Minutes 01-28-2008
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING APPROVED: February 11, 2008
January 28, 2008
VOL. 58
NO. 28
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building
on January 28, 2008. 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 Loasching, Steeber, Truman,
Wellnitz, and Williams. Absent: Councilmember DeGarmo.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the regular meeting of January 14, 2008.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee. (Refer to
separate agenda.)
Action on a motion to approve Certified Survey Map 07026-C, Maxine Austin, 1 lot along
West Court St. and Austin Rd.
Action on a motion to approve Certified Survey Map 08004-C, D & K Coating
Technologies, 1 lot along Venture Dr.
Council President Brunner stated the consent agenda would be approved if there were no
objections. There were none.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public regarding items on the Agenda not requiring a
public hearing. Mike Hanna, 1248 E. Memorial Dr., expressed his concern about the
excessive costs of government.
2. Public hearing and action on the future plan for Rockport Pool. Al Lembrich, 514 Miller
Ave.; Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St.; Larry Butler, 208 Red Apple Rd.; and, Shelley
Henke, Milton; opposed the option to upgrade Rockport Pool. Pam Van Brocklin,
Janesville; Kevin Hendricks, 1171 N. Parker Dr.; Karl Dommershausen, 2419 Plymouth
Ave.; and, Kim Hendricks, 2353 N. Parker Dr.; supported reopening Riverside Park wading
pool. Billy McCoy, 1326 Putnam Ave.; requested a referendum to decide the future of the
City’s aquatics facilities. Dale Thompson, 2332 Mt. Zion Ave.; supported the option to
maintain the existing aquatics facilities. The public hearing was closed. Councilmember
Steeber moved to proceed forward with the aquatics design and development phase, with
the cost not to exceed $18,500. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Williams.
Councilmember Williams offered a friendly amendment to have the City Council review the
design and development results and not the aquatics committee. The amendment was
accepted by Councilmember Steeber. The motion, as amended, passed unanimously.
3. A proposed ordinance regulating skateboarding activity within the City of Janesville
received its second reading and public hearing. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St.;
opposed the ordinance. Karl Dommershausen, 2419 Plymouth Ave.; and, Dale Burkett,
representing 1 Park Place; supported the ordinance. The public hearing was closed.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by Councilmember
Truman and passed by the following vote: Aye: Council President Brunner,
Councilmembers Loasching, Steeber, Truman. Nay: Councilmembers Williams and
Wellnitz. (File Ord. No. 2007-402)
4. A proposed ordinance permitting Neighborhood Electric Vehicles received its second
reading and public hearing. No one spoke at the public hearing. The public hearing was
closed. Council President Brunner stated the proposed ordinance did not meet the
Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s requirements. Therefore, the City Council took
no action on the proposed ordinance. (File Ord. No. 2007-397)
5 & 6. Continued public hearing and action on proposed ordinances annexing (2007-398)
and zoning (2007-399) property located at the eastern terminus of Falcon Ridge Dr. No
one spoke at the public hearing. The public hearing was closed. Councilmember Steeber
moved to adopt said ordinances, seconded by Councilmember Wellnitz and passed
unanimously. (File Ord. Nos. 2007: 398-399)
7 & 8. Proposed ordinances annexing (2007-400) and zoning (2007-401) property located
at the northeast corner of STH 11 and Rockport Rd. received their second reading and
public hearing. No one spoke at the public hearing. The public hearing was closed.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said ordinances, seconded by Councilmember
Wellnitz and passed unanimously. (File Ord. Nos. 2007: 400-401)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Recommendation of the Plan Commission: A proposed resolution approving the final
plat of Emerald Estates First Addition. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said
resolution, including the release of existing utility easements, seconded by Councilmember
Wellnitz and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2008-467)
2. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to proceed with work
associated with the East Milwaukee St. underpass. Councilmember Wellnitz moved to
adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed by the following
vote: Aye: Council President Brunner, Councilmembers Steeber, Truman and Wellnitz.
Nay: Councilmembers Williams and Loasching. (File Res. No. 2008-465)
3. A proposed resolution authorizing a project agreement with the Wisconsin Department
of Transportation for improvements to East Rotamer Rd. Councilmember Williams moved
to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously.
(File Res. No. 2008-466)
4. A proposed resolution approving a Tax Increment Finance development agreement with
Halverson Real Estate, LTD and authorizing the sale of a 3.3 acre industrial site in Tax
Increment Finance District No. 14. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said
resolution, seconded by Councilmember Truman and passed unanimously. (File Res. No.
2008-468)
5. A proposed ordinance establishing limitations on the location and use of off-premises
electronic message signs was introduced, referred to Plan Commission and scheduled for
public hearing on February 25, 2008. (File Ord. 2008-404)
6 A proposed ordinance pertaining to the use and regulation of neighborhood electric
vehicles within the City of Janesville was introduced and scheduled for a public hearing on
February 11, 2008. (File Ord. 2008-405)
7. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council
action. Don Allison, 731 N. Garfield Ave.; and, Helen Close, 227 BaWood Ln.; requested
the City Council address the limited amount of parking at the Senior Center. They invited
the City Council to attend a meeting at the Senior Center on January 30, 2008 to discuss
this issue. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust Street, requested that the Councilmembers
attend the meeting at the Senior Center regarding parking. Billy McCoy, 1326 Putnam
Ave. expressed his concerns about the deterioration of Milwaukee St. bridge and the
limited parking at the Senior Center.
8. Matters not on the Agenda. Councilmember Williams clarified open meetings
requirements. Council President Brunner shared citizen concerns about fireworks and
encouraged the Police Department to be more proactive in their enforcement. In addition,
he expressed his concern about the poor condition of E. Racine St., between HWY 14 and
S. Wright Rd. City Manager Sheiffer informed the City Council he is retiring as City
Manager in 2008.
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 10:34 p.m.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.
David Godek
Deputy Clerk-Treasurer