Job Location : Milwaukee,WI, USA
You are here: Home / Archives for Mayor Tom Barrett
Mayor Tom BarrettMayor Tom Barrett announced today the launch of the Financial Navigators Program, a free service to help residents navigate critical financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Milwaukee will offer this service in partnership with Riverworks Development Corporation, a local nonprofit that offers financial coaching to help Milwaukee residents reach their full financial potential.
With COVID-19s many challenges, it is more important than ever that Milwaukee families have the support they need to navigate resources that build and maintain financial stability, said Mayor Barrett. We are confident that this partnership with Riverworks Development Corporation, funded by the CFE Fund, will link many people with much-needed help.
The Financial Navigators Program helps residents one-on-one to address personal financial issues and identify immediate action steps to manage expenses and maximize income. Participants will also be referred for services available through organizations like the Rental Housing Resource Center and Employ Milwaukee. The program will be available to Milwaukee residents remotely starting on Wednesday, October 28.
Many people in our community are really hurting, and Riverworks is committed to helping people navigate these difficult and challenging times, said Darryl Johnson, Executive Director of Riverworks. Through this partnership between our Financial Clinic and the City of Milwaukee, we are hoping we can lessen the stress and pain that people are feeling.
The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund will provide the grant funding, technical assistance and training needed to launch the program in Milwaukee and other cities across the nation. Additional support is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Citi Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and the Wells Fargo Foundation.
The pandemic has clearly heightened awareness around the financial hardships that so many people were already facing here in Milwaukee, and deep disparities that exist in society, said Darlene Goins, Head of Financial Health Philanthropy with the Wells Fargo Foundation. We applaud the CFE Fund for bringing together the City of Milwaukee, philanthropists, and financial services to reimagine solutions that can help improve financial stability and resiliency for individuals and families, particularly during this economic crisis.
Residents can access these remote services by calling (414) ###-#### or completing the web form at Milwaukee.gov/FN . The financial navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across Milwaukee can refer clients directly to a financial navigator.
###
ABOUT RIVERWORKS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Riverworks mission is to drive social and economic development by aligning residents and businesses with specialized resources that strengthen Harambee, Riverwest and the surrounding communities. Since 1992, Riverworks has spearheaded the revival of Harambee and Riverwest, attracting millions of dollars of local and national corporate and philanthropic investment, and some of the top technical expertise in the country.
Key mission priorities include: commercial and residential development, financial coaching and wealth-building, workforce development, housing stabilization, creative place-making, and community engagement. Riverworks Financial Clinic helps families realize their full financial potential through credit building, debt reduction, and planning for life goals. For more information about Riverworks visit our website www.riverworksmke.org .
ABOUT THE CITIES FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT FUND
The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting edge experience with large scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build assets and make the most of their financial resources.
The CFE Fund is currently working in over 100 cities, and has disbursed over $42 million to city governments and their partners to support these efforts. For more information, please visitwww.cfefund.org or follow them on Twitter at @CFEFund.
MILWAUKEE Over the coming week every City of Milwaukee household will receive a SafeVote postcard encouraging them to vote safely from their home by requesting an absentee ballot by mail. The postcard will provide residents written and visual information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot by using myvote.wi.gov .
Voting safely in the November election is still possible despite the challenges of COVID-19, said Mayor Tom Barrett. Residents can prioritize their health by registering to vote absentee by mail and using drop box centers around the city to ensure their ballot is received on time. I urge all residents to prepare early to ensure success in casting their vote in this very important election.
Additionally, residents can visit any Milwaukee Public Library to receive assistance with the registration or absentee process. Staff are available to provide assistance Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. 4 p.m. September 8 October 14.
In creating the SafeVote plan, it was important to the Election Commission to ensure that we had community partners at a neighborhood level to provide assistance to voters who might not be comfortable navigating the MyVote website or uploading a photo ID, said Election Commission executive director Claire Woodall-Vogg. The Election Commission and Milwaukee Public Library have always had a strong partnership. We are thankful to our library partners for furthering their commitment to voters in the midst of a pandemic.
