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The State of Wisconsin has decided to open a very brief window for local small businesses to apply for a $2,500 emergency support grant. The program will provide these grants to 30,000 small businesses and is designed to help small businesses get back on their feet amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while also encouraging them to adopt best practices to keep employees, customers, and communities safe. 

Funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the grants will help small businesses with the costs of business interruption or for health and safety improvements, wages, salaries, rent, mortgages, and inventory. A description of the program including a checklist of required application documents can be found here.

The We’re All In Small Business grant application portal opens Monday, June 15th at 8:00 a.m. and is scheduled to close on Tuesday, June 23rd at 11:59 p.m. The application will be live on WEDC’s website on Monday, June 15th via this link. 

Please find a summary here of the key aspects of the program:

A business may apply for the We’re All In Small Business grant if it:

• Was in business in February 2020. Businesses that started in 2020 are not eligible;
• Is Wisconsin-based and for-profit;
• Employs 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, including the owner; and
• Has more than $0 but less than $1 million in annual revenues.

A business will not be eligible for the grants if it is:

• Part of a national chain, unless the business is a third-party franchise;
• Industries covered by other Wisconsin CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund programs are ineligible for this program. These are:
  • Crop Production
  • Animal Production or Aquaculture
  • Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/LocalGovtsGrants/COVID-Grants.aspx)

To prepare for the online application process, businesses should be ready to upload the following documents to the WEDC application:

• 2019 federal tax return for business. A 2018 tax return is acceptable, if you have not file your 2019 returns (If you started your business in 2020, you are not eligible for this grant.)
• Signed W-9 form available at irs.gov
• An email or letter of acknowledgement from a community organization indicating your business was in operation in February 2020. A template for the letter is attached. Letters or emails can be from any of the following:
  • Chamber of commerce
  • Main Street or Connect Communities organization
  • Local business improvement district
  • Neighborhood economic development association
  • Local economic development organization
  • County economic development organization
  • Municipality, including tribal government
  • County
  • Local bank, credit union or community development financial institution
  • Regional UW Small Business Development Center https://wisconsinsbdc.org/services/covid-19/
  • U.S Export Assistance Center – Wisconsin
  • Regional economic development organization
  • Regional Planning Commission
  • Trade association

Your business will need to identify the Three-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code that best fits their business: This information may be included in a business’s tax return, or through the NAICS website.

On May 19, the West Allis Health Department issued guidelines for businesses and organizations to assist them with safe re-opening. The goal is to provide guidance to support a measured approach to resume business, retail and commercial operations. In reviewing the key measures, the indicators show promising trends. With all indicators on the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management dashboard now either green or yellow, the Suburban Milwaukee County Health Department’s recommendations for safe gathering and re-opening have moved to Phase C starting June 12, 2020.

What does Phase C mean for West Allis and West Milwaukee?

Read the re-opening guidelines (PDF). This includes incremental capacity increases for all business sectors. Additionally, mass gathering should be limited to be at 50 people or fewer at this time. Examples of large events and gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies.

How should I re-open or resume types of activities?

Businesses should only move through the phases of this guideline when they feel confident they can protect the health and safety of their staff and customers at each level. Businesses and organizations are reminded to use the guidance resources already available on the City of West Allis website.

What precautions can I continue to take?

The threat of COVID-19 is still very much alive in West Allis and throughout Southeast Wisconsin. It is up to each of us to play our part in protecting ourselves, our families, our customers, and our community moving forward. It is strongly recommended that individuals continue to follow physical distancing and protective measures.

What if I’m part of a vulnerable population?

