FCM20100511
CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved 5/25/2010
FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Muskego City Hall, Aldermen’s Room
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Committee Members Ald.
Snead, Fiedler and Werner were present. Also present: Ald. Harenda, Borgman,
Schaumberg and Soltysiak, Finance Director Mueller, Deputy Clerk Blenski. Those
present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The Deputy stated that the meeting was
noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting Law.
LICENSE APPROVALS
Ald. Snead moved to recommend approval of a regular Operator’s License for
Johanna K. Ackmann, Erin L. Aune, Joe M. Boeck, Amy R. Bradley, Jessica L.
Carroll, Jose Claudio, Mary C. DeBattista, Danielle A. DeGroot, Michael J. Goerg,
Madeline E. Hardin, Kathleen A. Heinz, Carlal Herbeck, Robert D. Hinners, Robert
T. Hinners, Josephine C. Krajewski, Joy A. Kuhns, Alyssa L. Kutil, Scott D. Lago,
Daniel L. Morse, Kristine M. Nimmer, Joseph S. Ouellette, Brooke E. Padberg,
Nicole C. Scheitinger, Gerald J. Sewalish, Kevin M. Sheridan, Rashpal Singh,
Mark R. Sprott, Sandy J. Woida and Dana Zorich subject to the licensing
requirements being completed prior to issuance. Ald. Fiedler seconded; motion
carried.
Ms. Christi Pryor was present on behalf of Callen Construction. An application was
submitted for a temporary license to sell fermented malt beverages and wine for July 8,
2010. Callen Construction will again be the site of a fashion show event, which is a
fundraiser to benefit Commonground Ministry/Elena’s House and the National Kidney
Foundation. This is the third year the event will be held. Ald. Snead moved to
recommend approval of Temporary License to Sell Fermented Malt Beverages
and Wine for Common Ground Ministry for July 8, 2010 with the event to be held
at Callen Construction, S63 W13131 Janesville Road. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler;
motion carried.
Mr. Scott Lago was present on behalf of the Muskego Lions Club. An application was
submitted for a temporary license to sell fermented malt beverages for June 25 and 26,
2010 at Idle Isle Park. Mr. Lago stated this is the second year for the Muskego Lions
Lake Fest, with Friday evening being added. Ald. Snead stated that she would
abstain because her husband is on the Lions Club Board. Ald. Fiedler moved to
recommend approval of a Temporary License to Sell Fermented Malt Beverages
for Muskego Lions Club for June 25 and 26, 2010 with the event to be held at Idle
Isle Park. Ald. Werner seconded; motion carried, with Ald. Snead abstaining.
NEW BUSINESS
Review and Recommendation Regarding the City’s Official Newspaper
The Deputy Clerk stated that the following two bids were submitted:
Finance Committee Meeting Page 2
May 11, 2010
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Muskego-New Berlin Now)
stnd
1 2
Insertion Insertion
Per Line
Council Proceedings $ 0.58 $ 0.47
City’s Legal Notices $ 0.58 $ 0.47
Per Column Inch
For Display Ads, Sample Ballots,
and Other Matter Set in a Display Format $ 4.70 $ 4.27
Affidavit $1.00 each
Southern Lakes Newspapers, LLC (Muskego Chronicle)
stnd
1 2
Insertion Insertion
Per Line
Council Proceedings $ 0.55 $ 0.45
City’s Legal Notices $ 0.55 $ 0.45
Per Column Inch
Council Proceedings $5.50 $4.50
City’s Legal Notices $5.50 $4.50
Per Column Inch
Display Rate $ 5.25
Affidavit $1.00 each
She stated that both publications are qualified. While the per line bid submitted by the
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is higher, the per column inch and display rate are lower.
The Mayor’s concern is the circulation of the Muskego Chronicle, which is only 679.
The circulation of the Muskego-New Berlin Now is 8,919. The circulation figures are
provided by the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
Discussion took place and the following comments were made:
Muskego-New Berlin Now contains more news about New Berlin than Muskego.
You can’t go to the store and purchase the Now.
You can only obtain the Now if you purchase the Thursday Milwaukee Journal.
The Now should be placed in the Thursday Milwaukee Journals that are available
for individual sale.
Ald. Fiedler moved to recommend acceptance of the bid submitted by the
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel because of the circulation. Ald. Snead seconded;
motion carried. The Mayor stated he would contact the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to
see if the Muskego-New Berlin Now could be made more accessible.
Finance Committee Meeting Page 3
May 11, 2010
Review Request for Reimbursement – Steve Polivka
Mayor Johnson stated that a City plow truck slid on the ice and hit Mr. Polivka’s car on
Parker Drive. He stated that Mr. Polivka is requesting reimbursement in the amount of
$815.40 to cover the repair costs as well as rental car costs he incurred. The City will
submit the claim to the insurance company so the amount goes towards the deductible.
Ald. Fiedler moved to approve the reimbursement. Ald. Werner seconded; motion
carried.
Review and Recommendation to Continue with School Resource Officer Program
for the 2010-2011 School Year
The Mayor noted that the school district has indicated its intent to continue the program.
The Police Department also supports the program’s continuation. Ald. Werner moved
to recommend continuation of the program. Ald. Snead seconded; motion
carried. Ald. Snead stated that the program was discontinued in Franklin because of
budget cuts. She believes the program provides many benefits and supports its
continuation.
Review and Recommendation Regarding City Participation in Purchase of New
Berlin Land
Community Development Director Muenkel was present. He stated that the Little
Muskego Lake District, Little Muskego Lake Association and Muskego Lakes
Conservancy would like to purchase a 40-acre parcel of land in New Berlin. The
property contains a stream that leads to Little Muskego Lake. The organizations would
like to initiate remediation along the streambank. The Cities of Muskego and New
Berlin are being asked to participate in the purchase. The City’s Conservation
Commission has recommended an expenditure up to $20,000 to be used towards the
purchase. The City’s Conservation Coordinator did convey some issues to the
Conservation Commission regarding the purchase (see attached). Mr. Muenkel noted
that the City of New Berlin has not committed any funding for the purchase to date.
