COMMON COUNCIL Minutes 20121023
COMMON COUNCIL - CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved: 11/27/2012
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD OCTOBER 23, 2012
Mayor Chiaverotti called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Present were Ald. Madden,
Schaumberg, Soltysiak, Glazier, Borgman, Harenda and Wolfe, Community
Development Director Muenkel, Finance and Administration Director Mueller and
Deputy Clerk Blenski. The Deputy Clerk stated that the meeting was properly noticed.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR’S OFFICE
Mayor Chiaverotti noted that Buddy Poppies would be sold by the Veterans of Foreign
Wars on November 2 and 3. She also proclaimed November as Pancreatic Cancer
Awareness Month. Election Day is November 6. She stated the extended hours for
voting absentee at City Hall.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following registered to speak regarding Reso. #094-2012:
Pat Korth, S86 W18505 Denice Court South.
Tina Weiss, S84 W17698 Woods Road
CONSENT AGENDA
Ald. Borgman moved to approve the items under the Consent Agenda with the
removal of Resolutions #102 and #103. Ald. Harenda seconded. Motion carried 7
in favor.
The following items were approved:
(There were no Operators’ Licenses to approve.)
Approval of Common Council Minutes – October 9, 2012
Reso. #098-2012 – Award of Bid – Private Property Lateral Rehabilitation/Repair
Reso. #099-2012 – Approval of Conveyance of Rights in Land to Waukesha County
Reso. #100-2012 – Approval of Partners for Fish and Wildlife Habitat Development
Agreement (Badertscher Preserve)
Reso. #101-2012 – Resolution to Adopt the Business Recruitment Rewards Program for
the City of Muskego, Wisconsin
Reso. #104-2012 – Resolution Authorizing a Grant from the Approved Janesville Road
Building and Grant Program (L Spa – S76 W17527 Janesville Road)
NEW BUSINESS
Reso. #102-2012 – Resolution to Accept the Acquisition of Tax Key No. MSKC
2196.952 from Waukesha County (Former BP Gas Station – S75 W17237 Janesville
Road). Ald. Borgman moved for adoption. Ald. Soltysiak seconded. Ald. Borgman
stated there was discussion at the Finance Committee meeting about potential liability
to the City if the property is acquired. Ald. Harenda reiterated that he would like to see
the environmental studies that were done. Ald. Wolfe stated he is interested in the
acquisition given the information that Mr. Muenkel presented. Ald. Harenda moved to
defer. Ald. Borgman seconded. Motion carried 6 in favor and Ald. Schaumberg
voting no.
Common Council Minutes 2
October 23, 2012
Reso. #103-2012 – Wisconsin Ready for Reuse Loan and Grant Program. Ald.
Borgman moved for adoption. Ald. Glazier seconded. Ald. Borgman moved to
defer as this is related to Reso. #102. Ald. Harenda seconded. Motion carried 6 in
favor and Ald. Schaumberg voting no.
Reso. #094-2012 – Approval of 2013 General Fund Operating Budget and Tax Levy.
Ald. Borgman moved for adoption. Ald. Glazier seconded.
Discussion:
Ms. Mueller clarified that the merit pay is strictly for the former nonrepresented
employees. The other employees are on a step-increase program, which is reflected in
the budget. She further stated that the impact to the 2013 general fund operating
budget for a cost of living adjustment (COLA) and merit pay is $85,000. This was
discussed at the time the operating budget was being reviewed. There is also money
allocated to the sewer and water utilities as well as conservation for those employees
whose salaries are paid from those funds.
The Mayor stated she supports the Council’s decision to budget for the COLA and merit
increases in 2013. She believes a system to award salary increases needs to be
established in the future. She does not support automatic cost of living adjustments.
However, what is proposed for 2013 is acceptable until the Council works on developing
a new pay program.
Ald. Harenda proposes removal of the merit pay. Mr. Muenkel clarified that the merit
pay affects many employees, not just the department heads. The merit pay provides a
mechanism for an employee to move through the salary range established for that
position. The other employees are able to automatically progress through a step
system. Removing the merit pay will create an inequality. Ald. Soltysiak suggests
removing the dollars budgeted for the COLA so they could be used to fund the new pay
program. Ald. Glazier stated the budget was prepared with the 1% COLA because
everyone agreed to it, and that was communicated to employees. Ald. Madden agreed.
