Published by the Village of Union Grove - November 2020
Remember to turn your clocks back one hour today, Sunday, November 1 for Daylight Savings. It is also a good time to change the batteries on your smoke alarms!
November 3 General Election Information
Polls will be open for the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Union Grove Municipal Center (925 15th Ave.). To improve spacing, Village of Yorkville has decided to have voting for its residents on the second floor, while Village of Union Grove electors will vote on the first floor. The ballot includes races for U.S. President, U.S. Congress, State Assembly, District Attorney, County Clerk, County Treasurer and County Register of Deeds. To view a sample ballot, click here.

Voter Registration
The last day to register in person at the Village Offices before the election was Friday, October 30. However, you can still register to vote at the polls on Tuesday. Remember to bring a valid proof of residence document and a valid photo ID to vote. Please note voters must reside at their address for at least 28 days by Election Day in order to register to vote.

Absentee Voting
In-person absentee voting ended on Friday, October 30. Thank you to all of the residents who stepped up to work at the in-person absentee voting! If you received an absentee ballot by mail you can still return it in the dropbox outside the entrance of the municipal center, by submitting to the Village Office or by submitting it directly to the poll workers on Election Day. All absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Tuesday in order to be counted.

Voting & Election Questions
For questions, please contact Village Clerk Rebecca Wallendal, at rwallendal@uniongrove.net or call (262) 878-1818.
Important COVID-19 Updates
Central Racine County Health Department (CRCHD) reports our area is in the "Very High" risk category with "Increasing" community transmission. It is essential that we all do our part to prevent further disease transmission, including staying home unless necessary, wearing a face covering in public and maintaining social distancing.  Drive-up testing sites are available Monday-Friday at different sites throughout Racine and Kenosha Counties - for more information on testing sites, click here.

General recommendations from CRCHD:

  • Stay home if you do not need to go out.
  • If you leave your home, expect that you may be exposed to COVID-19.
  • Wear a mask and maintain at least a 6-foot distance between yourself and others.
  • Avoid all unnecessary travel.
  • Avoid all public and personal social gatherings of any size.
  • If you have to go out, avoid any businesses that are not following the masking order and the 25% capacity order.
  • If you feel sick, stay home.
  • Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face.

For more information, please visit the CRCHD COVID-19 webpage.
County Announces Rails-to-Trails Funding
On October 13, Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave announced a $500,000 investment proposed in the County Budget toward the Rails-to-Trails project that crosses through downtown Union Grove! The funding would leverage $1 million previously designated in the state’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and complete the land acquisition needed for the project. The acquisition of the 11-mile section of the Canadian Pacific Railway between Sturtevant, Mount Pleasant, Yorkville, Union Grove and Dover represents a significant step forward in the Route of the Badger trail network’s completion. When complete, the corridor will nearly connect east to west across Racine County and provide 56 miles of uninterrupted trail within the Route of the Badger network. It is anticipated that once the land acquisition is completed, the trail would be completed within five years.
Leaf and Yard Waste Collections
Fall leaf collection service by Union Grove Public Works is underway! Rake leaves to the edge of the road for pick-up. Please set out leaves only, as branches and other matter can damage the leaf collection equipment. Never rake leaves or other yard debris into the storm sewer. Leaf collections are expected to conclude by Thanksgiving, or shortly after depending on weather.

The last yard waste collection date of the year from Johns Disposal will take place on Saturday, November 28 (delayed one day due to Thanksgiving). Place clippings, leaves and garden debris in marked reusable containers or compostable bags (not plastic bags). Brush must be less than 6" in diameter and 4' in length, bundled together and weighing no more than 50 lbs. For more information on yard waste and other Johns Disposal collections, click here.
A ribbon-cutting was held at The Pavilion at School Yard Park on October 15 to commemorate to completion of the new entertainment stage. For more pictures and information on the stage, click here. (Pictured left-to-right: County Supervisor Scott Maier, County Executive Jonathan Delagrave, Village President Mike Aimone and Union Grove Kiwanis President Liz Johnson.)
Basketball Registration Opens Nov. 23
Registration for Union Grove Rec. Department Winter Basketball Leagues will start on November 23. Registration will be available during normal business hours, by Village Hall drop-box or by mail to: Village of Union Grove, 925 15th Ave., Union Grove, WI 53182. Forms will also be available on the Village website at that time. Games will begin the second and third week of January. COVID-19 protocols will be in place, including a limit on spectators and possibly a mask requirement for players. For questions, contact Ryan Thompson, at 262-902-7917.
Village Approves Three-Year Police Agreement
On October 19, the Village Board approved a new three-year agreement with Racine County Sheriff's Office for police services. The agreement was recommended by the Police Commission after several months of discussions with the County. The multi-year agreement will result in savings of $53,192 in 2021 compared to 2020, and estimated savings of $93,000 over the course of the agreement. The agreement maintains the current level of dedicated police coverage (equivalent of 3.87 deputies), though the agreement allows service levels to be adjusted from year-to-year, if needed. Thank you to Racine County and the Police Commission for all your efforts on this process!
Canopy Hill Updates
After presenting concept plans at joint meetings on July 20 and September 8, Bear Development is now in the process of preparing detailed plans for Plan Commission consideration. The developer has indicated they expect to have materials ready to submit for consideration at the Plan Commission meeting scheduled for December 7. The Joint Review Board is also scheduled to meet on December 7 to have an initial meeting regarding the creation of TID #7, a tax increment financing district that would potentially reimburse infrastructure improvement costs within the new development. The Joint Review Board will also look at how the proposed development would help TID #4 and reimburse the Village for past utility improvements. For more information on the Canopy Hill project, visit the Current Development Projects webpage.
Village Budget Public Hearing Set for Nov. 16
On November 16, a public hearing will be held at the Village Board meeting regarding the 2021 Village Budget. The budget was prepared over the course of the past three months with input from Village staff and Committees. Drafts were reviewed by the Finance Committee on October 12 and by the full Board on October 19.

