May 2021
Village Welcomes Brian Beiley as New
Public Works Supervisor
We are very pleased to welcome Brian Beiley to the Village staff! Brian was hired to the position of Public Works Supervisor to succeed Jack Feiner who resigned in February to take the position of public works manager with the Village of Sturtevant.

Brian brings over 13 years of experience in the field of public works working for the Racine County Highway Department. His most recent position included being a the supervisor of the road paint and tar sealing crew. Brian has extensive experience in snow plowing, road maintenance, stormwater management, facility and parks maintenance.

Brian resides just outside of Wind Point in Caledonia and is a lifelong resident of the Racine area.

Please join us in welcoming Brian to Wind Point!

Seasonal Laborer Opening
The Village of Wind Point is currently accepting applicants for a Summer Laborer. The position provides assistance to the Public Works Supervisor and Public Works Assistant to maintain the Village Green park, Village office, Public Works garage/yard and road rights-of way. For more information and to download an application please click here.
Lighthouse Grounds Project Update
Phase 1 of the Lighthouse Grounds Beautification Project will begin in May. The grounds project has been a multi-year planning effort that will enhance the beauty of the grounds, while making it more functional for residents, and visitors. The project includes the following improvements:

  • Construction of a new paved pathway (separate from the driveway and parking area) to provide safer access and an off road path for pedestrians and bicyclists. The pathway will provide direct connections to the south lawn, lakefront and existing walkways.
  • New historical and entrance signage
  • Planned landscaping improvements to enhance the west side of the grounds. he Village will be using a $10,000 donation form an individual toward the cost of the landscaping.

A detailed copy of pathway plans can be viewed here. The rendering of the new entrance sign can be viewed here.

Beginning in the 2019 components of the Lighthouse grounds project where incorporated into the Village’s capital budget. Delays in the project in 2019 and 2020, which were outside the Village’s control, led to project being approved for construction in 2021.

On April 22, 2021, the Village Board awarded a bid to Workman Enterprises, LLC, in the amount of $74,976.83 for construction of the pathway portion of the project. The Village will able to utilize $14,847 in grant funding from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program for the project. The final cost of pathway is estimated to be $60,102.83. The original budgeted amount of the project was $100,000. With a lower than expected bid, in addition to the grant, the full project will be able to save $39,897.17 from what was originally budgeted.

The construction on the pathway is anticipated to begin around May 17, with final completion scheduled for June 30.
Community Safety Meeting
The Wind Point Police Department hosted a community safety meeting on Monday, April 26. Over 70 residents attended the meeting. 

The Village Administrator and Police Chief presented background information on the Wind Point Police Department, historic crime trends in Wind Point, and provided suggestions and recommendations on what residents can do to improve safety at their homes and in their neighborhoods. 

The slides from the presentation can be viewed here.

The meeting identified resident safety concerns. These concerns included:
  • Speeding on Lake Meadow Drive, specifically vehicles going to and from the Prairie School.
  • Traffic volume and interactions with pedestrians on Lake Meadow Drive.
  • Pedestrian safety along Four Mile Road including concerns about drivers passing in the bike and pedestrian lane.
  • Concerns about the amount of hours currently allocated for police department patrols.

Residents also provided some suggestions about possible options for addressing the safety concerns raised:
  • Additional signage and markings for pedestrian safety.
  • Speed control devices, such as speed bumps or speed humps installed on roads.
  • Communication with the administration of the Prairie School regarding speeding concerns.
  • Requests for more information regarding the creation of a neighborhood watch program.

A few residents at the meeting inquired what the costs and tax implications would be add patrol hours or to move to a fulltime police department. Estimates of theses costs and tax implications can be viewed here.

The Police Chief and Village Administrator will create a report to the Village Board detailing the concerns raised at the meeting and an action plan. Another community meeting will be held in a few months. The next meeting will address progress from concerns raised at the April meeting and to hear any additional concerns.

If you have any questions, concerns please contact either Village Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Casey Griffiths at c.griffiths@windpoint.org or 262-639-3524 or Police Chief Rick Von Drasek at police@windpoint.org or 262-639-3022.
Open Burning Changes &
Coal Based Tar Sealant Ban
Public Works Committee Meeting- May 5
The Public Works, Utilities and Environment Committee will be meeting on Wednesday, May 5 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss possible changes to the Village's open burning ordinance and to discuss the possibility of banning the use of coal based tar sealants.

