Minutes 06-8-09
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING APPROVED: June 22, 2009
JUNE 8, 2009
VOL. 60
NO. 6
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building
on June 8, 2009. The meeting was called to order by Council President Truman at
7:00 PM. Council President Truman led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council President Truman, Councilmembers Brunner, McDonald, Perrotto,
Rashkin, and Voskuil. Councilmember Steeber was absent.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the regular meeting of May 26, 2009
Minutes of the special meeting of May 26, 2009
Minutes of the closed session of May 11, 2009
Licenses and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
Council President Truman stated that all items on 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. Burdette Erickson, 115 S. High St.; Mick Gilbertson, 10 S. High St.,
representing the Armory; Ron Sutterlin, 609 W. Court St.; Kurt Linck, 118 S. High St.;
spoke in support of the City purchasing 614 W. Court St. (New Business #3). Ann
Forbeck, Homeless Coordinator for the Janesville School District, spoke about
homelessness in Janesville and the impact on school children. Traci Rogers, representing
HealthNet, spoke in support of the Substantial Plan Amendment and the FY 2008 Action
Plan. (New Business #2).
2. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council
action. Becky Boys, Rock County Juvenile Detention Center Coordinator, requested
Council support for “Our Spot” which is a proposed premise for 11-15 year olds to go and
hang out while promoting self esteem, whole body wellness and a care for community. Tim
Rutter, representing Friends of Riverside Park, stated concern about when Riverside Park
wading pool would open. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., opposed the purchase of
614 W. Court St. and suggested a one-way street in front of the Armory with angle parking.
3. A proposed final resolution for Public Works Projects included in Bid Schedule “E”-2009
received its public hearing. No one spoke. The public hearing was closed.
Councilmember Brunner moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember
Voskuil and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2009-609)
4. Award of Contract 2009-16 (N. Washington/W. Memorial Rehabilitation) for Public
Works Bid Schedule “E”-2009. Councilmember Rashkin moved to award Contract C2009-
16 to Frank Brothers, Inc. for $125,310.10 and include funding in the 2009 Note Issue,
seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously.
5. A proposed ordinance rezoning property located at 120 N. Crosby Ave. from O1,
Office/Residence District, to B3, General Commercial received its second reading and
public hearing. Tim Richards, rezoning applicant, stated he planned on using the upstairs
for office space and the downstairs for banquets and gatherings. The public hearing was
closed. Councilmember Truman moved to postpone said ordinance until June 22, 2009,
seconded by Councilmember Rashkin and passed unanimously. (File Ord. No. 2009-437)
6. Action on a proposed resolution acknowledging the review of the Wastewater Utility
2008 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report. Councilmember Rashkin moved to adopt
said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Brunner and passed unanimously. (File Res.
No. 2009-606)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Presentation by Public Health Officer. Karen Cain, Rock County Health Officer, gave
presentation about the H1N1 outbreak and their pandemic plan. Councilmember Voskuil
asked how local businesses could plan for pandemics. Ms. Cain stated planning
information is located on Rock County’s website. Councilmember Voskuil requested a link
to it be placed on the City’s website. No Council action taken.
2. Action on a proposed resolution approving a Substantial Plan Amendment to the 2004-
2009 Consolidated Plan and FY2008 Action Plan for the Community Development Block
Grant Program and Rock County HOME Consortium Submission. Councilmember Rashkin
moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed
unanimously. (File Res. No. 2009-611)
3. Action on a proposed resolution approving an offer to purchase and authorizing the City
Manager to purchase 614 W. Court St. for $45,000 using funds from TIF #9.
Councilmember Voskuil moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember
McDonald and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2009-610)
4. Action on a proposed resolution approving the release of City of Janesville rights to a
30-foot utility easement located at 1933 W. Court St. and 1909 W. Court St.
Councilmember Voskuil moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember
Brunner and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2009-608)
5. Action on a proposed resolution supporting Vision 2020 Campaign Goal to eliminate
child poverty and action on the establishment of a task force regarding poverty.
Councilmember McDonald moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember
Brunner and passed unanimously. Councilmember McDonald moved to establish a task
force regarding poverty by August 1, 2009, and to have a status report presented to the
Council after six months, seconded by Councilmember Rashkin and passed unanimously.
(File Res. No. 2009-613)
6. (A) A proposed ordinance designating N. Franklin St. between Highland Ave. and
Mineral Point Ave. as a two-way street was introduced and scheduled for public hearing on
June 22, 2009 (File Ord. No. 2009-435)
(B) A proposed ordinance change adding the intersection of N. Franklin St./ Highland
Ave./N. Pearl St. and N. Washington St. to the list of all-way stop intersections was
introduced and scheduled for public hearing on June 22, 2009.
(File Ord. No. 2009-436)
7. Matters not on the agenda. Councilmember Voskuil stated a citizen inquired about
streets lights on during daylight hours. Assistant City Manager Winzenz stated all street
lights have sensors and City Services should be notified about the location of problem
sensors. Councilmember Rashkin questioned the need for traffic signals by General
Motors. Councilmember McDonald stated the Racine/Palmer Dr. traffic signals were
malfunctioning. Assistant City Manager Winzenz stated the traffic signals at General
Motors are being evaluated and a recommendation would be forthcoming from the
Transportation Committee and the Racine/Palmer Dr. traffic signals have been fixed. City
Manager Levitt reminded Council of the retreat at Holiday Inn Express at 8:00 AM on June
16, 2009. Council President Truman asked when Code personnel would be hired;
identified various properties that have been neglected, asked about tunnel and roundabout
project status and commented that the delay in opening Riverside wading pool is
unacceptable. Neighborhood Services Director Petruzzello stated interviews for Code
personnel were scheduled for the week of June 8, 2009. City Manager Levitt stated the
tunnel project was federally funded and needs Department of Transportation approval
before proceeding; the roundabout project would commence after hiring a consultant for
design; and Riverside wading pool needs to comply with new federal standards and the
Administration would make this a high priority.
8. Councilmember McDonald moved to convene into closed session, pursuant to
Wisconsin Statute Section 19.85(1)(g) conferring with legal counsel for the governmental
body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body
with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved, specifically Speich, et
al. v. City of Janesville, Rock County Case No. 08 CV 1220; and Wisconsin Statute
Section 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the lease of public
properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified business, whenever
competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, specifically setting the
negotiating and bargaining terms and conditions for a potential TIF 33 Development
Agreement; and 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
acquiring certain real property for public purposes and related contract language,
seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 8:40 PM.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
Clerk-Treasurer