Minutes 04-12-10
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING APPROVED: April 26, 2010
APRIL 12, 2010
VOL. 60
NO. 36
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on
April 12, 2010. The meeting was called to order by Council President Truman at 7:00 PM. Boy
Scout Troop #539 led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council President Truman, Council members Brunner, McDonald, Perrotto, Rashkin,
Steeber, and Voskuil.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the regular meeting of March 22, 2010.
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.
Council President Truman changed the Agenda order and the minutes reflect the order in which
each item was taken.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public regarding items on the agenda not requiring a public
hearing. Kurt Linck, 118 S. High St. and Burdette Erickson, 115 S. High St. spoke in favor of the
purchase of properties (NB #12 and #14). Ty Bollerud, P.O. Box 3112, spoke about hydro
opportunities in the City of Janesville. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., opposed to the
th
demolition of properties in the 4 Ward including 907 McKinley St. (NB #14). Councilmember
Perrotto requested Ms. Briarmoon provide Councilmember McDonald with a list of names
affiliated with Habitat for Humanity that prefer rehabilitating homes instead of new construction.
2. A proposed final resolution for Public Works Projects (new sidewalk) included in Bid Schedule
“B”—2010 received its public hearing. Jeanne Smith, Principal of Harmony School, spoke in
favor of the resolution. Paul Denny, Pastor of County Avenue Church, requested that
pedestrians use the other side of the street for safety reasons. Matt Treinen, 220 N. Marion
Ave., Steve Peters, 1255 River Rd., Tom Frusher, 2706 Alexandria Pl., Jack Gullickson, 2640
Alexandria Pl., Pat McGuire, 1020 Marion Ave., Phil Pickering, 2420 Woodruff Blvd., Richard
Klossner, 3111 E. Rotamer Rd., Todd Galbrecht, 3129 E. Rotamer Rd., Nancy Krause, 104 N.
Marion Ave., Rebecca Shurman, 2412 W. State St., Michael Limke, 2324 W. State St., Marilyn
Line, 800 N. Marion Ave., Pat Krause, 816 N. Marion Ave., Vicki Briggs, 1038 Marion Ave.,
Andrew Owens, 432 Waveland Rd., Michelle Derubeis, 406 Waveland Rd., Jean Wickingson,
442 Waveland Rd., Matt Diehls, 2710 W. State St., Ross Jacobson, 2607 W. State St., Darcy
Fugate, 848 Marion Ave., Michael Derubeis, 406 Waveland Rd., Pam Galbrecht, 3129 E.
Rotamer Rd., Deanna Pickering, 2420 Woodruff Blvd., Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St.,
Mary Klund, 2407 Linden Ave., and Pat Brosnan, 2508 W. State St., opposed the resolution.
The public hearing was closed.
Council President Truman moved to not adopt said final resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Voskuil and failed by the following vote: Aye: Truman and Voskuil. Nay:
Brunner, McDonald, Perrotto, Rashkin, and Steeber. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt
said resolution on an individual basis by item, seconded by Councilmember McDonald.
(1) Northside E. Rotamer Rd. from Tanglewood Dr. to 150’ W. of Castlemoor Dr.; passed
by the following vote: Aye: Brunner, McDonald, Rashkin, and Steeber. Nay: Perrotto, Truman,
and Voskuil.
(2) Northside E. Rotamer Rd. from 440’ W. of Norhtington Dr. to 375’ W. of N. Wright Rd.;
passed by the following vote: Aye: Brunner, McDonald, Rashkin, and Steeber. Nay: Perrotto,
Truman, and Voskuil.
(3) Eastside Waveland Rd. from Bond Pl. to Mineral Point Ave.; failed by the following
vote: Aye: Brunner and Steeber. Nay: McDonald, Perrotto, Rashkin, and Voskuil. Pass:
Truman.
(4) Northside W. State St. from River Rd. to 400’ E. of River Rd.; failed by the following
vote: Aye: Brunner, McDonald, Perrotto, Rashkin, Truman, and Voskuil. Nay: Steeber.
(5) Northside W. State St. from 140’ W. of Crosby Ave. to S. Willard Ave.; failed by the
following vote: Aye: Brunner and Steeber. Nay: McDonald, Perrotto, Rashkin Truman, and
Voskuil.
(6) Eastside Marion Ave. from Wall St. to Bond Pl.; failed unanimously.
(7) Eastside N. Marion Ave. from Highland Ave. to W. Memorial Dr.; failed by the
following vote: Aye: Brunner, McDonald, and Steeber. Nay: Perrotto, Rashkin, Truman, and
Voskuil.
