Minutes 3-28-11
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED 4/11/11
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 28, 2011
VOL. 61
NO. 34
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on March 28,
2011. The meeting was called to order by Council President Voskuil at 7:00 PM.
Present: Council President Voskuil, Councilmembers Brunner, McDonald, Perrotto, Rashkin, Truman
and Steeber.
CONSENT AGENDA
Regular City Council meeting minutes of March 14, 2011.
Closed session minutes of: December 14, 2009, March 22, 2010, April 12, 2010,
September 27, 2010, and October 11, 2010.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
Council President Voskuil removed the closed session minutes of April 12, 2010. She stated that all
items on the consent agenda would be approved if there were no objections. There were none.
Councilmember Brunner asked staff to correct the vote on item number 3 on the closed session minutes
of April 12, 2010. The correction was approved by the Council without objection.
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., asked the Council to allow public input at the meeting on
financial policies (New Business #4) and asked Council to create a citizen’s committee on budgeting.
2. A proposed ordinance amending JGO Chapter 10.71 regulating the use of Neighborhood Electric
Vehicles so as to regulate the use of Low Speed Vehicles in the City of Janesville received its second
reading and public hearing. Ty Bollerud, 419 S. Walnut St., spoke against said ordinance. The public
hearing was closed. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by
Councilmember Truman and passed unanimously. (File Ord. No. 2011-477)
3. A proposed ordinance creating JGO Section 9.39.025 and amending JGO Section 9.39.030
prohibiting the unlawful use of computerized communications systems in the City of Janesville received
its second reading and public hearing. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., spoke against said
ordinance. Lucy Newell-Anderson, 26 N. Wisconsin St., stated Ms. Briarmoon’s objections were
unfounded. The public hearing was closed. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said ordinance,
seconded by Councilmember Brunner and passed by the following vote: Aye: Councilmembers
Brunner, McDonald, Perrotto, Steeber, Truman, and Voskuil. Nay: Councilmember Rashkin. (File Ord.
No. 2011-479)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Action on a request to waive the special event fee for the Janesville Farmers Market. Councilmember
Steeber moved to deny the waiver request, seconded by Councilmember Truman and passed by the
following vote: Aye: Councilmembers Brunner, McDonald, Perrotto, Steeber, Truman, and Voskuil. Nay:
Councilmember Rashkin.
2. Action on a proposed resolution to add supplemental life insurance to employee benefit package.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Rashkin and
passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-781)
3. Action to authorize the City Manager to file a simplified water rate increase with the Public Service
Commission. Councilmember Steeber moved to authorize the City Manager to file a simplified rate
increase (3%) with the Public Service Commission, seconded by Councilmember Rashkin and passed
unanimously.
4. Waive notice of special meeting (study session) scheduled for April 27 at 5:30 p.m. regarding
financial policies. All Councilmembers waived notice.
5. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action. Ty
Bollerud, 419 S. Walnut St., requested the City address infrastructure repair needs around the City.
Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., asked the Council to refer the water rate increase (New Business
#3) to the Sustainability Committee, spoke against the updated communications systems ordinance (Old
Business #3) and asked the Council to create a citizen review committee for all ordinances.
7. Matters not on the Agenda. Councilmember Perrotto stated the Janesville Police Department did an
excellent job in communicating with local businesses about the secondhand dealer ordinance changes
and thanked the Chief of Police for the report on the ordinance change. Councilmember Rashkin
requested the Chief’s report be put online, congratulated Councilmember Steeber on his retirement, and
asked if the Rock River flooding was a concern. Carl Weber, Director of Public Works, indicated the
river has peaked and flooding does not appear to be imminent at this time. Councilmembers Rashkin
and McDonald encouraged people to vote in the upcoming election. Councilmember Truman requested
the Administration report on how City owned farm land is being rented and thanked the citizens of
Janesville for their support. Council President Voskuil stated the Big Give will be on April 9, 2011 and
asked citizens to support the event. She also asked how citizens could get a sample ballot. Dave
Godek, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer, stated that citizens could go to the Voter Public Access website or call
the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office to get the information.
8. Councilmember Steeber moved to convene into closed session, pursuant to Wisconsin Statute
Section 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating and setting the potential negotiating and bargaining
strategies, terms, and conditions for a potential industrial site TIF development agreement since
competitive and/or bargaining reasons required a closed session. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember McDonald and passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 8:28 p.m. These minutes are
not official until approved by City Council.
David T. Godek
Deputy Clerk-Treasurer