COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Packet 05-25-2021CITY OF MUSKEGO
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA
05/25/2021
4:30 PM
Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 27, 2021
COW04272021.docx
NEW BUSINESS
Discuss Health Insurance Options
Discuss Sanitary Sewer and Water Main Extension along Loomis Road
Interview Candidates for Municipal Judge and Make a Selection
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
ADJOURNMENT The Committee of the Whole may possibly reconvene immediately following
the Common Council meeting of the same date to continue work on agenda items.
NOTICE
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MEMBERS OF AND POSSIBLY A QUORUM OF MEMBERS OF OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BODIES OF THE
MUNICIPALITY MAY BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE ABOVE -STATED MEETING TO GATHER INFORMATION; NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN
BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL BODY AT THE ABOVE -STATED MEETING OTHER THAN THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY SPECIFICALLY
REFERRED TO ABOVE IN THIS NOTICE.
ALSO, UPON REASONABLE NOTICE, EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF DISABLED INDIVIDUALS
THROUGH APPROPRIATE AIDS AND SERVICES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST THIS SERVICE, CONTACT
MUSKEGO CITY HALL, (262) 679-4100.
CITY OF MUSKEGO
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
April 27, 2021 5:30 PM
Muskego City Hall
W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Petfalski called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Unapproved
a Luy e!
MUSKEGO
Present: Alderpersons Wolfe, Hammel, Engelhardt, Kubacki, and Madden.
Also present: Public Works & Development Director Kroeger, Lead Planner Trzebiatowski, City
Attorney Warchol, and Administrative Assistant Crisp. Absent: Alderpersons Kapusta and
Terrence.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
Ms. Crisp stated that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting law.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Alderperson Kubacki moved to approve. Alderperson Hammel seconded; motion
carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 23, 2021
Alderperson Madden moved to approve. Alderperson Wolfe seconded; motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion of Sewer Back -Up Claim Policies and Possible Reconsideration of Previous Denial of
Claims
Date of Sewer Back-up November 8, 2020: Mayor gave each of the Claimants an opportunity to
present their case to the Committee after which the Committee would discuss different options
going forward.
• Trish Krocker at S75W 13127 Oxford Ct.: Michael Hallmann read her statement — She is
suffering from terminal ovarian cancer. The exposure to the sewage affected her health
considerably. She has to pay an outside company to do the cleaning and there was
considerable damage to her property (over $20,000).
• Michael Hallmann at S74W13180 Courtland Ln: Read statement — He and his wife Sherry
were out of town visiting family. They received a call from a neighbor telling him of the sewer
backup affecting a number of homes in the neighborhood. There was a tremendous amount
of damage.
• Susan Hauke at W131S7558 Cheviot Rd: Read statement— She and her husband Mike
discovered sewer water pooling up in the basement on Sunday morning. She contacted
homeowner's insurance company to file their claim that same day. She contacted outside
company to do the cleaning immediately. Cleanup costs was $7,876. Timely filed claim of
damages $19,924 with City.
K
Committee of the Whole Minutes
April 27, 2021
• Michael Reitz at W132 S7547 Cheviot Rd: Read statement — Noticed 3-5 inches of raw
sewage in basement on Sunday (11/8) morning. He contacted his insurance company and
was told sewer damage is not covered. They are requesting a reimbursement of $10,133.
• Richard Randa at W131 S7576 Cheviot Rd.: Mike Hauke read statement for homeowner
who could not attend meeting — Carpeting and miscellaneous items were destroyed. He sent
an invoice to City for $793 that included replacing carpeting, purchase of supplies, and
labor.
• Matthew McCarroll at S74 W13130 Oxford Ct.: Read statement — He and his wife, Danielle,
noticed the sewage backup Sunday morning. They called the City right away. Carpeting,
drywall, and shelving were ruined. They are seeking a reimbursement for their deductible in
the amount of $3,940.
• Christopher Dibb at W 13157534 Cheviot Rd.: Matthew McCarroll read statement for
homeowner — He and his wife, Kristen, were out of town until mid -afternoon and upon
returning they found 3" of standing sewage water in their basement. Property damages total
$20,000 which includes outside cleaning service.
• Joan Hawley at S75W 13139 Oxford Ct — did not have damages because she has a lift
pump. She is a professional engineer registered in the State of Wisconsin and is a certified
sanitary sewer operator for the US. She made a statement to support the claimants.
Mayor Petfalski put the meeting in recess at 6:14 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 6:20
p.m.
Ald. Kubacki requested a synopsis of Scott Kloskowski's comments. Mr. Kroeger described
what happened. A manhole adjustment ring broke and half of the ring created a clog that
caused the backup. There has not been a problem in the area in many years. In response to
questions of the Council, Mr. Kroeger explained the process for cleaning the City sanitary sewer
lines. When asked how often we have backups in the City, Mr. Kroeger stated there have been
three in the four years he has worked with the City, which is not many.
Mayor Petfalski asked City Attorney Warchol a question regarding liability. Mr. Warchol replied
that if we know about the issue, we would be liable. We have a reasonable amount of time to fix
the problem. There is no liability if we don't know a problem exists. In this case, if we knew
about the broken ring being in the sewer line, and we did not do anything to remedy it, then
there would be liability. If we do not know about it, which is what the insurance company is
saying, there is no liability.
Questions were asked regarding what many of the claimants said in their statements concerning
grease, towels, grinder, etc. Mayor Petfalski stated that the cause of the problem does not
matter. If we were negligent in doing something, then we should discuss that.
Discussion regarding possible setting up a no/low interest loan.
Mayor Petfalski asked if anyone wanted to reconsider the motion of previous denial of claims.
Ald. Hammel, Kubacki, Engelhardt, and Madden were the only Council Members that were able
to reconsider and none of them chose to do so.
Discuss process for appointing new Municipal Judge
Mayor Petfalski provided a Memo proposing a timeline for finding and appointing a new
Municipal Court Judge. He asked the Committee's approval and they agreed to the timeline. He
also asked the members if the candidate should be a licensed attorney. They decided to leave it
as is.
3
Committee of the Whole Minutes
April 27, 2021
COMMUNICATIONS AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
None
ADJOURNMENT
Alderperson Engelhardt moved to adjourn at 7:19 p.m. Alderperson Kubacki seconded;
motion carried.
Minutes taken and transcribed by Christine Crisp.
4