The Whitewater community continues to show their love for the arts, even throughout the current condition of the world. As the enduring pandemic proceeds to take its stance, the Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) has been able to keep the arts alive and well within the community through online exhibits and participation.

Whitewater Arts Alliance President Kristen Burton and Vice President Megan Matthews presented an annual report of the organization at the Common Council meeting held on Feb. 2.

Due to the restrictions created by the pandemic, the WAA modified the capacity of individuals that were allowed in the building to a maximum of 10 people. These restrictions lead the WAA to host virtual video exhibits of artists for their members through their YouTube channel.

“We just wanted to stay open however we could in a safe way. We think it’s important for people to have access to [the online exhibits] in the middle of all these things going on,” said Matthews. “We believe in Whitewater and we want to do our best to help.”

This alternative way of sharing art gave WAA members another method to participate in its exhibits. Creating artist videos for members also helped to increase online traffic to WAA sites.

“Even though COVID limited the gallery’s arts, it actually increased accessibility in other ways,” said Burton.

WAA plans to continue having their exhibits and events held online and livestreamed because of the limited capacity in their building due to COVID-19 restrictions. Livestreaming WAA events will also contribute to being more accessible to members who wish to partake in the events scheduled in the future.

Smoking/Vaping in Public Parks Ordinance

Another matter that was discussed in the Common Council meeting was the smoking ordinance requested by council member Matthew Schulgit. The smoking ordinance proposed to prohibit smoking and vaping in city parks to protect the safety of those who are least resilient to the effects of smoking and vaping.

The council members expressed their concerns on the ability to enforce an ordinance for this situation and how it would affect individuals who use the city parks.

“With respect to Mr. Schulgit and the Parks and Rec board, I agree with your assessment that you shouldn’t be vaping or smoking or chewing tobacco either, but all three are unenforceable and I always vote against any ordinances that feel unenforceable,” responded council member James Allen.

While other council members suggested putting signs up in parks in place of an ordinance, Council President Lynn Binne highlighted that such signs would create an uninviting environment to the city parks.

“We’ve got 19 or 20 parks and if we were going to have signage in all of those parks, I think it would detract from the welcoming atmosphere that we’d like to have in our parks,” expressed Binnie.

As members of the council voted against the ordinance and gave their suggestions to improve the request, Schulgit expressed that he will return to this matter in the future.

Also discussed on Tuesday:

  • Whitewater Finance Director Steve Hatton informed the Common Council that the remaining portion of Whitewater’s Build America Bonds initiated in 2010 to help finance capital projects in Tax Increment District #4 (TID) will be paid off earlier than expected. TID #4 has a remaining balance of about $2 million with repayment terms lasting until 2029, but the district will have sufficient finances to compensate for the balance in 2021. Calling the remaining bonds will save the city $60,000 in interest.
  • City Manager Cameron Clapper proposed to move further discussion about Bird scooters to a later date in an effort to give council members more time to gather information about implementing the scooters into the city. City staff members were greeted by Bird Scooter, Inc. in an interest to supply the city a minimum of 100 stand-up electric scooters for use of transportation to members of the public.