March 2017
Village Green Park Project Updates
After a year-and-a-half of planning, renovations to Village Green Park are closer to coming to fruition! The Village is currently accepting bids from contractors to construct improvements at the park. The bid deadline is tomorrow, March 2 at 11 a.m. and the sealed bids will be publicly opened at that time. The Village Board will have an opportunity to award the contract to the lowest comprehensive, responsible bidder. Construction is expected to be completed by July 15, 2017.

The following improvements will be included in the construction: updated playground with modernized, age-specific playground areas; continuous pathway around the perimeter of the park; reconfigured parking to eliminate extra driveways; new tennis court fencing and replacing one tennis court with a dedicated pickleball court; and updated landscaping with new trees around the tennis courts. The Village will receive alternate bids for installing a fence for a dog exercise area in the southwest area of the park; the Village Board will then have the opportunity to evaluate the cost of the dog park area and determine if this component will move forward in 2017.
Park Pavilion
The Village has hired Glenville Timberwrights of Baraboo to construct and install a 20'x30' pavilion structure. The structure will be based on a design concept approved by the Architectural Review Board and Village Board in December (pictured right). The pavilion is expected to be installed during the later phase or after the other improvements.

Project Costs and Funding
The Village budgeted $385,145 for park improvements in 2017 to be funded by tax dollars and reserves. Updates on the park improvements will be posted in this newsletter and on the Village website throughout the year, so stay tuned for more about this exciting project!
Meet Your New Village President and Trustee!
Susan Sanabria, Village President
Susan Sanabria was sworn in as President of the Village Board on February 3, 2017. She has been a member of the Board since September 2013, serving on the Lighthouse, Building & Zoning and Parks & Facilities Committees. From 2010-2012, she also served on an ad-hoc committee that streamlined and updated zoning and building ordinances.

Susan and her husband Jim Zarzycki moved here in 2007.  Now retired, she spent most of her professional career working in or with federal and state legislatures and agencies. Her last position was Sr. VP of Advocacy Programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in political science and a Master’s Degree in public administration. 

“I’m honored to continue serving the Village in this new position. The Village is in a good place. We have exceptional staff who often observe and fix problems before they ever are noticed by residents. Our Village is fiscally sound, and when surveyed, our residents report they are very satisfied with nearly all services. I’m sure the entire Board would agree that our #1 goal is to make decisions that maintain the Village’s strong position.  There are a few things on the horizon that will require Board and staff attention: the upgrade to the Village Green, finding the best, most cost-effective way to repaint our beautiful lighthouse; the disposition of the vacant and deteriorating Wind Point School building; and enhancing our sense of community.

“My husband and I love Wind Point - the natural beauty and the warmth of the people. Although I have worked with government entities for many years, I have truly enjoyed the Wind Point local government experience as it can directly affect our quality of life and the value of our homes.”
Charles Manning, Village Trustee
Charlie Manning was appointed to the Village Board on February 1 and was ceremonially sworn in on February 9 (pictured right). Charlie and his wife, Mary, have been Village residents for 30 years at the corner of Three Mile Rd. and Lighthouse Dr. His business is Metalworking Systems where the primary products are standard and CNC machine tools and statistical data collection hardware and software. Mary Manning is a recently retired Family Nurse Practitioner and active with the Nurses Foundation of Racine Scholarship Program. They have two grown children (that grew up with the Schmitz sisters as grandmothers). Charlie and Mary are both active members of the Racine Yacht Club where Charlie has served as Commodore and Mary currently serves as Recording Secretary. They have sailed a variety of boats on Lake Michigan for the past 39 years. They are veteran cat support personnel and their 'catio' features Wind Point's tallest exterior, illuminated cat tree.
President Sanabria presented a proclamation to Pete Christensen on February 9. The proclamation was in recognition of Pete's service on the Village Board.

