Minutes 4-11-11
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN APPROVED 4/25/11
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 11, 2011
VOL. 61
NO. 35
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on April 11,
2011. The meeting was called to order by Council President Voskuil at 7:00 PM.
Present: Council President Voskuil, Councilmembers Brunner, McDonald, Perrotto, Rashkin, Steeber,
and Truman.
CONSENT AGENDA
Regular City Council meeting minutes of March 28, 2011.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
Council President Voskuil stated that all items on the consent agenda would be approved if there were
no objections. There were none.
Action on a proposed resolution recognizing April 29, 2011 as Stand Against Racism Day in the City of
Janesville. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember
Rashkin and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-787)
Special recognition: Action on a proposed resolution in commendation of Clyde E. Eakins’ 32 years of
service to the City of Janesville. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Rashkin and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-784)
Special recognition: Action on a proposed resolution in commendation of Michael J. Thiering’s 31 years
of service to the City of Janesville. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded
by Councilmember Truman and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-785)
Special recognition: Action on a proposed resolution in commendation of James B. Dennis’ 31 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. 2011-786)
Special recognition: Action on a proposed resolution in commendation of William Truman’s service to
the City of Janesville. Councilmember McDonald moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Rashkin and passed unanimously, with Councilmember Truman abstaining. (File Res.
No. 2011-794)
Special recognition: Action on a proposed resolution in commendation of Frank A. Perrotto’s service to
the City of Janesville. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Truman and passed unanimously, with Councilmember Perrotto abstaining.
Councilmember Perrotto stated he appreciated the hard work of City staff and fellow Councilmembers.
He also thanked all of his supporters. (File Res. No. 2011-795)
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 what TIF district was being discussed in
closed session (NB #14), asked the Council to create a process to inform non-profits to file for tax
exempt status (NB #4), asked that new council members be trained by a third party, and asked that
the names of Committee members be announced and that a formal swearing in be performed (NB
#8). Council President Voskuil stated that TIF district 22 was being discussed in closed session.
2. Public hearing on a proposed ordinance eliminating the waiver of special assessment procedures as
a means for satisfying new developer/subdivider storm sewer, sidewalk, and street lighting payment
obligations. Council President Voskuil deferred action on this item. (File Ord. No. 2011-478)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Presentation from Ann Forbeck on homeless youth and Project 16:49. Project 16:49 is a group that
works with the approximately 350 homeless students in the Janesville School District. The mission of the
group is to provide safe and stable housing to homeless youth. No Council action was taken.
2. City Manager Report: Revaluation (Part 1). Richard Haviza, City Assessor, explained that the City of
Janesville is required by the Department of Revenue to conduct a revaluation. State law requires
property assessments to be between 90% and 110% of full market value. The City assessment values
have not been in range since 2004 so the revaluation is required by law.
3. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a use agreement with the
Friends of Lustig Park Disc Golf Club. Councilmember Truman moved to adopt said resolution,
seconded by Councilmember Brunner and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-793)
4. Action on a claim for unlawful taxes in the amount of $1,860.93 for the year 2010 from St. Peter’s
Lutheran Church regarding property located at 1315 Putnam Avenue. Councilmember Steeber moved to
allow said claim, seconded by Councilmember Truman and passed unanimously.
5. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the acquisition and demolition of real property located at
1909 Joseph Street for open green space. Councilmember Rashkin moved to adopt said resolution,
seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-777)
6. Action on a proposed preliminary resolution for Public Works Bid Schedule “B” – 2011 (sewer and
water assessments) and schedule a public hearing for the final resolution. Councilmember Steeber
moved to adopt the preliminary resolution and schedule a public hearing for April 25, 2011, seconded by
Councilmember Truman and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-790)
7. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of up to $986,325 sewerage
system revenue bonds, series 2011 and providing for other details and covenants with respect thereto.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Rashkin and
passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-791)
8. Action on City Manager and Council President recommended citizen committee appointments.
Councilmember McDonald moved to approve all committees except for the Transportation Committee,
seconded by Councilmember Rashkin. Councilmember Rashkin then offered a friendly amendment to
remove the Ice Skating Center Advisory Committee which was accepted by the maker. The motion, as
amended, passed unanimously.
Councilmember McDonald moved to approve Bradley Reents and Jason Stout to the Transportation
Committee and direct the Citizen Advisory Committee on Appointments to recommend a third individual,
seconded by Councilmember Steeber and failed by the following vote: Aye: McDonald, Rashkin and
Steeber. Nay: Brunner, Perrotto, Truman and Voskuil. Councilmember Perrotto moved to approve all
recommendations to the Transportation Committee, seconded by Councilmember Truman and passed
unanimously.
Councilmember Rashkin moved to defer voting on appointments to the Ice Skating Center Advisory
Committee, seconded by Councilmember Truman. Councilmember Rashkin withdrew the motion.
Councilmember Rashkin moved to approve the Ice Skating Center Advisory Committee appointments
and direct staff and the Committee to review the Committee’s purpose, seconded by Councilmember
Steeber and passed unanimously.
9. Motion to authorize City Manager to enter into a stipulation and settlement resolving the claim of the
City of Janesville et al relating to liabilities associated with the Janesville Disposal Facility.
Councilmember Steeber moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into a stipulation and settlement,
seconded by Councilmember Perrotto and passed unanimously.
10. Discussion on leases of farmland. Councilmember Truman stated that farmland is being leased
below market value and it would benefit the City’s budget to increase fees. The City Manager stated that
the Administration would review farmland leases and bring the matter back to Council. No Council action
was taken.
11. The City Council’s organizational meeting for April 19, 2011 was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. and
Council waived notice.
12. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action.
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Burdette Erickson, representing the 4 Ward Committee, thanked Councilmembers Truman and Perrotto
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for serving on the Council. He also thanked the entire Council for working hard to improve the 4 Ward
Neighborhood. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., asked the Council to recognize Committee
Members.
13. Matters not on the Agenda. Councilmembers Rashkin and Steeber requested a joint meeting with
the Beloit City Council. Councilmember Rashkin also stated that on April 28, 2011, there is a local
government institute networking meeting in Madison. Council President Voskuil thanked everyone who
participated in the Big Give Food Drive which collected $1,020 in donations and 4,600 pounds of food.
She asked the Administration to investigate possible sign ordinance violations at Wright Rd. and
Highway
14. She stated that the Janesville Shade Committee has invited the Council to their annual Arbor Day
Celebration. Councilmember Truman thanked his supporters and stated that he enjoyed his time on the
Council, working with staff, and the community.
14. 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 terms,
conditions, and provisions of collective bargaining agreements and related bargaining strategies and
matters; and for a potential economic development TIF 22 development agreement, seconded by
Councilmember Truman and passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 9:30 p.m. These minutes are
not official until approved by City Council.
David T. Godek
Deputy Clerk-Treasurer