Public Works Committee Packet 8-19-13
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CITY OF MUSKEGO
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE AGENDA
DATE: August 19, 2013
TIME: 6:00 P.M.
LOCATION: Aldermen’s Room – Upper Level of City Hall
W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
Muskego, WI 53150
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD July 15, 2013
STATUS OF PROJECTS
Discussion update. No formal action may be taken on any of the following:
1. Janesville Road Reconstruction
2. Racine Avenue Recreational Trail
3. 2013 Road Program
4. Gold Drive Storm Sewer
5. Horn Park Drive Storm Sewer
6. Misc. Drainage Projects
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion update and possible action may be taken on any or all of the following:
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion update and possible action may be taken on any or all the following:
1. Discuss potential road improvement project for Laura Lane.
2. Approval of construction plans for the Willow Glen development.
3. Approval of right-of-way vacation for Willow Glen Drive and an unnamed right-of-way off of
Clearbrook Drive.
4. Update regarding Molybdenum.
NEW BUSINESS PLACED ON FILE
(The following items have been placed on file for staff review. Upon completion of review, staff will submit a supplement
detailing options and possible course of action to committee members.)
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
ADJOURNMENT
PLEASE NOTE: 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, contact Muskego City Hall, (262) 679-4100.
CITY OF MUSKEGO Unapproved
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013
Ald. Dan Soltysiak called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Also present were Ald. Neil
Borgman and Public Works Director David Simpson. Ald. Bob Hammel excused.
Ald. Soltysiak led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Laws on July 12, 2013.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 17, 2013
Ald. Borgman moved to approve the minutes of June 17, 2013. Seconded by Ald. Soltysiak.
Motion carried 2-0.
STAFF REPORTS
None
STATUS OF PROJECTS
Director Simpson gave updates on the following projects:
Janesville Road Reconstruction – Should be done with paving of temporary lanes by end of
week. Either end of this week or next week move traffic to temporary lanes and start
installing temporary barrier.
Racine Avenue Recreational Trail – Advertised for bid a week from Thursday. Opening on
the 8th, Council on the 13th.
2013 Road Program – Because of the weather, the earliest they would be starting would be
August 19.
Gold Drive Storm Sewer – Residents not interested in giving easement for storm sewer, so
we are going with option of straight north on Gold.
Horn Park Drive Storm Sewer – Completed survey work, contacted We Energies, attempt to
get DNR permits.
Miscellaneous Drainage Projects – Met with owners on Lake and Hiawatha today hopefully
it will be done shortly. Haven’t moved forward with Annes Way yet. East Drive in fall.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Discuss Drainage Issue near Circle Drive & Richdorf Drive – Director Simpson advised
alternatives were evaluated to mitigate stormwater flooding in the Circle Drive and Richdorf
Drive area. These alternatives were studied as part of the MMSD’s Private Property
Inflow/Infiltration (PPII) reduction study. In February 2012 these findings were presented to
the Public Works Committee and the different options were discussed. At that time I was
appointed to work with land owners to see about installing a swale. I believe the owners will
not offer a voluntary grading/drainage easement for the swale. We are back here tonight to
2
discuss where to go from here. Per Director Simpson we have the swale option estimated
cost of $68,000-$102,000, installation of the box culvert estimated $468,000-$702,000. The
age of the pipe is about 25-30 years old, so it may need replacement at an approximate cost
of $175,000. Committee and land owners discussed the different options. The box culvert
was decided on. Ald. Borgman made a motion that we move forward with the 11-ft. wide by
4-ft. high section replacing the existing section with 11-ft. wide by 4-ft. high section and at
budget time we put the appropriate funds in the budget to cover it. Seconded by Ald.
Soltysiak. Motion carried 2-0.
