COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 12/18/1997
CITY OF MUSKEGO (Approved 2/5/98)
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE/LIBRARY BOARD/LIBRARY BUILDING COMMITTEE
JOINT MEETING - MINUTES OF MEETING HELD DECEMBER 18, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 7:47 P.M. by Mayor De Angelis. Committee of the
Whole members present were Aldermen Patterson, Pionek, Salentine, Sanders,
Slocomb (arrv. 8:55PM) and Woodard and Clerk-Treasurer Marenda. Ald. D’Acquisto
was absent. Library Board members present were B.Yahr, C.Stewart, C.Schwalbach,
D.Carter, R.Christenson, R.Jankowski and P.Merz, and Library Director Sanhuber,
along with the architect Jerry Olson.
The Mayor stated the meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Law.
Review of Minutes of Previous C.O.W. meeting. No comments
The Mayor stated general direction is needed on the issue of the community center and
library and what the final configuration should be. Two plans had been presented from
the architect. This is a library project and looking at adding some community center
space. Mayor stated he felt the library should take precedence over the community
center.
Mr. Olson stated the library project has been scaled back to a little less than 30,000
sq.ft., and the question is if the library goes upstairs or downstairs. Noise control,
structural considerations, access are all philosophical. Real question is what is going
into the community center. One item mentioned is a theater of over 750 capacity.
Parking is an issue. We do not meet the zoning requirements for a 750 seat theater. If
it is a theater with a sloping floor and a stage as a performance theater, it can’t be put
in a lower level due to height restrictions. If we put it up, we’re putting the library at a
disadvantage by putting it so low into the ground. Another consideration is a theater
with a flat floor with movable chairs. We need that decision. Two sketches were
discussed - one with library upstairs or downstairs, and one side by side facility, which
would be better of the two options for a sloping floor theater.
Fred Washa presented a letter dated 12-13-97 basically requesting an additional
month to determine the scope of the request for the community center portion of the
building.
At this time he preferred the side-by-side concept with multi-use space, with room
below the library for the local community groups to meet and for a teen center.
Ald. Patterson asked with the side-by-side concept, could the library be built with
meeting rooms below, with the community center to be built later. Mr. Olson responded
that the site is short on parking. About 200 spaces are required for a 750 seat theater.
The Mayor stated there may be flexibility to use the parking lot of the adjacent clinic.
Mr. Olson also noted the space needed for a 750 seat theater along with a lobby,
restrooms, circulation space, etc. is about 32,000 sq. ft.
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Minutes of Meeting Held 12/18/97
Ald. Pionek stated originally we were going to buy Parkland Mall and because of space
available we could provide meeting room space, etc. When that fell through, another
site was purchased for a library and no thought was given to building a “theater”. A
theater would be nice for the community, but we need a larger piece of land and more
money.
Holly Sanhuber said we’re now talking about the top level so it doesn’t look like a cave.
She asked about building the library on the City Hall site with meeting rooms in the
basement. Then you have a lovely piece of land downtown which in the long range you
can build your community center on that land. She said she has been opposed to
going downtown although we can do our job in either place, but we will miss being a
part of the current complex. Don Carter spoke in support of Holly’s comments. We
need the library above ground. Mr. Olson said if the library is on lower level at the
downtown site, there would be windows on the Janesville Rd. site and halfway back on
the east and west walls. Ray Christenson expressed concern about moisture control
and HVAC system with the library in the lower level.
Barb Yahr stated when you look at the two plans, having the library on top affords
pluses such as sound isolation. It would only take one flooding to cost thousands for
the books. Ald. Pionek responded that you won’t hear anything from floor to floor, and
with the modern HVAC you won’t have to worry about moisture with library below facing
Janesville.
Mr. Olson stated state code requires an elevator. Also, loading capacity for a dance
floor type use might require same loading as a library.
Ald. Slocomb arrived at 8:55 PM after adjournment of his Emerald Park meeting.
Ald. Patterson moved to design a building with 30,000 sq. ft. on each level with the
library on the top if weight bearing needs are the same for both levels, and with a
shared entrance on the east side.. If a major difference in weight bearing needs, put
library on lower level. Ald. Salentine seconded.
Ald. Pionek asked that just one floor for the library be built now which will avoid the cost
of an elevator. Mr. Washa said if the city will provide land elsewhere, he’ll start fund
raising for a community center to include a theater, aquatic center, etc. Holly noted the
library plan includes two meeting rooms now. Maybe space could be expanded
somewhat to provide additional meeting space. Ald. Pionek advised that at one time
we were talking about 40,000 sq. ft. space.
Mayor stated if we’re going to abandon a joint facility, we should be looking at some
type of expansion from 30,000 and get back to the 31,000 footprint originally looked at.
Ald. Pionek recommended 40,000 on one floor. Mr. Olson roughly estimated a 40,000
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Minutes of Meeting Held 12/18/97
one-floor building would be about $4.7 million and a two-floor with 30,000 on each
would be about $5.5 million with an unfinished lower level. Mayor indicated funds were
available.
Ald. Salentine called for the question on the motion to build a two-story structure with
30,000 sq. ft. on each level. No objections. Motion failed 1-5, with Patterson casting
only yes vote.
Ald. Pionek moved to direct the architect to design a 40,000 sq. ft. one-story, library-
only building, to include some meeting rooms, to be built at the Janesville Road site.
Ald. Salentine seconded, carried 6-0.
Ald. Pionek moved to start looking into a civic center on some piece of existing park
land in the City and have Mr. Washa start fund raising for the project. Ald. Salentine
seconded. Mr. Washa acknowledged that if park land is provided, he would start the
fund raising for a civic complex. Dave Taube expressed concern about the single use
of the property on Janesville Road. Motion carried unanimously.
The Mayor advised that at the next Council meeting, the contract for design services
should be approved.
Speed Limit - on Janesville at Moorland Road: Ald. Salentine moved to authorize
the Mayor to send letter to Waukesha County to request the speed limit on Janesville
Road between Moorland Road and Golden Country be reduced to 40 mph; and to 45
mph between Moorland Road and Bay Lane. Ald. Woodard seconded. Motion carried
unanimously.
Ald. Sanders moved to adjourn at 9:47 PM. Ald. Salentine seconded, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean K. Marenda, CMC
Clerk-Treasurer