Village Market 2019

After much consideration, the village market team is sorry to announce the decision was made to cancel the Village Market this year.

This would have been our third Village Market and we were looking forward to providing this service to our community. We used feedback from previous markets to modify the hours and dates of the market, moving back to a later time slot 4-7 pm, and every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

Hundreds of applications for vendors were mailed out in February and only a handful were received back. We followed up on vendors with phone calls and emails and reached out to potential vendors via social media. With the lack of vendor participation, we felt it wouldn’t be possible to host a successful market this year.  

We are planning to take this year off and will review our process and plans for the Village Market. It is our hope to host a market again in the summer of 2020! We want to thank the vendors that did apply and those that were able participate in past markets. A big thank you to all the patrons of the market as well. We hope to see you all back next summer!

Main Street Wisconsin Day: Little Chute's Big Announcemenet

Main Street Wisconsin Day: Little Chute’s Big Announcement

Last week Tuesday (July 10th, 2018), the Village of Little Chute was happy to join in the celebration of the statewide Main Street Day with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). The Village was one of 8 communities who participated in the Main Street Day celebrations and welcomed several guest speakers to speak about the new and exciting developments that are happening in downtown Little Chute.

Village Administrator James Fenlon began the celebration by announcing two new developments, the first being a Dollar Tree which will be located in the former Save a Lot building in the center of the downtown, and the second being a senior living facility which will be located in the empty lot behind Seth’s Coffee on Grand Avenue. This announcement was followed by brief speeches by Lieutenant Governor Kleefisch, State Senator Frostman, State Representative Tusler, Village President Vanden Berg, and developer Ed Bowen. Each spoke on the importance of developing the downtown area and how exciting these new development are for the village and its citizens.

More exciting than the announcement of these new developments is how each development is building upon the goals that the Village has set out in the Downtown Master Plan. For 30 years the Village has had the desire to develop a senior living facility in the downtown area but was unable until now. This marks a turning point in the village’s Master Plan by aiding in the increasing of the downtown population which in return will help build and grow existing businesses in the downtown area.

The former Save a Lot building has been empty for over a year, leaving a large piece of downtown land vacant. The Dollar Tree development project would renovate the building as well as create a space for a potential bar or restaurant next door. This once again fulfills goals set in the Downtown Master Plan to maintain and grow businesses as well as increasing foot traffic in the downtown area.

Each of these exciting new developments are set to be started this year and finish either later this year or by the summer of next year. These projects will help boost downtown Little Chute further towards achieving its goals in the Downtown Master Plan as well as creating a downtown where both citizens and visitors want to stay. Even with these wins, there is still work to be done. These projects will allow other primary efforts to be executed, focused primarily on infrastructure or key property acquisitions.

Village of Little Chute's Garden Club

Little Chute Garden Club 

The Little Chute Garden Club is a local club co-chaired by members Ellen Mischler and Karen Mulry. Ellen, along with fellow members and volunteers,  chooses flowers, plants, and takes care of all 42 planters that can be seen throughout the village. During the Holiday season, decorations made by the group are added to all of the planters. The work done by this group and their volunteers adds so much beauty to the village and makes the village a visually pleasing place for both residents and visitors.

This summer the Garden Club will continue to plant beautiful planters around town. This project is not complete without all the volunteers that adopt a planter for the summer growing season by watering them three days a week. The Little Chute Garden Club needs additional help throughout this summer. There are five planters left that will need some caretakers; two downtown and three on County Highway N/Freedom Road. If interested in volunteering please contact:

 Ellen Mischler at (920)788-4679 

           or

 Karen Mulry at (920)788-5260.

 Help keep the Village of Little Chute beautiful!

                                                                    *Photos from Ellen Mischler*

The Village of Little Chute would like to recognize all of the teachers and staff in the Little Chute area school district for making a big difference to the children of our community. Thank you!

Amendment to Facade Renovation Program: What is it and Why is it important?

Amendment to the Village of Little Chute Business Improvement/Façade Renovation Program

At the April 4^th, 2018 Regular Board meeting the Village board approved an amendment to the Façade Renovation Program that provides a new Sign Grant program that incentivizes downtown businesses to upgrade signage while also adhering to the Design Review Manual.

