COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 10/4/2001
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved 10/18/01
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD OCTOBER 4, 2001
Mayor De Angelis called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM. Also present were Aldermen
Slocomb, Patterson, Le Doux, Petfalski, Salentine, Sanders, Wichgers and Finance Director
Gunderson.
The Mayor noted the meeting was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law.
REVIEW MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
CONTINUING REVIEW OF 2002 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS
Mayor De Angelis turned the meeting over to Finance Director Dawn Gunderson who
explained that she had distributed the most recent summary recap of the 2002 Operating
Budget. She explained that nothing much had changed. Adjustments have been made to
actual scoring of some of the proposed changes to present positions as well as fine tuning
the grade of pay for some proposed positions. The Building Inspector’s proposed part-time
position needed some adjustments in benefits and $2,500 was added for the extra storage
for laptops. The biggest impact is that while working on the sewer and water budgets, she
was able to make adjustments for the hydrant rental and tax equivalency for the water utility
and it ended up with additional revenue of $50,000, along with a $5,000 increase to the
Police Department’s special revenue accounts for police grant that was missed. State Aids
numbers are up to date but only estimates on transportation aids. Dawn explained that this
amount includes proposed transfer of $500,000 from the General Fund and $250,000 from
Debt Service Fund balance. Dawn cautioned on projection of interest income of funds this
year because of the recent economy.
A discussion ensued on what the dollar amount is for one percent change in levy increase
and Dawn advised that for every decrease of $75,000, there would be a 1% decrease in
levy.
Ald. Patterson explained that we have been able to do some expansion when we could, but
now we may not be able to and we may have to make some cuts now that we may not like.
Ald. Salentine suggested that our tax base was too narrow and that we should actively solicit
business into the community. She expressed that everyone wanted to be a bedroom
community and now we must pay for it. Business has been lost because there is no room for
them to expand. She feels that we have to look at ways to keep what we have and also give
them a place to expand and bring new business in. Not only that, we must keep what we
have. The Mayor said for a long range that is correct, but until we have someplace to put
them and someplace to bring them to, we can’t invite them. Ald. Petfalski expanded upon
the discussion and said that the Council must seriously look at, in the next year. We have to
make it a priority to find someplace to put a business park. Our only expansion is residential
and we can’t afford it. We are only a small portion of the city’s costs, the School District is
looking to expand the high school and building more elementary schools, that is where the
money is. He feels that we must find a place to seed a business park. Business don’t send
kids to schools, but they pay for it. He stated that the only reason he could support adding
some of these new positions would be to put the infrastructure in place in order to be ready
to look at the business park.
Committee of the Whole Meeting Page 2
October 4, 2001
Ald. Patterson discussed positions and suggested that we may need to deal with reducing
services and not adding additional positions. He suggested going back to all department
heads and request that each reduce 5% from their proposed operating budgets. He
suggested possibly looking at not approving the new police position and the requested
Human Resource/Administrative Assistant for the Mayor’s Office.
Additional discussion was held on the Muskego/Norway School District increase. Dawn will
contact the District to try to obtain their updated figures.
Mayor De Angelis discussed with the committee his department’s request for Capital Budget
for a LCD projector for $7,500; heat tape roofs for the three buildings for $12,200, and
Entrance Signs for the south end of the City for $6,500. for a total of $26,000. Ald. Salentine
moved to approve request. Seconded by Ald. Slocomb, motion carried 7-0.
Ald. Petfalski moved to approve Capital Budget requests for Information Systems
Department in the amount of $80,319.04 for fiber installation ($59,108.04), Upgrade file
server disk space (($6,265.) and upgrade backup system ($24,946.). Seconded by Ald.
Wichgers, motion carried 7-0.
Ald. Sanders moved to approve Capital Budget requests for Plan Department in the amount
of $16,900. for two ArcPAD PDAs ($3,000.), Upgrades and extensions ($11,500.) and
zoning extension software($2,400.). Seconded by Ald. Salentine, motion carried 7-0.
Ald. Salentine moved to approve Capital Budget requests for the Building Department in the
amount of $244,707.60 for data collector software ($2,000.), laser level with receiver
(3,100.), replacement of building permits ($211,489 an amount to be lowered as updated
quotes come in.), and improvements in the Building and Engineering department
($28,118.60). Seconded by Ald. Le Doux, motion carried 7-0.
Ald. Petfalski moved to approve Capital Budget requests for the Police Department in the
amount of $66,000. for taser ($3,800), furniture ($1,500), Fingerprint scanner ($32,000),
range landscaping ($2,000.), Laser Unit ($4,000.), Camcorder ($1,000.), Sewer & Water
connection ($20,000), and D.A.A.T. equipment ($1,900.). Seconded by Ald. Slocomb,
motion carried 7-0.
