04-20-99PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
April 20, 1999
VOL. 50
NO. 1
An organizational meeting of the Janesville City Council, held at the Municipal Building on
April 20, 1999 at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by City Clerk-Treasurer Jean Ann Wulf.
Present: Councilmembers Brien, Murphy, Noll, O’Leary, Schneider, Stehura and Westphal.
ELECTION OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT:
The City Clerk-Treasurer called for nominations from the floor for City Council President.
Councilmember Westphal moved to nominate Councilmember Murphy as Council President,
seconded by Councilmember O’Leary. Councilmember Noll moved to nominate Councilmember
Stehura as Council President, seconded by Councilmember Brien. The City Clerk-Treasurer
called for any other nominations for Council President three times and received no further
nominations. Nominations were closed and the Council received paper ballots and voted for
Council President. City Attorney Klimczyk and City Clerk-Treasurer Wulf counted the ballots
and reported the results. Councilmember Stehura was elected Council President with four votes
and Councilmember Murphy received three votes.
Councilmember O’Leary moved to elect Councilmember Brien as Council Vice-President,
seconded by Councilmember Schneider. There were no other nominations. Nominations were
closed and the Council unanimously approved Councilmember Brien as Council Vice-President.
Council President Stehura established the new seating arrangement for the Council starting at the
President’s far left: Councilmembers Westphal, Murphy, O’Leary and Brien; starting from the
President’s far right Councilmembers Schneider and Noll.
Council President Stehura stated that Councilmembers should forward their committee
assignment requests to him.
STUDY SESSION:
A. Review of Fiscal Planning Strategy. City Manager Sheiffer offered a presentation to provide
context for the review of the City’s fiscal planning. Mr. Sheiffer outlined the assumptions
and stated that the results indicate that the City should expect significant revenue shortfalls
over the next three year period. He indicated that the situation is similar to what the City has
experienced in the last three to five years with declining State revenue and increasing
demands of a growing city.
Mr. Sheiffer stated that the City’s response must be to reduce expenditures and increase
revenues. He then reviewed the potential expenditure reductions identified by the
administration and the potential revenue enhancements. Mr. Sheiffer concluded his
presentation by asking the Council to react to the administration’s proposals.
Councilmember Westphal questioned the need to assume 3% for a non-wage driven inflation
rate and Mr. Sheiffer indicated that the 3% was used as a conservative number. Questions
were raised about the proposed increase in planning fees, erosion controls and cable
television fees. Councilmember O’Leary expressed concern about the proposal to add
billboards to generate revenue. Councilmember Murphy requested a one page summary of
the Tallman, golf course and ice arena leases. He also raised questions about a proposed
decrease in the paramedic service. Councilmember Schneider questioned the fiscal impact of
raises in the room tax and indicated that he would like information from the Janesville Area
Convention and Visitors Bureau regarding the return from the marketing program. He also
requested information on what other cities charge for parking fees and Mr. Sheiffer indicated
that the fee increase proposal would include a peer cities analysis. He also suggested that we
sell parking spaces permanently and Mr. Sheiffer indicated that condominiumizing parking
spaces was an idea that should be explored. Councilmember Brien questioned the amount of
revenue being received from the advertising on fully wrapped buses. City Manager Sheiffer
indicated that the amount was around $13,000. Council President Stehura inquired as to
progress on changing the State shared revenue formula and City Manager Sheiffer responded
that change is very difficult, if not impossible because the City of Milwaukee benefits so
greatly and they have political support in the legislature. Council President Stehura also
questioned the likely continuation of recycling revenues. Mr. Sheiffer commented that he
was anticipating that there would be some revenue, either from the State General Fund
revenue or waste disposal fees. The tax on business would be phased out.
Councilmember Murphy inquired about the new contract for recycling materials marketing.
The City is currently requesting proposals from private vendors for this service. Collection
of recyclables is provided by City crews. No increase in revenue is expected as a result of
the new proposals. The City will do well to maintain current revenue levels from the sale of
recycling materials.
Councilmember Westphal stated that he was opposed to any increase in the room tax.
Council President Stehura suggested that they reduce the debt service from approximately
12% to 11%. City Manager Sheiffer commented that would require slowing down capital
construction and that he was receiving indications that City Council members wished to
undertake significant capital construction.
Council President Stehura questioned whether or not the City could move up the
implementation of the fees and the City Manger suggested that the administration would
move forward as soon as possible with the fee proposals.
B. Review of Master Plan for Water System. City Engineer/Public Services Director Boldt
presented a newly completed Master Plan for the water system. Mr. Boldt commented that
the last plan was completed in the mid-1980s and that it primarily dealt with the need to
increase water production. The new Plan will address the growth needs of the City. Both
plans were completed by Black & Veatch. The new Plan calls for three new wells, which
would be developed and located according to needs as determined by future development.
Councilmember Brien questioned the location of the southside well and Mr. Boldt indicated
that the exact location would be determined in the future based on developing needs. There
is also need for the creation of a third high pressure zone if development occurs in the
northwest portion of the City. There are also major distribution main improvements
proposed in the Plan. Councilmembers questioned the reasons for the nitrate problem. Mr.
Boldt explained that high nitrates in the shallow aquifer occurred as a result of the significant
farming activity in Rock County and that the City’s proposed solution to address this is to
draw future water from the deep aquifer, which is not subject to nitrate contamination. There
was a discussion about the need for generators to operate the water system in the event of
electrical outages associated with the Year 2000 computer concerns. Mr. Boldt indicated that
a proposal to acquire generators was currently being reviewed.
Mr. Boldt concluded his presentation by summarizing that the City of J anesville had an
abundant water supply of very high quality and that the City’s water rates are very low. In
fact, the City’s water rates are the lowest among peer group comparison cities when last
evaluated in 1997. Further, the proposed capital increases would require some rate increases
and this would amount to $1.39 per quarter in 2000 and $2.73 per quarter in 2002 for the
average residential customer. Mr. Boldt then summarized the distribution main
improvements proposed for the upcoming 1999 Note Issue.
There were no items brought forward on Matters Not on the Agenda and Council President
Stehura concluded the meeting at 8:15 P.M.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
City Clerk-Treasurer