Minutes 10-12-09
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING APPROVED: October 26, 2009
OCTOBER 12, 2009
VOL. 60
NO. 20
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on
October 12, 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, Rashkin, Perrotto,
and Voskuil. Councilmember Steeber was absent.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the regular meeting of September 28, 2009.
Licenses and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee (ALAC).
Action on a motion to approve final Certified Survey Map 09010-C, Dean Health Systems/SSM
Healthcare, 2 lots along STH 11. Council President Truman postponed this item for two weeks.
Action on a proposed resolution deferring special assessments for sidewalk for the properties
located at 426 West Delavan Drive and 3600 Kennedy Road. (File Res. No. 2009-645)
Council President Truman stated that the alcohol amendment allowing outdoor seating for
Charlie’s Place and the alcohol application for Sneakers would be removed from the consent
agenda and the remaining items would be approved if there were no objections. There were
none.
Janet Murphy, representing Charlie’s Place responded to Council’s questions. Councilmember
McDonald moved to approve outdoor seating with the restrictions included from the ALAC and
the patio closing for all activity at 11:00PM. The motion was seconded by Councilmember
Brunner and failed by the following vote: Aye: Councilmembers Brunner and McDonald. Nay:
Councilmembers Rashkin, Truman, Perrotto, and Voskuil. Councilmember Rashkin moved to
approve outdoor seating with the restrictions recommended by the ALAC. The motion was
seconded by Councilmember Perrotto and passed by the following vote: Aye: Councilmembers
Perrotto, Rashkin, Truman, and Voskuil. Nay: Councilmembers Brunner and McDonald.
Council President Truman allowed public comment on the application for an alcohol license for
Sneakers. The Council received a signed petition to not allow an alcohol establishment at this
location. Helen Anderson, 935 Matheson St.; Trisha and Richard Schuler, 1126 Woodman Rd.;
Carmen Fetting, 1210 Yuba St.; Gerald Johnson, 1105 Mayfair Dr.; and Yetiva Gavin, 1104
Woodman Rd.; opposed having an alcohol establishment at this location. They were concerned
about neighborhood safety, increased traffic and noise. Steve Brown, Kim Brown and Connie
Dewitt, co-owners of Sneakers; David Stone representing Sara Investments; and Larry Butler,
208 Red Apple Dr.; spoke in favor of the alcohol license. Council President Truman moved to
deny the license and received no second. Councilmember Rashkin moved to grant the license
with the restrictions recommended by the ALAC and Plan Commission, seconded by
Councilmember Voskuil. Councilmember Brunner moved to amend the motion by not allowing
volleyball courts and received no second. The Council voted on the main motion and it failed by
the following vote: Aye: Councilmembers Perrotto, Rashkin, and Voskuil. Nay:
Councilmembers Brunner, McDonald, and Truman.
Action on a proposed resolution supporting universal access to quality health care.
Councilmember Rashkin moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember
McDonald. Councilmember Voskuil offered a friendly amendment to delete the word “universal”
and add “for all Americans”. The resolution title would now state “A resolution supporting
access to quality health care for all Americans”. The friendly amendment was accepted. The
motion, as amended, passed unanimously. (Revised File Res. No. 2009-629)
Action on a proposed resolution recognizing the Firefighters and Paramedics of the Janesville
Fire Department. Councilmember Brunner moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember McDonald and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2009-648)
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public regarding items on the agenda not requiring a public
hearing. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., opposed the borrowing of $16,405,000 in
promissory notes (New Business 4), suggested public input be allowed at study sessions, and
suggested the large item pick up program should be staffed with volunteers only.
2. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action.
Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St.; thanked the Council for passing the Health Care
Resolution and requested that the Council prohibit financial institutions from evicting people
from foreclosed property.
3. A proposed charter ordinance amending the meeting time of regular Common Council
meetings from 7:00 PM to 6:30 PM on the second and fourth Mondays of the month received its
second reading and public hearing. Scott Angus, representing the Janesville Gazette, spoke in
favor of the ordinance. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., opposed the ordinance. The
public hearing was closed. Councilmember Perrotto moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded
by Councilmember Voskuil. Councilmember Rashkin moved to amend the motion by changing
the start time to 6:00PM, seconded by Councilmember McDonald and failed by the following
vote: Aye: Councilmembers Brunner, McDonald, and Rashkin. Nay: Councilmembers Perrotto,
Truman, and Voskuil. The Council voted on the main motion and it failed by the following vote:
Aye: Councilmembers , Perrotto, Brunner, Rashkin, and Voskuil. Nay: Councilmembers
Truman and McDonald. (File Charter Ord. No. 2009-008)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Presentation by Janesville Shade Tree Advisory Committee (J-STAC). Mary Ann Buenzow
representing the J-STAC, presented information on the number and type of street trees in
Janesville. Based on the information gathered, the committee requested that a municipal tree
management plan be implemented.
2. Action on proposed revisions to Rotary Gardens lease agreement. Councilmember Perrotto
stated that he would not participate nor vote on this issue because of a conflict of interest.
Councilmember Brunner moved to approve said revisions to the Rotary Gardens lease
agreement, seconded by Councilmember Rashkin and passed by the following vote: Aye:
Councilmembers Brunner, McDonald, Rashkin, Truman, and Voskuil. Pass: Councilmember
Perrotto.
3. Authorization for the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
Forward Janesville for the installation of a mural on the Franklin Street side of City Hall.
Christine Moore, representing Janesville Design and Development Center, explained that the
mural would depict Janesville’s history. Councilmember Rashkin moved to authorize the City
Manager to enter into the MOU, seconded by Councilmember Voskuil. Councilmember Perrotto
offered a friendly amendment to require the City Attorney to review the agreement for the proper
insurance coverage. The friendly amendment was accepted. The motion, as amended, passed
unanimously.
4. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the issuance of $16,405,000 in promissory notes
for financing various public purposes. Councilmember Perrotto moved to adopt said resolution,
seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed by the following vote: Aye: Councilmembers
Brunner, Perrotto, Rashkin, Truman, and Voskuil. Nay: Councilmember McDonald. (File Res.
No. 2009-641)
5. Final approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Janesville and
the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Councilmember Brunner moved to adopt said
resolution, seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously. ( File Res. No.
2009-640)
6. Matters not on the agenda. Councilmember Brunner requested information on landfill
dumping fees paid by residents and non-residents . Councilmember Perrotto requested that the
Administration review the 2009 note issue and provide the Council with a list of projects that do
not require funding in this issue. Council President Truman requested supporting documents for
outdoor seating in the Council packet when it is controversial.
7. Motion to adjourn. Councilmember McDonald moved to adjourn, seconded by
Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 10:38 PM.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
Clerk-Treasurer