Franklin Today

Aldermen look for 27th Street spending options while Mayor points out the unknown

Last week, the Common Council authorized staff to explore funding options for the city as they continue to make developing 27th Street a high priority. This continuation of spending comes at no surprise to some, given that the city has pumped in millions of dollars from a variety of public funding sources to this commercial corridor. When the spending began back in the 1990s, Franklin officials believed strongly that our neighbor to the east, Oak Creek, would be an equal partner sharing an equal high interest in seeing the corridor develop to its maximum extent. However, as years turned to decades Oak Creek's interest went from a nice high to perhaps an all-time low. This was evident as Mayor Taylor mentioned prior to the Council's vote that with a new mayoral administration in Oak Creek coming soon, their commitment to the corridor was up in the air.

Kohl's HQ decision sheds light on new public spending

In what could be considered a blow to efforts to lure the Kohl's Corporate Headquarters out of Menomonee Falls, news from the Journal Sentinel indicates the exact opposite will actually be happening. JS Business Reporter Tom Daykin reports that Menomonee Falls officials have produced an incentive and relocation plan to Kohl's that would involve up to $41 million in public spending to keep the corporate headquarters there. Under the Menononee Falls plan, Kohl's would relocate to the more esteemed Woodland Prime Office Park, closer to US 45. Daykin further notes that Kohl's will make the final decision on its corporate plans this Fall.

Franklin Today becomes talking point for some as CCD proposal is considered

Let's just say I didn't really want to bring this up, but rather avoid discussing it altogether. However, due to several e-mails and phone calls from readers asking to learn more, and to get my perspective on this, I'm inclined to opine about it and get the air cleared. 

At last night's Committee of the Whole meeting, as you've read in the previous post, Citizens for Community Development (CCD) submitted a proposal to the city to, in essence, merge and create a public-private partnership to encourage and drive new economic development proposals and growth for the City of Franklin. Being the President of CCD, more intrigue and interest was being placed on my views and background more than anyone else, and rightfully so. As the President of any organization or business, you in essence almost become the face of that organization or business. If aldermen were interested in CCD's proposal, they have the right to ask CCD questions that can be to the point.

During the discussion, which was recorded on video by Bryan Maersch of the Franklin blog Wag the Dog, CCP Taylor made mention that I, through Franklin Today, have made or could be making remarks that could, in essence, be of concern if the city is teaming up with CCD underneath me as President. CCP Taylor made the suggestion of perhaps having editorial oversight prior to some pieces being posted.

I responded in-kind and, as you can hear for yourself on Maersch's video, stated that if the city worked/merged with CCD on this proposal and this website was causing too much concern or unnecessary grief in terms of bringing in developers, retailers, etc. to Franklin, that I would go as far as shutting down this website. I hope my readers know me well enough by now to understand that my personal passion for helping our community move forward easily could trump writing this blog. If the blog became something that didn't serve a justice to the city and its residents, it should be shut down. I told CCP Taylor that what he had to say was fair and I fully understood and appreciated his remarks.

To my surprise, that response prompted Alderman Olson to criticize CCP Taylor as basically telling me to suppress my 1st Amendment rights, to which CCP Taylor denied this, and rightfully so. I did, in a nutshell, read "in-between the lines" with CCP Taylor's remarks to me, which wasn't appropriate on my part, and I have already personally apologized to CCP Taylor for doing so. I know for a fact that CCP Taylor enjoys reading this website, has frequently kept tabs on stories and opinions posted on this website, and even has pulled me aside after a meeting or two to remark (positively) on the content.

For the record, I do not fear my 1st Amendment rights will be trampled in any way, shape or form. I believe it was simply CCP Taylor giving a friendly reminder that people are reading and watching, and some might take things a bit too seriously and offensively than others. CCP Taylor did not at all recommend Franklin Today being shut down, noting how the site is basically the new cord that connects the community together, and how that would be a shame if it were to be eliminated.

I personally would just like it put to rest and would appreciate Franklin Today not being the "headline grab" for some with other agendas to derail or criticize members of the Common Council. CCD, as an organization with a Board of Directors and Advisory Board, wants to work in a cooperative manner with the City of Franklin. I happen to be President of the organization and the blogger for this website, and I certainly do my best to keep my organizational duties and this website as separate as possible. I have already began to take note, on my own accord, to refrain from being what some could label as too "personal" or "editorializing" on this site. If that bothers some, I do apologize. All I want to do is do my personal best to help move Franklin Forward.

