PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY Minutes 10282024Approved
CITY OF MUSKEGO
PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY C4 of
COMMITTEE MINUTES �.
October 28, 2024 , � � ` SKEGO
5:00 PM
Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
CALL TO ORDER
Alderperson Kubacki called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Alderpersons Kubacki, Schwer and Madden; Scott Kroeger, Director of Public Works
and Development, Police Chief Steve Westphal
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
The meeting was posted in accordance with open meeting laws on October 17, 2024.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes of the 01/18/2022; 04/19/2022; 06/13/2022;
07/18/2022;10/17/2022; 03/20/2023; 05/15/2023; 08/21/2023; 03/18/2024;
05/20/2024 and 07/15/2024 Meetings
Alderperson Madden made a motion to Approve the Minutes engross.
Alderperson Schwer seconded.
Motion Passed 3 in Favor.
STATUS OF PROJECTS
Discussion update. No formal action may be taken on any of the following:
Hillendale Drive Reconstruction Project
Director Kroeger said that they are very close to finishing the project. Moving forward, the plan
is to put the surface course of pavement down on the road on Friday, November 1st
Landscaping should be done by tomorrow (10/29/2024). Then after the last surface of
pavement is down the four major items left will be some shouldering, pavement marking, signs
and then replace the mailboxes.
Road Program 2024
Director Kroeger explained that the road program was wrapped up last week. The restoration
is completed. They are going through the last quantities and payment application and then
they focus on the 2025 Road Program, so they are ready to put out to bid in March 2025.
PP/II 2024-2025 Project
Director Kroeger said that when they started the program there were 67 homes signed up for
two phases. In the Fall of 2024, they completed 34 with replacement sanitary sewer lateral on
private property. There were four homes that were removed from the project for a variety of
reasons. They are done for the year, and the 28 remaining properties will be completed in
spring.
Police Chief Updates
Police Chief Westphal said that there is a Trunk -or -Treat going on right now. Two officers
recently finished their probationary period. An officer and his canine partner Tito received an
award from school district personnel from across the state reference innovations in school
safety.
Police Chief Westphal also wanted to point out that things being approved by Public Works &
Safety are not just lines on a page but have significance. There was an incident on Big
Muskego Lake where the drones that were approved through capital projects for Police and IT
were able to locate someone on the lake that was in mental health distress. The drones were
used to find the individual to rescue them. The Fire Department actually passed this person on
the lake but through the use of the drone the Fire Department was able to locate them. Chief
Westphal wanted to thank the Alderpersons for supporting them financially and other ways.
Other capital projects approved include the digital speed sign signage and radar units for the
squad cars. Calls for service are increasing, traffic crashes are increasing, and the population
is increasing so this should be forefront when discussing public safety. As for staffing, they are
at 100 percent with two individuals still in the academy.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discussion update and possible action may be taken on any or all of the following:
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion update and possible action may be taken on any or all of the following:
Kirkland Crossing Phase 1 Public Improvements Approval
Director Kroeger explained this is the largest residential subdivision in quite some time. It will
be located between Martin Drive and College Drive. There will be 66 lots with public water
mains, public sanitary sewer and storm sewer with detention ponds and a booster station for
water. The water is being reviewed by the DNR, and the Developer's Agreement is being
reviewed by the City Attorney. They would like to start utility work this winter.
Alderperson Madden made a motion to Approve the Kirkland Crossing Phase 1 Public
Improvements. Alderperson Schwer seconded.
Motion Passed 3 in favor.
Request for Stop Signs on Haven Drive at Intersection of Joel Drive
Director Kroeger said that there is a 2-way stop that would be changing to a 4-way stop. In the
last five years the only complaints were from juveniles riding mini -bikes, one traffic stop, a
suspicious van and a reckless driving complaint.
Robert Wayer, S81W17581 Haven Drive, said that he has lived there for 28 years and raised
family there. The subdivision has switched with empty nesters and grandkids. From Lannon
to Brennon Street and cars are going way too fast. Would like a 4-way stop to slow traffic
down before something bad happens.
