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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 1/15/2008 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Approved 2/12/08 CITY OF MUSKEGO MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2008 Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Mayor Johnson, Ald. Snead (7:50 pm), Ald. Pavelko, Ald. Borgman, Ald. Werner, Ald. Fiedler and Ald. Schaefer. STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE The secretary noted that the meeting had been noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Laws on January 7, 2008. NEW BUSINESS Mayor’s Task Force Chairman Steve Ziegler to present Economic Development Committee Report – Mayor Johnson explained the CDA and Task Force members have been invited to discuss issues on downtown Muskego. Mayor Johnson introduced Steve Ziegler, Chairman of the Mayor’s Task Force Committee. Mr. Ziegler thanked Task Force members, 106 study group volunteers and staff. Mr. Ziegler explained the first meeting laid down ground rules and discussed objectives such as increasing the commercial tax base from 9.4% to 18%, which is the average for communities of this size. From the meetings that followed critical goals were established, study groups were formed, and action plans were developed. The Marketing and Promotion Study Group with the help from the Vice President of Marketing and the Public Relations Manager of InPro Corporation and Rick Petfalski, of Sengraph, created the GoMuskego Brochure. Mr. Ziegler expressed how important he thought it was that the Mayor’s position remains full time. It is important for the process of business development in a city of this size to have a full time Mayor. Mr. Ziegler explained in the report there are three distinct downtown areas – East Town, West Town and Midtown, each having different flavors/ themes. The boundaries are flexible and the report suggests easing up on the design guide requirements within East Town and West Town to give a look that the buildings were built over a one hundred year period. Mr. Ziegler further explained the report recommends the following action plans: 1. Seek Guidance – professional assistance 2. Determine Roadway – design of Janesville Road, as it will go through Midtown. 3. Marketing Plan & Business Leads Group – Marketing Plan to reach out to citizens. Business Leaders Group will reach out to current business and potential businesses. 4. Create Themes – Formalize the downtown by three designations call West Town, Midtown, and East Town and create themes for each with building concepts, landscape designs, and streetscape features. 5. Contact Property Owners and Targeted Businesses – Create a “Model Town” with a 300- yard strip along Janesville Road and obtain bids from contractors to do the work as one project. 6. Create a TIF account of Low Interest Loans – used to help property owners with the renovations. 7. Re-Contact Property owners and Contact Targeted Businesses – seeking participation in the renovations of their property using the “Model Town”. 8. Begin Additional Phases of Renovations Committee of the Whole January 15, 2008 Page 2 One idea that was presented to try and create a positive situation with the “tree farm” property, on the north side of Janesville Road, is making a mural on a brick wall with the County’s approval in the right of way. Ten murals could be painted by high school students and judged in the fall during an art festival. Four $5,000 scholarships, donated by an area business, will be awarded. Suzi Link stated she has contacted Ed Henrichs of Waukesha County on this issue and they would willing to give permission, but would require deed restrictions be placed on it that the wall be removed upon development of the property. Ms. Link also noted the wall did not have to be brick but could be other materials. Mayor Johnson thanked Steve Ziegler and all the members of the Task Force and study groups for their effort and community involvement and stated the report will used as a tool for the reconstruction of Janesville Road. Mayor Johnson gave special thanks to the Marketing and Promotion group for a well-done brochure created by community volunteers. Suzi Link expressed concern with the following:  The report should not include Mayor Johnson’s name  Research on the Midtown area has already been done and has built in obstacles.  Architectural styles have already been discussed. 450 citizens participated and have given feedback.  No need for three separate towns  Delafield is quaint but is obviously created, not authentic.  Cape cod was never a part of Muskego’s history. Strenuously opposes themes. If a theme is used it should be tied to Muskego’s history, the rural nature.  