Minutes 11-12-01.docPROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING
November 12, 2001
VOL. 52
NO. 22
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on
November 12, 2001.
The meeting was called to order by Council President Brien at 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop No. 562
led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council President asked for a moment of silence to
honor all past and current military personnel.
Present: Council President Brien, Councilmembers Damron, Williams, O'Leary (arrived at 7:04
p.m.), DeGarmo, Murphy and Steeber.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the regular meeting of October 22, 2001.
Minutes of the special meeting of October 24, 2001.
Minutes of the special meeting of October 29, 2001.
Minutes of the closed session of October 29, 2001.
Minutes of the special meeting of November 5, 2001.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
Council President Brien stated that Council would act in a separate motion on the negative
recommendation of the ALAC; however, the balance of the Consent Agenda would be approved if
there were no objections. There were none.
Ruark M. Allen, 28 S. Ringold St., appeared before the Council to discuss his negative
recommendation for an operator's license. Councilmember DeGarmo moved to approve an
operator's license for Mr. Allen, seconded by Councilmember Damron. The motion passed by the
following vote: Aye: Councilmembers Damron, O'Leary, DeGarmo, Murphy and Steeber. Nay:
Councilmembers Brien and Williams.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action.
Richard Frank, 1119 Elida St., commended Councilmember Murphy for stating that the City should
maintain their property before looking at citizen property. He believes that everyone should pay their
fair share for storm water utility fees and the use of detention ponds would cut down on the usage
of our storm water system.
2. Public hearing on the proposed FY 2002 City and Library budgets.
Harold Robb, 3513 W. Rollingwood Dr., and John Anderson, 4337 Fieldcrest Dr., both representing
Rotary Gardens, requested an increase in the City subsidy for Rotary Gardens from $20,000 to
$30,000. Jason Josvai, Executive Director of the Historical Society, thanked Council for their past
and future financial support. Richard Gruber, representing Forward Janesville, stated their support
for the Council and advised them to continue their efforts to change the state shared revenue
calculation, to explore privatization of services, to implement cost containment strategies for health
insurance premiums and to monitor debt service increases. Shelly KrulI-Hanke, 1603 Ontario Dr.
and Dick Owens, 303 Forest Hills Blvd spoke in opposition of the proposed closure of Lions Beach.
Mary Goad, 922 Nantucket Dr., indicated her concern about the proposed tax increase and
suggested that taxes be spent only on basic services. Richard Frank, 1119 Elida St., asked the
Council to not raise taxes, as more people are losing their homes.
Council President Brien closed the public hearing.
3. Action on the proposed FY 2002 Library Budget
Councilmember O'Leary moved to approve a 2002 tax levy (without TIF) in the amount of $2,566,369
for Library purposes, and direct the Finance Director to include this amount in the 2002 levy
resolution. Councilmember DeGarmo seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Action on an proposed letter concerning the closing of Mercy Manor.
Councilmember DeGarmo stated he would not participate in this discussion because of a conflict
of interest. He left his seat at the Council table. Council President Brien opened a public hearing
to allow public input. Ruth Yarborough, Vice President of Mercy Health Systems, stated that they
plan to: 1. relocate all residents to Mercy Hospital or a nursing home in Rock County. 2. transfer
the nursing home beds to another facility; and, 3. donate Mercy Manor to the Salvation Army. Judy
Robson, State Senator, spoke in opposition to closing Mercy Manor. Bill Zimmer, 2419 Ruger Ave.,
suggested the building be remodeled and kept as a nursing home. Richard Frank, 1119 Elida St.,
stated that the State should fund mandated changes in health care.
Councilmember O'Leary moved to send a letter to Mercy Health Systems stating the Council's
objection to the closure of Mercy Manor and requested that the Administration examine Mercy's tax-
exempt status. Councilmember Williams seconded the motion and it passed by the following vote:
Aye: Councilmembers Brien, Williams, O'Leary, Murphy and Steeber. Nay: Councilmember
Damron. Councilmember DeGarmo returned to his Council seat.
2. A proposed resolution authorizing and granting an underground utility easement extending
across a portion of Palmer Park to Alliant Energy. Councilmember DeGarmo moved to adopt said
resolution, seconded by Councilmember Steeber. The motion passed unanimously. (File Res. No.
2001-200)
3. A proposed resolution authorizing a Project Agreement with the Wisconsin Department of
Transportation for the construction of a traffic route between Avalon Road and the General Motors
facility. Councilmember O'Leary moved to approve said resolution, seconded by Councilmember
DeGarmo. The motion passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2001-202)
4. A proposed resolution authorizing the construction of an addition to the Rotary Gardens
Visitor's Center, construction of a new Horticulture Building, and approving amendments to the
Lease Agreement to include the proposed addition. Councilmember DeGarmo stated he would pass
on this matter because of a conflict of interest. Richard Stark, Board Chairman for Rotary Gardens,
spoke in favor of this resolution.
Councilmember Williams moved to adopt said resolution and to amend Section 13 of the proposed
lease to include language that would allow public access to all waters at all times. Councilmember
Steeber seconded the motion and it passed by the following vote: Aye: Councilmembers Brien,
Damron, Williams, O'Leary, Murphy and Steeber. Passed: Councilmember DeGarmo. (File Res.
No. 2001-201)
5. Action on a recommendation to establish a separate Information Systems Department in
accordance with Chapter 64.10 of the Wisconsin State Statutes. Councilmember Murphy moved
to approve this recommendation, seconded by Councilmember Steeber. The motion passed
unanimously.
6. Action on the report of the City Administration for the intersection of Mineral Point and
Crosby Avenues. Councilmember O'Leary moved to paint directional arrows at the intersection
of Mineral Point and Crosby Avenues and at the discretion of the Engineering department, limit
parking on the eastside of N. Crosby Avenue, north of Mineral Point Avenue. Councilmember
Steeber seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
7. Matters not on the Agenda.
City Manager Sheiffer indicated that, since the next regularly scheduled Council meeting falls on
Christmas Eve, the meeting would be moved to Thursday, December 27, 2001 at 11:30 a.m.,
pending Plan Commission actions. If there are no Plan Commission business items that need
Council action, all other business will be postponed until January 14, 2002.
8. Councilmember O'Leary moved to convene into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin
Statute Section 19.85(1)(e), for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public
properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever
competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, and 19.85(1)(d) for the purpose of
considering strategy for crime detection and prevention. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Williams and it passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council adjourned into closed session at 10:08 p.m.
Jean Ann Wulf
City Clerk-Treasurer