ccm19710209COMMON COUNCIL
CITY OF MUSKEGO
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD FEBRUARY 9, 1971
Mayor Gottfried called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M.
PRESENT: MayorJerome Gottfried, Aldermen Robert Burgermeister, J&n
Dwyer, Charles Foldy, Frank Narlock, Harold DeBack, Lois Sapp and Walter Wollman. Also present were City Clerk Bette Bowyer and City Attorney John P. Buckley.
MINUTES: Ald. Sapp moved to approve the Minutes of the meeting held on January 26, 1971, as mailed. Seconded by Ald. Dryer, motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ald. Sapp presented the report of the Finance Committee meeting held
on February 3, 1971, and moved that the report be accepted and placed
on file. Seconded by Ald. Narlock, motion carried.
Ald. Burgermeister presented the report of the Public Works Committee
meeting held on February 4, 1971, and moved that the report be accepted
and placed on file. Seconded by Ald. Wollman, motion carried.
Ald. Foldy presented the report of the Public Safety Committee meeting
held on January 28, 1971, and moved that the report be accepted and
placed on file. Seconded by Aid. Sapp, motion carried.
Ald. Dwyer presented the report of the Public Welfare Committee meeting
held on February 4, 1971, and moved that the report be accepted and
placed on file. Seconded by Ald. Burgermeister, motion carried.
Ald. Dwyer presented the report of the Rules, Laws & Ordinance Committee
meeting held on January 28, 1971, and moved that the report be accepted
and placed on file. Seconded by Ald. Narlock, motion carried.
The Minutes of the Plan Commission meeting held on February 2, 1971,
were received and placed on file.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE
Ma;or Gottfried referred to his "State of the City" letter that had
been presented to the Aldermen.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Resolution i/6-71 - Accepting Quit Claim Deed for the Extension of East
Drive from Raymond Wallner (Deferred from meeting of l/26/71) Attorney
Buckley referred to a letter directed to Mayor Gottfried, dated February
4, 1971, indicating that it would be advisable for the City to accept
the Quit Claim Deed from Raymond Wallner and have it recorded so there
would be no question that the road is a public right-of-way. Ald.
Wollman moved to amend Resolution #6-71 by‘ including the sentence "Be
it further resolved that the execution of the deed be subject to
approval by the City Attorney." Seconded by Ald. Burgermeister. Upon
a roll call vote, the motion to adopt Resolution #6-71, As Amended,
carried unanimously.
Resolution i/17-71 - Providing for an Advisory Referendum for the
Construction of a Municipal Building. (Deferred from meeting of l/26/71.)
Ald. Burgenneister moved to amend Resolution #17-71 as follows:
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Common Council 2/g/71
City of Muskego
Page 2.
Delete the 4th and 6th paragraph. In the ,5th paragraph, delete the
works 'Municipal Garage" and insert the word "and" between City Hall
and Library. Also, in the 5th paragraph, change the figure "$250,000.00"
to "$200,000.00". Also, in the 8th paragraph and the referendum,
question, delete the words "City Garage" and insert the word "and"
between City Hall and Library. Also, by changing the figure"$250,000.00"
to $200,000.00. Motion seconded by Ald. Wollman. Considerable dis-
cussion followed, with Aldermen DeBack and Dwyer speaking in opposition
of an advisory referendum at this time. Aldermen Burgermeister, Foldy
and Mayor Gottfried spoke in favor of the advisory referendum. Upon
a voice vote, the motion to amend Resolution 1'117-71 carried. Upon a
roll call vote to adopt Resolution #17-71, As Amended, Aldermen Burger-
meister, Foldy, Sapp and Woliman voted "aye". Aldermen DeBack, Dwyer
and Narlock voted "No". The motion to adopt Resolution #17-71, As
Amended, carried.
