Public Works Committee - MINUTES - 6/17/2013
CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2013
Ald. Dan Soltysiak called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Also present were Ald. Neil
Borgman, Ald. Bob Hammel and Public Works Director David Simpson.
Ald. Soltysiak led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Laws on June 14, 2013.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 20, 2013
Ald. Borgman moved to approve the minutes of May 20, 2013. Seconded by Ald. Hammel.
Motion carried 3-0.
STAFF REPORTS
None
STATUS OF PROJECTS
Director Simpson gave updates on the following projects:
Janesville Road Reconstruction – A pre-construction meeting is set for this Friday. Musson
is the same contractor as Phase I.
Racine Avenue Recreational Trail – Received Army Corp permit late last week. DNR permit
should be in a week or two. Should get bid out and to Council for approval in July.
2013 Road Program – Contracts are all signed. They are telling me the third or fourth week
in July should start work.
Miscellaneous Drainage Projects – All of them that we know about are taken care of except
for Saroyan.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discuss Drainage Issue near the Intersection of Gold Drive and Diamond Drive – Director
Simpson stated previously we discussed two homeowners near the intersection of Gold
Drive and Diamond Drive having experienced flooding related to storm water runoff coming
from a large drainage area to the west of Gold Drive; and four options possible. Installing a
swale by clearing trees from approximately 1 acre of land and installing a swale to divert the
water south to an existing wetland was the preferred alternative. Some residents were not
in favor of this alternative so it was eliminated. After discussion with Committee and
homeowners it was decided to go with installing 500 l.f. of storm sewer through an
easement and City park land. Ald. Borgman made a motion to go ahead with 500 l.f. of
storm sewer and if that fails, go with installing 715 l.f. of storm sewer in existing road right of
way straight north on Gold. Ald. Hammel seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
Discuss Drainage Issue on Field Drive near Annes Way – Homeowners of S75 W21497
Field Drive have expressed great concern related to storm water runoff coming from a large
drainage area to the rear of their property that we previously discussed per Director
Simpson. Since then we did an on-site review and have determined that adding culvert
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capacity below Field Drive and under two driveways prior to entering the retention area will
be possible. The homeowner on the NW corner of Field and Annes Way has asked that a
berm be removed to the south of their driveway and some additional grading of a swale be
completed to the north of the home near the roadway. We will also need to clean the swale
that leads from the retention area to the cross culverts under Annes Way. Committee and
residents discussed plan. Ald. Borgman made a motion to go ahead with plans as
presented for Field and Annes Way, move ahead with the plan, once we get there evaluate
where we are. Seconded by Ald. Hammel. Motion carried 3-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Review and Potential Approval of Revised Construction Plans for Belle Chasse Phase II –
Director Simpson advised the second phase of the Belle Chasse subdivision was scheduled
to move forward this Spring; however, a new wetland delineation was required prior to
construction. The new wetland delineation was completed and confirmed by the WDNR
which identified wetlands that were not previously mapped. A redesign of part of the
subdivision is now required to work around the wetlands. There will be less lots now. The
new redesign will have the road coming out further north on Mystic. We need the second
connection to meet City ordinance. Concerned residents spoke in regard to increased traffic
(short cuts) and speed, and safety of children. Director Simpson and subdivision developer
explained ways to prevent this. Speed humps, street narrowing, and a traffic circle at
intersection were ways to alleviate concerns of speeding through the subdivision. In order
to keep the project moving ahead, staff would like the Committee to approve the revised
construction plans contingent upon final revision being approved. Ald. Borgman made a
motion to approve revised layout and construction plans contingent upon final revisions
being approved by the Director of Public Works. Seconded by Ald. Hammel. Motion carried
3-0. Amendment to motion: Ald. Borgman made a motion that Public Works Director work
with the developer to figure out the best traffic calming devices for the subdivision, and
prepare a draft proposal for the Common Council meeting. Ald. Hammel seconded. Motion
carried 3-0.
Discuss Policy Regarding Signs with Public Right of Ways – Per Director Simpson,
Community Development Director Jeff Muenkel put together a memo regarding “right-of-way
signs”. Ald. Soltysiak stated we currently have a sign ordinance for permanent and
temporary signage and it’s been operating in a fashion that only when there are complaints,
it’s enforced. The biggest repeating complaint is about temporary signage that is placed
illegally around the City. I talked to Director Simpson and Planner Adam about that. It was
suggested that we come together as Public Works and develop a policing policy for this to
enforce the existing ordinance that is on the books – not creating a new ordinance not
modifying the ordinance just putting in the policy enforcing it. Hopefully every week remove
any signs within a given defined area. We should communicate to the businesses that they
have signs placed not according to code so they can remove them or relocate them. The
City has a pretty strict ordinance that states that no sign shall be placed within the ultimate
right-of-way of any street or highway with the exception of City gateway/directional signage
and Community Event Signs that are approved by the CDD. With the new beautification of
Janesville Road being completed, staff sees no issue in taking a more active role in
enforcing our prohibition of signs in the City right-of-ways. Recommendation would be a
Public Works Committee approval to have Public Works staff and Community Development
Department staff remove any signs, within a given defined area, would work well in
enforcing this ordinance. Ald. Borgman made a motion to have this policy developed. Ald.
Hammel seconded. Motion carried 3-0.
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Review and Potential Approval of the 2012 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report -
Director Simpson advised one of our responsibilities in the operation of the City’s Sanitary
Sewer Conveyance System comes from the WDNR. They require an annual report titled
“Compliance Maintenance Annual Report” (CMAR). Part of the report is a requirement to
have a resolution in order to ensure that elected officials are aware of the current state of
the system by sharing the CMAR and ensuring adequate funding is available to the Utility.
For the year 2012, the City’s grade was an A (4.0). Ald. Borgman made a motion to
approve the resolution. Seconded by Ald. Hammel. Motion carried 3-0.
NEW BUSINESS PLACED ON FILE
None
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Ald. Borgman gave heads up from the Conservation Commission they have approved the
use of going through the conservation easement that goes out onto East Drive for the
improvement of that drainage.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Hammel moved to adjourn the meeting 7:19 PM. Ald. Borgman seconded. Motion
carried 3-0.
Jeanne Struck
Recording Secretary