She believes the pay plan needs to be reviewed going forward, but supports the funds
in the 2013 budget. Ald. Wolfe stated the problem is that several Council members
believed the total for COLA and merit was $85,000 when it is actually more. Ald.
Harenda moved to remove the 1% COLA to be placed in Contingency and retain
the merit pay. Motion died for lack of a second.
Ald. Borgman stated it will take a long time to develop a new pay plan. He does not
want to make a determination regarding a cost of living adjustment late in 2013 and
then have it paid retroactively. Ald. Wolfe stated he also does not support back pay.
Ald. Glazier moved to take $5,000 that was added to Maintenance of Buildings
and Grounds (Parks-Idle Isle) and reallocate it to the salary for the IT System
Administrator position. Ald. Madden seconded. Ald. Glazier stated he spoke with
both department heads. He believes increasing the salary may help to fill the position.
Ald. Borgman stated there is a significant amount of work that needs to be done at Idle
Isle. He opposes the reallocation. Ald. Soltysiak stated he prefers a comprehensive
plan be done for all the parks. He supports using the money to increase the salary.
Motion carried 5 in favor and 2 opposed with Ald. Madden, Schaumberg,
Soltysiak, Glazier and Wolfe voting yes and Ald. Borgman and Harenda voting no.
Reso. #094-2012, as amended, adopted 6 in favor and Ald. Harenda voting no.
Common Council Minutes 3
October 23, 2012
Reso. #095-2012 – Approval of 2013 Capital Budget. Ald. Glazier moved for
adoption. Ald. Schaumberg seconded. Ald. Soltysiak moved to place the Park
and Recreation improvements in the Capital Expenditure Budget rather than
being reflected in the Park Dedication Fund. Ms. Mueller stated it is more
appropriate to keep everything in the Park Dedication Account especially for tracking
and transparency purposes. Ald. Harenda seconded. Motion failed with Ald.
Madden, Schaumberg, Glazier and Borgman voting no and Ald. Soltysiak,
Harenda and Wolfe voting yes. Motion to adopt Reso. #095-2012 carried 7 in
favor.
Reso. #096-2012 – Approval of 2013 Sewer Utility Budget and Rates. Ald. Borgman
moved for adoption. Ald. Madden seconded. Motion carried 7 in favor.
Reso. #097-2012 – Approval of 2013 Water Utility Budget and Rates. Ald. Harenda
moved for adoption. Ald. Wolfe seconded. Motion carried 7 in favor.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ord. #1364 – An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 9, Section 9.14 (4), of the Municipal
Code of the City of Muskego (Open Fires Restricted). Second Reading. Ald. Harenda
moved for adoption. Ald. Schaumberg seconded. Motion carried 7 in favor.
REVIEW OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
The following minutes were reviewed: September 10, 2012 Parks & Recreation Board,
September 17, 2012 Public Works Committee and September 25, 2012 Finance
Committee.
LICENSES
Ald. Borgman moved to approve a Temporary License to Sell Fermented Malt
Beverages and Wine for Friends of the Muskego Public Library for November 9,
2012 Murder and Mayhem event. Ald. Wolfe seconded. Motion carried 7 in favor.
VOUCHER APPROVAL
Ald. Borgman moved for approval of payment of Utility Vouchers in the amount of
$358,563.29. Ald. Harenda seconded. Motion carried 7 in favor.
Ald. Borgman moved for approval of payment of General Fund Vouchers in the
amount of $306,740.21. Ald. Wolfe seconded. Motion carried 7 in favor.
Ald. Borgman moved for approval of payment of Wire Transfers for Debt Service
in the amount of $281,020.73. Ald. Harenda seconded. Motion carried 7 in favor.
Ald. Borgman moved for approval of payment of Wire Transfers for Payroll
Transmittals in the amount of $267,545.55. Ald. Harenda seconded. Motion
carried 7 in favor.
CITY OFFICIALS’ REPORTS
The November calendar was reviewed.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Common Council Minutes 4
October 23, 2012
Mayor Chiaverotti expressed her gratitude to all the Department Heads for the time they
invested in the budget process. The 2013 City tax rate is $4.40, which represents a one
cent reduction compared to 2012. The Mayor also thanked the Council members and
Director of Finance and Administration, Sharon Mueller. She noted that Sharon has
devoted many hours to complete the 2013 budgets.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Glazier moved to adjourn at 8:23 p.m. Ald. Madden seconded; motion
carried.
Minutes taken and transcribed by Jill Blenski, Deputy Clerk