Resolution #19-71 - Establishing Deferred Assessment Policies (Deferred
from meeting of l/26/71) A lengthy discussion followed and Mayor
Gottfried declared a recess at 8:45 P.M. to clarify the assessment
policy to be determined for farm homes. The meeting reconvened at
9:00 P.M. Ald. DeBack moved to amend Resolution 819-71, Paragraph (b)
to read as follows: and interest established by the final resolution
shall be charged from the date of the final resolution". Also, to
amend Paragraph (c) the last sentence to read as follows: "and one
year's interest at the rated established by the final resolution upon
the entire assessment due shall be levied". Motion seconded by Ald.
Burgermeister. Upon a voice vote, the motion to amend Resolution $119-71
carried. Upon a roll call vote, the motion to adopt Resolution #19-71
carried unanimously.
Ordinance #190 - The Clerk gave the second reading of Ordinance #190,
entitled, An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of
Muskego by Adding Section 6.02 (6) E. Thereto (Procedure for application
for a Planned Development) Ald. Dwyer moved for adoption, seconded by
Ald. Sapp. Upon a roll call vote, the motion to adopt Ordinance #190
carried unanimously.
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NEW BUSINESS
Resolution $122-71 - The Clerk read same, entitled, Appointment of
Election Officials. Ald. Sapp moved for adoption, seconded by Ald.
DeBack. Upon a roll call vote, the motion to adopt carried unanimously.
Resolution i/23-71 - The Clerk read same, entitled, Approval of Radar
Maintenance Contract with Stark Electronic Service, Inc. Ald. Sapp
moved for adoption, seconded by Ald. Narlock. Upon a roll call vote,
the motion to adopt Resolution i/23-71 carried unanimously.
Resolution $124-71 - The Clerk read same, entitled, Approval of Rescue
Contract for 1971. Ald. Narlock moved for adoption, seconded by Ald.
Foldy. Upon a roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Resolution l/25-71 - The Clerk read same, entitled, Determination of Legal
Lot Status (Helmer V. Cook). Ald. Foldy moved for adoption, seconded
by Ald. Burgenneister. Upon a voice vote, the motion to adopt carried.
Resolution $126-71 - The Clerk read same, entitled, Accepting Low
Estimate for Sanitary Sewer Installation (City Hall Annex) John Lang.
Ald. Wollman moved for adoption, seconded by Ald. Sapp. Ald. DeBack
Common Council 2/9/71
City of Muskego
Page 3.
spoke as being opposed to the adoption of Resolution i/26-71. Ald. Wollman moved to defer action on Resolution l/26-71 until the second
meeting in April until the results of the advisory referendum would
be known. Seconded by Ald. Burgenneister. Ald. Sapp requested that it be placed on the record that she is in favorof installing sewers
in the City Hall Annex in view of the fact that the building would
be used for at least one more year. Upon a roll call vote to defer action on Resolution i/26-71, Aldermen Burgermeister, Dwyer, Foldy,
Narlock, DeBack and Wollman voted "aye". Ald. Sapp voted "no". The
motion to defer action on Resolution #26-71 until the second meeting
in April carried.
Resolution #27-71 - The Clerk read same, entitled, Denying Claim of William B. Drake. Ald. Wollman moved for adoption, seconded by Ald.
DeBack. Upon a voice vote, the motion to adopt Resolution #27-71
carried.~
Resolution i/28-71 - The Clerk read same, Authorizing the Purchase of
Parcel of Land on Corner of Hillendale Dr. and C.T.H. "Y". Ald.
DeBack moved for adoption, seconded by Ald. Foldy. Upon a roll call
vote, the motion to adopt carried unanimously.
Resolution #29-71 - The Clerk read same, entitled, Authorizing the
Purchase of Used Tank Truck. Ald. Wollman moved for adoption,
seconded by Ald. Burgermeister. Upon a roll call vote, the motion
to adopt carried unanimously.
Ordinance #177 - An Ordinance to Create Sec. 12.15 of the Municipal
Code (Re: Regulations of Use of Explosives). The Clerk gave the first
reading.
