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Here.
Anastacio.
Here.
Caris.
Here.
Pollack.
Here.
DeGroote.
He is here.
Join us for the Pledge of Allegiance.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States
of America and to the republic for which it stands.
One nation, among not, in the business world,
with the liberty and justice for all.
OK, the first item is a presentation
by the Racine County Economic Development Corporation,
their 2026 mid-year review.
And we are joined by Laura Millian.
Welcome, Laura.
All right, thank you all.
Hi, I'm Laura Millian.
I'm deputy director with Racine County Economic Development.
I'm pleased to be here this evening
to share where we are on our mid-year under our contract
with the village of Mount Pleasant, as well as across our work
for Racine County to promote economic development.
So included in your packet, you have our mid-year report.
And I just want to provide a few highlights of our activities.
So our CDC's assisted over 420 businesses
over the last five years.
59 of those have occurred in Mount Pleasant,
resulting in about $1.7 billion worth of investment
in the village of Mount Pleasant.
Included in our contract are several special projects.
We work as extensions of your staff
to provide economic development services.
But we also have special projects that are assigned to us.
Included in that are working with village staff
on bolstering and coordinating marketing efforts.
Some of the highlights were working on solidifying
and bringing Kedali America to Mount Pleasant
and announcing that to the community,
helping promote the small business growth program
that the village has launched across our platforms.
And also just making sure that, you know,
the village is sharing the resources that our CDC has.
So when we have programs like our BizDarts program
that those are being shared out via social media,
we continue to provide support around TID 5 development,
as well as engaging with housing development prospects
on site opportunities, especially at this point in time,
working with Racine County on identifying creative financing
for for sale single family housing
to make it more affordable or attainable
for individuals in our communities.
So one of the other areas of focus for Racine County
under our work is business attractions,
specifically around industrial and residential development.
Certain things that we have initiated this year,
we continue to work on outreach to our site selectors,
but we've initiated more focus on Northern Illinois
for a business attraction campaign,
as well as housing developers to be very specific
on who our targets are.
Our prospect activity has been a bit slower
for the first half of the year.
It's about 20% down from the first half of 2025.
Mount Pleasant continues, though,
to be of significant interest to businesses
coming, looking at locating in Southeast Wisconsin.
What we've engaged was 16 different prospects
across advanced manufacturing, food and beverage,
as well as distribution.
And one of the things that we are seeing
in terms of prospect activity,
a prospect activity, one of the reasons it's slower,
is because of some of the uncertainty
in the global economy, as well as tariff situation companies,
especially if they're international looking to come to the US.
They're just making their decision to make a decision
on a location has been slowed
due to those increasing costs.
We are seeing new construction investment.
As you look at our overall dashboard is a little bit lower
than what we had anticipated, a lot of that is due
to the fact that so many buildings were built
in the 2020, 2021, 22 time period,
and businesses that are coming into the community,
they're not having to spend as much on new construction.
So that is what's happening as you look
at the projects that have been approved.
Other things, just to highlight,
we continually regularly engage with Microsoft
on their project, as well as providing ongoing support
to Kidali America as they come into the community
making sure that they've got access
to the local resources they need to transition to the area.
On the business expansion side,
this really focuses on helping
our existing businesses access resources
that includes our business financing programs.
We do a lot of outreach to make sure
that our businesses are aware of our programs,
as well as just understanding what their needs are.
And we're finding, as we've talked to them,
there's a really mixed business performance.
Our manufacturers, many of them are doing well.
They're in the logistics sector.
They're also doing fine on the manufacturing side
especially if they're in energy defense
or in data centers, they're doing really well.
And those companies are actually starting
to do more hiring, which is good to hear.
Small businesses, though, are continuing to have challenges
on revenue growth, rising costs are affecting everyone.
And everything you hear in the news is true
and it's affecting small businesses
and something that we keep in mind.
We continue to have a lot of technical assist requests
come in and we connect those businesses
with the resources that are available
either through RCEDC or through our partner programs.
In terms of programming, one thing I'd like to highlight
is our BISTArts Racine Program, which I briefly mentioned.
This is a program that we initiated in 2024
to assist small businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs,
really provide some additional structure and support
to help them with business growth
and establishing a new business.
We've assisted over 30 businesses or individuals
with this particular program.
It includes three parts.
It's phase one is training for six weeks.