Ald. Slocomb moved to approve Capital Budget requests for the Tess Corners Volunteer Fire
Department in the amount of $357,110 for replacement of pumper ($310,000.), radio
equipment ($30,550.), SCBA ($4,560.), and breathing tanks ($12,000). Seconded by Ald.
Wichgers, motion carried 7-0. The Mayor was requested to check with the Muskego
Volunteer Fire Department to make certain that equipment was not being duplicated.
Ald. Salentine moved to approve Capital Budget requests for the Department of Public
Works in the amount of $3,272,550. for backhoe ($55,000.), mower ($8,500.), cutter
($4,000.), 4 x 4 patrol truck ($230,000.), funds for Moorland Road-south extension
($2,419,000.), Bay Lane Drive intersection reconstruction ($220,000.), and Woods Road
Reconstruction ($336,050.). Seconded by Ald. Petfalski, motion carried 7-0.
Committee of the Whole Meeting Page 3
October 4, 2001
Ald. Petfalski moved to approve Capital Budget requests for the Parks & Recreation
Department in the amount of $128,693. for dump truck with plow ($31,000.), commercial out
front mower – 72” ($16,250.), 52” sweeper with accessories ($2,900.) and replacement of
Recreation Registration ($78,543.). Seconded by Ald. Wichgers, motion carried 7-0. Ald.
Slocomb moved to also approve additional request of $56,600 to be funded by capital
borrowing. for Bluhm Park and Horn Park bathroom remodeling that was denied by the
Capital Budget Committee. Seconded by Ald. Le Doux, motion to approve total of
$185,293.00 carried 7-0. The Committee also requested that the Park & Recreation Director
prepare cost estimates for opening all other bathrooms in the parks, including hand-washing
facilities. Numbers should be available for partial year and full year.
Ald. Petfalski moved to approve Capital Budget request for the Cable Club in the amount of
$6,418. for (4) Four JVC VCRs ($5,000.) and (1) one Panasonic VCR ($1,418.). Seconded
by Ald. Sanders, motion carried 7-0.
Ald. Wichgers moved to approve Capital Budget request for Historical Society in the amount
of $8,500. for tables and chairs for Town Hall ($3,500.) and light standards and installation
($5,000.). Seconded by Ald. Petfalski, motion carried 7-0.
The Committee took a break at 11:00 PM and reconvened at 11:03 PM.
The committee reviewed the Five Year Capital Improvements Program. It was noted that a
correction should be made for the amount for Moorland Road-South Extension and that
under Parks & Recreation the Janesville Recreation Trail should be moved to 2004.
A tentative approval was given for the handhelds for Data Collection from the Assessor’s
Department until further information is received on how many units and who will be using the
equipment.
Ald. Petfalski voiced reservations on the $14,275 amount for Digital Video Editing System for
2004 because of the anticipated reduction in price and would like it to be noted for the future.
Ald. Patterson moved to remove the $25,000 amount for the Historical Society listed for
2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 until a business plan has been submitted. Seconded by Ald.
Petfalski, motion carried 7-0.
The committee requested Dawn to secure more information from the Police Department on
the 2004 proposed Wave Runner expenditure of $8,000.
Finance Director noted she would amend the Finance Department’s request for a copier for
2003 to 6,500.
The committee questioned the Police Department as to the lighting system of $24,000 for
2003 and 2004 and whether this might be an item that could be shared by other departments
and also questioned on the amount allocated for 2002 and 2003 for water patrol boat.
Committee of the Whole Meeting Page 4
October 4, 2001
The committee discussed Five Year Capital Budget for the two fire departments. Ald.
Slocomb moved to remove the $75,000 out of Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Department’s
budget for the 800 mHz radios for 2003 and 2004 and to continue discussion with
department for 2002. Seconded by Ald. Patterson, motion carried 7-0. The committee
questioned the $200,000 for building the Tess Corners training facility.
The committee requested Dawn to secure more information on Hillendale & Racine Avenue
intersections.
The committee also requested Dawn to check with Craig Anderson to see if the power
washer, multi-power lift and post whole digger might be items that could be shared with
department of public works. It was also noted that Janesville Recreation Trail should be
pushed to 2004 and also drop the mention of “bathroom” from Idle Isle Remodeling.
The committee deferred review on Special Revenue Funds until the October 11, 2001
meeting.
Under Communications, Mayor advised that four (4) applications have been received for the
Teen Advisory Board; two from Ald. Petfalski’s District and two from Ald. Le Doux’s District.
Craig Anderson has sent filled out applications to the High School counselors. The High
School has requested more application forms.
Adjournment
Ald. Wichgers moved to adjourn at 11:51 PM. Seconded by Ald. Le Doux, motion carried 7-
0.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn R. Gunderson
Finance Director