Resolution i/30-71 - Ald. Wollman moved to suspend the rules that would
interfere with the adoption of Resolution #30-71, entitled, Establishing
Assessment Policies of Farm Homes. Seconded by Ald. Burgermeister.
Upon a roll call vote to suspend the rules, the motion carried unanim-
ously. The Clerk read the resolution. Ald. Wollman moved for adoption,
seconded by Ald. Burgermeister. Upon a roll call vote, the motion
to adopt Resolution #30-71 carried unanimously.
VOUCHER APPROVAL - Ald. Sapp moved for the approval of payment of sewer
vouchers as of 2/g/71 in the amount of $90,333.10. Seconded by Ald.
Narlock. Upon a roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.
LICENSE APPROVAL - Ald. Wollman moved for the approval of a "Gathering"
License for St. Leonard's Holy Name Society for February 13, 1971.
Seconded by Ald. Narlock, motion carried.
Ald. Sapp moved for the approval of an Operator's License for Diane
Wrightsman. Seconded by Ald. Wollman, motion carried.
Ald. Narlock moved for the approval of an Operator's License for
Roger Schmitt subject to the receipt of a favorable Fingerprint Report.
Seconded by Ald. Wollman, motion carried.
Ald. Sapp moved for the approval of an Operator's License for James
Tolson, subject to the receipt of favorable Medical and Fingerprint
Reports. Seconded by Ald. Narlock, motion carried.
Common Council 2/9/71
City of Muskego
Page 4.
Ald. Wollman moved for the approval of an Operator's License for
Neil Massey subject to the receipt of a favorable Fingerprint
Report. Seconded by Ald. Narlock, motion carried.
CITY OFFICIAL'S REPORTS
The Clerk gave the Financial Report for the month ending January 31,
1971, showing total assets in the amount of $472,079.29. Report
placed on file.
The Clerk gave the Building Report for the month of January, 1971.
Report placed on file.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
The Clerk read a communication from John C. Shabaz, dated February 2,
1971, directed to Mayor Gottfried, confirming the Little Muskego Lake
public hearing for March 16, 1971, at 10:00 A.M. Pyare Square Bldg,
$133: University Ave., Room 1305, Madison, Wisconsin. Eetter placed on
The Clerk read a communication from Mr. Edmund Brick, Chief of the
Water Regulation Section of the Dept. of Natural Resources, dated
January 29, 1971, directed to the Mayor, granting the City's
application for a permit to dredge material from the bed of Big
Muskego Lake. Qmmunication placed on file.
ADJOURNMENT - Ald. Sapp moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Ald. Dwyer, motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:51 P.M.
Reszfxptted,
B. J. Bowye , City Clerk
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February 9, 1971
TO THE HONORABLE ALDERMEN:
As we look forward to the new year and what it holds for our
City, I think it wise to review the events of the past since assuredly
they will have profound effect on the future.
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Although some new and exciting things occurred during 1971, if
I were to define the past year's activities, it would be called "the
year of the pause."
A pause from the overexciting, sometimes irrational, events of
the past. A pause for the citizen to catch his breath, which it seems
to me, he desperately needed and wanted.
It was during this pause that, in my opinion, the citizen
regained the trust and confidence in his elected officials so vitally
needed in a growing community. Now this did not just happen. It re-
sulted from the development of greater understanding and trust be-
tween the members of the Courcil and the Council and the Mayor. I
sincerely thank the members of the Council for making this possible.
To confirm the feeling that once more the citizens of this
community trust out judgment and are convinced of our concern for
their welfare, one has only to look at the events leading up to the
Public Budget Hearing and the small amount of interest generated by
our budget for 1971, and compare it with the somewhat violent re-
action to the budget of the past two years.
I am sure we can agree that the initiation of a new program
of asphalting streets to replace the outmoded sealing method, the
accelerated sewer construction program, the initiation of the City's
first Capital Improvement Budget and the clarification of our City's
financial condition all remain secondary to this return of the
public's confidence.