Did not volunteer for a study group because of her involvement with the CDA, wanted to keep a separation Rick Petfalski clarified the report does not suggest Muskego mimic another community but to have an investment and commitment to something. Ald. Fiedler stated he agrees with separate themes. Likes the idea of grouping businesses together for re-development. In a short period of time, there has been good organized movement. Gave credit to the CDA for laying the foundation and also to the people who worked on this report. Suggested to stay within the structure of this report than to discard. Gail Miles, member of CDA and a study group, encouraged anyone to be a member of study group as part of a team. Mayor Johnson clarified that the Task Force is strategic planning and the CDA is implementation and the two should work together to reach a goal. Ald. Werner stated this is an excellent opportunity to redevelop the downtown area as the road goes through and to help those affected by the road project to relocate businesses and keep them in Muskego. 106 citizens devoted a lot of time and he is proud to be a part of this group. Mayor Johnson noted the location of City Hall, the Police Department, and the Bay Breeze Condos on Janesville Road were two oversights made in the past. Doesn’t want to make another mistake. Ald. Schaefer stated she is impressed with the report. The business community needs a vision. Different areas with different looks is a good thing. Need to move forward and bring businesses in and also retain the businesses that are already in Muskego. Committee of the Whole January 15, 2008 Page 3 Ald. Pavelko stated he likes the idea of getting business involved and is concerned that the County will be looking to purchase properties in 2008 for the Janesville Road project and will need to know which way the road is to go. Resident of Freedom Square - concerned with the location of Janesville Road and damaging property values if it comes closer. Sketches from the Committee report showing the roundabouts do not work. Slows down response times for emergency vehicles. Does not agree with the 3-4 roundabouts proposed. The City will lose businesses if Janesville Road moves a block and a half. Feels the straight lanes in the Moorland Road area work well, but does not agree with 20’ medians. Bruce Brownell - this isn’t the only plan for Muskego. Member of the 2010 Plan Committee and the entire City of Muskego should be considered. People moved here because they wanted a bedroom community and they do not want big boxes going up next to their homes. Mary Hinners - the more businesses in downtown Muskego the better each business will do. When she moved her business to Muskego most residents were not staying in Muskego to eat at restaurants, they were going elsewhere. We need to keep the residents in Muskego. The plan being proposed could make Muskego a happening town. Brant Mauer – this is a great opportunity to keep residents in town and spending money. Ray Ingold – a downtown area that is cohesive and not split by a highway is a good idea. Sandy Kurka – likes the action plan. Looks do-able and there are enough people to keep it moving. Art Dyer – bought the Parkland Mall property and currently has a financing commitment letter and has letters of intent from many retailers. Currently working with the new owners of St. Francis bank to incorporate them into the redevelopment of downtown. Ready to move forward but needs the City to contribute financing. Suzi Link – before a proposal can be made on the road a cost and feasibility analysis should be completed and determined if this is something the community wants to invest in. Discussion on Downtown Master Plan –. Director Muenkel explained in February and March the County will go forward with the citizen study group working on the design of Janesville Road. This is an opportunity during the road construction to use the Redevelopment Plan created by the CDA and the Mayor’s Task Force Action Plans to create a downtown master plan taking into consideration marketing and aspects of what land uses should go into this area. PDI (Planning & Design Institute, Inc.) has already been contracted to do streetscaping design and could also assist in developing the Downtown Master Plan. Mayor Johnson stated he has seen examples of what PDI has done in other communities and encourages the Council to consider this. They will take a section at time and study each section and work with business owners. Ald. Borgman stated the City has worked with them in the past and they are very competent. Gail Miles explained the consultant will help guide the City and feels the proactive attitude is a positive change. Ald. Werner noted this idea was received well at the last COW meeting and the City should move forward with this. Ald. Snead thanked members of the Task Force and noted there are a lot of ideas and their time and efforts are appreciated. Committee of the Whole January 15, 2008 Page 4 The Committee agreed they were in favor of this plan going to Finance and Common Council COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW None ADJOURNMENT Ald. Schaefer moved to adjourn at 8:45 pm. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Kellie Renk Recording Secretary