FM20070828
CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved 9/11/2007
FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES Audio Recording Available
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Muskego City Hall, Aldermen’s Room
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:45 PM. In attendance: Committee
Members Ald. Melcher, Borgman and Werner, City Administrator Sheiffer, Clerk-
Treasurer Moyer, Finance Department Supervisor Mueller, Plan Director Muenkel, Ald.
Fiedler and Schaefer, Deputy Clerk Blenski and those per the attached sheet. Ald.
Pavelko arrived during the meeting.
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
REVIEW OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Ald. Melcher moved for approval of minutes of 8/14/2007. Ald. Borgman
seconded; motion carried.
LICENSE APPROVALS
Ald. Borgman moved to recommend approval of an original Operator’s License
for Richard Andrews, Jesse Helm, Jamie Kieliszewski, Amber Puranen and John
Williams subject to the licensing requirements being completed prior to issuance
and to recommend approval of renewal of the following Operators’ Licenses:
Jason Bradley, Jacquelyn Corso, Gary Cropper and Andrew Peterson. Ald.
Werner seconded; motion carried.
Ms. Tracy Williams appeared before the Committee as the new agent for the Class “B”
Beer/”Class C” Wine License held by Beef’s Muskego, Inc. (d/b/a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s). Her
husband, John Williams, is the current agent. The corporation has appointed her as the
agent as she will now be spending more time at the establishment than Mr. Williams.
Ald. Borgman moved to recommend approval of Tracy Williams as the new agent
for Beef’s Muskego, Inc. Ald. Melcher seconded; motion carried.
Ms. Webber appeared before the Committee on behalf of her husband, the agent for the
Brickhouse Bar & Grill, S64 W18295 Martin Drive. An application for an outside dance
permit and request to amend the licensed premises were submitted. The establishment
has requested to have music outside from 4:00 PM until 10:00 PM and would like to
have the front parking lot licensed from noon until 10:00 PM on September 8, 2007. No
complaints were on file for the event the Brickhouse held last year. Ald. Werner noted
that consideration should be given for the residential neighbors. Ald. Werner moved to
recommend approval of an outside dance permit and amendment to licensed
premise for Brickhouse Bar & Grill as requested. Ald. Borgman seconded;
motion carried.
PERIODIC REVIEW
The periodic review for Sheena Rich did not reveal any new violations.
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August 28, 2007 Page 2
OLD BUSINESS
Review and Recommendation Regarding Ordinance to Amend Chapter 22
An ordinance drafted by Atty. Molter to repeal and recreate Chapter 22 of the Municipal
Code was presented. Ald. Fiedler approved the proposed language. Ald. Borgman
moved to recommend approval. Ald. Melcher seconded; motion carried. The
Mayor stated that first reading of the ordinance would be placed on the September 11
Council agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Presentation of the Annual Audit Report by Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP
Mr. Donald Vilione of Virchow, Krause & Company reviewed an Executive Summary of
the 2006 Audit of the City’s Financial Statements. The audit went very well and the
City’s financial condition improved this past year. Mr. Vilione gave a brief overview of
the audit process. Virchow, Krause, currently prepares the City’s financial statements;
however, it is the goal of the Finance Department Supervisor to prepare them internally
in the future. Mr. Vilione complimented Ms. Mueller and her staff on the excellent
condition of the City’s records, their readiness for the audit and the cooperation
extended to the audit team.
Review and Recommendation Regarding Subdivider’s Agreement and Letter of
Credit - Rustic Trails Subdivision
Mr. Muenkel stated the development of this subdivision located just south of Field Drive
has been in process for quite some time. Finalization of the development is now ready
for approval. Ald. Borgman moved to recommend approval of the Subdivider’s
Agreement and Letter of Credit for the Rustic Trails Subdivision. Ald. Melcher
seconded; motion carried.
Discuss City’s Policies Regarding Issuance of Fireworks Permits
Resident Tom Nowicki was present and supports a ban on the discharge of fireworks.
The discharge of fireworks is annoying, dangerous and difficult for pets. No other
neighboring municipality issues permits for the discharge of fireworks. Mr. Nowicki
stated he and his wife conducted a survey of 161 residents. Of that number, 121
favored a ban. Enforcement is extremely difficult. Every year seems to get worse. Ald.
Fiedler stated he received calls from other constituents who registered complaints
regarding fireworks. He believes there are changes that could be made to the current
ordinance. Ald. Fiedler suggests reviewing enforcement procedures, possibly
increasing the fine and/or the permit fee and reducing the number of days available for
discharge.
