COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 11/11/2008
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO approved 11/25/2008
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2008
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:22 p.m. and led those present in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Johnson, Ald. Snead, Borgman, Werner, Schneider, Schaefer, Fiedler, Finance
Director Mueller, Planning Director Muenkel, Utilities Supervisor Kloskowski, GIS
Coordinator Wisniewski and Deputy Clerk Blenski. Ald. Pavelko arrived at 6:25 p.m.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
Deputy Clerk Blenski stated that the meeting had been noticed in accordance with the
Open Meeting Law.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
There were no issues with the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ald. Borgman moved to approve minutes as corrected, of the October 28, 2008 meeting.
Ald. Schneider seconded; motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Review of the 2009 Sewer and Water Budgets. Finance Director Mueller reviewed
the 2009 sewer utility budget and noted that the residential users would have a 2%
increase or $13.12 per year. For 2009, the water utility budget also reflects a 2%
increase and the addition of a public fire protection charge of $8.10 per quarter.
The Public Service Commission as part of the rate case authorized the fire
protection charge. (In the past, all taxpayers absorbed fire protection charges). In
2009, $130,00 of the fire protection charges will be collected from the utility
customers, as they receive the benefit. The remaining $300,000 will remain in the
general operating budget. Ald. Werner and Fiedler questioned the equity of
passing this cost on to the utility customers. Mayor stated that it was fair and the
water utility customers receive the benefit of having a fire hydrant within 200 feet
of their property and that this is a safety issue. Ald. Fiedler and Ald. Werner would
like the utilities budget discussion to take place earlier in the budget process, (if
there is a rate case issue) for future planning purposes. Ald. Borgman indicated
confusion on the part of the customer with the way the residential users portion of
the bill was worded. Finance Director Mueller said that it was possible to look into
some changes to provide clarification on that. Finance Director Mueller stated that
the $8.10 increase would not change again until another rate case was filed with
the Public Service Commission in approximately three to five years.
2. Planning Director Muenkel reviewed a proposal to earmark funds to add to the
existing Revolving Loan Fund and start a program for economic development
grants/loans. He stated that with the Janesville Road reconstruction project,
several businesses would need the type of assistance that this program could
provide. The initial proposal was to earmark landfill funds. The Mayor believes
that using money from the Storm Water Fund in the amount of $200,000 and TID
residual fund in the amount of $600,000 would be a better choice. Mayor
Committee of the Whole Page 2
August 26, 2008
proposes landfill funds be used for the Durham Drive project. Ald. Borgman did
not agree with the approval of grant funds to be used for item 2C (of the Planning
Department memo regarding Economic Development Grant/Loan Earmark
Request) i.e., landscaping, fencing etc. It was stated that the approval/disapproval
would be looked at on a case by cases basis. Thus, the fund would only be
utilized when the Council and their supporting committees approve specific
grants/loans and their associated programs.
.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried
unanimously.
Claire Lederhaus
Executive Assistant