All individuals, especially those in vulnerable populations, are discouraged from unnecessary gatherings and travel at this time due to the likelihood of an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Business Resources

• Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation guidelines for various business industry openings
  • General guidelines
  • Agriculture
  • Construction
  • Entertainment and Amusement Services
  • Gym & Fitness Facilities
  • Hair and Nail Salons
  • Lodging
  • Manufacturing
  • Outdoor Gatherings
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Professional Services
  • Public Facilities
• Window sign:  download and print window sign (PDF) for your West Allis business to demonstrate your health safety practices
• Financial assistance opportunities for businesses
• Other business resources

Individual Resources

• Think you have COVID-19 symptoms? Complete an online self-assessment through the Wisconsin Health Department. 
• Find a COVID-19 testing site
• Donate blood – find a center near you
• West Allis community resources 

Personal protective measures for us all

• Consult your primary doctor if you have symptoms of the coronavirus or think you may have been exposed
• Maintain physical distancing between people not residing in your household
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Cover coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands)
• Regular cleaning high-touch surfaces
• Don’t shake hands

Safe Opening Signage

Safe Opening Guidelines

Current Order – Expires Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
Suburban health departments in Milwaukee County are in alignment with moving to the next phase of their reopening plans as Order #1 issued on Thursday, May 14 is set to expire at 11:59 pm on Thursday, May 21, 2020. This next phase allows all remaining businesses in the 18 suburban municipalities to open, if they choose to, utilizing the “Suburban Milwaukee County Safe Opening Capacity Guidance” chart that will be available on local health department websites. Businesses are also instructed to adhere to CDC and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s safe business practices and physical distancing and protective measures for staff and patrons. 

In preparation for this next phase of the reopening beginning on Friday, May 22, local health departments are communicating with businesses throughout their communities to share best practices and guidance about how they can reopen and operate safely. Many businesses will likely change the way they operate to provide physical distancing between patrons, increased attention to sanitation, and more changes designed to minimize the transmission of COVID‐19. Health departments are diligently working with business leaders to ensure they have what they need to reopen in a manner that is consistent with the recommended guidance.

Public health leaders have carefully tracked key indicators to guide the safe reopening across the city, county and state. Businesses should contact the West Allis Health Department for guidelines to help reopen your business. You can view the website here .  

Resources for Reopening
● Suburban Milwaukee County Safe Opening Capacity Guidance Chart
● Milwaukee County of Emergency Management dashboard
● WEDC Reopen Guidelines

The only way to prevent the spread of coronavirus is to remain voluntarily closed. However, if you choose to open your business Friday, we recommend the following guidelines to help reduce the risk of coronavirus infection for you, your employees, and your customers.
Recommended Phase B Guidelines – Effective May 22, 2020 at 12:00 a.m. – midnight
Effective 12:00am, May 22, 2020, we recommend complying with the following guidelines:
 Operate at no more than 50% capacity
 Follow the physical/social distancing practice of keeping 6 feet away from others as much as possible
 Wear a face mask when possible and wash or sanitize hands regularly

You are asked to use the following guidelines if/as you plan to reopen: WEDC’s website for specific guidelines, FDA Best Practices for Reopening Retail Food Establishments during COVID-19 Pandemic, and any other best practices put out by your business associations.

Although these guidelines are not mandatory, everyone should play a part in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Key indicator data such as health care capacity, total tests performed, contact tracing and isolation capacity, and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) will continue to be monitored. If
data show the virus is spreading too fast than our medical infrastructure can handle, a new order may be required. It is in all of our best interest to assure businesses reopen in a manner that helps to reduce risk. We at the health department appreciate your cooperation in complying with these guidelines for the safety of your employees, patrons, and general public. If you have any questions, please contact our Environmental Health Specialists by calling 414-302-8600.

______________

On May 13th, following the Supreme Court decision to overrule Governor Tony Evers’ coronavirus stay-at-home order, 18 municipalities in suburban Milwaukee County and their 10 public health officials came together to sign a local order that provides guidelines on how local businesses can move forward in the coming days. The order lasts through May 21st. 