After receiving an absentee ballot by mail, voters will now be able to return it using one of fifteen 24-hour drop boxes across the city. Drop boxes will be located at every Milwaukee Public Library location, City Hall and the Election Commission warehouse located on S. Kinnickinnic Ave. All drop boxes have daily pick-ups, 24-hour security cameras and tamper-evident seals, among other safety features.
The Common Councils first action as a governing body in the new term was to unanimously pass the SafeVote program, authored by Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, to empower and enable all residents in the City of Milwaukee to participate safely in the fall elections. The demand for absentee voting has increased and remained the preference of voters since the onset of COVID-19. The April 7 spring election saw 80% of voters casting a ballot via absentee.
In the August 11, 2020 partisan primary, voters continued to show a preference for absentee voting with over 70% casting an absentee ballot. To date, the Milwaukee Election Commission has received over 90,000 absentee ballot requests for the November general election.
MILWAUKEE August 31, 2020, Mayor Tom Barrett joined City leaders and Senior Vice President of the Milwaukee Bucks Alex Lasry to announce Fiserv Forum and Miller Park as two additional early voting centers for the 2020 general election. Prior to todays announcement, an additional 15 early voting locations were added throughout the city.
We are now fortunate to announce that not only have we found one, but we have found two locations that are absolutely fabulous for allowing more people to exercise their right to vote, said Mayor Tom Barrett. Nationally, Milwaukee has become the leader by providing both Fiserv Forum and Miller Park for early voting. I dont know of another city in this nation that is using a major league ballpark and an NBA arena for early voting thats how committed we are to making sure that peoples voices are heard.
The City of Milwaukee has included the two additional early voting locations due to the anticipated increase in voter turnout for the November election and the ongoing COVID-19 health pandemic requiring that in-person voting locations comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention safety guidelines.
Voting is sacred. Its the most important thing that we as citizens do in a democracy, said Common Council President Cavalier Johnson. When we vote, we determine who is going to be the person, or people, who represent us. Not just that, were determining who is going to set the tone for our nation, for our city, for our state. Were determining who is going to set the laws for our society, and thats critically important to do.
The City of Milwaukee ordinarily sees 70% of individuals vote in-person and 20-30% individuals vote absentee. In the April election, the percentages flipped to reflect 20-30% of people voting in-person and 70% voting absentee.
Voting by mail is not the best option for every voter. Offering in-person absentee voting at larger sites offers a greater opportunity for social distancing throughout the City and furthers racial equity and access to in-person voting opportunities.
The Fiserv Forum will be used for in-person early voting October 20 November 1. The location will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday Friday and 10 a.m. 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
We are excited that Fiserv Forum will be designated an early vote site, said Senior Vice President of the Milwaukee Bucks Alex Lasry. The pandemic has added another barrier to voting for vulnerable communities, so this will help us make sure that everyone in Milwaukee has a safe and convenient way to exercise their right to vote. By converting Fiserv Forum into a voting location, we can make sure everyones voice can be heard in a safe and responsible way.
In addition, during the April election the City saw a large increase in drive through voting. Over 6,000 voters cast their ballot from their car. Miller Park will provide safe and efficient drive through early voting for the November election. Dates and hours of operation to be announced at a later date.
With support from the MLB and league-wide efforts to support voting initiatives, we believe that Miller Park can offer a safe, drive-through advance voting option and help reduce the strain on traditional sites due to COVID-19, said Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger.
Both the Fiserv Forum and Miller Park will be used exclusively for early voting. The Milwaukee Election Commission has established 170 neighborhood-based voting locations for Election Day.