Presentation of Woods Road & Moorland Road/Durham Drive Intersection Alternatives
Study – The intersection of Woods Road and Moorland Road is currently a four-way stop
per Director Simpson. A while back Public Works Committee discussed moving forward
with an intersection analysis to determine how our next best step would be. We hired
GRAEF to work on that study. The study is nearing completion. A representative from
GRAEF discussed three types of intersection traffic control including the existing all-way
stop, roundabout and traffic signals. Pros and cons were discussed. Director Simpson
stated that he applied for a grant that may allow for partial funding of the construction of a
roundabout. Ald. Borgman made a motion that we place the design funding and
construction funding into the Capital Improvement Budget tentatively for 2015 and 2016 for
the roundabout design on Woods Road and Moorland. Ald. Soltysiak seconded. Motion
carried 2-0.
Discuss Policy Regarding Maintenance of Subdivision Boulevard Entrance Islands - Director
Simpson advised staff has received complaints regarding the aesthetics of the subdivision
boulevard entrance on Sandalwood Drive. The majority of these types of islands are
maintained by their respective associations. Probably 95% of these are maintained very
nicely. The Sandalwood one has not formed an association. Staff would like the
Committee’s opinion on how to proceed in cases where maintenance is not being
completed. One option would be sending a letter to all owners in the subdivision asking that
maintenance be completed regularly and if not, plant grass or install a maintenance free
solution completed by the City. Ald. Borgman made a motion that we discuss with the
homeowners first, sending a letter to all owners in the subdivision asking that maintenance
be completed regularly by the owners as a group or an individual, and if not, install a
maintenance free solution that would be completed by the City when feasible. Seconded by
Ald. Soltysiak. Motion carried 2-0.
NEW BUSINESS PLACED ON FILE
None
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
None
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Borgman moved to adjourn the meeting 7:00 PM. Ald. Soltysiak seconded. Motion
carried 2-0.
Jeanne Struck
Recording Secretary
CITY OF MUSKEGO
Staff Report to Public Works Committee
August 19, 2013 Meeting
To: Public Works Committee
From: David Simpson & Jeff Muenkel
Subject: Laura Lane Road Improvements
Date: August 1, 2013
History:
Laura Lane is located on the north side of Big Muskego Lake, south of Durham Drive, just off of Schultz
Lane (see map below).
2004: The road right-of-way was created back in 2004 as part of a land division. At that time the policy of
the city was that the road didn’t have to be improved until four (4) homes accessed from the right-of-way
and at the time of the land division only three (3) homes were to access the new right-of-way.
2009: In 2009 a cul-de-sac dedication area was added at the end of the Laura Lane right-of-way when a new
land division occurred. Four homes weren’t accessing off the right-of-way still, however, the landowner at
the end of Laura Lane requested to access his property for farming (haying) purposes. Staff had an
agreement in writing that the landowner could establish access to their property in the right-of-way but
would have to follow the following guidelines to setup this preliminary access:
-clear the road right-of-way no more than 15 feet wide
-A 10-12 foot wide gravel access drive would have to be established
-No vehicular access should be found in the right-of-way until this is accomplished
2011: The landowner at the end of Laura Lane comes forward for another land division on their property.
This land division is approved under the stipulation that a 8” thick, 16-foot wide crushed aggregate private
drive be constructed all along Laura Lane to the back of the cul-de-sac and that a 50 foot long area of asphalt
along Laura Lane stemming from Schultz Lane be installed prior to the release of any building permits for
the landowner.
2013: The land division in 2011 has never been recorded by the landowner. Further, the landowner
at the end of Laura Lane does access their property with vehicles and farm tractors from time to
time but no improvements have been made to Laura Lane other than clear cutting of trees. Thus, the
latter half of Laura Lane is simply grass. Lastly, many Laura Lane neighbor disputes have been
occurring as to if the landowner at the end of Laura Lane should be improving the roadway per past
city directives.