Resident Dave Taube expressed a different philosophy. He objects to the suggestion to
reduce the number of days that would be allowed for discharge especially when the
holiday falls during the week. Other nuisances exist that may be just as annoying. As a
former alderman, he can relate to receiving complaints. There are still complaints in
municipalities that do not issue permits. He does not believe that banning fireworks will
eliminate the problems. Mr. Taube stated there would still be enforcement issues. He
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August 28, 2007 Page 3
is in favor of leaving the ordinance the way it is and also opposes changing the
insurance requirements.
Ald. Borgman also noted that he has received complaints from constituents. Mayor
Johnson stated that issuing permits does create problems. Increasing the permit fee
and the fine may help as well as reducing the number of days. He understands Mr.
th
Taube’s point regarding when the holiday falls but the holiday is only one day, the 4 of
July. Enforcement is also an issue. Ald. Werner stated that he also has received
complaints but the reality is that there are people that do enjoy fireworks. They go out
of their way to obtain a permit and follow the rules. It is not fair that they should be
penalized. Issuing permits for fireworks is part of the culture of Muskego; he does not
support eliminating them. Ald. Fiedler suggested obtaining complaint and citation
information from the Police Department. Mayor Johnson stated the item would be
placed on the next agenda. Ald. Melcher requested that the Clerk’s office compile a list
of the number of permits issued in the last five years.
Review and Recommendation Regarding Agreement with Planning and Design
Institute, Inc. (PDI) for Janesville Road Streetscaping Planning/Design
Mr. Muenkel stated the City went through the RFP process and interviewed consultants
to provide the planning and design of streetscaping elements along Janesville Road in
conjunction with its reconstruction. The consultant chosen was Planning and Design
Institute and a proposed agreement can now be approved. Mr. Brian Peterson of PDI
was present. The expenses that will be incurred this year (estimated to be $24,000) will
be taken from capital borrowing. Several public informational meetings will be held.
Meeting notification will be the responsibility of the City. Ald. Melcher stated input from
the entire community is needed and not just the people on Janesville Road. Ald.
Melcher moved to recommend approval of the Agreement with Planning and
Design Institute, Inc. Ald. Borgman seconded; motion carried.
Request Committee Recommendation to Purchase Optical Scan Insight Vote
Tabulator from Command Central and Adoption of an Ordinance Creating
Sections 1.9(4) and (5) of the Municipal Code of the City of Muskego to Provide
for the Canvassing of Absentee Ballots for All Elections in the City of Muskego by
the Municipal Board of Absentee Ballot Canvassers
City Clerk-Treasurer Moyer was present to request the purchase of equipment and a
change to the Municipal Code to allow the processing of absentee ballots in one
location (referred to as “central count”). The number of absentee ballots has increased
in the last few years because of public awareness and promotion by the major political
parties. Ms. Moyer is proposing to begin using central count for the 2008 elections.
The purchase of an Optical Scan Insight vote tabulator from Command Central at a cost
of $5,100 would be necessary. The proposed ordinance sets forth the establishment of
a Municipal Board of Absentee Ballot Canvassers who will process the ballots on
Election Day. Ald. Melcher stated he strongly supports this proposal. He experienced
working at one of the polling places at the last Presidential election and can attest that it
is a long and arduous day. Ms. Moyer stated that processing the absentee ballots at
the polling places has become too difficult especially during the larger elections. Ald.
Melcher moved to recommend approval of the $5,100 expenditure for the Optical
Scan Insight vote tabulator subject to adoption of the proposed ordinance to
amend Chapter 1. Ald. Borgman seconded; motion carried. It was noted that
funding for the purchase was available in the capital equipment account. Ms. Moyer
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August 28, 2007 Page 4
was told that if the order for the equipment was placed in September, it would be
received in December.
Review and Recommendation Regarding Eligibility for Exemption from the
County Library Tax Levy for 2008
Ald. Melcher moved to recommend approval. Ald. Borgman seconded; motion
carried.
VOUCHER APPROVAL
Ald. Melcher moved to recommend approval of General Vouchers in the amount
of $464,189.26. Ald. Borgman seconded; motion carried.
Ald. Melcher moved to recommend approval of Utility Vouchers in the amount of
$64,122.28. Ald. Borgman seconded; motion carried.
Ald. Melcher moved to recommend approval of Tax Checks in the amount of
$66.12. Ald. Borgman seconded; motion carried.
Ald. Melcher moved to recommend approval of Wire Transfers for Debt Service in
the amount of $86,197.50. Ald. Borgman seconded; motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Borgman moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 PM. Seconded by Ald.
Melcher; motion carried.
Jill Blenski, CMC
Deputy Clerk