CM031500 Jt-NB
COMMON COUNCIL - CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved as corrected 3/28/00
MINUTES OF JOINT MEETING WITH NEW BERLIN - MARCH 15, 2000
MEETING HELD AT NEW BERLIN CITY HALL
The meeting was called to order individually by New Berlin Mayor Jim Gatzke and
Mayor De Angelis at 7:37 p.m. A quorum of the New Berlin Council was present.
Present for the City of Muskego were Aldermen Slocomb, Patterson, Le Doux, Pionek,
Salentine, Chiaverotti and Sanders, and Clerk-Treasurer Marenda, Planning Director
Turk and Planning Asst. Wolff.
Mayor Gatzke welcomed the Muskego Common Council and guests. Mayor De Angelis
expressed appreciation for ability to tour New Berlin’s Public Safety Building.
Clerk-Treasurer Marenda announced this meeting was noticed in accordance with the
Open Meeting Law.
New Berlin Plan Director Steven Hoese presented highlights of current New Berlin
planning activities. Mayor Gatzke felt the meeting tonight could accomplish learning
about what’s important to each community and directing staff to be aware of those
items. Mayor De Angelis expressed appreciation for the current substantial working
relationships between departments of the two cities.
Stormwater Management
Mayor De Angelis stated there are some significant differences in standards for water
quality and retention, and that New Berlin’s stormwater directly affects Muskego. He
distributed a letter from the Little Muskego Lake Association encouraging the cities to
work together concerning drainage problems in the Linnie Lac and Tess Corners areas.
Ald. Wysocki advised New Berlin has adopted the technical aspects of the Stormwater
Plan, noting 80% of the work is to retrofit. Working together will be important during
implementation of the plan. The area of water quality is a newer issue and an area
where significant work is needed under DNR permits to accomplish. New Berlin
recognizes their responsibilities to retain water and work with surrounding communities.
Public monies will have to be spent for retention and detention. This year will identify
how to structure and pay for the work to be done. There is a priority in the NE area and
northern rim. Will work on Stormwater Plan in parallel with the Growth Management
Plan.
Ald. Slocomb noted area of Janesville Rd. in Tess Corners was an area of concern.
Unable to handle the input from New Berlin and the County along with our own.
Mayor Gatzke asked if Muskego has identified a specific area where a joint project
might be feasible. Mayor De Angelis discussed the Sunnyslope/College Ave. area,
noting there was nothing in New Berlin’s original plan and 80 acre ft. of storage in New
Berlin is needed in that area. The other areas are around the Linnie Lac drainage
basin, primarily in the Moorland Road corridor.
Ald. Paul Scheuble said Linnie Lac will be funded to serve as a pollution control area.
Expect the regional pond to be done in next two years.
Common Council Minutes Page 2
March 15, 2000
Border issues such as New Valley Sand and Gravel
Ald. Chiaverotti felt the berm should be vegetated to protect the lake and reduce dust
and dirt to the neighboring properties, and asked New Berlin to communicate that to the
owner. Mayor De Angelis noted there previously was a 300-500 ft. buffer with a hill and
trees. In the last year most of that buffer has been removed. He asked if a reclamation
plan was on file, and are they meeting the deadlines for complying with the plan.
Steven Hoese said there is a new owner who feels there are 60 years of activity left,
which changes the phase-out of the area. With this change more effort will be put back
into dust control, buffers, etc. Ald. Scheuble advised he has met with the quarry owner
regarding sediment run-off into Linnie Lac. Will recommend the planting of grasses
and creation of a detention pond to the owner and will bring something before the
Council at the next meeting. Mayor Gatzke said there is no reclamation in progress at
that site.
Land Use/Planning
In response to a question regarding plans for the Moorland Rd. corridor, Brian Turk
reported the City will soon adopt a Comprehensive Plan 2010. The current zoning from
College to Janesville calls for one-acre residential parcels. The Comp Plan Committee
felt it was not appropriate for a business park in that area. However, some business
zoning proposed for 25 acres at the College/Moorland intersection to transition to
residential planned unit development. It is somewhat questionable if that will continue
to be the plan after the public hearing and Council review.
Mayor Gatzke asked for Muskego’s plans for the industrial park area at College and
Sunnyslope. Mayor De Angelis advised the area is being studied now as part of the
Tess Corners area.
Mayor Gatzke asked what plans does Muskego have with respect to Racine Avenue
connecting to Johnson. Mayor De Angelis said Muskego’s position hasn’t changed, still
opposed. Mayor Gatzke stated that issue is very important to New Berlin and he was
encouraged to know that Muskego concurs. Mayor De Angelis added that a review of a
Gateway Design Guide for Racine Ave. at northern border has just started. Steve
Hoese said their 20 year projection is the intersection of I-43 and Racine may be the
next employment center, but smaller than Westridge.
Infrastructure development/Sewer extensions
Mayor Gatzke asked what Muskego’s plan was for future negotiations with MMSD
regarding sewer capacity. Mayor De Angelis noted Muskego just finished negotiations
9 months ago. Muskego is no longer a contract community. Both Muskego and New
Berlin are outside users of the system. Most basin issues were resolved and don’t
know of areas of concern at this time. Mayor Gatzke stated if development is going to
occur to the west, most certainly we need sewer from Muskego. We will have those
discussions in the future as we start to address those issues.
State legislative issues
Common Council Minutes Page 3
March 15, 2000
Mayor De Angelis asked New Berlin’s position regarding Comm 83. Steve Hoese
stated staff has no problem with Comm 83 because development is controlled through
the land use plan and development standards. Density for rural western areas is 5
acres, with clustering down to 1 acre.
Vision 2000 - Mayor De Angelis asked what concerns New Berlin had with the
proposed plan. Ald. Wysocki felt it was much more than an annexation issue, and the
total vision takes more public input and review. He felt the issues should be reviewed
separately. Other New Berlin aldermen spoke in agreement with Ald. Wysocki.
Commercial and residential development on joint border
Mayor Gatzke felt consistency was important on the border of College Avenue. Mayor
De Angelis said there are a couple initiatives for design standards along the border.
Brian Turk reported Muskego has adopted three specific design manuals - Downtown
Area; General Design Guide; and Durham Hill. Currently work on the Racine Ave.
Gateway Design Guide from College Ave. to about 1 mile south. Proposing residential
designed structures for that commercial area. Also working on the Tess Corners
Design Guide. Steve Hoese felt New Berlin could consider using the same Gateway
Design Guide for the portion along Racine in New Berlin from I-43 south to College.
Mayor Gatzke commented he appreciated Muskego’s current use of 4-sided
architecture, to avoid future situations like the Piggly Wiggly center with no
consideration given to the College Ave. side facing New Berlin.
The next meeting will be scheduled to start with a tour of Muskego’s new Library after it
opens in May.
Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean K. Marenda, CMC
Clerk-Treasurer
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