FM20060627
CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved
FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES Audio Recording Available
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
6:00 PM Muskego City Hall, Aldermen’s Room
W182 S8200 Racine Ave.
Mayor Damaske called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM. In attendance were Committee Members Ald.
Salentine, Ald. Madden, and Ald. Schroeder, City Administrator Sheiffer, Finance Supervisor Mueller, Parks
and Recreation Director Anderson, Police Lieutenant LaTour, Planning Director Muenkel, Parks and
Recreation Program Manager Dunn, Assistant Superintendent of Sewer and Water Utilities Mayer, Ald.
Borgman, Recording Secretary Warhanek, and those per attached sheet. Ald. Melcher, Ald. Buckmaster,
and Ald. Snead arrived during the meeting.
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
The meeting was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law on June 23, 2006.
REVIEW OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the June 13, 2006 Finance Committee Meeting were reviewed. Ald. Salentine moved to
approve the minutes. Seconded by Ald. Madden. Ald. Schroeder requested the following correction:
“Action on purchasing flag poles for City Hall property” (correction changing poles to pole). Mr. Korth, of the
American Legion Horn Brothers Post #356, has contacted Ald. Schroeder inquiring if the City would be
interested, at the Legion Post’s expense, in placing a yardarm on the existing flagpole at City Hall. The
yardarm would display the five flags of the branches of Service. If this is done, the flagpole approved at the
June 13, 2006 Finance Meeting, would have to be installed to allow room for the yardarm. Ald. Schroeder
asked that the purchase of the second flagpole approved at the June 13, 2006 Finance Meeting be put off
until the decision on the yardarm is made. The placement of the second pole is critical. Discussion (update)
on the flagpole for City Hall property will be added to the July 11, 2006 Finance Agenda. Also, added to the
agenda will be the placing of a yardarm on the existing flagpole at City Hall. Motion carried 3 - 0.
LICENSE APPROVALS
Recommend approval of Operator’s Licenses
Ald. Salentine moved to recommend approval of Operator’s License for Anna Mary Adkinson and
Marianne Ekstrand, subject to receipt of fees, favorable police report, and verification of schooling.
Seconded by Ald. Schroeder. Motion carried 3 – 0.
After reviewing Police Report with Susan Sankey, Ald. Salentine moved to recommend approval of
Operator’s License for Susan Sankey subject to receipt of fees, verification of schooling, and three,
six, nine, and twelve month reviews. Seconded by Ald. Schroeder. Motion carried 3 – 0.
Ald. Salentine moved to recommend approval of Renewal Operator’s License for Alissa Beyer,
Angela Geraci, Jan Kuzmic, Lisa Schwarz, Gursewak Singh, Lisa Maciosek, Sandra Rakowski,
Heather Stigler, Nicholas Schmidt, Kathleen Heinz, and Tammy Pulczinske, subject to receipt of fees
and favorable police report. Seconded by Ald. Schroeder. Motion carried 3 – 0.
Ald Salentine moved to recommend approval of Operator’s License for Katrina Chesnik subject to
receipt of fees, favorable police report, and verification of schooling. Seconded by Ald. Madden.
Motion carried 3 – 0.
REVIEW 2006 – 2007 LICENSE APPLICATIONS
“Class B” Retailers’ License for the Sale of Fermented Malt Beverages and Intoxicating Liquors
Waterway Marker License
Ald. Salentine moved to recommend approval of 2006 – 2007 “Class B” Retailers’ License for the Sale
of Fermented Malt Beverages and Intoxicating Liquors for Muskego Gateway Entertainment Complex,
LLC. and Waterway Marker License for Muskego Shores Community Association. Seconded by Ald.
Schroeder. Motion carried 3 – 0.
Finance Committee Meeting
June 27, 2006 - Page 2
Approved
PERIODIC LICENSE REVIEW
Three-month review – Kevin Dobson – Operator’s License - In response to the Record Check Form
submitted by the Clerk-Treasurers Office the Muskego Police Department reported no new violations.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Continue discussion of feedback and recommendations to Merit Incentive Program for Non-rep
Group - The Employee Performance Review Committee consisting of Parks and Recreation Director
Anderson, Planning Director Muenkel, Police Lt. LaTour, Park and Recreation Program Manger Dunn, and
Assistant Superintendent of Sewer and Water Utilities Mayer, were present to discuss the May 23, 2006
Finance Committee Merit Pay Increase recommendation. Parks and Recreation Director Anderson
presented a history of Pay for Performance Plan, and the Committee’s objectives, examples of how Merit
Pay increase cuts would affect non-rep employees, and Committee’s feeling on the issue (see attached).