Mr. Ron Ford was present to support the purchase. He stated that the Little Muskego
Lake organizations and some individual members have spent about a half million dollars
over the past decade to acquire land along the two main tributaries to the lake. The
parcel that the organizations are interested in is located on the southeast corner of
Calhoun Road and Beloit Road. They feel strongly that purchasing this property would
allow restoration of the stream, which currently contributes a great deal of sediment to
the lake when it rains. An application has been submitted to the DNR for a stewardship
grant, which would pay for half of the purchase price of $480,000. The lake
organizations will contribute $200,000, which leaves a shortfall of $40,000. The City of
New Berlin would like to eventually put a walking trail through the property because it is
adjacent to Calhoun Park. The property owners adjacent to this property are
enthusiastic about the proposal and do not want to see it developed for business use.
Ald. Werner stated he supports the purchase; the lake needs to be protected because it
is one of our greatest resources. Mr. Ford also noted that the property would provide
the Lake District with a permanent place to deposit the weeds that are harvested from
the lake. Ald. Werner moved to recommend that the City participate in the
purchase for an amount not to exceed $20,000. Ald. Snead seconded; motion
carried. Mayor Johnson stated he supports the purchase as well.
Finance Committee Meeting Page 4
May 11, 2010
Review and Recommendation Regarding the Designation of Public Depositories
and Authorizing Withdrawal of City Monies
The Deputy Clerk stated the proposed resolution that will be before the Council
designates all the public depositories that could be utilized and identifies the individuals
that can sign checks. The Deputy Clerk, as interim Clerk-Treasurer, and Mayor
Johnson would be the authorized signatories. Ald. Fiedler moved to recommend
approval. Ald. Werner seconded; motion carried.
VOUCHER APPROVAL
Ald. Snead moved to recommend approval of Utility Vouchers in the amount
$171,100.82. Ald. Fiedler seconded; motion carried.
Ald. Snead moved to recommend approval of Tax Vouchers in the amount of
$1,079.00. Ald. Fiedler seconded; motion carried.
Ald. Snead moved to recommend approval of General Vouchers in the amount of
$382,540.06. Ald. Fiedler seconded; motion carried.
FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Mueller reported that the health risk assessments took place last week as part of
the City’s Wellness Program; there was a 98% participation rate. Overall, the feedback
from staff was positive.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Snead moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler
seconded; motion carried.
Jill Blenski, CMC
Deputy Clerk
Finance Committee Meeting Page 5
May 11, 2010
CITY OF MUSKEGO
Staff Report to Finance & Common Council
April 27, 2010 Meeting
To: Common Council and Finance Committee
From: Tom Zagar, Conservation Coordinator
Subject: City Participation in Purchase of New Berlin Land
Date: April 20, 2010
Background Information:
At the April 19th Conservation Commission meeting representatives from the Little Muskego Lake District, Little
Muskego Lake Association, and Muskego Lakes Conservancy sought a recommendation of financial support for the
purchase of a 40-acre parcel in the City of New Berlin. The Commission voted 5-1 to recommend spending up to
$20,000 of Muskego’s conservation funds on the purchase.
I however conveyed some reservations I have, which I would like Finance and Council to know as well before
making a decision.
-The lake district’s motivation for acquiring the property is twofold: to protect lands in the watershed and to
secure a place to tip and compost lake weeds from Little Muskego Lake. A tributary water to Little
Muskego Lake, known as Calhoun Creek, and an outfall from a retention basin, run through the proposed
property. I feel watershed land preservation is definitely a positive for helping improve lake water quality.
However the property has no other natural resource attributes (no significant woodland or wetlands) that
would merit a high conservation priority status.
-Fay Amerson, who works as an environmental consultant for the Lake District, walked the property with
me a few weeks ago and saw extensive erosion to the stream banks. Ms. Amerson estimated that it would
cost over $250,000 to remediate the stream banks and there are no immediate plans of how remediation of
the property will take place once it is bought OR how the remediation efforts will be paid for. Much of the
land is currently utilized as a Christmas tree farm but the trees are not in a healthy flourishing conditions
and doubt if the trees will have any value.
-My biggest concern is that the City of New Berlin’s April 12, 2010 Park, Recreation, and Forestry meeting
did not vote to recommend financial support of the project ($20,000 was requested from them as well).
This land lies directly adjacent to their Calhoun Park and would add significant conservancy and open
space to their community. Their committee did however vote to recommend a letter of support of the
purchase. They have concerns from the neighbors regarding the use as a tipping area for lake weeds and
New Berlin Alderman Ament and Alderman Harenda intend to hold a neighborhood meeting on the issue
April 28, 2010 at 6 pm in the New Berlin Council chambers. If the community of New Berlin is not fully
behind the project and has made no offer to help financially I feel Muskego may not want to be making this
expenditure.
-Muskego has limited funds in its dedicated conservation account (which contractually derived from
landfill funds). We need to spend this money in a prudent manner, and first protect lands within this
community unless an overwhelming case can be made otherwise. A case in point is ni regards to the Borst
land that was discussed the same evening with the Conservation Commission. The Borst land is listed in
Muskego’s Conservation Plan as high priority and actually contains one of the headwaters to Little
Muskego Lake. The Commission authorized receiving an appraisal to acquiring a preservation of
development rights easement, which would include maintenance mechanisms on the land. This type of
land protection that includes the endorsement of the Conservation Plan seems more prudent at this time.