Loading...
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 11/4/1999 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - CITY OF MUSKEGO (APPROVED 12/2/99) MINUTES OF MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 4, 1999 Mayor De Angelis called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM. Also present were Aldermen Slocomb, Chiaverotti, Le Doux, Patterson, Pionek, Salentine and Sanders (arrv. 8:50 PM), Planning Director Turk, Parks and Recreation Director Anderson and Clerk- Treasurer Marenda. Clerk-Treasurer Marenda stated the meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Law on November 1, 1999. Ald. Salentine moved to approve minutes of the 10/7/99 and 10/14/99 meetings. Ald. Chiaverotti seconded. Ald. Le Doux requested correction of 10/7 minutes to change “she” to “he” in last paragraph on Page 1, and to add Ald. Pionek to the list of aldermen voting “no” on the removal of the chipper issue under Capital Budget-Parks on Page 3. Motion to approve minutes of 10/7 as corrected and 10/14 carried. It was determined since C.O.W. consists of all aldermen, the minutes would no longer be placed on the Council agenda for acceptance. If it will be more than one month between C.O.W. meetings, the minutes will be e-mailed as soon as completed, and copied again with agenda for next meeting. Personal Appearances Mr. Phil Dibb of the Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Dept. was present to review the Fire Prevention Code. He stated he serves as the Fire Code Coordinator for the entire City. He distributed an outline for his Muskego Fire Code Chapter 32 Review; Muskego code Compared to State; Definition of a Street for the Fire Prevention Code; and a comparison of codes as prepared by Jerry Lee in 1992. Mr. Dibb presented the history of the adoption of the original code, and the rationale for the City’s code being more restrictive in some areas than the State’s code. Some of the reasons included occupant safety; firefighter safety; limit losses-insurance, negative community impact; and limit demands on firefighter-fire load, personnel requirements. Mr. Dibb highlighted the differences in the Muskego code compared to the State code. Mayor noted most complaints received are the fire street access restrictions which are more stringent than the State’s. Mr. Dibb explained the need for the access per the City’s code. Mr. Dibb discussed the NFPA Code for engineering system requirements and noted the NFPA Sprinkler System and Alarm System criteria have been adopted by the State. Ald. Le Doux questioned why the City’s code has to be more restrictive. Mr. Dibb reiterated the reasons above. He added the code has been amended since originally adopted and is currently more liberal than when originally adopted in 1988. Ald. Patterson asked where the City fell in comparison with other communities. Mr. Dibb stated the City is more restrictive. But, one of our benefits is we don’t mandate anyone to put in a water supply. They can work off their well until municipal water comes in. At this time Mr. Dibb left the meeting, and Ald. Sanders arrived (8:50 PM) Old Business Continued discussion land/location for Community Center - The Mayor stated the committee previously asked that Craig Anderson, Brian Turk and Fred Washa meet to discuss a potential community center. Mr. Anderson advised they had met and he distributed their report dated November 4, 1999 developing general criteria for a Committee of the Whole Page 2 Minutes of Meeting Held November 4, 1999 community facility site; possible amenities to be included in the building and the land surrounding the building. The report was based on a comparison of two sites - Moorland/Janesville and Racine/Woods, with their recommendation favoring a 22 acre parcel at the Moorland/Janesville site. Ald. Pionek stated he preferred the Racine/Woods site as there was more acreage available and it would be less expensive than the Moorland/Janesville site due to its development capability. Ald. Patterson agreed the Racine/Woods site offered great potential for future development and was more practical. Ald. Salentine requested all aldermen visit the Oak Creek operation. She felt to make the center self-supporting it needs a highly visible location, such as the Moorland/Janesville site, as it is not only used by residents, but by others attending activities at the center. The Mayor agreed that a more visible site will attract more corporate interest, and you need the ability to draw from other communities to support the facility. Even though the Moorland/Janesville site is more limited in space, it appears to offer more feasibility, access and users. Ald. Salentine stated there is also the potential of