Minutes 07-13-09
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING .APPROVED: July 27, 2009
JULY 13, 2009
VOL. 60
NO. 11
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on
July 13, 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, Perrotto, Rashkin, Steeber, and
Voskuil. Councilmember McDonald was absent.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the special meeting of June 16, 2009
Minutes of the regular meeting of June 22, 2009
Licenses and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
Action on a motion to approve final Certified Survey Map 09007-C, Marklein, 1 lot along
Newcastle Drive.
Council President Truman stated that all items on the consent agenda would be approved if
there were no objections. There were none.
Special recognition: Action on a proposed resolution in commendation of Kay M. Nikolaus’ 29
years of service to the City of Janesville. Councilmember Brunner moved to adopt said
resolution, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2009-
623)
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., spoke in favor of purchasing 316 Linn St. (New
Business #3). Christy Thorman, 4442 White Oak Dr., requested that sidewalks on property go
around trees instead of removing them (Old Business #3). Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust
St., asked Council to use green space near Senior Center for additional parking (New Business
#2); requested Council receive citizen input in establishing goals (New Business #5). Don
Allison, 731 N. Garfield Ave., requested Council plan for the future when making decision about
Senior Center parking (New Business #2).
2. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action.
Students in the Cullen Internship Program introduced themselves to the Council: Megan Muhs
and Lindsey Erdmann from Craig H.S., and Emily Viles-Monari and Tanner Mecca from Parker
H.S. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., stated the steering committee for the CDA board
does not have citizens representation in membership, and spoke against City staff collaborating
with Council for short- and long-term spending priorities; spoke against City staff sitting with
Council during meetings.
3. A final resolution for Public Works Bid Schedule “F”-2009 received its public hearing. John
Bush, 4323 E. Milwaukee St., questioned the footage of sidewalk on the E. Milwaukee St.
segment. Graham Smith, 551 N. Oakhill Ave., concerned about run-off from neighborhood
pooling onto his property and requested an exemption for installing sidewalk on his property.
John Urban, 4316 E. Milwaukee St., asked what the offset for sidewalks would be. Kurt Miller,
7938 E. State Rd. 59, Milton, WI, and Kathy Summers-Matthews, 1143 Alpine St., spoke against
the sidewalk program. The public hearing was closed. Councilmember Steeber moved to
approve and vote on each sidewalk project individually, seconded by Council President Truman.
The individual votes were as follows:
(1) West Alpine Dr. from E. Milwaukee St. to Nantucket Dr.; passed unanimously.
(2) West Center from W. Holmes St., to 440’ North; Council President Truman made a
motion to remove this item. The motion died for lack of a second. This item
passed by the following vote: Aye: Brunner, Rashkin, Steeber, and Voskuil. Nay:
Perrotto, and Truman.
(3) East Newville Rd. from 828’ North of USH 14, to 970’ North of USH 14; failed
unanimously.
(4) South E. Milwaukee St. from Alpine Dr., to 290’ East; passed unanimously.
(5) South Elizabeth St. from N. Oakhill to 132’ West. Councilmember Steeber offered
Friendly amendment to approve only if property owner and Engineering can agree
on a method to prevent damming of water on the property. The friendly
amendment was accepted by the seconder and passed unanimously.
(6) East S. Sumac Dr. from Wesley Ave. to 115’ South; passed unanimously.
(7) East Kennedy Rd. from USH 14 to 540’ North; passed by the following vote:
Aye: Brunner, Perrotto, Rashkin, Steeber, and Voskuil. Nay: Truman.
(8) East Kennedy Rd. from 865’ N. of USH 14 to 1,235’ North of USH 14; passed by
the following vote: Aye: Brunner, Perrotto, Rashkin, Steeber, and Voskuil. Nay:
Truman.
4. Reject all bids for contract 2009-17 (N. Parker Dr. Parking structure pre-cast package).
Award of contract 2009-18 (new and replacement sidewalk) and contract 2009-19 (S. River Rd.
greenbelt improvement). Councilmember Steeber moved reject all bids for Contract C2009-17
and award other contracts as follows:
Contract C2009-18 J.B. Johnson Bros., LLC $418,870
Contract C2009-19 Greener Valley Landscaping, Inc. $36,440
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Brunner and passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Action on a proposed resolution affirming the spending of federal economic renewal grants to
the City of Janesville. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Perrotto. Councilmember Perrotto offered a friendly amendment to change the
wording in the resolution from “whenever and wherever possible” to “where possible.”
Councilmember Steeber did not accept the friendly amendment. The resolution passed by the
following vote: Aye: Brunner, Rashkin, Steeber, Truman, and Voskuil. Nay: Perrotto (File
Res. No. 2009-624)
2. Council discussion of alternatives and direction to staff on providing additional parking near
the Janesville Senior Center. Councilmember Brunner moved to not change the parking at the
Senior Center and to add a sign that reads Senior Center Parking, seconded by Councilmember
Rashkin and passed unanimously.
3. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the acquisition and demolition of 316 Linn Street.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Voskuil
and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2009-622)
4. City Council authorization to allow the submittal of a grant application for restoration of doors
for the Tallman House. Councilmember Steeber moved to authorize Monterey Questers to apply
for a grant to restore four (4) exterior doors on the Tallman House, seconded by Councilmember
Voskuil and passed unanimously.
5. City Council short-term and long-term priorities. Councilmember Voskuil moved to approve
the City Council’s short- and long-term goals, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed
unanimously.
6. A proposed resolution for Amendment No. 2 to the project plan for Tax Increment Finance
District No. 22 was introduced and referred to the Plan Commission for a public hearing on
August 10, 2009. (File Res. No. 2009-621)
7. Matters not on the agenda. Councilmember Rashkin congratulated Rebecca Smith,
Management Assistant, for receiving an outstanding service award from the Wisconsin City and
County Management Association; invited citizens to come to the Spotlight on Kids production
th
the weekend of July 17 ; stated the ALAC provided appropriate warning to Corvinas and
alcohol establishments need to work with Janesville Police on security. Council President
Truman stated Riverside wading pool should be filled Thursday and thanked everyone involved
in the efforts to re-open the pool. Councilmember Brunner asked for an update on the sale of
the property at 2739 Beloit Avenue. Director of Administrative Services/Assistant City Manager
Jay Winzenz said an update will be brought to Council.
8. Councilmember Steeber moved to convene into closed session, pursuant to 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
negotiating and bargaining terms and conditions for (1) a proposed TIF No. 29 development
agreement; and, (2) a proposed TIF No. 31 development agreement, seconded by
Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 9:30 PM.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.
David T. Godek
Deputy Clerk-Treasurer