Minutes 06-09-2008
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING APPROVED: June 23, 2008
June 9, 2008
VOL. 59
NO. 6
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on
June 9, 2008. The meeting was called to order by Council President Loasching at 7:00 PM.
Council President Loasching led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council President Loasching, Councilmembers Brunner, McDonald, Rashkin, Steeber
Truman, and Voskuil.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the regular meeting of May 27, 2008
Minutes of the closed session of May 27, 2008
Minutes of the closed session of September 24, 2007
Licenses and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee
Council President Loasching removed from the consent agenda the outdoor seating requests
from the Class B alcohol license holders Hammy’s and HHFFRRRGGH. She stated the
remaining items would be approved if there were no objections. There were none.
Jim Smith, 2211 Center Ave., shared concerns about noise levels at Hammy’s with outdoor
seating and requested a sound barrier be installed and relocate the motorcycle parking. Mark
Hamilton, owner of Hammy’s, promised to move the motorcycle parking and put up a double
fence near the outdoor seating. Councilmember Steeber moved to approve outdoor seating at
Hammy’s contingent upon relocating the motorcycle parking and putting up a dual fence,
seconded by Councilmember Brunner and passed unanimously.
Darlene Cunningham, representing HHFFRRRGGH, stated that there were no plans for live
music and music would be piped in from satellite radio. Councilmember Brunner moved to
approve outdoor seating with music and video at HHFFRRRGGH with live music to end at
10:00 PM and piped in music to end at midnight, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and
passed unanimously.
Action on a proposed resolution recognizing June 14, 2008 as “Bessie the Cow Day.”
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Voskuil
and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2008-512)
Special recognition: Action on a proposed resolution in commendation of Lori Snyder’s 18
years of service to the City of Janesville. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said
resolution, seconded by Councilmember Brunner and passed unanimously. (File Res. No.
2008-507)
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public regarding items on the Agenda not requiring a
public hearing. There were none.
2. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council
action. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., thanked Council for scheduling listening
sessions before Council meetings, requested the Council ask citizens questions during public
hearings, requested that the City Manager be required to use all of his vacation before his
scheduled retirement date and requested that citizens nominate people for the Citizens Appeal
Board.
3. Report on plans for economic summit. Council President Loasching informed everyone that
the first meeting was held June 6, 2008 and the second meeting is scheduled for June 13,
2008, at which time they will finalize the date and location of the summit. Everyone is invited to
help create a vision for Janesville.
4. A proposed ordinance increasing the quota of Class A alcohol licenses received its second
reading and public hearing. No one spoke. The public hearing was closed. Councilmember
Steeber moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Truman. The motion
failed by the following vote: Aye: Councilmembers Rashkin, Steeber, and Truman. Nay:
Council President Loasching, Councilmembers Brunner, McDonald and Voskuil. (File Ord.
2008-412)
5. City Manager’s Report: (A) TIF Districts. Doug Venable, Director of Economic Development,
explained how TIFs are used. Mr. Venable stated the Administration is looking to use
redevelopment TIFs and TIF money to stabilize neighborhoods within a half-mile of districts.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Public hearing and action on a proposed resolution adopting the Park and Open Space
Plan as a component of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust
St., spoke about the need to save trees and that people want the City to maintain current
parks. The public hearing was closed. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said
resolution, seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously. (File Res. No.
2008-510)
2. Action on a request to waive the special event fees for the Janesville Jaycees Fourth of July
celebration. James Vallence, Janesville Jaycees Chair of the Fourth of July Committee,
responded to Council’s questions. Councilmember Truman moved to approve the waiver of
the special event fees for the Janesville Jaycees Fourth of July celebration, seconded by
Councilmember Brunner and passed by the following vote: Aye: Councilmembers Brunner,
McDonald, Truman, and Voskuil. Nay: Council President Loasching and Councilmembers
Rashkin and Steeber.
3. Action on a proposed resolution approving the acquisition of property located at 337 North
Franklin Street. Councilmember McDonald moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2008-511)
4. Authorization for Director of Public Works to apply for a grant in support of the Wisconsin
Diesel Emission and Fuel Reduction Initiative. Councilmember Steeber moved to authorize
the Director of Public Works to apply for said grant, seconded by Councilmember Truman and
passed unanimously.
5. Matters not on the Agenda. Councilmembers Steeber and Brunner requested the
Administration review the accidents at the intersection of Milwaukee and Jackson Streets.
Councilmember Voskuil asked about ADA compliance in regard to sidewalks. City Manager
Sheiffer stated that sidewalks are required not to exceed a maximum slope and it is the
citizens’ responsibility to maintain their sidewalks. Councilmember Truman stated City
employees should report any nuisance ordinance violations that they observe in their daily
work. Councilmembers Brunner and McDonald asked for an amendment to City Council Policy
Statement #81 - The Sustainability Committee, to add a Councilmember to the committee.
Councilmember Brunner seconded the request. City Manager Sheiffer said the Par Group will
provide resumes of qualified City Manager candidates for Council consideration on June 23,
2008. Councilmember McDonald stated he wanted to clearly define the roles of the City
Manager and City Council for ceremonial functions and intergovernmental relations. General
discussion ensued. Councilmembers Steeber and Brunner requested a study session to
clearly define the roles of the City Council and the City Manager. Council President Loasching
asked for a report on turning off water service to customers with past due accounts.
Councilmember McDonald asked if there is a law or policy that requires two Councilmembers
to add an item to the agenda. City Manager Sheiffer said since two Councilmembers can call a
meeting, the City Attorney has interpreted that two Councilmembers can add an item to the
agenda.
6. Councilmember Steeber moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilmember Truman and
passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 9:54 PM.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.
David T. Godek
Deputy Clerk-Treasurer