COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Packet - 10/22/2013
CITY OF MUSKEGO
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA
October 22, 2013
6:15 PM
City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
STATEMENT OF PUBLICE NOTICE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - October 8, 2013
NEW BUSINESS
1. Lemke Estate Proposal - Update on Information Requested
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
ADJOURNMENT
Possible reconvening of the Committee of the Whole immediately following Common Council
Meeting of the same date to continue work on agenda items
NOTICE
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MEMBERS OF AND POSSIBLY A QUORUM OF MEMBERS OF OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BODIES OF
THE MUNICIPALITY MAY BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE ABOVE-STATED MEETING TO GATHER INFORMATION; NO ACTION
WILL BE TAKEN BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL BODY AT THE ABOVE-STATED MEETING OTHER THAN THE GOVERNMENTAL
BODY SPECIFICALLY REFERRED TO ABOVE IN THIS NOTICE.
ALSO, 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, MUSKEGO CITY HALL, (262) 679-4100.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (COW) – CITY OF MUSKEGO Unapproved
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD OCTOBER 8, 2013
Mayor Chiaverotti called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. Present were Ald. Madden,
Kubacki, Soltysiak, Glazier, Borgman, Hammel and Wolfe, Director of Finance and
Administration Mueller, and Deputy Clerk Blenski. The Deputy stated that the meeting
was noticed in accordance with the open meeting law.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ald. Kubacki moved to approve the September 19 and September 24, 2013
minutes. Ald. Glazier seconded; motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
50th Anniversary Update
Task Force Members Tina Schaefer, Dena Squaires and Marge Ingold were present.
Mrs. Schaefer gave an update regarding the events the Task Force is working on. The
Task Force is working with all the various community groups to promote different
activities during the year. The main project being worked on is painting the ten
Adirondack chairs, which will eventually be sold through a silent auction. The kickoff
event is scheduled for November 9. Dena has been working on putting a calendar
together, which will depict the City’s past 50 years. The Task Force will be using four
ground banners to promote the various events. Mayor Chiaverotti gave an update
regarding the proposed agenda for the November 9 kickoff event. There are preliminary
plans for events that can take place on the actual anniversary date next year. A
proclamation will be done at that time. The Mayor thanked the Task Force Members for
their efforts and attendance.
Lemke Estate Proposal
Mr. Jonathan Lemke was present representing his mother’s estate. Mr. Lemke has
approached the City regarding the purchase of property located next to Little Muskego
Lake dam for the purpose of establishing a park. The Community Development Director
provided a Staff Report to give the Committee additional information. Mr. Muenkel has
indicated that a Stewardship grant could potentially be available to assist with the cost.
Ald. Glazier stated the City should at least explore the idea of obtaining the site for
potential green space. The City could proceed to obtain appraisals. Ald. Soltysiak did
not believe appraisals were necessary. The current assessments should reflect the
property values since the City just did a re-evaluation. Ald. Glazier stated if the project
moves forward, the City will need to address the Comprehensive Plan and the Parks
and Open Space Plan. This would have to occur before the City could apply for the
grant. He suggested holding a public informational meeting to obtain community input.
Ald. Hammel expressed concern about acquiring the site based on the volatility of the
economy. Ald. Kubacki, Wolfe and Madden also stated reasons for not pursuing: Park
Arthur is being developed, the parcel is relatively small, the City already has green
space and the grant funds are not guaranteed. Ald. Madden noted that if this does
Committee of the Whole Page 2
October 8, 2013
move forward, only the land value should be considered; the City would not be
interested in the structures.
It was determined that a public informational meeting should be held. The information
that the City has to date regarding the potential acquisition would be presented. Ald.
Soltysiak also requested the following information: the cost to raze the buildings, the
cost to move the driveway, the cost for basic minimal landscaping to create green
space, the cost to buffer the affected property owners. The goal is to have the
informational session prior to a Common Council meeting.
Budget Overview
The Mayor stated that the budget process continues to move forward as planned that
was unanimously decided at the last meeting. She noted that the following were
discussed at the September 19 and 24 meetings:
All were in favor of the proposed financing and debt issuance.
The 2012 audit review was presented. The City was commended for fully funding
the compensated absences liability.
Revaluation and levy reduction issues were discussed. To maintain the 2012 tax
rate, the levy would need to be reduced by approximately $1,159,000.
The auditors cautioned against utilizing surplus funds as a means to lower the tax
rate.
The City has healthy reserves.
It has always been a goal not to use surplus funds to balance the budget.
The Mayor stated the City received $86,709 more in Transportation Aids than what was
anticipated. With that, she is recommending the following:
Revenues
Transportation Aids $ 86,709
Surplus Funds (81,280)
Total State Funding Increase $ 5,429
Expenditures
IT Network Charges $ 1,400
Court Telephone Adjustment (720)
Contingency 4,749
Total Expenditure Adjustments $ 5,429
Ald. Soltysiak stated he would still like to hold the expenditures to the same as last year.
The Mayor reiterated the main increases in the 2014 budget:
DPW Sand and Salt $10,000
Vehicle Replacements (Police and DPW) $15,000
Computer Replacements ` $35,000
IT Network Charges $11,000
Attorney Fees $ 5,000
Total $76,000
Committee of the Whole Page 3
October 8, 2013
Ald. Hammel noted that he heard from several residents that they want to see spending
stay flat. The Mayor stated the Council has chosen to do things that have added costs.
Reducing expenditures by $73,000 is very insignificant to the taxpayer, but will have a
huge implication for future budgets. Ald. Kubacki stated he received positive feedback
at a neighborhood meeting held last week. He supports the budget as it is. Ald. Wolfe
stated he does not want to increase taxes at all. Ald. Madden stated she does not want
to cut any expenditure given the money that is being put into Park Arthur. Ald. Glazier
stated the budget is reasonable. The Council should not cut money just for the sake of
saying it did so. He believes it is important for the City to be vibrant in order to attract
businesses to the community. Ms. Mueller noted that the City does not have any funds
set aside for a major, unforeseen event. She also stated that putting off expenditures
only creates difficulties for the next budget year. Mayor Chiaverotti added that the City
has not used all the net new growth allowed by the State. She also noted that
negotiations with the Police Association have to be finalized. Ald. Borgman stated that
if residents are requesting costly items such as parks and recreation trails, they have to
expect an increase in taxes. The Mayor also commented that the City is growing; there
is development that will occur in 2014. The Council has to plan for that.
Ms. Mueller asked if there were any questions or concerns regarding the utility budgets
or funding sources of the capital projects.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Glazier moved to adjourn at 6:59 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Wolfe; motion carried.
Minutes taken and transcribed by Jill Blenski, CMC
Deputy Clerk