Public Works Committee - MINUTES - 11/8/2005
Approved
CITY OF MUSKEGO
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2005
Chairman Chris Buckmaster called the meeting to order at 6:15 PM with Ald. Bob
Melcher and Ald. Neil Borgman present along with City Administrator Jennifer Scheiffer,
Police Chief John Johnson and Engineer David Simpson.
Chairman Buckmaster led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Buckmaster reported that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the
Open Meeting Law.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 25, 2005 – Ald. Borgman moved to
approve the minutes of October 25, 2005. Seconded by Ald. Melcher. Motion
carried 3-0.
Minutes of October 17, 2005 - Individual Consideration of paragraph regarding
“Drawdown of Little Muskego Lake/Big Muskego Lake” page 3 from Common Council
meeting of 10/25/2005 – Ald. Borgman moved to strike Lake Association and
replace with residents on the lake. Seconded by Ald. Melcher. Motion carried 3-
0.
ENGINEERING/BUILDING DIRECTOR – PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT
REPORTS –
Discuss Urban/Rural Drainage – Nothing new to report
STATUS OF PROJECTS
Tess Corners Pond Expansion/Drainage Issues (New Berlin) – nothing new to
report.
Janesville Road Reconstruction Project – The lighting is waiting on a special
transformer to be shipped.
Janesville Road/County Capital Plan – nothing new to report
Martin Drive Realignment – Nothing new to report
Freedom Square Ponds – Ald. Borgman noted this project is complete. The
Public Works Department did a great job installing the rip-rap. This item can be
removed from the agenda.
Quietwood Creek – Diverting Structure – Mr. Simpson noted the project is
complete and the residents are satisfied. Ald. Buckmaster gave a special thanks
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November 8, 2005
to the School District for working with the City to help the residents of Quietwood
Creek.
Field Drive Repaving – S74 W21052 Field Drive – Mr. Simpson reported the
resident does not want his driveway paved this fall. He feels it is too cold and
requested it be done in spring of next year. Payne and Dolan will do the repairs
at no charge to the City.
Settlement Center (Old Town Hall) – Gravel parking lot will be installed to hold
the parking for Park and Recreation activities.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Status of parking concerns/Fountainwood Pool – Ald. Melcher moved to defer.
Seconded by Ald. Borgman. Motion carried 3-0.
Status of acceptance of extension of Center Drive – Ald. Buckmaster noted this item
can be removed from the agenda.
Continued discussion of annual drawdown of Little Muskego Lake/Big Muskego Lake-
The minutes from October 17, 2005 have been corrected. This item can be removed
from the agenda.
Continued discussion of city-wide refuse/recycling – Staff is researching options and will
bring this item back in January. Ald. Melcher moved to defer. Seconded by Ald
Borgman. Motion carried 3-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Discuss request to vacate right-of-way on Crest Drive – Ald. Borgman explained the
strip of land was for the potential road extension of Crest Drive. After 30 years the
extension has not gone through and the neighbors would like the City to vacate the right
of way and add it onto the neighboring properties. Mr. Simpson explained the taxes
would increase with the additional land and the road vacation would have to follow the
established procedure for vacating right of way. Mr. Simpson noted a sewer easement
would be established. Ald. Borgman moved to recommend to Council to proceed
with the procedure for road vacation. Seconded by Ald. Melcher. Motion carried
3-0.
Discuss request to abandon old culvert at Freedom Square Ponds – Ald. Borgman
moved to defer. Seconded by Ald. Melcher. Motion carried 3-0.
Review traffic studies for Thornapple and Pasadena – Chief Johnson reviewed the
results from the traffic studies that were done on Thornapple and Pasadena. According
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to the average speed, median speed and the 85 percentile the speeds are all typical of
a residential neighborhood. Chief noted there were about 15 cars in an 8-day period
where speeds exceeded 40mph. Chief explained speed is based on perception and
cars may look like they are going over the limit but actually they are not. Chief stated he
does not recommend speed bumps based on the data collected from the traffic study
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November 8, 2005
A representative of the subdivision was present to express the subdivision’s concern
with speeding. 24 of the 29 residents have signed the attached petition requesting the
City install two temporary speed bumps on Pasadena. The subdivision has already
tried distributing flyers and purchasing yard signs but were not successful. The
representative noted there is a window cleaning business being run out of one of the
residences on Pasadena. The workers come through the subdivision at high speeds to
get to their trucks and then leave again at high speeds. The representative of the
subdivision stated if cost is an issue, the subdivision may be interested in purchasing
the speed bumps. The subdivision also requested an additional speed limit sign and
slow children signs.
Ald. Buckmaster discussed other forms of traffic calming such as inserts in the center-
line of the road. Chief Johnson stated while he was in Israel he saw a different type of
speed bump called speed tables. They are 6 feet wide and are permanent. Staff will
look into the window cleaning business and verify it is within the Planning Department
requirements. The representative of the subdivision will submit the names and
addresses of the residents who agree to have the signs placed in their yards. Ald.
Melcher will bring this item back to the Committee prior to May 1, 2006.
SUBDIVIDER’S EXHIBITS
ACCEPTANCE OF IMPROVEMENTS
NEW BUSINESS PLACED ON FILE
Reopening Durham Drive cul de sac – nothing new to report
Request for street-lights or widening of Cornell Drive- nothing new to report
Discuss off lake parking and public access to lake- nothing new to report
Discuss drainage concerns with property on Ranch Drive abutting Copper Oaks
Subdivision – A resident abutting the proposed Copper Oaks subdivision was present to
express his concern with the drainage coming from the proposed subdivision. He
explained he is already getting drainage from Reynolds Machinery and the farm fields.
Mr. Simpson explained a culvert will cross the road and the water will be redirected
down Martin. Mr. Simpson further explained the proposed subdivision will be designed
so the water will be collected on the road and will flow into the retention pond. The
water from the rear lots will drain into a ditch and run into the pond.
Discuss request to lower speed limit on Martin Drive from 35 mph to 30 mph - nothing
new to report
COMMUNICATION AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Dr. John Lamb was present to discuss the ordinance of a propeller driven plan on Little
Muskego Lake and also the noise and traffic of the water bugs ski team during the
summer. Ald. Buckmaster explained staff will put together a supplement and
recommendation for a future meeting. The items will be placed on the agenda and
information will be sent out.
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November 8, 2005
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Borgman moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:17 PM. Seconded by Ald.
Melcher; motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Kellie Renk,
Transcribing Secretary