COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE -Minutes 20121023
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (COW) – CITY OF MUSKEGO (Unapproved)
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD OCTOBER 23, 2012
Mayor Chiaverotti called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. Present were Ald. Madden,
Schaumberg, Soltysiak, Glazier, Borgman, Harenda and Wolfe, Director of Finance and
Administration Mueller, Community Development Director Muenkel and Deputy Clerk Blenski.
Ms. Blenski stated that the meeting was properly noticed.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Ald. Soltysiak requested discussing item number 2 first.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
NEW BUSINESS
2 Review of future Fund for Non-profits
Ald. Solytisiak felt that since after the Budget discussions where the city had been donating
money this issue is now a moot point as Jammin’ on Janesville will be going away after this
year and the Senior Taxi has been changed over to Wisconsin State Transportation Aid
funding. Ald. Borgman felt that there should be a policy to guide future councils if something
like this comes up again. He feels that the city or government should get involved only if a
group is a civic organization.
Discussion took place about establishing a policy, which several felt would be difficult to do.
Item was deferred for now.
1. Review of TIF Residual Fund Policy
Ald. Harenda had brought this up because he is concerned about the amount of money in the
account. The current policy does not address this and feels that it’s possible that the city could
direct those funds into different programs. Ald. Glazier agreed about the need to review the
use of the money but cautioned against using those funds for city wide projects. Ald. Soltysiak
felt that if a policy was created he would like to see some type of guidelines limiting the time
the money can sit in the account – if dormant he feels the money should go back to the
taxpayers. Ald. Glazier is concerned that if there was a deadline there might be an issue with
making rash decisions just to meet the deadline. Mayor Chiaverotti stated that having a
balance in the account can be good for the city’s bond rating.
Director Muenkel stated that he felt there should be a balance available for economic
development as business taxes are what created the fund. Keeping these funds available for
loan programs, helping implement a marketing study, grant programs, etc. would be great for
the development of the city. We should be “thinking outside the box” to take advantage of
Committee of the Whole Page 2
October 23, 2012
opportunities that might be out there. Ald. Madden cautioned against setting deadlines and
restrictions which could limit the use of the funds.
After much discussion it was decided to have Director Muenkel come back to the committee
with some suggestions for the best use of the funds over the next 5 years.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Glazier moved to adjourn at 6:42 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Harenda, motion carried.
Transcribed by
Cindy Schweitzer