#5 Vision 2020 (File Res. #2009-613)CITY MANAGER’S MEMORANDUM
June 1, 2009
TO: City Council
FROM: Eric Levitt, City Manager
SUBJECT: Action on a Proposed Resolution and action on the establishment of task
force regarding poverty.
Summary
Former Council President Loasching & Councilwoman Voskuil requested a resolution
addressing poverty, and that the City create a Janesville Poverty coalition.
City Manager Recommendation
I recommend the formation of a task force with the outlined mission contained in the
memorandum.
Suggest Motion
Move to adopt Resolution Number 2009-613.
Second Motion:
I move to have a policy creating a task force be established by August 1, 2009.
Analysis
The City Manager researched the issue of poverty and specifically if there were other
meaningful resolutions addressing poverty. Two specific types of resolutions identified
were one that was a specific resolution on poverty and socioeconomic status, and a
second resolution on supporting Vision 2020 Campaign Goal to Eliminate Child Poverty.
The resolution to support the Vision 2020 campaign goal to eliminate child poverty has
been approved and supported by Rock County. I believe this resolution in part
addresses the goals stated by Councilwoman Voskuil.
The second component of Councilwoman Voskuil’s request was regarding establishing
a Janesville Poverty coalition.
I recommend that the City Council authorize the establishment of a task force on
poverty. The task force would have critical stakeholders and be in effect for one year,
and their task would be to:
1. Analyze what support systems exist in the Janesville area.
2. What service gaps are in the Janesville area.
3. Review potential systems that would enable citizens to become more involved
and informed of the needs in the community.
4. Create an action plan toward public information and how people can become
involved in providing assistance.
cc:
Jay Winzenz, Director of Administrative Services
Wald Klimczyk, City Attorney
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-613
A Resolution supporting Vision 2020 Campaign Goal to eliminate child poverty.
WHEREAS, in economic terms, poverty can be defined as a lack of income or resources to
meet the basic needs of life and more broadly poverty is a lack of opportunities, access, assets, and
means, not only to meet physical needs but also to participate in one’s community or to fulfill one’s
potential; and,
WHEREAS, the Vision 2020 Campaign goal is to eliminate childhood poverty in Wisconsin by
the year 2020; and,
WHEREAS, child poverty is a pervasive problem that affects all areas of Wisconsin including
the City of Janesville; and,
WHEREAS, as of December 11, 2008 the Rock County Economic Support Division reports an
unduplicated count of 14,071 children receiving economic support assistance; and,
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Bureau of Health statistics reveal that 35.6% of households with
children in Rock County live in poverty; and,
WHEREAS, children in poverty are at higher risk for poor health care, low academic
achievement, child abuse and neglect and juvenile delinquency; and,
WHEREAS, organizations such as the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, the
Wisconsin Head Start Association and the Wisconsin Community Action Program Association are
advocating for the Vision 2020 Campaign in an effort to engage citizens, communities and
policymakers to take action to eliminate child poverty; and,
WHEREAS, the focus of the Campaign is to increase awareness of child poverty in Wisconsin
and its impacts as well as commit to implementing solutions that address the root causes of child
poverty.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Janesville to
agree to participate in efforts to end child poverty in the City of Janesville and to announce their
support of the Vision 2020 Campaign.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Common Council of the City of Janesville encourages
city residents to visit the Vision 2020 website at www.2020wi.org and pledge their support for this
endeavor.
ADOPTED:
Motion by:
Second by:
APPROVED:
Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
Brunner
McDonald
Eric J. Levitt, City Manager
Perrotto
Rashkin
ATTEST:
Steeber
Truman
Voskuil
Jean Ann Wulf, City Clerk-Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
Proposed by: City Manager
Prepared by: City Manager