Background:
Due to the many unknowns of when lots will be divided or when building permits will actually
occur the city adopted a new ordinance recently that states that any new land division creating a
right-of-way must improve that right of way with a full city road. This resolves the issues of putting
the burden of paying and improving a road on a future resident not associated with creating the
initial right-of-way while also ensuring that the road is easily maintainable for the city’s Public
Works Department (plowing, etc.).
Recommendations:
Due to ongoing issues associated with the Laura Lane right-of-way staff is looking for some formal direction
from the Public Works Committee. Some options are outlined below. Staff has notified the Laura Lane
residents that this discussion is to occur as well as Alderman Madden.
At this time staff really has no way to enforce vehicular traffic regulations on Laura Lane or any
way to ensure that some road improvements are made at a certain point in time. Thus the following
options may want to be considered:
1. Leave situation as-is.
In the meantime, staff can ensure that the latest land division that wasn’t recorded needs full
re-approvals by the City and that the improvements to Laura Lane need to be reconsidered
before approval by the City which may include the need of a formal developer’s agreement
and requirements to install the improvements within one year of signing off on the land
division along with a letter of credit to assure the road improvements do get done.
If land division is never recorded staff can ensure that a gravel road is improved, like
previous approvals, before any building permit is allowed to be issued for the back property.
2. Recommend new sign at the end of the current gravel area of Laura Lane that states no
vehicular access beyond this point with exception of farm tractors. Police could then enforce
when this is violated and issue citations.
In the meantime, staff can ensure that the latest land division that wasn’t recorded needs full
re-approvals by the City and that the improvements to Laura Lane need to be reconsidered
before approval by the City which may include the need of a formal developer’s agreement
and requirements to install the improvements within one year of signing off on the land
division along with a letter of credit to assure the road improvements do get done.
3. Start formal proceedings to install a full City road in Laura Lane and assess the surrounding
five landowners of Laura Lane. City would then maintain the right-of-way for maintenance
and plowing.
Given the five (5) properties abutting Laura Lane costs could be around $15,000-$20,000 a
property. Payment programs could be implemented up to a 10 year period.
August 1, 2013
RE: Laura Lane Roadway Improvements
Dear Resident/Property Owner:
The Public Works Committee is considering potential improvements to the existing Laura Lane
right-of-way. The background and City staff opinion are discussed in the enclosed staff report to
the Committee. As part of the discussion we would like to have input from you. We will be
discussing this item at the next Public Works Meeting and would be happy to have your input either
before or at that meeting. If you have already provided input I will share that with the committee.
Please feel free to attend the meeting in which this item will be discussed:
Public Works Committee Meeting
Monday, August 19th at 6:00 p.m.
Muskego City Hall (W182 S8200 Racine Avenue)
Should you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call me directly at (262) 679-5686
or e-mail me at dsimpson@cityofmuskego.org.
Sincerely,
City of Muskego
David Simpson, P.E.
Director of Public Works
cc: Alderman Eileen Madden
Public Works Committee
Jeff Muenkel, Community Development Director
Wayne Delikat, Public Works Superintendent
ENGINEERING DIVISION
W182 S8200 Racine Avenue, PO Box 749
Muskego, Wisconsin 53150-0749
(262) 679-4145 FAX (262) 679-5614
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CITY OF MUSKEGO
Staff Report to Public Works Committee
To: Public Works Committee
From: David Simpson, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Subject: Approval of right-of-way vacation for Willow Glen Drive and an unnamed
right-of-way off of Clearbrook Drive
Date: August 8, 2013
Background Information:
As part of the approval process of the Willow Glen development, the City is requiring
that the vacant right of ways shown on the attached petition and documentation be
vacated.
Public water main is planned and will be located in areas of the right of way that will be
vacated so a public easement is needed to benefit the City of Muskego. This vacation
will also come before the Plan Commission and Common Council for final approval.
Recommendation for Action by Committee:
Recommend vacation of future Willow Glen Drive and an unnamed right-of-way off of
Clearbrook Drive with all fees associated with said vacation to be paid for by the
developer of the Willow Glen Development.