From the order:

Based on the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision today, May 13, 2020, the local health departments in suburban Milwaukee County are issuing this order to continue controlling COVID-19 disease transmission throughout Milwaukee County. This plan outlines the measures needed now in Milwaukee County based on the above factors. Recognizing that Milwaukee County has made great progress in flattening the curve, we focus on the importance of continuation and resumption of businesses and activities for sectors of our economy that are able to operate with Physical Distancing and Protective Measure Requirements and Safe Business Practices in place. Future decisions will be based on the COVID-19 data for the county and upcoming orders will necessarily remain fluid and will be based on the above factors as well as emerging data and research.

Here are the highlights of this order:

• All public and private gatherings are allowed up to ten (10) people.
• Rummage/yard sales are prohibited.
• Churches may open under certain conditions.
• Retail establishments, including indoor malls, can open under certain conditions.
• Restaurants and bars remain carry-out and delivery only. No food or beverages should be consumed on the premises. Delivery of alcohol is prohibited.
• Salons and spas can open under certain conditions and supporting physical distancing requirements.
• Playgrounds can open so long as users practice physical distancing and protective measure requirements.
• Libraries remain closed but can offer curbside pick-up.
  • The West Allis Public Library is offering curbside pick-up.
• Whether indoors or outdoors, places of public amusement and activity remain closed.
  • Includes, but not limited to, conference centers, stadiums, dance clubs, escape rooms, carnivals, water parks, licensed public or private swimming pools, splash pads, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, theme parks, bowling alleys, movie and other theaters, concerts and concert halls, country clubs, social clubs, miniature golf, and gyms and fitness centers. 

For more information, please see the COVID-19 Public Health Plan Final Order (May 13, 2020).

For additional highlights on the public health plan, please see this link. 

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the West Milwaukee Police Department will unfortunately not be organizing a traditional National Night Out celebration for the summer of 2020. Instead, we hope to involve the community by organizing a back-to school donation drive. Starting June 8^th, the West Milwaukee Police Department will be collecting new school supplies at the West Milwaukee police station. The supplies along with those supplied by the police department will be donated to students attending local schools in our community.

West Milwaukee Residents are also encouraged to contact the police department if interested in receiving a care package (gift) for their child. In addition, the West Milwaukee Police Department will be raffling off several prize packages (including TVs, bikes, and more!) For more information please contact Officer Taquet, Officer Roth, or Officer Preisler at general@westmilwaukee.org or by calling (414) 645-2151 by providing a name, phone number, and address. Donations for the back-to-school drive can be dropped off at the station at 4755 W. Beloit Road. Raffle tickets will be free of charge and available to anyone interested (limit one per person). The drawing and last day of donation drop-offs will be August 12^th and the raffle drawing will take place on August 19^th.

Secondary School Common Supply List

Elementary School Common Supply List

Start at your doorstep for a safer & cleaner West Milwaukee!

Spring is typically the time when the Village of West Milwaukee and many community partners initiate neighborhood clean-ups to address the litter and debris that has accumulated during winter months. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 health emergency has delayed or suspended most of this spring clean-up. As part of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, a new Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services and Department of Public Works campaign encourages residents to take action. There’s so much you can do to help protect and restore our planet.

With interest from the public remaining very strong, Milwaukee’s Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) and Department of Public Works (DPW), in cooperation with Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful (KGMB), are launching a campaign to encourage “Doorstep Clean-ups.”

“Doorstep Clean-ups” ask that residents pitch in to help pick up litter around their homes/property – focusing on the front, back and side areas of the property. Picking up nearby litter can easily be done while maintaining proper social distancing and staying in compliance with State and City orders to be Safer At Home.

Please be sure to:

• Wear gloves
• Avoid and do not pick up any sharp objects
• Wear a mask
• Use social distancing

Residents can also “Rep your step and your neighborhood” by posting a picture of your cleanup to social media (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) with #DoorstepCleanup. Feel free to mention where you live and tag DPW, DNS, or KGMB or any of our partners: Eco-City, Milwaukee County Parks, MKE Parks, Milwaukee Recycles and Milwaukee Riverkeeper.

