The agenda for the August 4th Common Council meeting is available on the City's website. It is a pretty light agenda, but there are a couple of items that I am sure will be of interest.
The first thing that I know is of interest, based on the thread regarding the fire station, is item 3.5 on the consent agenda. That item is the approval of change order #14 for the construction of the fire station. As I have already discussed regarding the July 21st meeting, the fire station construction has reached the point of a total of just over $100,000 used from the budgeted $280,000 for contingencies. Now that we have reached that point, every change order must come before the council for approval. This item is for the installation of 2 conduits. Total cost... $251.00. Are these conduits critical to the immediate operation of the fire station? No. In fact they are for future use, but this is the cost effective time to place them, before the walls and ceiling are in place. What would be the cost to install the same conduits in the future? I cannot say, but I would be willing to bet it will be a good bit more than $251.
There is also an item on the agenda regarding the merger study process. At the joint meeting on the 24th, there were some very vocal opinions regarding the merging of the municipalities. I am concerned that there are those who have made a firm decision on the issue before we have even gathered all the information regarding the pros and cons of a merged government. It is important that we look at all of the issues, we need to look at the past, present and the future of both municipalities. The Village is an established municipality, it has been built out for a while now, pretty much all development in the Village is redevelopment. The City on the other hand has been in a state of growth. New development has been responsible for an increasing tax base, new roads and utility extensions, an increasing population and an increasing demand for services. However, this growth cannot continue forever, and even now has slowed. I cannot predict exactly when, but at some point, we will be built out, as the Village is now. What does the City do then? Will the City be able to maintain a low tax rate with little or no growth and an aging infrastructure? No. What will the future costs be and how can we protect ourselves and our posterity from excessive costs? Let's take a serious look at all the factors and facts. Then we can make an informed decision as a community.
Item 12 on the agenda may also be of interest to many. If you remember, when the lake was at it's highest, Chief Back declared a no motor restriction on the lake. That was implemented to protect not only the riparian owners, but the safety of lake users as there were many floating or submerged hazards. That decision was questioned by the Town of Delafield Board. What is being brought before the Council are changes to the emergency powere to lake restrictions agreement. These proposed changes must be agreed upon by all three municipalities which border the lake. The proposed agreement is as follows:
a. When the elevation of the lake is in excess of 853.4 above sea level as measured at the Village of Pewaukee dam, no person shall operate a watercraft in excess of slow-no-wake in any area of the lake.
b. 1. The Chief of the Water Safety Patrol is authorized to impose additional speed limit or other additional special emergency restrictions regarding the use of Pewaukee Lake when the water exceeds the established water level in subsection (a). Any order for additional special emergency restrictions shall be in effect for no longer than 48 hours, unless extended in conformity with the procedure stated herein. In the event the Chief believes that additional special emergency restriction should be in effect for a period longer than 48 hours, the Chief of the Water Safety Patrol shall consult with the Mayor, Village President and Town Chairman of their designees. Upon written approval of a majority of the parties, the additional special emergency restrictions may be extended upon the terms approved by the parties.
d. Lake Patrol shall post slow-no-wake and additional special emergency restrictions, if any, at all public accesses. When possible, the slow-no-wake and additional emergency restrictions should be posted on each municipal website.
I do not see this proposal as unreasonable.
http://www.pewaukeepatriot.org/article.php/20080802160528421