Community Development Authority Meeting — Agenda Packet

VILLAGE OF MOUNT HOREB E. Main Street Mount Horeb, WI 53572 Phone: (608) 437-6884 Fax: (608) 437-3190 Email: mhinfo@mounthorebwi.info Web: mounthorebwi.info COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AGENDA Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM Municipal Building Board Room 138 E. Main Street Mount Horeb, WI 1) Call to order 2) Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items* 3) Consent Agenda a. Consideration of May 13, 2026 Meeting Minutes b. Economic Development Director's report c. Mount Horeb Area School District report d. Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce Report 4) Agenda Items a. Introduction of the new Village Administrator b. CDA Future Focus Areas c. Downtown Alley Activation & Connectivity Project 5) Meeting adjournment. *Public Comment Policy Members of the public are invited to speak at meetings of all Mount Horeb Public Bodies. To comment, please complete a Public Comment Form at the Meeting Room entrance and submit it to staff before the meeting begins. Comments are limited to three minutes, must be made from the podium, and the speaker must return to the audience after speaking. • Non-agenda item comments are heard at the start of the meeting. Public Body members and staff will not engage in discussion during public comment but may consider topics for future agendas. • Agenda item comments are heard during the relevant item, after the proposers or staff present the item and before Public Body discussion. All public comments on the item will be heard before any discussion by the Public Body. Members of the public will only be allowed to speak outside these public comment times if they are invited by the meeting chair to share additional information requested by the Public Body. If so invited to speak, the member of the public must do so from the podium. Written comments are also welcome. Written comments shall include the name and address of the submitter and should be submitted to the Deputy Treasurer/Governance Coordinator by email at niki.erickson@mounthorebwi.info (subject line: Public Comment Request-Name of Public Body) or delivered by to the Village at: 138 E Main Street, Mount Horeb WI, 53572, ATTN Public Comment Request-Name of Public Body. UPON REASONABLE NOTICE, EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF DISABLED Page 1 of 13 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH APPROPRIATE AIDS AND SERVICES. FOR INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST THIS SERVICE, CONTACT ALYSSA GAFFNEY, CLERK, AT 138 E MAIN STREET, MOUNT HOREB, WI (608) 437-9404. Page 2 of 13 Page 3 of 13 Page 4 of 13 June 5, 2026 To: Community Development Authority From: Kristen Fish-Peterson, Economic Development Contracted Staff Re: Report on work to date What follows is a list of activities for May: 1. Meetings in person and virtual a. Jon Hochkammer individually (in person, virtually, phone, and emails) b. Meetings regarding Lukken Property c. Attendance at CDA meeting d. Attendance at Village Board meeting e. Meetings with Allison Plumer, Chamber President/CEO f. Meetings with land owners and potential developers/brokers regarding housing land availability g. Correspondence with all applicants for Home Improvement Grant Program h. Meeting with property owners re: annexation i. Online meeting with new administrator j. Phone calls and emails with retail prospects k. Training meeting for new Village Board member re: economic development 2. Follow up from meetings 3. Work to certify TID 6 with WI DOR 4. Review of map and follow up for work toward business park potential development Page 5 of 13 June 25, 2026 To: Community Development Authority From: Kristen Fish-Peterson, Economic Development Contracted Staff Re: Report on work to date What follows is a list of activities for June: 1. Meetings in person and virtual a. Jon Hochkammer individually (in person, virtually, phone, and emails) b. Meetings regarding Lukken Property (with