COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 9/11/2007
APPROVED
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2007
Mayor John Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:19 PM and led those present in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Johnson, Ald. Borgman, Ald. Werner, Ald. Melcher, Ald. Schaefer and Ald.
Snead. Ald. Pavelko and Ald. Fiedler arrived at 6:25 PM. Also present were City Administrator
Jennifer Sheiffer, and those per the attached sign-in sheet.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
Deputy Clerk Blenski stated that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the opening
meeting law.
REVIEW MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - August 28, 2007
Ald. Borgman moved to approve the minutes of the meeting held August 28, 2007. Seconded by
Ald. Schaefer, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Mayor Johnson advised that he would take the item under New
Business first to accommodate the Community Development Authority members present.
NEW BUSINESS –
Redevelopment District #2 Property Discussion
Mayor thanked Frank Waltz, Suzi Link and Gail Miles for attending this meeting and went on to
explain his frustration as well as public frustration over where this proposed development is
going and he personally has spent more time on this issue than any other since taking office in
November. Mayor went on to explain that in August the latest offer was terminated before
review by the CDA due to high costs associated with the acquisition of developable land on that
property. The landowner has now indicated that a higher level of assistance is needed for the
developer and Mayor stated that he is not comfortable raising that assistance level without public
input.
Mayor is proposing to hold a “Town Hall” meeting to educate the community regarding what has
transpired regarding the Parkland Mall site located within Redevelopment District #2. He
believes the Council and CDA need input from the public as to what direction should be taken
regarding the property and the limit of assistance that should be given.
Ald. Melcher, Borgman, Werner, Pavelko and Schaefer voiced support for holding a town hall
meeting to inform public of the history.
Mr. Frank Waltz stated he agrees with getting community input. Suzi Link felt a town hall
meeting would be adequate to get citizen input. The feedback received was almost universally to
Committee Of The Whole Meeting – September 11, 2007 Page 2
not overpay for the property. In 2004, the CDA approved a development with a TIF subsidiary
of $5,504,000 for that project. She feels it is time to revisit that decision. TIFs are driven by the
proposed development and would be something the community would like. She does not feel
that a Town Hall meeting should be held until the City has a proposed development.
Ald. Pavelko would like to see the meeting held at the Muskego High School Performing Arts
Center.
Gail Miles concurs with having the meeting and she feels that marketing the meeting will be very
important and she felt that having examples of TIFs would be beneficial. Mayor voiced
agreement.
Mayor plans to ask the Finance Committee for funds for a mass mailing. He has asked the Plan
Director put something together that can be given to the press prior to the meeting.
Mayor requested that the CDA put this item on their next agenda for further discussion.
Ald. Melcher felt that the aldermen could do word of mouth and door-to-door publicizing of the
meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Fire Department Study
Jeff Verburgt advised that the joint meetings have addressed all of the concerns. Results have
been sent to the Mayor and aldermen. The next step would be to meet with the aldermen to
discuss their concerns.
Ald. Borgman and Ald. Melcher thanked both departments for the tour of their facilities.
Chief Andy Mack made brief comments on standardization of equipment and gave some cost
figures. Mayor indicated that it was not an immediate standardization of equipment being
looked at but something to look at for the future.
Mayor indicated that this item would be put on all future Committee Of The Whole meetings,
starting with Tuesday, September 25, 2007, for council discussion on how to proceed and
finalize guidelines.
A discussion was held on function of fire hydrants for residential property.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY
LAW - None.
ADJOURNMENT - Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 7:27 PM. Seconded by Ald. Borgman,
motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathie M. Anderson
Transcribing Secretary