(8) Southside W. Burbank Ave. from 475’ W. of S. Jackson St. to S. Jackson St.; failed by
the following vote: Aye: Brunner, McDonald, and Steeber. Nay: Perrotto, Rashkin, Truman,
and Voskuil.
(9) Eastside Sunset Dr. from Bond Pl. to 150’ S. of Alexandria Pl.; passed by the
following vote: Aye: Brunner, McDonald, Rashkin, Steeber. Nay: Perrotto, Truman, and
Voskuil.
(10) Northside Alexandria Pl. from Sunset Dr. to 300’ W. of N. Crosby Ave.; failed by the
following vote: Aye: Brunner and Steeber. Nay: McDonald, Perrotto, Rashkin Truman, and
Voskuil.
(11) Southside Alexandria Pl. from 100’ E. of Sunset Dr. to N. Crosby Ave.; failed by the
following vote: Aye: Brunner, Steeber, and McDonald. Nay: Truman, Perrotto, Rashkin, and
Voskuil.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt items 1, 2, and 9, seconded by Councilmember
McDonald. Motion withdrawn. Councilmember Rashkin moved to delete item 9, seconded by
Councilmember Steeber and passed by the following vote: Aye: Brunner, Perrotto, Rashkin,
Steeber, Truman, Voskuil. Nay: McDonald. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt items 1
and 2, seconded by Councilmember McDonald and passed by the following vote: Aye:
Brunner, McDonald, Rashkin, Steeber. Nay: Perrotto, Truman, and Voskuil. (File Res. No.
2010-680)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Presentation of Certificates of Participation to graduates of the Landlord Training Course
sponsored by the Janesville Area Rental Properties Association, the Neighborhood Action
Team, and the City of Janesville. Dale Hicks, Janesville Area Rental Association President, and
John Fisher, State Rental Association President, presented the certificates. Councilmember
Rashkin complimented the participants. Margaret Delaney, representing Neighborhood Action
Team, thanked Dale and Trudy Hicks and congratulated the participants. No Council action
taken.
7. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing a TIF Development Agreement in TIF 14 with
W.W. Grainger to support job creation at the Lab Safety facility at 401 S. Wright Rd.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt the revised resolution which changed the name to
GHC Specialty Brands, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of W.W. Grainger, Inc, seconded by
Councilmember McDonald and passed unanimously. (File Rev. Res. No. 2010-689)
OLD BUSINESS
3. Award of Contracts C2010-5 (new and replacement sidewalk) for Public Works Bid Schedule
“B”—2010. Councilmember Steeber moved to award said contract to J.B. Johnson Bros., LLC,
of Edgerton, WI based on per unit pricing. The motion was seconded by Councilmember
Rashkin and passed by the following vote: Aye: Brunner, Perrotto, Rashkin, and Steeber. Nay:
McDonald, Truman, and Voskuil.
4. A proposed resolution vacating undeveloped portions of Riverside Street, Mill Street, S. Pine
Street, and S. Walnut Street, received its second reading and public hearing. Eric Thoresen,
Engineering Manager, Evonik-Goldschmidt Corporation spoke in favor of said resolution. The
public hearing was closed. Councilmember McDonald moved to adopt said resolution,
seconded by Council President Truman and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2010-677)
NEW BUSINESS
2. Presentation on mural project. Christine Moore, representing Janesville Design and
Development Center, explained the downtown mural project and presented poster sized replicas
of the murals to Council President Truman. A fourth mural is proposed recognizing Women’s
History later this year. No action taken.
9. Action on a proposed resolution declaring certain public property along Mill Street as surplus
and authorizing its conveyance to Evonik-Goldschmidt Corporation. Councilmember Voskuil
moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously.
(File Res. No. 2010-690)
8. Review and approval of an economic development grant to Sidekicks Saloon at 3502 Milton
Avenue. Councilmember Voskuil moved to approve an economic development grant in the
amount of $10,000 to Sidekicks Saloon, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed by
the following vote: Aye: Brunner, Perrotto, Rashkin, Steeber, Truman and Voskuil. Nay:
McDonald.
4. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with
Janesville Youth Baseball, Inc. for the operations of the batting cages. Councilmember Steeber
moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously.
