Minutes 4-25-11
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN APPROVED 5/9/11
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 25, 2011
VOL. 62
NO. 2
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on April 25,
2011. The meeting was called to order by Council President Brunner at 7:00 PM.
Present: Council President Brunner, Councilmembers Dongarra-Adams, Liebert, McDonald, Rashkin
and Steeber. Absent: Councilmember Voskuil.
Council President Brunner welcomed new Councilmembers Deb Dongarra-Adams and Sam Liebert to
the City Council.
CONSENT AGENDA
Regular City Council meeting minutes of April 11, 2011.
Special City Council meeting minutes of April 19, 2011.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
Financial statement for the month of March, 2011.
Council President Brunner stated that all items on the consent agenda would be approved if there were
no objections. There were none.
Action on proposed resolutions recognizing the 2011 Sustainable Janesville Award Recipients.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolutions which recognized Data Dimensions, Mocha
Moments and Basics Cooperative, seconded by Councilmember McDonald and passed unanimously.
(File Res. Nos. 2011-799, 2011-800, 2011-801)
Action on a proposed resolution recognizing May 6, 2011 as Rotary Botanical Gardens Day in the City of
Janesville. Councilmember Rashkin moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember
McDonald and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-792)
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public regarding items on the Agenda not requiring a public
hearing. Mike Eggleston, representing the Veterans United for Veterans, and Al Pacheco,
representing the Patriotic Society, spoke in favor of the expansion of the Veteran’s Memorial Plaza in
Traxler Park. Joel Shapiro, representing the Rock Aqua Jays, Shelly Kakouris, representing the
Janesville Renaissance Faire, and Alfred Lembrich, 541 Miller Ave., expressed concerns about the
amount of space to be dedicated to the Veteran’s Memorial Plaza and suggested a smaller space
(O.B. #4). Neil Deupree, 419 S. Franklin St., thanked the Council for presenting the Awards for
Sustainability and the recognition of Rotary Gardens.
2. A final resolution for Public Works Projects (contract 2011-10: water and sewer assessments)
included in Bid Schedule B-2011 received its public hearing. No one spoke. The public hearing was
closed. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution and approve a five year non-use
deferment for water main only on Huntinghorne Dr. and water and sewer on McCormick Dr., as well as
non-use deferments for water and sewer on Fox Hills Ct. until existing septic systems or wells fail or
residential properties are sold. Councilmember Dongarra-Adams seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-796)
3. Award of contract 2011-9 (Arbor Ridge drainage repairs); contract 2011-10 (water and sewer system
improvements); contract 2011-11 (Afton Road shoulder improvements); and contract 2011-12 (STH 11
improvements and traffic signals) for Public Works Bid Schedule B-2011. Councilmember Steeber
moved to award the following contracts to the low bidders with the intent to include funds in the 2011
Note Issue:
Contract Company Amount
2011-9 Valia Excavating, LLC $37,450.00
2011-10 R.T. Fox Construction, Inc. $567,051.00
2011-11 Bjoin Limestone, Inc. $50,285.68
2011-12 Rock Road Companies, Inc. $1,249,736.45
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Liebert and passed unanimously.
4. Consideration, deliberation, and action on Janesville Patriotic Society request for Veteran’s Memorial
Plaza expansion at Traxler Park. Tom Stehura, President of the Janesville Patriotic Society, presented a
plan to enhance the Veteran’s Memorial site at Traxler Park. Councilmember Steeber moved to grant
the Janesville Patriotic Society’s request for minor improvements around the eternal flame, seconded by
Councilmember McDonald and passed unanimously. Councilmember McDonald moved to ask the
Janesville Patriotic Society to submit a revised plan to the Plan Commission with a diagram of monument
placement on the north end and/or along the roadway and work with the Parks Department, Plan
Commission and staff to complete that plan. Councilmember Liebert seconded the motion and it passed
by the following vote: Aye: Brunner, Dongarra-Adams, Liebert, McDonald and Rashkin. Nay: Steeber.
NEW BUSINESS
1. City Manager Report: Revaluation (Part 2). Richard Haviza, City Assessor, presented information
regarding the revaluation explaining that it is a revenue neutral task meaning that it will not increase
revenue for the City but it will more accurately and fairly distribute the tax collected among the property
owners in the City of Janesville.
2. Presentation on proposed supervisory districts based on the 2010 United States Census. Jean Ann
Wulf, City Clerk-Treasurer, presented information regarding Rock County’s redistricting activities based
on the 2010 United States Census and how it affects the City of Janesville.
3. Action on a proposed resolution requiring the Union Pacific Railroad to repair two at-grade crossings
and petition the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads for an investigation of the repairs.
Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Liebert and
passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-797)
4. Consideration and action concerning approval of Council President recommended councilmember
committee appointments. Councilmember Rashkin moved to approve all Council President
recommended appointments, seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously.
5. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action. Jack
Herndon, 404 S. Walnut St., provided information about Redneck Fest including updated maps, a safe
st
ride program and also stated that all proceeds would go to Easter Seals. The event dates are July 1 (4
nd
pm to 10 pm) and July 2 (10 am to 10 pm).
6. Matters not on the Agenda. Councilmember McDonald asked when trash cans will be placed in the
parks and City Manager Levitt stated that the Parks Department is in the process of opening the parks
for the public. Councilmember Steeber stated that there will be a Law Enforcement Memorial Service on
May 6, 2011 at noon at the State Capital. Council President Brunner thanked the Living Lands and
Water for the trees they donated to the City of Janesville and the Friends of Riverside Park for planting
them. He also stated there will be a volunteer appreciation event on May 4, 2011. A Study Session on
the Debt and Fund Balance Policies will be on April 27, 2011.
7. 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 negotiation and bargaining strategies,
terms, and conditions for: a) a potential industrial site TIF #22 development agreement and b) a potential
sale of two (2) lots in Hickory Ridge, since competitive and/or bargaining reasons require a closed
session seconded by Councilmember McDonald and passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 9:47 p.m. These minutes are
not official until approved by City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
City Clerk-Treasurer