What is it?

This amendment provides downtown businesses with an opportunity to apply for a grant that would cover $300-$1,000 for a new or upgraded sign. All new sign designs will be reviewed by the Design Review Board to ensure that all signage adheres to the preferred/allowed designs. The goal of this grant program is to further work towards goals set in the 2018-2022 Downtown Master Plan, specifically strategic initiative 2: Enhancing the Old European Façade and General Atmosphere.

Why is this important?

By further working toward achieving strategic initiatives and goals set in the Downtown Master Plan, the Village of Little Chute can continue to work towards redeveloping the downtown area so that it continues to be a thriving place to live, work, and visit. This grant program works to incentivize businesses to update signage so that it will adhere to the Old World European feel that makes the village so unique.

View the entire Facade Renovation Program here:

Business Improvement/Facade Renovation Program

View the Application for the Sign Grant Program here: 

Sign Grant Program Application

BAZAAR AFTER DARK

          the Fox Cities Night Market is coming soon! 
          
          Saturday, April 28th from 5-10 PM
          Downtown Little Chute

• Art
• Food
• Music
• Beer
• Weird

For more information, click here

Rock the Block is Coming to Little Chute in 2018

In the Spring of 2018, the Village of Little Chute will be working with the Greater Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity to hold a Rock the Block event in Little Chute.  While planning is currently underway, now is the time to reach out to the Rock the Block organizers if you would like to participate.  For information on the event, please read below and note the contact information listed below.  We look forward to collectively improving our community in 2018 and thank the Habitat for Humanity team for choosing Little Chute!

What is Rock the Block? 

An event: 

o    Targeting a neighborhood for a concentrated period of time 

o    Exterior home repair projects for low income homeowners and projects to improve/beautify the neighborhood 

o    As part of this event we have replaced siding, roofing, leveled porches, painted, replaced windows and removed trees, to name a few.

o    Collaborations involving residents, municipalities, local businesses, volunteers, other non-profits and more come together to: 

§  Assist low income residents 

§  Transform neighborhoods 

§  Increase neighborhood pride 

§  Improve quality of life 

Resident Involvement 

·                     Homeowners pay for exterior improvements through non-interest deferred loans – up to $3,000 

·                     Homeowners' are required to assist in repairs as they are able. 

·                     Residents play a key role in determining what’s needed to improve quality of life where they live 

·                     Through home repairs, residents see increased home equity and have more long-term security. This permanent housing stabilizes the neighborhood and this stability helps break the cycle of poverty 

·                     Engaged residents help create safer more cohesive neighborhoods; look out for one another and have more “eyes on the street” 

Please contact Sarah Wylie, Rock the Block Outreach Coordinator, with any questions and to learn how to apply at 920-268-8561 or email at rocktheblock@foxcitieshabitat.org.

Downtown Visioning Workshop Results

In late April a public visioning workshop was held at Village Hall used to identify areas of need in the downtown. The workshop was developed using experiences that East Central staff has had in other communities whereby a very visual and creative set of questions and exercises is used to draw out thoughts, ideas, and concerns from the general public and place them in a context that will help further planning efforts for the downtown. 

The overall goal of the workshop was to seek resident and user input/feedback which will be used to create a new, more detailed “master plan” for the downtown and Main Street corridor.

Approximately a total of 24 individuals ranging from downtown business owners and residents participated during the session. The event was structured as an “open house” style meeting with 6 different workstations each focusing on a different topics that directly or indirectly related to the downtown.The data is arranged by individual exercise with a description and analysis provided for each one. As summarized in the results, a number of areas of need were identified using maps and worksheets. The results will be presented to the Village Board and Plan Commission and pieces will be used in the Downtown Master Plan that is currently being drafted. To view the results click here.

