Minutes 12-10-2007
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING Approved: December 26, 2007
December 10, 2007
VOL. 58
NO. 23
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building
on December 10, 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, Loasching, Steeber,
Truman, Wellnitz, and Williams.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the regular meeting of November 26, 2007.
Minutes of the special meeting of November 30, 2007.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee. (Refer to
separate agenda.)
Appointment of election inspectors for 2008-2009.
Council President Brunner stated the consent agenda would be approved if there were no
objections. There were none.
Special recognition: A proposed resolution in commendation of Cedric Hathway’s 27 years
of service to the City of Janesville. Councilmember Williams moved to adopt said
resolution, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously. (File Res. No.
2007-457)
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public regarding items on the Agenda not requiring a
public hearing. Julie Backenkeller, 719 N. Grant Avenue, opposed the landfill disposal
contracts (New Business #2), stating pollution and contamination concerns.
2. A proposed ordinance regulating skateboarding activity within the City of Janesville
received its second reading and public hearing. The public hearing was opened. Andreah
Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust Street, Steve Olson, 814 Eisenhower Avenue, and Steve
Monroe, 217 Cornelia Street, spoke against the proposed ordinance. Karl
Dommershausen, representing Downtown Development Alliance, and Roger Streich,
Chairperson of the Skateboard Committee, spoke in favor the proposed ordinance. The
public hearing was closed. Councilmember DeGarmo moved to adopt said ordinance,
seconded by Councilmember Steeber and failed by the following vote: Aye: Council
President Brunner, Councilmembers DeGarmo and Steeber. Nay: Councilmembers
Loasching, Truman, Wellnitz, and Williams. (File Ord. No. 2007-389)
3. A proposed ordinance amending the City’s wastewater facility and sewer use ordinance
in order to adjust rates and adjust the funding level of the Utility’s replacement fund, as set
forth in Chapter 13.18 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Janesville received its
second reading and public hearing. No one spoke at the public hearing. Councilmember
Steeber moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Truman and passed
unanimously. (File Ord. No. 2007-393)
Council President Brunner stated that the Council would consider Old Business #9 next.
9. City Manager’s report.
(A) YWCA of Rock County. Carrie Parker, Director of the YWCA, explained their core
programs: Alternatives to Violence, Transitional Living, Hispanic Outreach, CARE House,
and Child Care.
Council President Brunner stated that he would combine Old Business #4 and #5.
4. & 5. Proposed ordinances attaching (2007-385) and zoning (2007-386) the Janesville
Terrace Mobile Home Park and sales lot at 3225 South USH 51 received their second
reading and public hearing. No one spoke at the public hearing. Councilmember Wellnitz
moved to adopt said ordinances, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed
unanimously. (File Ord. Nos. 2007:385-386)
Council President Brunner stated that he would combine Old Business #6 and #7.
6. & 7. Proposed ordinances attaching (2007-390) and zoning (2007-391) land
surrounding the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport purchased by Rock County for
runway expansion received their second reading and public hearing. No one spoke at the
public hearing. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said ordinances, seconded by
Councilmember Williams and passed unanimously. (File Ord. Nos. 2007:390-391)
8. A proposed ordinance rezoning property located at the southwest corner of Sandhill
Drive and North Wright Road from R1 to R3 received its second reading and public
hearing. The public hearing was opened. Andrew Schaefer, Project Developer, spoke in
favor of said ordinance. The public hearing was closed. Councilmember Williams moved
to adopt said ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Loasching and passed
unanimously. (File Ord. No. 2007-392)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Action on the Tallman House lease renewal with the Rock County Historical Society.
Councilmember Steeber moved to approve said lease, seconded by Councilmember
Williams and passed unanimously.
2. Action on three separate proposed resolutions authorizing the City Manager to amend
existing landfill disposal contracts with Waste Management (2007-455) and Town and
Country Sanitation (2007-454); and to enter into a landfill disposal contract with Sherman
Sanitation (2007-453). Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolutions,
seconded by Councilmember DeGarmo and passed unanimously. (File Res. Nos.
2007:453-455)
3. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the acquisition and sale of 1120 South
Cherry Street. Councilmember Williams moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Loasching and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2007-456)
4. A proposed ordinance permitting Neighborhood Electric Vehicles was introduced and
scheduled for public hearing on January 28, 2008. (File Ord. No. 2007-397)
5. Recommendations of the Transportation Committee: A proposed ordinance requiring
(A) Saratoga Drive to yield to Alpine Drive, (B) West Holmes Street yield to Linn Street,
and (C) Rock Street to yield to South High Street was introduced and scheduled for public
hearing on January 14, 2008. (File Ord. No. 2007-394)
6. A proposed ordinance annexing property located at 4407 North State Highway 26 was
introduced and scheduled for public hearing on January 14, 2008. (File Ord. No. 2007-
395)
7. A proposed ordinance zoning property located at 4407 North State Highway 26 to B4
upon annexation was introduced, referred to Plan Commission, and scheduled for public
hearing on January 14, 2008. (File Ord. No. 2007-396)
8. A proposed ordinance annexing property located at the eastern terminus of Falcon
Ridge Drive was introduced and scheduled for public hearing on January 14, 2008. (File
Ord. No. 2007-398)
9. A proposed ordinance zoning property located at the eastern terminus of Falcon Ridge
Drive to R1 upon annexation was introduced, referred to Plan Commission, and scheduled
for public hearing on January 14, 2008. (File Ord. No. 2007-399)
10. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council
action. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust Street, requested that the December 26, 2007
City Council meeting be televised, that the website print options for the Council agenda
packet be enhanced, and that the funds for the proposed aquatics facilities be allocated to
the Tallman House. Julie Backenkeller, 719 N. Grant Avenue, expressed her
dissatisfaction with the City Council’s decision to approve the landfill disposal contracts
(New Business No. 2).
11. Matters not on the Agenda. Councilmember Truman requested information on when
the Municipal Building deck and parking area would be completed and the associated cost
of the project. Jack Messer, Director of Public Works, stated that construction is
scheduled to be completed by the end of December and he would provide the City Council
with the project costs.
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
City Clerk-Treasurer