Published by the Village of Union Grove - February 2020
Land Use Planning Updates
Thank you to everyone who attended the Land Use Planning Public Workshop on January 29. About 50 people were in attendance to review information about the Village's existing land use plan and to provide feedback on updating the plan in 2020. For more information on this project, and to view materials from the meeting, please visit the Land Use Planning project webpage.
Spring Primary Election on February 18
A spring primary election will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at the Union Grove Municipal Center between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. The only race on the ballot for Union Grove residents will be a primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. For more information about this election, and to view a sample ballot, click here .

Spring Election - April 7, 2020
The spring election will take place on Tuesday, April 7. The ballot will contain certain local and statewide races, as well as the primary for U.S. President. For the Village of Union Grove, there will be races for three Village Trustee positions. Incumbents Gordon Svendsen and Ryan Johnson submitted nomination paperwork for Trustee seats numbered 2 and 6, respectively. Adam Graf and incumbent Timothy Mallach submitted paperwork for Trustee seat number 4.
Winter Snow and Parking Reminders
In order to help maintain safe conditions in the Village, please be mindful of the following regulations relating to snow/ice removal and winter parking:

  • Sidewalks - Snow and ice is required to be removed from the full width of the sidewalk within 24 hours of the end of snowfall by the owner, occupant or person in charge of the property located along the sidewalk. If snow or ice is not cleared, the Village may have it cleared and the owner will be sent a statement for the actual labor cost of removal by the Village.

  • Disposal of Snow into the Street - Blowing or disposing snow into the street is prohibited.

  • Fire Hydrants - Residents are responsible for clearing snow around fire hydrants that are adjacent to their property.


  • Alternate Side Parking - From November 15 to March 15, overnight parking is permitted only on the even-numbered side of the street on the nights bearing an even calendar date during the hours from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., and on the odd-numbered side of the street on those nights bearing an odd calendar date during the hours from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. on any street in the Village, except Main Street where there is no overnight parking.

  • Snow Emergencies - A snow emergency may be declared by the Village in the event of hazardous weather conditions (typically when there is at least 3 inches of accumulation of a 24 hour period). During a snow emergency, vehicles cannot be parked on any public street in the Village. Emergencies are announced on the Village website and local media outlets (WTMJ-TV, WDJT-TV, WISN-TV and WITI-TV).

Thank you for you cooperation and, as always, please contact the Village Office if you have any questions at 262-878-1818.
Village Prepares to Close TID #3
On January 27, the Village Board heard a presentation from financial adviser Phil Cosson regarding the opportunity to close Tax Incremental Financing District (TID) #3 this year. TID #3 was created in 2000 to promote the expansion of the Village's industrial park located along Commerce St., York St. and Industrial Park St. The TID was successful in helping business retention and expansion, and ultimately growing the tax base from $3.5 million to a value of $22.1 million! Racine County Economic Development Corporation estimates the industrial park currently employs 601 people. Due to the success of TID #3, the Village will be able to close it in 2020, which is four years earlier than the statutory closure year of 2024. More information about the Village's TIDs (and how they work) near the bottom of the Taxes & Budgets webpage.
Join the Union Grove-Yorkville Fire Department
Membership with the Union Grove–Yorkville Fire Department is a proud opportunity to volunteer and participate in our community providing professional EMS and firefighting services to our residents, businesses and visitors within the Villages of Union Grove and Yorkville. The department is always seeking new members who have a desire to serve the community. Two membership opportunities are available: regular membership and associate membership. Learn more about these opportunities and application requirements at https://www.ugyfd.com/membership/.
Entertainment Stage Project Updates
Construction of the entertainment stage ("The Pavilion at School Yard Park") is set to take place this spring. Meanwhile, the Rules and Governance Subcommittee has drafted a policy document and ordinance recommendation providing rules for reserving and using the stage. The document will be reviewed by the Recreation and Parks Committee later this month. The Fundraising and Events Subcommittee has also been busy developing a sponsorship program to help raise additional funds needed for the project. Sponsor benefits include recognition on a monument sign, a plaque in the park and more. For more information on the sponsorship program, visit the Entertainment Stage webpage.
Sidewalk Inspection Program
On January 20, the Water, Wastewater, Storm Water and Streets Committee reviewed the Village's sidewalk regulations and discussed upcoming sidewalk inspections. In 2020, the Public Works Department will inspect sidewalks west of Main St. Sidewalks located east of Main St. will be inspected in 2021.

