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Commuinity Development Authority - MINUTES - 10/20/2009 CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved 11/17/09 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA) MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2009 Vice-Chairman Rob Glazier called the meeting of the Community Development Authority to order at 6:00 p.m. Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE The meeting was posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. PRESENT: Commissioners Rob Glazier, Gail Konkel, Larry Lefebvre, Ald. Harenda, and Executive Director Muenkel ABSENT: Commissioners Kathy Chiaverotti (excused), Frank Waltz (excused), Ald. Werner (excused) GUESTS: John Bogues (Poblocki Sign Companies), Chad Engstrom, (Michael’s Signs), Fred Zabel (Badger Sign& Lighting), Eric Bailey (Michael Signs) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 18 , 2009 Commissioner Lefebvre moved to approve the minutes of the August 18, 2009 meeting. Ald. Harenda seconded. Ald. Harenda asked that the spelling of Commissioner Chiaverotti’s name be corrected on page 3. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the amended minutes carried with Commissioner Konkel abstaining. PUBLIC INPUT None OLD BUSINESS RD#3 Implementation Efforts Approval of Sign RFP Executive Director Muenkel gave a synopsis on the proposed entrance signage for the business park. There were 24 designs submitted which were narrowed down to 5 designs. Two designs from Badger Sign & Lighting, one design from Poblocki Sign Companies and two designs from Michael’s Signs. He said in making their decision, the CDA members should consider materials, maintenance, landscaping, costs and which design would best meet the look they wanted to create for the park. Some discussion with the company representatives and the CDA members was lighting, single or double-faced, height, landscaping around signs, how closely it matched the gateway signs and the theme of what the CDA envisioned for the business park. By a show of hands, CDA members selected the “Edge Lit Dual Fin Monument Sign” design submitted by Michael’s Signs or the sign designated with “D” on the staff supplement. Ald. Harenda thought it closely matched the gateway signs and Commissioner Glazier mentioned it was more modern. Commissioner Lefebvre moved to approve Sign D (Edge Lit Dual Fin Monument Sign” for signage for Redevelopment District #3. Ald. Harenda seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. CDA members thanked the representatives for their submittals. CDA Minutes Page 2 October 20, 2009 Clean-up Efforts Executive Director Muenkel said that staff had completed inspection of all the properties according to the property maintenance codes. They sent out a letter to the property owners telling them about Redevelopment District #3 plan and also advising them of some of the things that they should be updating and to contact city staff on the issues. Since the letter has been sent, some of the owners have been making improvements; however, there are about 40 business owners that have not responded. He indicated that the next step would be to send out a final letter in which a deadline date is given for them to do the items which are not in compliance to the ordinances. Some of the items are not enclosing the outdoor storage or refuse containers, landscaping, mowing empty lot areas, pick up pallets and relocate dumpsters. In the letter, it was mentioned that the city is investing in the business park, too. In that vein, Executive Director Muenkel was proposing to offer them one-time grants up to $500 for basically the two items of enclosing dumpsters and outdoor storage to offset their costs. He thought this would involve about 30 properties, totaling $15,000. Commissioner Konkel’s first reaction was the people that did it voluntarily, will they be allowed grant money. Executive Director Muenkel said they would be able to apply for the grant to offset their costs. Commissioner Konkel would like the grant money administered fairly. Ald. Harenda stated before they were offered money, there should be feedback from them so the staff can offer them options. Commissioner Lefebrve asked who received the first letter. Executive Director Muenkel stated the first letter had been sent to the owner; however, with the second letter, a copy would also be sent to the tenant. Ald. Harenda questioned what assistance is available to the property owner. Executive Director Muenkel stated they had none unless the CDA were to offer the grant money from funds set aside for the business park. Ald. Harenda had reservations about providing grant money which brought on the discussion of issuing citations if nothing gets done and going through the court system. Commissioner Glazier stated that the issues were relevant to existing ordinances and whether they were enforced or not is not the issue, but now this is a renaissance of the industrial park and he did not think the CDA was asking too much for them to follow the ordinance. Ald. Harenda offered that if they have issues, they can come and discuss it with the CDA members. In the matter of approving funds for such grants, Commissioners decided to defer the item for another month at which time, they will also review the draft for the second letter. Forestry Grant Proposed Executive Director Muenkel shared that annually City Forester Tom Zagar applies for an Urban Forestry Grant covering various forestry