Commuinity Development Authority - MINUTES - 3/29/2012
CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved 4/19/12
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA)
MINUTES
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012
Chairman Glazier called the meeting of the Community Development Authority 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, Rob Glazier, Gail Konkel, Larry Lefebvre, Bob Mueller ,
Ald. Soltysiak and Executive Director Muenkel
EXCUSED: Ald. Tracy Snead
GUESTS: Errin Welty of Vierbicher, Brandon Rutz of Ady Voltedge
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 8, 2012 MEETING:
Ald. Soltysiak moved to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2012 meeting. Commissioner
Lefebvre seconded. Commissioner Draeger requested his name be corrected from Don to Dan.
Upon a voice vote, the motion to approve corrected minutes was approved with Chairman
Glazier abstaining.
PUBLIC INPUT: None
NEW BUSINESS
Final Marketing Plan Review
Executive Director Muenkel advised that the Commissioners had received copies of the marketing plan prior
to the meeting; however, current updated documents brought by the consultants were provided. A brief
power point presentation was given by Consultants Welty and Rutz.
Stakeholder Interview Summary
Mr. Rutz stated he had interviewed a few industrial employers in the area. The main points expressed were:
Productivity and work ethic in Muskego is excellent with hardly any turnover. Muskego has been good in
maintaining the community feel. Mayor has been very helpful in reaching out to them and making their
needs met; feeling wanted makes them move to or stay in the city. Low, local taxes and some rated
Muskego as in the top ten in low taxes. Quality of life is wonderful but would like to see more lake accesses.
Chairman Glazier inquired if these items made a difference in them locating in Muskego or staying in
Muskego. Mr. Rutz stated the low taxes were a big issue and quality of life is another one but not as high as
low taxes. A positive factor was Muskego was responsive to their needs.
Strategy
They added to the strategy document the groups and area that it focuses on that are an influence in terms
of business, strategy, connectivity, business growth, and taxes. Four major groups and what type of
business it tailored was discussed. Ease of implementation of the marketing plan and how much political,
financial, and capital that it is going to take to accomplish it. Communitywide business and retention
focusing on the businesses that are already in place. Business recruitment can be accomplished by making
them aware of low taxes and the responsiveness of the government to their needs. Things to do to
encourage development in different areas was brought out. General business climate that would mean it is
CDA Minutes, March 29, 2012 2
a good place to do business. Commissioners discussed the viability of changing the addresses and
notifying businesses of their option in using addresses.
Marketing Tactics
Included in their marketing tactics were tenant data bases, business visits, web site, and implementation of
a CRM (customer relationship manager) was suggested by Commissioner Draeger, In reviewing of the web
site, it needs to focus more externally. Ald. Soltysiak recommended having a micro web site for businesses
and a micro web site for residents. Regional profile should also be done and that could be used in a
brochure. Also, use direct mail and email depending on what they want to have as the focus of their
marketing campaign, tailoring their campaign to the target. They should also look at going after a site
selector using a direct mail campaign, email or familiarization tour. They could host site selectors for some
big event in the area. These site selectors could be the regional brokers, large brokers or individuals. How
big do they want their promotion to go. They also were recommending trade shows and to start talking to
some of the companies that are regional in scope and to get in touch with the attendees prior to the trade
show. It takes some planning to make these shows successful. In transportation/warehousing category, to
show them that Muskego is close to major highways with possibly going to the Chicago area to advise them
of the advantages of Wisconsin over Illinois. Commissioner Konkel mentioned that the publishers of the
trade magazines may be someone to talk to and see what they suggest. Commissioner Draeger suggested
to find out what problems a business has and then to offer a solution to the problems. Commissioner
Mueller stated to do a site visit would be the best key to figure out what their problems are and how to solve
them.
