COMMON COUNCIL Minutes 20101108
COMMON COUNCIL - CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved as Corrected
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 8, 2010
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Present were Ald. Fiedler,
Schaumberg (left at 7:30 p.m.), Soltysiak, Werner, Harenda, and Snead, Community
Development Director Muenkel, Finance and Administration Director Mueller, and
Deputy Clerk Blenski. Ald. Borgman was absent. Those present recited the Pledge of
Allegiance. The Deputy stated that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the
open meeting law on November 5.
No one registered to speak under Public Comment.
PUBLIC HEARING
To hear any citizen on the proposed 2011 City budget.
Ms. Mueller presented the 2011 Operating Budget. She stated that in preparing the
budget, Mayor Johnson had the following objectives:
to maintain or improve City services at the current level
to limit the use of one time funding sources to avoid negative impacts on future
budgets
to ensure continued sound fiscal health with a minimum net levy increase to
taxpayers
The 2011 budget as recommended by Committee of the Whole majority reflects a tax
levy increase of $107,000 or 0.9% as compared to the prior year. This equates to a City
tax rate of $4.43 per $1,000 of assessed value. Ms. Mueller stated that the City portion
of the tax bill would increase by less than one half of a percent.
Ms. Mueller reviewed the actions taken to accomplish the Mayor’s objectives:
Minimal increase in General Fund tax levy
Reinstated Community Resource Officer position, effective May 1, 2011
Upgraded Library Clerk position to Assistant Library Director
Reduction in Debt Service tax levy
Special revenue and utility funding for capital outlay expenditures
The City will continue to face ongoing challenges with funding source reductions as well
as increased expenditures.
Ms. Mueller stated the following were the effects of the City’s efforts:
The total general operating budget, not including debt service, is proposed at
$13,796,000, which is an increase of $347,000 or 2.58% over the 2010 budget.
The total 2011 tax levy includes $9.8 million to fund expenditures for basic City
operations in the general fund and $2.1 million for principal and interest payments of
general obligation debt for a combined total of $11,935,000.
This is a total net levy increase of $107,798 or .91%.
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November 8, 2010
Capital Budget
Ms. Mueller noted that the 2011 Capital Budget is proposed at $5,799,000. Funding will
come from prior year surplus funds and additional landfill transfers with the exception of
the Durham Drive and Janesville Road reconstruction projects. Money will be borrowed
for those projects.
Special Revenue Funds
Lastly, Ms. Mueller reviewed the Special Revenue Funds, which are programs where
expenditures are supported by specific revenue dollars generated for a specific
purpose. The projected ending balance for December 31, 2011 is $8.2 million. A rate
increase for refuse and recycling was proposed; however, an adjustment will not be
necessary. Other than the Park Arthur project and Storm Water related projects, all
other Special Revenue Funds are status quo and reflect no major changes.
Summary
In summary, pending Council approval, the tax rate as presented for 2011 equates to
$4.43 per $1,000 of assessed value with a tax levy of $11,935,917.
The following citizen spoke:
Suzi Link, W172 S7297 Lannon Drive
Questioned variances between the 2010 budget and the estimated actual year-end
amounts. Feels she does not have sufficient information to comment on the 2011
budget.
Objected to adoption of the budget being on tonight’s agenda. That defeats the
purpose of the public hearing.
Questioned reinstatement of Community Resource Officer when the City has gotten
along without one.
Questioned the increase in Contingency Fund.
Objected to giving CDBG money to a group in its infancy. (The Mayor noted that
this issue was discussed earlier at the Finance Committee meeting.)
The Mayor declared the hearing closed at 6:50 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS
Reso. #110-2010 - Approval of 2011 General Fund Operating Budget and Tax Levy.
Ald. Werner moved for adoption. Ald. Fiedler seconded. Ms. Mueller responded to
the issues that were brought up by Ms. Link. Ald. Soltysiak stated that the entire tax
rate increase is due to the additional $50,000 in the Contingency Fund. The Mayor
stated that the total net levy increase is over $100,000. The increase to Contingency is
only half of that. Ms. Mueller stated that personnel costs were increasing by several
hundred thousand dollars. Mayor Johnson commented that the proposed budget is
tight. If the City loses the arbitration case, the entire Contingency Fund will be used
with nothing left in reserve. He does not want to use fund balance for operating costs.
The people that perform bond ratings look unfavorably at the use of fund balance unless
there is a true emergency. The Mayor noted that the City’s operating budget actually
increased 2.4%; other funds are being used to fund all but .9% of the increase. The
City should really be taxing for the 2.4% increase. He stated artificially keeping the tax
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November 8, 2010
rate at zero is not the right thing to do. It makes it more difficult to make up that money
the next year. Mayor Johnson stated that the City has a large borrowing in the future. It
is imperative to obtain the best bond rating possible. Ald. Harenda expressed concern
with the increase in the Contingency Fund. Ms. Mueller noted that if the City loses the
arbitration case, there would be increased costs going forward.
Ald. Harenda asked if the Council would be willing to consider using the CDBG funds to
offset the amount budgeted in the Operating Budget for economic development. Ald.
Soltysiak stated it was an interesting alternative. The Mayor stated while those funds
can be used for that, they are intended for projects such as the senior taxi service or
handicap accessibility. It is up to the City to budget for economic development. He
believes the City should budget more than it is.
Ald. Werner expressed his support for the proposed budget. The increase to the tax
rate will be the lowest in several years. Staff is working at maximum capacity. Ald.
Fiedler stated a zero increase is unwise, shortsighted and unrealistic. Over the past
four years, expenditures in the amount of $953,000 have been reduced annually.