Alderperson Kubacki asked Police Chief Westphal if 4-way stops are effective in controlling
traffic. Police Chief Westphal said it depends on if it's going to slow traffic and sometimes you
get opposite complaints from those hearing braking and acceleration from the stop. There
haven't been many accidents or crashes in this specific intersection.
Nate Werdin, S81 W17604 Haven Drive, said that he moved to Muskego last year. That corner
lot has become a hub for kids to come play. Just two weeks ago a bus was there dropping
kids off and someone drove right past almost hitting two kids. A 4-way stop would make this
much safer and he would feel much better with kids in the yard.
Robert Wayer said that hearing cars brake and accelerate should not even be in the question
when it comes to the safety of the kids.
Alderperson Schwer said he drove through the area and saw what everyone was saying. This
is a bus stop with many kids in the morning and afternoon. Adding two additional signs forcing
cars to slow down would improve the safety, especially for the kids waiting at the bus stop.
Alderperson Kubacki clarified that the signs are now on Joel Drive. Director Kroeger said the
distance of Haven is about the same as Joel Drive.
Alderperson Schwer would recommend approval and said that looking at the map it is tucked
back in the neighborhood and most people wouldn't be affected.
Alderperson Madden made a motion to Approve the Request for Stop Signs on Haven
Drive at Intersection of Joel Drive. Alderperson Schwer seconded.
Motion Passed 3 in favor.
Request for Traffic Study at Tess Corners Dr and Woods Rd Intersection
Director Kroeger noted that Alderman Wolfe requested this come to the Committee. What's
happening is that during peak hours in the morning and afternoon traffic backs up. This would
be a traffic study that would be between $5,000 and $7,000 and would include peak hour
turning movement at the intersection, a review of crash history, a review of signal warrant
analysis determining whether signals are warranted, and an operations analysis and
recommendations report memo at a future meeting. Right now there are no separate turn
lanes. There are residential driveways near the intersection. In the past five years there have
been 4 accidents with injuries, 12 accidents with property damage and one hit-and-run. If you
want to make any improvements first you need to do this study. We don't have the tools in-
house to do this, but this would be a request to move forward to Finance and Common
Council.
Alderperson Kubacki said that he goes through the intersection periodically, not during peak
times, but he finds it difficult to plan for certain peak hours. Director Kroeger says that
intersections are rated A thru E with A being the best and E the worst. As a City, do you need
every intersection to be level A or can you live with the level of service being a little lower
during peak times. Additionally, any improvements to intersections include additional
maintenance costs. Larger intersections are more pavement repairs, more plowing, etc. If
there are signals, there are costs for those as well. Or for a roundabout, there may be costs to
purchase right-of-way.
Alderperson Kubacki also mentioned that Janesville Road is a suitable road that can be used
as well. Police Chief Westphal mentioned as a reminder that the speed limit was lowered on
Tess Corners so that also lowers the throughput, or number of cars that can travel through.
Another part of the concern is that the roads do not intersect at a 90-degree angle.
Alderperson Madden said that if the analysis is done and the results say that we need a
roundabout and widening the road and turning lanes are needed, what is the City responsibility
to complete the improvements. Director Kroeger said that nobody is directing you to do
anything. Rather it just lets you know how the intersection can be improved to a higher level.
Normally in the traffic study there is one option that is to do nothing. Alderperson Madden said
that they would be spending this money to find out that the road is busy and the road may
need to be fixed at some point.
Alderperson Schwer said that they just finished a hard budget he doesn't see where five to
seven thousand can be pulled from. This wouldn't be until 2026 or 2027, where the cost
estimates will change anyway.
Alderperson Kubacki said he would be hard pressed to recommend approval.
Alderperson Madden made a motion to Deny the Request for Traffic Study at Tess
Corners Dr and Woods Rd Intersection. Alderperson Schwer seconded.
Motion Passed 3 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 of action to committee
members.)
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
ADJOURNMENT
Alderperson Madden made a motion to adjourn at 5:29 PM. Alderperson Schwer
seconded.
Motion Passed 3 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wendy Fredlund
Recording Secretary