Minutes 6-13-11
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN APPROVED 6/27/11
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 13, 2011
VOL. 62
NO. 7
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on June 13,
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
Steeber and Voskuil.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of May 23, 2011.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee. (Refer to separate
agenda.)
Waiver of special assessment procedures for sanitary sewer and water main for the southside of East
Delavan Drive (Current Parcel 6-10-251) – Steinke.
Action on a financial gain request from Downtown Development Alliance to host four “Picnic In The
Park” events at four separate downtown parks on four dates as follows: June 12, 2011 at
Fireman’s/Volunteer Park; 2) July 10, 2011 at Jefferson Park; 3) August 14, 2011 at Downtown
Riverfront Park; and 4) September 11, 2011 at Lower Courthouse Park.
Council President Brunner stated that the items on the consent agenda would be approved if there were
no objections. There were none.
Special recognition: Action on a proposed resolution in commendation of Marsha J. Havertape’s 35
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. 2011-812)
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 introduction of the Ward Supervisor Ordinance
(NB #3).
2. A proposed ordinance amending the City’s Wastewater Facility and Sewer Use ordinance in order to
adjust hauled waste service charges received its second reading and public hearing. No one spoke.
The public hearing was closed. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said ordinance, seconded by
Councilmember Rashkin and passed unanimously. (File Ord. No. 2011-486)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the City Manager to proceed with the sale of surplus
properly located at 3215 and 3221 Rockport Park Drive. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said
resolution, seconded by Councilmember Dongarra-Adams and passed unanimously. (File Res. No.
2011-815)
2. City Manager Report: Revaluation (The Final Report). Richard Haviza, City Assessor, presented
information about the upcoming assessment change notices and decision factors that go into the
process. He stated that the change notices would have information about Open Book and Board of
Review. Councilmember Rashkin asked what was being done to get the word out about the assessment
process. Mr. Haviza responded that we would: enclose an information data sheet with the assessment
change notices, advertise in the newspaper and post information on the City website.
3. A proposed ordinance clarifying that the term “ward supervisors” refers to elected Rock County Board
representatives was introduced. Councilmember McDonald suggested eliminating the ordinance.
Council President Brunner stated he would schedule the public hearing at a later date. (File Ord. No.
2011-483)
Council President Brunner combined action on New Business #4 and #5.
4. & 5. Proposed ordinances annexing property located at 2120 East Delavan Drive and zoning said
property to R1 upon annexation were introduced with the zoning ordinance referred to the Plan
Commission and scheduled for a public hearing on July 25, 2011. (File Ord. Nos. 2011-487 and 2011-
488)
6. A proposed ordinance establishing a Historic Overlay District on land located in the vicinity of
Downtown Janesville was introduced, referred to the Plan Commission and scheduled for a public
hearing on August 8, 2011. (File Ord. No. 2011-489)
7. A proposed ordinance which creates the Historic District Plan for the Downtown Historic Overlay
District was introduced, referred to the Plan Commission and scheduled for a public hearing on August 8,
2011. (File Ord. No. 2011-490)
8. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action. Doug
Rebout, representing the Rock County Farm Bureau, invited the Council to Focus on Agriculture on July
13, 2011. Andreah Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., requested that the City pick up the storm debris that
residents placed on their terraces. She also had concerns about the code inspectors monitoring the old
th
4 ward neighborhoods.
9. Matters not on the Agenda. Councilmember Steeber stated that the roundabouts near the Youth
Sports Center are very poorly marked. Councilmember Rashkin thanked the Council for attending the
joint Beloit/Janesville Council meeting and suggested more community efforts at Lions Beach.
Councilmember Liebert thanked the Police and Fire Chiefs for the opportunity to ride along on public
safety calls. Council President Brunner stated that the bike trail crossing Highway 14 had a gap in the
sidewalk; requested background information on Ward Supervisors be distributed to the Council; and
stated that a Code of Ethics and Conduct Council Policy would be on the next Council agenda.
10. Councilmember McDonald moved to convene into closed session, pursuant to Wisconsin Statute
Section 19.85(1)(e), for the purpose of considering, deliberating, and setting the bargaining and
negotiating terms and conditions, since competitive and/or bargaining reasons require a closed session,
for a potential purchase of properties on the City's south side for bike trail and other public purposes.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 7:54 p.m. These minutes are
not official until approved by the City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf
City Clerk-Treasurer