases and services fell within those boundaries. Brookfield Square’s Boston Store was one notable exception.

Think about your own geographic frame of reference.

I routinely travel on Calhoun Road. Traffic patterns were severely disrupted during the re-construction period last year. The widening of Calhoun Road between Gebhardt and Bluemound Roads did mitigate a visually impeded intersection at Oak Park Row. A much needed stop light was added at the intersection of Calhoun and Wisconsin Avenue.

Many homes along Calhoun now have very shallow setbacks. Some homes that had been at street level are now on a man-made hill with a steep drop-off. (Those areas have hand-painted, man-made-stone retaining walls.)

I was thankful when the road reopened. But since then, I’ve noticed three things: (a) Drivers seem to be going faster; (b) For sale signs seem to be more prevalent; and (c) The new sidewalks are rarely (if ever) used.

While there’s not much that can be done about the homes for sale or the new sidewalks, it seems stricter enforcement of speed limits could be a revenue-generator for the city. It also seems that powers that be could reconsider future street widenings.

One more thing. Everyone who serves in government should be mindful of their frame of reference and consider all constituents.

Shortly after posting my blog suggesting that the City of Brookfield acquire the Town of Brookfield to achieve ‘economies of scale,’ I heard from Rick Czopp. Rick is the administrator of the Town of Brookfield.

My last blog, “City vs. Town”, was spurred on by a Journal Sentinel article about the city’s annexation of a development near Capitol Drive and how the town was trying to recoup its investment in the sewage infrastructure for the area.

Here are some clarifications:

The city hired a consultant to study merging the two Brookfields. The consultants concluded that it was not prudent to do so. Czopp added that it is not legal for the city to annex the town.

As a town resident, I know there are benefits to not being a city resident. The town’s property taxes, sewer and water charges are all lower than the city’s. The town's 2005 sewer rates dropped 30%.

Unlike the city, the town does not have to worry about its source of water. It has six wells.

The town’s fire department and paramedics are equal to those of the city.

The town has a $1 billion tax base; and it is one of the highest valued towns in the state.

Town government is promoting businesses that add value to the town, without the use of TIF (tax incremental financing districts). The new Monsoon Restaurant is an example, as is the Marcus Theaters mega-complex being built on Springdale Road. Additionally, Menards’ pending move to a new facility (beyond Barker Road on Bluemound) will provide an opportunity for redevelopment along Bluemound.

The town has not raised property taxes for two years.

The town of Brookfield is a small community with small government.

Apparently the city and town of Brookfield are feuding. Again. This time the feud centers on the annexation of a development near Capitol Drive.

Here's the issue. The town wisely considered and invested in additional sewage capacity for the potential development. In the meantime, these town property owners decided they’d rather be served by the City. Now there’s a battle over the town’s assessments for the infrastructure it provided.

I was oblivious to these feuds when I lived in Elm Grove.

Here’s an out-of-the box suggestion to resolve territorial squabbles: The city of Brookfield should annex the entire town of Brookfield.

Just consider the benefits:

The city would be well on its way toward a population of 50,000 by 2020.

As with corporate mergers and acquisitions, there would be some economies of scale. There would certainly be a reduction in legal fees, because the city and town would no longer be suing each other. There may be some downsizing. (A suggestion -- be sure to announce this to employees before the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.)

Short term, consulting fees may rise as the city determines how to assimilate town processes. Fees would mount as consultants review the future use of town assets (buildings, land and equipment).

The million-dollar plans to remodel city hall may have to be shelved while space requirements are calculated. Plans to build two new fire stations on Calhoun Road (to best serve city needs) would be reconsidered.

The city would expand its tax base. This may alleviate the frequency of property assessments.

Central Dispatch would no longer be confused about sending city or town personnel.

Town residents would no longer have to pay user fees to the city.

I’m sure readers hold other viewpoints. Please email me at www.JW-BLOG.com

Summerfest has ended and we noticed the police reports of inappropriate behavior at Elmbrook Church. On the northern side of Brookfield, we found just the opposite at the Wilson Center.

Last Thursday and Friday, 180 kids and young adults from 24 states (including Australia) who took part in the Milwaukee Ballet School’s summer intensive program gave their final performance in ‘EMERGENCE 2006.’ They ranged in age from 9-23 years.

Friday evening about 500 people attended the performance which consisted of ten minute sets. The applause was thunderous after each set. As might be expected, many people were somehow related to the performers. But while waiting in the darkness for the next ‘set’ to begin, one could have heard a pin drop.

To me, the word ‘ballet’ connotes ‘toe shoes and tutus’. I took ballet lessons many years ago. I fondly remember the tutus my grandma made. I remember the toe shoes, but I don’t recall dancing on my toes.

Ballet has kept up with the times. The performances began with classical and ended with modern, jazz and African and style programs. The costuming also changed with the performances -- from the traditional classical costumes we remember to clothing teens might wear everyday.

Students audition for the six week Summer Intensive Milwaukee Ballet School program. They dance for 6-8 hours a day during the program. Renee Griswold, general manager of the Milwaukee Ballet School said, “The program also serves as the audition period for MBII, the official training program of the Milwaukee Ballet. MBII Dancers are high school graduates training to bridge the gap between student and professional.”

Milwaukee Ballet’s Summer Intensive Staff included Michael Pink, artistic director, and Rolando Yanes, MB11 and school director.

For wholesome entertainment, check out the Wilson Center's web site.