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PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY COMMITTEE Minutes 01182022Approved CITY OF MUSKEGO PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES 01 /18/2022 5:30 PM Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Ave CALL TO ORDER Alderperson Hammel called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL ,4C4 Of 1kSKEGO Present: Alderpersons Hammel and Engelhardt; Scott Kroeger, Director of Public Works and Development Absent: Alderman Terrence Also Present: Police Chief Stephen Westphal STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE The meeting was posted in accordance with open meeting laws on January 13, 2022. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Alderperson Engelhardt made a motion to approve the Minutes of the September 21, 2021 meeting. Alderperson Terrance seconded. Motion Passed 2 in favor. STATUS OF PROJECTS Discussion update. No formal action may be taken on the following: Great Water Alliance Director Kroeger said that although a sign went up stating Moorland Road is closing tomorrow, that is not the case. As of today, the southbound lanes of Moorland Road from Janesville Road to Woods Road will be closed January 25th for twenty days. The other closing will be Durham Drive from Woods Road to North Cape Road will be closed for three weeks beginning on March 18, 2022. Through traffic at Hi View Drive will be closed starting on March 18th for ten days and through traffic at Holz Drive on March 28 for eleven days. Updates can be found on the website. Hillendale Reconstruction (Last Update) Director Kroeger said the project is done except for the landscaping and punch list items. The landscaping will be done in spring and summer. This is the last update but information will remain on the website. Melanie Sinner, W194 S6961 Hillendale Drive, asked about the culvert policy as far as the City installing culverts. Director Kroeger provided the culvert policy and stated in this case the contractor installed the culverts as part of the road reconstruction. Ms. Sinner stated that previously there was a concrete culvert across her front yard that was removed and now there is a ditch. The ditch is steep and she will not be able to cut the grass. Director Kroeger explained the difference between this project and the Bay Lane road project and in this case the grades will allow the water to flow without culverts. The City will cut the ditches, but will only cut a few times per year. Ms. Sinner asked how visitors will be able to park along the road now that there is a ditch rather than a flat front yard. Chief Westphal said he would need to look at the parking situation at this address. Ms. Sinner said that she had a Redbud tree that was not on the City property and it was cut down and would like to know the policy for replacing the tree. Director Kroeger stated that he was unaware of this tree being cut down and he will look into where the tree was and if on private property he will determine the next course of action. Alderman Engelhardt added that he drives the road often and it looks like it is wrapping up well and hopes the road is serviceable for years to come. Police Chief Updates Police Chief Westphal listed some of the goals that he has communicated with his staff including: 1. Returning back to 2019 traffic enforcement numbers that have been operating at about 50% in 2020 and 2021. 2. To be cognizant of overtime usage for the department. 3. Emergency Management Dispatch to get to 75% compliant through additional training. 4. Maintain the accreditation compliance that the City follows best practices in Wisconsin. 5. Maintain the Safest City benchmark categories. 6. Develop and implement a consistent Defense and Arrest Techniques (DAT) training program. 7. Create and implement a boat patrol. 8. Develop and implement a summer school science program through the high school. As for COVID, the last six weeks had the most sick time has been used which has been a struggle with man -power. The Police are increasing the number of sworn officers from 39 to 40. Two others officers are completing their field training program. Unfortunately, the camera systems are starting to break. Cameras are an invaluable tool and the Chief has two different vendors in to discuss new cameras. Finally, one dispatcher resigned. Alderman Engelhardt asked about the boat patrol and the hours deployed. Police Chief is seeking consistent enforcement on summer days including weekends, holidays, etc. Alderman Engelhardt asked if emergency calls are through 911 or another direct line. Police Chief Westphal noted that he advocates 911 being routed through Waukesha County. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discussion update and possible action may be taken on any or all of the following: None NEW BUSINESS Discussion update and possible action may be taken on any or all of the following: Request for Stop Sign at Gold Drive Director Kroeger said that a resident requested a stop sign at the end of Gold Drive on the southwest corner where there is a T-intersection. Through discussions with DPW they found a better location at the northwest corner. There hasn't been any specific accidents at this intersection. John Lanham, S70 W18778 Gold Drive, said that heading south on Gold Drive there is a very sharp right going west and towards the east there is a sharp curve. Drivers heading east on the Gold Drive don't stop turning north and it causes confusion. Alderman Engelhardt said that he is uncertain since there hasn't had a serious incident. Not that we should wait for an incident, but a question how great of need this is. Wondered about the effectiveness of a yield sign rather than a stop sign. He finds it hard to put up any sign there. Alderman Hammel said he is typically not in favor of signs and asked how many subdivisions have signs. Director Kroeger said every subdivision is a case -by -case but signs are used for controlling traffic, speeding or safety concerns. Any signs need approval by Common Council. Alderman Engelhardt asked if in his opinion is a sign warranted. Director Kroeger said it is up to the committee, but if there is an incident the Police can write a ticket. Alderman Engelhardt said if it is not a yield sign they shouldn't do anything. Alderman Hammel said he doesn't think there is a large need, but can have Council have the discussion. Alderman Engelhardt made a motion to install a Yield sign. Alderperson Hammel