Oak Creek Mayor Says Cities Seeking United Front In Waukesha Water Talks

Oak Creek, Milwaukee and Racine want to show a united front so that the three cities are in a good negotiating position as Waukesha seeks Lake Michigan water, Oak Creek Mayor Al Foeckler said.

Foeckler explained the thinking behind the letter leaked to the media yesterday .

The water utilities of Oak Creek and Racine have been in negotiations with Waukesha since last year, and Milwaukee may get involved as well.

"They didn't want Waukesha to leverage communities against each other, so by showing a united front it would put the cities in a better position," Foeckler said.

Foeckler said private discussions were held between Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Racine Mayor John Dickert and late Oak Creek Mayor Dick Bolender before Bolender's death in December.

Foeckler was brought up to speed and agreed the negotiations need careful considerations as the lake is a valuable natural resource, he said. In the letter, officials questioned Waukesha about the city's conservation measures, rate increase requests and water service area.

In addition, the possibility of Oak Creek providing Waukesha with Lake Michigan water presents economic development conflicts, Foeckler said.

While it would be a huge financial gain for Oak Creek, it could also put the city at a competitive disadvantage as it embarks on large redevelopment projects at the former Delphi site and lakefront, Foeckler said.

"I have concerns that Oak Creek could be subsidizing development in Waukesha at the same time we're trying to bring in jobs to Oak Creek," he said.

Foeckler said he regretted that Oak Creek Common Council members and water utility personnel found out about the letter through the media, but said talks had to be kept private.

The letter came as a surprise to Waukesha officials, who have been negotiating with Oak Creek and Racine since last year about providing Lake Michigan water to the city.

"We have been having very good discussions with Oak Creek and Racine so far," Waukesha Water Utility General Manager Dan Duchniak . "Unfortunately, we have not had any discussions with Milwaukee. We hope those start soon."

Oak Creek Common Council President Steve Scaffidi said Foeckler wasn't speaking on behalf of the city when he signed the letter.

"This is Mayor Foeckler's personal position," Scaffidi said. "It doesn't represent the official position of the city."

Scaffidi said he believes Oak Creek should continue to investigate the possibility of providing Waukesha with Lake Michigan water, which he said would benefit the city financially and strengthen the city's water utility.

Foeckler and Steve Yttri, general manager of the Oak Creek Water and Sewer Utility, said they expect negotiations with Waukesha to continue the same way they have over the last several months.

Waukesha also needs approvals from all the Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces to purchase Lake Michigan water.