By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A clear-cut policy on who has authority to close streets in the City of Whitewater could soon be added to the municipal books, following a number of complaints from residents and business owners within the community.
The Common Council last week discussed the merits of having such a policy after concerns were aired about the city’s recent K-9 Run fundraiser, which resulted in the closure of several downtown streets.
During its deliberations, the council agreed a policy should state which facet of Whitewater governance and operations has the authority to declare a street closed. Possibilities could include City Manager Cameron Clapper’s office, the council itself or a member of the Whitewater Police Department.
Several business owners and residents expressed frustration with the closures. Business owners assert the closures equate to losses in income.
“I’m past the point of being upset,” said Christ Christon, owner of Lake Front Pub and Whitewater Street Restaurant.
At times, Christon said he has to close his restaurant because of the reduction in customer traffic. But when his business is not in operation, Christon countered that he still needs to contend with paying property taxes and utility bills.
When events are taking place, and road closures are implemented, Christon said there oftentimes is not adequate signage to direct people to the affected businesses.
“I think a little more planning of alternate routes could do a lot,” Christon said. “I think we need to look at some different things.”
Clapper said he will be coming before the council in the near future with a recommended ordinance that is designed to speak to the issue and address some of the recent concerns.
“We’ll be coming back with something sound that you can review,” Clapper said to the council.
In other business
The council discussed, but took no action, on a proposal to prohibit parking on portions of East Main Street. Several residents spoke to the issue, and shared a variety of concerns, including bike lanes and traffic impact from nearby Washington Elementary School.
The council agreed to take action on the issue after a workable solution was reached between neighbors and the city’s neighborhood services department.
The council voted to close Whitewater Street during the city’s annual Fourth of July festival that kicks off at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4.
Council members heard a report from Police Chief Lisa Otterbacher pertaining to a communications center study that was performed by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials with input from the city.
A 22-page executive summary document asserted that the department’s existing public safety answering point system could expose the city to a high level of risk from both a life safety and liability standpoint if multiple incidents were to occur at one time.
Currently, the PSAP within Whitewater only operates with one person at a particular time.
The report recommends Whitewater consider a cooperative arrangement or outright consolidation with one or more nearby police jurisdictions in an effort to pool resources.
The council did not take any action on the report, but the issue is expected to be revisited at a future meeting.