activities in the city. For 2010, he is proposing as part of the grant application to offset the cost of installing over 150 new trees along the right-of-way corridors in the business park. Also, the city engineer is trying to do some energy efficiency projects and is looking to apply for a grant to redo some of the lighting within the city. Some of the lighting may involve changing industrial park lights along the right-of-way from high pressure sodium to LED fixtures. Lights that can be controlled to put out different wattage at different times at night, thus saving energy. Street Identification Signage In view that the city was looking toward redoing street and address directional signs, Michael Signs personnel did a proposal on the side which was under $5,000. Now that Michael Signs has been selected to do the business park signage, Executive Director Muenkel will be inquiring what they can provide in design of actual street signs that would mirror the gateway signs along with cost estimates. He will also have him work on the directional address signs. As the business park property owners previously had voiced concerns about the safety at the intersections, Commissioner Konkel asked if Michael Signs would have suggestions on how to deal with it. Executive Director Muenkel will make the inquiry. Staff will be looking to provide more updates in the future such as on traffic impacts and design guides. CDA Minutes Page 3 October 20, 2009 NEW BUSINESS Janesville Road Grant Request (S74W16834 Janesville Road, Jill’s Cleaners) CDA members reviewed the Janesville Road grant request application from Mike Fitzgerald. Mr. Fitzgerald is the owner of Jill’s Cleaners and the first one to submit an application for this funding. He is looking at doing a few things on his business located at Parkland and Janesville. He is proposing to upgrade the rear of the building and the landscaping. He is looking at putting in a dumpster enclosure; patch, clean and seal the Parkland Drive driveway/parking area; re-stucco, tuck-point and paint the building’s façade; and landscape improvements. The bid for the work came to $8,617.70 and his grant request was for fifty percent or $4,308.85. Staff was recommending approval; however, only for $3,000 as allowed by the grant. Ald. Harenda moved to approve the application for the Janesville Road Grant monies in the amount of $3,000. Commissioner Lefebvre seconded. Commissioner Konkel inquired if the buildings were contiguous as if they invested money in the building, and if it would be taken by the county during the reconstruction of Janesville Road, they could lose the investment. Executive Director Muenkel stated they were separate and it was indicated to him by Mr. Fitzgerald that the front part could be split as they were built at different times. With the Janesville Road project being unknown, Mr. Fitzgerald did not want to go forward with the front building. Commissioner Glazer thought it was a good project and appreciated being prudent with the CDA funds. Executive Director Muenkel would like to see a few more projects to show other individuals what can be done and in that view, he has had conversation with the Mobil owner relative to his property and also advised him of the grant money that is available. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. On a side note, Commissioner Konkel suggested that a small sign of recognition be set at the sites that the CDA has helped improved. Executive Director Muenkel will look into this. CDA Fund-raising This item was deferred until Commissioner Chiaverotti would be in attendance to report on it. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW Public Informational Meeting for Janesville Road Executive Director Muenkel reported that the county has put the reconstruction off until 2012 in order to seek Federal aid for the project. He is still considering getting the word out on the Janesville Road grant/loan programs as there is some interest in redeveloping. He doesn’t foresee holding the public informational meeting until the county is ready to present the final plans. Commissioner Konkel asked if the business owners were aware of the postponement. Executive Director Muenkel stated they are aware as the county had a letter detailing what was happening and why it was happening and sent to everyone on Janesville Road. Budget of Various Items CDA reviewed the 2009 budget and the 2010 proposed budget. Commissioner Konkel inquired if they don’t spend the money, what happens to it? Executive Director Muenkel said it goes into the city’s general fund balance. He recommended that in June of each year, they should think about their special projects and asking for funding. He did note that the money from the Muskego Tire and Auto would not go into the general fund balance, but be kept by the CDA. Redevelopment District Development Updates Executive Director Muenkel reported no new approvals and that the Muskego Tire and Auto is progressing. Commissioner Konkel shared that in the Wisconsin Lawyer magazine there is a case that anything you do in closed session potentially can be requested in discovery by litigants. This opens up the closed session to the litigation process. CDA Minutes Page 4 October 20, 2009 The next meeting date was set for Tuesday, November 17, at 6:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner Konkel moved for adjournment, Alderman Harenda seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Stella Dunahee, CPS Recording Secretary