Every eligible voter in this country has the right to vote, and has the right to vote safely, said Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Claire Woodall-Vogg. While voting by mail is without a doubt the safest option, its not the best option for every voter. We had a 3% rejection rate in April due to things like ballots not being returned on time, or not having the right signatures. Being able to cast your absentee ballot ahead of Election Day, but with my staff, ensures that your vote counts and that we dont have a 3% rejection rate on November 3.
The Election Commission is working diligently with its partners to recruit residents seeking work to help staff in-person absentee voting sites. The Commission is also working to recruit an additional 750 Election Day workers to ensure that lines are not congested, polling places are cleaned and disinfected frequently and that they have a safety net should staff members fall ill. Milwaukee County residents who are interested in working as poll workers can apply at milwaukee.gov/election .
More than 275 office items to be donated to dozens of area nonprofits; unused PPE to be donated to Milwaukee Health Services, Inc.
MILWAUKEE (August 31, 2020) The Democratic National Convention Committee and Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee, alongside Representative Gwen Moore and Mayor Tom Barrett, today announced a series of donations to community organizations in-need spread throughout Milwaukees neighborhoods. The donations include hundreds of items of office equipment, which will support the operations of a wide array of local nonprofit groups, as well as unused PPE, which will bolster the protective gear available to Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. as the organization continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
From the beginning of the pandemic, the convention team has been steadfast in our commitment to protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of our community, and its our goal to see that commitment through beyond the four nights of the event, said Raquel Filmanowicz, CEO of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee. During these trying times, its an honor to give back to such deserving organizations, and to support their work as they support our incredible city.
To determine the needs of local nonprofit organizations, convention organizers sent a catalogue of office equipment for donation to Milwaukee-based nonprofits, who selected their desired items and quantities. The brand-new or barely-used office items, including cubicles, conference tables, desks, office chairs, bookshelves, refrigerators, and more, are being donated to over 25 local nonprofits ranging in size and focus area.
Recipient organizations include Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Eras Senior Network, Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition, Milwaukee Urban League, Northcott Neighborhood House, Walkers Point Center for the Arts, and many more.
These last several months have been challenging for Milwaukeeans all across our city, but in the face of adversity, our communitys nonprofit sector is meeting people where they are and lifting them up so they can continue to succeed, said Representative Gwen Moore. From Walkers Point to Harambee, and from children-serving organizations to those supporting seniors, Im proud the convention team is lending a hand to our diverse organizations during this time of critical need.
Additionally, unused PPE from the convention, including plexiglass barriers, gowns, gloves, face shields, hand sanitizer, and more, is being donated to Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. to support the organizations essential work in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Its wonderful to see old convention items find a new home with community organizations who make a positive difference in the lives of the residents of our city, said Mayor Tom Barrett. Im especially thankful for the donation of personal protective equipment to Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. The donation ensures we are properly equipped to continue battling this pandemic and protecting the health of all Milwaukeeans.
I would like to thank the Democratic National Convention Committee and Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee, who have been so generous and donated vital PPE to support our efforts in tackling the virus and helping to keep our staff and most vulnerable residents as safe as possible, said Pamela Clark, Corporate Communications Specialist at Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. As we learn more about how COVID-19 behaves, we understand how masks, gloves, sanitizer, and disinfectant can protect us all.
This latest series of donations comes after convention organizers announced earlier this month that they will be donating over 75 laptops, dozens of tech accessories, and thousands of dollars worth of office supplies to Milwaukee Public Schools to support their students and teachers for the recently commenced school year.
MILWAUKEE Mayor Barrett will host two new webinars alongside community partners and City departments to help share important COVID-19 information on a variety of topics. Mayor Barrett has already hosted four webinars on guidance and best practices for salons and barbers, bars and restaurants, child care facilities and the faith community. The new webinars will focus on summer youth activities and home construction.
COVID-19 requires adaptations for camps, sports and other summer programs for kids and youth. In the latest Moving Milwaukee Forward Safely webinar, Mayor Barrett will host experts from the Milwaukee Health Department and Medical College of Wisconsin, as well as guests from Milwaukee Recreation and Safe & Sound, Inc., to share how to reduce COVID-19 risk in youth activities this summer.