What is the state of the City as we begin the new year and
what are the challenges facing us?
Obviously our greatest challenge is the continuation of the
public's trust.
As we begin the new year our City is in a most enviable
position.
We can look forward to the completion of another large phase
of our sewer construction program. When completed, a major step
will have been taken to improve our citizen environment and therefore,
the image of our City. Upon the completion of Phase "G" over $5,000,000.00
will have been spent towards this end.
The financial condition of our City is in excellent condition,
We have an equalized valuation of $77,000,000.00 and an assessed
valuation of nearly $75,000,000.00 which we can expect will increase
at the rate of three to four million dollars a year. We have an
estimated surplus fund in excess of $150,000.00. Our present tax
rate of $2.58 per $l,OOO.OO has provided, along with other incomes
to the City, sufficient funds to administer the needs of the community.
Page 2.
It is my opinion that by using sound fiscal policies we will be
able to sustain the tax stability which has been achieved. The
expansion of our tax base, along with the use of sound capital
budgeting procedures, will provide sufficient funds for major
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improvements in the City as the need arises.
The future is made even brighter when we consider the fact
that no new school facilities are planned for several years. (Assum-
ing the normal growth rate.)
In the area of public works, theEquipment used to meet the
needs of an ever demanding public is modern and more than adequate.
The plans of the City. to replace aging equipment on a yearly basis
has proved sound and can help protect us from excessive expenditures
in a single year.
The rebuilding of the bridge on Gold Drive, the reconstruction
of Woods Road to Highway "Y" and the improvement of the curve on
Martin Drive near the former Nike site, are projects planned for
1971. When completed, major hazards to vehicular traffic will have
been removed.
l The plans of the Public Works Department to resurface several
streets with asphalt and to correct some major drainage problems
will certainly improve the esthetic of our City as well as reduce ,
major maintenance costs.
The Park and Recreation programs of the City, as well as the
services offered by the Public Library, have been expanding slowly
and are meeting the needs of a growing community. When one considers
the financial limitations placed upon them as well as the lack of
facilities, particularly of the Library, their progress in meeting
the needs of the public have been remarkable.
The foregoing has been a brief resume of where we stand and
some positive things being planned for 1971.
However, there are several areas of concern which I would
like to bring to your attention.
The mounting pressure for a municipal building, the status of
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the City's Industrial Park and the sudden interest in Muskego by
developers of single family and multiple family units are problems
which must be dealt with and decisions made in the coming year. The
action we take could have a profound effect on our City and its
inhabitants.
The status of the City's proposed Industrial Park clearly
indicates the concern we have over the costs of developing even
less than one half of the original 110 acres. The estimated amount
of $lO,OOO.OO per acre has helped us decide to sell, if possible,
the entire Industrial Park lands to a private developer.
If this effort is not successful, we must then take another
look at the problem. As I see it, we have two choices. First, con-
tinue in our efforts to find a private developer, and secondly, re-
view the plat in an attempt to lower the development cost.
At the present time, including principal, interests, engineering
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fees and promotional costs, we have spent $56,695.00. The City still
owes $290,651.00, including interest.
If we were to borrow the estimated $500,000.00 needed to
develop the Industrial Park over a period of ten years, the estimated
yearly payment needed to pay off the development and land costs would
Page 3.
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be $116,000.00. This would leave very little left from our borrowing
power for other needed and worthwhile projects.
If we could be sure that land sales would offset the cost, it
is my opinion that we would be justified in developing this park.
However, in the light of the economy of today, it is not likely
this would occur and we would then be forced to raise the money
through taxation.
It is therefore my recommendation that if we have not sold
the industrial land by May 1, 1971, under the contract presently held
with the James T. Barry Company, we continue in our efforts to sell
the industrial land until such a time as we are reasonably certain
land sales would offset our yearly cost should the City becomes the
developer.