(File Res. No. 2010-686)
3. Discussion and action on location of proposed skate park. Ty Bollerud, P.O. Box 3112,
Margaret Delaney, representing the Neighborhood Action Team, Chris Cass, 470 Mohawk Rd.,
spoke in favor of the Monterey Park site for the skate park. Al Draeger, 4711 S. County Trk G,
stated that the Monterey Park site may be problematic because of goose droppings and water
issues. Becky Bicha, Principal of Wilson Elementary School, stated that the negatives of the
Monterey Park site outweigh the positives. Roger and Fern Streich, 79 S. Huron Dr., stated that
they preferred the Palmer Park site but this site was better than nothing. Andreah Briarmoon,
339 S. Locust St., opposed the Monterey Park site and suggested the batting cage site. Karl
Dommerhausen, 215 W. Court St., stated his support for a skate park in the community.
Councilmember Steeber made a motion to reject the Monterey Park site, seconded by
Councilmember McDonald and failed by the following vote: Aye: McDonald and Steeber. Nay:
Brunner, Perrotto, Rashkin, Truman, and Voskuil. Councilmember Voskuil moved to have the
proposed skate park tentatively located at the Monterey Park site and have it reviewed for
feasibility by the Engineering Department and Plan Commission, seconded by Councilmember
Rashkin, and passed by the following vote: Aye: Brunner, Perrotto, Rashkin, Truman, and
Voskuil. Nay: McDonald and Steeber.
Councilmembers Perrotto and Steeber left the Council table.
5. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease with the
Janesville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for the operation of a portion of the Palmer Park
East Pavilion. Councilmember Voskuil moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Brunner and passed by the following vote: Aye: Brunner, McDonald, Rashkin,
Truman, and Voskuil. (File Res. No. 2010-693)
Councilmembers Perrotto and Steeber returned to the table.
6. Motion to approve City Manager and Council President recommended citizen committee
appointments. Councilmember Rashkin moved to approve the citizen committee appointments
as recommended, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously.
Councilmember McDonald requested that the Nominating Committee be appointed by the
Council.
10. Action on a request from Q&N Farms to extend deferral of special assessments from 5
years to 10 years. Councilmember Steeber moved to approve a request from Q&N Farms to
extend deferral of special assessments from 5 years to 10 years, seconded by Councilmember
Rashkin and passed unanimously.
11. Action on a proposed resolution supporting an independent study of Wisconsin’s business
climate and economic development competitiveness relative to other States. Councilmember
Voskuil moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Rashkin and passed by
the following vote: Aye: Brunner, Perrotto, Rashkin, Steeber, Truman, and Voskuil. Nay:
McDonald. (File Res. No. 2010-688)
12. Action on a proposed resolution approving the acquisition and rehabilitation of property at
416 S. Jackson Street under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Councilmember Voskuil
moved to adopt said resolution including the address correction from 159 Cherry St. to 416 S.
Jackson St., seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously. (File Res. No.
2010-682)
14. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the acquisition and demolition of real property
located at 907 McKinley Street. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution,
seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2010-694)
13. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing expenditures for Landfill odor mitigation efforts
with the intent to borrow the funding as part of the 2010 General Obligation Note Issue.
Councilmember McDonald moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember
Voskuil and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2010-691)
15. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council
action. Ty Bollerud, P.O. Box 3117, commented that the City should look at new business
opportunities, suggested taxing marijuana sales, suggested raising funds for the bike trail; and
suggested bringing the Volt car to Janesville. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., suggested
that citizens appointed to committees appear at the Council meeting and be recognized,
disagreed with the Janesville Gazette article stating that certain areas would be targeted for
nuisance violations, suggested a large item pickup in the old fourth ward.
16. Matters not on the agenda. Council President Truman scheduled an organizational meeting
for April 20, 2010 at 7:45 AM and a study session for Solid Waste for May 25, 2010 at 6:00 PM.
Councilmember Rashkin recognized the YWCA Women of Distinction; requested the agenda be
minimized when new sidewalks are discussed; thanked Bill Truman for being Council President.
Council President Truman stated his support for targeting areas with known nuisance violations;
complimented the Janesville Jets on a great season and bringing people to Janesville;
complimented the Friends of Riverside Park and wished them well in their future fundraising;
asked the Administration to look at a residential exterior lighting ordinance; and stated it was an
honor to serve as Council President. Councilmember Perrotto complimented the Police
Department for taking proactive action against gangs.
17. Councilmember Steeber moved to convene into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin
Statute Section 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of considering, deliberating, and setting the
bargaining and negotiating terms and conditions since competitive and/or bargaining reasons
require a closed session for: (1) a potential TIF 28 Development Agreement; (2) the lease
and/or contracted management of public properties, specifically the City’s golf course; and, (3) a
potential purchase of properties on the City’s south side for bike trail and other public purposes,
seconded by Council President Truman and passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 12:34 AM.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
City Clerk-Treasurer