COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE- MINUTES - 11/11/1998
CITY OF MUSKEGO (Approved)
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 11, 1998
Mayor De Angelis called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Also present were Aldermen
Slocomb, Chiaverotti, Pionek, Patterson, Salentine, Deputy Clerk Blenski. Alderman
Sanders arrived at 8:50 p.m. just prior to closed session and Alderman Woodard was
not present.
The Deputy Clerk stated the meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting
Law.
Ald. Patterson moved to approve minutes of 8/12/98, 9/24/98, 10/1/98 and 10/15/98
meetings. Ald. Slocomb seconded, motion carried.
The Mayor read the Notice of Closed Sessions.
OLD BUSINESS
Item No. 1 - Discuss Land/Location for Community Center
Ald. Slocomb stated he has a sense that we will not develop a formal plan to locate
land for a community center at this time. We will see what happens with other
development throughout the City. The Mayor stated he met with Mr. Washa and his
group is ready to go. The group wants to have a site before proceeding. It is difficult to
raise money without a place for people to visualize. The Mayor has discussed the site
on Janesville Road that was part of the Carity development with them. Mr. Carity is
rethinking the proposed development. Mayor De Angelis stated that a parcel consisting
of between six and ten acres was needed for the project. The consensus was that the
Janesville Road site was a good location. The City will pursue looking at other options
if the site on Janesville Road in connection with Mr. Carity’s development falls through.
Discussion also took place about future park development with Ald. Pionek suggesting
that neighborhood detention ponds be reviewed for possible future park development
around them. The Mayor noted that large parcels of land would be necessary to
accomplish. He also stated that the Parks and Recreation Board is reviewing their
Parks and Open Space Plan. Now is the time to talk to them. The Mayor does not
believe it is the Board’s intent to site another regional size park. Ald. Pionek stated we
should keep the park land that we have. Ald. Salentine agreed; citizens have asked
the City to preserve country and open space. Ald. Pionek noted that the
civic/community center should not be located inside a neighborhood, or where
substantial wetlands exist. It was requested that the item be placed on the January
meeting agenda for an update.
Item No. 2 - Discuss Status of Emergency Government
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Minutes of Meeting Held November 11, 1998
The Mayor distributed a memo from Intern Dave Bajkiewicz indicating where he left off
on this project. Dave is currently working on rewriting and updating the plan. The idea
is that each member of the core team would have an emergency manual. Dave has
worked with the County and other municipalities to obtain information. The Mayor
stated use of current staff is preferable, as well as an in-house emergency coordinator.
Any suggestions as to who the coordinator should be can be submitted to Dave or the
Mayor.
Item. No. 3 - Discuss Extension of Moorland Road (Alignment and Cost)
Ald. Slocomb stated we should nail down where the extension is going to be and get
the center alignment and configuration established. The information could be given to
potential developers. The Mayor stated he discussed with City Engineer Zoppa. It
depends on how close you want to be and how much money you want to spend. If you
want to survey the entire area, it will be timely and costly. It could be done off of new
topo maps and existing soils maps. The proposal for Ruekert & Mielke to perform was
costly. Ald. Salentine stated it is something that needs to be done and the City should
take the initiative. The Mayor stated the road is currently on our road maps as being
the extension of Moorland Road. We do not have a defined center line with a metes
and bounds description identifying the exact location. It is a rough sketch. Ald. Pionek
stated he has asked for alignment since February. Ald. Slocomb stated there are
hurdles to get over. One of them is what are we going to do with possible extension
further south. It was noted that City Engineer Zoppa would review alternatives, those
previously presented and any other possibilities. He would discuss at Public Works
Committee. Ald. Chiaverotti stated the alternative which bypasses the section of
Durham still needs to be reviewed and considered even though it would be costly.
Some of the past discussions regarding the alternatives to extend the road relating to
curves, radiuses, and wetlands were reviewed. Ald. Slocomb stated we cannot do the
alignment until the criteria is established. Mayor stated it should go back to Public
Works Committee to review with input from City Engineer Zoppa. He also stated if
alignment changes significantly, the public must be notified.
Item No. 4 - Discuss Status of Town of Vernon Border Agreement
The Mayor noted this item would be discussed in closed session.
Item No. 5 - Discuss Status of Adopt a Road
This issue was supposed to go the Public Services Committee to determine roads, etc.
and appears to have fallen through the cracks. Ald. Patterson asked for input. Only
main, municipal roads would be affected. It will be placed on the next committee
agenda for discussion.
Item No. 6 - Zoning/Rezoning Education Session/Materials
The Mayor stated he will work with Plan Director Matt Sadowski. Nothing has been set
up yet. It is possible to have some type of presentation through the City’s attorneys, or
the League of Wis. Municipalities.
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Minutes of Meeting Held November 11, 1998
Item No. 7 - Update on Linnie Lac Dam
Ald. Salentine stated that the DNR gave them until March of 1999 to come up with a
plan and until November of 1999 to have dam rebuilt or removed. Ald. Salentine
reported that the Little Muskego Lake District heard from the Linnie Lac District that the
City was working with them regarding the removal of soil material. She is concerned
that people believe this but the City has no knowledge of the matter and has no plan in
place. Ald. Pionek stated he saw people were at the dam taking soil borings. He also
stated that New Berlin has had a poor erosion control policy. The City of Muskego is
receiving all this gook from New Berlin. Ald. Salentine stated she discussed with Kristy
Rogers who indicated it could come under the Clean Water Act. The Mayor responded
it may be possible but he was not sure what the criteria was. Ald. Salentine asked what
will be accomplished by spending City grant funds and funds from the LML District to
clean up Jewel Creek when this keeps coming across the street? Ald. Pionek asked if
we could consult with legal counsel to see if anything could be done. The Mayor stated
he will investigate.