Per Village Code, property owners are responsible for repair or replacement of defective sidewalks located adjacent to their property. Property owners who receive a notice of defective sidewalks will have the option to complete the work themselves, or have it completed by the Village through a third-party contractor. If the work is completed by the Village and exceeds $300, the cost may be spread over three years. For more information on this topic, visit the Property Maintenance webpage.
Early-Bird Registration Available for Summer Camp
YMCA Summer Camp will once again be offered in Union Grove in 2020. The registration fee is normally $30 (in addition to weekly camp rates), but registration is free if you sign up by February 29. Register in person at 8501 Campus Dr Mt. Pleasant, WI or by phone by calling 262-898-4551. For q uestions about Summer Camp, please contact Katie Svendsen 262-898-4558.
Village Staff Anniversaries
Congratulations to the following Village and Library staff members with a recent or upcoming service anniversary:

  • 28 years - Brian Dexter, DPW Laborer, January 6
  • 22 years - Brad Maier, Wastewater Operator, March 16
  • 8 years - Kathleen Heineck, Librarian, March 13
  • 1 year - Brad Calder, Village Clerk, February 4
  • 1 year - Michael Hawes, Village Administrator, February 6
  • 1 year - Robin Ehlert-Ginder, Library Circulation Clerk, February 21

Other Staff Updates
We are pleased to welcome Jenna Zerbel as our new management intern at the Village Office! Jenna recently obtained a bachelor's degree from UW-La Crosse and brings experience in grant writing, customer service and media/content creation. She will assist with special projects/research and front counter service. Funding for the management intern is received, in part, from a grant from the Wisconsin City Management Association.
Village Board Updates
The Village Board held regular meetings on January 13 and January 27. Following is a recap of Village Board actions that took place at this meeting:

January 13 Regular Meeting:
  • Approved operator license applications filed by Carol A. Butler, Noel G. Nelson and Kayla M. McNamara.
  • Approved Resolutions 2020-01 and 2020-2 authorizing the sale of $1,760,000 Taxable General Obligation Community Development Bonds (revised amount) relating to TID #5.
  • Approved Ordinance 2020-01, rezoning property at 20215 Durand Ave. from RS-90 Single Family Residence to C-2 Highway Business District.
  • Approved a proposal to offer mindfulness courses at the Union Grove Municipal Community Room, subject to Recreation & Parks Committee approving details of the program.
  • Approved a renewal agreement with Racine Family YMCA to serve as recreation director.

January 27 Regular Meeting:
  • Approved Resolutions 20-03 and 20-04, awarding the sale of general obligation community development bonds associated with TID #5 and TID #6.
  • Discussed the process for closing TID #3 in 2020.
  • Approved Pay Request #1 submitted by Globe Contractors for TID #6 Offsite Utility Improvements in the amount of $176,709.50.
  • Approved an engineering work order for design and construction administration services associated with Milldrum St. reconstruction.
  • Reviewed and discussed changes to a fundraising program for the entertainment stage project (“The Pavilion at School Yard Park”).
  • Approved a request for Graham Public Library to use the Community Room for a childrens program with Wehr Nature Center on June 30, 2020 from the hours of 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Upcoming Meetings Schedule
Meetings will be held at Union Grove Municipal Center, 925 15th Ave., unless otherwise noted. Meeting dates and times are subject to change.

  • February 3 - Water, Wastewater, Storm Water & Streets (5:30 p.m.)
  • February 3 - Plan Commission (6 p.m.)
  • February 10 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • February 12 - Library Board (5 p.m. at the library)
  • February 12 - Fire Commission (6 p.m. at the fire station)
  • February 17 - Water, Wastewater, Storm Water & Streets (6 p.m.)
  • February 18 - Entertainment Stage Fundraising & Events (5 p.m.)
  • February 18 - Community Development Authority (6 p.m.)
  • February 20 - Recreation and Parks Committee (6 p.m.)
  • February 24 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • February 27 - Personnel Committee (6 p.m.)

Visit the Village Meetings webpage for meeting agendas, which are posted at least 24 hours before the meeting time.