COWM20091013
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved: 10/27/2009
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and led those present in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Johnson, Ald. Snead, Harenda, Borgman, Werner, Schneider, Fiedler,
Schaumberg and Clerk Treasurer Moyer. Guests in attendance: Waukesha County
Executive Daniel Vrakas, additional Waukesha County staff include: Norm Cummings -
Finance, Karen Braun - Senior Civil Engineer, Gary Evans - Senior Traffic Engineer,
Allison Bussler - Interim Public Works
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
Clerk Treasurer Moyer stated that the meeting had been noticed in accordance with the
Open Meeting Law.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
There were no issues with the agenda items listed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ald. Snead moved to approve minutes, of the September 24, 2009. Ald. Schneider
seconded; motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion regarding the construction time line of the Janesville Road project by
Waukesha County Executive Daniel Vrakas. A brief overview of the history of the
Janesville road project was given along with an update of the status of the project.
A decision to delay the timing of this project by Waukesha County was due to the
acquisition of Federal aid and the lengthy process that has to be followed to make
this happen. Norm Cummings briefed on the impact of the 2010 budget for
Waukesha County. Gary Evans briefed on the status of the project design and
stated it is at a 60% completion status. He stated that the environmental rules are
more complicated and Dept. of Transportation reporting documentation is required
to receive Federal aid. The State of Wisconsin will administer and oversee the
construction project. 2012 is the estimated time frame for starting the project. Ald.
Werner, district 4, expressed his concern over the business owners that are being
affected by the delay in the project and the impact it is having on their lives and
businesses. He is also concerned about the potential increases in costs that will
affect the City of Muskego. Ald. Fiedler asked for clarification on the status and
use of the Federal aid dollars. Karen Braun gave an update on the status of the
relocations of the business owners on Janesville Road and indicated that the
property acquisitions are currently taking place. Allison Bussler indicated that
communications took place with Mayor Johnson and mailings were sent on
Waukesha County letterhead to the Muskego residents before the Waukesha
county capital budget was announced in the newspaper. Mayor Johnson indicated
that frustration exists with the project due to the “on again” “off again” status that
Committee of the Whole Page 2
continues to happen. Ald. Werner asked if there was any plan to take care of the
potholes that currently exist. Allison indicated that some maintenance would take
place to patch and fill parts of Janesville road in the interim. Ald. Borgman asked if
there could be a safety improvement of a light signal at the intersection of
Janesville Road and Martin Drive now, especially with the delay of the road
project. He indicated that there have been two fatalities and several serious
accidents at this intersection and it continues to be a dangerous intersection on a
daily basis.
Mayor Johnson recessed at 7:30 p.m. for the Common Council meeting and
reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
2. Discussion review of the 2010 Operating and Capital budgets. Chief Wojnowski
gave a brief overview of the need for a replacement pumper. Ald. Fiedler indicated
that this is a lot of money to spend and suggested that a separate committee take
a complete and thorough look at the equipment request. Ald. Werner concurred
and indicated that the equipment the City has now seems to be sufficient. Ald.
Fiedler suggested having an ad hoc committee look at the purchase and to set
aside money for the pumper purchase. Chief Wojnowski would like to move
forward on this purchase and stay on the five-year equipment cycle. Mayor
Johnson will put $600,000 into the Capital budget account and have an ad hoc
committee created to make a recommendation on the purchase. Mayor Johnson
addressed the: a) DPW/Utility secretary position: no further change was
suggested. b) GIS Intern position: Determination was made to keep the position in
the budget and use alternate funds from other GIS sources to fund it. c) Clerk
secretary position: Mayor stated that $16,000 is now available that wasn’t when
the proposed budget was drafted. Using this money to fund 20 hours of the
position would benefit five city departments by freeing up an equal number of
hours for the floating clerk. The committee agreed to fund 20 hours of this
position.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
N/A.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried
unanimously.
Claire Lederhaus
Executive Assistant