And there's mentoring support for an additional
three to four months and then the opportunity
to work with students from Carthage College.
We are initiating our next cohort on September 3rd
and really would encourage you to share that information
with your residents.
We've actually had seven residents
from the village of Mount Pleasant
participate in that particular program.
Couple other highlights on our business expansion side.
We've assisted seven different businesses,
several of them with matching grants
from Racine County, that's a very popular program
that allows businesses that are minority women manufacturers
and veteran owned businesses to access that grant
up to $5,000 for marketing, a consulting support
as well as training.
That program is very popular
and we're actually out of funds for this year.
And then we also assisted Badger Meter
as they have brought in additional production lines
and resulted in about $4 million
of additional investment at their facility.
Another area of focus is our talent attraction effort
which is showcasing Racine County's
very place to live and work through our greater
RacineCounty.com platform.
We continue to update that and put resources
into that program, making sure our employers
are aware of the resources to help them
as they work to attract new talent to the community.
We've also worked with making sure
that we're highlighting each of our communities
which includes Mount Pleasant.
Other areas of focus have included working
with UW Parks side as they've had new students come in,
talk to them about our businesses
and our community as well.
So as we look ahead to the next half of the year,
we're a little more than halfway through here.
Our CDC will be updating their strategic plan.
So we'll be doing some outreach to our communities
and key stakeholders as we work through those updates
because there's been a lot of changes
in our community over the last 10 years or so.
We also will continue with our campaigns.
Other things, I just wanna make sure that I highlight
that are on our list.
I mentioned BIST Arts, please promote it.
And then the other one which is not really included
in the report highlighted as much
is that our CDC is working with economic development
organizations in Kenosha and Walworth County
on a new pitch competition.
This is the second year that we've done this.
We've changed the name.
It's 262 Founders Pitch.
It's got opportunities for individuals
who are interested.
They have an idea around technology, biotechnology,
manufacturing, but also an opportunity for individuals
who have more of a community-based business.
They can also pitch in that competition.
The applications are due by September 1st.
So that's the overview.
I'll be happy to answer any questions
you may have about my report.
I have a question about the BIST Arts
and how would you suggest that we promote that
through our, do you have, like,
we could go to your website and get it to the end of that?
You can go to our website.
We also have on our social media,
there's access there too.
Also happy to share, again, you know,
that recent social media post, if that's the preference,
if you want that or versus an application that's online.
Okay.
Laura, the under your receipt on new trends and efforts,
the two businesses in Sturtivant that were issued,
that issued one notices,
the Cree lighting and UNFI,
what, what, it sounds like what you were doing
was helping those current employees
find other employment, is that?
So what we were doing is working
with Southeast Wisconsin Workforce Development Board
to connect with those businesses.
So not, well,
Southeast, the Workforce Development Board
often is connected with those businesses,
they're not always connected.
So we try to make, smooth that connection,
because in the case of UNFI, they reached out to us,
and when they initiated the war notice,
so we were able to connect,
talk to them and make sure they were in contact
with Workforce Development Board,
and we worked with them on scheduling, you know,
job fairs at the facility to be able to help with
those people who were displaced from that downsizing.
Okay, so it was to help them, okay.
Yeah, yeah, so we weren't running the job fairs,
we were just helping make those, you know,
connections and also helping with the scheduling.
Thank you.
Well, I don't have any comment,
but I want to commend you for all your efforts,
because, you know, looking at your report,
and every year that you make this presentation,
you are the ears and eyes of the same county
and Mount Pleasant, so I think we appreciate that,
because you're the front lead, which goes
and kind of look for, or make connection with the people,
you know, who want to track them, so thank you very much.
But I just said, as a curiosity,
I understand what you said about the business
based computation, you know, for the community based,
but what does 262 founders stand for?
So 262 is our area code.
So it's area code of Vercine, Walworth, and Kenosha County,
so that's the common denominator.
Now I guess that.
Just a question on who, well, without naming names,
do you contract with all of the municipalities
in Racine County, or are there others that?
We have contracts with many of the municipalities,
some of the towns we do not, but they are supporters,
so it's most, I think all of the villages,
I mean, there's some that are more residential,
so village Elmwood, we don't have a contract with, right,
so that doesn't make sense, but anybody who has
the opportunity for development and businesses
to come in, we typically have contracts with them.
