Thursday, December 15, 2011
New position creates some debate on Common Council, but the selection of Simpson draws unanimous praise.
The creation of a Department of Public Works and the appointment of current city engineer Dave Simpson to the role of its director were separate resolution items at the Common Council meeting Tuesday night, and each was received differently by members of the council. The department's restructuring will place Simpson as the Director and City Engineer. Debate centered on how efficient adding a director would be, especially in light of recent staff eliminations. "I'm not in favor of adding a director," said Alderman Dan Soltysiak. "I think it's not efficient government, and incurs more costs." Alderman Neil Borgman agreed, stating, "we just laid off two inspectors because we said there wasn't enough work for them to do, and now we're adding …
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Crystal reporting debated by council, which decides to eliminate the requirement, citing existing reports that can just be forwarded to the city.
Underlining a particularly contentious evening for the Common Council Tuesday night, debate over an agreement with the Tess Corners Fire Department centered on whether the city should pay $4800 for Crystal reporting, which provides data on the number of people involved in calls for service. Tracy Snead, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, said the reports provide a greater amount of detail to the city, including response times and the number of people who respond to any call. While she and others felt the additional expense may not be warranted as the department already receives a state report, others felt the expense was minimal and was one-time only. "I'm trying to figure out what we would do with this additional information anyway…
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Committee of the Whole opts to leave ordinance as is, which means if you wish to keep chickens, your lot will need to be 2.75 acres.
The Muskego Committee of the Whole (COW) met Tuesday night to discuss whether a new ordinance, or changes to existing ordinances, could allow for residents in higher density neighborhoods to own and raise chickens. Presently, only residents with properties that are 2.75 acres or larger can keep chickens (20 per acre), and have to provide adequate containment and sanitation measures. Alderman Noah Fiedler (District 7) explained that he had received an inquiry from a resident of his district, but City Planner Jeff Muenkel explained that the city has probably received as many as 15 such inquiries. He explained to COW that cities as large as Chicago and those similiar in size to Muskego like New Berlin have ordinances allowing for raising the…
An apparent faux pas by the Mayor raises the question of what the public thinks about Muskego's new logo.
The Muskego Committee of the Whole (COW) had a short agenda, but the first item seemed benign enough, that of the City's logo. Aldermen expressed concern when Mayor Kathy Chiaverotti announced at a prior council meeting that the new logo was now hanging in the council chambers and would eventually be adopted on the website. No one felt the change wasn't objectionable, as it more closely matches what the gateway signs on Racine Avenue and Moorland depict. However, as Alderman Keith Werner explained, "I think my issue with it is that it just 'happened' without discussion. I don't mind it, but it would have been nice to know." Alderman Noah Fiedler agreed, stating that the look was the same and he liked the simple design, but "after all we'…
Friday, September 30, 2011
Informal straw polling at a meeting of the Committee of the Whole reveals a tie; deciding vote could be up to Alderman Dan Soltysiak.
City planner Jeff Muenkel appeared before the Committee of the Whole this past Tuesday evening to discuss cutting two building inspector positions in the proposed 2012 operating budget for that particular division in his department. Muenkel said that the two building inspector positions account for 86% of that division’s $160,000 in total wages and salaries. That number does not include the costs of any benefits. If approved, the city would look to outsource the work of these two positions to a private firm. Muenkel said he thinks it’s "terrible" that something like this needs to be done, but understands the financial necessity. According to Alderman Noah Fiedler, Muenkel has attempted to avoid this move for the last few years, but the …
Thursday, September 29, 2011
A grant program to help residents along Janesville Road make improvements to their properties to coincide with Janesville Road reconstruction project is deferred as aldermen, committee have concerns
A proposed grant program that could give residents in the reconstruction area of Janesville Road up to $3,000 to improve their properties has been sent back for more work. City Planner Jeff Muenkel proposed the grant program at Tuesday's Finance Committee meeting. In his report to committee and Common Council members Muenkel gave background information on the idea, which was approved by the Community Development Authority (CDA). According to the report, the grant program would "...produce visible changes to residential buildings and sites facing the road right of way, conform to community standards and benefit the community to an extent equal or greater than the personal benefit to the owner." Priority would be given to projects …
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Discussion on funding Pioneer Drive reconstruction reveals a divide among aldermen.
Continuing discussion on 2012 capital budgets was the focus of this past Thursday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday night at City Hall. Among the highlights: The Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Department is asking for $60,200 for a variety of equipment upgrades and routine replacements, including: 20 belt-hung pagers, five mobile radios, five tough book computers, three desktop computers, and a new VHF repeater. The Department’s requests passed muster during Wednesday’s Public Safety Committee, and preliminary straw polling conducted during Thursday’s COW meeting showed that the city’s Aldermen appear to be onboard, as well. Absent from Thursday’s meeting was Alderman Noah Fiedler. The city’s Finance and Administration …
Monday, August 29, 2011
The tradition down Janesville brings back old favorites along with some new faces
Marching bands, dancing grannies and boats on wheels all brought to mind why people love parades Sunday August 28, as the Muskego Festival Parade rolled down Janesville Road and down Racine Avenue on its way to the festival grounds. More than 90 units took about a hour and a half to complete, but the skies were again clear and the breeze welcome for thousands of spectators who lined the route. The festival wrapped up its 4-day run at 6pm Sunday, and organizers say they will begin planning it all again starting in fall for the 25th Anniversary. The 2012 festival will run August 23-26.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Aldermen raise questions about budget practices, costs of project
Questions on the costs and decision to pave an overflow lot near the Durham Drive Big Muskego access lot were raised Tuesday night, accenting a divide on the Common Council over spending. The council was to vote on the acceptance of DNR grant for the Durham Drive, however questions were raised by Alderman Kert Harenda, who felt that a possible purchase of land near the Boxhorn launch might take precedence over dollars put into lot paving. He was also concerned over the increase in cost for the project to the city. "At the last parks meeting we were looking at purchasing some land near Boxhorn Drive. Originally this grant proposal would have cost the city $25,000, now it appears it's escalated to about $42,000." The grant available to the …
Fleming
1:08 am on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Put it up for a referendum, let the people vote on it. I'd like to raise a few chickens, no roosters. You don't need roosters unless you want fertile eggs. more ›