Residents have requested that the Village examine regulations on the open burning of yard waste, due to concerns for health and safety. Village staff has researched the matter and plans to present the findings to the committee. This analysis has included examining regulations in other communities, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of eliminating open burning. The Village's current opening burning ordinance, which can be found here, allows for open burning of yard waste between the hours for 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Residents have also requested that the Village adopt an ordinance to ban the use of coal based tar sealants. These sealants are used to seal coat asphalt driveways and parking lots and can be the source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), which due to runoff, can be found in waterways, such as rivers and lakes. There is currently no Village ordinance that bans the use of coal based sealants.

Residents are welcome to provide their feedback to the committee at the meeting during the citizen comments portion of the agenda. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and the information on how to login is below. You may also provide your comments on these two matters by emailing Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Casey Griffiths at c.griffiths@windpoint.org.

Public Works, Utilities & Environment Committee Meeting Information
Time: May 5, 2021 06:00 PM Central Time
Phone Number: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 939 7458 7345
Passcode: 154315
2021 Spring General Election Results
A total of 682 ballots were cast in the 2021 Spring Election, 353 at the polls and 329 absentee ballots (mailed and in-person) for a total voter turnout of 46.3%.

In the Village races on the ballot, Susan Sanabira was re-elected as Village President. Don Gloo and Marty Meissner were reelected as Village Trustees and Mike Rohrer was elected to his first term on the Village Board. Georgia Herrera was elected to fill the remainder of the term of Municipal Judge for the Wind Point/North Bay Municipal Court.

To view a summary of the results for all the races on the Village of Wind Point ballot please click here.
Lawn Reminders
Residents are reminded that village ordinance requires lawns to be kept below 12 inches in height. If grass gets above this height, the Village may have the lawn mowed and billed to the property owner.

Residents are also responsible for maintaining lawns in public right-of-way areas adjacent to their property.

For any questions, please contact the Village Office at info@windpoint.org or 262-639-3524.
Walking Safety Tips and Reminders
With spring now here, many residents will be out enjoying the warm weather. This is a good opportunity to take a moment to provide ten walking safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

  1. Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
  2. Walk on pathways or sidewalks when they are available.
  3. If there's no pathway or sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
  4. Keep alert at all times; don't be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
  5. Whenever possible, cross roads at intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
  6. If an intersection is not available, locate a well lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait until there a is gap in traffic that will allow you enough time to cross safely. Continue watching for traffic as you cross.
  7. Never assume that a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen.
  8. Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at dusk and night.
  9. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
  10. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgement.

More information and tips of pedestrian safety can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.
Village Board Updates
The Village Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting on Thursday, April 8, 2021 The following actions took place at the meeting:

  • Approved certified survey maps for the division of the 4403 Main Street property into four single family home lots and one outlot.
  • Tabled action on a developer's agreement with KEW Investments for the Deepwood Estates development (4403 Main Street).
  • Tabled action on approving covenants and restrictions for the Deepwood Estates development.
  • Approved an amendment to the purchase and sale agreement with KEW Investments for the property at 4403 Main Street. The amendment extended the contingency period and closing dates for the sale of the property to May.
  • Approved the appointment of Brian Beiley to the position of Public Works Supervisor.

The Board of Trustees also met for a special meeting on Thursday, April 22, 2021. The following actions took place at the meeting.
  • Approved a bid from Workman Enterprises, LLC for construction of a pathway at the Wind Point Lighthouse Grounds in the amount of $74,976.83.
  • Approved the purchase of a new Lighthouse entrance sign from J. Ewens Design, Inc. in the amount of $5,977.
  • Approved a contract with Cleanco for weekend custodial services at the Wind Point Lighthouse from May to October in the amount of $1,842.

Please note that this is a summary of the actions taken and discussion had at the meeting. All Village Board meeting minutes can be found here. Minutes are posted online after approval by the Village Board.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 13 at 5:30 pm at the Village Hall.
Village of Wind Point, Wisconsin
215 E. Four Mile Rd.
Racine, WI 53402
262.639.3524