Pete was first elected as Village Trustee in 2007 and was elected as Village President in 2013. Pete served nearly two full terms as president. The Journal Times published a short article on Pete's resignation.
Spring Primary Election Results

A spring primary election was held on Tuesday, February 21. The only race on the ballot in Wind Point was a statewide primary for the Superintendent of Public Instruction. A total of 214 ballots were cast in the Village, which accounts for a 14.8% turnout of registered voters. Tony Evers received 130 votes, Lowell E. Holtz received 66 votes and John Humphries received 17 votes. The total turnout of voters in Racine County for this election was 13,131, or 10.8% of registered voters. To view the county-wide results, click here. The spring election will be held on Tuesday, April 4.
Village Board Discusses Wind Point School
On February 9, the Village Board discussed a recent meeting between representatives from Racine Unified School District (RUSD) and the Village regarding the Wind Point School property. A zoning violation was issued to RUSD in January for keeping a storage vehicle on the property for an extended period of time and allowing the school to be used for police training. These uses are not permitted under the property's current I-1 zoning. Representatives from RUSD stated they would comply with the zoning regulations. The future of the school property was also discussed, and RUSD indicated the property is not ideal to serve as a school in the future due to the condition of the building, access and size limitations of the property and the low number of children in the surrounding area. RUSD has agreed to prepare a preliminary budget for demolishing the building and selling the property. Village Board members agreed with encouraging the school district to move forward with establishing a plan for the property so it does not continue to be neglected.
Private Group Tours at the Lighthouse
Tours of the Wind Point Lighthouse are available to the public on Open Tower Days, which take place on the first Sunday of the month from June to October. But now private groups can also arrange a tour on other days of the year. Tours offer a fun and educational outing for schools, churches, clubs, organizations, class reunions and lighthouse enthusiasts! Private tours (with tower climbs) that are scheduled by a Wind Point resident are eligible for a $50.00 discount.

Tours for private groups must be arranged at least two weeks prior to the request date and are based on availability. There are two types of tours available - tours with tower climbs and tours without tower climbs. Admission for tours with tower climbs is $10.00 per adult (ages 12 and up) and $5.00 per child (ages 6-11); tower climbs are not available for children under the age of 6. There is a minimum fee of $300.00 for groups of mostly adults and $150.00 for groups of mostly children. Admission for tours without tower climbs is $3.00 per person with a minimum fee of $50.00. A security fee applies for all adult groups of 50 or more attendees. All tours are accompanied with a tour guide. To inquire about scheduling a private group tour, please submit a message using the  Contact Form  or contact the Wind Point Village Office at (262) 639-3524.
Obtain Dog Licenses by April 1

April 1 is the deadline for obtaining an annual dog license. A dog license application, along with the license fee and copy of rabies certificate, should be submitted for each dog to the Village Office by mail, dropbox or in-person. Licenses cannot be processed without a non-expired rabies certificate containing the manufacturer, serial number and expiration date of the vaccination. If submitting an application by mail or in the drop-box, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the tag and receipt to be returned to you. If you do not include a self-addressed stamped envelope, your license will be kept at the Village Office to be picked up.

Applications can still be submitted after April 1, however a $10.00 late fee will be assessed. If you recently adopted a dog, or plan to soon, please keep in mind dog owners need to obtain a license within 30 days of ownership. Thank you for your cooperation with the annual dog license program!
Village Board Updates
The Village Board of Trustees met for a regular meeting on February 9, 2017. The following actions took place at the meeting:
  • Judge Knuteson administered the ceremonial oath of President Susan Sanabria and Trustee Charlie Manning.
  • President Sanabria presented a proclamation to Pete Christensen for 10 years of service as Village President and Village Trustee.
  • Approved a proposal from Gary Wernette of Brainstorm Productions to produce a lighthouse history video, subject to village attorney approval of an agreement.
  • Approved the Village offering private group tours at the lighthouse.
  • Approved an updated Village Fee Schedule (Resolution 17-R03).
  • Approved hiring Glenville Timberwrights of Baraboo, WI to construct and install a pavilion for Village Green park.
  • Heard an update on a zoning violation issue at the Wind Point School property.
  • Referred staff to review sign ordinance alternatives with the suggestion of including review by Architectural Review Board.
  • Referred questions regarding permit/inspection requirements for replacement of electrical fixtures.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Village Hall (lighthouse).
Village of Wind Point, Wisconsin
215 E. Four Mile Rd.
Racine, WI 53402
262.639.3524