COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 6/6/2002
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO (Approved)
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING HELD JUNE 6, 2002
Mayor Slocomb called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM. Also present were Ald.
Petfalski, Le Doux, Salentine, Sanders, Patterson, Damaske and Madden, and Clerk-
Treasurer Marenda. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. The
Clerk-Treasurer noted the meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting
Law.
Review Census Results and Direction for Community Recreation Center
Mayor Slocomb advised the final census results were distributed to the Aldermen today.
An addendum is still forthcoming from Mr. Kashian, along with correction of some minor
errors, not in the numbers, but in grammar and spelling and some minor additions. A
copy is now available electronically and will be posted to the City’s website. Copies of
that report will also be made available at City Hall at no charge. This meeting was
called by the members of Council to address issues relating to the community center.
Council President Petfalski was introduced to address the Committee.
Ald. Petfalski stated that this community center has been researched over the past two
years. The Council formed an exploratory committee which visited various community
centers. The recommendation brought forward was a model based on the RecPlex in
Pleasant Prairie. Then the City formed a feasibility study committee to find out if such a
facility could be built and be financially self-supporting. The consultants that were hired
determined that this facility can and would be financially self-supporting in Muskego.
There were still concerns about how accurate our consultants were. The Council then
initiated a city-wide census, which results indicated that our consultants were correct,
and in fact the results showed that the community center was more financially viable
than even our consultants had envisioned. The census revealed that nearly 25% of
Muskego residents would purchase annual passes. However, for this to be truly a
community center, the community needs to get more input into this. That is why I’m
asking for a resolution to be placed on next Tuesday’s Council agenda that will state
that prior to any construction or borrowing proceeds for the center that this be put to a
referendum to the public.
Ald. Le Doux said that as an alderman he doesn’t have the luxury of only having one
point of view. He has to look at both sides. His interests are in retaining the quality of
life for the citizens of Muskego. This idea started quite a few years ago and was for a
total family fitness facility. A feasibility study was done to make sure this wouldn’t be a
burden on the taxpayers. A survey was also done to see if the feasibility study was on
target. Regarding referendums, they are good tools and have their places if they tax
everyone fairly, such as a school, where everyone’s taxes are affected equally. The
community center is designed to be supported by membership participation, not taxes.
Even though it shows through all of our studies and surveys that this will not fail, the
citizens of Muskego are the co-signers to this concept. On that basis, a referendum is
an acceptable solution to the reality of a community center.
Ald. Patterson asked if we’re talking about a special referendum or on the November
ballot. Mayor stated he doubted there would be a special referendum due to the
significant extra cost associated with that. Also the voter turnout on a special
referendum is very small. He anticipated that if it were to happen, it would happen in
November at the general election, but he didn’t know if we’d be prepared by then.
Committee of the Whole Page 2
Minutes of Special Meeting Held 6/06/02
Mayor said a couple years ago the committee looked at a community center in Oak
Creek, and were looking at how to sponsor such a facility in this community. That
facility was primarily a gathering place with a large central room and other smaller
rooms for weddings, parties, etc. and was self-supporting. The committee felt if this
facility were self-supporting, what else is there that has been done by other
communities. Facilities were looked at in a number of communities and eventually at
the RecPlex. In addition the Recreation staff made trips outside the state where there
are a number of these types of facilities. They brought back the successful features of
those facilities and melded them into the facility presented to the community here. He
said his sense was that we made too big a leap too fast, and we need to go back now
and start with what the original concept was and now see what we can provide, still
having the facility self-supporting and not one that goes on the tax roll. The feedback
we’re getting seems to be indicating the proposal is too big, that it’s just too much and
overwhelming.
Ald. Damaske asked if the referendum would be advisory or binding. Mayor said we
could use the word binding, but ultimately there is not such a thing as a binding
referendum, because you can come back again and present it again and again, and
from that standpoint it is not binding. But, you cannot expend the funds and proceed
ahead unless you do finally get a “yes”. Ald. Damaske stated he supports a
referendum, but was asking if the answer isn’t what the Council would want, that we still
listen to the people and abide by the referendum and not offer additional referendums.
Mayor responded you cannot bind a future Council from bringing forth the same or
different issue in the future – just like the school board. A legal opinion on the
referendum will be obtained. A draft of the resolution will be provided before Tuesday.
Ald. Petfalski moved to recommend to the Common Council that a resolution be put
forward that a referendum be held prior to a borrowing or construction of a community
center. Ald. Le Doux seconded; motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Ald. Damaske moved to adjourn at 7:37 PM. Ald. Madden seconded; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean K. Marenda, CMC
Clerk-Treasurer