Chairman Glazier called for anything the Commissioners wanted them to address. Commissioner Konkel
inquired as they tracked the industries, are they making the assumption also that people who live in
Muskego and work elsewhere will come back to Muskego to work. Ms. Welty stated that not so much the
industrial /retail ones, but the office ones were based that way. Companies want to look at where they have
workers. Chairman Glazier inquired if the lake park status was important in their study. Ms. Welty said when
they started the project, it wasn’t a sure thing that the lake park would happen so they didn’t put any
emphasis on it. If they do it, it is important that they capitalize on it. Ald. Soltysiak asked if they could
analyze what impact it would have on economic development. Ms Welty said they could do some of it. Over
the long term, it would have an impact but at this point, hard to say what the impact would be. Chairman
Glazier added that if the city wants to have a park there, it is important to have a plan than just green space.
Executive Director Muenkel stated if the city moves forward, it’s important to identify the land uses around it
and then make a site plan for the community by identifying the parcels around the area and what they could
be. Commissioner Konkel was looking for a summarization of the real good points in the plan to be part of
the document so as not to get lost in the body of the document. Discussion also centered on how much of
the development the CDA can control considering the proximity to the Milwaukee area. Looking for a visual
picture of what they are looking for in the area to map out the city on what they want it to be. Ms. Welty
cautioned that designating what they want in a certain area may turn developers/businesses away from the
area. Chairman Glazier noted that there were 43 line items in the Marketing Strategies and basically four
general themes….Moorland Road, Downtown, Business Parks, Tess Corners. Of these themes, he
questioned where to begin. Before turning the document over to Council, he would like to have a
recommendation to give them on a starting point, what it would look like, and the businesses they would
target. Executive Director Muenkel thought the marketing timeline was more advanced than they wanted
with implementation over 3-5 years. Was the CDA envisioning more than a 15-month period and he felt
some items should be brought out further based on what is happening in the community, such as the
construction projects. Ms. Welty explained that the timeline is only the near term items, the mid-term and
long-term items on the plan are meant for 2-5 years. Near-term would be within the next 15-18 months, mid-
term years 2-3 and long-term 4-5 years or longer depending on the economy. Executive Director Muenkel
would like to not put it on a month basis, but a term basis. He would not like to hold himself or any board to
feel they are missing their timelines. In looking at the plan and what it entails, Commissioners continued to
CDA Minutes, March 29, 2012 3
discuss various aspects of the marketing plan and the possible need of hiring additional personnel or
contracting out some of the items to get them executed. Executive Director Muenkel will work with Ms.
Welty to establish what a timeline really is and what it equates to in considering the 43 line items. Chairman
Glazier summed up that the next step would be to finalize the report and what does the CDA want to deliver
to Council. The discussion on what the CDA wants to recommend to Council at the next meeting. He asked
of Ald. Sotysiak what he felt he needed as a member of Council. Ald. Soltysiak said they would need to
know what it would take to do it…people, money, time. Chairman Glazier suggested a joint meeting with
Plan Commission, Chamber of Commerce, whoever they feel the stakeholders might be, is it too soon to
bring in other groups. Executive Director Muenkel said that once it is adopted, that is what they are going to
have to do to implement the plan. Ald. Soltysiak stated he would like the CDA to come up with an outline
priority plan about the overall research and this is what the CDA wants to focus on first, etc. at the next
meeting and then bring that to Council. (Consultants departed at 7:27 PM).
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Redevelopment District Development & Other Miscellaneous Information Updates
Executive Director Muenkel shared the following:
Young Auto Body is moving forward with their building. The CDA did help them out.
Janesville Road Phase 1 is beginning work earlier than the May 1 start date due to the mild
weather.
He has had discussions with some local banks relative to setting up another source for funds
for future loans.
Status of the lake park is on hold; Council approved funding for a consultant to work through
a site development process. The Parks & Recreation Board will be seeking input from
stakeholders and the public. He will keep the CDA updated on these meetings.
Commissioner Lefebvre added that the lake district will be represented. Chairman Glazier
commented that they should not only look at the lake park but possible development
occurring around it.
Chairman Glazier welcomed Commissioner Mueller as the most current new member of the CDA.
He further announced that Commissioner Konkel will be leaving the CDA after the April meeting and
thanked her for her 10 years of service.
Next Meeting Date
The next meeting date, either April 16 or 19, will be decided and members will be notified.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Ald. Soltlysiak moved for adjournment, Commissioner Lefebvre
seconded. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
Stella Dunahee, CPS
Recording Secretary