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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 9/25/2007 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO APPROVED MINUTES OF MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Johnson, Ald. Snead, Pavelko, Borgman, Werner, Schaefer, Fiedler and Melcher. Department Heads/Other Staff present: City Administrator Jennifer Sheiffer and Plan Director Jeff Muenkel. STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE The Deputy Clerk stated that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting law. REVIEW MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Ald. Snead moved to approve the minutes of the meeting held September 11, 2007. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried. APPROVAL OF AGENDA NEW BUSINESS Discussion on Growth Mayor Johnson turned the discussion over to Ald. Schaefer who advises that in the City’s present Comprehensive Plan we do have a section on growth. She stated that we are running a little over 1% growth, approximately 130+units/lots per year. She is concerned with growth spurts. She would like to identify growth before it happens giving the Council a tool to look at needs down the road for budgeting purposes for police/fire services. Jeff Muenkel pointed out that next year when they review the Comprehensive Plan, this would automatically be addressed. He doesn’t see the City reaching the 300 threshold before next year. The consensus of the committee was to continue thinking of new ideas that can be presented to the Comprehensive Plan Committee in the future. Discussion on Fire Department Study Mayor Johnson felt it was time for the Council to put their individual expectations on the table in order to see where we are with the Study. Mayor would like to start out with the big issue, which is recommendation #1, combining the departments. He feels that a decision should be made as to whether this is a good idea or whether we should stay the way we are. Ald. Melcher stated he felt there should be one entity. Committee of the Whole Page 2 September 25, 2007 Ald. Werner felt that a lot of the study’s recommendations could be addressed if we only had one entity to deal with. He felt that it would be more beneficial. He would like to see the departments come to the City with some ideas for consolidation for the economics of public safety. He added that all of the volunteers are extremely dedicated and are doing a wonderful job. Ald. Borgman feels that it would be beneficial for the City to be contracting with one entity. He stated that the two departments’ five-year plans are not fiscally responsible. He felt that we should have a stronger EMT service. Ald. Fiedler felt that it made sense to have one entity and agreed that the volunteers have to be commended for the wonderful job and felt making it one entity would be more efficient, eliminating duplication. Ald. Pavelko is cautiously optimistic and is not sure consolidation is the answer. Ald. Schaefer agrees that bringing everyone together as one team would be beneficial. Ald. Snead stated she is cautious and would like departments to buy-in to the idea of consolidation instead of City demanding that they consolidate. She doesn’t necessarily agree or disagree but is strongly suggesting that the two departments buy-in. She feels that the departments, as well, are waiting for the City’s reaction. Ald. Melcher felt that we have to seriously look at an ad-hoc committee to have people build trust and encourage a working relationship. Mayor suggested that this meeting could be reconvened after the Common Council meeting to continue with this discussion. ADJOURNMENT Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 7:37 PM. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried. The Committee reconvened at 10:10 PM. Mayor started the meeting by stating the Council should agree, as a whole, on this issue. Ald. Borgman felt the two companies should have one management. Mayor indicated that was the recommendation received from the fire study. Ald. Snead indicated that a lead company and one subcontractor had been discussed as a possibility. Ald. Fiedler stated that a contract with one company, agreeing with Ald. Werner’s previous statement, was an option to consider. Committee of the Whole Page 3 September 25, 2007 Ald. Pavelko again stated he is concerned with doing any consolidation of government services due to his experience with Waukesha County attempt to consolidate services. Mayor stated any consolidation would be between the two companies, not the City. This would continue to be a contracted service, not a City Fire Department. ADJOURNMENT Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 10:25 PM. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Cathie Anderson Transcribing Secretary