New Logo Unveiled

Originally what started as an effort to have  marketing materials drafted and printed turned into a six month effort and lesson in marketing for staff and the Village Board.  Back in December, 2016, Administrator Fenlon began meeting with marketing professionals to discuss a mock-up of marketing materials for economic development and other purposes.  As those discussions progressed, it became apparent that brand standards and defined identity were needed in order to move forward.  After preliminary discussions with the Village Board and the consultant, it was decided that with that effort, staff and the board would look at the current logo and options moving forward.  Over the course of the past six months, we have held a listening session or open house on the topic, solicited feedback through an interactive survey and discussed the matter at no less than 4 Regular Board meetings.  

Ultimately, last month, the Village Board of Trustees voted to move forward with the logo and text you see below.  In the time since, staff and the consultant have developed the appropriate brand standards and types of logos that will be used moving forward by the Village.  One of the benefits of the logo below is that it maximizes production efficiency by keeping to just two colors.  Additionally, it captures the font and some similarity to the previous logo.  Lastly, the established was added as a homage to the Village's history, which is not only something to be proud of, but something we should celebrate externally to guests, visitors and future residents and business owners!

So what is next?  We will slowly begin rolling out the new logo mainly through electronic formats, letterhead and other mediums in the coming months.  Essentially, wherever we can update areas that are free in 2017 is where we will focus the update.  As we acquire new vehicles or design new signs for facilities and amenities, this logo, the standards and future branding will surely follow.  Since its mentioned, and I am sure you are wondering, we plan to use a tagline of "Welcome to the Village" since "Village of" is no longer in the actual logo.  While the details and efforts on that branding front have not been finalized, we wanted to be sure you were aware of that key point as we round out a well reasoned and designed branding effort.  

If you participated in the effort, provided feedback at meetings or took the survey, we thank you.  We'd also like to extend our thanks to Jenny Vanden Heuvel, resident and owner of JVH Design for her assistance on this project.  If you have comments, questions or concerns on this effort or any others, please do not hesitate to contact the Village Administrator at 920-423-3850 or at james@littlechutewi.org.    

Village Monthly Reports

Are you aware that the Village posts a monthly report? No? Each month the Village posts a monthly report highlighting departmental accomplishments for the month prior, priorities for the current month, and metrics on various service or resident related items. Take a look at last months report and catch up on the latest Village news! Don't wait. Click HERE to view our monthly reports for 2017!!

Downtown Visioning Workshop

Please join us for an evening of brainstorming. Village staff and the Little Chute Business Association is looking for suggestions to enhance the overall look and feel of downtown. Bring a friend or family member, all are encouraged to attend this visioning session. We hope to see you there!

 

Plans to Revitalize Downtown Little Chute

Over the years, Little Chute has had a tremendous amount of growth. As gathered from a community-wide survey, the downtown has consistently been ranked by residents as a top priority. Furthermore, Little Chute plans to revitalize the downtown by revamping its existing Old World European architectural design. The Revitalization Plan will focus on three primary areas: economic growth, multi-family opportunities, and improved transportation flow for businesses.

If you would like to be part of any of these efforts or have an interest in developing in downtown Little Chute, please read the article below.

Perscription Drug Take Back Event - October 22

           PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY COMING TO FVMPD OCTOBER 22                                                                          

The Fox Valley Metro Police Department, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Justice, will coordinate a Prescription Drug Take Back initiative on Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 11am-2pm at the Little Chute Village Hall located at 108 W. Main St.

This effort will continue to bring focus to the issue of prescription opiate abuse highlighted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Dose of Reality campaign to prevent prescription painkiller abuse. The goal of the Take Back Day is to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the community about the potential for abuse of these medications.

Find a Take Back location near you at http://doseofrealitywi.gov/drug-takeback/find-a-take-back-location/

Unused or expired medicine should never be flushed or poured down the drain. Water reclamation facilities are not designed to remove all of them and trace amounts of pharmaceuticals are showing up in rivers and lakes around the world.

“With the opiate epidemic devastating families and communities across our state, we must work together to remove unused prescription painkillers from circulation. They need to be collected and destroyed,” Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said. “This program will also reduce the environmental hazards associated with the improper disposal of unused prescription drugs.”

GUIDELINES:

All waste pharmaceuticals must be generated by a household – no businesses are allowed.

Bring:  Prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials and pet medications.

