Public Works Committee - MINUTES - 11/24/1997
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING - CITY OF MUSKEGO
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Chairman Domonic D’Acquisto. Also present
were Committee members Ald. Don Pionek, Ald. Donna Woodard, Ald. Mark Slocomb, Ald.
Nancy Salentine, Supt., John Loughney, Director of Planning Matt Sadowski, Mike Campbell
and Richard Eberhardt (Ruekert & Mielke) and those per the attached list.
Chairman D’Acquisto noted that the meeting was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting
Law.
PRIOR MEETING MINUTE CORRECTIONS Ald. Pionek and Recording Secretary, Linda
Gulgowski requested grammatical changes for the October 27, 1997 meeting minutes.
Corrections to be made and filed by Linda Gulgowski .
STATUS OF PROJECTS - The following items were reported on:
Deer Creek (Drainage Easement Vacation Request) - (Combined with Item #7 Unfinished
Business) The property owners in Phase I are requesting a vacation of easements to have
better use of rear yards. If easements were granted the 30 feet currently required for
easements would not be followed. The granting of exceptions for this request was discussed.
Ald. Pionek questioned the origin of the 30 foot easement rule and discussed current industry
standards of 20 feet. Ald. Pionek also questioned why there was an easement on the
properties in the first place. Richard Eberhardt explained that due to the amount of water flow
the easement was deemed necessary. John Loughney requested that if a vacation of
easement was granted, he would like to see 15 feet on each side in order to gain access for
his equipment. Chairman D’Acquisto concerned with the precedent changing this easement
would set. Due to the fact that no residents requesting the action were present and the lack of
any background documentation, Ald. Pionek moved to table item #7 Unfinished Business until
further documentation is properly submitted and affected residents are present. Ald. Woodard
seconded. Vote 3-0, carried by all.
Muskego Theater - Entrance onto Tans Drive not resolved at this time.
UNFINISHED BUSNESS
Discuss Urban/rural Drainage - Ald. Pionek has spoken with Mr. Basse regarding the
Waukesha Medical Clinic and has supplied him with revised plans. Mr. Basse will wait for the
first rain to better assess the situation and request modifications if necessary.
Status of projects - Big Muskego Lake - Big Muskego Lake boat launch dredging will be
completed on January 31, 1998. Western Contractors (currently completing the project) will be
taken over by Super Excavators in December. Attorney Molter has drawn up an agreement to
insure that the job is completed without incident due to the buy-out of Western Contractors.
Further review of introduction of platting ordinances for parcels not covered under Subdivision
platting - Ald. Pionek moved to table item. Ald. Woodard seconded. Vote 3-0, carried by all.
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Update on Loomis Drive Repaving - The Mayor and Chairman D’Acquisto met to discuss the
situation. Additionally, John Loughney, R&M, Payne & Dolan and Mr. Dibb (Loomis Drive
resident representative) met and have agreed to wait until spring to reevaluate the road.
Further discussion on mountable curbs for driveway installation - Chairman D’Acquisto moved
to deny request for mountable curbs. Ald. Woodard seconded. Vote 3-0, carried by all.
Further discussion of stromwater drainage, straightening of street/new street (Bay Lane Place)
- Resident Helen Andersen was present to discussed her situation. Chairman D’Acquisto, the
Mayor and John Loughney have all viewed the area in question. According to Districts, Ald.
Sanders is her representative (not present at meeting). Resident claims that large amounts of
water and silt come down the private road and the maintenance of a ditch constructed by the
resident is becoming a major chore. John Loughney indicated that there may be a drainage
issue due to the configuration of the roadway. Ditch maintenance was discussed due to the
area most suitable for the placement of a ditch being located on private property. Due to Ald.
Sanders absence, it was suggested that the resident work with Ald. Sanders to remedy the
situation. The Resident was instructed to contact Ald. Sanders again and have him bring this
item to this Committee again for discussion and a viable solution. Ald. Woodard moved to
table item until Alderman Sanders has obtained additional data on situation. Ald. Pionek
seconded. Vote 3-0, carried by all.
Further review of drainage easement - Deer Creek Development - See Status of Projects
section.
