COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Minutes - 9/9/2014
Approved
CITY OF MUSKEGO
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
September 9, 2014
5:40 PM
City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Chiaverotti called the meeting to order at 5:44 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present were Aldermen Madden, Kubacki, Engelhardt, Di Pronio, Borgman, Hammel, and
Wolfe, Director of Finance and Administration Mueller.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
Ms. Mueller stated that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting law.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA – There were no issues with the agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Capital Fund Budgets - Expenditures & Borrowing (continued discussion)
Hwy OO Update
The Mayor noted that at the last meeting there was a majority that wanted the City Engineer to
research alternatives for the Hwy. OO trail. The cost savings if gravel is used is only $70,000.
The City Engineer and Parks & Recreation Director do not recommend it because the
residents will not be satisfied. In addition, more maintenance is required.
The City Engineer outlined another option, which would remove the pathway in front of the
proposed Wildflower Farms subdivision as well as the section of trail from Ryan Road to Hwy.
36. This would reduce the project cost to $446,000.
Finance and Administration Director Mueller reviewed the projected 2014 and 2015 landfill
funds. All of the approved capital project requests will be able to be funded by landfill funds
with a potential surplus of $524,444. The cost for the Hwy. OO trail could be taken out of the
surplus.
Ald. Borgman and Ald. Kubacki stated that the project is still very expensive; they still cannot
support. This is a trail of convenience. Believe the money is better spent on a park for that
area.
Ald. Madden stated the trail system was put in place by the Park & Recreation Board years
ago. She reiterated that a good deal of the park dedication funds came from the development
in District 7. Ald. Di Pronio agreed. The Mayor confirmed that a majority of new residents are
in that area of the City.
Ald. Wolfe stated he asked that an option to work with the County and have an area striped be
researched.
Ald. Kubacki would like to see the Woods Road trail be reconsidered. Ald. Borgman would like
to see future budgets that do not include funds for trails. The City will need to allocate money
for facility needs.
Consensus Regarding Request (Hwy. OO Trail from Ryan to Durham @ $446,000)
1 in favor Ald. Madden
6 opposed
Consensus to Reconsider the Woods Road Trail
2 in favor Ald. Wolfe, Kubacki
5 opposed
Sidewalk Snow Removal
The Mayor stated that the Council must decide if snow removal on the sidewalks along
Janesville Road and Pioneer Drive will be the City’s responsibility or passed on to the property
owners. The City is accepting a large risk by not addressing the snow removal as noted by the
City Attorney.
Options:
1. Contract out. Estimated annual cost is $50,000.
2. Adopt an ordinance that puts the responsibility for maintenance on the property
owners. However, there are still areas that the City would have to maintain. This may
require the purchase of an additional piece of equipment. Most municipalities pass this
responsibility on to the property owners.
3. Have City staff perform all maintenance, which may require the purchase of a piece of
equipment. Ald. Kubacki noted this provides consistency and asked if the property
owners could be assessed.
Discussion took place about the type of equipment that the City would have to purchase, and
the cost. The Mayor stated that DPW may already have a snow blower that could be used.
She stated that she will do further research. This item was deferred.
Muskego High School Tennis Court Resurfacing
Mayor Chiaverotti stated that per the agreement the City has with the Muskego Norway School
District, the City is responsible to pay a 50% portion of the costs for the improvements to the
tennis courts. The School District is only requesting 40% of the project cost; the City’s portion
would be $20,000.
Consensus Regarding Request
7 in favor
HVAC - City Hall
The Mayor stated this cost ($100,000) has been carried over for several years. The City’s
Maintenance Director is requesting that the cost again be carried over for 2015. The current
equipment is expected to fail in the near future. It will not be replaced until necessary, but the
funds should be allocated for when that happens.
Consensus Regarding Request
7 in favor
Facility Study
The Mayor distributed an updated analysis prepared by consultant, John Sabinash. The
Mayor suggested that the Council review the information for discussion at a later date. The
Police Chief has budgeted for a new building in 2017. The Mayor stated a timeframe for what
the Council wants to do should be established. It can be changed. Discussion will continue at
the next meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Budget Process
Ms. Mueller distributed a final budget timetable. Adoption of the budgets is scheduled for the
October 28 meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Madden made a motion to adjourn at 6:40 pm. Alderman Kubacki
seconded.
Motion Passed 7 in favor.
Minutes taken and transcribed by Jill Blenski, Deputy Clerk