facing it off Moorland Rd. extended. Ald. Pionek advised the site between Moorland Rd. extended just south of Janesville Rd. west to the Carity property is about 25 acres. Ald. Pionek stated he would prefer the high school site at Racine/Woods, but the process has to get started. Mr. Fred Washa stated high school representatives approached him about combining the civic center with the high school, but that is not desirable because control would be lost. Mayor agreed that would make it difficult to run as an independent non-profit group. Ald. Chiaverotti believed visibility of the site is important even for the citizens of the community. Ald. Patterson asked about the north side of Janesville Rd. on Moorland. Preserve Muskego had a concern about preservation in that area and this use could enhance that. Ald. Slocomb stated due to availability of utilities, we have to be looking at the south side. Ald. Pionek asked if the City could run the sewer and water lines and assess. Mayor responded, possibly. Ald. Slocomb asked how the project would be funded. The Mayor advised to date the City has discussed land acquisition if City- owned property, and look to the public to fund raise for all the improvements. Mr. Washa stated once a location has been set, fund raising can begin. Ald. Pionek also noted Brian Turk has been requested by the Public Works Committee to contact the property owners south of Janesville on Moorland extended about a regional pond. Mayor was directed to discuss possible land acquisition with property owners west of Moorland Extended south of Janesville Rd. and report any interest at next Council meeting. Ald. Pionek expressed concern about the high cost of acquiring that property, along with lost tax dollars compared to the Racine/Woods site. Discuss status of Old Muskego Settlement Centre Ald. Le Doux stated the Parks and Recreation Board looked at the site during their annual parks tour and noted its potential as an extension of the Veterans Memorial Park and festival grounds, and asked how can the City help the area look like a historical site like Cedarburg as an example. Craig Anderson stated they would like a plan that incorporates the cost to bring these buildings up to what we’d like them to be, with the approval of the Historical Society. Ald. Pionek believed the buildings are Committee of the Whole Page 3 Minutes of Meeting Held November 4, 1999 owned by the City with the Historical Society taking care of them, and if the society disbands, the responsibility is the City’s. Mr. Anderson asked if there was interest on the City’s part to improve this area. The Mayor stated there’s always interest on the City’s part to improve, but we have to discuss at what level of improvement. He did not want to take over funding their projects. One of their goals is to move the Town Hall to the settlement site with a town square concept. He had no problem with the City moving the building over to the historical site, but didn’t know about contributing a certain dollar amount a year for building improvement. Mr. Anderson said they would like a master plan with costs to bring the site up to a level the City wanted. The only thing in the file is a site plan. Ald. Pionek stated he has been working with the Historical Society for four years. One problem is dollars. We can’t do anything with the buildings until we put in restrooms. They obtained a grant for $15,000, but that doesn’t go very far. The organization tried to get money donated. The original cost for the 80’ x 135’ proposed structure was $160-180,000, which included restrooms, kitchen, storage, and a covered area for a farmer’s market. The need to downsize was realized, but funding for just a restroom facility is needed. Both Plan Commission and Parks and Recreation Board have approved the plans. Ald. Chiaverotti noted the buildings are placed on the site haphazardly, and we need to have a contract for the design of the site. The society should proceed with fund raising. She also recommended the City put in funds for promoting membership of the society. Ald. Pionek said the plan needs to be detailed and include moving the old town hall, ADA restrooms, wetland delineation, elevations, etc. Ald. Salentine felt the City should pay for the design of the site. Brian Turk noted work equity can be applied as cost- share for grant purposes. Ald. Pionek and Craig Anderson will work together to determine steps to have detailed plan developed. It was noted the next Committee of the Whole meeting would be held November 30, 1999 at 7:00 PM. Adjournment: Ald. Patterson moved to adjourn at 10:01 PM. Ald. Salentine seconded, motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Jean K. Marenda, CMC Clerk/Treasurer jm