Following are highlights from the draft 2021 Budget:

  • Property tax rate (Village portion) will decrease slightly to $5.89 per $1,000 of assessed value. Most homeowners will see a small decrease in the Village-portion of their property tax bill.
  • 12.1% decrease (-$53,192) for police protection services due to a negotiated three-year agreement with Racine County Sheriff's Dept.
  • 29.0% decrease (-$14,500) for audit services as a result of a request for proposals process for three years of services.
  • 7.7% increase ($16,682) to garbage and recycling services to add a second monthly yard waste collection (March-November).
  • 9.1% increase ($10,482) to the Union Grove/Yorkville Fire Department for additional staffing needs.
  • 4.0% increase ($5,720) in the Village's contribution to the Graham Public Library.
  • 1.5% base wage increase budgeted for staff positions and 3.4% increase in health insurance premiums.
  • Planned capital expenditures for 2021:
  • Industrial park infrastructure improvements on Industrial Park Dr., York St. and 10th Ave. ($4.2 million with $1.0 million in DOT grant funding).
  • Vassallo Ln. road resurfacing ($48,000 with $18,165 in DOT grant funding).
  • 67th Dr. drainage study ($16,000 with possible $8,000 in DNR grant funding).
  • Reconstruct ditch west of Hwy. 45 and 18th Ave. ($250,000 with possible $125,000 in DNR grant funding).
  • 18th Ave. lift station reconstruction ($750,000).
  • Main St. and 7th Ave. drainage repairs ($250,000).
  • Sanitary Sewer repairs on State St. (14th Ave. to 13th Ave.) ($50,000).
  • Replacement of one ton truck with plow and salter ($90,000).
  • Village GIS system ($23,700).
  • Trench box trailer ($15,000) and lawn mower trailer ($10,000).
  • Municipal center parking lot replacement ($20,000) and office carpet replacements ($20,000).
  • Comprehensive outdoor recreation plan ($8,500).

To view the full draft of the 2021 Budget, click here.
Village Board Updates
The Village Board held regular meetings on October 5 and October 19. Following is a recap of Village Board actions that took place:

October 5 Regular Meeting:
  • Approved an agreement with DH Assessments LLC (Jim Henke) for assessment services for the years 2021 and 2022.
  • Approved Resolution 2020-16, authorizing a reimbursement agreement with Mammoth Springs LLC for paving a portion of the alley near Granary Way and Main St.
  • Authorized the Village Attorney to proceed with preparing a development agreement for Canopy Hill development.

October 19 Regular Meeting:
  • Approved Resolution 2020-17, awarding the sale of $2,800,000 general obligation street improvement bonds.
  • Approved an agreement with Water Well Solutions to remove debris and rehab Well #4.
  • Approved temporary water and sewer service to a property located at 20705 Durand Ave., Tax Key #: 194032131018020 (Owner: Shepherds Baptist Ministries, Inc.), with conditions.
  • Approved the replacement of 67th Dr. Lift Station pumps in the total amount of $42,241.
  • Approved Resolution 2020-18, amending the Village fee schedule.
  • Approved an agreement with Racine County Sheriff's Office for police protection services for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023.
  • Approved the purchase and installation of a touchless front entrance and security access system for the municipal center.
  • Reviewed a draft of the 2021 Village Budget.
  • Approved Resolution 2020-19, 2021 compensation schedule.
Upcoming Meetings Schedule
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are currently 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.

  • November 5 - Plan Commission (5 p.m. - Virtual Only)
  • November 5 - Village Board (6 p.m. - Virtual Only)
  • November 11 - Library Board (5 p.m.)
  • November 16 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • November 17 - Community Development Authority (6 p.m.)
  • November 23 - Water, Wastewater, Storm Water & Streets (6 p.m.)
  • November 24 - Police Commission (5:30 p.m.)

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