COMMON COUNCIL Minutes 20120508
COMMON COUNCIL - CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved 5/22/2012
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD MAY 8, 2012
Mayor Chiaverotti called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Ald. Madden,
Schaumberg, Soltysiak, Werner, Borgman, Harenda and Wolfe. Also present Director of
Public Works Simpson and Community Development Director Muenkel. Those present
recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Recording Secretary McMullen stated that the
meeting was properly noticed.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR’S OFFICE
Mayor Chiaverotti thanked the Tess Corners Fire Department and stated how she was
impressed with their quick arrival and removal of valuable equipment at a barn fire over
the weekend. Mayor Chiaverotti also thanked the New Berlin, Vernon and Hales
Corners Fire Departments for their assistance.
Mayor Chiaverotti explained the Comp Plan will be coming back to Council, but a public
hearing is required for the changes and is being scheduled.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Robert Shaw, W180 S7796 Pioneer Drive
Lives west of the Pioneer Inn
Hearing rumors of a partial repair; no lights, no sidewalks. That is wrong; it
should like nice and help with water problems. The streets are flooding. Wants
project to go through with lights and sidewalks.
Mark Sobczak, W180 S7808 Pioneer Drive
Agrees
The Historic District needs this to attract business
Good for the City
Water problems need to be addressed
Heidi Lindhorst, S75 W18094 Boszhardt Lane
Would like any reference of her property with respect to the lake park discussion
removed from the Marketing Plan.
Mark Oium, S70 W13645 Tess Corners Drive
Lives on the side with the path.
In favor of the off road trail project.
Understands they will be losing land, but it is not their land; it is City land
There is no sense in putting the project off
On-road path is not safe
Cheryl Arkowski, S71 W13022 Tess Corners Dr
Lives on east side of Woods Road
Wish is was coming down Flintlock also
Has to deal with traffic when walking; it is dangerous.
Path will save kid’s lives
Will benefit the city
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May 8, 2012
John Lasota, S69 W13830 Tess Corners
Questioned 82 residents in favor at Stoney Creek. Public Works handout shows
only 4 in favor
Referenced the Public Works Map handout. 30 are in favor, but only 6 live on
Tess Corners. 23 oppose the path and all but 4 live on Tess Corners.
Most dangerous part of Tess Corners is by the curve and path will on the road by
the curve.
Very few people walk on Tess Corners
Safer on side streets to Janesville Road sidewalk
Mary Pachowitz, W143 S6811 Tess Corners Drive
There are 3 major trails already
There is easy access to other trails
Questioned if this is the right thing to do
Concerned with floodplain and more nonessential pavement
Questioned if a private party would be allowed to lay this much pavement without
providing run-off
Judith Stenzel, S69 W14314 Cornell Drive
Will lose land
Does not make sense to let kids go on the path
Paula Galten, S69 W14173 Tess Corners Drive
Agrees with those against the path
Will there be a maintenance schedule for sealing
Not a safe road for a path
Chris Nelson, W143 S6829 Tess Corners Drive
Path will be close to house
Trees will be cut down
Horrible for those whose homes front Tess Corners
Maintenance; who will cut the grass, sealing, will path crack
All those in favor of the path do not live on Tess Corners Drive
Rick Woznicki, S70 W13640 Tess Corners Drive
Wishes the path was on his side of the road
Road is unsafe
Path will go to park
Almost gets hit cutting the gras
Speed on Tess Corners should be reduced to 25
Matt Miller, S70 W13697 Tess Corners Drive
Path is on his side and loves it
Speed limit of 35 is ignored
No Truck sign posted, but there is still truck traffic
Dangerous for kids to walk
Road is unsafe and the reason people don’t walk or ride bikes. Path would make
it safer.
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May 8, 2012
Looks forward to path
Debra Button, W186 S7569 Kingston Drive (Path & Pioneer Drive Project)
Path is good because it connects city
Should be more communication to alleviate concerns
Requested the Pioneer Drive project be pulled from consent
Does not feel it is needed. Designed for a park that will not be there.
Public comment closed at 7:35 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Reso. #048-2012 Resolution Regarding the Construction of the Tess Corners Drive
Pathway from Janesville Road to Woods Road. On the floor, deferred 4/24/2012 – Ald.
Werner explained Public Works looked at different options including one side of the
road and on-off road options. Ald. Werner noted that the costs of the on road path
would be an additional $700,000 and Public Works did not recommend that option or
the concrete path due to costs. Ald. Werner noted that the project would not be delayed
with the current design, the removal of the path, or the reduced path width. The on-road
shoulder would delay the road project.
Ald. Harenda stated the best way to address the safety issue is the off road path, but
suggested the width be reduced. Ald. Harenda also stated he would like to see a city-
wide 5 year plan in place for paths incorporating a maintenance piece.
Ald. Borgman stated he is hearing people say the road is not safe and yet still are not
supporting the path. Ald. Borgman explained he has received many emails on this
issue and the results are evenly divided with those for and against. Ald. Borgman
further explained this is a tough decision, but feels the City should move forward with
the path but reduced to 6 feet in width.
Ald. Wolfe thanked the Council members and the Mayor for deferring this issue to allow
him time to look into a couple items. Ald. Wolfe explained he looked at the numbers of
residents who are for and against the project and is basing his decision to move forward
with a reduced width on the 63% of people who want this project.
Ald. Werner explained a 6 foot width will not solve the issue of the majority of people
who are not in favor of the path at all. They will still be losing trees and it will still be in
their front yards. Ald. Werner added the path will be good for the community and bring
neighbors together safely by getting people off the roads. This issue has been through
committees, hearings, and public comment. The path should be done when the road is
done. However, Ald. Werner stated he will be voting no for the path because the
majority of the residents on Tess Corners do not support it.
