Published by the Village of Union Grove - September 2020
Message from Mike Aimone, Village President
Our hearts go out to the people of Kenosha in light of last week's events. Thank you to Sheriff Christopher Schmaling who has been in direct contact with the Village of Union Grove during this process to assure us his department is prepared, well-equipped and at the ready to handle any public safety issue that should arise. Sheriff Schmaling has indicated there have been no threats to our community. If anything should change, we will share any pertinent information on our Village website and Facebook page.

As schools re-open this week, please be extra mindful of traffic regulations and pedestrian crossings. Always stop on the street or highway 20 feet or more from any school bus that has stopped and is flashing red warning lights (this applies both to vehicles approaching from the rear and from the opposing lanes). Sheriff's deputies will be on patrol and violators may be ticketed. Thank you for your cooperation and helping keep Union Grove safe!

Respectfully,
Mike Aimone, Union Grove Village President
Last Chances to Visit the Public Market
There are still a few chances left to check out the new Union Grove Public Market at 4400 67th Dr. (near Piggly Wiggly). The market runs each Tuesday from 3-7 p.m. through September 29. Kudos to Greater Union Grove Chamber of Commerce, its public market committee and all the wonderful vendors for bringing a successful new market to the community!
Voting & Election Updates
A total of 497 ballots were cast in the August 11 Partisan Primary election, which accounted for a 18% turnout of registered voters. To view the countywide election results, click here. Thank you to all of the individuals who worked at the polls or assisted with drive-up absentee voting!

November 3, 2020 - General Election
Preparations are being made for the General Election coming up on November 3. The ballot will include races for U.S. President, U.S. Congress, State Assembly, District Attorney, County Clerk, County Treasurer and County Register of Deeds. Due to the pandemic, absentee voting will continue to be encouraged to help avoid large gatherings on election day. For more information on absentee voting and voter registration, click here.
Afternoon Crossing Guard Still Needed
A crossing guard is still needed to serve when school gets out each day from 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. This person fills an important role in helping children cross a high traffic area near the pony path on Highway 11. Candidates must be able to pass a background check, and dependability is a must. Crossing guards are paid $10.40 per hour. Please contact the Village Offices as soon as possible if you are interested at (262) 878-1818.
Rec. Department Flag Football
Union Grove Rec. Department is offering flag football leagues this fall with two divisions - 3rd-5th graders and 6th-8th graders. The season will take place in October into early November, with games on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Safety rules will be in place due to COVID-19 and players will be provided gaiter face coverings. Registration will be open later this week and can be done at the Village Offices or by completing the registration form and submitting it with the $45.00 registration fee to the Village Office in-person, by mail or by using the dropbox outside the municipal center entrance. Look for the registration form on the Village website by the end of this week!
On August 7, Leadership Union Grove Class of 2020 unveiled a "Welcome to Union Grove" mural on the south wall of NAPA Auto Parts (1401 Main St.). It was one the group's two class projects (the other was replacing windows and doors for the Union Grove Food Bank). Thank you to Leadership Union Grove and all who contributed to these projects!
Electronics Recycling Event on September 26th
The second (and final) electronics recycling event of the year will take place on Saturday, September 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Union Grove Wastewater Treatment Plant (3710 67th Dr.). Please see the following list of items that are accepted and that have disposal fees:

  • Items accepted: Computers, Monitors, Circuit Boards, Laptops, Servers, Printers, Keyboards, Mice, Cables and all related accessories. Electrical equipment, Stereos, VCR’s, DVD Players, Power Tools, Telephones, Cell phones, Small Appliances, Exercise Equipment and all related accessories.

  • Items with a disposal fee: TVs ($20), Microwaves ($5), Old Tube Type Monitors ($10) and Exercise Equipment ($5).

  • Items that will not be accepted: Household batteries, anything with freon, large appliances and light bulbs.

For questions, contact Midwest Computer Recycling at (847) 582-1730.
Canopy Hill Updates
A follow-up review of the concept plan for the Canopy Hill subdivision will be presented at a joint meeting of the Village Board, Plan Commission and Community Development Authority on Tuesday, September 8 at 5 p.m. The meeting will be held in-person at the Union Grove Municipal Center with a public call-in option available by dialing and entering the conference ID: 232 245 189#. Bear Development is expected to present updates to their concept plan based on feedback at the last joint meeting that was held on July 20. Meeting materials will be posted on the Village meetings webpage by September 4. For more information about Canopy Hill, visit the Current Development Projects webpage.
Look for the Fall 2020 edition of the Village Voice quarterly newsletter in your mailbox for more updates on Village projects and activities, including fall construction projects, library news and updates from other local organizations!
Recreation Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Union Grove Recreation Survey this past July! There were a total of 229 responses from area residents, with 140 from Union Grove residents specifically. Following are highlights from the survey:

  • Basketball was the most popular Rec. Department program, with 38% respondents indicating a member of their household has participated in the past two years.
  • Volleyball, Karate and Taekwondo were rated as the most desired youth sports programs that are not currently offered by the Rec. Department.
  • Exercise/Fitness Classes and Yoga were rated the most desired older adult activities.
  • Strength Training and Self-Defense Class were the most desired healthy living programs.
  • When Union Grove residents were asked if they were willing to pay additional property taxes for new amenities, 46% were "Very Likely" to support an indoor community pool, 43% were "Very Likely" to support an outdoor community pool and 32% very "Very Likely" to support a community center. Far less (18%) were "Very Likely" to support additional property taxes for tennis courts.
  • When asked for other comments or feedback, the most popular suggestions were for youth gymnastics (mentioned four times), adult running and soccer programs (mentioned five times), community pools (mentioned five times), beer garden (mentioned five times), ATV/snowmobile designated trails and clubs (mentioned seven times) and more biking and walking trails (mentioned 12 times).