Ald. Schroeder mentioned that last year Council set out realizing the need to reduce taxes and more
specifically the wages and benefits of non-represented employees in these tax trying times. The Council
needs to be fiscally responsible to the citizens. He stated that if you look at the old spreadsheet, the pay
portion, there is a savings of approximately $5,000.00. If you add in the merit incentive days it is a
$28,500.00 increase from what is being paid out under the current program. With that being the case Ald.
Schroeder would like to stay with the current program of up to 4.0%. Parks and Recreation Director
Anderson stated he did not think the committee or employee group would have a problem with that. Parks
and Recreation Director Anderson stated what the committee did was looked at how it would affect the
operating budget in real dollars. At the end of the year there is not an increase cost the City has to pay for
other than lost productivity. How do you measure that? Discussion continued on productivity, measuring
productivity cost, and what the Employee Committee looked at, at the end of the year. The Employee
Committee looked at what the employee values and that is money and time off. Parks and Recreation
Director Anderson made reference to the two spreadsheets distributed forecasting into 2007. The
Committee went with 1.00 % less than last year showing a projected savings of roughly $19,627.00 and
0.75% less showing a project savings of roughly $14,182.00. The Aldermen could apply merit days off dollar
cost. The difference between the new spreadsheet and the old spreadsheet was it applied to 2006 dollars
and was trying to take employees in the old system and putting them in a like category and into the average
percentage. The old spreadsheet does not accurately reflect the cost savings with the new incentive
program. In answer to Ald. Schroeder’s question on how the Aldermen have accomplished their goal, Parks
and Recreation Director Anderson replied that the Committee was asked to create a performance tool that
was better than the old and that was done. In going away from the current procedure the Committee has
accomplished that in showing a cost savings of approximately $14,000.00 to $20,000.00. The Committee
did not look at days off as being a dollar for dollar value that the taxpayer would have to foot the bill at the
end of the year. The Committee has been working on the proposed Performance Evaluation Form and
Performance Incentive Program for Non-rep Group for six months and you can’t say that because of this
something else did not get done within the Department. Parks and Recreation Director Anderson stated the
rd
Committee felt that the cuts made on May 23 were too severe as far as the merit portion. With these
proposed cuts, an average employee could expect to take fourteen to twenty-four years to just move from
midpoint to their maximum salary range. The Employee Committee felt this was too severe. Ald. Schroeder
disagreed and thought merit days off have to be a dollar for dollar cost. Discussion ensued on backfilling a
position, noting there is no backfilling. Ald. Buckmaster felt you do need to put a value to a merit day off. He
felt the only way to getting to the point where the City can save is by setting a fixed amount for merit
increases before the next year’s tax levy is set and then having the Mayor and City Administrator distribute
proportionately. Ald. Melcher mentioned that when you talk about productivity and no time off, generally
taking time off makes an employee more productive. Ald. Melcher stated that if you limit the merit increase
to 1.0 % you are basically saying to the group go out and buy six gallons of gas every two weeks (based on
$3.00 per gallon) for your merit pay raise. This is not much in terms of what you are talking about. There is
no incentive to the employee as far as moving up the scale. Parks and Recreation Director Anderson stated
that the 4.0 % percent maximum in the existing policy compounded year after year. With the merit days off
you have to use it during the year or lose it at the end of the year. Ald. Madden mentioned that sometimes
she thinks corporate politics are brought into City politics a little too much. In the corporate world pay scales
are usually quite a bit higher. She stated the Employee Committee did a good job and that merit days off are
a good thing especially when you do not have to backfill them. Ald. Salentine agreed with Ald. Madden and
Ald. Melcher. She thinks the fixed amount mentioned by Ald. Buckmaster as penalizing the non-reps. Ald.
Borgman stated that the non-rep employees receive C.O.L.A. (cost of living adjustment) on top of an
incentive. He finds this out of line. He brings in the corporate world because that is where he lives.
