COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Packet 06162026CITY OF MUSKEGO
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA
06/16/2026
6:10 PM
Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE COMMON
COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Committee of the Whole Minutes - March 10, 2026
COWM 26.03.10 Draft.docx
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion of Electronic Bicycles (e-bikes) and Other Electric Vehicles and Possibility of an
Ordinance
Memo - e-bikes_attachment_26.06.16.pdf
OLD BUSINESS
Further Discussion on the Current Closing of Muskego Dam Drive and Condition of Culvert Pipes
ADJOURNMENT
NOTICE
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MEMBERS OF AND POSSIBLY A QUORUM OF MEMBERS OF OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BODIES OF THE
MUNICIPALITY MAY BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE ABOVE -STATED MEETING TO GATHER INFORMATION; NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN
BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL BODY AT THE ABOVE -STATED MEETING OTHER THAN THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY SPECIFICALLY
REFERRED TO ABOVE IN THIS NOTICE.
ALSO, UPON REASONABLE NOTICE, EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF DISABLED INDIVIDUALS
THROUGH APPROPRIATE AIDS AND SERVICES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST THIS SERVICE, CONTACT
MUSKEGO CITY HALL, (262) 679-4100.
CITY OF MUSKEGO
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
March 10, 2026
Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Petfalski called the meeting to order at 7:52 pm.
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UNAPPROVED
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Petfalski, Alderperson Wolfe, Alderperson Hammel, Alderperson Decker, Alderperson
Bryce, Alderperson Schroeder, Alderperson Duelge, Alderperson Madden
Also Present: Attorney Nick Cerwin, Finance & Administrative Director Mustapich, HR Director Croteau,
Superintendent of Utilities Bourdo, Chief Westphal, Captain Fons, City Clerk Roller
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE
City Clerk Roller stated that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting law on
Friday, March 6, 2026.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Committee of the Whole Minutes - October 14, 2025 & December 16, 2025
COWM 25.10.14 Draft.docx
COWM 25.12.16 Draft.docx
Moved by Alderperson Bryce; seconded by Alderperson Duelge to Approve.
Motion Passed: 7 - 0
Voting For: Alderperson Wolfe, Alderperson Hammel, Alderperson Decker, Alderperson Bryce,
Alderperson Schroeder, Alderperson Duelge, Alderperson Madden
Voting Against: None
CLOSED SESSION
Following conclusion of consideration of the above portion of its regularly scheduled agenda, the
Committee of the Whole will meet to vote on a motion to convene in Closed Session for
discussion/action relative to:
Discussion of employment personnel matters, wherein the naming of specific persons or job titles would
likely have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of the employees involved.
A Closed Session for the above purpose is authorized pursuant to the provisions of Wis. Stat. §
19.85(1) (c), considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any
public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.
Upon conclusion of the Closed Session, the Committee of the Whole will reconvene in Open Session to
consider its public agenda, including motions to recommend approval or rejection of the above -listed
deliberations or any of the public agenda items that have not been acted upon.
Moved by Alderperson Bryce; seconded by Alderperson Duelge to Approve to convene into Closed
Session at 7:55 pm.
Motion Passed: 7 - 0 by Roll Call Vote
Voting For: Alderperson Wolfe, Alderperson Hammel, Alderperson Decker, Alderperson Bryce,
Alderperson Schroeder, Alderperson Duelge, Alderperson Madden
Voting Against: None
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Committee of the Whole Minutes — March 10, 2026
Page 12
OPEN SESSION
Moved by Alderperson Bryce; seconded by Alderperson Madden to Approve to reconvene into
Open Session at 8:09 pm.
Motion Passed: 7 - 0
Voting For: Alderperson Wolfe, Alderperson Hammel, Alderperson Decker, Alderperson Bryce,
Alderperson Schroeder, Alderperson Duelge, Alderperson Madden
Voting Against: None
NEW BUSINESS
Responsibilities and Roles of Elected Officials
Decorum and Behavior at Public Meetings
Attorney Nick Cerwin introduced himself and talked regarding the two items under New Business.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Alderperson Schroeder; seconded by Alderperson Duelge to Adjourn at 9:07 pm.