The webinar will cover basic information about City of Milwaukee health orders, program capacity and best practices to reduce risk. Attendees will learn more about how to provide a safe space for kids and youth this summer, andhave the chance to put their questions to the experts. Moving Milwaukee Forward Safely: Summer Youth Programs takes place Wednesday, July 1 at Noon. Register online.
Contractors, skilled tradespeople, property managers and homeowners are all encouraged to join Mayor Barrett on July 2 at 4 p.m. for a webinar on safe residential remodeling and construction work. Experts from the Milwaukee Health Department and the Medical College of Wisconsin will share information on COVID-19 and the Citys health orders.
Guests from National Association of the Remodeling Industry of Milwaukee, Dairyland Energy Solutions, T.L. Reese Corporation, the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee and the City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services will share their lessons and practices, and advise on how City permitting and inspections have changed under COVID-19. Moving Milwaukee Forward Safely: Residential Remodeling, Repair, and Construction takes place Thursday, July 2 at 4 p.m. Register online.
For more information on the City of Milwaukee Health Department resources and webinars, please visit milwaukee.gov/MMFS .
Commissioner-Nominee is a Champion of Economic Growth and Inclusion
MILWAUKEE Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett today appointed Lafayette Crump as Commissioner of City Development.
Commissioner-designate Crump is a Milwaukee native, an attorney, and a widely respected figure in the citys development community. Currently, Crump is Chief Diversity, Vendor and Engagement Officer at the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee for the Democratic National Convention.
Lafayette Crump is an ideal candidate to lead the Department of City Development because of his remarkable qualifications and his strong commitment to connect everyone with Milwaukees economic success, Mayor Barrett said. Throughout this city there are opportunities for new investment, more jobs, and improved inclusiveness. Commissioner Crump will be a champion of this economic development work.
Crump will succeed Rocky Marcoux, who has led the Department for almost sixteen years. Marcoux recently announced his long-planned retirement.
After graduating from Duke University School of Law, Crump worked as an attorney at multiple Milwaukee law firms. He has held leadership positions with Prism Technical Management and Marketing Services, a company engaged as a consultant on many of the prominent development projects in Milwaukee in recent years including the Northwestern Mutual Tower, the Fiserv Forum and public plaza, and the Milwaukee streetcar. Almost one year ago, he began his assignment with the convention host committee. He is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Marquette University, and was recently President of the Board of Directors of Safe and Sound.
His appointment as Commissioner of City Development is subject to Common Council confirmation.
The Department of City Development is Milwaukees lead agency for economic development, planning, real estate, commercial corridor development, and private sector housing development. Both the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee and the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation are housed within the Department.
WITH STATE STAY AT HOME ORDER STRUCK DOWN, MAYOR BARRETT ANNOUNCES PROGRAM TO RESTART LOCAL BUSINESSES AND GET THEM UP AND RUNNING
Compiled by
MCJ Editorial Staff
Relief funds from the federal government will be used to assist established Milwaukee businesses as part of a recently unveiled city program to help them recover from COVID-19 -related setbacks.
From the outset, weve been fully aware that we are in the midst of more than a public health crisis; we face an enormous economic crisis, affecting workers and business owners, said Mayor Tom Barrett announcing the launch of the Milwaukee Business Restart Program.
Our Business Restart program aims to help small Milwaukee employers get back on their feet as promptly as possible.
The program is targeted at small businesses significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The city will also support the restart of neighborhood businesses in all parts of Milwaukee.
The new city program comes on the heels of a new order created and issued by city of Milwaukee Health Department that prioritizes the health and safety of residents.
The order was created based on recommendations from public health officials. Health officials will work with local business owners to establish guidelines and safety measures to build the trust of patrons and minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Everybodys goal is to reopen the economy. But, we have seen what happened in other parts of this country and we have seen what has happened in other parts of the world, where you have had a rush to reopen things, Barrett said.