Starting June 1st, previous parking restrictions will return and vehicles will need night parking permits. 

Vehicles are not required to have night parking permits for April or May. The police department will continue to respond to complaints for violations of things such as obstructed traffic, loading zones, and handicapped parking.

Emergency Order #36 – Monday, May 11th

Governor Evers announced Emergency Order #36 allows all standalone or strip-mall based retail stores to offer in-person shopping for up to five customers at a time while maintaining required social distancing practices. The order also allows drive-in theaters to operate with some restrictions. This order goes into effect immediately. For more information on the order, please see the emergency order #36 document. 

Emergency Order #34 – Monday, April 27th

Governor Tony Evers announced what he’s calling an interim order, adding to the ‘Safer at Home’ order which runs until May 26. He says it’s an effort to start to reopen Wisconsin’s economy, by allowing some non-essential businesses to safely open. Emergency Order #34 allows some non-essential businesses to start opening back up. For more information on the order, please see the emergency order #34 document. 

Emergency Order #33 – Friday, April 24th

For more information on the order, please see the emergency order #33 document. 

Emergency Order #32 – Thursday, April 23rd

Governor Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm today signed Emergency Order #32, relating to the operation of an alternative care facility (ACF) at State Fair Park in West Allis. For more information on the order, please see the emergency order #32 document. 

Emergency Order #31 (Badger Bounce Back) – Monday, April 20th

Governor Tony Evers announced Wisconsin’s “Badger Bounce Back” plan which outlines important criteria for Wisconsin to be able to reopen its economy in phases and includes steps to make sure workers and businesses are prepared to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. In coordination with this announcement, at the direction of the governor, Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm issued Emergency Order #31 establishing the process and outlining the phases of the plan. For more information on the order, please see the emergency order #31 document. 

The West Milwaukee Police Department is hiring!

To apply for the Police Officer position, please see the following documents:

WMPD Application

Confidential Info Agreement Form

Authorization Form

This hiring application requires the applicant to have successfully completed or currently attending an approved LESB basic recruit academy, or to qualify as a Lateral Entry applicant. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Completed applications with all required materials must be received at the West Milwaukee Police Department (4755 W. Beloit Rd., West Milwaukee, WI 53214) no later than Friday, May 8, 2020 at 5:00 P. M. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will be rejected. All application material and/or questions should be sent to the attention of Lieutenant Shaundra Randolph at shaundra.Randolph@westmilwaukee.org or by phone at (414) 645-2151.

To apply for the Clerk-Dispatcher position, please see the following documents: 

Clerk Dispatcher Application

Confidential Information Agreement Form

Authorization Form

Full-time positions are offered to part-time staff first.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Completed applications with all required materials must be received at the West Milwaukee Police Department (4755 W. Beloit Rd., West Milwaukee, WI 53214) no later than Friday, June 19, 2020 at 5:00 P. M. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will be rejected. All application material and/or questions should be sent to the attention of Holly Young at holly.young@westmilwaukee.org or by phone at (414) 645-2151.

Gov. Evers Directs DHS to Extend Wisconsin’s Safer at Home Order

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today directed Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm to extend the Safer at Home order from April 24, 2020 to 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2020, or until a superseding order is issued. The order implements some new measures to ensure safety and support the progress we’ve made in containing COVID-19, but also allows certain activities to start up again. The order is available here. 

“A few weeks ago, we had a pretty grim outlook for what COVID-19 could mean for our state, but because of the efforts of all of you, Safer at Home is working. That said, we aren’t out of the woods just yet,” said Gov. Evers. “As I’ve said all along, we are going to rely on the science and public health experts to guide us through this challenge. So, as we extend Safer at Home, I need all of you to continue doing the good work you’ve been doing so we can keep our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe, and get through this storm together.”