Do Not Bring:  Illegal drugs, needles/sharps, inhalers, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreen), household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas), mercury thermometers.

• Participants may dispose of solid, non-liquid medication(s) by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into a disposal box or into a clear sealable plastic bag. Plastic pill containers should not be collected. Blister packages are acceptable without the medications being removed. 
• Liquids will be accepted during this initiative.  However, the liquids, creams and sprays must be in their original packaging and evenly distributed within the boxes of collected solid prescription medications.  Liquids without the original packaging will not be accepted.
• Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers. 

Help Protect Your Family

Outagamie County is excited to announce that we’ve partnered with AtHoc, to implement a new mass notification system that allows citizens to self register for emergency alerts.  When an emergency happens in your neighborhood and the 911 center needs to get urgent information to you, AtHoc will ensure you get critical alerts and actionable information.  You may also register to receive weather information.  You want to be selective on the weather alerts so you are not getting overwhelmed with general weather statements.  Some priority selections to consider should be severe thunderstorm warning and tornado warning.

Sign Up Instructions for Emergency Alerts:

1.     Visit www.outagamie.org and click on the AtHoc icon in the lower left hand corner

2.     On the next page click on the registration link: https://alerts5.athoc.com/SelfService/3949039/Register

3.     On the registration page, enter the requested information, e.g. first name, last name, username, password

4.     Once you click on register you will be brought to another page which requires more detail in regards to your location and contact information

5.     Once your name, address and phone number is completed, you may also choose to select any weather alerts you wish to receive

6.     When you are finished, press “Save”

7.     Review your profile and make any needed changes

8.     When alerts are issued you will receive them

9.     Remember your user name and password as you may wish to edit/update your profile in the future

Little Chute Releases 2016 Community Survey

Earlier this year, the Village of Little Chute partnered with the UW River Falls Survey Research Center.  In April 2016, the Survey Research Center (SRC) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls mailed surveys to 1,101 randomly selected households in the Village, followed by a second mailing to non-respondents two weeks later.

The SRC received 471 useable responses, for a net response rate of 48%.  Based on the estimated number of adults in the population of Little Chute (8,148), the results provided in the report are expected to be accurate to within plus or minus 4.4% with 95% confidence.

The effort of the survey is actually part of a larger strategy, that being the 2015-2019 Strategic Plan.  The data collected in this survey will assist in policy creation, future decision making and assist with providing data in a number of key areas for the Village of Little Chute.  Perhaps most pressing, data from the report will be utilized as staff continue to work on a cohesive marketing effort for future economic development efforts in the Village, particularly in the Downtown/Central Business District.

Finally, the Village Board of Trustees and Village staff would like to thank the residents of Little Chute for sharing their time and opinion during this effort.  With a response rate of 48%, it is safe to say that the residents of Little Chute are engaged.  We look forward to working on continually improving Village government, not only to meet your expectations that our residents clearly have for our community, but to exceed them!  

You can find the full report for the survey on the Village's Strategic Planning landing page (linked in the left column) or by clicking here. 

Total Housing Units/ Building Permits

As collected by The Business News Magazine, the 2016 Book of Lists indicates the number of total housing units/building permits in the Village of Little Chute. The Village's economy has been steadily growing over the years. This represents an increase in demand for individuals seeking to invest in the area. This is a good indicator for community development; work for staff has been plentiful. This list will be added to the 2016 Comprehensive Plan.

As represented in the 2015 data below, Little Chute ranks #9, with a total of 114 total units. In 2016, Little Chute had about 122 total units. 

Yard Waste Drop off Site

Please review this information regarding Little Chute's yard waste drop off site!

The location of the 2016 yard waste site is located at the corner of Elm and Nixon Streets, this is the same location as last year’s temporary site. The same access control card can be used as last year. There is a possibility of relocating this site, this property may be a future building site. THE YARD WASTE SITE IS NOT OPEN YET. You will receive a letter in the main once it opens.

Lawn clippings and leaves only, or brush the size of your hand are allowed. For larger brush items please call the Parks and Recreation Department at (920) 423-3869 to be put on a list for curb side pickup of your brush.