CITY OF MUSKEGO
Public Works Committee
To: Public Works Committee
From: David Simpson, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Subject: Update regarding Molybdenum
Date: August 9, 2013
As you might remember, the City decided to voluntarily turn off two of our ten City
owned wells do to concentrations of Molybdenum being detected at levels of 70
micrograms/liter(ug/l) and 80 ug/l respectively (see attached letter to residents). There are
currently no State or Federal requirements for testing of Molybdenum in public water
systems, however, the State of Wisconsin groundwater standard was 40 ug/l when staff
decided to temporarily shut the wells down as a precaution.
The State of Wisconsin has been and is continuing to study Molybdenum and recently
updated their health advisory limit to 90ug/l (see attached Journal Sentinel news article
and information from Wisconsin Department of Health Services). Do to the new
information and after communication with the WDNR, staff will resume utilization of the
two affected wells as the wells are now within groundwater standards.
Recommendation:
Discuss how the Committee would like staff to inform the residents (approx. 275 homes)
that were sent the first letter of the new information. Potentially a new letter or simply a
website update along with the news reports.
Wisconsin DNR relaxes advisory on metal in
drinking water
By Don Behm of the Journal Sentinel
Aug. 7, 2013
The state Department of Natural Resources is relaxing a health advisory level for molybdenum in
drinking water, department officials said Wednesday.
The revised advice is expected to ease public fears of ill health effects and eliminate the need for
expensive water treatment systems at hundreds of southeastern Wisconsin homes with private wells.
A new analysis reducing risk of illness from exposure to the metal in groundwater prompted the change,
officials said.
An ongoing investigation of molybdenum groundwater contamination in portions of Milwaukee, Racine
and Waukesha counties has found unexpectedly high levels of the metal in water from private wells.
Recent tests also have found excessive concentrations of the metal in some private wells in Kenosha
County.
Owners of around 400 residential wells in the four counties will receive letters this week explaining the
change in the state's advice, said Eric Nitschke, southeast region director for the state Department of
Natural Resources. A handful of other well owners, such as rural schools, are being contacted directly
by department staff.
Generally, well owners are being informed they can safely drink water with larger concentrations of
molybdenum than previously recommended.
A new review of the risk of drinking well water with molybdenum concluded the metal is less of a
health threat than regulators previously determined, according to Chuck Warzecha, director of
environmental and occupational health at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services in Madison. The
analysis was done at the request of the DNR.
The previous state health advisory level of 40 micrograms of the metal in a liter of groundwater has been
set aside for private well owners in favor of a new limit more than double that amount at 90 micrograms
per liter, or parts per billion.
"We are confident this level fully protects public health," Warzecha said.
"Someone who drinks water with a molybdenum concentration of 90 micrograms per liter for their
entire life would not be expected to have any negative health effects," Warzecha said.
"This level will continue to protect even the most sensitive populations — the young, the elderly and
those with compromised immune systems."
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Molybdenum levels exceed the new advisory level of 90 micrograms per liter in 211, or 52%, of the 405
wells whose owners are being contacted this week, Nitschke said.
Owners of wells with groundwater levels of more than 90 micrograms per liter should install an
approved treatment system that removes the metal, buy bottled water or obtain water from some other
safe source, Nitschke said.
They should not drink water with excessive amounts of molybdenum or use it in cooking food, Nitschke
said. Using the water for showers, brushing teeth and rinsing foods is OK.
Installing approved reverse osmosis or water distillation systems to remove molybdenum could cost
between a few hundred dollars and $1,000, he said.
Tests of water from 194 other wells found concentrations between 40 and 90 parts per billion, he said.
Those well owners are not advised to install treatment systems or obtain a substitute source of water
under the revised health advisory.
Water tests of 469 wells in the four counties found less than 40 parts per billion of molybdenum.
The 90 microgram level is an interim health advisory and will remain in place until the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency completes its review of the current federal health advisory level of 40
parts per billion, according to Warzecha.
