Franklin Today

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:

Some updates from Alderwoman Kristen Wilhelm

KW March Updates

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

CDA agenda tonight mostly closed session

This could be interesting news for the Franklin Business Park, depending on what exactly the "potential development of property" is on the Community Development Authority agenda tonight. This meeting must be of significant importance since the CDA had their regular meeting this month a mere 4 days ago. Mayor Taylor doesn't call special meetings for minor reasons.

In this economy, I suppose anything is considered a plus, especially in terms of office or industrial development that will bring in a daytime workforce. With all the negative news on Franklin's retail projects, this is an absolute necessity to retain those retailers to fill-in vacancies.

Oakwood Road resurfacing on the Council agenda

This Tuesday the Common Council will be voting on a couple major items. Two of those involve Oakwood Road, on the city's south side. Two separate items are on the agenda, one for the resurfacing of the road and one to include the installation of a water main along the road. These two items are very significant to the future of the southern portion of our community.

Resurfacing the road at the same time as installing the water main, I'm assuming, will save taxpayer dollars by not doing the projects at separate times. The water main has been argued as very important for two things - the future of the Franklin Business Park and the continued growth and development of lands surrounding it. It is no secret that the city has thought about and planned for a southern entrance into the business park; I saw some plans myself posted up on a wall in City Hall's Hearing Room where the Trails Committee meets. A southern entrance provides better access to business park properties located at the southernmost points and along with 27th Street's growth, Oakwood Road will likely be a busier road between 27th and 60th Streets.

The only significant downside I'm seeing to this is that Oakwood Road is only maintained and funded by the City of Franklin and no other taxing authorities like the county or state. Therefore, any work done on the road now or in the future comes directly from Franklin taxpayers. This concerns me not today, but several years down the road when the economy truly bounces back. It also troubles me that the city still seems to be bent on NEW development instead of REdevelopment. Many areas in the city are currently served by sewer and water and are in need of REdevelopment, but there doesn't seem to be much interest by city officials in helping get that done. Instead, taxpayers are footing bills for projects that will aid in more growth and more development while not addressing the present conditions of many commercial sites in our community that are vacant or need tenants.

"Historic 41" on full display

It took about a year-and-a-half since Milwaukee & Greenfield announced a partnership to revamp a portion of 27th Street from St. Luke's Medical Center to College Avenue for it to be almost complete. A friend of mine at work commented before she went home to go check it out, and so I did. While it looks like there's still some finishing pieces to the overall project, the good bulk of it is now up.

Another reason to love Fall...

Two reasons, actually. Both of which have to do with food. One can be found in Franklin while the other, unfortunately, hasn't built a location south of I-94 yet.

1. Pumpkin shakes & concrete mixers are now available at Culver's! Support Franklin's Culver's location at Oakwood Park Road & Ryan Road (Hwy 100), in the Franklin Business Park.
2. Pumpkin cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory! Unfortunately with this one, not only does one have to travel all the way across the metro area to Mayfair or Bayshore, but last year the Mayfair Cheesecake Factory actually ran out of pumpkin! That was a sad day for my taste buds.

I got an e-mail from Culver's reminding me that their pumpkin flavors are now available, which inspired me to do this post. Thank you for the reminder!

"The Agenda to Move Franklin Forward"

Did you know Franklin's Common Council President has a blog? He does! It can be found over on FranklinNOW.com. In his latest post, which is in support for a full time mayor, CCP Steve Taylor closes out with a bang:

In the upcoming days and months I will be blogging about what I will be calling "The Agenda to Move Franklin Forward". It will include the restructuring of some city departments which will save tax dollars and help to streamline the day to day operations. I will be introducing a resolution regarding the Franklin Business Park and the closing of the TIF District. This TIF was created for tax relief for our residents and I want to make sure that they get the full amount of relief that they deserve.

I am sure there will be my usual opponents who will be critical of these proposals and I welcome the debate. In the past four months I have been talking to my constituents about these same ideas and the positive response has been overwhelming.   I look forward to discussion that will take place at city hall and the opportunity to share my vision with this great city!!

Hey - I'll give him kudos for having a vision for the City of Franklin. One is desperately needed, and when the council decided a year or two ago to take a peek at the city's mission & vision statements, they didn't change much from the rather boring, generic remarks it contains.

So, what is his "agenda to move Franklin forward"?

It looks like the full time mayor push CCP Taylor is doing is part of this agenda, since a city shouldn't need a full time city administrator if the mayor's post becomes full time. Hence the city would need to do some "restructuring of some city departments which will save tax dollars".

From having a friend or two on the Community Development Authority, I've been told that the TIF District for the Franklin Business Park will expire in Fall, 2011. That means for 2012, the city, school districts, etc. will be able to utilize funds from the business park for their operations. CCP Taylor states in his blog, "I want to make sure that they (residents) get the full amount of (tax) relief that they deserve". Based on past conversations from other residents, there is a small movement building up that is asking for all tax income from the business park to be put in the city's treasury and be only dedicated for "tax relief".

According to CCP Taylor, the constituents he has spoken to seem to be onboard with these ideas. As the time gets closer to some of his agenda items being brought forward, I hope to learn more about his vision and what it entails for all of us as residents of Franklin if the council stamps their approval.

Oak Creek steamrolls ahead while Franklin stalls

You'd think an economic recession never existed if you're in Oak Creek. Despite the economy, our neighbor to the east continues to move ahead. Just today, the Journal Sentinel wrote that the city approved $2 million to assist Bucyrus International in their takeover of the former Midwest Airlines HQ buildings, and is now considering a TIF District along the lakefront to spur additional growth there over the next 10-20 years.

Does anyone think 27th Street is on their radar these days?

In the meantime, Franklin continues to stall in efforts to attract businesses to just fill-in our existing vacant properties. You see, while Oak Creek is adding more sites, Franklin can't fill-in its current sites. That speaks volumes. Franklin needs leadership now, not later, to address this situation.

Oak Creek is doing the smart thing by planning now and getting their ducks in a row before the economy begins to grow once more. When it does, they'll be more than ready to take on any major project that comes before them. In Franklin's case, it'll likely become another situation similar to what happened during the last boom in the 2000s, where we kept hearing about how our Planning Department was overworked to the gills. Several of our Planners left during this period as well, leaving for greener pastures and less stress. That's what happens when everything gets dumped on your lap and there truly is no plan that's being followed.

Franklin leaders need to wake up and smell the coffee now. Fun and games are overwith. Our neighbors have been and continue to stake their claim as a regional destination for business in southern Milwaukee County. That should be Franklin's beck and call, considering that our community is more centralized in the region than Oak Creek. What will it take for our leaders to be motivated to take a proactive look at marketing and promoting the City of Franklin? Let the debate begin.