Community & Business Relations Standing Committee Meeting Notes

Village of Shorewood Community and Business Relations Committee July 6, 2026 Call to Order: Chairperson Tr. Couto called the meeting to order at 5:49 p.m. Members Present: Trustees Couto, Ircink and McGovern Others present: Planning Director Bart Griepentrog, Assistant Village Manager Nicole Berzin, and Village Manager Rebecca Ewald 1. Review of Parking Implementation of Transportation and Parking Analysis • Director Griepentrog noted that the memo related to this item provided an overview of actions that have been taken since the Village’s Transportation and Parking Analysis was finalized in 2020. • He noted that the recommendations within the analysis were based on four goals: to improve communication, accessibility, standardization and enforcement • He noted that the analysis summarized that there are areas within the commercial business district that experience high levels of demand that strain local parking supply while at the same time nearby areas experience a parking surplus. Even though available supply may exist within one or two blocks, these localized hot spots can form perceptions that parking supply is inadequate. • He stated that since the analysis the Village has implemented consistent two-hour and 15-minute parking zones and residential on-street overnight parking permits, which allowed the Village to eliminate special parking permits which were difficult to administer. Discussion • Tr. McGovern confirmed that the data was captured in 2019, and Director Griepentrog noted that the data related to the areas adjacent to the commercial corridors and off-street parking lots. • Tr. McGovern questioned if any significant changes had occurred since the data was summarized. o Director Griepentrog noted that parking spaces that previously had been available for off-street parking permits in the former North Shore Bank parking lot are no longer available since that lot has been redeveloped. He believed that on-street parking supply has remained the same. • Tr. Ircink questioned how long the study took, how much was invested in it and if there was value in revisiting it. o Director Griepentrog believed the study, which included an analysis of both parking and transportation issues, cost $75,000 and took approximately a year to complete. He noted that supply has generally remained the same, but that demand has likely changed because now residents are able to park overnight on the street, so those conditions are now different. • Tr. Ircink questioned what areas get complaints about parking issues. o Director Griepentrog stated he would need to defer that question to the Police Department since they would be the ones receiving those complaints and have the staff on the streets who would know where issues exist. • Tr. McGovern asked if we had statistics on how many cars are registered in Shorewood. o Village Manager Ewald stated that we could get that information from the Department of Motor Vehicles. o Tr. McGovern stated it would be interesting to see how that data has changed compared to 2019. • Tr. Couto stated that he was not interested in spending $75,000 to update the study. • Tr. Couto anecdotally noted that parking counts appear to be higher on the Oakland Ave corridor near him. • Tr. Couto noted that he would like to see a refresh of some of the base numbers from the study and a breakdown of the parking counts by the areas identified on the exhibits in the analysis. • Tr. Ircink requested to know how many on-street parking passes are currently being sold and how that has fluctuated over the past 3-4 years. o Director Griepentrog believed the Police Department could provide this information. • Tr. Ircink requested that someone from the Police Department be available to answer questions at any subsequent meetings discussing parking. Action • No action was taken Follow Up • Director Griepentrog will follow up with the Police Department to understand any areas of complaints and obtain parking permit data for the last 3-4 years. • Village Manager Ewald will follow up with the DMV to obtain historical data on vehicle registrations in Shorewood. • Director Griepentrog will review and refresh the baseline data within the analysis, including a breakdown of available parking by facility type per area/block. • Tr. Couto requested that the desired or updated information discussed within the meeting be sent to the Committee for their review prior to confirming whether the matter needed to be placed on a future agenda. 2. Consider Donation of AARP Community Challenge Grant (Shorewood Waterways Mural) • Assistant Village Manager Berzin noted that Jennifer Bolger Breceda with the Milwaukee River Keeper was in attendance to give an overview of the project. • Jennifer Bolger Breceda presented to the committee the key highlights of the grant, explaining deadlines, requirements, and the future plan. • She then asked the committee to accept the value of the grant, explaining the project would be managed by the Milwaukee River Keeper in conjunction with DPW, SRC, Parks and Public Spaces Committee, Public Art Committee, and Conservation Committee. • Assistant Village Manager Berzin explained that the original idea was to have the mural located at Atwater Park; however, we are not tied to this location and if the Board felt there was better placement we can adjust. • Village Manager Ewald explained that if the mural is destroyed or damaged, the Village is not liable for recreating the art. She suggested that Milwaukee River Keeper and the Public Art Committee approach the Shorewood Foundation to set aside funds for this matter. Discussion • Tr. Ircink asked to ensure there is ample visibility to the public • Tr. McGovern stated he is happy there will be a public process for choosing a location and expressed his interest in wanting it to be visible from the roadway as well. • Tr. Cuoto echoed the sentiments of the two other committee members. • Tr. Ircink asked if the material would be painted. o Jennifer Bolger Breceda stated the material has not been decided. Action • Tr. Ircink moved to approve the donation for purposes of moving forward with an RFP and selection of artist for a mural located within Shorewood to the Village Board. Tr. McGovern seconds. Motion carried 3-0. Follow Up • Village Manager Ewald will bring back the memo of understanding for the artwork. • Assistant Village Manager Berzin and Jennifer Bolger Breceda will come back to the Village Board with location and material specifications, as well as updates throughout the BID process. Motion to adjourn. Carried at 6:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bart Griepentrog, AICP, CNU-A Planning & Development Director