Motion Passed: 7 - 0
Voting For: Alderperson Wolfe, Alderperson Hammel, Alderperson Decker, Alderperson Bryce,
Alderperson Schroeder, Alderperson Duelge, Alderperson Madden
Voting Against: None
Minutes recorded by City Clerk Roller and transcribed by Assistant Deputy Clerk -Treasurer Crisp
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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Rick Petfaiski, Mayor
(262) 679-5675
rpetfalski(aD_cityofmuskego. or_g
MEMO
To: Muskego Common Council
From: Rick Petfalski, Mayor
Date: June 15, 2026
Subject: E-Bike Safety Concerns and Potential Regulatory Options
1W
Over the past year, the City has experienced a significant increase in the use of electric bicycles
(e-bikes), electric scooters, and other motor -assisted mobility devices. While many operators use
these devices responsibly and within the law, we are receiving an increasing number of
complaints from residents regarding unsafe operation, particularly by younger riders.
The concerns being raised are not hypothetical. Residents, Council Members, City staff, and the
Police Department have all observed and received reports of high-speed operation on recreation
trails and sidewalks, failure to stop at intersections, disregard for traffic control devices, riding
against traffic, and other dangerous behaviors. Many of these complaints involve children and
teenagers operating devices capable of speeds well beyond what most people would expect from
a traditional bicycle.
Importantly, the devices themselves are not necessarily the problem. The overwhelming majority
of operators are using them responsibly. The issue is that a growing number of riders are either
unaware of or choosing not to follow existing laws and safety practices. In many cases, the
conduct generating complaints is already prohibited under state law and existing local
ordinances. Running stop signs, failing to yield, reckless operation, and other unsafe behaviors
are already enforceable offenses.
This issue is not unique to Muskego. Communities throughout Wisconsin and across the country
are grappling with similar concerns as technology advances and these devices become more
affordable and widely available. Some municipalities have adopted extensive ordinances
regulating specific classes of e-bikes and scooters. Others have focused on enforcement of
existing laws combined with targeted local regulations where gaps exist.
At this time, I believe Muskego should carefully evaluate whether additional local regulations
are necessary and, if so, what those regulations should be. Before moving forward with any
ordinance changes, I would like staff to continue researching approaches being used by
neighboring communities and to work with the Police Department to identify specific problem
areas and enforcement challenges.
Several potential options have emerged during preliminary discussions, including:
W182 S8200 Racine Avenue — Muskego, WI 53150 — www.cityofmuskego.org
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• Enhanced enforcement and education efforts regarding existing traffic laws.
• Restrictions on the operation of certain motorized devices on sidewalks in high pedestrian -use
areas.
• Age -related regulations for higher -speed motorized devices.
• Establishing speed limitations on shared -use recreational trails.
• Clarifying where various classes of e-bikes and scooters may legally operate within the City.
• Public education efforts directed toward parents and guardians regarding safe operation and
supervision of young riders.
As we consider potential solutions, it is important that we strike an appropriate balance. We do
not want to create unnecessary regulations that impact responsible riders. At the same time, we
have an obligation to ensure that our sidewalks, parks, recreation trails, and roadways remain
safe for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and all users of the public right-of-way.
I believe the first step should be a broader discussion by the Common Council regarding the
scope of the issue, followed by direction to staff on whether additional ordinance language
should be drafted for future consideration. This discussion should also include input from the
Police Department regarding enforcement trends and from our Parks and Public Works staff
regarding safety concerns they are observing on trails and other public facilities.
I welcome your feedback and discussion during an upcoming Council meeting. As always,
please refrain from discussing this matter among yourselves outside of a properly noticed
meeting in compliance with Wisconsin's Open Meetings Law.
W182 S8200 Racine Avenue — Muskego, WI 53150 — www.cityofmuskego.org
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