Minutes 06-11-2007
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING Approved: June 25, 2007
June 11, 2007
VOL. 58
NO. 7
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on
June 11, 2007. The meeting was called to order by Council President Brunner at 7:00 p.m.
Council President Brunner led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council President Brunner, Councilmembers DeGarmo, Steeber, Truman, Wellnitz
and Williams. Absent: Councilmember Loasching.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the special meeting April 12, 2007.
Minutes of the regular meeting May 29, 2007.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee (ALAC). (Refer to
separate agenda.)
Authorization for the Administration to Deny a Liability Claim for Ingrid Bartelmes-Fish in the
amount of $50,000.
Council President Brunner removed the Class A alcohol license amendment application for the
Grapevine Wine Shop, LLC, from the Consent Agenda. He stated the remaining items would
be approved if there were no objections. There were none.
Scott Hallatt, owner of the Grapevine Wine Shop, spoke in favor of removing the “sale of wine
only” restriction on his alcohol license and to allow for the sale of intoxicating liquors.
Councilmember Williams moved to remove the restriction on this alcohol license, seconded by
Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public regarding items on the Agenda not requiring a
public hearing. Ty Bollerud, P.O. Box 312, suggested the Council hold public hearings on
expanding hiking and biking trails.
2. Award of Contract C2007-11 (new sidewalk) for Public Works Bid Schedule “D” – 2007.
Councilmember Steeber moved to award said contract to J. B. Johnson Bros., LLC, in the
amount of $569,675, seconded by Councilmember Williams and passed unanimously.
Council President Brunner stated that the Council would consider New Business #3, #4 and
#1, respectively.
3. Approval of a proposal from the Wisconsin Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation to build a
hiking trail in Riverside Park. Councilmember Williams moved to approve the donation and
waive the no camping and hour opening-closing ordinances for the volunteers working on this
project. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously.
4. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the acceptance of a stage structure at
Courthouse Park from the South Central Wisconsin Builders Association. Councilmember
Williams moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Wellnitz and passed
unanimously. (File Res. No. 2007-411)
1. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the City to enter into a lease with Penny
Reynolds for use of the property located at 654 South Franklin Street. Councilmember
Truman moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed
unanimously. (File Res. No. 2007-412)
3. City Manager’s report.
(A) Police Chief Neil Mahan provided the Council with an overview of the department by
highlighting the services provided, resources used and forecasts for their future needs.
NEW BUSINESS
2. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the issuance of $13,165,000 General
Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2007, and providing the details thereof. Councilmember
Wellnitz moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Williams and passed
unanimously. (File Res. No. 2007-407)
5. Action on a proposed resolution supporting legislation enabling the establishment of
Regional Transit Authorities in the State of Wisconsin. Councilmember Steeber moved to
adopt said resolution seconded by Councilmember Williams and passed unanimously. (File
Res. No. 2007-413)
6. Council President Brunner scheduled a MPO Policy Board meeting for June 25, 2007 at
6:15 p.m. in Room 416 of the Municipal Building.
7. Recommendation of the Transportation Committee: A proposed ordinance changing the
speed limit on the following street segments: 1) Tripp Road (Hayner Road to Afton Road) and;
2) Mineral Point Road (Austin Road to the west line of Parker High School), was introduced
and scheduled for public hearing on June 25, 2007. (File Ord. No. 2007-367)
8. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council
action. Helen Close, 227 Ba Wood Lane, stated she appreciated the City Council information
on the City’s website, the brochures and magazines distributed by the Janesville Area
Convention and Visitors Bureau and the wonderful opportunities available at the Senior
Center. In addition, she promoted the books written by local author Ruby Walton.
9. Matters not on the agenda. Councilmember Truman expressed his concerns about the tall
grass at Lustig Park and the possibility of reclassifying the park from Tier 2 to Tier 1 mowing
schedule. City Manager Sheiffer stated that funding is only available for a Tier 2 mowing
schedule and that the Council may look at this issue during the 2008 budget meetings. Also,
Councilmember Truman asked for a status report on the repairs located in front of the
Municipal Building.
Council President Brunner scheduled a Council meeting for June 23, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. The
Council will be joining the Downtown Development Association, Plan Commission, media, and
staff members on a bus trip to Kenosha to review their downtown redevelopment. He stated
that there would be a special council meeting (study session) in August to review the 2008
sidewalk program. City Manager Sheiffer stated that he would be forwarding another option
for a major aquatics facility to the Citizens Aquatics Committee for their review.
10. Councilmember Wellnitz 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, specifically setting the
negotiation/bargaining terms and conditions for a potential TIF agreement/sale of land in one
of the4 City’s industrial parks and for the potential acquisition of riverfront property(ies) for
various public purposes. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed
unanimously.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 8:52 p.m.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
City Clerk-Treasurer