What you ended up with was more death and more suffering. And, that is exactly what we want to avoid.
COVID-19 is present in every municipality across Milwaukee County, and public health experts warn that additional surges in cases, hospitalizations and deaths are a reality moving forward.
Social distancing has been a necessary step in allowing health care systems to build capacity increase testing and tracing and develop a plan for moving forward.
In the order, city health officials have also fashioned a plan that will be the foundation of Restart Milwaukee, called Moving Milwaukee Forward.
In developing Moving Milwaukee Forward, health officials considered the following criteria:
The new city restart program and health plan comes almost a week after a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling overturning the states Stay-at-Home order, which the court called unlawful and unenforceable.
The Stay-at-Home order was issued state-wide on March 24 by Gov. Tony Evers. The order shut down all economic, educational and social activity in the state accept for those businesses and government services deemed essential, such as doctors, nurses, police, firefighters, and food store employees working at stores still open during the shut-down.
But Republican state legislators filed a lawsuit against Evers administration, claiming it overstepped its authority when the state Department of Health Services (DHS) extended the Stay-at-Home order to May 26.
At the time of the court decision, Evers said the ruling put Wisconsin in a state of chaos.
Now we have no plan and no protections for the people of Wisconsin, he said.
Barretts response to the court order was to reinforce to residents the citys commitment to continue the citys stay-at-home order that it issued the day before the states, which also prohibited public gatherings, restaurants, and bar operations.
Since the court ruling, city government officials have been working collaboratively with the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and will provide city grants to businesses so they can restock perishable inventory, purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), and accommodate social distancing guidance.
The city anticipates disbursing grants in the coming weeks, and, rather than a first-come-first-served application process, proposals from eligible businesses will be considered over an extended period of time.
Details of the program are being finalized, including the application process, the size of the grants, and the total amount of founds available. Specifics of the restart program will be unveiled soon.
All residents are encouraged to remain diligent in following guidelines to decrease the spread of COVID-19: staying home with family, wash hands and surfaces often, keep six feet or more away from others in public spaces, not meet in groups of any size and cover your nose and mouth with a mask or cloth.
Updated information on prevention, outreach and key statistics related to COVID-19 can be found at Milwaukee.gov/Coronavirus.
Sources: CNN, press released from the offices of Milwaukee city mayor, city of Milwaukee Health Department
MILWAUKEE Mayor Tom Barrett is calling on all Milwaukee area residents to wear jeans on Wednesday, April 29, as a sign of support for local survivors of sexual assault. This year marks the ninth annual Denim Day Milwaukee.
So much of sexual and domestic violence goes unreported. Survivors may fear retaliation by their assailants, or may be concerned that they will not be believed by family, friends or authorities if they were to speak out. Many victims also worry that they could be blamed for the assault. Some survivors are so traumatized that they cannot begin to speak of the crime. Through the Denim Day Milwaukee effort, we have an outstanding group of people working to hold perpetrators accountable, create a healing environment and make sure that survivors of sexual assault know that they are not alone, said Mayor Tom Barrett.
Denim Day Milwaukee is part of an international awareness day that began after an Italian woman was raped by her driving instructor. The instructor was convicted, but the sentence was overturned after a court determined that because the victim wore tight jeans and may have helped remove them, the attack on her was consensual sex. The verdict motivated women in the Italian Parliament to wear jeans in solidarity with the victim. The movement has now spread into an international awareness day during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Denim Day Milwaukee continues to evolve and grow, and this year there has been an increased partnership with the LGBTQ+ community citywide to spread awareness. Community leaders and members play a pivotal role in promoting positive change in our communities. More information can be found at denimdaymke.org.
Denim Day Milwaukee is coordinated and supported by a collaborative group of more than 20 partner organizations, including the City of Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the City of Milwaukee Health Department Office of Violence Prevention and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.