Finance Committee Meeting
June 27, 2006 - Page 3
Approved
Continue - Continue discussion of feedback and recommendations to Merit Incentive Program for
Non-rep Group
When you take in the benefits received he thinks the non-reps compensation is very good. At some point
you have to draw the line. Lt. LaTour discussed retention, keeping good employees. He made reference to
an article in U.S.A. Today. He mentioned how quickly an employee with a four year degree leaves in the
corporate world. The average pay in the corporate world is $82,300.00. The average pay referenced for
non-reps is $60,000.00. If you do not have some type of incentive, retention is going to be an issue. Parks
and Recreation Director Anderson said when you look at C.O.L.A. it just maintains your percentage of
midpoint within your salary range. You do not move through that salary range without merit. Ald. Schroeder
disagreed with Lt. LaTour. Ald. Salentine moved to recommend approval of Employee Performance
Review Committee’s recommendation for merit pay increases. Seconded by Ald. Madden. Motion
carried 2 – 1. Ald. Schroeder voting no.
NEW BUSINESS
Recommend approval to change insurance requirement for Water Bugs Ski Team –Ald. Salentine
moved to recommend approval of the omission of the $10,000.00 Medical Expense portion of the
agreement. Seconded by Ald. Madden. The Parks and Recreation Board is recommending for approval
changing the insurance requirements for the Water Bugs Ski Team. Recommended is the omission of the
$10,000.00 Medical Expense portion of the agreement, Section 15, sub section Liability Insurance, line item
Medical Expense $10,000.00. The Ski Team was unable to obtain the $10,000.00 medical expense portion
of the agreement. The $10,000.00 Medical Benefits portion of the requirement is covered under the
$1,000,000.00 liability requirement. Mr. Christopher, President of the Water Bugs Ski Team, was present to
answer committee questions. A claim has to be filed when the medical benefits portion of the requirement is
covered under the $1,000,000.00 liability requirement. A letter from the Water Bugs Ski Team insurance
carrier explaining their position was attached to the letter from Parks and Recreation Director Anderson. The
Agreement with the Water Bugs states “The Water Bugs shall hold harmless and indemnify the City from any
such costs, claims, damages, expense and liabilities and shall further maintain in force at all times during the
term hereof, a policy of public liability insurance insuring itself and the City against injury to property, person
or loss of life arising out of use and occupancy of the premises and the Water Bugs shall furnish to the City,
as requested annually, a certificate of said insurance.” Motion carried 3 – 0.
Approve purchase of officer equipment – portable radio earpieces – Mr. Ziegler of In-Pro Corporation,
upon graduation from the first Citizens Academy Class of 2006, had donated $5,000.00 to the Police
Department to be spent on officer/department equipment. Police Chief Johnson would like to use part of
these donated monies, $1,500.00, to purchase Motorola earpieces designed for the portable radios. At
present, officers are using inexpensive earpieces to listen to radio transmissions. The earpieces are
uncomfortable and do not have the switching on/off capability. The officers would also be able to benefit
from the use of the new earpieces when talking to potential suspects who would be able to hear the
transmission the officer is sharing over the radio. The earpieces also provide the officer the ability to listen to
transmissions in high noise situations when they would normally not be able to receive the transmission.
Ald. Salentine moved to approve the purchase of new portable radio earpieces. Seconded by Ald.
Madden. It was noted that the approximate total cost to replace the portable radio earpieces is $1,500.00.
Motion carried 3 – 0.
Recommend approval of Agreement with Jani-King for Cleaning Services – Ald. Salentine moved to
recommend approval of the 2006 Cleaning Service Agreement with Jani-King at a per month cost of:
City Hall $2,087.00 Town Hall $ 352.00
Police Department $1,678.00 Parks Facilities (May 1 – September 30, 2006) $2,599.00
Library $2,960.00
Seconded by Ald. Madden. Ald. Schroeder requested, since the same person that will be cleaning the
Municipal Garage is currently cleaning the Parks Garages, research combining the cleaning of both as a
non-employee. Currently the person is cleaning the Parks Garage as a part-time employee. He would be
cleaning the Municipal Garage as a non-employee. Motion carried 3 – 0.
