Commuinity Development Authority - MINUTES - 1/15/2013
CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved 3/19/13
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA)
MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2013
Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
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 Dan Draeger, Kevin Kubacki, Robert LeClaire, Larry Lefebvre, Ald. Rob
Glazier, Ald. Wolfe and Executive Director Muenkel
ABSENT: Commissioner Bob Mueller
GUESTS: Andrew Drefahl and Family, Mark Sobczak (Marx Pioneer Inn)
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 20 MEETING:
Commissioner Kubacki moved to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2012 meeting.
Commissioner Lefebvre seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve the minutes
carried.
PUBLIC INPUT: None.
NEW BUSINESS
Janesville Road Grant Request: Drefahl (S77 W18512 Janesville Road)
Executive Director Muenkel presented Mr. Drefahl’s request for a grant in the amount of $3,000 for the
improvements he has made on the property. The improvements consisted of the main portions of the front
façade of the existing structure. Commissioners were provided with site photos of the restoration. The
property and the first floor of the structure are used for commercial purposes and meets the conditions
under the Commercial Building and Site Grant Program. Drefahls explained the nature of the business,
Wisconsin Financial Advisors, that is done in the house and why they are restoring this historic structure.
Commissioner Lefebvre moved to approve the grant request in the amount of $3,000 for the Drefahl
property. Commissioner LeClaire seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried.
ONGOING BUSINESS
Tess Corners Redevelopment District (#1) Implementation
There is not much going on in this district. Continue marketing of opportunities in the district. There will be
more once the city updates the web site in thirty days. Park sale and lease maps will be updated making the
properties easier to be found. The new business grant was approved and letters were sent to owners in the
area.
Downtown Redevelopment District (#2) Implementation
Executive Director Muenkel has been working with Muskego Beer & Liquor and Delta restaurant. He had
also met with the owner of the Jerome Drugs complex and he will now be working with an architect to
upgrade that facility. The owner had responded after receiving the letter on the new district and financing
being available for updating the façade on the building. Executive Director Muenkel stated he is working
with the DPW staff in getting the bushes removed from the BP station area.
CDA Minutes, January 15, 2013 2
Executive Director Muenkel mentioned that with the new lights on Janesville Road, he is working on putting
together banners for the poles. With the banners for Tess Corners and Pioneer, they may want to make
them look a little different identifying them as historic areas. He will bring forward to the CDA as well as the
Plan Commission the designs for the banners.
At a previous meeting, the CDA members had discussed having signage designating the businesses along
Pioneer Drive. The need was to identify from Janesville Road or Racine Avenue that there were businesses
down Pioneer Drive. There were, at that time, some renderings of signs shown to the CDA members.
However, the CDA did not proceed as they wanted to wait until the way-finding signs were done which will
be up in the spring of 2013.
Mr. Sobczak inquired if it was possible to erect a sign advising people of the Pioneer Inn located on Pioneer
Drive. He had indicated during the past Janesville Road construction, his business took a hit as it lacked
patrons. For the ongoing construction phase, he would like to have signage up as soon as possible and
offered to fund it. He would like a timeline when the business signs would be up; or, would the CDA allow
him to put up signage conditionally. He would seek approval of the signs and have them done
professionally. His signs would be taken down once the CDA has put up their signs. He needs something to
identify that his business is there. With the road project coming up, he would like to put something up
sooner than later. Mr. Sobczak had asked about the status of the signage.
Commissioners acknowledged his request and also will see what they can do to work on the signage taking
into account the sign ordinances that are in place. Executive Director Muenkel suggested the signs be at the
mouths of Janesville Road and Racine Avenue and felt the CDA members should explore once again the
business signs. Director Muenkel will bring back designs for Pioneer Drive at a future meeting and the CDA
can determine cost, need, and positioning at that time.
Muskego Business Park Redevelopment District (#3) Implementation
The business grant program was approved. Staff sent out letters to the owners advising them of the grant
program.
Mill Valley Redevelopment District (#4) Implementation
Executive Director Muenkel announced that the city had received a petition from the new owner to allow a
church to use the MuskegoPlex Movie Theater property. The Plan Commission will take action on the
conditional use grant on February 5. He mentioned this could be a positive thing for the area as the number
of people coming to the area might help development in the area. The CDA was fine with the change and
how it related to the RD #4 Plan as it will at least cleanup this property that has been unused for many
years.
Marketing Plan Implementation
The department is looking towards hiring a person for the recently created planner position. This would free
him up to do more work on the marketing plan. Staff has been sending out information on the business
recruitment program that was recently put in place. Also, working on updates for the new web site coming
out shortly.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Redevelopment District Development & Other Miscellaneous Information Updates
Executive Director Muenkel shared that other communities have not adopted the revised Revolving
Loan Program yet. They are waiting to see if changes can still be made and to get some answers.
Next Meeting Date:
CDA Minutes, January 15, 2013 3
The next meeting date was set for Tuesday, February 19 at 6:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Ald. Wolfe moved for adjournment. Commissioner Draeger
seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
Stella Dunahee, CPS
Recording Secretary