Options for the EDC expand as CCD makes a proposal

As the City of Franklin is continuing to look at its options for the future of the Economic Development Commission, the newly-formed and Franklin-based Citizens for Community Development (CCD) saw a potential opportunity that the city could take advantage of. Due to its mission and the concepts and goals the organization is persuing, its Board of Directors reached out to the Common Council with a proposal to essentially create a public-private entity for the City of Franklin with the primary goal of encouraging economic development and growth.

New Franklin Today poll question is up

For those not yet "fans" of Franklin Today on Facebook, a new poll question has been posted: 

Would you support the city creating a TIF District to help bring in a high quality development, such as a town center project or major office park?

You can find the poll at this link. Feel free to also write your opinion in the comments section below this post.

CCP Taylor addresses EDC and "New Day" concerns

In a comment posted on the previous post, CCP Steve Taylor addresses the concerns being addressed over a possible rift between himself and the other "New Day" alderman, Alderwoman Kristen Wilhelm, by noting that it's nothing of the sort. He also goes into detail over his concerns about the effectiveness of the Economic Development Commission (EDC). Below is his comment:

The future concerns of the Economic Development Commission, Part II

For those first joining us here, please read the backstory and Part I of my concerns and predictions relative to the changes I'm seeing around the corner for Franklin.

Now, onward we go...

In addition to the timeline presented at the end of Part I, another concern is also with the promotion of the City of Franklin to attract and retain businesses. With no Economic Development Director and possibly no official Economic Development Commission, the City of Franklin is virtually without anyone (or anything) to drive an economic engine. What's troubling to me is that I'm slowly seeing the power shifting to a few select individuals to guide the city onward to the future.

The future of the Economic Development Commission, Part I

As posted on Monday, the EDC Chairman, Alderman Ken Skowronski, is now bumped over to the Community Development Authority (CDA) as of last night. This is significant because the rep for the CDA has always been the 4th District Alderman, because the CDA oversees the Franklin Business Park, which is entirely within the 4th District. With the TIF District for the Business Park retiring this year, the CDA technically needs to find something else to do or else it likely should disband. CDAs per the law as I read it are only allowed to exist with TIF or Business Improvement (BID) Districts to oversee. The Northwestern Mutual and Wheaton Franciscan TIF Districts, at the present time, are being overseen by the Common Council and not the CDA. So, there could be several options coming into play:

Baptista's Bakery looks to expand, seeks $17M in Industrial Revenue Bonds

On Friday, the Business Journal broke the story that likely explains the closed session Community Development Authority meeting last week. Baptista's Bakery, located in the Franklin Business Park, wishes to expand its current facility and add another production line. In order to do this, though, the company is looking to city leaders to approve $17 million in bonding support through Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs). The Common Council will consider their request later this evening.

Per Alderwoman Kristen Wilhelm's e-mail to residents:

Industrial development revenue bonds are often used by municipal, county and state economic development officials as an inducement to attract businesses and industry. When done properly, it is a potential win-win for both the local government and the business. The local government gets increased tax revenues and the business gets the needed financing to invest in major capital projects such as buildings, warehouses and/or equipment. 

The Department of Commerce's Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) Program allows all Wisconsin cities, villages and towns to support industrial development through the sale of bonds. The proceeds from the bond sale are loaned to businesses to finance capital investment projects at, primarily, manufacturing facilities. Even though IRBs are municipal bonds, they are not general obligations of the municipality. The company or business that will use the facilities provides the interest and principal payments on the loan. The local government is in partnership with the business, lending its name, but not its credit, to the bond issue. The facilities and equipment are pledged as collateral for the loan. A letter of credit or bond insurance is often required.

You may remember the concept of city support through IRBs due to another recent development that did the same thing. In order for Dental Associates to break ground and receive funding from banks, they looked to the City of Franklin for bonding support through IRBs. When the Common Council reviewed Dental Associates' proposal and potential for new jobs and growth in the city, they approved the support.

Alderwoman Wilhelm updates residents on city matters

KW Update Late 2/2011