Finance Committee Meeting
June 27, 2006 - Page 4
Approved
Recommend approval-authorizing expenditure for Public Works’ employees availability to perform
labor at Wollmann House and Old School House and recommendation concerning approval of
Agreement with Muskego Historical Society concerning reimbursement from the Muskego Historical
Society for said work to be performed – Ald. Buckmaster stated the Public Works Committee has
approved for direct public construction under City Charter Ordinance # 4 the work necessary to complete the
repairs for the Wollmann House and Old School House located at the Settlement Center by the Public Works
staff. The Charter Ordinance allows any class of public construction or any part thereof to be done directly
by the City without submitting the same for bids. It is being presented to the Finance Committee for their
approval of the financial arrangements. Ald. Schroeder moved to approve for discussion. Seconded by
Ald. Salentine. The entire Settlement Center is treated as one project, one tax key number assigned.
Therefore the repairs are treated as part of the total project. It was explained why volunteer help cannot also
exist. An Ad Hoc Committee is being formed to research and make recommendations to the Common
Council in regard to current questions/issues and other issues as they come up. Mr. Roman, President of
the Historical Society stated he was at the Settlement Center the day Engineering/Building Inspector Director
McMullen and Public Works Superintendent Delikat were there to assess repair work needed.
Engineering/Building Inspection Director McMullen estimated the cost as follows:
Labor Component 4 men at 8 hrs a day for 5 days 160 hours at $34.00 per hour $ 5,440.00
Material Component Miscellaneous lumber and material $4,000.00 $ 4,000.00
15% Contingency $ 1,416.00
Total $10,856.00
The 15% contingency was added because the material component is an estimate and may be increased
depending on actual amounts of rotten materials found in the School House. Mr. Roman took a poll of the
members of his committee and working with these numbers was not out of line and should move forward
with repairs. Repairs can begin after Common Council approval (on Common Council agenda tonight for
approval) and a signed letter is received from the Historical Society agreeing that reimbursement not to
exceed $10,856.00 shall be paid to the City by the Society within five days of the completion of the direct
public construction. Discussion continued on procedure if an additional dollar amount was needed for
completion. It is Ald. Buckmaster understanding through Public Works Superintendent Delikat and
Engineering/Building Inspector McMullen that this was a fairly obvious repair, no hidden repairs. They were
very confident with repair costs, also there was the contingency built in. So hopefully the cost will be minus
the contingency. City Administrator Sheiffer pointed out to the Finance Committee the wording in the
Resolution that states, “Whereas, The Finance Committee has reviewed the cost estimates reflected above
and has recommended approval necessary for the completion of the work as described in Attachment “A”
and clarified what the document states. The Finance Committee is approving the completion of work as
listed in Attachment “A”. The Historical Society will pay a not to exceed amount, if it goes over the City is
responsible. If something is not on the list the scope will change. Attachment “A” does not include any
painting, staining, deck finishing, caulk or prep work for the final finishes to the reconstruction area. These
are considered maintenance and can be done by volunteers. All Finance Committee Members were in
favor of repair.
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS - None
RELEASE OF FUNDS - None
REDUCTION IN LETTER OF CREDIT - None
VOUCHER APPROVAL
Recommend approval of voucher report – The Finance Committee reviewed General Vouchers of
$912,217.82, Utility Vouchers of $172,252.55, Tax Vouchers of $79.95, and Big Muskego Lake Vouchers of
$25.14. Ald. Madden presented Ald. Salentine’s questions (Ald. Salentine was excused to interview
Operator License applicant Katrina Chesnik, see License Approvals). In response to the questions it was
noted that under Arenz, Molter, Macy and Riffle the invoice for $2,737.50 noted as misc. Atty/Town Hall
included discussion between the Public Works Chairman and the Attorney in developing an understanding of
the public bid. There were other miscellaneous charges not involving the Town Hall included in the amount.
In regard to the City of Muskego voucher for $500,000.00 Finance Supervisor Mueller stated a treasury note
was cashed in and a Certificate of Deposit was opened. It was asked that the voucher to Scott Kugi for All
Sport Camp be clarified to verify if the $6,406.50 paid was to him or to the school district for the use of their
facility. Ald. Salentine moved for approval of payment of vouchers. Seconded by Ald. Madden.
Motion carried 3 – 0.
Finance Committee Meeting
June 27, 2006 - Page 5
Approved
CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S
FINANCE SUPERVISOR’S REPORT - None
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
ADJOURNMENT – Being no further business, Ald. Madden moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 PM.
Seconded by Ald. Salentine. Motion carried 3 - 0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carolyn Warhanek
Recording Secretary