Minutes 8-22-11
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED 9/12/11
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 22, 2011
VOL. 62
NO. 12
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on August 22,
2011. The meeting was called to order by Council President Brunner at 7:00 PM. Council President
Brunner led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council President Brunner, Councilmembers Dongarra-Adams, Liebert, McDonald, Rashkin,
and Voskuil. Absent: Councilmember Steeber.
CONSENT AGENDA
Regular City Council meeting minutes of August 8, 2011.
Licenses; and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee. (Refer to separate
agenda.)
Action on a financial gain request from Janesville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to host an Art
Infusion event in downtown Janesville on September 16, 17 and 18, 2011. (Councilmember Rashkin
abstained from voting on this item.)
Action on a financial gain request from USA Water Ski and Wakeboard to conduct a USA Wakeboard
Collegiate Midwest Regional event on September 17 and 18, 2011 at Traxler Park.
Financial statement for the month of July, 2011.
Council President Brunner stated that all items on the consent agenda would be approved if there were
no objections. There were none.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public regarding items on the Agenda not requiring a public
hearing. Neil Deupree, 419 S. Franklin St. spoke in favor of the upgrades at the Wastewater Treatment
Plant (NB #2.)
2. A proposed ordinance prohibiting the possession of any firearm in any City building or structure
except as allowed by law for sworn law enforcement and peace officers, with penalties for violations
thereof as set forth in JGO 9.88.040 received its second reading and public hearing. Andreah
Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., spoke against the ordinance. The public hearing was closed. Council
President Brunner postponed action on this item until October 10, 2011. (File Ord. No. 2011-493)
Council President combined Old Business #3 and #4.
3. & 4. A proposed ordinance deleting and recreating electoral ward boundaries received its second
reading and public hearing. No one spoke. The public hearing was closed. Council reviewed the
proposed ordinance and the associated resolution which assigns the electoral wards to polling places.
Councilmember McDonald moved to adopt said ordinance and resolution, seconded by Councilmember
Liebert. Councilmember Liebert requested that the vote be split. Revised File Ord. #2011-497 passed by
the following vote: Aye: Brunner, Dongarra-Adams, McDonald, Rashkin and Voskuil. Nay: Liebert.
Resolution 2011-830 passed unanimously.
5. Action on a proposed resolution approving the project plan for Tax Increment Finance District No. 35,
land located at the southwest corner of STH 11 and Beloit Avenue. Councilmember Dongarra-Adams
moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed by the following vote:
Aye: Brunner, Dongarra-Adams, Liebert, Rashkin and Voskuil. Nay: McDonald. (File Res. No. 2011-
816)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing the acquisition of property located at 1116
Hamilton Avenue. Councilmember Rashkin moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-829)
2. Authorization for the City Manager to issue a change order in the amount of $750,000 to the
Wastewater Treatment Plant construction contract in order to proceed with energy enhancing
modifications to produce additional electricity and fuel for municipal vehicles. Councilmember McDonald
moved to authorize the City Manager to issue a change order in the amount of $750,000 with the intent
that the necessary equipment for this project is installed and operational by the end of 2011; and express
the intent of the City Council to borrow funds at a future date to finance these improvements. The motion
was seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed unanimously.
3. Adoption of financial policies on debt management and fund balance and resolution 2011-828 to
approve commitment of fund balances. Councilmember McDonald moved to adopt said resolution and
policies, seconded by Councilmember Liebert. Council President Brunner offered a friendly amendment
to Council Policy #75, page 3, paragraph 6, that the City shall limit borrowing for the annual street
resurfacing-reconstruction program to $950,000 per year. In addition, borrowing in excess of $950,000
per year for this purpose requires a super majority vote of the City Council. The friendly amendment was
accepted by the maker and the motion, as amended, passed unanimously. (File Res. No. 2011-828)
4. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action. No one
spoke.
5. Matters not on the Agenda. Councilmember Rashkin stated that a member of the Sustainable
Committee requested that roof shingles be recycled. Council President Brunner stated that there is an
MPO meeting scheduled for September 26, 2011 at 6 p.m., there is a Labor Day parade on September 6,
2011, the Big Give Food Drive is scheduled for October 8, 2011, and the Budget Advice Scorecard is
available online for the public to complete a survey regarding the City’s annual operating budget.
6. Councilmember Rashkin moved to convene into closed session, pursuant to Wisconsin Statute
Section 19.85 (1) (e), for the purpose of deliberating and setting the negotiation terms, conditions, and
parameters for the potential sale of NSP rehabilitated properties located at 414 North Washington, 212
Madison, and 407 Lincoln since competitive and/or bargaining reasons require a closed session. The
motion was seconded by Councilmember McDonald and passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 8:35 p.m.
Jean Ann Wulf
City Clerk-Treasurer