COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE -Minutes 20110125
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO (Approved)
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. and led those present in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Johnson, Aldermen Harenda, Borgman, Werner, Soltysiak, Schaumberg, Fiedler. Also
present Finance & Administration Director Sharon Mueller, Tom Zager, City Conservation
Representative, Fay Amerson, Environmental Consultant and David Simpson, City Engineer.
Ald Snead was absent.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
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. Borgman moved for approval of the January 11, 2011 minutes. Ald. Fiedler seconded;
motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Conservation acquisition discussion – Borst property.
Mayor stated that this subject was deferred from the January 11 meeting by Ald Werner who
wanted to talk about the process for acquiring DNR grants etc. Ald Werner introduced Fay
Amerson, Environmental Consultant for the Little Muskego Lake District. She gave the
history of the property and talked about the springs that feed the streams that discharge into
New Berlin and Linnie Lac and ultimately into Little Muskego Lake which flows into Bass
Bay. She went on to explain the importance of the parcel due to it topography, springs and
cultural heritage and its location in the watershed. A coalition of organizations – Land Trust,
Little Muskego District, Lake Conservancy and Lake Association have been working with the
City of Muskego under Tom Zager’s leadership for over two years. They are looking for a
written agreement to formalize this project as the deadline for the DNR stewardship grant is
st
May 1. Having the backing of these organizations, the willingness of the land owner to sell
and the significance of the cultural heritage would certainly help with the grant process.
Ald Werner questioned who the partners in this project were. Consultant Amerson stated the
following have shown interest in backing the project:
Little Muskego Protection and Rehabilitation District
Muskego Lakes Land Conservancy
Committee of the Whole meeting page 2
January 25, 2011
Little Muskego Lake Association
Waukesha County
Ald Borgman asked who wrote the grant for New Berlin? Consultant Amerson stated that she
did and offered her assistance in helping Tom Zager in writing this grant. Tom Zager stated
that Nancy Borst’s letter included information about some rock formations made by
indigenous people which could add cultural significance to the land and might help with
getting grant approval.
Ald Fielder asked what is the total cost to the city? Mayor stated that the total will not be
known until the appraisals have been completed. Both Mayor and Tom Zager said
approximate cost would be about 1.2 million and we would be looking for a 50% grant.
Mayor’s recommendation is to obtain the balance from the Conservation fund which will
borrow the money from the landfill fund and stated that the resolution of necessity does not
commit us to the project but gets the process going so we can get appraisals. Item is on the
council agenda following this meeting.
2. Discuss flood abatement project for Longfellow Ln and Saroyan. Mayor Johnson stated
that we have concentrated on areas in the city were there were serious sewer backups and
flood issues this past year. One of the areas is Longfellow and Saroyan and the Public Works
committee recommendation is to go forward with the purchase of three homes in that area.
Engineering consultants felt this was the best way to resolve the problem.
Mayor wants to talk in general about the process/policy of purchasing homes in this situation.
We know about how much this project will cost but what we don’t know is if we can get any
funds from MMSD. MMSD is in the middle of deciding of how the money (150 million that
they received from all the communities) can be spent. We do not know what money if any
money coming from MMSD can be used for this type of program. The total cost is estimated
to be between $700,000 to $1,000,000 which includes the purchase of the homes, restoring
the land, putting in ponds, etc.
City Engineer, David Simpson gave general history about the repeated flooding in this area. It
was decided at the Committee of the Whole meeting earlier this year to move forward with a
prioritization of flooding in the city. Longfellow and Saroyan have been one of the worst hit
repeatedly. R & M was commissioned to do a drainage study which was presented at Public
Works in November and stated that removing the three homes in the flood plain would be
most cost effective as this area does not drain well. Flood proofing the homes was suggested
but the home owners involved prefer to be purchased and essentially brought out from this
project. MMSD has been talking about an I & I (inflow & infiltration) reduction program of
the sanitary system. City feels this project is good fit for the grant. MMSD is working on the
funding and we will find out soon how much, if any, they will fund.
Mayor asked for a straw vote to decide if we should move forward on this or not. Ald Fiedler
raised concerns that with home values being down along with the flooding issues that there is
the potential for abuse. There was discussion at the Public Works Committee about the
sharing of the problem with the home owners. He wants to make sure we pay market value
that reflects the flooding issues.
Committee of the Whole meeting page 3
January 25, 2011
Mayor Johnson stated that the purchase of these homes is subject to the condemnation statute
and negotiation is limited. Ald Borgman agrees that the city has to take some of the share of
the cost and not abuse the city or the homeowners.
Mayor questioned when completed what would project look like? City Engineer Simpson
envisions a dry pond with maintenance free lawn - park like with a depression. Since MMSD
cannot pay for land owned by municipalities (it has to be a private organization) possibly the
subdivision would buy the land back for $1.00 to use as a park. The city is committed to
doing the project and needs to negotiate with MMSD to move forward.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Borgman moved to adjourn at 7:05 PM. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried
unanimously.
Minutes Transcribed by
Cindy Schweitzer