Well, again, echoing the other trustees,
we certainly do appreciate the efforts that you do
to procure a development business,
particularly in the village of Mount Pleasant.
You're welcome.
Keep up the good work.
Well, we appreciate the partnerships, so thank you.
It's a great one.
Okay, let's move on to public comment.
Members of the public are welcome to provide comments
on any matter, please listen for the president
to recognize you, state, your name, and address
for the record, comments are limited to three minutes.
I've got one person signed up, Jacob Ferguson.
If you'd like to go to the podium,
that Laura just spoke from, give us your name
and address for the record, share your thoughts.
Good evening, my name is Jacob Ferguson.
I live at 936 Sycamore Avenue 53406 in Mount Pleasant.
Good evening, council members.
I have lived in the Sycamore Avenue neighborhood
of Mount Pleasant for nine years come October,
and I am here speaking on the matter of flock cameras.
Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon stated in a letter
to flock CEO Garrett Langley,
I now believe that abuses of your product
are not only likely, but inevitable,
and that flock is unable and uninterested in preventing them.
Wyden continues, it is functionally impossible
for people to drive anywhere without having their movements
tracked, photographed, and stored in an AI-assisted database
that enables the warrantless surveillance of their every move.
A police chief in the state of Georgia used flock's cameras
to track his ex-girlfriend and her teenage daughter
nearly 600 times.
He was one of 50 rogue officers charged with
or accused of abusing flock cameras.
Cameras, which security researcher John Gaines,
gained root access of in under 30 seconds
via the password security and by pressing a diagnostic button
on the back of said camera.
I bear no ill will towards the police department
of Mount Pleasant, they help keep this neighborhood
and city safe.
However, these are the simply the most visible cases I found.
In addition, Oshkosh recently rejected a flock contract
after discovering the company had lied to them
about the capabilities of the cameras.
The original vote had been five, two in favor,
and then seven, zero against after the discovery.
I urge the council to take a stand
in defending the rights of the citizens of Mount Pleasant
against flock and its contractors, third party entities
who without warrant build databases
to track the every movement of individuals
who have no choice but to drive past them every day.
There are models of camera that do not use AI
or engage in the creation of a database
whose near existence is a clear and present danger
to the citizens of Mount Pleasant.
I ask the council to swiftly and urgently deactivate
and remove active flock cameras, if any,
and to cancel any current contracts
and reject any further propositions or contracts
involving the installation and use of flock cameras
or their business competitors.
Thank you for your time, council members.
I appreciate your thoughts.
We are under contract and do have them in the village.
I would encourage you to speak with Chief Vasha
in terms of how we employ and deploy them.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Anybody else wishing to speak for a public comment?
Not hearing in from anybody.
We'll close public comment
and we'll move to the consent agenda.
Mr. President, I make a motion to approve
the item on consent agenda as presented.
Second.
So you're in motion and a second.
All in favor signify by saying aye.
Aye.
Opposed?
So that motion carries.
So under new business, we've got discussion,
possible motion regarding resolution 14-2026
for the closure of tax incremental district number one.
Mr. President, I make a motion to approve resolution 14-2026
terminating tax incremental district number one
effective September 10th, 2026.
Second.
So who wishes to speak to this then?
Kathy?
Sure.
I'll be happy to take this item.
We're actually pretty excited to present this to the board.
This is something we've talked about
in the last few cow meetings.
This would be the closure of our first
to district that we opened in September of 2006.
Natural closure date of this kid is September 10th
or September 11th of 2026.
And we're asking for this termination resolution
to take effect on September 10th.
The DOR requires us to terminate the TID
or extend the TID prior to the natural closure date.
So we have enough money in the TID
to pay off all of our obligations in this TID district.
So this will close with that closure date
on that September 10th.
What will happen though, we will collect increment
for this next tax collection year
that will satisfy the obligations
that we have within that TID district.
And then we will have payments that go out
to the other taxing jurisdictions
that are on the tax bill.
I have a question.
So when you said that we will make payments
to the other taxing districts,
would that be the leftover money
after all of our obligations are paid?
Correct.
We have some developer incentives
that we still need to pay out.
And we also have some loan obligations
that need to be paid out.
So in the 2027 budget, when you see that document,
that will outline all of the obligations
that need to be paid.
And then the residual dollars left at the end
of that accounting period,
which will end as of September 10th of 2027.
