Minutes 03-23-09
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING APPROVED: April 13, 2009
MARCH 23, 2009
VOL. 59
NO. 48
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building
on March 23, 2009. The meeting was called to order by Council Vice President Truman at
7:00 PM. Council Vice President Truman led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council Vice President Truman, Councilmembers McDonald, Rashkin, Steeber,
and Voskuil. Absent: Council President Loasching and Councilmember Brunner.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the regular meeting of March 9, 2009.
Minutes of the closed session of March 9, 2009.
Minutes of the special meeting of March 16, 2009.
Licenses and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
Waiver of special assessment procedures for sanitary sewer, water main, curb and gutter,
and paving charges for 0133300008-Robert Martin.
Financial statements for the months of January and February 2009.
Authorize submission of WDNR Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit – annual
report to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Council Vice President Truman stated that all items on the consent agenda would be
approved if there were no objections. There were none.
Presentation of Certificates of Participation to Graduates of the Landlord Training Course
sponsored by the Janesville Area Rental Properties Association and the City of Janesville.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public regarding items on the agenda not requiring a
public hearing. Dennis Heimark, 2533 Wesley Ave., Julie Backenkeller, 719 N. Grant St.,
Julie Kaveggia, 2952 Dartmouth Dr., Frank Perrotto, 2665 Cross Prairie Dr., and Billy
McCoy, 1326 Putnam Ave., all spoke against lease to Wisconsin Hockey Partners, LLC
(WHP) (New Business #5); Michael Hammett, 306 N. Walnut St., Dawn Sitter, 2730
Dartmouth Dr., Amy Agerter, 4468 N. River Rd., and Margery Tibbetts, 65 S. Blackhawk
St., spoke in favor of lease to WHP (Old Business #5). Kelley Kaiser, 2307 Plymouth Ave.,
spoke in favor of the WHP lease but is in opposition to certain aspects of the lease.
2. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council
action. Richard Frank, 1119 Elida St., asked Council to spend money only on budgeted
items; Billy McCoy, 1326 Putnam Ave., stated Council needs to set spending priorities and
retain their own attorney. Rob Redman, owner of Kellogg Apartments, requested his 2008
assessment be reviewed. Councilmember Steeber requested the City Administration work
with Mr. Redman and report back to by Council April 13, 2009.
3. A proposed ordinance rezoning property within the 4700 block of Milton Avenue from
Agriculture to B2, Community Shopping District and Conservancy received its continued
public hearing and Council action. No one spoke. The public hearing was closed.
Councilmember McDonald moved to table said resolution until developer can move
forward, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously. (File Res. No.
2009-429)
4. Award of Contracts C2009-4 (Storm Sewer System Improvements), C2009-5 (Bike Trail
Bridge and Embankment Repairs), and C2009-6 (East River Walkway Repairs) for Public
Works Bid Schedule “B”-2009. Councilmember Steeber moved to approve said contracts
as follows:
Contract 2009-4 R&K Sons Construction, LLC $30,431.25
Contract 2009-5 Bjoin Limestone, Inc. $35,254.75
Contract 2009-6 J.W. Schultz Construction, Inc. $97,691.11
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rashkin and passed unanimously.
5. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a use
agreement with the Wisconsin Hockey Partners, LLC (WHP) and provide funding for Ice
Center modifications up to $200,000. Councilmember Rashkin moved to adopt said
resolution, seconded by Councilmember Voskuil. Councilmember Voskuil offered a
friendly amendment to include direction to the City Manager to negotiate gross profit
percentage with WHP. The friendly amendment was accepted by the maker. The motion,
as amended, passed by the following vote: Aye: Councilmembers McDonald, Rashkin,
Steeber, and Voskuil. Nay: Council Vice President Truman. (File Res. No. 2009-569)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Action on a request to waive the special event fees for the 2009 Farmers Market.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said request, seconded by Councilmember
Voskuil and passed unanimously.
2. Action on a proposed resolution directing Kennedy Homes to install sidewalks at the
Ridges of Rock County. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution,
seconded by Councilmember Rashkin and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2009-587)
3. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the expenditure of funds for the operation
and maintenance of Oak Hill Cemetery for the remainder of fiscal year 2009.
Councilmember Rashkin moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember
Steeber and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2009-589)
4. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing City participation in the WisWARN Mutual
Aid and Assistance Program. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution,
seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2009-582)
5. A proposed ordinance permitting the lessee of the Janesville Ice Arena to apply for and
hold a Class B Combined Fermented Malt Beverage and Intoxicating Liquor Alcohol
Beverage License, with penalties and injunctive relief of violations thereof as set forth in
JGO 5.046.470 was introduced, referred to the Alcohol License Advisory Committee, and
scheduled for a public hearing on April 13, 2009. (File Ord. No. 2009-432)
6. Matters not on the agenda. Councilmember McDonald stated the Council has a duty to
review and question all City contracts and documents. Councilmember Rashkin stated that
the Administration should negotiate contracts based on Council direction. Council Vice
President Truman requested City Administration assign staff to pick up trash in the
neighborhood around Wal-Mart and stated the WHP contract (New Business #5) is not fair
to the taxpayers. Councilmember Steeber stated Rock County Jail inmates could be used
to clean up around Wal-Mart. Councilmember Voskuil requested City Administration
investigate the health, safety, and environmental impact of the freon leak at the Ice Center.
7. Councilmember Steeber moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilmember McDonald and
passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 9:21 PM.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.
David T. Godek
Deputy Clerk-Treasurer