In regard to the need for a municipal building, if asked
whether or not the City needed one, the majority would say "yes".
However, if they were asked, can the City afford one, the answer l might be different.
A sound case can be presented to substantiate the need for
a municipal building program, particularly, if it will provide space
not only for the City Hall, but also a Library and Municipal Garage.
The Library which is presently housedin the basement of the
City Hall, is crowded and obviously its growth has become somewhat
stagnant in spite of the efforts of many dedicated people. Larger
quarters would not only enable expansion of many of the services
presently being offered but would make possible additional services
in order that the needs of a growing community could more adequately
be served.
The municipal garage, originally built to house the equipment
of a small town, is virtually bursting at the seams. Expensive
equipment is standing outside because of lack of storage space. If
a municipal building were not built, a new garage structure would
still be an absolute necessity.
The need for larger quarters in order that all the adminis-
trative offices could be under one roof is obvious. The separation
of the Building Inspector's Office and Engineering Department has
been a hardship on everyone. It has seriously reduced the effective-
ness of all departments in their attempt to serve the community. The
present City Hall is old and in dire need of repair and certainly
would have to be renovated if we were to continue to use it. The
question of eventual costs will be answered, at least in part, by
those who are willing to accept less than the ultimate. Certainly
it does not have to cost anywhere near the $600,000.00 plus that had
been proposed a year ago.
With the help of the City's Financial Consultant I have
evaluated our resources in relationship to our needs for the next
several yearsand I am convinced that with careful management and
realistic restraint, a municipal building could be built without
adversely affecting our tax rate.
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Et is therefore my recocuaendation that the Council
advisory referendum to determine the will of the majority
a proposal to construct a municipal building or buildings
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the City Hall, Library and Public Works storage garage at
not to exceed $250,000.00
hold an
regarding
to house
a cost
It is also my recommendation that the Council and Mayor gather together as much information as they can to help the citizen in his
determination.
And finally, I am concerned over the status of our City's
planning efforts. Planning a community's future is probably the least
understood and the most controversial and difficult aspect of City
government. As far back as 1960, it was recognized that Muskego needed
certain tools to help assure its orderly growth. The Comprehensive Plan
was one of these tools. However, to effectively use this tool, the Plan
must be constantly reviewed in the light of the changes in the community's
development needs and its citizen's desires. This we have failed to do.
As a result, it is my feeling we have almost forgotten the Comprehensive
Plan exists. We have tended to rezone on demand rather than logic,
ignoring the effect on the total counnunity.
From the amount of interest suddenly shown in our community by
land developers, it is apparent to me that Muskego will soon be caught
in the floodtide of metropolitan sprawl. We have entered a critical
period that will pose challenges to our capacity to maintain stable
economic balance and hold moderate tax rates while sustaining the pleasant
living environment which I believe our residents desire.
The advent of sewers will most assuredly have a profound effect
on the direction our City's growth will take. Industrial, commercial
and residential (single and multiple family) development will tend to
concentrate in areas served by these sewers.
From a planning and development point of view, the increasing
number and the different characteristics of the new residents will have
a lasting effect on the taxable base of our City, our future economic
balance and the maintenance of a stable and satisfying fiscal environment.
In order to prepare for the challenges of future growth, it is imperative
that we rededicate ourselves to the principles of sound planning.
It is therefore my intention to recommend that the Plan Commission
direct its Planning Consultant to begin a detailed neighborhood analysis
of those areas now sewered and being planned for sewers. The end result
will be the updating of the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map.
In closing, I would like to remind everyone that this City of ours
has a great future. The danger lies in our failure to recognize its
potential.
The revitalization of our lakes, maintenance of a realistic tax
rate and sound fiscal policies, steady growth of our tax base, use of
sound planning principles and the awareness of the need for proper
balance between residential, commercial and industrial development will
most assuredly help make this City healttyand vibrant -- a joy to live in.
To this end we must dedicate our efforts.
.J.JG/ ie