Making a Difference, Staff) c. Meetings regarding Karakahl Redevelopment (with JT Klein) d. Meetings with land owners and potential developers/brokers regarding housing land availability e. Correspondence with all applicants for Home Improvement Grant Program as they close out their projects f. Meeting with property owners re: annexation g. Online meeting with new administrator h. Phone calls and emails with retail prospects 2. Follow up from meetings 3. Work to certify TID 6 with WI DOR 4. Review of map and follow up for work toward business park potential development 5. Tracking spreadsheet creation for Residential Improvement Program 6. Information gathering for Lukken Housing Development 7. Research for future TID/ housing TID Page 6 of 13 AGENDA ITEM REPORT MEETING DATE PREPARED BY July 8, 2026 AGENDA ITEM # 3.c Mount Horeb Area School District report BACKGROUND Board Communication - Mount Horeb Area School District MHASD Monthly Report RECOMMENDATION ATTACHMENTS None Page 7 of 13 JUNE 2026 Chamber Report mounthorebchamber.com 608-437-5914 info@trollway.com T h e C h a m b e r c o n t i n u e s t o p r e p a r e f o r a b u s y s u m m e r a n d f a l l e v e n t s e a s o n , w i t h b o t h A r t F a i r a n d F a l l V i l l a g e M a r k e t c u r r e n t l y t r a c k i n g a t v e n d o r p a r t i c i p a t i o n l e v e l s s i m i l a r t o t h e 2 0 2 5 e v e n t s . P l a n n i n g e f f o r t s a r e a l s o u n d e r w a y f o r t h e G o l f O u t i n g , W i t c h e s ' N i g h t O u t , a n d T r o l l i d a y s , a n d w e a r e h a p p y t o b e s u p p o r t i n g b o t h t h e F r o l i c a n d T y r o l B a s i n ’s 2 0 2 6 T h i r s t y T r o l l B r e w f e s t . O n J u n e 2 , t h e C h a m b e r h o s t e d a s t r a t e g i c p l a n n i n g s e s s i o n i n v o l v i n g 1 0 C h a m b e r B o a r d m e m b e r s a n d c o m m u n i t y p a r t n e r s . T h e g r o u p s p e n t t h e e v e n i n g e v a l u a t i n g p r i o r i t i e s , i d e n t i f y i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s , a n d d i s c u s s i n g l o n g - t e r m o r g a n i z a t i o n a l g o a l s . W e l o o k f o r w a r d t o s h a r i n g t h e r e s u l t s o f t h a t p r o c e s s w i t h t h e c o m m u n i t y l a t e r t h i s s u m m e r . W e r e c e n t l y r e c e i v e d a n e w l y r e d e s i g n e d J o r g e n c o s t u m e , w h i c h w i l l m a k e i t s d e b u t a t t h i s y e a r ' s F r o l i c p a r a d e . T h e u p d a t e d c o s t u m e w a s c r e a t e d t o p r e s e r v e t h e c h a r a c t e r ' s f a m i l i a r a p p e a r a n c e w h i l e i m p r o v i n g t h e l o o k a s w e l l a s c o m f o r t a n d d u r a b i l i t y f o r v o l u n t e e r s . L o o k i n g a h e a d , t h e C h a m b e r p l a n s t o e x p a n d J o r g e n ' s r o l e i n t o u r i s m m a r k e t i n g e f f o r t s a n d i s d e v e l o p i n g a d d i t i o n a l " T r o l l C a p i t a l o f t h e W o r l d " b r a n d i n g i n i t i a t i v e s t a r g e t e d f o r l a u n c h t h i s f a l l . P l a n s a r e a l s o b e i n g f o r m a l i z e d f o r a W e l c o m e C e n t e r i m p r o v e m e n t i n i t i a t i v e t h a t w i l l s e r v e a s t h e f o u n d a t i o n f o r f u n d r a i s i n g e f f o r t s b e g i n n i n g l a t e r t h i s s u m m e r . T h e s e i m p r o v e m e n t s a r e i n t e n d e d t o e n h a n c e t h e v i s i t o r e x p e r i e n c e w h i l e p r e s e r v i n g a n d s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h i s i m p o r t a n t c o m m u n i t y a s s e t . F i n a l l y , t h e V i l l a g e o f B a r n e v e l d o f f i c i a l l y a p p r o v e d a r o o m t a x o r d i n a n c e o n J u n e 1 , a l o n g w i t h a n i n t e r g o v e r n m e n t a l a g r e e m e n t e s t a b l i s h i n g a j o i n t t o u r i s m m a r k e t i n g z o n e a n d t o u r i s m c o m m i s s i o n w i t h t h e V i l l a g e o f M o u n t H o r e b . T h e M o u n t H o r e b A r e a C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e h a s b e e n d e s i g n a t e d a s t h e m a r k e t i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d l o o k s f o r w a r d t o w o r k i n g c o l l a b o r a t i v e l y w i t h b o t h c o m m u n i t i e s t o s u p p o r t r e g i o n a l t o u r i s m p r o m o t i o n a n d d e v e l o p m e n t . Page 8 of 13 JULY 2026 Chamber Report mounthorebchamber.com 608-437-5914 info@trollway.com T h e C h a m b e r h a s e n t e r e d it s b u s ie s t e v e n t s e a s o n o f t h e y e a r , w it h t h e m a jo r it y o f o u r a n n u a l p r o g r a m s t a k in g p la c e b e t w e e n J u ly a n d O c t o b e r . P r e p a r a t io n s a r e u n d e r w a y fo r A r t F a ir , t h e C h a m b e r G o lf O u t in g , W it c h e s ' N ig h t O u t , F a ll V illa g e M a r k e t , a n d t h e F a ll V illa g e -W id e G a r a g e S a le s , a ll o f w h ic h p la y a n im p o r t a n t r o le in d r iv in g v is it a t io n , s u p p o r t in g lo c a l b u s in e s s e s , a n d s h o w c a s in g t h e c o m m u n it y . T h e C h a m b e r is a ls o w o r k in g c lo s e ly w it h T y r o l B a s in t o s u p p o r t t h e t r a n s it io n o f t h e T h ir s t y T r o ll B r e w F e s t u n d e r it s n e w o w n e r s h ip . T h e e v e n t w ill t a k e p la c e o n A u g u s t 2 9 a n d w ill fe a t u r e s e v e r a l n e w o f fe r in g s , in c lu d in g lo w e r - p r ic e d t ic k e t o p t io n s fo r m u s ic - o n ly a d m is s io n a n d lim it e d s a m p lin g , a s w e ll a s a v o lle y b a ll t o u r n a m e n t in t e n d e d t o b r o a d e n p a r t ic ip a t io n a n d a t t r a c t n e w a u d ie n c e s . P la n n in g a ls o c o n t in u e s fo r im p r o v e m e n t s t o t h e W e lc o m e C e n t e r fa c ilit y . C h a m b e r s t a f f a r e a c t iv e ly e x p lo r in g o p t io n s t o a d d r e s s s e v e r a l m a in t e n a n c e a n d r e p a ir n e e d s , in c lu d in g a s id in g r e p la c e m e n t p r o je c t t h a t m u s t b e c o m p le t e d b e fo r e t h e e n d o f 2 0 2 6 t o s a t is f y g r a n t r e q u ir e m e n t s . T h e s e im p r o v e m e n t s r e m a in a n im p o r t a n t p r io r it y a s t h e C h a m b e r w o r k s t o p r e s e r v e a n d e n h a n c e t h is k e y v is it o r - fa c in g a s s e t . T h e T o u r is m C o m m is s io n is s c h e d u le d t o m e e t in A u g u s t t o d is c u s s im p le m e n t a t io n d e t a ils r e la t e d t o t h e e x p a n s io n o f t h e t o u r is m z o n e t o in c lu d e B a r n e v e ld b e g in n in g in 2 0 2 7 . T h is e f fo r t fo llo w s t h e a p p r o v a l o f B a r n e v e ld 's r o o m t a x o r d in a n c e a n d in t e r g o v e r n m e n t a l a g r e e m e n t e a r lie r t h is s u m m e r a n d r e p r e s e n t s a n im p o r t a n t s t e p in s t r e n g t h e n in g r e g io n a l t o u r is m c o lla b o r a t io n . L o o k in g a h e a d , t h e C h a m b e r p la n s t o r e c o n v e n e t h e C o m m u n it y C o a lit io n t h is fa ll fo llo w in g t h e a r r iv a l o f G a b e A lt e n b e r n d in h is n e w r o le a s V illa g e A d m in is t r a t o r . In a d d it io n , t h e B u s in e s s A d v o c a c y C o m m it t e e is w o r k in g w it h C h a m b e r le a d e r s h ip o n p la n s fo r a V illa g e B o a r d m e e t - a n d - g r e e t e v e n t d e s ig n e d t o s t r e n g t h e n c o m m u n ic a t io n a n d c o lla b o r a t io n b e t w e e n lo c a l b u s in e s s e s a n d c o m m u n it y le a d e r s . Page 9 of 13 Strategic Focus Areas For Mount Horeb CDA CDA Prioritization 1 *this project follows Comprehensive Plan CDA - First stop for approvals (development agreement, design review, incentives) CDA - Host public input/open house on design CDA - Review future land use map for next opportunities to leverage increased infrastructure capacity 2 *this work aligns with Downtown Redevelopment Plan CDA - Discuss amendment to TID 5 to allow contribution to the CDA CDA - Review/explore residential and commercial development west of downtown Leverage Military Ridge Trail as connector to downtown Add bike parking/shelter Connection to Main Street Paving and lighting the trail Public space at depot building (use, management, programming) Discuss with DNR broader plan for parking adjacent to MRT and connection to Grandma Foster Park Residential development around trail, w/engagement of Grandma Foster Park CDA - Continue to assess parking needs downtown, and possible future additional parking options CDA - Discuss support for existing businesses - what does that look like from the Village? 3 Future Business Park *this work aligns with Comprehensive Plan Staff - Provide update on current status CDA - Strategize future direction, approach to business types, etc. 4 *this work considers future development potential in light of TID 3 closure Staff to explore owner's desire for future potential zoning change to facilitate more appropriate business interest Lukken Property Development Downtown Development/Redevelopment North Cape Commons Page 10 of 13 AGENDA ITEM REPORT MEETING DATE PREPARED BY July 8, 2026 AGENDA ITEM # 4.c Downtown Alley Activation & Connectivity Project BACKGROUND This concept came out of the Chamber's Business Advocacy Committee RECOMMENDATION ATTACHMENTS 1. Downtown Alley Activation & Connectivity Project Page 11 of 13 Concept Proposal: Downtown Alley Activation & Connectivity Project Connecting Main Street to Public Parking Through Lighting, Wayfinding & Placemaking Mount Horeb’s downtown public parking areas are already conveniently located behind Main Street businesses — but many visitors don’t realize how accessible they are because the connecting alleyways feel dark, hidden, and uninviting. This proposal recommends investing approximately $5,000 into a simple but high-impact placemaking project focused on improving the alley connection between Main Street and public parking areas. Rather than functioning only as a service corridor, the alley could become a welcoming pedestrian connection that encourages visitors to comfortably park once and explore more businesses downtown on foot. Proposed Improvements The project would focus on affordable, highly visible enhancements including: ● Café/string lighting overhead to improve visibility and atmosphere ● Decorative sidewalk graphics and painted wayfinding elements directing visitors toward parking and Main Street ● Simple branded signage such as: ○ “Public Parking This Way” ○ “Walk This Way” ○ “Explore Downtown” ● Possible partnership opportunities with local artists/designers for future phases Page 12 of 13 Why This Matters Many downtown visitors instinctively seek curbside parking directly on Main Street, even when larger public parking lots are nearby and underutilized. Improving the pedestrian experience between parking areas and downtown storefronts helps: ● Increase visitor comfort and perception of safety ● Encourage better use of existing public parking ● Improve pedestrian flow during events and peak tourism weekends ● Increase visibility and foot traffic for businesses located farther from Main Street corners ● Create a more memorable and photo-friendly visitor experience ● Reinforce Mount Horeb’s identity as a welcoming, walkable destination community This type of small-scale activation is increasingly common in successful downtown districts because it creates a stronger sense of place while maximizing infrastructure that already exists. Long-Term Potential This project could serve as a pilot for additional downtown alley activation efforts in the future, including public art, seasonal lighting, interactive visitor experiences, or expanded pedestrian connections between parking areas and downtown businesses. With relatively limited investment, the alley can transition from a forgotten pass-through space into a welcoming downtown feature that supports both visitors and local businesses. Page 13 of 13