OUR PLACE
Alderperson Fesenmaier, with backing from the rest of the Lake Geneva City Council, veered the closed session of last week’s city council meeting away from the beloved Hillmoor property.
It’s no secret that the YMCA is trying to acquire the best part of that plot of land. Item 16 on last week’s meeting agenda stated; Motion to go into closed session according to Wisconsin Statues 19.5(1)(e) deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session regarding potential purchase price for a portion of the Hillmoor property and under Wisconsin Statues 19.85(1)(c) to consider employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility regarding the Parks Director position.
Fesenmaier quickly made a motion to amend the closed session content to have the first half of the item, everything pertaining to Hillmoor, be removed, and the council fully backed the amendment. The Hillmoor property was purchased by the city for the people, with the assumption that it would remain the people’s place. The YMCA has made it clear to the city that it would like to build its new facility on the property and has even suggested purchasing the small portion that can be built on. The idea of the YMCA on the Hillmoor property is a controversial idea, with it either being loved or hated. Some would prefer the YMCA lease, not to purchase, the portion it needs. So, for now, the idea of selling any part of Hillmoor is delayed, but for how long?
The 50th Annual Williams Bay Fine Arts & Craft Fest.
This year, the fest presents 50 years and 50 artists! Every year during the last full weekend in July Williams Bay Cultural Arts Alliance hosts their Fine Arts Fest. Activities take place in Edgewater Park right along the lakeshore. This year it’s the 50th anniversary, featuring unique art from over 50 artists, including oil paintings, watercolors, photography, glass art, textiles, jewelry, metalwork, pottery, sculpture, and more. Also live music, kids’ crafts, food, and drinks on the north shore of sparkling Geneva Lake. It’s free and open to all. 9 to 5, Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27.