Mayor Chiaverotti stated she looked into the safety and crime related to paths with Chief
Geiszler and he informed her that there is no increase or issues due to paths. For the
most part it is just neighbors using the paths.
Common Council Minutes 4
May 8, 2012
Ald. Borgman made a motion to amend the Resolution to change the width from 8
feet to 6 feet. Ald. Harenda seconded. Motion to amend carried with 7 in favor.
Resolution #048-2012, as amended, adopted 6 in favor and 1opposed. Ald.
Werner voted no.
CONSENT AGENDA
Ald. Borgman requested that Reso. #051-2012 and Reso. #052-2012 be removed. Ald.
Werner moved to approve the remaining items under the Consent Agenda
engross. Ald. Schaumberg seconded. Motion carried 7 in favor.
The following items were approved:
Approval of Common Council Minutes - April 24, 2012
Reso. #050-2012 Approval of Certified Survey Map - Boxhorn Drive
Reso. #053-2012 Approval of Amendment to Agreement between Graef-USA, Inc. and
the City of Muskego for the Construction of the Woods Road Pathway
Reso. #051-2012 Award of Bid - Pioneer Drive Reconstruction Project – Ald. Borgman
expressed concern that this was a glorified road project with no need. Ald. Borgman
questioned why the water problems in the area are not cleared up first before a new
road.
Ald. Werner explained he met with the majority of the people on Pioneer and they
support the project and trail. This project will address water problems for property
owners west of Pilak Creek and property owners abutting the wetlands north of City
Hall. The culvert system is being redone and enlarged north of City Hall to send water
down further into Pilak Creek. This project will increase commerce and value of
homes.
Ald. Harenda questioned how this project will affect the flooding in the area. Director
Simpson explained the localized flooding issues will be helped substantially, but the
flooding at the box culvert itself will remain the same. Ald. Harenda questioned the cost
of the water project alone. Director Simpson stated the cost will be $80,000; which was
reduced from the $900,000 originally estimated. The cost is lower due to the south half
of the water project not being completed. The residents were not in favor of it. Mayor
Chiaverotti clarified the resident and business owners on the north half of Pioneer want
the water and are being assessed for it. Ald. Werner made a motion for adoption.
Ald. Schaumberg seconded. Motion carried 7 in favor.
Reso. #052-2012 Final Resolution Authorizing Installation of Water Main Improvements
and Levying of Special Assessments for Pioneer Drive Water Extension Project (Project
MW-34-12) – Ald. Harenda made a motion for adoption. Ald. Werner seconded.
Ald. Harenda explained the City’s portion of the costs was clarified. Motion carried 7
in favor.
NEW BUSINESS
Reso. #054-2012 Resolution of the City of Muskego Common Council to Adopt the
Economic Development and Marketing Plan 2012 – Ald. Borgman made a motion for
Common Council Minutes 5
May 8, 2012
adoption. Ald. Soltysiak seconded. Director Muenkel explained late last year
Council approved hiring consultants Vierbicher and Addy Voltage to create a Marketing
Plan for the City. The Marketing Plan is a part of the 2020 Plan recommendations. The
CDA has been reviewing the plan over the past few months and is recommending
approval. Director Muenkel reviewed the Marketing Plan. The plan includes the
following:
Updates demographics and includes site selectors for what type of business
should be in certain areas.
Retail and real estate analysis
Stakeholder interviews
Economic Development - recommendations specifically to geographic areas
Marketing Recommendations
Best Practices Section – what works in other communities like Muskego
Implementation and Recommendations – near, mid, and long term
recommendations
Director Muenkel suggested this plan be looked at during the 2013 budget for
discussion on costs of some of the recommendations. Director Muenkel noted as part
of the Resolution the CDA will be a monitoring body for the Marketing Plan with a
reoccurring agenda item if Council agrees. Ald. Harenda requested two more weeks to
get into the text and look over the document in more detail. Ald. Harenda made a
motion to defer. Ald. Wolfe seconded. Motion carried 4 in favor and 3 opposed.
Ald. Madden, Schaumberg, and Werner voting no.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Public Works Committee, 5/2/2012, minutes were reviewed.
VOUCHER APPROVAL
Ald. Borgman moved for approval of payment of Utility Vouchers in the amount of
$89,910.74. Ald. Schaumberg seconded. Motion carried 7 in favor.
Ald. Borgman moved for approval of payment of Tax Vouchers in the amount of
$5,789.00. Ald. Schaumberg seconded. Motion carried 7 in favor.
Ald. Borgman moved for approval of payment of General Vouchers in the amount
of $542,777.40. Ald. Harenda seconded. Motion carried 7 in favor.
CITY OFFICIALS’ REPORTS
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
nd
Ald. Werner explained he submitted his resignation effective Saturday June 2. He
stated it has been a pleasure to be on this Council even with the differences. He
thanked the constituents of district 4 for allowing him the opportunity to represent them
and also thanked the citizens of the City of Muskego as a whole. Ald. Werner stated
City Staff has been great to work with and helpful in getting information to make
informed decisions. Ald. Werner thanked his wife, Sue, his family and friends. Ald.
Werner stated this council has done a lot of good things and has made tough decisions.
During his time the Fire Departments were merged into one successful Fire
Department, government was reorganized to run more smoothly, and last year Council
adopted a 0% budget increase. Ald. Werner stated he is proud of his tenure with the
City and wish all the best.
Common Council Minutes 6
May 8, 2012
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Borgman moved to adjourn at 8:48 p.m. Ald. Soltysiak seconded; motion
carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kellie McMullen,
Recording Secretary