PSEM19650927/ 9 ('
MINUTES OF XthA
CIAL MEETING OF THE SEWER SITE COMMITTEE HELD ON
SEPTEMBER 2T 11:00 A.M.
PRESENT: Ald. DeAngelis, Ald. Wieselmann, Mayor Gottfried, Walter
Vesbach, Donald Polzin and Attorney Piakowski.
Mayor Gottfried reviewed to those present the past history of the
negotiations which have been previously held with Mr. Walter Vesbach.
Mayor Gottfried indicated that for the purpose of negotiation that
the $2,000 per year rental which had been offered by the Committee
previously had been presented to some of the Council members and from
their comments it was felt that this was a reasonable amount to pay
based on the fact that most of the land which is rented in the City
of Muskego is rented in the vicinity of $15 to $25 per acre. It was
feeling that the excess rental would cover some of the loss of the
use of value of the adjoining of lands on the south side of Woods Road
if, in fact, there was any devaluation of the land as a result of
the lagoon. Mr. Vesbach indicated that he felt that this was a
different situation and indicated that he had been approached about
a year ago to rent the land to a sod farmer for $75 per acre.
He did, however, state that he could not remember the name of the man.
Mr. Vesbach indicated that he was concerned what would happen if
after ten years metropolitan sewers had still not yet reached this area.
Mayor Gottfried indicated that he felt the Council could guarantee
r vacating the land at the end of the ten year period.
Mayor Gottfried indicated that there were several lagoons 4 this type
built in the following areas such as Greendale, New Berlin and that
at least in his opinion the surrounding property owners did not seem
to object to it. Attorney Piakowski felt the land in the Muskego
area was not at such a premium as it is in other areas where such a
lagoon has been placed. As for an example, in Greendale where homes
are built right near the open sewage ponds land is at a premium and
very scarce. Attorney Piakowski felt that the presence of the lagoon
would ruin the north side of the Woods Road. That is, it would ruin
the property on the north side of Woods Road for residential
development until the lagoon itself was removed. It was his feeling
that this offer was way out of line. He asked the question why
Vesbachts property was picked upon - he also indicated that when
in the past what might have been considered submarginal land has
often turned out to be premium land as a result of proper development.
He felt that the property owned by Mr. Vesbachts was a case of point.
In answer to the question of Attorney Piakowski, Mayor Gottfried
indicated that according to their engineers this was the most logical
site because of the fact that it is on marginal land, is relatively
isolated, and the State Board of Health has given its approval to
the location.
In answer to a question to Mr. Pol.zin whether or not the south side
of the Woods Road had ever been considered for residential development
in regards to the development of propertys owned by Mr. Vesbach on the
north side of Woods Road. He indicated that although nothing had been
presented to the Planning Commission that in the planning development
of the Vesbach Property on the north side of Woods Road, the south side
property, that is the property on the south side of Woods Road, was
considered as part of the overall development.
Alderman DeAngelis asked Walter Vesbach if he would be willing to
reconsider his original presentation to the Council and submit what
he considered a justifiable amount of money as then. Mayor Gottfried
indicated that in arrivingst the offered price of purchase two
appraisals which were nearly equal were considered. Attorney Piakowski
indicated that he felt that Mr. Walter Vesbach had a better chance if
this were submitted to a jury trial. He felt that Walter Vesbach had
nothing to lose if this should go into condemnation courts. Mayor
• Gottfried indicated that it was his opinion that not only the City
but Mr. Vesbach, because of tax advantages, would be better off if
some agreement could be reached.
Page 2
Alderman DeAngelis asked Walter Vesbach how much he would sell the
land for? Mr. Vesbach indicated that he did not care to sell because
he felt that he would have nothing to say about the future use of
this land. Attorney Piakowski asked how the City Council could in
good faith change the rental price offered and make it a great deal
lower than previously offered under the old agreement. Mayor
Gottfried indicated that the present Council felt that the agreement
reached in 1962 was excessive.
Mayor Gottfried indicated that if Mr. Vesbach submitted an offer
substantially less than the original $5,000.00 per year rental
price the Council would have something to consider. Mayor Gottfried
asked Walter Vesbach to consider how far down he would be willing
to come from his original offer. He also indicated that speaking
for himself personally he would be willing to submit a $2500 per year
rental figure to the Council for their consideration or in lieu
of this the offer of purchase at the rate of $500 per acre. Walter
Vesbach also indicated some consideration would have to be made
for the devaluation of the farm which is less than his own home
as a result of the placement of the sewage lagoon.
After a brief recess in which Mr. Vesbach, his Attorney and engineer
met outside of the Mayorls office, Mr. Vesbach came back and offered
to lease the land to the City of Muskego at $190 per acre, which for
the 21.3 acres would mean $4,000.00 per year. He indicated that if
• this was not acceptable to the Council he would take his chances on
condemnation. Ald. Weiselmann stated that in his opinion the prices
asked for the land both on a rental basis as well as the proposed
purchase price were premium prices. He indicated that the school had
recently purchased a great deal better land for $1,000 per acre. Based
on this figure he did not feel that he could agree to pay Vesbach's
asking price.
Mayor Gottfried then advised Mr. Vesbach that he would submit to the
Council for their consideration his price of $190 per acre. If this
is not acceptable to the Council they would procede on with the
condemnation based on the offering of $500.00 per acre.
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Don Weiselmann
Note: Later in the afternoon of the same date Mr. Vesbach contacted
Mayor Gottfried and advised him that he would be willing to
to lease the 21.3 acres in question to the City of Muskego
for $3500.00 per year.
6W 9/27/65
je