Playing with fund balance is irresponsible. The City will be experiencing one of the
largest borrowings in its history. He does not want the bond rating to be jeopardized by
a zero increase. The tax increase is the result of the increase in salaries, which is the
case every year. Ald. Fiedler stated he shares the Mayor’s concern about the state of
economic development in Muskego. The economic development that the City has
experienced is the result of the efforts of the Mayor, staff and Chamber of Commerce.
He favors the proposed budget as it is.
Ald. Snead cautioned the Council about the use of fund balance; the City needs to
safeguard the taxpayers’ money. Muskego’s budget is only one small fraction of the
total tax bill. She supports the budget as it stands.
Ald. Soltysiak stated it was not his goal to have a zero percent increase. He was
looking for ways to save money on unnecessary spending. The small items add up.
Ald. Schaumberg called the question. There was no second. Ald. Harenda made
one last comment. There was no objection.
Motion to adopt Reso. #110-2010 carried with Fiedler, Schaumberg, Werner and
Snead voting yes and Soltysiak and Harenda voting no.
Ald. Schaumberg left the meeting.
Reso. #111-2010 - Approval of 2011 Capital Budget ($5,799,335). Ald. Snead moved
for adoption. Ald. Fiedler seconded. Motion carried 5 in favor.
Reso. #112-2010 - Approval of 2011 Sewer Utility Budget and Rates. Ald. Snead
moved for adoption. Ald. Fiedler seconded. Motion carried 5 in favor.
Reso. #113-2010 - Approval of 2011 Water Utility Budget and Rates. Ald. Fiedler
moved for adoption. Ald. Snead seconded. Ms. Mueller stated that the rates
indicated are for the first and second quarters of 2011. She intends to move forward
with a simplified rate case after the first quarter due to the cash flow analysis. The rate
could increase between 2% and 3%. Motion carried 5 in favor.
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November 8, 2010
CONSENT AGENDA
Ald. Snead moved to approve the items under the Consent Agenda. Ald. Werner
seconded. Ald. Soltysiak requested the removal of Reso. #117-2010. Motion carried
5 in favor.
The following items were approved:
Operator’s License for Janine Kolbeck, Krystal Kuehl, Ellen Valdez, Jill Warner, Leslie
Wells, Nina Williams,
Approval of Common Council Minutes - 10/26/2010
Reso. #114-2010 - Approval of Certified Survey Map - Rozeski
Reso. #115-2010 - Approval of Certified Survey Map - Wauer
Reso. #116-2010 - Dedication and Acceptance of Public Improvements in and for
Mystic Drive
Reso. #118-2010 - Resolution Authorizing Special Quarterly Charges for Garbage and
Refuse Disposal and Recycling Service
NEW BUSINESS (Continued)
Reso. #117-2010 - Authorization to Use CDBG Funds for the Muskego Business Group.
Ald. Fiedler moved for adoption. Ald. Snead seconded. Ald. Soltysiak asked why
the issue did not go back to the Community Development Authority (CDA) for further
discussion. Ald. Harenda stated that the CDA recommended extending the use of the
funds, but not for a specific purpose. Mr. Muenkel stated that the CDA is not the
recommending authority for how the CDBG money is used. It is up to the Council to
determine how the funds are used. Mr. Muenkel stated he brought the matter before
the CDA to generate ideas on how the money could be used for Janesville Road. Ald.
Harenda moved to defer. Ald. Soltysiak seconded. Motion defeated with Fiedler,
Werner and Snead voting no and Solytsiak and Harenda voting yes. Ald. Werner
called the question. There was no second. There was no objection. Motion to
adopt carried 4 in favor and Harenda voting no.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ord. #1332 - An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map of the City of Muskego (Willow
Glen - RM-1 and RS-2 to PD). On the floor, deferred 10/26/2010. Ald. Fiedler moved
to defer because the Plan Commission has not made a recommendation yet. Ald.
Werner seconded; motion carried.
Ord. #1333 - An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map and 2020 Comprehensive Plan of
the City of Muskego (Wauer - M-3 to M-2). Second Reading. Ald. Fiedler moved for
adoption. Ald. Soltysiak seconded. Motion carried 5 in favor.
Reso. #108-2010 - Denial of Claims - July 22, 2010 Flooding and Sewer Backup. On
the floor, deferred 10/26/2010. The Mayor stated that Ald. Borgman would like the
matter deferred. Ald. Snead moved to defer. Ald. Soltysiak seconded; motion
carried.
Common Council Minutes Page 5
November 8, 2010
REVIEW OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
The following minutes were reviewed: 10/12/2010 Finance Committee, 10/5/2010 Plan
Commission
LICENSES
Ald. Fiedler moved to approve a “Class B” Retailers’ License for High Tide
Muskego LLC (Jody Dilworth, agent), S76 W17745 Janesville Road with no
outside sales. Ald. Werner seconded. Motion carried 5 in favor.
Ald. Soltysiak moved to approve a Temporary License to Sell Wine for the Friends
of the Muskego Public Library on November 12, 2010. Ald. Harenda seconded.
Motion carried 5 in favor.
VOUCHER APPROVAL
Ald. Snead moved for approval of payment of General Vouchers in the amount of
$216,329.20. Ald. Fiedler seconded. Motion carried 5 in favor.
Ald. Snead moved for approval of payment of Utility Vouchers in the amount of
$37,411.96. Ald. Fiedler seconded. Motion carried 5 in favor.
Ald. Snead moved for approval of payment of Tax Checks in the amount of
$343.31. Ald. Fiedler seconded. Motion carried 5 in favor.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Ald. Snead provided details for the upcoming Country Christmas event. Ald. Harenda
gave an update regarding the Teen Advisory Board.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 7:54 p.m. Ald. Harenda seconded; motion
carried.
Minutes taken and transcribed
by Jill Blenski, Deputy Clerk