FCM20100323
CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved 4/13/2010
FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES Audio Recording Available
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Muskego City Hall, Aldermen’s Room
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Committee Members Ald.
Werner and Snead were present. Also present: Deputy Clerk Blenski, Finance Director
Mueller, Ald. Harenda, Borgman, Schneider, and Schaumberg. Ald. Fiedler 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 March 19, 2010.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ald. Snead moved for approval of the March 9, 2010 minutes. Ald. Werner
seconded; motion carried.
LICENSE APPROVALS
Ald. Werner moved to recommend approval of a regular Operator’s License for
Mark Cahak, Audrea Heine, Charles Kalupa, Dawn Vretenar and William Zeck
subject to the licensing requirements being completed prior to issuance. Ald.
Snead seconded; motion carried.
Ald. Werner moved to recommend approval of a Temporary License to Sell
Fermented Malt Beverages on April 17 for Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W124
S9995 North Cape Road. The license is for the annual shrimp boil event. Ald. Snead
seconded; motion carried.
Ald. Snead moved to recommend approval of a Temporary License to Sell Wine
on May 15 for the Friends of the Muskego Public Library, S73 W16663 Janesville
Road. The Mayor stated that the license is for the annual wine tasting event that is held
to raise money for the library. Ald. Werner seconded; motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Review Information Regarding Recent Closing Hours Violation at Spitfires
Police Chief Geiszler was present to review information regarding a closing hours
violation that occurred at Spitfires in November. The license holder, Vera Pires, was
also present. The Chief gave a brief account of what happened. He stated that Ms.
Pires was recently found guilty in Muskego Municipal Court. Ms. Pires stated that she
and several other employees were present after closing. They were watching a movie
and finishing paperwork. Ms. Pires stated that as a result of the Janesville Road
reconstruction project, she would be leaving the property at the end of the month. Ald.
Werner reminded Ms. Pires that the laws must be followed especially if she intends to
relocate her business within the City.
Consider Request of Andrew Drefahl to Waive Plan Fees
Mayor Johnson stated a request was received from Mr. Drefahl to waive rezoning fees.
Mr. Drefahl has indicated that there was a commitment on the part of the City to
potentially waive fees associated with any rezonings that may occur as a result of the
Janesville Road reconstruction project. In addition, the property used to have a
commercial overlay, which the City removed. That made the property nonconforming
and Mr. Drefahl has indicated that he was not aware that the overlay was removed.
Finance Committee Meeting Page 2
March 23, 2010
The Mayor believes consideration should be given to provide some assistance to the
businesses that will be affected by the project. He believes a policy should be
established so there is equity. Ald. Werner agreed that the City should provide
assistance so the businesses do stay. He suggested that the fee be reduced by one
half. The rezonings will benefit the businesses so he does not support waiving the fee
entirely. Ald. Snead stated she wanted to be cautious about waiving or reducing fees
as she does not know how it will impact the City financially. The Mayor stated he did
not believe there would be that many rezonings. He noted that the rezonings are crucial
to many of the businesses because some are currently nonconforming. Ald. Werner
moved to establish the following policy: The City will charge one half the fee for
rezoning petitions for those businesses or residences that are in the Janesville
Road construction corridor for those individuals that apply from today forward.
The policy will be in effect until the end of the road reconstruction. Ald. Snead
seconded; motion carried.
Recommendation Regarding Proposed Ordinance to Amend Chapter 3, Section
3.03 (2) Relating to Payment of Vouchers
Mayor Johnson stated an ordinance is being proposed to address those times when the
Finance Committee and Common Council do not meet, such as at the end of the year.
The ordinance would allow the Mayor to approve vouchers in lieu of the Finance
Committee recommendation or Common Council approval. The Council would receive
a list of the approved vouchers at the next regular meeting. Currently, the Council
adopts a separate resolution to allow the Mayor to approve the vouchers when the
December meetings are canceled. If the ordinance were adopted, that would not be
necessary. The Mayor noted that the ordinance would also allow payment of vouchers
if meetings were canceled because there was a lack of a quorum. Special meetings
would not have to be rescheduled so the vouchers could be paid. Ald. Werner moved
to recommend approval. Ald. Snead seconded.
Ald. Borgman expressed concern about establishing this type of policy. He believes the
Council should approve the vouchers. He prefers that special meetings be held to do
so. The Council is ultimately responsible. Ald. Snead agreed and expressed concern
that there could be abuse in the future. The consensus of the Committee was to table
the issue at this time. Ald. Werner withdrew his motion. Ald. Snead withdrew the
second. Ald. Werner moved to table the proposed ordinance. Ald. Snead
seconded; motion carried.
Recommendation Authorizing a Grant from the Janesville Road Building and
Grant Program for Firestone, S73 W16610 Janesville Road
Mayor Johnson stated the Community Development Authority (CDA) recommended
approval of a $3,000 grant for Firestone. The grant has been requested to assist with
landscaping costs. Ald. Werner moved to recommend approval of a $3,000 grant
from the Janesville Road Building and Grant Program for Firestone. Ald. Snead
seconded; motion carried.
Recommendation to Award Bid for Holz Island Rip Rap Project- Little Muskego
Lake
The following bids were received:
Summerset Marine Construction $ 39,800.00
Hein’s Grading & Landscaping $ 48,448.00
Jerry’s Pier Service $ 52,184.90
Finance Committee Meeting Page 3
March 23, 2010
The Mayor stated that the City Forester has recommended that the low bid submitted by
Summerset Marine Construction be accepted. Ald. Werner moved to recommend
that the bid submitted by Summerset Marine Construction in the amount of
$39,800 be accepted. Ald. Snead seconded; motion carried.
Recommendation to Terminate Participation in the Wisconsin Length of Service
Award Program
Mayor Johnson stated the Common Council did approve participation in the State of
Wisconsin Length of Service Award Program for the Tess Corners Volunteer Fire
Department. The department has indicated that it misunderstood the program and
would like to discuss using the funds in another manner. The Mayor stated he had to
make an immediate decision to not participate in the program, which he did. The
department did not want to participate in the program and he did not want the City to
lose its $20,000 contribution. A decision could be made to participate in the program
next year. Ald. Snead and Werner both expressed their frustration with the
department’s decision to terminate participation in the program. Ald. Snead stated that
countless hours were spent researching and discussing the program because this is
what the membership wanted. Ald. Werner moved to terminate participation in the
Wisconsin Length of Service Award Program at the request of the Tess Corners
Volunteer Fire Department. Ald. Snead seconded; motion carried.
Recommendation Regarding Letter of Credit Reduction for Muskego Commerce
Center East I
The Mayor stated that the City Engineer has recommended the letter of credit reduction.
Ald. Werner moved to recommend a letter of credit reduction for Muskego
Commerce Center East I in the amount of $366,648.18. Ald. Snead seconded;
motion carried.
VOUCHER APPROVAL
Ald. Snead moved to recommend approval of Utility Vouchers in the amount
$2,658,807.12. Ald. Werner seconded; motion carried.
Ald. Snead moved to recommend approval of General Vouchers in the amount of
$286,060.76. Ald. Werner seconded; motion carried.
FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Mueller stated that she would have the 2009 fourth quarter results as well as the
annual outcome for the operating budget at the next Committee meeting; the numbers
will be subject to change until the audit is completed. The numbers look positive.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Snead moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:13 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Werner;
motion carried.
Jill Blenski, CMC
Deputy Clerk