Minutes 1-24-11
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN Approved 2/14/11
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 24, 2011
VOL. 61
NO. 29
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on
January 24, 2011. The meeting was called to order by Council President Voskuil at 7:00 PM. Boy
Scout Troop #402 led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council President Voskuil, Councilmembers Brunner, McDonald, Perrotto, Rashkin,
Steeber and Truman.
CONSENT AGENDA
Regular City Council meeting minutes of January 10, 2011.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory.
Authorization for the Administration to deny a liability claim from Geico Insurance Company
(insured Lynnea Kaminski) in the amount of $6,458.27.
Authorization for the Administration to deny a liability claim from John J. Barry in the amount
of $50,000.
Council President Voskuil stated that all items on the consent agenda would be approved as
recommended if there were no objections. There were none.
Special recognition: Action on a proposed resolution in commendation of Cliff Carlson’s thirty-
one years of service to the City of Janesville. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said
resolution, seconded by Councilmember Brunner and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-
767)
Council President Voskuil recognized the 2010 City Employees of the Year. Public Safety: Laurie
Valley, Public Works: Al Meehan, and Administrative Services: Haichen Dong.
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., spoke against the acquisition and demolition of
315 Linn St (NB #4).
2. A proposed ordinance for a comprehensive text amendment to change the Zoning and Building
Codes with regard to detached structures received its second reading and public hearing.
Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., spoke against the ordinance. The public hearing was
closed. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by Councilmember
Truman and passed unanimously. (File Ord. No. 2011-473)
3. Action on a proposed ordinance annexing property located at 2609 South U.S. Highway 51.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by Councilmember
Rashkin and passed by the following vote: Aye: Brunner, Perrotto, Rashkin, Steeber, Truman and
Voskuil. Nay: McDonald. (File Ord. No. 2010-469)
4. Action on a proposed ordinance annexing and zoning to B2 property located at 2609 South
U.S. Highway 51. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by
Councilmember Rashkin and passed unanimously. (File Ord. No. 2010-470)
NEW BUSINESS
1.Tom Stehura, President of the Janesville Patriotic Society, presented an information update for
the Veteran’s Memorial Plaza expansion at Traxler Park. Councilmember Steeber moved to send
the proposal to the Plan Commission for their review and recommendation, seconded by
Councilmember Brunner and passed unanimously.
2. Update and City Council direction on development of a special event fee waiver policy.
Councilmember Perrotto moved to direct staff to write a policy to waive special event fees for: City
sponsored events, “Friends” groups, Veterans groups, and other governmental units on a case by
case basis, and exclude the school district, seconded by Councilmember Steeber.
Councilmember Steeber moved to change the motion to waive fees for Rock County at
Courthouse Park. The friendly amendment was accepted by the maker. The motion, as
amended, passed unanimously.
3. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the acquisition of land from Naatz Family Trust
adjoining the bicycle and pedestrian trail east of North Wright Road. Councilmember Steeber
moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Perrotto and passed unanimously.
(File Res. No. 2011-766)
4. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the acquisition and demolition of property located
at 513 Linn Street. Councilmember Rashkin moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-768)
5. Action on a proposed City Council policy establishing residency requirements for members of
City committees. Councilmember Brunner moved to approve said policy with City of Janesville
residence preferred but not required, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed
unanimously. (Council Policy No. 86)
6. Confirm Council President appointment of Councilmember Brunner to the Alcohol License
Advisory Committee. Councilmember McDonald moved to confirm said appointment, seconded
by Councilmember Rashkin and passed by the following vote: Aye: McDonald, Perrotto, Rashkin,
Steeber, Truman and Voskuil. Abstain: Brunner.
7. A proposed ordinance amending the City of Janesville Subdivision Ordinance to change time
limit requirements for plats was introduced, referred to the Plan Commission and scheduled for a
public hearing on February 28, 2011. (File Ord. No. 2011-474)
8. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action.
Ty Bollerud, 419 S. Walnut St., asked the Council to use local contractors to rehab homes and to
investigate hydro-electric power generation. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., disagreed
with Council’s action to demolish the house located at 513 Linn St.
9. Matters not on the Agenda. Council President Voskuil asked Councilmembers interested in
serving on the Leisure Services Committee to let her know. She also asked Neighborhood
Services to provide the criteria used for recommending demolition of a structure. Councilmember
Rashkin stated Neighborhood Services staff is doing a good job with the home rehabilitation
program.
10. Councilmember Steeber moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilmember McDonald and
passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 8:48 p.m. These minutes are not official
until approved by City Council.
David T. Godek
Deputy Clerk-Treasurer