Minutes 09-05-01ss.docPROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
SPECIAL MEETING
September 5, 2001
VOL. 52
NO. 13
Special meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held at the Municipal
Building on September 5, 2001.
The meeting was called to order by Council President Brien at 5:00 p.m.
Present: Council President Brien, Councilmembers Steeber, DeGarmo, O'Leary (arrived
5:25 p.m.), Williams and Damron. Absent: Councilmember Murphy.
1. Report on status and evaluation of the feasibility of a stormwater utility. City
Manager Sheiffer stated that before they discussed the stormwater utility, he wanted
to address issues in the Sanitation Fund. He informed Council that there is a
projected revenue shortfall of $493,000 in 2001 for the Sanitation Fund. Therefore,
money earmarked for future construction will not be transferred to a construction
fund. The Green County landfill revenue will be used for operations and not future
construction. In addition, the Sanitation Fund capital projects scheduled for 2002-
2003 in the amount of $1,861,000 will shift to the General Fund.
City Manager Sheiffer presented the details of the proposed stormwater utility. Over
the next five years, the General Fund would need to borrow $1,960,000 in flood
related improvements. In addition, the City would spend $666,300 to meet EPA
requirements. If a stormwater utility was created, the projected improvements and
EPA requirements would be funded with stormwater user fees. The stormwater
utility would remove an estimated 5.6% of the proposed 2002 tax levy. The Council
agreed with the Administration's recommendation to introduce a stormwater utility
ordinance on November 26, 2001 and to schedule it for public hearing on December
10, 2001. Councilmember DeGarmo requested a list of dates for the stormwater
utility public information sessions. Councilmember Williams requested that the
Administration explore alternatives to prevent 1,800 residential propery owners from
paying more for storm water fees than the savings generated from reduced taxes.
Councilmembers Steeber and O'Leary requested the fiscal impact of excluding
governments, schools and charitible organizations from stormwater fees.
2. Review of park and recreation facility operations. City Manager Sheiffer reviewed
the City's current parks by categories, the five-year operating costs associated with
parks and the five-year capital project plan. Councilmember O'Leary stated we
should maintain and develop our current parks. Also, he suggested consolidating
recreational activities such as tennis courts instead of placing them throughout our
park system. City Sheiffer will reprioritize our capital project plan based on
Councilmember's comments of equity and eliminate duplication of services.
Councilmember Damron would like a recreational usage study conducted in 2002.
City Manager Sheiffer informed the Council that we have an additional $100,000 to
spend on bikeways and requested that they provide him with their preferences as to
where to improve the trail.
The Council reviewed our future aquatic needs. It was reported that Lions Beach
would not be funded in 2002 and Rockport Pool will reduce their admittance fees.
The Council concurred with this plan. Councilmember Damron would like
information on what our peer cities did with aging aquatic facilities and the fiscal
impact of reducing user fees.
3. Matters not on the agenda. There were none.
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
Clerk-Treasurer