For those currently experiencing violence and in need of immediate help, please call the Aurora Healing and Advocacy Crisis Line at (414) ###-#### or the Diverse and Resilient LGBT Anti-Violence Resource Line at (414) ###-####.
Digital kiosks to provide real-time arrival information and other civic amenities while generating revenue to support streetcar operations
Milwaukee The Hop, presented by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, announced today a new partnership with Smart City Media, LLC, to implement a smart kiosk infrastructure program designed to support streetcar operations while fostering stronger connections between the streetcar route and key activity centers throughout the central business district. The initial launch will include 35 digital kiosks, called CityPosts, installed along and near The Hops route later this spring.
Our smart kiosk program will be a tremendous asset to the entire community and significantly enhance the streetcar experience for regular riders and visitors alike, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. Our vision for the streetcar has always been for it to bridge gaps between centers of activity in the city, making the people and places that make our city great more accessible and connected. This kiosk program will help us bridge the gaps between high-traffic downtown areas while generating a meaningful revenue stream to support our streetcar operations.
Smart City Media, an industry-leader in digital media solutions with extensive experience integrating their smart kiosk products with transit systems, was awarded the contract following an RFP process in late 2019. The smart kiosks will be dual sided, featuring 55 touch screens that are interactive and fully ADA accessible, providing curated local content in multiple languages to assist residents and visitors with transit use and connections, wayfinding, and other city information. The units also provide free public Wi-Fi and contain security cameras that will be integrated with MPDs existing surveillance systems.
We are thrilled to launch this partnership with the City of Milwaukee and begin implementing our award-winning smart city solutions in this city on the rise, Smart City Media CEO and President Tom Touchet said. Our CityPost kiosks infuse media, technology and interactivity into public spaces, creating a synergy that provides tremendous benefits for the entire community. We look forward to contributing to a more dynamic and connected streetcar system and downtown environment in Milwaukee.
When not in use, the kiosk screens will display a mix of streetcar arrival times, advertising and local content, including public service announcements and community messaging from government departments and local small businesses. When engaged, the touch screens can be utilized to access community calendars, business directories, transit information, visitor information and a variety of other content channels. The Smart City kiosks also present a variety of sponsorship opportunities, including a small business sponsorship that will underwrite the ability for local merchants to advertise on the kiosks at no cost.
There is so much energy and activity in the heart of Milwaukee right now, and the Citys smart kiosk initiative will be a fantastic complement to everything were doing to make downtown more vibrant and engaging, said Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown BID #21. These kiosks, combined with additional wayfinding upgrades that we have been working on with our partners at the City of Milwaukee and VISIT Milwaukee, will be of tremendous value to our business partners, residents and visitors, both during the busy summer ahead and for years to come.
Milwaukees smart kiosk initiative comes at no cost to the City, as Smart City will own and maintain the kiosks throughout the 10-year agreement while providing the City a share of the revenue generated through the platform. All kiosks will be located in the public right-of-way, either on streetcar platforms or in key destinations near the route to strengthen connections between the streetcar and high-density activity centers in the city. Specific site locations will be finalized in the coming weeks, with installation slated to begin in the spring and be completed in advance of this summers Democratic National Convention.
This is truly a win-win for The Hop, the City of Milwaukee and for everyone who lives, works or visits downtown, Commissioner of Public Works Jeff Polenske added. This initiative will provide meaningful financial support to our streetcar operations while expanding the utility of the system through improved connections with residential, employment and entertainment areas walkable from the route. This is a critical next step in the growth of The Hop and a tremendous asset for the entire community to utilize.
One of the main prioritiesif not the main priorityof Mayor Tom Barrett was making sure Milwaukee businesses and entrepreneurs, especially those of color, were totally involved in every aspect of the Democratic National Convention, which will be in the Brew City in July.
The mayor delivered on his main priority when it