COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 10/14/1999
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1999
The meeting was called to order at 7:20 P.M. by Mayor David L. De Angelis. Present were Aldermen Slocmb,
Patterson, Le Doux, Pionek, Salentine, Chiaverotti and Finance Director Dawn Gunderson. Ald. Sanders arrived
at 9:05 P.M.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
Mayor reported that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting law.
REVIEW MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Non available at this time.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Judge’s Salary
Mayor De Angelis provided to the committee information, prepared by his intern, regarding compensation to
other Judges around Southeastern Wisconsin along with caseload numbers. He advised that Muskego’s
Municipal Court was in session 21 times last year and that he had spoken to Judge Lentz and he did not believe
in a per diem rate for Judges based upon what he had seen elsewhere. The Mayor also advised that the court
had changed their process, what last year took from 6 P.M. to 12 A.M. now takes from 6 P.M. to 9 or 10 P.M.
Ald. Patterson moved to set the Municipal Judge’s wages at $10,500 ($403.85 bi-weekly) effective 5/1/2000 and
$11,000 ($423.08) effective 1/1/2001. Seconded by Ald. Slocomb. Motion carried 6-0.
Muskego Volunteer Fire Company
Mayor De Angelis advised the committee that he and Finance Director Gunderson met with both Tess Corners
and the Muskego Fire Departments earlier today. He presented information to the committee explaining what
made up the differences in operations and costs between the two districts down to $9,000; with Muskego Fire
Department being higher. The committee appreciated the information.
Ald. Patterson recommended that a rate of $7.50 per call be considered to compensate the volunteers. This
would bring the number somewhere between the two departments requests.
The Mayor advised that this be approached in the same manor as we approach labor negotiations. He explained
that the amount of $7.50 per call would equate to $11,190 for Muskego.
Ald. Slocomb said that he has talked to Tess Corners and explained that they had no interest in increasing their
rate. He asked the committee if they would want to give them more. It was calculated that the impact of a $7.50
rate on Tess Corners would be $3,469 for Fire and $8,648 for Rescue. Nothing was added to the budget for this.
Tom Ludwig, a member of the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company, was present and stated that the two fire
departments have never been equal and why would the City try to make them equal now?
Ald. Chiaverotti moved to add $11,190 to the budget for the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company to allow for
$7.50 per call. Seconded by Ald. Patterson. Motion carried 5-1 with Ald. Pionek voting against.
Ald. Salentine distributed copies of the adopted budget for the Little Muskego Lake District including a
contribution from the City of $19,812. Mayor De Angelis advised the committee that he had a conversation
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October 14, 1999
with the individual in charge of the books for the Lake District about the Committee of the Whole’s position of
financing in the future. She had already heard. The Mayor advised that he will be sending a formal letter
stating that we want to discuss our fee schedule.
NEW BUSINESS
Engineer/Building Inspector Director Position
Ald. Slocomb asked how much was budgeted for this position. Finance Director Gunderson reported that
$57,750 was budgeted with half being in the Engineering budget and half in the Building Inspection
Department’s Budget.
Ald. Slocomb explained that the committee assigned to recruit this position has been looking for many months
for a candidate. The Candidates that may be considered would require a starting salary in the $65,000 and
$70,000 range. This would create an internal equity problem that would have to be addressed. The Mayor
advised that there are individuals out there that would be very good administrators but have not had hands on
for years. Mayor also explained that cost wise we are running at a wash utilizing contracted staff.
Ald. Slocomb felt that we would benefit by having someone here, going with less experience would also be no
problem except that they might not have polish to do all the administrative skills up front.
Ald. Salentine asked who they would administer. Mayor said that there is no one in the Engineering
department, the position would be over the Assistant in the Building Department, who would still be handling
the day to day activities. The Director would, however, still have personnel issues to handle.
Ald. Pionek expressed that the City should look for a PE graduate and professional. That we should look for
administration, not someone who draws plans but administers plans and jobs, who would still know the
engineering.
Ald. Sanders arrived.
The Mayor and Ald. Slocomb, who served on the recruiting committee, felt that they now knew the direction
they should pursue.
Ald. Salentine asked if we were adding secretarial staff for this position. The Mayor advised that it would be
handled by the Building Department Secretary.
The Mayor entertained any other recommendations for the operating budget.
Ald. Slocomb brought up increasing the contribution to the parade fund. Ald. LeDoux felt that with all the
community support an increase would be justifiable. Ald. Chiaverotti agreed. Ald. Slocomb moved to add
$2,500 to the current contribution to the parade for the festival. Seconded by Ald. Salentine. Motion carried 7-
0.
Ald. Salentine moved to sent the Operating Budget in the Amount of $14,139,610 to public hearing. Seconded
by Ald. Chiaverotti. Motion carried 7-0.
Ald. Slocomb moved to adjourn at 9:43 PM. Seconded by Ald. Pionek, motion carried 7-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn R. Gunderson
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October 14, 1999
Finance Director