COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 8/12/2004
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved as Amended
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AUGUST 12, 2004 9/9/04
Mayor Slocomb called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Also present were Aldermen Madden,
Schroeder, Melcher, Salentine, Borgman, Buckmaster, Patterson, and Clerk-Treasurer Moyer.
Chamber of Commerce members were also present for the meeting.
The audio for this meeting was not working, therefore no audio exists.
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The Clerk-Treasurer stated the meeting was
noticed in accordance with the open meeting law.
Alderman Buckmaster moved for approval of minutes of meeting held June 10, 2004. Alderman
Madden seconded. Alderman Schroeder noted that line two on Page 4 should be corrected to
state $300,000 instead of $300,00. Motion carried, minutes approved as corrected.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Committee of the Whole asked to skip this part of the agenda and
move to New Business
NEW BUSINESS
1. Discuss MMSD 2020 Plan Request Submittal
Director of Engineering, Sean McMullen, gave a presentation on the MMSD 2020 Proposed Plan.
The deadline for submitting the Plan to MMSD is September 1, 2004. The following comments
were noted:
Alderman Melcher expressed concern about development and the policy of shallow wells.
He feels shallow wells have a negative affect on the environment. He also expressed
concern about the increase in population and the associated municipal and school
expenses. He wants the Common Council to consider all areas, not just sewer service.
He requested data showing the breakdown of existing homes versus new constructions
connecting to the public sewer.
Mayor Slocomb stated that the public health is served by public sewer systems.
Development will continue and will be served by private sewer systems if they are not
able to access public sewer. Sewer service areas also include existing homes that may
need to connect the public sewer because of failing private sewer systems. The major
additions to the Plan are the southeast and southwest areas of the City, excluding Lake
Denoon.
Alderman Salentine stated that RS1 and RS2 do not equate with an increase in the
sewer service area.
Alderman Buckmaster felt that density related to the size of lots of residential
developments could be controlled by not extending the sewer service area.
Alderman Schroeder agreed that the public health being served by public sewers. He
feels that development in areas not in the sewer service area will see some growth
reduction. The two issues are health and density of new developments. He asked that
this item be placed on the Plan Commission Meeting agenda for August 17, for
information and comments. If the Commissioners have no issues with the Plan, he feels
comfortable with moving forward with approval.
Alderman Schroeder moved to send the MMSD 2020 Proposed Plan to the Plan Commission for
information and comment on August 17, then back to Committee of the Whole on August 19, and
then to Common Council for consideration on August 24. The Mayor stated that the Plan
Commission agenda could be amended to include the MMSD 2020 Proposed Plan without a
formal motion. Alderman Schroeder then rescinded his motion.
2. Direction from Council for Budget Process: Community Development Director versus
Plan Director
Alderman Schroeder reviewed the process that has already taken place regarding the positions in
the Planning Department, which include the Community Development Director. Resolution #255-
2003 and #053-2004 had been distributed to the Committee of the Whole in their meeting
packets. Finance Director Dawn Gunderson clarified that there are two funded positions in the
Planning Department, those being Community Development Director and Associate Planner.
The Planner position was created but not funded for 2004. During the discussion Finance
Director Gunderson also explained the qualifications, salary, and points with the members. The
following comments were noted:
Alderman Schroeder felt the Common Council should move forward to fill the Community
Development Director position and create an Economic Development Committee.
Additional tax dollars from the development is the justification for filling the position and
creating the committee. He recommended that the name of the position be changed.
Alderman Buckmaster stated that the development risk, loss, and/or gain should be the
responsibility of the developer. He had questions concerning what the person will do and
how will the taxpayers benefit. He is happy with the current situation. The City has an
Economic Development Plan and fact book that can be used for recruiting business. He
wants the rural atmosphere and quality of life to remain the same. He felt a separate
meeting to discuss just this issue should be held.
Alderman Borgman stated that the Economic Development Plan was approved and
includes a staff person (Community Development Director).
Alderman Melcher has a concern about vacant commercial buildings development in
general. The Community Development Director will help this situation.
Kathy Chiaverotti, Chamber of Commerce Director, spoke to the meeting and stated that
the position will work on developing land zoned for commercial or industrial use. The
position will allow the City to get the type of businesses the City wants. The City will have
the opportunity to get quality businesses for the land already zoned for such uses. She
feels the community wants this to happen. There currently is no data available from other
communities with a Community Development Director that show the direct economic
benefits to the community. Funding for these types of positions are through room tax in
whole or in part in other communities. The Community Development Director may look to
bring in hotels to create that source of revenue. The City currently has no hotels and
therefore receives no room tax revenues.
Michael Sekula, Vice President of Distribution for Inpro Corporation and Chamber of
Commerce Board Member, spoke to the meeting and also stated that the Community
Development Director will help get the right businesses and asked that the Common
Council follow through with the Economic Development Plan.
Alderman Patterson felt the Common Council should implement the position having the
Plan Director do the job and let the position grow. This would not create a lot of expense
to the City. The City needs someone to lead economic development in Muskego.
Don Reidy, Chamber of Commerce Board Member, spoke to the meeting and stated that
he has concerns about downtown. The Community Development Director will help keep
continuity in the downtown area.
Alderman Madden suggested the Economic Development Committee be addressed first;
then address the position and title of the Community Development Director.
Alderman Schroeder moved to change the name of the position to Community Development/Plan
Director. Motion was seconded by Alderman Melcher. Alderman Schroeder moved to amend the
title to Community Development/Planning Director. Motion seconded by Alderman Melcher to
amend the motion. The motion was rescinded by Alderman Schroeder, with Alderman Melcher
agreeing to rescind also. Alderman Schroeder asked to have the City staff develop a job
description for a Community Development/Planning Director, using the existing plan job
description and adding the economic development coordinator description, range for pay, and
qualifications for the position.
3. Discuss Outcome of Chamber of Commerce Round Table Meetings Regarding the
Industrial Park
A total of three meetings had been held. The following items had been discussed during the
meetings:
1) Storm water retention pond using existing City property;
2) Widen and add turning lanes to road entrances and certain corners of the park;
Apollo and Racine, Janesville and Mercury, and Mercury and Apollo;
3) Acquire traffic signals at one park entrance, possibly Apollo and Racine;
4) Work with the businesses to provide new park signs and directional signs;
5) Driveway flare widening/culverts;
6) Additional trees and landscaping (Tom Zagar from the City to help);
7) General property clean up directed by the City to businesses that do not follow City
guidelines.
Alderman Schroeder had attended one of the meetings. He felt that funds should be
included in the budget for engineering and a feasibility study for a central retention pond
in the industrial park.
Alderman Buckmaster informed the meeting that this project had been included in the
budget, but had been pushed back.
Mayor Slocomb would like to see a central retention pond instead of each business
having their own pond; such as a few businesses have currently.
The Mayor, Sean McMullen, and Dawn Gunderson will discuss the funds needed to accomplish
the seven items listed above for improvements to the industrial park.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
None noted.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Buckmaster moved to adjourn at 9:58 p.m. Alderman Salentine seconded motion,
motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Moyer, CMC, CMTW
City Clerk-Treasurer