COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE -Minutes 20120410
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO (Approved 5-22-12)
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2012
Mayor Chiaverotti called the meeting to order at 6:51 p m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Kathy Chiaverotti, Aldermen Snead, Harenda, Borgman, Werner, Soltysiak,
Schaumberg and Madden. Finance Director Sharon Mueller was also present.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
The meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Law.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ald. Harenda moved to approve the February 28, 2012 minutes, Ald. Borgman
seconded; motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion of Tess Corners Road Recreation Trail. Ald. Harenda pulled this item due
to public concern prior to it going out for public bids. He had invited one of the residents
who had circulated a petition opposed to this project to speak.
Christine Nelson, a resident of Tess Corners Drive, spoke on behalf of a number of
residents of Tess Corners Dr. and other concerned citizens who are opposed to the
project. All agree that the road needs to be redone and the drainage issues addressed,
but strongly object to the recreation path as proposed due to the following concerns:
Destruction of trees
Path is too close to homes
Diminished property values
Cost to the taxpayers
Safety issue- especially with the Fire Station and the vehicles that respond in
emergency situations
They are requesting that the City reconsider the proposed path in its entirety and want
their concerns addressed.
Ald. Harenda stated this project had started out as a means to connect to the current
and proposed recreation paths. After speaking with Parks & Rec Director Anderson,
City Engineer Simpson and other concerned citizens he proposed the following three
options:
1. Instead of an 8 foot path change to 4 or 6 foot path – he is concerned about the
additional cost. Add streetscaping or visual barriers.
2. Back to the paved shoulder option
3. Remove the project completely
Committee of the Whole Page 2
April 10, 2012
He was questioned if a narrower path would save any of the trees and answered that it
might minimize the loss of trees but not dramatically.
Ald. Snead brought up her concerns about the flood plain. Initially she stated there
were three main issues when it came to the reconstruction of this road.
1. Infrastructure of the road
2. Bike path was requested
3. Drainage and flooding issues
She believes the drainage and flooding issues are the most important to be addressed.
Mayor Chiaverotti stated that the residents may save trees by putting in a culvert.
Ald. Harenda stated he was just trying to minimize the impact on the residents
and wanted to bring this back to Committee of the Whole take a second look at.
A number of residents in the audience questioned:
the need for a path
the width of the path
who determined what side of the street path was to be constructed
Ald. Snead said all these concerns were addressed at the initial public hearing and that
was the time for residents to bring up their concerns. She questioned if a letter was sent
to the residents regarding this meeting.
In order for the new Aldermen to be included in the decision, Mayor Chiaverotti stated
we need to defer this to the next Common Council meeting. This also allows time for
City Engineer, Dave Simpson to notify residents of the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Harenda, motion carried
unanimously.
Minutes transcribed by
Cindy Schweitzer