Minutes 1-10-11PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN APPROVED 1/24/11
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 10, 2011
VOL. 61
NO. 28
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on
January 10, 2011. The meeting was called to order by Council President Voskuil at 7:00 PM.
Council President Voskuil led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council President Voskuil, Councilmembers Brunner, Perrotto, Rashkin and Steeber.
Absent: Councilmembers McDonald and Truman.
CONSENT AGENDA
Regular City Council meeting minutes of December 27, 2010.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory.
Council President Voskuil stated that all items on the consent agenda would be approved as
recommended if there were no objections. There were none.
A moment of silence was observed for the victims of the Arizona shootings.
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., suggested that a private attorney should be hired
to write ordinances rather than the City Attorney, newly appointed committee members be
introduced at the Council meeting and that all council information be put on the City website.
2. A proposed ordinance amending Chapter 14 (Signs) of the Code of General Ordinances of the
City of Janesville with regard to on- premise wall signs in Sign District D and the designation of
street frontages for allowing such signs received its second reading and public hearing. Andreah
Briarmoon, 339 S Locust St., suggested any variances to the ordinance should be approved or
denied by a citizen committee. The public hearing was closed. Councilmember Steeber moved
to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Rashkin and passed by the following vote:
Aye: Brunner, Rashkin, Steeber, and Voskuil. Nay: Perrotto. (File Ord. No. 2010 -468)
3. A proposed ordinance prohibiting the possession, sale and use of synthetic cannabinoids
received its second reading and public hearing. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., and Ms.
Doering, 2717 Shaller St., spoke against the ordinance. Council President Voskuil moved to
continue the public hearing to January 24, 2011, seconded by Councilmember Rashkin and failed
by the following vote: Aye: Rashkin and Voskuil. Nay: Perotto and Steeber. Pass: Brunner. The
public hearing was closed. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Perrotto and passed unanimously (Revised File Ord. No. 2010 -472)
Councilmember Steeber left the meeting at 8:04 p.m.
Council President Voskuil combined action on Old Business Items #4 and #5.
4. & 5. Action on proposed ordinances annexing property located at 2609 South U.S. Highway 51
(2010 -469), and zoning to B2 property located at 2609 South U.S. Highway 51 (2010 -470)
received their second reading and public hearing. No one spoke. The public hearing was closed.
Councilmember Brunner moved to adopted said ordinances, seconded by Councilmember
Rashkin and passed unanimously. The City Attorney stated that annexations require five
affirmative votes so the vote is considered invalid. Council President postponed action on the
proposed ordinances until the January 24, 2011 Council Meeting. (File Ord. Nos. 2010 -469 and
2010 -470)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Motion to approve Council President recommended appointments to the Sustainable
Janesville Committee. Councilmember Rashkin moved to approve the appointment of Sue
Conley and Robert Douglas, seconded by Councilmember Perrotto and passed unanimously.
2. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to sell property located at 3115
Rockport Park Drive. Councilmember Rashkin moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Brunner and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011 -765)
3. A proposed ordinance for a comprehensive text amendment to change the Zoning and
Building Codes with regard to detached structures was introduced and scheduled for a public
hearing on January 24, 2011. (File Ord. No. 2011 -473)
4. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action.
Jack Herndon, representing Redneck Fest, informed the Council that the event will be expanded
to two days in 2011. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., stated that presentations be given
before public hearings and that it was improper to have voted on cannabinoids when it was
recommended to be postponed.
5. Matters not on the Agenda. Councilmember Perrotto requested that the Council review the
Special Assessment Policy in the near future. Councilmember Brunner attended "Listen to the
Drum Beat" honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and thought it tremendous. He also attended the
City Holiday party where three employees were named Employee of the Year and praised all
dedicated employees. Council President Voskuil read a letter complimenting City Services on
their snow removal efforts. Eric Levitt, City Manager, stated that citizens should feel safe at
public meetings and that people should disagree civilly.
6. Motion to adjourn. Councilmember Brunner moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilmember
Perrotto and passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 8:35 p.m. These minutes are not official
until approved by City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf, Clerk- Treasurer