The results from the survey will help guide future planning activities for the Village's Recreation & Parks Committee. To view the full survey results, click here. Note that only respondents who indicated they reside in Union Grove were asked about use of property taxes for amenities.
Village Creates 10-Year Financial Plan
The Village of Union Grove has developed a Long-Range Financial Plan (2020-2030) to serve as a roadmap for maintaining service levels and completing necessary infrastructure improvements in a fiscally responsible manner. The plan was initially presented to the Finance Committee on July 22 and was reviewed by the Village Board on August 3 before being accepted by the Board on August 17.

The plan accounts for the following four main objectives:

  1. Plan for rising costs of operations and capital improvement needs, while:
  2. Maintaining a stable property tax rate;
  3. Maintaining a General Fund balance that meets our Fund Balance Policy (25% of prior year expenditures); and,
  4. Meeting the goal of our Debt Policy as it relates to General Obligation debt limits (75% of less of statutory limit).

The approved plan will be updated periodically and will serve as a guide for the annual budget process. To view the Long-Range Financial plan, click here.
New Village Clerk Appointed
At a special meeting on August 31, the Village Board approved the appointment of Rebecca Hallendal as Village Clerk. Rebecca replaces Brad Calder, whose last day was on July 1 before he took the position of Village Administrator in Johnson Creek. Union Grove Administrator Mike Hawes filled in as Interim Village Clerk until a permanent appointment was made.

Rebecca brings experience as a poll worker, as well as nine years of financial industry experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Music from Beloit College and a Master of Fine Arts from Northern Illinois University. Rebecca's first day will be September 15, and she will jump right into preparations for the November 3 election! Welcome, Rebecca!
Village Staff Anniversaries
Congratulations to the following Village and Library staff members with an upcoming service anniversary:

  • 31 years - Donna Daley, Librarian, December 5
  • 12 years - Jeff Swantz, DPW Laborer/Mechanic, October 1
  • 6 years - Chad Hansen, DPW Laborer, November 19
  • 2 year - Olivia Weippert, Library Shelver, November 1

Thank you for your continued dedication to Union Grove!
Village Board Updates
The Village Board held regular meetings on August 3 and August 17 and held a special meeting on August 31. Following is a recap of Village Board actions that took place:

August 3 Regular Meeting:
  • Approved Ordinance 2020-08, adopting the 2050 land use plan map and replacing the map in the 2035 comprehensive plan.
  • Approved the use of Granary Way, 10th Ave. and Russell Dr. for Super Saturday on August 29, subject to following health department recommendations and that no Village manpower or resources will be used for the event.
  • Reviewed a draft long-range financial plan and continued the item to the August 17 meeting for further review and consideration.
  • Approved a proposal from Invoice Cloud for credit card and e-check processing services.

August 17 Regular Meeting:
  • Tabled a request for a WE Energies distribution easement at 1600 Leider Dr. and instructed staff to request a different location for the overhead line.
  • Approved Resolution 2020-13, amending the 2020 Budget.
  • Approved Pay Request #3 for TID #6 Offsite Utility Improvements submitted by Globe Contractors in the amount of $353,078.76.
  • Denied an Application for Temporary Class "B" Retailer's License filed by Kiwanis Club of Union Grove to sell fermented malt beverages at Kiwanis Street Dance at Village Square Park on August 29, 2020.
  • Approved a long-range financial plan.
  • Approved the transfer of alcohol license from Behrens Investments LLC (d/b/a JB's Pub) to a successor owner: T-Mac's on Main, 1010 Main St.

August 31 Special Meeting:
  • Approved jurisdictional offers to provide for acquisition of public right-of-way for a pubic alley access point to S. 10th Avenue (also known as Granary Way).
  • Appointed Rebecca Wallendal to the position of Village Clerk.
Upcoming Meetings Schedule
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are now being held in-person in the first floor Community Room with an option to join via public teleconference. Teleconference call-in numbers and access codes will be posted on meeting agendas. Meeting dates and times are subject to change.

  • September 8 - Joint Meeting of the Plan Commission, Community Development Authority and Village Board (5 p.m.)
  • September 8 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • September 9 - Library Board (5 p.m.)
  • September 9 - Fire Commission (6 p.m.)
  • September 15 - Community Development Authority (6 p.m.)
  • September 21- Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • September 21 - Water, Wastewater, Storm Water & Streets (after VB)
  • September 24 - Recreation & Parks Committee (6 p.m.)

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