Milwaukee-- The City of Milwaukee is taking steps to make sure residents are able to safely navigate this dangerously cold stretch on the way.

 \"This is the time to be a good neighbor, a good buddy, and a good friend,\" said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Bevan Baker during a City Hall news conference Friday announcing a cold weather health warning.

Officials are urging residents to take care of themselves, their family, and neighbor.   Mayor Tom Barrett said  \"If you do go outside, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.\"

Non-essential services including garbage collection and recycling will be closed Monday.  However, essential and emergency services will be operating.  All 13 Milwaukee Public Library locations will be open from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday.  Homeless outreach officers will hit the streets and efforts will be made to identify potentially deadly living conditions.  Barrett said, \"We are coordinating with Impact 211  to ensure people without  heat or power are immediately identified and provided assistance or resources.\" 

All non-essential Milwaukee County employees should stay home Monday, but essential employees should report for work.  The courthouse complex will be open, all court activity will be running, and people scheduled for jury duty should report.