Place the yard waste in the retaining wall once at the site and dispose of the containers/bags that you brought the yard waste into the garbage containers. Keep this site clean, any misuse of site rules may result of closure of the site.

If you have lost or disposed of your card, there will be a fee to reactivate your pass when the permanent site is open. Reactivation of access control cards or the purchase of a new card can only be done at the Village Hall Finance Department.

If you would like to purchase an access control card for the new yard waste site once it becomes available, please call the Department of Public Works at (920) 423-3865 and we will add you to a list of residents that will be contacted when the site is available.

2016 Windmill Miniature Quilt Show

Come join us! The Little Chute Historical Society is sponsoring the 2016 Miniature Quilt Show to benefit our new, authentic, working Dutch windmill. Our windmill grinds grain into flour with only the power of the wind. 

The Miniature Quilt show will be held on April 22, 23, and 24 from 9-4 each day. Admission is $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for children, a tour of the windmill is included in this cost.

The miniature quilt show is a competition featuring a variety of miniature quilts. Visitors can vote for their favorite. Cash prizes will be awarded to 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th place winners. 

For more information on the show, please visit our website at www.littlechutehistory.org 

Or contact us by phone at (920) 788-4679 and at the windmill at (920) 788-2629.

List of Events:

Friday, April 22: From 12:30 – 1:45pm the Library/ Civic Center will be featuring author, Gini Athey, for a book signing of her novel “Quilts Galore.”  

Saturday, April 23: From 9- 3pm in the Library/Civic Center, the Senior Service Club will be serving a breakfast/lunch. A Mission Group from St. Johns Parish will be selling their items in the Library/ Civic Center from 9-4 as well.

Free Pickup of Residential Tires

The Village of Little Chute will collect passenger car tires no larger than 18” (rims acceptable) with a limit of (4) tires per household twice during the year.  The pickup will be on your garbage collection day during the weeks of:  April 18—21 and September 19—22. 

Place the tires curbside by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.  This collection is limited to residential tires only, not businesses.

If you wish to dispose of tires at any other time, you can take them to the Outagamie County Landfill and pay their regular tire disposal rates.  Tires exceeding 18” in size may be taken to the Outagamie County Landfill for $4.00 per tire or $150.00 per ton.  Please call 920-968-5721 if you have questions or would like additional information.

Press Release: Village of Little Chute Releases Survey to the Community

Little Chute, WI. (April 7, 2016) – The Village of Little Chute and the Survey Research Center (SRC) of University of River Falls collaborated to create a community survey to be released to Village residents. The survey will question residents about their satisfaction with Village services and direction on other important topics.

Since 1990, the Survey Research Center (SRC) at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls has provided statistically sound, low cost information gathering services for academics, local units of government, non-profit groups, school districts, and other organizations.  

According to the most recent 5-year estimate from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, there are approximately 8,148 adults age 18 year and older in Little Chute. Based on that number, the SRC will need to receive 367 completed questionnaires to produce viable survey results. The SRC will send the survey to a random sample of 1,101 Little Chute residents.

The Village of Little Chute has requested that residents fill out this survey in an effort to assess the services the Village provides. Each response will be taken into careful consideration when reviewing the results of the survey. It is of high priority that residents take their time completing the survey and answer honestly and correctly.

The survey will be sent out this week. Please check your mail box for this survey and return by mail. Post card reminders will be sent to non-respondents 10-14 days after the initial mailing and mailing a second survey to non-respondents 10-14 days after the reminder postcard is sent. 

The Village of Little Chute appreciates your time and input on this important effort. Comments and suggestions are always welcome. It is anticipated that the final results will be delivered approximately one month after the closing of the survey.

About the Village of Little Chute

Little Chute is an incorporated community of approximately 11,000 residents. The Village is located within the southeastern portion of Outagamie County and is situated within the heart of the Fox Cities, an urban area along the Fox River from Kaukauna to Neenah. 

Editorial Contact: For additional information, please contact Village Administrator James Fenlon.  Phone: (920) 423-3850

E-mail: james@littlechutewi.org

###