NEW BUSINESS
Item No. 1 - Acquisition of Additional Park Land
Ald. Slocomb asked if there was a sense of timing that the Parks & Recreation Board
had. Ald. Patterson responded that there is nothing formal. The Board is looking for
guidance and input from the Council. Ald. Slocomb stated that the Board should
present a list of the areas for future park expansion to the Council. The Mayor noted
that Craig Anderson is an active participant in the DNR land preservation effort around
Big Muskego Lake. He stated this may have an impact on future park plans and there
could be a combination of efforts regarding future planning. Ald. Slocomb noted that
some rules may have to change.
Item No. 2 - Review Naming Ordinance
A draft ordinance was prepared by Intern Dave Bajkiewicz. The committee members
questioned if the naming criteria was for persons alive or deceased. The Mayor
responded that under naming of public waters, the ordinance states that the Names
Council policy requires that a geographic feature not be named after a living person.
The Mayor further stated that under naming of public facilities, there is no such
restriction. Ald. Slocomb moved to change paragraph (2) under 20.12 Naming of
Public Waters to indicate the committee’s desire to name a geographic feature after a
person deceased or living. Ald. Salentine seconded; motion carried. Ald. Pionek
moved to delete the last sentence in paragraph (2) under 20.12 Naming of Public
Waters. Ald. Slocomb seconded; motion carried. The Mayor clarified that paragraph
(3) under 20.12 was a statement of fact. If names are proposed and done and not in
compliance with the Geographic Names Council policies or not approved by the
Council, they will not be recognized on maps outside the City. The Mayor noted that
the City does not have any existing policy or ordinance governing naming criteria. Ald.
Pionek moved to submit to City Attorney for review and then to the Common Council.
Ald. Patterson seconded; motion carried.
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Minutes of Meeting Held November 11, 1998
Item No. 3 - Discuss Fireworks Permit Display Regulations
Ald. Woodard initially placed this matter on a previous (COW) agenda. Ald. Salentine
asked that discussion begin on this issue even though Ald. Woodard could not be in
attendance at this meeting. Ald. Salentine displayed various fireworks that she
indicated were obtained from one constituent’s roof. When a call was made to the
Police Department, the department’s response was that they have a permit. In some
residential areas, the lots are only 50’ wide. Ald. Salentine stated we need to give
Police more parameters or keep out of the close residential neighborhoods. Ald.
Patterson asked if a neighborhood dispute was involved. Ald. Salentine stated
absolutely not. Ald. Patterson stated this is the first time he has seen this situation
when a permit was taken out. He further stated that in discussions he has had with
Police Chief Johnson, the Chief believes that whether the City has specific regulations
in an ordinance or not, there is not enough police power to patrol. Ald. Slocomb noted
that they do respond to complaints. Ald. Patterson stated he believes it is better to
have an ordinance giving people guidelines and encouraging the use of supervision
than not to have an ordinance and allowing them to do anything. Mayor De Angelis
stated that additional requirements may need to be added to the ordinance. Ald.
Pionek stated it was his understanding that language already existed in the ordinance,
or was on the permit. Ald. Pionek reviewed Chapter 9 of the Municipal Code regarding
fireworks. He noted that it says, “Wind direction at the time of use shall be away from
buildings or other combustible materials and structures and shall not carry fireworks
onto any adjoining buildings or so as to cause annoyance or danger to other persons or
property.” The Mayor noted that ordinances banning fireworks in other municipalities
have not stopped them from being discharged. You are better trying to regulate and
educate people. Ald. Chiaverotti believes that the ordinance language is provided to
individuals when they obtain a permit. It was the consensus of the committee that this
was about enforcement. Ald. Patterson moved to send written notification to the Chief
to enforce fireworks regulations with discretion in accordance with the ordinance.
Having a permit does not give people carte blanche. Ald. Pionek seconded; motion
carried unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Ald. Pionek stated that Officer Gary Mrotek was giving a presentation at 7:00 p.m.
during the 11/12 Little Muskego Lake District meeting regarding lake regulations.
The aldermen were encouraged to attend. Ald. Patterson requested that the
presentation be recorded and put out over the air at future dates.
The December calendar was briefly reviewed. The aldermen determined that a
Committee of the Whole meeting would not be held a meeting in December. Ald.
Pionek determined that the 12/28/98 Public Works Committee meeting should be
canceled.
CLOSED SESSIONS
There was no need to go into closed session regarding contracts for fire departments.
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Minutes of Meeting Held November 11, 1998
Ald. Salentine moved to convene into closed session pursuant to §19.85(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; more specifically discussion of a possible
border agreement with the Town of Vernon. Ald. Chiaverotti seconded; motion carried
5-0.
Alderman Sanders arrived at 8:50 just prior to the committee adjourning into closed
session. The deputy clerk was dismissed.
Ald. Sanders moved to convene into open session. Ald. Salentine seconded; motion
carried 6-0.
Ald. Slocomb moved to adjourn at 9:10 PM. Ald. Pionek seconded, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill Blenski, CMC
Deputy Clerk
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