We'll take the rest of that, split it up
between those taxing jurisdictions.
Nice to see one close.
Well, and that's just it,
because those board members that were present
when that was formed are long gone,
if retired or otherwise moved on.
And so it's a rare person that would be there
when it was formed to see the ending of it.
And so we get to see the ending of it.
Well, in the meantime, we've formed a few more
to push forward, but it's always a good day
to be able to retire a tit.
And it served as purpose, but for the tit,
we wouldn't have had that development.
We have the development now that's throwing off
more tax revenue, but just a reminder
to the board members, closing the tit,
doesn't mean all the money goes to us.
We get about a third of it.
The new tax money is half of it goes to,
we've seen unified about 10%, 10%, 11% to the county.
And correct me if I'm wrong,
wrong about one or 2% to the gateway.
Very small, yeah.
Any other thoughts?
No, I echo your thoughts and again,
Mr. President, as you said,
I'm very pleased that we are able to close tit number one
out of this seven, our taxpayers and community
has invested very patiently and other than distribution
according to the contract,
main advantages that once you close the tit,
our tax base is increased down the road.
And that's the, again, I love the tits,
I like the concept not for the residential,
but for the commercial, but eventually that tax base,
increased base helps everyone.
And as far as distribution to the other partners,
we don't have any control, but they do that.
But in theory, when they get the money,
they should also hopefully flow down to the tax base.
At the end of the day, it should also be,
it should be a lead to the tax base.
Should be.
One can hope, one can hope.
So in the matter of closing the tit,
let's do a roll call vote.
Washburn.
Aye.
Ventraining.
Aye.
Batia.
Aye.
Anastacio.
Aye.
Caris.
Aye.
Pollock.
Motion carries.
So we have on the other page of the agenda under L,
the discussion possible motion to approve the contract
between the village of Mount Pleasant
and the Mount Pleasant Police Officers Association
of the Wisconsin Professional Fire Association
from, excuse me, please, I'm sorry,
Police Association, January 1, 2027 through December 31st,
2030.
Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion
to approve the contract between the village
of Mount Pleasant and the Mount Pleasant Police Officers
Association of the Wisconsin Police Association
from January 1st, 2027 through December 31st,
2030 as presented.
Second.
So we have motion and a second.
Would that be Mary?
So the current contract with the Mount Pleasant Police
Officers Association does expire at December 31st.
We were successfully able to negotiate a four-year agreement
running from January 1st of 2027 through December 31st
of 2030, just to mention a few things.
There is a competitive wage package,
but again, we did get some concessions
from the Police Officers Association
for post-retirement benefit, obligations to the village
that will hopefully reduce some of those obligations
for post-retirement benefits,
as well as some of our training obligations.
So again, I think it was a fair deal for both sides.
And this is something that we discussed
at the Mount Pleasant County.
Any other thoughts from the board?
I think it was just, I mean, just as a comment,
we discussed this a couple of times
at the Committee of the Whole.
And these are tough negotiations
because we as a village board aren't really involved in them.
We have to approve the contract.
We have Mary Cole from Human Resources there on our behalf,
but it's really different.
And it's really been a learning curve for me
in the last six years that I've been here.
So I'm really pleased to see that we were able
to negotiate this the way we were.
I think one of the things that has continued
to cloud other states and other communities
with these kinds of agreements is that post-development,
our post-retirement, the post-retirement fund.
And I think we finally now are starting to see
where the younger people coming in,
they're recognizing they're going to have to look out
for themselves a little more in the world
as they move forward towards retirement.
And that that world is changing.
So that was a big deal.
And I wanted to just thank Mary and Ryan
for their good work and sheep as well.
And Patrick, that's Patrick.
So all our staff did a great job.
Between police and fire, those were tough contracts.
Well, fire is still a work in progress.
But yeah, I think that the board is going along fine
with where the negotiations ended up.
And again, they are tough negotiations.
So regarding the contract between us and the police officers
association, roll call.
Washburn, Ventrini, Batia, Anastacio,
Aye, Keras, Pollock, Aye, dole group.
Aye, motion carries.
Any reports?
Anything from the minister?
Who's seconding the motion to adjourn?
Oh, it did so, maybe.
Sorry.
Yeah, you're a little bit off, Mike.
Motion and a second.
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
Aye.
We stand adjourned.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.