Commuinity Development Authority- MINUTES - 8/20/2007
CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved 9/24/07
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA) Audio recording of meeting
MINUTES is also available.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Chairman Frank Waltz called the meeting of the Community Development Authority to order at 6:02 p.m.
Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
The meeting was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law.
PRESENT: Commissioners Suzi Link, Gail Miles, Frank Waltz, Ald. Dan Pavelko (6:10 p.m.), Ald. Keith Werner
and Executive Director Jeff Muenkel
ABSENT: Commissioner Rob Glazier (excused), Commissioner David Lidbury (excused)
GUEST: Mayor John Johnson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Link moved to approve the minutes, as amended, for the March 29, 2007 meeting.
Commissioner Miles seconded. Amendment to the minutes was on page 1, correct spelling, Tauren to Taurean
Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Parkland Mall Update
Executive Director Muenkel advised that the developer for the Parkland Mall site had terminated the
offer for the property citing soil conditions and overall land acquisition issues. However, as of this date,
the developer and the property owner are meeting again. The property owner changed his offer and it
appears the parties are going to primarily agree. Ald. Werner asked if the monetary amount of the offer
could be revealed. Executive Director Muenkel shared that the previous offer to purchase was 8.1
million contingent upon TIF being completed. There was no TIF details on what the developer wanted
from the City of Muskego or how the money would be used, the time line of construction and the users.
No details were brought forward. On the most recent proposal, Mayor Johnson stated he informed the
developer that the City of Muskego wants to see the specific project plan and details, including
financials, before getting involved
CDA Attorney
Executive Director Muenkel informed the commissioners that Attorney Jim Baxter is semi-retired.
However, he is still available for the CDA on any issue. In case of immediate assistance, his colleague
Brian Lancer can be contacted. Commissioner Link reminded the CDA members that the CDA’s
attorney must be an independent counsel that answers to the CDA. She voiced her concern about the
potential of a conflict of interest as the City of Muskego is a client of Quarles & Brady. She reminded
them that at the time they retained Attorney Jim Baxter, though with the firm of Quarles & Brady, was
isolated and didn’t do business with the city, thus no conflict of interest. Word had come to
Commissioner Link that Mayor Johnson and Chairman Waltz had met with Attorney Baxter. She voiced
her feelings that if the City of Muskego’s Mayor is going to meet with the CDA attorney that the CDA
commissioners should have knowledge of the meeting and the opportunity to attend it. Chairman Waltz
stated that he had suggested to Mayor Johnson and Executive Director Muenkel that the new mayor
CDA Minutes August 20, 2007 - page 2
have the opportunity to get some background on issues from the CDA attorney. Commissioner Link still
felt that the CDA members should have been advised.
Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Development
Executive Director Muenkel reported that the task force has over 14 areas in the City of Muskego that
they are focusing on for economic development. Their main priority at this time is the downtown area
along Janesville Road. To that end, they have formed study groups to work on specific items as follows:
City Center Planning group will be looking into the mixed-use development of properties on
Janesville Road between Lannon and Parkland Drives with a key goal the development of
Parkland Mall.
Downtown Business Development group to develop an entertainment destination center
incorporating events/activities and identifying targeted destination businesses.
Downtown Design Guide Enhancements group will be looking into issues such as creating three
distinct areas called East Town, Mid Town and West Town and how to attract businesses to
participate in enhancements.
Downtown Business Attraction group will focus on bringing key businesses into the community.
Downtown Marketing and Promotion group’s goal is to encourage Muskego citizens to volunteer
to serve on any of the study groups with the long-term objective of developing a marketing plan
for destination and new businesses to the City of Muskego.
A member of the task force is assigned to each study group. Each study group chairman will then report
back to the task force on where they are at in meeting their goals. They are focusing mainly on bringing
new businesses into Muskego. In one of their meetings, the task force did talk about sharing ideas with
the CDA and also having a joint meeting with the CDA and the Plan Commission.
Janesville Road Property
Executive Director Muenkel shared that he had met with a new developer twice regarding the site. They wanted a
good deal of information in the interest of putting together a proposal. The proposal may be for commercial in the
front and residential to the rear. They are aware of the previous proposal. For the new members on the CDA,
Chairman Waltz reviewed briefly the reason for the property belonging to the CDA for development. Discussion
ensued on the collapse of the last development proposal.
Janesville Road Reconstruction
Shortly, about mid-October, Executive Director Muenkel stated the county will begin the contact sensitive design
process. They have selected a vendor to design Janesville Road. The City of Muskego will be doing the
streetscaping. The county will be designing the project within the public eye meaning they will get city-appointed
groups to meet with the engineers for consensus on right-of-ways, boulevards, streetscaping, etc. on the project.
There will be public information meetings to receive comments from the public. The initial design may be changed
as comments are received. They hope to have a final design by the spring of next year. He said the reconstruction
may be one or two phases; nothing definite at this time, but more than likely two phases in successive years. With
the impact occurring on properties along Janesville Road, Chairman Waltz felt that the CDA would be involved,
quite possibly another redevelopment district.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Chairman—Commissioner Link nominated Frank Waltz as chairman. Gail Miles seconded. No other nominations.
Upon a voice vote, the nomination carried. Commissioner Waltz will serve as chairman for the next year.
Vice-chairman—Ald. Werner nominated Gail Miles for vice-chairman. Suzi Link seconded. Ald. Pavelko
nominated Suzi Link for vice-chairman. Gail Miles seconded. No other nominations. Upon a written ballot vote,
Suzi Link carried the nomination. Commissioner Link will serve as vice-chairman.
CDA Minutes August 20, 2007 - page 3
Secretary—Commissioner Link nominated Gail Miles for secretary. Ald. Werner seconded. No other nominations.
Upon a voice vote, the nomination carried. Commissioner Miles will serve as secretary.
PUBLIC INPUT — There was no public input.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
The next meeting date will be in five weeks.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Commissioner Link moved for adjournment, seconded by Ald. Pavelko. Upon
a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Stella Dunahee, CPS
Recording Secretary