“Before we lift Safer at Home, the steps of testing and more robust public health measures must be in place,” explained Secretary-designee Palm. “These steps will help us reduce the risk of a second wave of the virus. If we open up too soon, we risk overwhelming our hospitals and requiring more drastic physical distancing measures again.”

The extension of the Safer at Home order includes a few changes. Some changes allow more businesses and activities to open back up, while other changes help make businesses safer for employees and customers. The changes in this order include: 

Businesses and activities ramping up service and operations:

• Public libraries: Public libraries may now provide curb-side pick-up of books and other library materials. 
• Golf Courses: Golf courses may open again, with restrictions including scheduling and paying for tee times online or by phone only. Clubhouses and pro shops must remain closed.
• Non-essential Businesses: Non-essential businesses will now be able to do more things as Minimum Basic Operations, including deliveries, mailings, and curb-side pick-up. Non-essential businesses must notify workers of whether they are necessary for the Minimum Basic Operations.
• Arts and Crafts Stores: Arts and craft stores may offer expanded curb-side pick-up of materials necessary to make face masks or other personal protective equipment (PPE). 
• Aesthetic or Optional Exterior Work: Aesthetic or optional exterior law care or construction is now allowed under the extended order, so long as it can be done by one person.

Safe Business Practices:

• Safe Business Practices for Essential Businesses and Operations: Essential Businesses and Operations must increase cleaning and disinfection practices, ensure that only necessary workers are present, and adopt policies to prevent workers exposed to COVID-19 or symptomatic workers from coming to work.
• Safe Business Practices for Retailers that Essential Businesses and Operations: Retail stores that remain open to the public as Essential Businesses and Operations must limit the number of people in the store at one time, must provide proper spacing for people waiting to enter, and large stores must offer at least two hours per week of dedicated shopping time for vulnerable populations.
• Supply Chain: Essential Businesses and Operations that are essential because they supply, manufacture, or distribute goods and services to other Essential Businesses and Operations can only continue operations that are necessary to those businesses they supply. All other operations must continue as Minimum Basic Operations.

Other changes include:

• Schools: Public and private K-12 schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
• Local parks and open space: Local health officials may close public parks and open spaces if it becomes too difficult to ensure social distancing or the areas are being mistreated.
• Travel: People are strongly encourage to stay close to home, not travel to second homes or cabins, and not to travel out-of-state if it is not necessary. 
• Tribal Nations: Tribal Nations are sovereign over their territory and can impose their own restrictions. Non-tribal members should be respectful of and avoid non-essential travel to Tribal territory. Local government must coordinate, collaborate, and share information with Tribal Nations.
• Duration: The changes in this order go into effect on April 24, 2020. The order will remain in effect until 8 a.m. on May 26, 2020.

If you have questions, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is available here for your review.

The public should continue to follow simple steps to avoid exposure to the virus and prevent illness including: 

• Avoiding social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home, non-essential workers in your house);
• Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water; 
• Covering coughs and sneezes;
• Avoiding touching one’s face; and 
• Staying home. 

Property Tax Payments

• The second property tax installment is due April 30th.
• Our offices currently are not open for payments in-person. Tax payments can be dropped off in the depository box at Village Hall (4755 W. Beloit Rd., across from the dispatch window), or mailed to Village Hall (4755 W. Beloit Rd., West Milwaukee, WI 53214). 
• The depository box is available 24 hours and checked each day.
• You will receive a receipt for your tax payment in the mail.

Please note: on April 30th, payments need to be dropped off by 4:30 p.m. that day to be count paid by April 30th. 

Worldwide COVID-19 Map

Face Mask Information CDC

IHME Predictions for Wisconsin

What to do if you had close contact with a COVID-19 case

Stay At Home: What do I do if home is not safe?

Beware of Scams regarding Information on COVID-19

CDC: DIY Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow Spread of COVID-19

Other useful links: 

Wisconsin Department of Health Services 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions 

West Allis/West Milwaukee Health Department

Wisconsin Department of Health Services

The CDC recommends the following: