Economic Development Commission — Agenda Packet
Village of Germantown · Washington County · Economic Development Commission · meeting of Aug 18, 2026 · Agenda packets
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MEETING: REGULAR MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Germantown Village Hall Board Room
N112 W17001 Mequon Road
Any member of the body and/or citizen may attend the meeting virtually through the WebEx platform, Meeting #: 2557 176 7810 Password:
nBNrkwyj267 which can be accessed by phone at 408-418-9388 or by clicking the link below:
https://villageofgermantown.my.webex.com/villageofgermantown.my/j.php?MTID=m21036292c9426e736aa42a30e3b0636a
NOTICE: Citizens not wishing to attend the meeting personally or virtually may submit any public comments by sending an email
to comments@germantownwi.gov by 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting so that it can be provided to the members of the body for their
consideration.
Previously recorded meeting videos can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOYp0EgELzTCa9X_iCohyhQ
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER: This meeting has been given public notice in accordance with
Section 19.83 and 19.84, Wis. Stats, in such form that will apprise the general public
and news media of subject matter that is intended for consideration and action.
II. ROLL CALL:
III. CITIZEN INPUT: (Please be advised per 19.84(2) that information and comment will
be received from the public. It is the policy of this municipality that public input be
limited to a four (4) minute period per person with a time extension granted at the
discretion of the Chairperson. Be advised that there may be limited discussion of the
information received but no action will be taken under public comments.) Comments
that may be injurious to village personnel or other individuals will not be allowed.
IV. MEETING MINUTES:
A. July 14, 2026, Meeting Minutes (ACTION)
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. Final Review of EDC Business Survey Questions (DISCUSSION AND
ACTION)
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
A. EDC Chair Report and Review (PRESENTATION)
B. Prioritization of 2026 EDC Goals and Initiatives (DISCUSSION AND ACTION)
C. Development Process Guidelines (DISCUSSION)
VII. NEXT MEETING:
A. Tuesday, September 15, 2026
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
UPON REASONABLE NOTICE, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through
appropriate aids and services. For additional information or to request this service, please contact the Village
Clerk at (262)250-4745 at least 2 days prior to the meeting.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AGENDA
August 18, 2026
Page 2
Notice is hereby given that a possible quorum of other boards, committees, and/or commissions may attend this
meeting to gather information about an item over which they have decision-making responsibility. This may
constitute a meeting of these bodies per State ex rel. Badke v Greendale Village Board, even though these
bodies will not take formal action at this meeting.
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MEETING: REGULAR MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
DATE AND TIME:
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 6:00 PM
LOCATION:
Germantown Vi
llage Hall Board Room
N112 W17001 Mequon Road
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER: This meeting has been given public notice in accordance with
Section 19.83 and 19.84, Wis. Stats, in such form that will apprise the general public
and news media of subject matter that is intended for consideration and action.
Chai
rperson Trustee Scott Hefle called the Economic Development Commission
meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
II. ROLL CALL:
Present: Trustee Scott Hefle, Trustee Patrick Kaiser, Member Jim Sedgwick, Member
Joletta Kerpan, Member Jeffrey Voyer, Member Melanie Smythe, Member Joey Carini
Excused: Member Derek Arnold
Also Present: Chief Deputy Clerk Kasie Miller, Community Development Director Jeff
Retzlaff, and Mitch Brouse of SRF Consulting.
III. CITIZEN INPUT: (Please be advised per 19.84(2) that information and comment will
be received from the public. It is the policy of this municipality that public input be
limited to a four (4) minute period per person with a time extension granted at the
discretion of the Chairperson. Be advised that there may be limited discussion of the
information received but no action will be taken under public comments.) Comments
that may be injurious to village personnel or other individuals will not be allowed.
David
Baum (N128W12442 Highland Rd) spoke regarding the Economic Development
Commission and Village Planning.
IV. MEETING MINUTES:
A. June 9, 2026, Meeting Minutes (ACTION)
Motion
: Approve as presented
Motioned By: Melanie Smythe
Seconded By: Patrick Kaiser
Yes: Scott Hefle, Patrick Kaiser, Jim Sedgwick, Joletta Kerpan, Jeffrey Voyer, Melanie
Smythe, Joey Carini
No: None
DRAFT
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Page 2
Abstain: None
Motion Passed by Voice Vote (Yes 7, No 0, Abstained 0)
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. Review of the Germantown Business Survey (DISCUSSION AND ACTION)
Member Voyer and Trustee Kaiser presented their survey to gather feedback from
local businesses about challenges and opportunities in Germantown. Commissioners
understand the survey should be brief, concise, and should encourage
participation. Discussion ensued regarding defining the target audience, such as
current businesses or potential new businesses, that would tailor the survey
appropriately. Distribution tactics were further discussed, noting the utilization of the
Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce's business list and possible utilization of the
Village's SurveyMonkey subscription.
Motion: For the Current Survey Team (Voyer, Kaiser) to focus on a Germantown
Business Survey of existing businesses and to work on the contents of an introductory
survey and a more in-depth survey once a database has been compiled.
Motioned By: Melanie Smythe
Seconded By: Patrick Kaiser
Yes: Scott Hefle, Patrick Kaiser, Jim Sedgwick, Joletta Kerpan, Jeffrey Voyer, Melanie
Smythe, Joey Carini
No: None
Abstain: None
Motion Passed by Voice Vote (Yes 7, No 0, Abstained 0)
B. Discussion of Creating a Village of Germantown Development Process Guide
(DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION)
Commissioner Smythe presented the need to create a development process guide.
Key issues presented included stormwater management, reviewing conflicting studies,
and updating the 2050 Plan's goals. Commissioners agreed that more time for review
is needed before taking action on a development process guide.
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Village Center District Community Engagement Program - Review and
Discussion of Economic Development Potential of Village-Owned Properties
(Flowersource, Ascension, Grosenick and Main Street Recycling Center
Parcels). Presentation & Discussion with Mitch Brouse, SRF Consulting, and
Village Staff. (DISCUSSION)
Community Development Director Jeff Retzlaf and Mitch Brouse, a Planner with SRF
DRAFT
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Page 3
Consulting, presented on the Village Center District Community Engagement program
which focused on the redevelopment potential of four village-owned parcels. Brouse
and Retzlaff summarized the comprehensive plan's vision for mixed-use, pedestrian-
friendly development, and outlined the overall engagement process done thus far.
SRF Consulting is seeking the Commission's advisory input to incorporate into a final
report for the Village Board. Commissioners provided feedback supporting slow,
community-supported growth with phased developmental processes. Additionally,
they expressed concerns about redevelopment challenges and housing affordability to
encourage more business employee residencies.
VII. NEXT MEETING:
A. August 18, 2026
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
Chairperson Trustee Hefle adjourned the Economic Development Commission at
7:33PM.
DRAFT
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EDC Survey Questions
1. What is your current business footprint in our community?
-We currently operate here and want to expand
-We operate elsewhere but are looking to relocate/expand
-We are brand new looking to open our first location
2. What are the primary barriers preventing you from
expanding/moving here? (select all that apply)
-Availability of suitable commercial/industrial real estate.
-Cost of land, rent, construct
-Difficulty finding qualified skilled labor
-Property taxes are too high
-Outdated or missing infrastructure (roads, utilities, internet,
cell reception)
-Too many hurdles with Zoning and Permitting
-Lack of access to Capitol, Grants, Incentives
-Other_________
3. If Germantown could offer one specific form of support, what
would be the most impactful for your business?
-Permitting and Zoning
-Financial assistance (TIF, Grants, Low interest loans)
-Infrastructure cost sharing, Property tax abatements
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-Workforce development or recruitment programs with local
schools
-Improved infrastructure (select all that apply)
-Cell service
-Utilities
-Roads
-Internet
4. What specific type of space or infrastructure does your
operation require?
-Lot size_______
And/or
-Building sq. ft. _____
-Property type
-Office
-Retail
-Light
-Industrial/Warehouse
-Mixed-Use
5. Contact information (optional)
Name:
Title:
Company:
Email:
Phone:
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Source: Village of Germantown website. First collected Oct 7, 2026.