Thursday, April 18, 2013
Whether retirement, resignation or redistricting, departing aldermen recognized for their service as they return to private life.
It was said often Tuesday night that no one who seeks to become an alderman in Muskego does so for the money, but rather to serve. With a salary of about $293 every two weeks, its easily a job that extends far beyond the time spent in meetings. Recognizing that, the City of Muskego recognized three aldermen as they have stepped down from their districts in the past year. Kert Harenda has been the District 2 alderman since 2009, and was unable to run again as new lines had been drawn during last year's destricting, and he no longer lived in District 2. Neome Schaumberg had announced her retirement from District 6 at the end of this term, after serving on the council since . Keith Werner had tendered his resignation amidst a recall effort …
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Some council members wanted more oversight of expenses, but others saw the move as micromanaging and less efficient. The Committee of the Whole voted against making any changes to the city policy.
The city's purchasing policy will remain as it has been, but not after some debate on how much can be spent before the Common Council has to review it. The discussion occurred Tuesday night at the Committee of the Whole meeting. Generally expenses that were included in the council's approved budget do not need another look, unless they exceed the expected amount. Department heads can approve expenses up to $25,000, with the Mayor's approval also needed for those higher than that. However, Alderman Dan Soltysiak challenged the policy stating that the Common Council was charged with the oversight of finances, not the mayor, and said they should be the ones signing off on expenses over $25,000. "This would provide another layer of checks and…
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Public Safety Committee wrestles with pros and cons of issuing permits for fireworks, and asks the Common Council to discuss putting it on the ballot
It's possible voters in Muskego will get to weigh in on the April ballot on whether personal fireworks should be banned in the city. The Public Works Committee discussed the current procedures and restrictions on the fireworks ordinance, which does allow private residents to set off class C fireworks in a selected three-day period between July 1 and July 7. Muskego is the only city to allow such use, and recently residents opposed to their use have become more vocal, especially with the summer of 2012 being so dry. The issue was moot as Muskego posted a ban on fireworks as well as burning because of the extreme drought. The committee itself was conflicted, with Alderman Rob Glazier siding with making improvements to safety requirements in…
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Neome Schaumberg has been a part of the plan commission and Common Council for 16 years, but says she's retiring as 6th District Alderman; Eileen Madden says she'll run in 7th District.
After a brief break from elections, it's time to start thinking about 2013. Muskego will have their primary on Feb. 19 if enough candidates emerge for the four district seats on the Common Council, which means at least three candidates per district. District 2 will need a new alderman as Kert Harenda was redistricted out, but rules allowed him to finish his term. Rob Glazier currently is the District 4 alderman, having been appointed after Keith Werner's resignation this past spring. Glazier has not indicated yet if he will decide to throw his hat in the ring for the 2013 - 15 term. Neome Schaumberg, who has been the District 6 Alderman since 2009, told Muskego Patch that she was going to retire at the end of her term in April, leaving the…
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The city approved a recommendation to offer the county $1 to purchase the BP land at Janesville Road and Lannon Drive, understanding some risk is involved, but preferring to control what happens at a vital corner in downtown.
The Common Council gave its approval to move forward on a purchase of land at the corner of Janesville Road and Lannon Drive. The site formerly held the BP gas station, and despite the understanding that some risk is involved in cleaning up the site, which is considered slightly contaminated, the council saw more benefit in controlling what happens next on the site. Alderman Kert Harenda, who had requested more time to review an environmental study already done on the property, said he was concerned that no ground water information was available, but admitted he has seen other cities take the risk in acquiring properties like it. Alderman Dan Soltysiak saw the purchase as a way to "spur economic development, as long as we can make a sale …
While city-owned facilities are not in a state of disrepair as those reviewed in the school district, aldermen approved hiring a firm to determine needs and efficiencies, despite some feeling it's an expense that can wait.
A proposal to spend $40,000 to hire a consultant to review all city-owned buildings came under fire from some Common Council members Tuesday night, but was ultimately approved after an extended debate. Jeff Muenkel, the city's director of development, recommended hiring Zimmerman Architectural Studios to conduct a study of the library, City Hall, and departmental buildings, like parks and public works. The firm would survey staff and others who those buildings to determine needs, and how best each space could be utilized. Potential recommendations may include construction of new facilities, but could also point out more efficient use of the spaces, which would save the city money in the long run. The 2012 budget estimated the cost of the …
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Numerous business owners came out Tuesday night to argue for funding as the third and final year of construction looms in 2013.
The final year of Janesville Road construction is scheduled for 2013, and with that, the city will likely fund the Jammin on Janesville events for another year at the same levels it's seen in the past two years, but not without more debate. Business owners came to the Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday night to speak out for continued funding of $19,000 in 2013, which helps to offset the cost to market the event. Two previous COW meetings had left doubt that the summer event would see the same level of support from the city, with several aldermen concerned that the amount was too high. Dan Koehler, incoming president for the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism said the businesses still need the city's help, as they are already…
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Aldermen say the popular senior program has merit, but the summer street festival can do with less funding
The Muskego Senior Taxi will continue to receive funding from the city in 2013 at the same level it has in past years, but Jammin' on Janesville will likely face a cut. Meetings at the Committee of the Whole Tuesday, aldermen asked questions of representatives from the taxi service, which provides low-cost rides for Muskego seniors, to determine if they would continue to approve a $5,000 request for funding in 2013. The organization started about six years ago and has received city funds every year since. At issue was not whether the program was a benefit to the city, but rather how the city should categorize funding for this and other community organizations and services. "There are a lot of other organizations that would appreciate the …
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Yet another wrench thrown into plans for pub to be rebuilt, as legal wrangling causes council to wonder if the use of the requested rezoning of DJ's is enforceable, but ultimately votes to approve.
Despite another rocky night for DJ's Pub at Common Council, the outcome was much brighter for the business, which has been trying to get approval for rezoning in order to rebuild since early June. Tuesday night's approval will now send it to plan commission to hammer out the details. The agenda featured a reconsideration of the failed resolution to rezone the bar, which is currently residential. The owner has requested commercial zoning as the business will be torn down to make way for a wider Janesville Road. Rebuilding the business, which has been a fixture at the site for 90 years, hinges on rezoning, designated by the city as downtown revival (DR-1). However, it wasn't going to be easy. Jim and Heidi Lindhorst, property owners …
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Aldermen and citizens' appointments are set for the next term
The following appointments were made to the various government committees at Tuesday night's Common Council meeting. The term expiration dates appear in parentheses. Aldermanic Appointments Library Board - Alderman Neil Borgman (4/16/2013) Parks & Recreation Board - Alderman Dan Soltysiak (4/16/2013) Conservation Commission - Alderman Kert Harenda (4/16/2013) Community Development Authority - Alderman Rob Wolfe, Alderman Keith Werner (Expire 4/16/2013) Citizen Appointments Board of Appeals - Henry Schneiker (May 1, 2015) Board of Review - Steven Roncke (May 1, 2017) Board of Review - Tom Reck (Fulfilling the unexpired term of Dawn Schiel; May 1, 2016) Conservation Commission - Julie Holubowicz (April 30, 2015) Conservation Commission - …
Less Government
8:33 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2013
I think technically a common council as well as the mayor are charged with oversight of finances. In our system of government a council approves the budget and the mayor has day to day oversight of the operations of the city government. This sounds like a power grab by some members of the council. more ›