Further review of cul-de-sac/grading Adrian Drive - Letter received by Matt Sadowski from
R&M (attached) regarding the proposed grading plan. Due to a contingency requested by
Planning Commission to obtain occupancy permit, the residents are requesting an extension of
June 1, 1998 for the construction of a temporary cul-de-sac. The Planning Commission had
given conditional approval of the plan submitted, however, accomplishing what they want, will
not be possible with existing easement requirements (30 foot radius designed, 45 feet radius
City ordinance). Chairman D’Acquisto again concerned with the precedent in granting an
exception to the current ordinance. Discussion surrounding the difference between a
temporary and permanent cul-de-sac, with Matt Sadowski providing numerous examples within
the City of existing temporary cul-de-sacs done to give greater access to John Loughney’s
road crew. The Committee requests clarification on the following items before further
discussion and subsequent decision will be made on the request. 1. Origin of original
approval. 2. Details of easement. 3. Who’s property is affected. 4. Property lines. 5.
Origin of request. 6. Liability of the City and legality regarding ordinance limits of permanent
vs. temporary cul-de-sac construction. Ald. Pionek moved to table item until above mentioned
items are addressed. Ald. Woodard seconded. Vote 3-0, carried by all.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion on driveway culvert policy/and storm sewer/sewer oversizing - Ald. Pionek moved
to defer item to next meeting. Ald. Woodard seconded. Vote 3-0, carried by all.
Discussion of street lights - Loomis Drive - John Loughney received a letter from Wisconsin
Electric regarding costs for reinstallation of street lights at 3 locations on Loomis Drive. Over
$2,000 in costs would be incurred by the City. Due to the safety concerns, the option of
Public Works Committee Meeting - November 24, 1997
Page 3
barricades was quickly dismissed. Chairman D’Acquisto recommends drafting a letter to Rep.
Gunderson regarding the traffic hazard present and the City attempting to gain reimbursement
from the State for the cost of installation. Ald. Woodard directed Chairman D’Acquisto to
telephone Rep. Gunderson and follow up with written correspondence. Within 1 week, if no
response has been received, the City will fund the project (coming from Loughney’s budget)
requesting reimbursement from the State. Ald. Pionek seconded. Vote 3-0, carried by all.
Discuss ingress/egress lanes on Steeplechase and Gold Drive - Due to an error discovered in
already approved plans, representatives from Nienow Engineering Associates, Inc., are
requesting approval to change the plan. R&M support this request stating that this request is
well within current practices. Drainage issues were discussed and the developer gave several
options they were willing to employ in order to continue forward with the project. Ald. Pionek
requested to see the original/approved plan and the new/revised plan with proper elevations.
Ald. Pionek moved to allow paving plan as presented with the installation of a temporary
asphalt curb on Steeplechase Drive with the tapering issue deferred to next meeting. Ald.
Woodard seconded. Vote 3-0, carried by all.
Discussion establishing written policies for Public Works Department - Ald. Pionek requests
that all policies be written and reviewed for relevance in addition, he would like to establish
protocol for the changing of any policy as well as the procedure for submittal of plans to this
Committee. Due to the wealth of knowledge available by and to the Committee, the ability to
identify the origin and historical link with the current policy will be possible. John Loughney
believes that the “Subdivider’s Procedural Guide” is a good place to start. Chairman
D’Acquisto mentioned that past meeting minutes have been a valuable tool for his reference
needs. Matt Sadowski prepared a draft of his proposed Public Works Plan Flow Chart.
Enhancements to the current process include the establishment of agenda meetings occurring
prior to the monthly Public Works Committee meetings, as well as cycle time allotments for
R&M and the developers. Discussion regarding the deviations that may need to be allowed for
special situations and what criteria constitutes special consideration. Committee directed Matt
Sadowski to formalize Public Works Plan Flow Chart. Implementation and approval of process
placed on next meeting agenda . Hardship cases will be reviewed by the Chairman of the
Committee and special dispensation may be granted by the Committee on a case-by-case
basis. Ald. Pionek has requested copies of plans for his review earlier than Matt’s schedule
due to his knowledge of Civil Engineering and the lack of a City Engineer at this time.
COMMUNICATION AND MISCELANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW - none.
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT - John Loughney is planning on posting a new
Highway Patrolman for 1998. Chairman D’Acquisto directed Loughney to post position.
ADJOURNMENT - Being no further business to discuss, Ald. Pionek moved to adjourn the
meeting at 10:55 PM. Ald. Woodard seconded. Vote 3-0, carried by all.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Gulgowski
Recording Secretary