COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 5/12/2005
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO A pproved
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD MAY 12, 2005 Audio Available
Mayor Damaske called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Those present recited the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Roll call: Aldermen Salentine, Patterson, Buckmaster, Borgman, Melcher, Schroeder, Madden,
and Mayor Damaske were present. Clerk-Treasurer Moyer and Interim Plan Director Muenkel
were also present.
Mayor Damaske stated that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting law.
Alderman Salentine moved for approval of the meeting minutes from April 12 and 14, 2005.
Alderman Melcher seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Approval of the Agenda – New Business #1 and #2 were combined and taken first. The
remaining agenda items were taken in the order listed below.
NEW BUSINESS - Discussion, update and possible action may be taken on any or all of the
following:
1. National Incident Management System (NIMS) (Ald. Schroeder 5/05) – Dominic
D’Acquisto, from the Muskego Volunteer Fire Company gave a presentation and request
for a resolution supporting the National Incident Management System (NIMS). A
Presidential directive mandates NIMS. Adopting the NIMS program will make the Fire
Departments eligible for federal funding options. There are three phases to the NIMS
program. Phase one includes bringing incident command training up to standards for
members and adopting a resolution of support by October 4, 2005. Requirements for
phases two and three are not available to date. Fire Chief Edward Schaefer stated that
the program would cause the creation of a system to bring the proper equipment from
other participating fire departments to the scene of an incident. It is classification and
guidelines that brings the proper equipment to the scene; the result is more organization
and less confusion. Alderman Salentine made a motion to put the National Incident
Management System (NIMS) on the next council agenda. Seconded by Alderman
Madden. Motion carried.
2. Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) (Ald. Schroeder 5/05) – Muskego Volunteer Fire
Company Chief Edward Schaefer and Chief Jeff Rolfe from Mukwonago were the
presenters. Mutual Aid Box Alarm System is required by the National Incident
Management System. The system provides for preplanning of equipment for different
incidents. This saves radio time and is an organized way of providing equipment from
other participating departments when incidents occur. Equipment will be pulled from
other communities, but the system is designed so that all communities involved will not
be left without fire protection. The system mirrors the mutual aid program that is currently
in place. The Tess Corners Fire Department and Muskego Volunteer Fire Company are
both asking for participation in NIMS and MABAS. Alderman Salentine made a motion
to put a resolution on the next Common Council agenda to support Tess Corners
Fire Department and Muskego Volunteer Fire Company in MABAS, Mutual Aid Box
Alarm System. Motion was seconded by Alderman Madden; motion carried. There
will be no additional cost to the City at this time as a result of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm
System. Alderman Schroeder asked to see the Fire Department documentation once the
preplanning of equipment is completed. He would like to see where Muskego fire
equipment is going to, to help other communities.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Discussion, update and possible action may be taken on any or all of
the following:
1. Discuss Removal of OHS (Highway Service District) Zoning from Property(s) on Durham
Drive (Ald. Madden 1/05) – Interim Plan Director Muenkel asked if the Common Council
would like to move forward with the removal of OHS zoning on Durham Drive for nine
properties. At one time the City put the zoning in, in anticipation of commercial uses in
this area. There are no properties using the OHS zoning in this area right now. If done,
residential zoning use will remain. Certain properties could be eliminated from the
proposed change if requested by the property owner on a case-by-case basis. If
individual property owners make the request, the fee is $850 per property versus $350
total cost if the City initiates the zoning change and pays for the rezoning process.
Alderman Schroeder stated that the City might incur attorney fees if certain situations
occur during the rezoning process. Alderman Madden made a motion to have the
City remove the OHS zoning from this area. Motion seconded by Alderman
Salentine. Motion carried with Alderman Schroeder voting against the motion. The
parcels or parts of parcels identified with the following tax key numbers are included:
2204996, 2204995, 2204996001, 2213985, 2213997001, 2213997, 2213999, 2213988,
2213984.
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
3. Discuss the Comprehensive Plan for Area South of Woods Road, Including Woodland
Creek Rezoning (Ald. Buckmaster 5/05) - Interim Plan Director Muenkel asked for input
from the members regarding what type of zoning (density) should be considered for the
area south of Woods Road, north of Henneberry Drive, east of Hillendale, and west of
Racine Avenue. After discussion the consensus was that zoning changes for this area
should possibly be RS-1 or RCE for any undeveloped land, exclusive of the High School
and Woodland Creek and Woodland Creek Addition 1. There was discussion concerning
the speed limit on Racine Avenue in this area. The developer for Woodland Creek
Addition 1 was present and it was suggested that he as well as other developers in the
future may need to contact Waukesha County to petition them for a lower speed limit as
part of consideration when rezoning and plat approval is requested. A traffic study may
also be required in the future by a mutually approved firm or company.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS CONTINUED
2. Discuss Status of Old Muskego Settlement Centre (Lease) – no report.
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
4. Discuss Date in June/July to have Waukesha County Appear at Special COW Meeting to
Discuss Reconstruction of Janesville Road (Moorland to Lannon/Lannon to Racine
Avenue) (Mayor 05/05) – The Committee of the Whole decided to ask Waukesha County
to hold an information meeting at the Muskego Public Library, inviting the Chamber of
Commerce and other interested parties.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS CONTINUED
3. Discuss a Proposed Ordinance to Waive Park Dedication and Conservation Fees in
Certain Situations (Ald. Schroeder 2/05) – Alderman Melcher stated that the Ragus family
would like the City to come up with a proposal on this issue. A motion was made by
Alderman Melcher to direct the staff to propose an ordinance to waive park
dedication and conservation fees in certain situations. Motion seconded by
Salentine; motion carried. Staff was asked to bring a draft back to the Committee of
the Whole.
NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED
5. Discuss Billing to the City of New Berlin on Tess Corners Pond (COW 3/05) – Alderman
Salentine reported that the bills had been paid and asked to have this agenda item
removed.
6. Review Existing 208 Sewer Area and Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District 2010
Boundary Changes (PU 3/05) – deferred until the next meeting.
7. Discuss Possible Salary Plan Adjustments (Finance Committee 4/05) - deferred.
8. Budget Goal Setting for 2006 – The Committee of the Whole asked for a zero percent
levy increase for 2006.
9. Discuss Possible Amendment to Leave Donation Policy (Ald. Schroeder 5/05) – deferred.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS CONTINUED
4. Finalize City Administrator Job Description; Discuss Salary, Needs of the Position, and
Timetable for Advertising and Hiring (Melcher 5/05) – Alderman Melcher reported that the
subcommittee had cleaned-up the job description, word usage, duplication, typo’s, etc.
Basic responsibilities of the position remained the same. The termination language was
removed, as it is covered by the City’s employment application.
Alderman Buckmaster - asked for a change to page 2, last paragraph, (language
added is underlined): Works closely with department heads to assure that they and
other City employees receive adequate opportunities for training and professional
development within budget allowances to improve their knowledge…. He also asked
for the following additional change (language added is underlined): under Education
and/or Experience: …Masters in Public Administration or closely related field is
preferred. He suggested that the IS Director be put in charge of the Finance
Department and move into the finance director’s office. The administrator could then
move into the IS Director’s office. He does not want the salary and benefits for the
administrator, any additional or increase in Finance Department staff/hours, or
support for the administrator to exceed the amount for the finance director position,
$115,500. He would like to see the cost for out-sourcing payroll versus in-house. He
would like to see the cost savings documented once the administrator position is
filled.
Alderman Melcher – stated that with a salary of $75,000, with benefits, the estimated
cost is $104,000. The office space available for the administrator is the vacant
finance director office. He suggested that maybe the floater, Kim Chavie, be asked
to become the administrative assistant for the new administrator. He felt that the
administrator be closely in communication with the Mayor, but that there should be
some separation. He feels that privacy is important, which could be a problem if an
administrative assistant is located too close in proximity.
Alderman Salentine – felt that the Mayor’s administrative assistant, Cathie Anderson,
should become the support person for the administrator. She is a non-represented,
confidential employee and taking on this position has been discussed with her.
Cathie Anderson would then provide administrative assistance for the Mayor and
administrator. The proposed pay grade is a 74 for the administrator. The pay range
for a 74 pay grade is a minimum of $68,950, midpoint $84,500, and maximum
$100,046.
Mayor Damaske – felt that the city administrator could use the Alderman’s office or
space used by past interns in the Mayor’s outer office.
Alderman Patterson – felt that the work areas for the administrative assistant and
administrator should be close to each other instead of at different locations in City
Hall.
Alderman Madden – stated that she does not feel the finance director position will be
filled in the near future. The cost to fill both positions is too high. The administrator
will take over the finance director duties over time. She asked to have the phrase
“Supports Mayor, Common Council…” changed to “Assist Mayor, Common
Council…” in the advertisement for the position. She feels there will be a cost
savings of attorney fees for labor negotiations once an administrator is hired.
Alderman Schroeder – stated that he felt the pay grade for the administrator is fair as
stated by Alderman Salentine. Changing the accountant position to a comptroller
position with benefits is an additional $21,000. Two Finance Department employees
going from part-time to full-time with benefits is an increase of $50,000. He felt that it
was a lot to expect to have the Mayor’s administrative assistant to provide support for
the Mayor and administrator position. He would like residency made a requirement
for the position because it creates more buy-in for the community.
There was a general consensus that the Committee of the Whole Members were in agreement
with the advertisement. Alderman Borgman made a motion to send the job description with
the amendments and salary range to the Finance Committee and then Common Council.
Alderman Salentine seconded the motion; motion carried. There was general consensus
that the administrator candidate would be told that they would not have the ability to hire an
administrative assistant. In addition, the finance director position would not be in the plans at this
time, but a comptroller maybe an option. Residency will be discussed at Common
Council before hiring is completed.
5. Improve General Communications with Citizens (Ald. Melcher 2/05) – no action or
discussion on this agenda item.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW – A
motion was made by Alderman Schroeder to have the Council President lead the
Committee of the Whole Meetings. Alderman Buckmaster seconded the motion; motion
carried.
SET AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING – decided when the agenda items were discussed.
ADJOURNMENT – Motion by Alderman Salentine, second by Alderman Buckmaster to
adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:21 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Moyer, CMC, CMTW
Clerk-Treasurer