seconded. Motion Passed 2 in favor. Discussion on Ryan Drive Trail Director Kroeger said this was brought to Parks and Conservation Committee in October 2021. The request at that time extended a trail from Groveway Lane to North Cape Road. Trails have become very controversial subject and they are very expensive if not completed with a road project. This committee must decide whether this should be on as a capital project in 2023. Alderman Madden, District 7, said she would like to know what it would look like and get a cost together to see if this is viable. She has received several emails concerning the trail. Sam Steffen, S95 W13457 St. Andrews Drive, said the trail doesn't go anywhere and based on the topography the trail will be very expensive. The trail was proposed for people walking Ryan Drive and the traffic when North Cape Road was closed and traffic was detoured onto Ryan Drive. He does not see much usage of Ryan Drive by walkers or bicyclists. Believes a traffic study should be completed and discussion with homeowners along Ryan Drive. Michelle Zarnecki, W137 S9564 Fairway Lane, would like to disagree with other statements and there are many people in favor of the trail. It is dangerous as both walkers and drivers. She would discuss with other walkers along the route and they were all in favor. This trail would be used by residents of the area as well as others. Cost will be the issue, but she does not have an answer for that. Richard Nimik, W136 S9535 Brookview Court, uses the trail daily and traffic has slowed a little but still a lot of traffic that do not obey the 25 mph. At nighttime people wearing dark clothing are not visible. Many people walk the route. Pam Swanson, Fairway Lane, walks a dog on a daily basis and the road is narrow with no shoulder. Oftentimes traffic is going both ways and drivers have to stop as there is no place to go. Traffic has been a problem and it is getting worse. There are children and adults and it is very dangerous. Asking to make an evaluation of whether this project is feasible. Charles Martin, W136 S9537 Brookview Court, only lived there for a year and a half and traffic has increased and the road is very narrow. There are always people walking and when you are driving you need to stop with oncoming traffic. Drivers are going 40 — 45 mph on the road also. Alderman Hammel asked for a general cost. Director Kroeger said that costs are increasing on every project right now. The biggest concern is whether or not right-of-way needs to be purchased and how the storm water will be handled. Just a guess on cost could be $750K to $1.5M trail, but he cannot give a solid number. Alderman Hammel asked the condition of the road. Director Kroeger said it was a rating of 5 or 6, but this road would not be reconstructed, rather just milled. Alderman Hammel asked the Police Chief is a traffic study has been done. Police Chief Westphal didn't think so. Alderman Hammel said he took a drive down the road and only came across two other vehicles. Before moving forward he would like a traffic study. Alderman Madden said a traffic study was completed. Alderman Engelhardt made a motion to table the discussion until next meeting to have the traffic study numbers. Alderman Hammel seconded. Motion Passed 2 in favor. Request by Russet Court Developer to Not Construct the Stub Road Director Kroeger noted that Russet Court was part of a Preliminary Plat that went through Plan Commission. On the Preliminary Plat there was a stubbed road to ultimately connect to the property line towards the south. This stubbed road would lead to access across the horse farm property towards the stubbed road to the south. The Code states that improvements need to be extended to the furthest extent of the development. The developer is requesting approval to not install the road stub to the southern property line. We recommend the road be extended to the southern property line. The developer stated that the current owner of the horse farm does not want the road stubbed to their property. They will make the storm water work with or without the road stub. Also there is a 35-foot drop in elevation that would require retaining walls. The layout yields four lots with or without the road so there is no increase in density. Alderman Engelhardt said he thinks we need to keep the door open for possible future development. Director Kroeger said that if they decide the road isn't needed, there will need to be an easement to loop the water system. Alderman Hammel asked if there is a road easement there now. Director Kroeger said there is not. Alderman Hammel said that he is looking at the property rights of the landowner of the horse farm. He cannot see stubbing a road to go through the middle of their property. Director Kroeger said that the same as been done to the south in Fireside Orchard and no one has ever made the owner of the horse farm sell their land or to put a road through their property. The City doesn't install the road, we just keep good planning. Alderman Hammel asked what this would entail. Director Kroeger said it would be the same as to the south with a public road all the way with a temporary cul-de-sac for plows. If or when the owner of the horse farm were to decide that they want to sell and develop their land, the road would simply extend to the road to the south. The developer said that as a developer the horse farm would never be able to be developed as it would be too expensive with only four lots with the infrastructure needed. Rather than a physical road, what if the they recorded an easement for the road. Director Kroeger asked who would pay for the road in the future. The City is just being consistent and follow the code. Alderman Hammel wanted clarification that this stub road will not be extended through the horse farm at this time, that the City is not taking any property. Alderman Engelhardt made a motion to deny the request to not construct the stub road to the south. Alderman Hammel seconded. Motion Passed 2 in favor. NEW BUSINESS PLACED ON FILE (The following items have been placed on file for staff review. Upon completion of review, staff will submit a supplement detailing options and possible course action to committee members.) COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW ADJOURNMENT Alderperson Engelhardt made a motion to adjourn at 6:50 PM. Alderperson Hammel seconded. Motion Passed 2 in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Wendy Fredlund Recording Secretary