The EPA's review was prompted by scientific criticisms of a 1961 study in Armenia that the agency
used in setting the U.S. drinking water health advisory level for molybdenum.
It could take the EPA a few more years to complete its review, but homeowners in the four counties are
making decisions now on whether to install treatment systems, Warzecha said.
The DNR began investigating molybdenum contamination of wells in southeastern Wisconsin in 2009
when water tests found a few wells in Caledonia with elevated levels of the metal.
The study area gradually expanded to encompass the following communities: Franklin and Oak Creek in
Milwaukee County; Muskego in Waukesha County; Caledonia, Norway and Raymond in Racine
County.
In May, the DNR reported finding more than 40 parts per billion of molybdenum in private wells
bordering Racine, Mount Pleasant, Yorkville and Dover in Racine County, and Somers in Kenosha
County.
The contamination is so widespread that it likely is not coming from a single source, DNR officials have
said.
Exposure to excessive amounts of the metal in drinking water can cause gout-like joint pain, according
to state health officials.
Since molybdenum is a naturally occurring metal found in soil and rock, it shows up in groundwater.
This metal is an essential nutrient in a healthy diet. A typical U.S. resident takes in around 100
micrograms of molybdenum each day from foods, such as leafy vegetables, beans, peas, grains, organ
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meats and sunflower seeds.
Find this article at:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/wisconsin-dnr-relaxes-advisory-on-metal-in-drinking-water-b9969022z1-218627781.html
Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article.
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May 15, 2013
Re: Molybdenum
Dear Resident:
As you may have recently heard through various media outlets, a naturally occurring metal called
Molybdenum has been found in many private wells in southeast Wisconsin during the past few years. There
are currently no State or Federal requirements for testing of Molybdenum in public water systems, however,
the City of Muskego felt it was important to voluntarily test all ten municipally owned wells. The results of
these tests show that eight of the City owned wells have either none or very low levels of Molybdenum. The
two remaining wells, which are located in the Champions Village Subdivision, tested at levels that exceed the
State of Wisconsin groundwater standard, which is currently 40 micrograms/liter (ug/l). One of the well’s test
results showed a level of 70 ug/l while the second showed a level of 80 ug/l. While the State has established a
groundwater standard for Molybdenum, there is currently no standard in place for public water systems. Even
though the City is not required to test for or treat wells that exceed the groundwater standard for Molybdenum
we have decided to temporarily discontinue use of these wells while the State of Wisconsin conducts further
research and establishes guidelines for public water systems. This means that all customers served by
municipal water will be receiving water from the remaining eight wells.
Please see the enclosed document (link: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/P0/P00150.pdf) from the
Wisconsin Department of Health Services for information regarding Molybdenum. In the document you will
find that Molybdenum is an essential nutrient in human diets, however, one study has shown that long term
consumption of 10,000 to 15,000 ug/day of molybdenum was associated with some adverse health issues.
Because your home received the majority of its water in the past from the two wells discussed above we felt it
was important to share this information.
For more information on Molybdenum please visit the following websites:
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Groundwater/molybdenum.html
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/HlthHaz/fs/MolybdenumDrinkingWater.pdf
The City has created a webpage that includes the links above and will be updated as we have more information
which can be viewed at: http://www.cityofmuskego.org/molybdenum. If you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to contact either Scott Kloskowski at (262) 679-4149/skloskowski@cityofmuskego.org or David
Simpson at (262)-679-5686/dsimpson@cityofmuskego.org.
The City of Muskego Water Utility is committed to providing its customers with safe and reliable drinking
water that meets or exceeds all State and Federal requirements.
Thank you,
City of Muskego
David Simpson, P.E. Scott Kloskowski
Director of Public Works Utilities Superintendent
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
W182 S8200 Racine Avenue, PO Box 749
Muskego, Wisconsin 53150-0749
(262) 679-4128 FAX (262) 679-5614